Climbing on the Sparrow Branch – CH 659

Chapter 659: Ambush

Qian Jinyu felt a tightness in his chest, a feeling of unease that had lingered for two days.

An Zhi woke up early and came out of the courtyard to find Qian Jinyu pulling Lin Feng to practice boxing.

“Put more force into it!” Qian Jinyu yelled at Lin Feng.

When Lin Feng saw his madam arrive, he forgot about Qian Jinyu and quickly took a large step back before bowing to her, “Good morning, Madam.”

“Good morning,” An Zhi smiled and nodded to Lin Feng, then looked at the sweat-drenched Qian Jinyu. “Good morning, Young Master Qian. The kitchen will be making fish cakes today. If you like them, you’d better hurry.”

Qian Jinyu’s stomach growled in agreement, but he said he didn’t want to eat. “Madam of Pei, how many days are you going to keep me locked up?”

“What do you mean by locked up? We just want Young Master Qian to stay a few more days.” An Zhi had spent a lot of time with Pei Que, and her tone of voice had gradually become similar to his. “Pei Que said three days… That’s three days. We will send Young Master Qian away tomorrow, so please don’t worry.”

“Really?” Qian Jinyu asked suspiciously, then realized that even if it wasn’t true, he couldn’t do anything about it. A gentle breeze ruffled his clothes, the damp coolness making him more alert. “Forget it; asking you is pointless. The whole courtyard’s full of Pei Que’s men. You’re just living with Pei Que anyway.”

“Young Master Qian,” An Zhi raised her voice slightly, “Don’t underestimate women. You came here today because of Pei Xuan, didn’t you?”

An Zhi smiled faintly. Qian Jinyu had studied a little bit of everything and was very talented in tactical analysis; what he lacked was experience.

A person without experience was easily fooled.

“Young Master Qian, I know you’re a very intelligent man, and you want to achieve great things, which is what every man desires,” An Zhi said calmly. “But on the battlefield, how many die on the front lines, and how many truly rise to the top? You should know this very well. If you don’t marry Pei Xuan in three years, she will definitely marry someone else.”

Qian Jinyu’s handsome Adam’s apple bobbed, large beads of sweat rolling down his throat. “If I don’t achieve any success in three years, I’m willing to offer Pei Xuan a hundred acres of fertile land as her dowry.”

An Zhi raised an eyebrow slightly. “It’s good that you have this intention, but my Pei family doesn’t lack your hundred acres of fertile land. You should think more about your Qian family. You’re situated between Dingnan and the Northwest. Whatever happens in the future, do you really think the West will be ignored? Or do you think the Xu and Yun families will truly want to leave you alone?”

The Qian family controlled the military forces in the West. Although they weren’t as brave and skilled as the Northwest army nor as numerous as the Dingnan army, they were still a large and lucrative force.

If the Yun and Xu families could win over the Qian family, with the Qian family acting as a mediator, Pei Que would face a very difficult situation.

However, if the Qian family’s heart was with Pei Que, it could be said that Pei Que controlled half of the Jin Dynasty’s borders.

In chaotic times, no one could remain peacefully in one place.

An Zhi said so much because she was a little anxious, afraid that Qian Jinyu wouldn’t understand the underlying principles, so she specifically reminded him, lest Qian Jinyu really leave tomorrow.

Having said everything that needed to be said, An Zhi was also hungry and went to the main hall.

Lin Feng and Qian Jinyu gave each other a perfunctory bow. “Young Master Qian, I will also take my leave now.”

The large courtyard was now occupied only by Qian Jinyu. The early morning sunlight fell on him, carrying a hint of heat, as if it wanted to ignite him.

~

An Zhi and Pei Que finished breakfast.

Pei Que wiped his mouth and said, “I have to go out for a while today. Yue’er had a cough last night, so I will go to Yongning City to get some medicine while I’m at it.”

An Zhi was used to Pei Que’s outings. “Be careful on the road,” she said. “Zhang Huai’an won’t bother you, but watch out for other people’s spies.”

Pei Que nodded, understanding. “You too,” he added, “If any uninvited guests appear, hide in a secret room first.”

An Zhi saw Pei Que to the door and was somewhat surprised to see Qian Jinyu also leaving with him, but she didn’t say anything.

Pei Que and Qian Jinyu were both riding horses. Their tall figures made them stand out in the middle of the procession.

“Fourth Uncle called me out just to take me sightseeing in Yongning City?” Qian Jinyu asked, puzzled.

“Young Master Qian’s leaving soon, so naturally I should prepare some gifts for you,” Pei Que said, his hand silently reaching for his sword. “After you leave Yongning tomorrow, please don’t mention Yongning to anyone else. Too many people knowing wouldn’t be good. Do you agree?”

“Fourth Uncle, you can rest assured. I’m not one to gossip.” Qian Jinyu had no intention of antagonizing the Pei family. He believed Pei Que had the ability to rebuild his fortunes and saw no need to offend him now.

Pei Que nodded, saying that was good.

The gravel path in the mountains was damp from the recent downpour; the horses’ hooves splashed water as they walked.

However, just then, a cold arrow suddenly flew out from the dense forest beside the road.

With a sharp clang, Pei Que quickly blocked the arrow with his sword.

“An ambush!” Lin Feng shouted from ahead.