newbobooks Chapter 34 Hiding Eastern Pearls? A Crime punishable by death.
Chapter 34 Hiding Eastern Pearls? A Crime punishable by death.
When Chu Ruohan returned, the Chu family was bustling with activity.
Every time the caravan returned, Uncle Si would bring back some novelties.
"Sister, did you come back alone?"
Chu Yueshu skipped and hopped over to greet her, constantly looking behind her as if searching for other people.
Chu Ruohan smiled faintly and nodded in response.
"I heard that the young master is not in good health, so you must take good care of him." Mother Chu took her hand, her eyes full of concern.
Chu Ruohan obediently agreed, knowing that her mother was thinking of her every day.
"Han'er, your fourth uncle couldn't make it back for your wedding, but he's been thinking about it ever since!" Chu Ang carefully held an exquisite box in his hands. The box was antique and had intricate patterns, making it look very valuable.
"Look at this! Your fourth uncle has prepared a wonderful wedding gift for you!"
Everyone's attention was immediately drawn to it, and they gathered around.
The box was opened, and in an instant, a warm and lustrous light poured out, revealing a large, round pearl lying quietly inside.
Everyone present couldn't help but gasp in amazement, leaning closer to take a closer look.
"I've never seen such a big pearl before," Chu Nanxin murmured, her heart filled with envy.
"This is a treasure that pearl divers risked their lives to retrieve from the deep sea," Chu Ang said, his brows furrowed with pride.
"Eastern pearls," Chu Ruohan said directly.
"Haha, my niece has excellent taste. This is something used by nobles in the palace."
Chu Ruohan raised her eyes and looked directly at Chu Ang, her eyes filled with coldness. "Ordinary people who secretly possess Eastern Pearls, even if their entire family is not executed, their three generations will be wiped out."
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone's faces changed.
"Oh, my dear niece!" Chu Ang's forehead instantly beaded with sweat as he stammered, "Fourth Uncle is just a rough man, how would he understand these intricacies? No, it's not that serious, is it? We'll just keep it at home and not show it off to outsiders, it should be fine, right?"
Chu Ruohan scrutinized Chu Ang, not missing a single change in his expression, and was certain that her fourth uncle was pretending to be ignorant.
How could ordinary merchants who travel all over the country be completely unaware of this law that involves their lives and fortunes?
Moreover, the sources of imperial goods in the palace cannot be easily concealed.
"Fourth Uncle, let's hand it over to the authorities as soon as possible," Chu Ruohan said firmly.
"Sigh." Chu Ang responded and quickly closed the box and put it away.
Chu's father stood to the side, his brows furrowed and his face grave. After Chu Ang hurriedly put the box away, he sighed heavily, stepped forward, and patted Chu Ang on the shoulder.
He earnestly advised, "Fourth brother, you have been traveling all over the country doing business for many years. I know that there are many hardships and dangers along the way. But the more difficult it is, the more careful you must be. This world is complicated, and the slightest mistake can lead to utter ruin."
Chu's father looked at Chu Ang with worry in his eyes, as if trying to etch these words into his heart.
"Although our Chu family can't be called a prestigious clan, we've accumulated some wealth through honest business practices and lived a peaceful life. It was truly foolish of you to bring back this deadly item!"
"Don't underestimate these laws and regulations; they are like sharp blades hanging over your head. Once you violate them, whether you do it intentionally or unintentionally, you will not escape punishment."
Chu Ang hung his head, his eyes deep as if he was regretting it. "Big brother, I really know I was wrong. I just thought it was a rare item that could be a nice gift for Han'er. I never thought it would almost cause a disaster."
Father Chu frowned even deeper and shook his head slightly: "From now on, you need to be more careful. You need to find out the source of the goods and the trading partners clearly. Don't just focus on making money and risk your life without realizing it."
"Brother, I've remembered this. I will be more cautious from now on." His voice, however, carried a hint of resentment.
"Fourth Uncle, there's something I'd like to ask you."
Chu Ruohan followed her father and Chu Ang to the study.
After the door closed, Chu Ang seemed unable to hold back any longer and asked, "What's wrong, niece? Why are you being so secretive, and why can't anyone else hear?"
Chu's father also looked puzzled.
Chu Ruohan went straight to the point: "Every time Fourth Uncle's caravan returns, he sends ink blocks to the Marquis of Anyang's residence?"
Chu Ang was slightly taken aback, his expression becoming somewhat unnatural, but he quickly regained his composure.
"Yes, that's true. He gave me money, and I carried the goods for him. It was just an ordinary business deal. Why are you suddenly asking about this?"
Chu Ruohan frowned slightly and continued to ask, "Who was the person who made the deal with Fourth Uncle?"
The room was dimly lit, with only a sliver of light filtering through the cracks in the window, illuminating her cold, aloof face and making her eyes appear even sharper, like an eagle's.
Chu Ang frowned, looking at Chu Ruohan with suspicion, and asked, "Why are you suddenly asking this?"
Knowing that she couldn't push too hard at the moment, Chu Ruohan casually made up an excuse to get by.
"Fourth Uncle, I have only been married into the Marquis's mansion for a short time, and my mother-in-law is not at ease with me managing the household. She thought I should first learn about the various expenses and procurement matters in the mansion so that I can be in the know if I manage it independently in the future and avoid making mistakes."
She appeared natural and spoke softly, as if she were genuinely just curious about domestic matters.
Chu Ang, however, did not believe it entirely. His gaze still showed doubt, and he chuckled twice: "So that's how it is. But the person who bought the goods was just a servant in charge of procurement in the Marquis's mansion. I didn't investigate who it was exactly. It was just a matter of cash on delivery."
Today's events have made her distrust Chu Ang.
Father Chu's gaze was solemn as he looked directly at Chu Ang, his tone leaving no room for doubt, "Fourth brother, the situation is different now. The Marquis of Anyang's family has become our in-laws. We should avoid business dealings with them as much as possible and try not to get involved with them anymore."
As he spoke, he sighed softly, "Han'er is already having a hard time in the Marquis's mansion, and the young master is in poor health. We must not let outsiders think that our Chu family is trying to curry favor with others."
Chu Ang stood to the side with his head down and replied, "Brother, I understand. I won't make things difficult for Han'er."
"As for the ink matter, Fourth Uncle, please leave it to me," Chu Ruohan said at the opportune moment.
Chu Ang stared at her for a long time, but ultimately couldn't see anything unusual. His niece was well protected by her family and had always been innocent.
"Okay, you can take it back in a bit."
Seeing that she couldn't get any useful information from her fourth uncle, Chu Ruohan took Mo back with her.
As soon as I stepped out of the courtyard gate, I looked up and saw Chu Nanxin standing not far away, clearly having been waiting there for a long time.
"Sister, are we going back so soon?" Chu Nanxin asked first.
Chu Ruohan nodded slightly, her expression calm: "Yes, I am already married. It is getting late, and the rules in the manor are strict, so I cannot stay out overnight." After saying that, she glanced at Chu Nanxin's face indifferently.
Chu Nan crumpled the handkerchief in her hand, hesitated for a long time, and then mustered up her courage: "Sister, I... can I go to the Marquis of Anyang's residence to find you?"