Chapter 78: You Scared Her, I’ll Scar You for Life!
"What do you suggest then?", Zedong asked Shengli as he looked like had reached a decision.
"What are you asking him? Isn’t she perfectly safe here?", AoTian sat in the edge of his chair. These people is saying weird things that he does not understand well and why are they acting this way when she clearly has the upper hand?
"Xiao Tian, he knows better than anyone about Shihong and Xiao Táng. Let’s hear him", Zedong was curious as he had always wanted to know how the brain of the astute businessman who had reached upto his rank in this short time works.
"I’ll make the sharing agreement with the Huang family for the maps of the Great Green Jungle trade route. Consider this an early betrothal gift, I, Li ChengNuo give for the hand of your family’s first young miss, Huang Mingxia", he stood and gave a deep bow to Huang Zedong and AoTian.
Zedong stood and patted his shoulders and signalled him to sit and Shengli sat back.
"You are proposing marriage, now?", AoTian was confused. Seems like the way their brain works is different from his. So if they think she is in danger why is he proposing marriage now?
"No, AoTian. He is proposing to separate the identities of him and her", Zedong answered to AoTian. "But how long will you continue this?", he asked Shengli.
"Until Shihong dies", Shengli said with his eyes dark and his fists clenched. Both of them cannot be free until he dies.
AoTian still didn’t understand what they are talking about. Separating their identities? What does that mean? Then he realised Shengli never called her as Mingxia and this is the first time he is introducing himself with his other identity. So the Prime Minister’s daughter will be married off to the Mysterious rich businessman while Lord Táng and Huang Shengli remain as enemies to Shihong? Is that what they mean? How will this turn out?
"So what are you proposing with the trade route? You are not helping me with my business, are you?", Zedong asked Shengli. He knew he is not giving it for him but for his niece. He had been eying that route for years even when the previous empress’ family owned it but somehow it went to Shengli’s hands. He had tried to open conversations with Shengli but was refused blatantly. Only after Shengli knew she is a Huang daughter, did he accept to meet up.
The Great Green Jungle trade route can be considered the main junction that connects all the trade routes of the kingdom through the thick jungles and it is said a tribe who don’t mix with the outsiders live there and they are violent. Only those who have a certain token pass would be allowed by them to pass the jungle or else they’ll be eliminated. If NanCheng pass connects this kingdom with the other kingdoms, this trade route has its connection within the nation. In a way it can be called the heart of the nation. If one owns the route no one can guess where they’ll turn up after entering in the forest and it gives them absolute security.
Shengli looked at Zedong with his eyes sharp and determined, " Don’t you have to take Mingxia to give respect to your ancestors in your ancestral home? The same time, Lord Táng will be in the Eastern Province taking care of his business", he told his plan and Zedong could understand too. But he saw the sullen face of Shengli and wondered if he is just using this plan to postpone the meeting of Shihong with his niece? Does he think their meeting is inevitable and trying to change fate?