Country Maiden: Fields and Fortune

Chapter 543: Chapter 543, Deal Made (47th Update)

Xie Zhinuan looked at Ye Hang and laughed.

How could this man be so absurd, to assuredly believe she would be tempted?

But truly, Xie Zhinuan was tempted by the three hundred thousand taels of silver.

In a scenario where one tael of silver could buy a lot, three hundred thousand taels was more than what Fengping County could earn in a year.

Ye Hang looked at Xie Zhinuan, “Miss Xie, rest assured, once you are delivered, even if it means spending all of Night Pavilion’s resources, I will save you!”

“Is it the son of the County Magistrate who is offering the silver?” Xie Zhinuan suddenly asked.

“Yes!” Ye Hang didn’t hide it.

Even though he was surprised Xie Zhinuan guessed correctly on her first try, he felt it should be so.

If Xie Zhinuan were truly foolish, merely possessing beauty, she would not have become the woman of King Han.

“I want four hundred thousand taels!” Xie Zhinuan stated.

“…”

Ye Hang was speechless.

Xie Zhinuan continued, “Firstly, I must risk myself; secondly, if you truly come to abduct me, those you bring may not leave my estate alive, be it one or a hundred. I will claim their lives!”

That’s why she wanted four hundred thousand taels.

Not a wen less would do.

“Deal!” Ye Hang agreed as well.

Since the deal was struck, preparations were needed. This abduction could not be known by too many—Xie Zhinuan thought to herself, on the eighteenth day of February, I shall go to the outskirts of the city to offer incense, and that would be a good time for it.

Ye Hang concurred.

He left the study.

As soon as Ye Hang departed, four guards appeared in the room. “Miss, you shouldn’t take this risk!”

“I shouldn’t, but four hundred thousand taels of silver really move me!” Xie Zhinuan said, pausing slightly, “Go investigate Night Pavilion!”

There were still several days left, enough time to make arrangements.

“But Miss…”

“I’ve made up my mind, don’t try to persuade me. Moreover, if we don’t agree, Night Pavilion has already taken this business and we will inevitably clash sooner or later. Why not seize this opportunity to make a profit? Tell me, if I manage to escape successfully, won’t that young man Sun Yian offer another batch of silver to have someone abduct me once more!”

“…”

The guards looked at Xie Zhinuan in astonishment.

They didn’t understand why Xie Zhinuan had suddenly become fond of silver.

Previously, she was surely pure and unsullied, not bending for silver money.

It could only be said that womankind was too fickle.

Xie Zhinuan herself was unaware of their thoughts, having her own plans in mind.

Anyway, there was no escaping being kidnapped or attacked, so it was better to choose what was most advantageous for herself.

“You all go to sleep, tomorrow I need to ask the elder for some things!”

Her medical skills weren’t yet refined; she dared not attempt to mix medicines, let alone poisons, fearing that an overly strong concoction might kill someone outright, which would not end well.

As for who slept the most peacefully that night, it could only be Xie Zhinuan.

Sun Yian slumped in his chair, having lost interest in the songs and dances long ago, his mind entirely filled with that refreshing cold bamboo fragrance.

Indeed, a beauty had such distinct preferences even in her choice of perfume.

Then he thought of Xie Zhinuan’s coldness, a frosty beauty indeed…

He wondered when the Night Pavilion would finally deliver her to him.

The singer leaned closer and called, “Young Master…”

“Scram!” Sun Yian rebuked coldly.

The singer was so frightened that she trembled and quickly retreated, not daring to breathe too loud.

Now concerning Ye Hang.

Upon returning to Night Pavilion’s residence in Gaocheng County, he ordered someone to prepare a hot bath.

After bathing, he sat by the window, holding a book.

But he didn’t turn a page for a long time, his gaze fixated on the bright moon outside the window.

Yesterday, from a distance, he had seen a beauty but hadn’t seen her clearly.

Now, having seen her again today, the more he gazed at her beneath the lamp, the more enchanting she became. Yet, he dared not look one moment longer, terrified that Xie Zhinuan would notice his true intentions were not solely business.