Nine out of ten gamblers lose; I've run into a jerk!

Chapter 101 Shen - A Stumbling Block to Love - Qing

Life isn't a movie or TV show where you can gracefully exit one scene and then flash into the next.

After showing off, Shen Qing belatedly realized that he seemed to have forgotten something again.

Damn! Little Red!

His little red horse is still in the mountain village!

Yesterday, when they were forced to go up Tiger Head Mountain, Xiao Hong was also confiscated and kept in the village's stable.

Putting aside the feelings that had lasted for more than half a year, the journey was long, and he couldn't possibly walk back, could he?

Therefore, Shen Qing, who was halfway there, had to turn back and encountered soldiers escorting prisoners on the way.

Upon seeing Shen Qing, the captured bandit immediately shouted excitedly, "Sixth Boss!"

Not all the bandits knew that Shen Qing had betrayed them, just as not all the soldiers knew that Shen Qing was an "internal traitor."

As soon as he said this, dozens of gun barrels were pointed at Shen Qing.

"Misunderstanding! Misunderstanding!" Shen Qing raised her hands high. "We're on the same side!"

After a while, Shen Qing slunk back to the Hall of Gathering Righteousness and awkwardly smiled at Zhen E, "Ha~ I didn't expect to see you again so soon. Where's Mingzhu?"

“Cut him down, I don’t know him.”

⊙?⊙?

Shen Qing's eyes widened in shock. Men who get jealous for no reason are truly terrifying!

"Wait!" Seeing the executioners about to step forward, Shen Qing reached out to stop them. "Young Master Zhen, there is a great misunderstanding between us!"

"Oh~" Zhen E sat down on the tiger-skin chair with an air of authority, glancing sideways at Shen Qing, "Tell me about it."

Damn it, looking at Zhen E's arrogant attitude, Shen Qing cursed inwardly, no wonder Mingzhu doesn't like you, you deserve to be single!

"In truth, I am a woman. I have just sworn brotherhood with Mingzhu, and Heaven and Earth bear witness to this!"

Zhen E's pupils dilated in shock. He looked Shen Qing up and down in disbelief. Upon closer inspection, Shen Qing was indeed exceptionally handsome. He didn't suspect that Shen Qing was lying, since proving it would be too easy.

Zhen E's expression shifted dramatically, from disbelief to disbelief, and finally to uncontrollable rage. "Outrageous! This is simply too much! Guards! Drag him out and behead him!"

"Wait a minute!" Shen Qing couldn't understand why this guy was so irritable. "You don't believe me?"

If you don't believe me, just tell me. At worst, I'll let him feel my pulse.

"I believe you!" Zhen E said through gritted teeth, "A woman dares to compete with me for the pearl!"

"???"

Holy crap! Did this guy get hit in the head by a meteorite?!

The line between genius and madness is indeed very thin. At this moment, Shen Qing no longer envied Zhen E's talent.

"Let me explain, Mingzhu and I have a purely sisterly relationship!" At this point, even if it's not pure, it has to be pure. How can one argue with a madman?

"Moreover, Mingzhu already has someone she loves."

"Who!?" Zhen E became agitated. Who dared to steal his thunder?

"Far away yet so close," Shen Qing said against her conscience, "it's you, Zhen Langjun!"

"Me?" Zhen E was somewhat skeptical, looking coldly at Shen Qing. "You're not just bluffing me to save your own life, are you?"

"In all honesty, I could only bear to see a couple in love miss each other because of a misunderstanding. Mingzhu can't stop talking about you, Zhen Langjun!"

"Then... what did Mingzhu say about me?" Zhen E asked, still doubtful. "If there's any falsehood, I'll cut you into a thousand pieces!"

Shen Qing felt a chill run down her spine and forced a fake smile. "Mingzhu said that Young Master Zhen is exceptionally talented, excelling in both literature and martial arts. He can surpass ordinary people ten or a hundred times in just one day of learning, which is truly enviable."

Ye Mingzhu's original words were: "Wasting talent and not working hard makes ordinary people's efforts seem like a joke, which is infuriating!"

"anything else?"

"Mingzhu also said that Zhen Langjun is handsome and has a face like jade. He is the most handsome man in Fancheng, and countless girls have secretly fallen for him."

Ye Mingzhu's original words were: "All that glitters is not gold; he's just a womanizer. Those girls must be blinded by greed to be interested in him."

Zhen E couldn't help but smile. "Mingzhu is really something. She has to spread the truth everywhere, even though it's common knowledge."

"..." This guy really lives up to his name, he's so silly.

Is there anything else?

Is this never going to end? Faced with Zhen E's expectant gaze, Shen Qing could only rack her brains to come up with some more.

She also said that Zhen Langjun was an interesting person, and the gifts he gave her were always unique and surprising, unlike those rigid and dull scions of noble families.

However, in reality, Ye Mingzhu was furious.

Zhen E couldn't suppress the smile on his face; his feelings had indeed been accurately conveyed!

"But why does Mingzhu seem to dislike me?"

"Hey~ Young ladies are so reserved, they're always saying the opposite of what they mean. Remember, when a woman says no, she really means yes!"

Zhen E seemed lost in thought, reflecting on his parents' relationship. When colleagues invited his father to brothels for drinks, his mother would always smile and say yes, but if his father actually went, he could expect to end up sleeping in the study. And whenever his father gave his mother gifts, although she would always complain, saying things like, "We're an old married couple, why are you doing this?", she was actually quite pleased.

"That makes sense!" Zhen E's eyes lit up, and he walked over to Shen Qing for her opinion. "So, does that mean I can go directly to the Ye family to propose marriage now?"

Shen Qing nodded vigorously in affirmation, "Sincerity is always the ultimate weapon! Go bravely!"

Zhen E felt a pang of regret for not having met Dewey sooner; Dewey was his soulmate! No, Dewey must be a pseudonym.

"Someone, quickly bring my friend's horse over!"

Shen Qing breathed a sigh of relief, thinking he was going to call for the executioners again.

Once outside, Shen Qing didn't want to stay a moment longer and mounted her horse.

"My confidant, what is your real name?"

"Zhu Dan." Shen Qing flicked his whip. "Giddy up!"

Damn it! Just because you had murderous intent earlier, it would be a disservice to his frightened heart not to create some obstacles in your love life!

As Zhen E watched Shen Qing's departing figure, she felt refreshed. Of course, she was just joking. She just couldn't stand his always confident and nonchalant attitude, so she deliberately tried to deflate his ego and see her panicked and embarrassed.

"Hmph~ No one can steal my thunder in front of Mingzhu, not even a woman!"

“My lord, I have done as you instructed.” A soldier stepped forward to report.

“Yes,” Zhen E nodded.

There is still a lot of work to be done in the aftermath of the incident at Hutou Mountain. Half of the team was left to guard the site, inventory the property, and eliminate any remaining criminals in the vicinity.

He personally led the team to escort the prisoners back to the city. As was customary, these people would be dispersed and assigned to serve in Cangzhou and the city.

As for the women who had been abducted to the stone houses in the back mountains, Zhen E ordered them to be surrounded from the beginning and not let anyone get close. Their clothes and other belongings were passed in through the windows.

The women all came out in veiled carriages. It's always better if fewer people see them. Some people's disappearances are kept from their families. That's all Zhen'e can do for them.

Of course, the most important thing was to escort the luminous pearl back to the city. Thinking of this, Zhen E couldn't help but feel overjoyed. They were indeed in love!