Bride Swap Backfire: My Cousin's Rebirth Made Us a Power Couple-Chapter 34 - 31: Going Down the Mountain

Over on the other side, Chen Song saw the old woman but pretended he hadn’t.

He gazed at the official leather box, now cleaned and resting on an oil-paper umbrella, and patted his daughter’s shoulder with a large hand.

"My good girl, you’ve done something truly amazing this time."

"It wasn’t just my achievement. Jing and De’an were a huge help, too."

Chen Song roared with laughter, a wide grin splitting his face. "You all get credit, you all get credit! Later, your dad will reward you all based on your merits."

Chen Song stared intently at the treasure box, his eyes practically gleaming with golden light.

Before coming to Xiaoao Mountain, he had specifically gone to consult an old clerk at the county government office. He had found out that when the rebels retreated from Qingshui County back then, they did indeed have supply wagons with them.

The old clerk had been in the prime of his life at the time—strong and bold. Hidden on the city wall, he had watched from afar as the supply wagons passed, leaving deep ruts in their wake. He just didn’t know whether the wagons carried grain or something else entirely.

In any case, the rebels had eventually entered Xiaoao Mountain. The new dynasty’s army surrounded the mountain from all sides, and no one was ever seen coming out.

Some said that those who ventured deep into the mountains were devoured by wild beasts. Others claimed they had all starved to death from a lack of food and clothing.

As for what was in the supply wagons—whether it was all consumed or hidden somewhere else—no one knew, and no one dared to investigate.

That was a time when wild beasts were particularly active, and the constables themselves feared becoming their next meal.

As the days dragged on, the matter simply fizzled out.

Who could have imagined that after twenty or thirty years, a treasure box would suddenly appear?

As expected, the box must be filled with valuable gold, jade, and jewels. If it were merely grain, there would have been no need to go to such great lengths.

At this thought, Chen Song couldn’t help but grin so widely his gums showed again. His daughter had truly performed a great service this time.

’When his daughter achieved something, it was as if he had achieved it. He was definitely going to bask in his daughter’s glory this time.’

"The rain’s heavy right now. You all head back first. Your dad and these uncles will probably be staying on the mountain for the next couple of days."

If they didn’t scour every inch of this area, they wouldn’t be able to rest easy, nor would they have anything to report to the County Magistrate.

"My huangqi..."

"You silly girl. At a time like this, you’re still worried about your huangqi."

The speaker was a burly man, a good head shorter than Chen Song. He had a scar on his face and an incredibly strong physique; bulging muscles strained against his constable uniform. From a distance, he exuded a menacing aura that was daunting to behold.

This man was also a constable from the county government. He had even visited their home twice, and Chen Wanqing usually called him "Mr. Qiao."

Qiao Lan said, "Once this matter is properly investigated, the Lord County Magistrate is sure to give a hefty reward. A single hair from his head is worth more than all the huangqi you could ever grow... But since this huangqi was specially planted by you, niece, don’t you worry. We’ll dig it up for you while we’re searching for the treasure box. We’re a bunch of rough men, though, so some of it will inevitably get broken. I hope you won’t mind, niece."

Chen Wanqing quickly smiled. "Mr. Qiao, I don’t mind at all. Broken huangqi can still be used; it has to be sliced when I get it home anyway. Just as long as you uncles don’t throw it away after digging it up. It’s all fully grown, so it’d be a terrible shame to waste it."

"Of course we won’t throw it out. We’ll save all of it for you."

As Qiao Lan spoke, he glanced at Chen Song again and again, his eyes full of envy.

’Although Chen Song had lost his mother at a young age and had few close relatives in his life, his luck in other respects was simply unbelievable!’

’When the new County Magistrate first took office, he was in urgent need of his own loyal men. It just so happened that Chen Song caught a fugitive, and his fierce competence caught the Magistrate’s eye. The Magistrate took an immediate liking to him, allowing him to shoot up the ranks and transform from a commoner into a constable at the government office.’

’One might have thought that was the peak of his good fortune. But who knew? In his three years at the government office, he proved to be daring, tenacious, and clever. He always had a trick up his sleeve and helped solve numerous cases. Moreover, his open-minded and cheerful nature, combined with his meticulous attention to detail, earned him the respect of all the constables. Now, everyone at the county government looked to Chen Song as their leader, and even the County Magistrate relied heavily on him.’

’Just when you thought that was the pinnacle of Chen Song’s career, he eases off, and his daughter gives him another huge boost.’

’With the appearance of this treasure box, who could possibly compete?’

’The County Magistrate would now surely entrust him with great responsibility. Chen Song’s promotion couldn’t be far off.’

Thinking this, Qiao Lan’s attitude toward Chen Wanqing and the others became even warmer. He even suggested that on his next day off, he would bring his daughter, who was around the same age, to come and play with Chen Wanqing.

But official business took priority. After a few more words, Qiao Lan walked away to continue digging up the huangqi.

Only then did Chen Song speak again, cautioning the three youngsters once more.

The matter of the treasure box had to be kept secret for now. After all, riches stir men’s hearts. The local riff-raff from the surrounding villages and towns wouldn’t dare to provoke the government office and would steer clear of this area, but the county seat was full of vicious and desperate criminals. If they ganged up and came to rob them, the twenty or so men from the county government would be no match for them.

Chen Song stressed repeatedly, "You must keep your mouths shut. If anyone asks, just be vague. If you really can’t brush them off, just say you found some old bones."

’There were bound to be old bones. Back then, at least three hundred, if not five hundred, rebels had fled toward Xiaoao Mountain. All of them died in these mountains. If one searched carefully, bones could definitely be found.’

The three of them solemnly agreed. Chen Song added a few more instructions, like "keep the doors locked" and "go out as little as possible," before preparing to send the children home.

But Chen Wanqing asked, "Dad, have you and the uncles had lunch yet? Mom and I could steam some buns and bring them over for you later."

Chen Song nodded. "Have De’an bring the food."

Zhao Jing, standing nearby, spoke up. "I’ll come with him. It’ll be too much for De’an to carry alone."

This was no time for pleasantries, and Chen Song didn’t stand on ceremony with Zhao Jing. He patted his shoulder and said, "Then we’ll have to trouble you and De’an for the next couple of days... Jing, study hard. You’ve made a name for yourself with the County Magistrate this time..."

Chen Song didn’t say any more; the rest went without saying.

The three of them started down the mountain, with Chen De’an and Zhao Jing each carrying a basket on their back.

Chen Wanqing kept hovering, steadying one basket and then the other, terrified that the weight of the huangqi would crush the two young lads’ still-growing frames.

The two boys were exasperated. "Sis, we’re not that weak."

"Sis, even you can carry it, so how could we not? You should walk in front of us. If you’re behind us and you slip or fall, we won’t be able to help you in time."

Zhao Jing stepped aside to make way. "Sis, come through here."

Raindrops fell with a steady PATTER PATTER. The surrounding mountain forest was a withered, desolate yellow. A fog had risen in the woods, making it look at once like a fairyland and a ghostly abyss.

Accompanied by the piercing cry of an owl and the RUSTLE of leaves as it beat its wings, a jolt of fear shot through Chen Wanqing’s nerves.

She had no choice but to move past Zhao Jing and walk ahead of him.

But as she did so, she noticed a long gash that had, at some point, been torn in Zhao Jing’s sleeve.

Her eyes followed the torn fabric down to his arm and hand. Sure enough, blood was streaming from his wrist, staining the dangling cuff of his sleeve crimson.