Crossing the Mountains

Chapter 81 Hidden Intent
Shen Tu Zhuo knew what these people were thinking, so he said helplessly, "The marriage party and your father and brother were brutally murdered, and the Zhenxi Army cleaned up the mess but kept it secret. We realized even then that some wanted to obstruct the marriage, while others wanted to facilitate it. The tug-of-war between these two forces has led to the current situation."

As the alcohol started to take over, Tan Huaike felt even more sorrowful. "After all, the marriage is just a deal between Daxuan and Mohe. In the eyes of the powerful, it's just like the business dealings in my restaurant: barter, and the payment is enough. Who really cares where those items come from, or what they think?"

"Whether this transaction goes through depends entirely on the intentions of the buyer and seller. The authenticity of the goods and the price of the transaction are ultimately determined by them."

"Yes, so how do they plan to continue this marriage?" Tan Huaike picked up a stone at his feet and threw it into the pond with a thud. He looked up at Shen Tu Zhuo, suppressing his grief and voicing the speculation he had always dared not mention: "Find a young lady who looks similar to Princess Mo He and use her as a substitute for her?"

"..." Shentu Zhuo only felt a dull pain in his chest and was speechless for a moment.

"Just like I was forced to join the Shentu Mansion in place of Tan Anfu, who was unwilling to be a widow?"

"Sister-in-law..." Shen Tu Zhuo was almost overwhelmed by the constant questioning, but at this point, he had to remind her, "As long as we find the right person, a replacement marriage is the easiest way to conceal the truth and stabilize the situation between the two countries. This matter has nothing to do with you and me, but I'm afraid... some people have already made up their minds."

He didn't say it, and Tan Huaike was not a dull person.

After the death of his sister, Prince Aisha of Mohe did not go to the Zhenxi Army to retrieve the body as evidence, nor did he ask the Grand Herald for an explanation. Instead, he stayed at the border and deliberately approached and helped the Mohe merchant girl who had escaped death. He also returned the princess's token to her in person. Even though he never revealed any purpose, it made Tan Huaike suspicious.

This is also the reason why Shentu Zhuo has been on high alert against Aisha. In his opinion, the great prince Mohe has been coveting Tan Huaike from the very beginning, and who knows what means he will use in the future.

Now a female historian sent by the imperial palace has arrived, and even the third prince, the target of the marriage alliance, has come in person. I'm afraid that the important officials in the court know the real situation better than those of them who are involved in the situation at the border.

With such a large scale, it must be that many parties work together to deal with this peace agreement that is on the verge of collapse.

Shentu Zhuo asked worriedly, "If they really want to make things difficult for you, how will you deal with it?"

Tan Huaike pursed his lips and said, "I'm just a merchant woman who was innocently implicated. I just want to run my shop and live a good life. If I have the energy to do so, I will help to find out the truth and avenge my father and brother. Am I destined to be used again and again, to be manipulated like a pawn?"

"Besides, if they really use the substitutionary marriage to smooth things over, who will still pursue the injustices inflicted on my father and brother and Princess Alan? Others may not care about their deaths, but I do. I don't understand the court struggles and the alliances between the two countries. No matter how they plan to arrange this marriage, I will seek justice for my father and brother."

"Don't worry, sister-in-law. I will definitely stand by you." Shen Tu Zhuo said, "My brother also died because of this incident. I can't let him go so quietly and unclearly!"
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At this time, the servants of the county magistrate's office came and asked them to return to their seats.

The two exchanged a glance, their anger and sorrow vanished, and they followed the servants back to the banquet where three rounds of wine had already passed. Somehow, everyone had already started talking about the marriage, but the topic was heading in a direction that the uncle and his wife had never imagined.

Chi Jun Shou was asking Aisha, "I heard the marriage party was still on its way east. Why did the eldest prince enter the pass so quietly, days in advance? We were caught off guard. I hope you won't blame me for not welcoming you." Aisha seemed slightly tipsy and sneered, "Chi Jun Shou, you may not know that from the Naxi River Valley to Yangguan Pass, the entire route is infested with bandits, and the Tiluo Kingdom is eyeing us covetously. To be on the safe side, I went ahead with my bodyguards to scout the way for the marriage party inside and outside the pass and clear any obstacles. I had originally planned to wait for the princess and her party to arrive before formally meeting them as envoys, but I didn't expect to bother the Jun Shou in advance because of Yan Zhisi's matter."

"Of course not, Your Highness is too polite!" Chi County Magistrate said tactfully, "If we had known your journey would be difficult, we should have sent the Zhenxi Army to escort you a thousand miles away. Look, the Third Prince has come to greet you personally, which shows how much the royal family values ​​this marriage. We can never be too cautious."

"We didn't expect that Daxuan would attach so much importance to this marriage. It's really a blessing for the princess." Aisha glanced at Zhou Wencong and Xu Guanbai with a smile on her face, but she seemed to say this with gritted teeth.

Zhou Wencong continued, "I'm actually more curious why the eldest prince is so interested in this little Yan Zhisi? Is it simply because the boss is half Mohe and seems friendly?"

"That's right." Seeing Tan Huaike just sitting down, Aisha raised her wine cup and said loudly, "I once lost an important item in the city and couldn't find it anywhere. Fortunately, this lady picked it up by chance and returned it to me after many twists and turns. If I may be so kind, you look a bit like my sister, and you have a straightforward personality, which has helped me a lot..."

"Prince, you..." Hearing that the tone of the voice was not right, Shentu Zhuo wanted to interrupt, but was drowned out by Aisha's loud voice.

"On this beautiful occasion, I would like to ask everyone present to bear witness and ask my wife a question." Aisha turned to Tan Huaike, her eyes full of sincerity, "Can I accept you as my sister?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the whole room fell silent.

Shentu Zhuo clenched his fists tightly. If he had not been in the county magistrate's mansion with so many people present, he would have beaten up this foreign prince with ulterior motives right away.

This person has never acknowledged Caizhuer's identity as the concubine of the Tan family, nor her identity as the eldest lady of the Shentu family. Now he wants to give her the title of his adopted sister. Anyone with a discerning eye can see what his intention is.

This is almost like bringing out the unspeakable words, hinting at one's intentions to those who are still watching.

This was forcing Tan Huaike to take the first step he had anticipated.

Everyone had different thoughts, waiting to see how this game would end.

Tan Huaike seemed flattered, so frightened that the wine cup beside her tipped over, spilling the wine. Bewildered, she picked up her wet skirt and said in a panic, "This... How can I dare to call His Highness the eldest prince his sister? Oh, please forgive me, my clumsy words and hands, and I have disturbed your pleasure. Please allow me to change my clothes..."

Xu Guanbai stood up and supported him: "I'll go with you."
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　Next chapter: Tell me the truth, are you attracted to her?

　　(End of this chapter)