When the man rushed to Gu Qiang, Shen Qianshan emerged and dragged her behind him. And Shen Qianshan was greeted with a faint fragrance of pear blossom, which was the same as that of Gu Qiang.
Seeing Shen Qianshan come to help her, those men knew this woman couldn’t be offended and thus returned to the alley immediately. Gu Qiang felt relieved.
Gu Qiang didn’t care why Shen Qianshan appeared. Anyway, he would appear to save her whenever she was in danger. Sometimes, she was afraid that she would be attached to him and thus took what he did for granted.
Shen Qianshan turned around, looked up and down at her, and asked, “Are you hurt?”
Gu Qiang shook her head and answered, “No.”
Then Shen Qianshan held Gu Qiang’s hand and walked forward. She felt uncomfortable. Were they so close? Why did he hold her hand?
“I just heard you came here to help refugees, right? Do you have a solution?” Shen Qianshan said coldly and showed no emotion.
Gu Qiang said after meditation and hesitation, “I’m going to the Liu Family.”
Shen Qianshan was surprised and even forgot to move on. He turned around to look at Gu Qiang in astonishment and didn’t conceal his expression at all. It was the first time that he had shown such an exaggerated expression in front of her for the first time.
Gu Qiang had no choice but to say, “Is it so surprising? I think you come here with the same idea as mine, don’t you?”
Shen Qianshan withdrew his expression and moved on. That was true. He hoped to pin Liu Shichu down with his affair and threaten him to surrender some food. Now the most important thing was to make sure that food would be accessible to refugees. Otherwise, more people who survived the plague would starve in the capital.
What Shen Qianshan thought about was exclusive. On the one hand, few people knew that Liu Shichu had an affair with the wife of General Li Li. On the other hand, Liu Shichu wouldn’t see a nobody. Shen Qianshan believed he would overwhelm him no matter in status or dignity.
Gu Qiang’s appearance surprised Shen Qianshan. What did the girl want to do? Didn’t she know how serious the situation was in the capital? The danger was visible, but she still hung around outside!
Fortunately, Shen Qianshan didn’t need Jin Ye’s information this time. He encountered Gu Qiang here by himself. He couldn’t help saying, “You’re a girl. Why do you come to such a dangerous place? Do you know what the situation is in the capital?”
Gu Qiang looked at Shen Qianshan seriously and answered, “I have no choice. This is the only solution.”
Shen Qianshan looked at Gu Qiang helplessly. He was clear about her character. She would insist on doing what she thought right. But to his surprise, she could think of this solution, too.
“How do you know the secret of the Liu Family?” The question came to Shen Qianshan’s mind suddenly, so he asked.
Gu Qiang was stunned. She came here without considering how to explain why she knew it too.
While she was lost in a daze, Shen Qianshan took her hand and walked to the gate of the Liu Family.
She felt his hands warm and different from his cold face and manner.
At that moment, Gu Qiang had a different feeling. But the feeling disappeared instantly. Shen Qianshan turned around suddenly and said, “Qiang, I saw what the officials did. Are you dissatisfied?”
This was just what Gu Qiang wanted to talk with Shen Qianshan. She said, “I never thought the capital officials would have such an attitude. I am very disappointed with it.”
Then she stopped suddenly, looked at Shen Qianshan earnestly, and shared what she thought about it.
Shen Qianshan walked a few steps forward. When he found that Gu Qiang didn’t follow him, he stopped to stare at her. When his eyes met hers, he froze. The girl was indeed different from other ones.
Generally, a girl kept thinking about how to marry a good man or harm her siblings. Few girls sympathized with the refugees and wanted to help them as Gu Qiang did.
“You know the refugees may suffer from the plague. Don’t be infected.” Shen Qianshan said calmly as if he were talking about his meal today.
As the duke of the country, Shen Qianshan sympathized with all refugees. But protecting himself was the precondition for helping others.
“They are refugees, but aren’t they also the people of His Majesty? All people should be treated equally. Healthcare and food should be accessible to them when they are sick or hungry. It is normal, isn’t it? Are the people living in the capital superior to them?” Gu Qiang became so serious suddenly that Shen Qianshan was shocked and cast his eyes to her immediately.
Then Shen Qianshan moved close to Gu Qiang, smiled at her, and said just like soothing a kid, “I know you feel terrible. We’re working on a solution, aren’t we? Believe me. Everything will be fine.”
Liu Family was at the edge of the capital. Just from the main entrance, you could know the family was powerful and wealthy. It was said the Liu Family built up a fortune by doing business. Officials disliked businessmen because all businessmen were regarded as profiteers and were looked down upon in the imperial court.
However, the Liu Family was too wealthy. The incorruptible officials had to respect the family, even though they looked down upon the family in the heart.
They knocked on the gate. A gatekeeper walked over and asked Shen Qianshan and Gu Qiang with a cold face, “What can I do for you?”
Shen Qianshan walked forward and answered sulkily, “I’m a duke. I come to visit Mr. Liu!”
The gatekeeper was not a fool. Hearing that Shen Qianshan called himself a duke, he knew the comer was noble.
He went back to report it. Then the gate was opened. A man with fancy clothes came to the gate, saluted Shen Qianshan, and led him inside.
The rosewood chairs in the main hall glittered. An aroma permeated the hall. The perfume could soothe the nerves and refresh the mind. Gu Qiang entered and sat next to Shen Qianshan. Liu Shichu ordered a servant to serve good tea to them.
Shen Qianshan pushed the tea aside, signaling Gu Qiang to enjoy herself, but he didn’t drink it. He turned around to look at Liu Shichu coldly.
Liu Shichu had a pale face. Shen Qianshan was great among dukes. Both Emperor and Empress Dowager liked him. He always treated others coldly and was indifferent to the court. Liu Shichu couldn’t guess why he came here today. The more he thought, the more nervous he became.
Shen Qianshan had an imposing manner and his calmness was frightening. At last, Liu Shichu couldn’t help asking, “Your Highness, what brought you here?”
Now that Shen Qianshan kept silent, Liu Shichu had to start the conversation.
Hearing what Liu Shichu asked, Shen Qianshan turned around, exchanged glances with Gu Qiang, and said slowly, “Mr. Liu, everyone in the capital is panicky now. Refugees are homeless. Many disaster victims even have nothing to eat. I know you have plenty of food. Could you help the refugees in the capital?”
Hearing that, Liu Shichu pulled a face immediately. It turned out that the Ninth Duke wanted to get food from him. But the food belonged to him. Why would he give it to the Ninth Duke to help refugees, but let the Ninth Duke get the good reputation?
But the one opposite was the Ninth Duke. Even though Liu Shichu was unhappy, he wouldn’t show his emotion. The disaster would be gone sooner or later. After that, they would see each other inevitably. It would be embarrassing if they didn’t get on well.
“Your Highness, I have food, but my whole family relies on it to survive. It sounds selfish, but I can’t give up my family for others in such a situation, can I? Only if families are settled can we help our country at ease, right?” Liu Shichu says slowly.
Shen Qianshan had predicted the man wouldn’t surrender food willingly. If it was so easy, he wouldn’t need to come here.
“Mr. Liu, I heard that you were intimate with the wife of General Li. What will you say about it?” Shen Qianshan raised his hand suddenly, looked at his fingers, and blew casually.
Hearing what Shen Qianshan said, Liu Shichu looked pale as if he were struck by lightning.
Then Liu Shichu stood up, banged the table, and shouted, “Nonsense! Absolutely nonsense! It is not true! Your Highness, you have sharp eyes. Please don’t believe the rumor!”
Shen Qianshan had predicted Liu Shichu would respond in this way. No one would admit to it. If Liu Shichu admitted, General Li Li who had a hot temper might kill him after knowing his wife cheated on him.
He could conquer enemies, but he couldn’t restrain his wife, and she cheated on him. Who could accept it? Even if the Emperor knew it, he would stand by Li Li.
Liu Shichu was so stupid. Why did he choose the wife of the general? Did he think so long as they kept it secret others wouldn’t know it? Walls had ears. If Shen Qianshan was not sure, how could he come here?
“Mr. Liu, I’m giving you a chance. You know a chance doesn’t appear anytime.” Shen Qianshan said slowly and coldly. Suddenly Liu Shichu rolled his eyes, fell to the ground, and convulsed heavily. It was so scary.
Gu Qiang sat nearby, drinking tea and listening silently to the conversation between Shen Qianshan and Liu Shichu. Unexpectedly, such a thing happened and startled Gu Qiang.