After Rebirth, She Becomes the Revenge Queen
Chapter 57 - 056: You Just Want to Deceive Me for My Ginseng! (Second Update, Vote Requested)

Chapter 57: Chapter 056: You Just Want to Deceive Me for My Ginseng! (Second Update, Vote Requested)

After a long while, he looked over from behind the bowl, his eyes cold as he stared at Fu Zhen: "Why did you so casually speak of such a secret matter?"

"I am not casual. I only spoke of it to the General." Fu Zhen answered earnestly.

Pei Zhan narrowed his eyes: "Then why did you only tell me?"

Fu Zhen replied calmly: "Of course, it’s to clear up the misunderstanding from that night outside the Liang Mansion. After explaining this matter, it should prove sufficiently that I have no ill intentions towards the Liang Family.

"My mother is just a frail woman, and she even extended a helping hand to Miss Liang that night, protecting her. From that point of view, the Liang Family owes my mother a favor.

"As the daughter of such a kind-hearted woman, isn’t it reasonable for me to care for the brave yet unfortunate Miss Liang and visit her family?"

This child is truly not easy to fool.

One wrong move and he’d spot the flaw.

"Miss Fu, who was your martial arts teacher? At what age did you start learning martial arts?"

Fu Zhen had just dealt with one question when Pei Zhan followed with another.

She stiffened her neck: "General Pei, this has nothing to do with you, right? It’s up to you to believe what I said earlier or not.

"If you’re truly making things difficult because of what happened that night, there’s nothing I can do. But why pry into the personal matters of a young lady like me? Paying such attention to an unmarried girl is unfitting for someone like you, right?

"Let me tell you, I’m engaged!"

Fu Zhen still didn’t know to whom she was engaged, having asked Mrs. Fu but received no answer. However, Fu Rou had mentioned it during a heated conversation that day, so it must be true. It doesn’t hurt to use it to scare him.

Pei Zhan glanced at her: "I’m merely curious as to why the Fu Family would let a girl, who had been ill since birth and had crossed the brink of death a few times, practice martial arts. Of course, if you don’t wish to say, I won’t press further, no need for such a big reaction."

Fu Zhen snorted in silence.

He’s still hung up on what Zhang Cheng and the others said after she fainted!

And he says she has a big reaction?

If she were Liang Ning—

Thinking of Liang Ning, a thought struck her, and she looked across at him.

Pei Zhan frowned: "What are you looking at?"

Fu Zhen said: "General Pei, do you believe that souls reincarnate after death?"

This matter seems a bit outlandish, but how else to know what others think unless you ask?

What if he does believe it?

Yet Pei Zhan looked at her as if she were a fool.

"Here’s some advice for Miss Fu: if you’re really that bored, attend school and read some books. At the very least, spend more time practicing martial arts. Nightly visits to others’ mansions are not good conduct, and acting all superstitious like a wandering Taoist isn’t a good habit either."

With that, he stood up, brushed a few specks of dust off his robe, and walked out of the thatched shed.

Fu Zhen felt her hopes dashed by him, leaving her thoroughly chilled!

But if he doesn’t believe, then so be it, why call her a wandering Taoist?

"By the way," Pei Zhan turned back under the shed, "until the dagger you mentioned is found, I still hold suspicions about you.

"So next time, mind your steps and don’t return to the Liang Family. If you’re honest, this will be the end of it. But if I catch you again, I won’t let you go."

With these words, he shot her a cold glance, full of warning, before striding away.

Fu Zhen clenched her fists, caught sight of Zhang Cheng standing to the side, and remembered her purpose. She immediately waved him over!

Zhang Cheng quickly clutched the box and ran over, colliding head-on with Pei Zhan—

With a clattering sound, the box fell to the ground, half a plump Yunnan ginseng jumping out!

Seeing the ginseng, Pei Zhan instantly halted.

Fu Zhen exclaimed and rushed over: "Zhang Cheng, what have you done? So careless! I spent hundreds of taels of silver to get this hundred-year-old mountain Yunnan ginseng. It’s not only precious but also authentic. What if it’s damaged?"

"Yunnan ginseng?"

Stepping forward, Pei Zhan picked up the box before them.

The ginseng lay flat on the red silk inside, indeed plump and large, with densely packed ginseng whiskers, clearly an aged root.

Born post-war in a nation at peace, Pei Zhan had been accustomed to luxury from a young age, having seen more than just a few good things.

This truly was a Yunnan ginseng capable of curing bloody cough!

"Where did you get it?" he looked up at Fu Zhen.

Fu Zhen grabbed the box back without explanation: "What’s it to General Guan?

"I managed to purchase it after using connections established by my maternal grandfather.

"In the eyes of the General, I’m someone with bad intentions towards the Liang Family, even if I told you, you wouldn’t believe me!"

Fu Zhen didn’t show him any kindness either.

Thinking how the Cheng family had been troubled over a single ginseng root, leaving the entire family unsettled, Pei Zhan withheld his impatience: "How much silver did you pay? Sell it to me, I have an urgent need."

"Why should I?" Fu Zhen blinked, "I have an urgent need too. And it’s extremely urgent!"

"I’m using it to save a life, what are you using it for? If there’s a hardship, I can help you solve it."

"I’m going to use it as a gift to my father. Sending this ginseng could mean a promotion for him. You see, it’s not like I lack money; what I lack is status and position. I also want to be a high official’s daughter! To me, this is just as crucial as saving a life, so how could I let you have it?"

Pei Zhan squinted: "Your father wants to buy an official position?"

"Don’t make it sound so unpleasant! He’s legitimately an Imperial Examination graduate, although he hasn’t made any remarkable contributions. He has diligently served for ten years without errors. Even if he has to endure, he should have enough seniority for a promotion, right? Even if I have to use a ginseng to smooth things over, it’s not a big deal."

Pei Zhan nodded, glanced at her, and raised an eyebrow: "So what position does he want to get promoted to?"

"The way you put it, it’s not like we can pick any position from the court! Whatever he can get promoted to, it isn’t up to us. As long as there’s a promotion, it’s good.

"But you know, our family is small, and I’m often sick. If he leaves the capital, there wouldn’t be a pillar in our household. Of course, we’re hoping for an imperial official’s position."

While holding the box, Fu Zhen’s hand naturally tapped lightly on the box lid, her bright, clear eyes rolling over Pei Zhan’s face.

Pei Zhan, hands behind him, squinted at the distance: "If you give me the ginseng, I can naturally make sure he gets a promotion."

"I don’t believe it!" Fu Zhen said, "Outsiders all say you’re an upright General, absolutely impossible to play favorites for anyone. I know you’re just trying to trick my ginseng away!"

Pei Zhan looked at her coldly: "Then you are mistaken. I am not always so upright. At times, I’m not as honorable—"

At this point, he suddenly seized her left wrist! In the blink of an eye, the box was in his hand.

He weighed the box casually: "I’ve decided to take this ginseng. Now tell me what kind of official position you’d like him to be promoted to."