Crossing the Mountains

Chapter 15 Things change and people change
The two fell into a brief silence.

After a while, Shentu Zhuo lowered his eyes to look at Tan Huaike in the window, and shook the bell again, urging her to answer.

Tan Huaike met his gaze: "You went to dig graves? No wonder you got all dirty. Shen Tu Zhuo, you can do such a thing, are you still a human being?"

Shen Tu Zhuo asked with a smile, "Compared to the people who took over her identity and impersonated her, digging a grave for me is nothing, right? You still haven't answered me, who is that skeleton? And who are you?"

Tan Huaike sighed and said ambiguously, "I married in on behalf of Tan Anfu, the legitimate daughter of the Tan family. This isn't just known to the Shentu family; everyone in the county knows about it. As for who I, Tan Huaike, am... naturally, I'm just a pitiful person who's been used and can't resist. Does anyone really care who impersonated her?"

"You are not Tan Huaike, I want to know who you are!" Shen Tu Zhuo stopped beating around the bush and questioned her.

"I am Tan Huaike," Tan Huaike replied. "Shentu Zhuo, rather than accepting an answer that things have changed and people have changed, I urge you to accept the status quo. Is my identity really that important to you? Isn't what you should be focusing on right now the cause of your brother, my husband's death?"

"What do you know?" Shentu Zhuo frowned.

"I only know that the Western Territory and Daxuan will never be at peace again."
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The two of them argued for a long time, and some things were known to each other, while some things made them confused.

At this time, Tan Huaike heard a few familiar "gurgling" sounds.

Shentu Zhuo: "..."

Tan Huaike: "Why are you hungry again?" Last time in Qinglu, I was also hungry at a very inappropriate time.

Shen Tu Zhuo was a little angry and embarrassed: "I went to Youlin Village today, got some old things from the Tan family's old house for you, and then went to the desolate cemetery to dig up your nameless grave. I was so hungry!"

Tan Huaike couldn't help but roll his eyes: "Did I ask you to get some old stuff? Did I ask you to dig up my grave? Listen to what you said, are you talking like a human being? Who can I blame if I starve to death?"

Although they were arguing, their voices were always kept low.

After all, it was the relationship between the widowed sister-in-law and the younger brother-in-law. They quarreled through the window in the widowed sister-in-law's yard in the middle of the night. No matter who they told, they couldn't explain it.

However, Shentu Zhuo was really hungry, and Tan Huaike couldn't sleep, so the two of them sneaked into the kitchen together. There were no fresh ingredients to cook, so Tan Huaike kneaded dough, added oil, and made a few baked naan.

The hot baked naan is taken out from the stove, and the aroma is mouth-watering.

Tan Huaike found several spices from the Western Region in the kitchen and skillfully sprinkled them on the toasted naan. He then gave half to Shentu Zhuo and said generously, "Eat it. It should be enough to fill your stomach."

Shentu Zhuo took a bite of the toasted naan and thought it was the most delicious Western pastry he had ever tasted. The crust was crispy, the inside soft and fluffy, the grease applied just enough to make the dough crispy without being too greasy. Combined with the amazing combination of spices, it was truly delicious.

He commented reservedly: "I didn't realize you have quite good skills."

Tan Huaike said modestly, "Honestly, your chef's Western cuisine is really terrible. I've been enduring it for several days."

"Then you can give him more guidance when you get back."

"I don't have the time. If I want to eat, can't I just cook it myself? Besides, your chef's Daxuan dishes are pretty good. They should be to Jun Gu's liking. If I go and give him instructions, wouldn't that be overstepping my authority and offending him?"

"Some people in my family also like to eat Western cuisine, like me."

"What do you like to eat? What's it to me?"

"My brother likes to eat too. What he likes to eat is none of your business, sister-in-law."

"Then I'll make it and place it in front of the tablet for him."

"Okay, we'll be brothers and I'll share the food with you then." "???" Tan Huaike admired the man's shamelessness.

After barely filling his stomach, Shentu Zhuo could no longer bear the dust on his body and was about to go back to the house to wash and change clothes. But after taking two steps, he was grabbed by Tan Huaike's sleeve.

Shen Tu Zhuo stopped and turned to look at the hesitant and silent Tan Huaike. The moonlight shining on that bright and beautiful face made his heart flutter. He deliberately smiled and teased: "Auntie, will you keep me?"

Tan Huaike released his hand, bowed solemnly, and said, "Please consider that I'm treating you to some toasted naan. I have some questions about the new decree for selecting imperial merchants, and I'd like to ask you for your advice."

To seize the initiative, sort out the clues, and add chips to her plan of revenge and escape, she must obtain more reliable information, and Shentu Zhuo is the only person she can turn to for help. He has almost figured out her background, but he has not used it to threaten or expose her intentions, which is equivalent to tacitly allowing her to tie her interests to the Shentu Mansion.

So, she wanted to give it a try and ask for his help.

"Oh, about this matter." Shen Tuzhuo hadn't expected her to be so concerned about the new order. He took the opportunity to say, "I can answer your question, but I won't ask for baked naan in exchange. I'll ask for an honest answer from you."

"What do you want to ask? You've already asked me enough questions tonight."

"I can swear not to tell anyone, and I can continue to recognize you as my sister-in-law." Shen Tu Zhuo looked down at her light brown eyes, "but I want to know your real name."

"My real name..."
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It's still too late at night, not a good time to discuss important matters.

The two men agreed to exchange answers, then said goodbye politely and returned to their respective courtyards.

Shentu Zhuo took a refreshing hot bath and changed into clean underwear. He had been exploring and digging graves all day. Although his body was extremely tired, his mind was very excited. He couldn't fall asleep for a long time.

He simply sat down in front of the chessboard and casually moved the pieces to break the game.

Speaking of which, the three encounters between him and this fake Tan Huaike were all quite tense, just like the two sides of attack and defense on the chessboard, going back and forth, one side on full alert, the other side trying hard to test, and then reached the current stalemate and balanced state.

Shentu Zhuo found himself becoming more and more curious about this person.

I am curious about her real name, the identity she is hiding, what she has been through, and why she is trapped in the trap set by the Shentu and Tan families.

He thought it would be a good idea to acknowledge this sister-in-law first, at least she was a very interesting person.

They could probably play this game of chess together for a long time.
-
Tan Huaike fell asleep as soon as he returned to his room.

Dealing with Shentu Zhuo was really a tiring task. After tossing and turning all night, she no longer had to hide things that could not be concealed. The taut string could finally be loosened, and she had a rare and sweet sleep.

The next morning, Shentu Zhuo asked Ashuo and Ahui to bring her all the old things that were moved from the old house.

Tan Huaike took inventory and found that the rattle he was playing with last night was not among them, but she did not ask any more questions. After thanking Ah Shuo and Ah Hui, she put these things away properly.

It can be said that Shentu Zhuo helped unintentionally. Although these things are old, she still kept them and found them useful.

In addition, Ah Shuo also brought her a message, saying that the second young master had gone to Yunhexiangjie to rehearse Yuefu, and if the lady felt too bored staying at home, she could go and take a look.

Knowing that this was an excuse to have a detailed talk with her, Tan Huaike agreed.
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　Next chapter: Not a playboy.

　　Thanks to Jiang Jiang Jiang Jiang Han, Book Friend 8538, Xia Xi Chan Ming, Yu Da Gu Ping, Book Friend 3260, and Book Friend 8574 for their recommendations~
　　

(End of this chapter)