A Good Country Wife
Chapter 395 - 389_1

Chapter 395: Chapter 389_1

After a night’s stay in Longmen Town, the myriad legends of Longhu Mountain seemed even more rampant. The threat from bandits was pervasive. Everyone tensed their nerves during the journey, fearful of sudden ambushes by road-robbing bandits. However, since their group was traveling with a considerable amount of goods, it was difficult to avoid the mountain bandits’ gaze. It wasn’t long after they had entered the territory of Longhu Mountain that they were stopped by a group of about twenty bandits.

Yet at this moment, Lin Yue did not feel nervous, but rather a sense of unreality. She had actually encountered bandits. Could it be that they would also spout typical lines like "I opened this mountain, I planted these trees"? Lin Yue couldn’t help but let her thoughts wander as she contemplated this, while Zhao Erhu immediately came to her side, ready to protect her.

"Everyone knows the rules. To pass through Longhu Mountain, you can keep your lives, but all your goods, silver, and treasures must be left behind," the bandits declared.

Of course, neither Zhao Erhu nor Li Xun would agree to such a demand, and they stood off against the bandits of Longhu Mountain, looking as if they were about to come to blows, when a crisp voice rang out.

"Stop, you can’t touch them! These are my friends. This beautiful lady saved my life yesterday. Brother, this is the beautiful lady I told you about yesterday. It was she who used silver to buy my life back from the bully. Otherwise, could you still see me now? Please don’t trouble them, alright?"

Chang Xiaohu had actually sneaked out to play, and part of him hoped to encounter Lin Yue. He wished to see the beautiful lady once more, never expecting that he would really meet her and that she would be the target of his brother’s attack. As the two parties were about to clash, Chang Xiaohu couldn’t care less about the consequences and leapt out to stop his brother.

The situation turned out to be quite dramatic. The previous hostility was diffused by Chang Xiaohu’s words. Lin Yue had not expected that a moment of kindness would help her avert a disaster. She had listened to Chang Xiaohu bragging about the heroes of Longhu Mountain, calling everyone "brother," and merely thought that Chang Xiaohu was a child boasting and fibbing. She didn’t expect that Chang Xiaohu was actually a little bandit. No wonder he behaved so boldly yesterday. Most children would have cried if they had encountered such a situation, but Chang Xiaohu was unfazed. He even dared to provoke the ruffians and rogues of Longmen Town. Now that she knew his identity, it all made sense.

Chang Xiaoshan had only had his younger brother to rely on since they were children, and he cared about him more than anything. Yesterday, his brother’s sneaking out to play had given him quite a scare. When he came back and heard about the incident in Longmen Town, he felt both angry and relieved. Fortunately, that kind-hearted person had spent five taels of silver to save his brother, otherwise, the outcome was uncertain. The local rogues and scoundrels were no good people; he vowed to find an opportunity to deal with those rogues and avenge his brother. Of course, he needed to repay the debt of gratitude to the one who had saved his brother.

Chang Xiaoshan was a man of clear debts and gratitude. Chang Xiaohu’s character was largely influenced by his brother, which demonstrated that Chang Xiaoshan was a man of spirit.

"Xiaohu, is what you’re saying true? This lady is really your savior?" Chang Xiaoshan looked at Chang Xiaohu with skepticism in his eyes, finding it hard to believe that such a delicate lady had the courage to save his brother from the local thugs. He was genuinely impressed by her bravery.

"Of course it’s true! The beautiful lady is so pretty, how could I possibly recognize the wrong person? I even said yesterday that I would repay the debt. So, brother, you can’t take their things, otherwise, I would be ungrateful," Chang Xiaohu insisted.

"Since she is a benefactor, of course we can’t rob her," Chang Xiaoshan said decisively. The plan to rob was important, but repaying a debt of gratitude was even more so. Now that it was confirmed that this lady had saved his brother, the dealings of the day could not proceed.

"Miss, Xiaohu is my only kin in this world. I, Chang Xiaoshan, wish to express my deepest gratitude for the great kindness you showed yesterday. If not for your righteous intervention, I might have lost my only kin," Chang Xiaoshan said, and to Lin Yue’s shock, he actually knelt down to kowtow. Lin Yue quickly stepped aside, feeling like she was quite the remarkable person to make the leader of the mountain bandits kowtow to her.

"Ahem, please don’t do that, get up quickly. I couldn’t stand the sight of those thugs and helped your brother easily. There’s no need for such ceremony," Lin Yue said, gesturing to Zhao Erhu to help Chang Xiaoshan to his feet.

Zhao Erhu, who had been prepared for a deadly conflict with the mountain bandits, was taken aback by the unexpected turn of events. With a nod from his wife, he quickly helped Chang Xiaoshan to his feet. It was somewhat uncomfortable for him to see such a burly bandit kowtowing to them.

"You have a kind heart, benefactor. No matter what, I, Chang Xiaoshan, will never forget this debt of gratitude. It’s my fault for alarming you today. If you don’t mind, I would like to invite you to the mountain to be our guest, so I can properly show you hospitality," Chang Xiaoshan offered.

Lin Yue thought to herself that the mountain was the den of thieves, and who knew if Chang Xiaoshan was luring them into a trap to strike again. She obviously couldn’t agree, but she couldn’t show her true feelings on her face, so she just looked at Chang Xiaoshan apologetically.

"I really shouldn’t refuse such a warm invitation from a gallant man, but I’m in a rush to get to the Capital City and really don’t have time to delay. I hope you won’t take offense," she replied.

Chang Xiaoshan knew his invitation was rather presumptuous and quickly waved his hand, "Not at all, not at all. Since the benefactor is in a hurry to continue on your way, I won’t keep you any longer. Until we meet again. If you ever need anything from me, Chang Xiaoshan, just say the word, and I will not hesitate. If you ever pass through Longhu Mountain again, Miss, just mention my name, Chang Xiaoshan, and you won’t encounter any trouble like today’s again."

"That’s right. If there’s ever anything you need me, Chang Xiaohu, for, just let me know. I won’t hesitate either. I said yesterday that I would definitely repay your kindness, beautiful lady, and I haven’t broken my promise," Chang Xiaohu hurriedly added, mimicking his brother’s tone at first, but then his childish nature couldn’t help but shine through.

"Yes, Brother Xiaoshan’s word is as good as gold, and I respect that." With the matter seemingly resolved satisfactorily, Lin Yue was happy to offer some compliments.

"Miss, may I have a word with you in private?" Chang Xiaoshan suddenly asked Lin Yue, remembering something. Hearing Chang Xiaoshan’s request, Zhao Erhu immediately became alert, not trusting his wife alone with Chang Xiaoshan and fearing that Chang Xiaoshan might betray them and harm his wife.

"This?" Clearly, Lin Yue and Zhao Erhu were thinking along the same lines. Yet, considering the forthright nature of the Chang brothers, it seemed unlikely they would resort to deceit. She agreed to Chang Xiaoshan’s request. It was better not to anger him and risk him turning hostile. "Alright, let’s talk over there."

"Wife?" Zhao Erhu looked at Lin Yue with disapproval, unwilling to let her go.