Chapter 9: In the Same Boat

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio  Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

As the nanny left to send the housekeeper off. Before she could even close the door, Su Jiu, Chang Huan, Ah Shu, and Hu Dapao pounced the bag of money on the table.

Three of them went straight for the money bag, while Su Jiu slammed her hand on the table.

“I dare you to try it!”

The three immediately retracted their hands and sat obediently around the table. They stared unblinkingly as Su Jiu took the money bag and poured out two silver ingots. How they glistened under the candlelight!

Chang Huan stretched out his hand to touch the ingots. “Chief, now that we have money, what should we do with them?”

“Of course we will find the best restaurant in Shengjing to have a feast!” Hu Dapao suggested.

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“I think the restaurant, whatever it’s called, the one that we saw today is not bad!” Ah Shu echoed.

“I’m gonna order ten roasted chickens. I’ll throw them away if I can’t finish!”

“I want pig hoofs. I’ve never eaten them before!”

—-

Everyone gathered around the table to discuss how they should spend the 100 taels as the nanny came in.

Qiao An said calmly, “Nanny, a word please?”

The nanny cautiously agreed and followed behind Qiao An.

Qiao An sat on a chair, as he asked, “Who is the Second Mistress the housekeeper mentioned?”

In Qiao An’s opinion, they would have to deal with the Ji family in the future and they need to know more about that family!

Only Qiao An looked polite and demure in the Dragon Conqueror Gang and not as ferocious as the others. He looked like a scholar and not a bandit. Thus, the nanny was not as nervous when facing Qiao An. “I don’t know much about the Ji Family, but I heard my mistress mention this before,” she replied slowly. “The previous patriarch of the Ji Family passed away at a young age and had a wife and a concubine left. The Eldest Young Master is the wife’s son and Ji Family’s successor. The Second Mistress gave birth to a son and daughter, the daughter became the emporer’s concubine, and the son is the Second Young Master. He is 19 years old this year, three years younger than the Eldest Young Master, and is still going to school. The Eldest Young Master has been in charge of the entire Ji Manor since he was ten, and in the past ten years, he has led the Ji Family to become the richest in Shengjing. He is now the Ji Family’s patriarch!”

Qiao An nodded and raised his voice, “Chief, please come over here!”

Su Jiu leaped and rolled over the table, landing before Qiao An. “Why?”

The nanny kept her head down and frowned subtly as she glanced at Su Jiu’s actions from the corner of her eyes.

“Nanny, we know nothing of the Su and Ji Family,” Qiao An said. “It’s alright for us to know little about the Ji Family, as the real Miss Su probably didn’t know much either. But you have to tell us about the Su Family!”

Su Jiu then understood what Qiao An meant. To ensure that no one would find out about their secret, she would have to memorize everything about the Su Family.

The nanny didn’t dare to look at Su Jiu as she chuckled dryly. “Masters, you are all brave and skilled, and I admire you. But, do you really intend to marry into the Ji Family?”

Even if they have never heard about the Eldest Young Master Ji, the nanny thought, they saw him for themselves today! He had held power and had a high social status since he was young. He was incredibly intelligent and had a powerful demeanor. Do they really think they could marry into the Ji Family without being found out?

Even if they do marry into the family, what could they get from such shrewd people? Putting this all aside, even if they succeed in getting the Ji Family’s riches, will they survive to spend it? she contemplated. Unless they are ambitious enough to kill Ji Yuxian and take over the Ji Family.

The Ji family is the wealthiest family in Daliang Country and they would have complicated network, and even have relationships with the imperial court. It was something unimaginable. If they killed Ji Yuxian, they were just another step closer to death.

What the nanny understood was also thought out by Qiao An. He tapped on the table lightly and nodded. “I didn’t think this through clearly!”

The original plan was to get some silver Su Family’s name and leave right after. If possible, they could rob the Ji Family and leave Shengjing to lead a good life.

However, after entering the city and seeing Ji Yuxian, Qiao An realized that he had simplified matters.

If they allowed Su Jiu to marry into the Ji Family, trouble would come, like what the nanny had said.

But if they didn’t let the marriage happen, more trouble would arise!

Everyone knew that Miss Su had already arrived in Shengjing. If she suddenly disappeared, the Su Family would demand an explanation from the Ji Family. If the officials investigated, they would discover the corpses buried in Yuhu Mountain. By then, Dragon Conqueror Gang would be the scapegoat for the murders. If they were hunted down like fugitives, there was no escape.

If the Ji Family want to destroy Dragon Conqueror Gang, Qiao An thought, it would be easier than stepping on an ant!

Qiao An sighed. “We don’t have a choice now. We can only see how things go and act accordingly.”

Although Su Jiu didn’t think of such complicated relations, she was still incredibly clever. Otherwise, out of more than a hundred people in the Dragon Conqueror Gang, it would not be her who had managed to kill the ex-Chief. Listening to the conversation, she had understood the key points.

There was no fear in her eyes as she smiled.

“Nanny, we are in the same boat now!”

The nanny looked up and saw Su Jiu’s clear gaze. She froze; she was indeed in the same boat as them from the moment they entered the city.

If she wanted to survive, she had to help them retain their cover, and help Su Jiu marry into the Ji Family.

Even if she would gain credit by telling them that this Miss Su was an imposter, the Ji and Su Family wouldn’t spare her if they found out that she had watched her young lady die, and worked with bandits to cheat them!

She was already on board this pirate ship. She might not stand much to gain if the Dragon Conqueror Gang prospered, but if they fell, she would fall with them!

“Nanny, you are a smart person. Now that we have no other way, we have to think of how to survive!” Su Jiu said, her gaze still calm. She sat with one leg up, her posture atrocious.

But the nanny no longer thought that this girl only had brute force.

The nanny nodded slowly. “I will of course listen to you and be loyal. However, if we want to succeed, we have to be careful, especially you, Chief.”

Nanny paused, as she chose her next words carefully. “If we encounter people from the Ji Family, I will handle it. Chief, you are Miss Su, so you should stay silent.”

Qiao An glanced at Su Jiu and nodded.

Since Miss Su was a young noble lady, and was here for marriage, logically she would be shy and meek. If Su Jiu spoke, the cat would be out of the bag. Therefore, it would be better if she didn’t say anything.

Su Jiu smiled gently. “Alright, I won’t say anything if we meet members of the Ji Family!”

“What is Miss Su’s full name?” Qiao An asked.

“My young lady’s name is Su Yuejiu!” the nanny answered.

“Su Yueji,” Su Jiu murmured, as she felt an unnamed emotion in her heart. It faded quickly. She heard the nanny continued, “Our young lady is our master’s only child and the Su Family’s Eldest Young Lady. Our mistress caught an illness a few years ago and chants Buddhist scriptures every day. She isn’t really involved with the manor’s affairs. The Second Mistress is in charge of the manor. She had two sons and one daughter. The Eldest Young Master, Su Di, Second Young Master, Su Yan and Second Young Lady, Su Yueqiu.”

Qiao An looked toward Su Jiu. She nodded, indicating that she had memorized everything.

The nanny then went on to tell Su Jiu more about the Su Family. By late in the night, she finally finished her story about the Su Family.