Volume 3: Can You Hold On Now? Chapter 13: Ransom

  The blue bird chirped and laughed, its voice like a bell floating on the surface of the river. Its laughter gradually subsided, and it looked at Xu Xian and said: "Brother Xu, Qing Luan really regards you as an elder brother. You mustn't deceive me!" There was a hint of trembling in its voice. Although these days of interaction had made him believe in Xu Xian, his closed heart still feared to open up to others again, filled with doubts and misgivings.

  Xu Xian stretched out his hand and touched her little head: "You're so silly, I don't lie to you, I think it's a pity!"

  The blue phoenix lowered its head and let him stroke it, saying softly: "Then never let me find out again!"

  "Pah! Xū Xiān patted her head, "How could that be!" Qīng Luán felt a little happy in his heart, thinking he meant he wouldn't deceive himself."

  "But I didn't expect Xu Xian to say: 'If I wanted to cheat you and you still found out, then I'm useless.'"

  Qing Luan turned her face and glared at him angrily, Xu Xian hurriedly patted the place he had just touched.

  "Good boy."

  Qing Luan couldn't help but laugh and cry at the same time, shaking his head a few times to shake off his hand, then listened intently and said: "Tonight's dispersal is relatively early. I'll go back first, Xu Dage. Tomorrow I'll tell you my business."

  "Let's go!" said Xu Xian with a smile.

  Qing Luan returned to her room, and Cai Feng smiled and said: "You've gone to see that infatuated brother of yours again."

  Qing Luan walked over to help Cai Feng take down her hair temporarily, "Miss, you're talking nonsense again."

  Cai Feng smiled at herself in the mirror: "I don't know which Xu brother it is, but Xu brother's name has been called nonstop.

  "Ah, how did you know!"

  Cai Feng covered her mouth and smiled slyly: "Really good scam!"

  Qing Luan angrily messed up Cai Feng's hair, but Cai Feng didn't mind and said: "That Pan Gongzi is very good to you, I'll go help you talk to him, so you can follow him."

  Qing Luan took the wooden comb and combed the disheveled hair of Cai Feng, "Miss, I only regard him as my brother, and Xu Da Ge also regards me as his sister. There's no improper thoughts between us, and we've promised to be together with you forever."

  Yes, all silent.

  Cai Feng remembered the difficult times at home, she asked Qing Luan, who was skilled in martial arts, to leave, but Qing Luan refused. In the end, he followed her into this filthy place, even if one guarded their body like jade, once they entered this fiery pit, it would be a stain that could never be washed away for the rest of their life. Moreover, over the years, without Qing Luan's protection, she was afraid that she would have long since fallen and become unrecognizable, or perhaps even died. No matter what, she had to let this child live a happy life.

  Qing Luan suddenly remembered when she first entered the mansion, her martial arts skills were not yet complete. She was bullied by others, but it was Miss who lifted up her skirt to save herself. When her sister took care of her like a younger sibling, she gave Qing Luan the new clothes that Master had bought for her to wear, and taught her how to read characters. During difficult times, she comforted herself. She still remembered all these things, and she knew it.

  The young lady is not as strong and obedient as she looks. The young lady is very lazy and needs to be taken care of, and every day someone still has to call her to get out of bed. Such a young lady needs to be protected for the rest of one's life.

  The two men made up their minds separately.

  In front of us, Jinling is almost here.

  Tired. Walking forward a bit more will be Jin Wancheng's territory, I suppose there will be some hospitality then.

  Xu Xian was thinking about his telescope, but for a moment he didn't know how to negotiate with this cunning and shrewd old businessman. After all, in his previous life, he wasn't a business elite either, there's no reason why he would suddenly become extremely business-minded after transmigrating. But he quickly thought of an idea: since he wasn't good at it himself, he might as well ask someone who was good at it to come over. So he shared his thoughts with Pan Yu.

  Pan Yu was surprised: "Han Wen, are you sure you can make that thing, a telescope?"

  The value of this thing is extremely clear. Whether it's navigation or the military, think about being able to observe storms and coastlines ahead of time during navigation, and being able to see through the enemy's deployment and true intentions during a campaign, playing a role that can turn the tide of battle.

  Xu Xian said: "I'm not too sure about artificial crystal, I only have a rough idea and need some experiments. But the principle of the telescope is something I can be certain of, that is, as long as the current glass meets the requirements, ordinary ones can be made." However, he was certain that it would not be possible to make telescopes for astronomical observations, so he left.

  Pan Yu clapped his hands and said, "Alright, as long as you can confirm it, I'll go talk to Jin Wancheng. We should be able to get a suitable price for it. However, this divine weapon will definitely not be mass-produced. It's bound to be even more strictly controlled than the military crossbow. I'll set up an agreement and have Jin Wancheng try producing it first. If it succeeds, we can submit it to the Ministry of Works. You can also get a government position if you want."

  Xu Xiandao said, "That's very difficult to make a profit?" He hadn't considered the military value of this telescope either. Now that he heard Pan Yu say it, he understood that the imperial court would absolutely not allow such a powerful tool to flow into civilian hands. Without a way to dispose of it, it would be hard to make much of a profit.

  Pan Yudian nodded and said, "It's impossible in the short term, but as time goes on, who can limit it? Let's not talk about this for now. If that artificial crystal can be made, then it will truly bring wealth and prosperity, and you can use it to redeem Qing Luan."

  Xu Xian's face turned red as he said, "You've discovered it!" Then, with a serious expression, he continued, "A woman like that shouldn't be stuck in this situation. Since Cai Feng has her eyes on you, I naturally won't say anything, but Qing Luan should find her own ideal husband. As her elder brother, how could I not care?"

  Xu Xian said seriously: "I just treat her as my sister, absolutely no other thoughts."

  Pan Yu looked at him for a moment, smiled and sighed: "Alright, alright. You're a decent man after all! I'll go tell Cai Feng about it, and grant your wish!" If you want to ransom Qing Luan, you must get Cai Feng's consent first.

  In the cabin, Cai Feng excitedly asked Qing Luan: "Girl, your good fortune has arrived?"

  "Is this good?"

  Cai Feng smiled and said: "Your brother Xu wants to ransom you. He asked Pan Gongzi to be the matchmaker!" In her eyes, whoever ransoms her will own her for life, whether as a wife or concubine, this point will not change.

  "You didn't tell me!"

  Cai Feng happily said: "What a surprise, silly girl, I've thought it through. That Xu Gongzi may not have money, but with this kind intention, it's enough. I'll help you pay the ransom and when you enter his household, don't let others look down on you."

  Qing Luan lowered her head, her body trembling slightly, and finally raised her head to say: "I'll go talk to him." After that, she ran out the door.

  The blue phoenix rushed into Xu Xian's room, and under Pan Yu's astonished gaze, dragged Xu Xian out to the bow of the boat where he usually stayed.

  Qing Luan thought for a moment and asked: "Xu Gege, are you going to ransom me?"

  Xu Xian nodded and said, "Yes, you don't like Ming Yu, do you?"

  Qing Luan nodded in agreement, her heart trembling even more. She gritted her teeth and said: "Xu Gege, you're a good person, but I only treat you as an older brother."

  Xu Xian sighed in his heart. Such a classic and familiar good person card, brother card! However, it was somewhat amusing. He patted Qing Luan's head and said: "I also considered you as my sister, I redeemed your body for you, now you can marry whoever you want, with me as your brother, no one will dare to bully you."

  Qing Luan felt a pang of disappointment, but still gritted her teeth and said: "Xu Gege, thank you for your kindness! Qing Luan is not worthy to be your sister, but I must accompany Miss!"

  "Can you accompany her for a lifetime?"

  "I can, Brother Xu. You seem to know my story already, so I'll tell you now. My mother died early, and my father was a Jianghu person. Later, in Hanzhong, he was either being pursued by an enemy or something else happened, but I don't remember clearly. Anyway, I was sent to the Yun household, and then Master Yun was transferred to Jiangnan. After many changes, he became the Magistrate of Hangzhou, and that's how things ended up. If it weren't for Miss, Qing Luan wouldn't be Qing Luan today, and Miss couldn't have done without me either." But in his heart, there was a fleeting feeling of being cuckolded by his best friend, which quickly passed.

  Qing Luan showed a grateful and apologetic expression, and whispered: "Thank you, Xu Gege, can I call you brother?"

  "Of course."

  "Brother, I'm leaving first!" Qing Luan said in a clear and crisp tone, then turned around and left. Xu Xian shook his head and sighed, everyone has their own persistence, if you want to help others, you must first learn not to impose your own will on others. But did he just think he was taking a walk this time?

  Pan Yu came out from the corner, imitating Qing Luan's tone, and called out in a crisp voice:

  "Brother!"

  Xu Xian almost choked to death on his own saliva, coughing non-stop. Pan Yu came over to help him pat his back and smiled: "Don't worry, I'll take good care of your sister." But the tone of his words was unavoidable, with a hint of gloating.

  Xu Xian glared at her and said, "Don't bully her."

  Pan Yuxin smiled complacently in her heart and whispered to Xu Xian, "I won't bully her, I don't have time to pamper her." She especially emphasized the word "pamper", although reason told her that Xu Xian would eventually marry and have children, so she wanted to help him redeem Qingjuan. However, seeing Xu Xian fail to redeem her, a sense of complacency arose in her heart that couldn't be dispelled.

  Xu Xian suddenly reached out and grabbed her waist, pulling her close to his body. He lowered his head and said to that stunningly beautiful face: "Never underestimate a man who has the courage of the Ba Shan Mountains in his heart. Be careful or I'll take you by force."

  Pan Yu cried out and pushed Xu Xian away, taking a step back. But one foot stepped into empty space. No matter how hard she tried to use her martial arts skills, it was all in vain. She only had time to stretch out her hand and cry out: "Han Wen, save me!"

  Xu Xian reacted quickly, grabbing her hand and pulling her back into his arms. Pan Yu supported him as he took steady breaths. Gently pushing him away, she said angrily: "I don't know how to swim." Although she was highly skilled in martial arts, she was a northerner after all, and due to her status, she had never learned how to swim. If she fell into the water, she could only wait for someone to come and rescue her.

  Xu Xian was also momentarily angry, but now regretted it and could only hurriedly guarantee: "It's okay, I will."

  Pan Yubai glanced at him and walked into the cabin without saying a word, but the feeling of being held in his arms still made her heart thump with excitement.