Chapter 9: One Is Enough

“Even seasoned hunters find it nearly impossible to both track down a black bear in the deep woods and successfully bring it down,” Ruan Qingzhu said with difficulty. Money wasn’t the issue; it was simply that such a thing was not to be found in the market at all! When something is both rare and in high demand, it becomes the hardest to obtain—especially when it must be absolutely fresh. The requirements were truly demanding.

Yet the thought that her years-long feverish affliction could finally be cured brought a new sparkle to Ruan Qingzhu’s eyes. After all, there was now a remedy and a sliver of hope—unlike before, when all she could do was sigh and lament.

Ying Shuo, hearing her concerns, found it strange and couldn’t help but interject, “Isn’t it quite simple? Why not just raise one yourself?”

This wasn’t the modern era; keeping a bear wouldn’t be illegal if you had enough money! Even in modern times, there are breeding farms. In ancient days, it would only be a matter of security, nothing more.

At his words, Ruan Qingzhu’s slender fingers trembled imperceptibly, and Jiang Lanfeng beside her seemed so shocked her pupils quivered. In unison, they exclaimed, “Young Master Ying, are you serious?”

Keep a bear? In the hearts of the people of the Qinyang Dynasty, bears were invincible beasts—creatures that not even a dozen strong men could hope to defeat. The very idea of keeping one was unthinkable! No one here had ever raised a bear, nor even imagined it. On the rare occasions someone encountered or killed one, they became a local hero, celebrated for a lifetime.

Seeing the shock on their faces, Ying Shuo pondered, “Human technology here isn’t advanced, and people haven’t set foot in many primeval forests. By all rights, with the environment unspoiled, there should be plenty of bears. What are they so surprised about?”

Unable to fathom their astonishment, Ying Shuo simply nodded in all seriousness. “I mean it. Just administer a little anesthetic, extract some bear bile, and the bear will survive.”

Even if he couldn’t befriend it like a comrade, at the very least he could keep it penned up for medicinal use. Once enough bile was collected, he could release it, reward it with a couple of fresh carp from the river, and it would return to being the king of the forest.

“Young Master Ying, you truly are… bold,” Jiang Lanfeng managed after a long pause, unable to think of anything better to say.

“If you trust me, in a few days, send someone with me into the mountains. I’ll catch one myself,” Ying Shuo promised, thumping his chest in assurance.

Even without Ruan Qingzhu’s request, Ying Shuo had already planned to venture into the mountains. Though he now had enough money to clear his debts, merely being debt-free was hardly worthy of his extraordinary abilities. His ambitions weren’t excessive—he’d settle for becoming the wealthiest man of the age. As for becoming emperor, that could be left to fate; after all, his skills weren’t yet enough to challenge a seasoned ruler, and risking his life so soon would be foolish. Better to be a quietly prosperous tycoon.

He would not let the gold-laden wilderness slip through his fingers. With the help of another power, why not?

“Ginseng, ganoderma, immortal herbs, venomous snakes, foxes, sables, and even giant pandas!” he thought gleefully. “I won’t let a single one escape me!” Rare herbs, precious pelts—even keeping a panda in an enclosure for people to marvel at would bring in mountains of money!

Ying Shuo could already see himself wading through seas of gold and silver. Ah, the allure of filthy lucre! Ah, the intoxicating scent of wealth and corruption! How irresistibly sweet it was!

Seeing his emphatic promise, Ruan Qingzhu dared not doubt him further. She even thought he was only acting so nonchalant to spare her anxiety. Bowing deeply, she said with solemn gravity, “Young Master Ying, I shall never forget this great kindness. If you truly cure me of my affliction, you may name any reward you wish—Qingzhu will not utter a word of protest.”

No protest? Does that mean she’d agree to marry me? Ying Shuo kept that thought to himself, maintaining a righteous air as he helped her up.

“No need for such formality. I merely do my duty for those who trust me. However, for now, I must visit Miss Jiang’s residence to see an elderly gentleman. Once preparations are complete, we’ll set out for the mountains.”

After giving some instructions and leaving a new prescription—though not a true cure, it would at least bring relief—Ying Shuo and Jiang Lanfeng departed through the back gate, with Ruan Qingzhu seeing them off, delight shining in her eyes.

“Miss Ruan, a woman’s beauty should be for herself, not merely for others,” Ying Shuo remarked as they left.

With those words, Ying Shuo and Jiang Lanfeng mounted their new horses and set off for the Jiang estate, leaving Ruan Qingzhu standing there, lost in thought, murmuring to herself, “A woman’s beauty, for herself…”

The Jiang residence was not far from Qingfeng County. Since the old master held an official post, it was usually Jiang’s father and the womenfolk at home. Before long, the two arrived at the imposing gates, and Ying Shuo, seeing the grand plaque, realized Jiang Lanfeng had spoken the truth.

He had heard a little about the Jiang family. Jiang’s father was upright and rigid, a stickler for rules, not one for flexibility; thus, his career had peaked as a minor official, with little real power. But the old master’s influence was immense—he was a man who had received imperial favor.

As for the family’s other affairs, the original Ying Shuo knew little, except that they had once given out relief funds to aid poor scholars, and he himself had benefited as a pauper. As the saying goes, a drop of kindness should be repaid a hundredfold; in a small city where everyone’s paths cross, it was a matter of fate.

After tethering their horses and entering the gates, they saw Jiang’s father pacing nervously. “Your father looks anxious. Is it because you’ve been gone so long?” Ying Shuo asked curiously.

Jiang Lanfeng glanced inside, worry in her eyes, but tried to appear unconcerned. “Perhaps.”

Then, as if remembering something, she frowned slightly. “But, Young Master Ying, how did you know that was my father?”

Ying Shuo almost rolled his eyes. “We’re in the Jiang estate, and he’s dressed in fine robes and official boots, his belt made of expensive dyed cloth, fingering two jade beads as if they were nothing! He walks with such authority—who else could he be?”

Keeping a straight face, Ying Shuo replied, “I can read faces. Your father is as handsome as you are. In his youth, I’m sure he was a striking figure.”

At this, Jiang Lanfeng’s cheeks flushed scarlet. She twisted the corner of her handkerchief, head bowed in silence. Even without touching her, Ying Shuo could sense her heart fluttering wildly.

Before long, a servant noticed their arrival. “Miss, you’re finally back! And this gentleman is—?”

Judging by his bearing, this was no ordinary servant, but a bodyguard of some rank—allowed to wear a sword and move freely about the grounds. He sized up Ying Shuo, and suddenly, with a fierce glare, drew his sword and leveled it threateningly!