Chapter 33: The Perilous Path of Commerce

A faint surge of strength emanated from Jiang Yu’s warm palm. Qu Wanqing turned to him and offered a reassuring smile. "I am fine; it is merely a minor disturbance." Though she spoke lightly, her mind was already racing, calculating a strategy to respond. The new wave of merchandise hitting the market was aggressive, clearly aimed at sabotaging her. She had to identify the mastermind behind it as quickly as possible to turn the situation around.

Just as she was deep in thought, a servant rushed in, panicked. "Madam, it is terrible! Our goods have been hijacked by Bandit Wang outside the city!"

"What?!" Qu Wanqing stood up abruptly, her face draining of color. This shipment was one she had hand-selected, the key to opening up a new market. If it were lost, all her previous efforts would be in vain.

Jiang Yu frowned as well. "Bandit Wang? He has always targeted only wealthy merchants; why would he set his sights on us?" Qu Wanqing forced herself to remain calm; this was not the time to dwell on the reasons why.

"Prepare the horses immediately. I must go there myself!"

However, misfortune never arrived alone. News of Qu Wanqing’s goods being hijacked spread like wildfire throughout the business community. Madam Zhou, a business associate who held a grudge against her, seized the opportunity to spread malicious rumors, labeling Qu Wanqing a "jinx"—claiming that wherever she went, misfortune followed, and that anyone who partnered with her would suffer. Some merchants who had previously held a favorable view of Qu Wanqing and were keen to cooperate began to hesitate upon hearing these whispers. Qu Wanqing’s position suddenly became precarious.

Upon learning the news, Qu Wanqing decided to head to the Zhou estate. Madam Zhou had hosted a banquet, inviting numerous business partners specifically to drag Qu Wanqing’s name through the mud. Qu Wanqing arrived in an outfit that was elegant yet understated. Seeing her, Madam Zhou immediately began to offer cold sarcasm. Qu Wanqing, unruffled, responded with polite poise. When Madam Zhou produced so-called "evidence" to slander her, Qu Wanqing countered with even more compelling proof and began to expose Madam Zhou’s own misdeeds on the spot. Incensed and humiliated, Madam Zhou tried to strike her, but Qu Wanqing dodged skillfully, causing Madam Zhou to trip and fall, making a spectacle of herself. Seeing this, the crowd shifted their support to Qu Wanqing. Unwilling to concede, Madam Zhou called for accomplices to seize the evidence and threaten her. However, Qu Wanqing deftly manipulated the situation and the surrounding public opinion, not only resolving the crisis but also revealing more of Madam Zhou’s dark secrets. Madam Zhou’s reputation was completely ruined, and she was eventually forced to kneel and beg for mercy.

With Madam Zhou dealt with, the fence-sitting merchants flocked back to Qu Wanqing. The crisis resolved, her business reputation rose rather than fell, and everyone was struck with awe at her decisive methods and courage.

Having extinguished the "fire" in her own backyard, Qu Wanqing rushed toward the bandit lair outside the city. Jiang Yu, worried, insisted on accompanying her.

"My dear, this journey is dangerous. Let me go in your stead."

Qu Wanqing smiled and patted his hand. "Do not worry, I have my own ways."

Bandit Wang’s stronghold was built on a mountain peak, difficult to attack and easy to defend. Along the way, Jiang Yu remained anxious, repeatedly reminding her to be careful. Qu Wanqing only smiled calmly, as if she had everything under control.

Upon meeting Bandit Wang, Qu Wanqing went straight to the point. "I know you didn't hijack my goods for money."

Bandit Wang was taken aback, then burst into laughter. "As expected of Madam Qu, truly clever! Then tell me, what was it for?" He looked her up and down, a hint of flirtatious insolence in his eyes.

"For a partnership," Qu Wanqing replied, meeting his gaze unflinchingly. "You hijacked my goods to get my attention, didn't you?"

The henchmen surrounding Bandit Wang gasped; this woman actually dared to speak to their leader like that!

Bandit Wang dropped his flippant demeanor and stared at her with newfound interest. "Oh? And what makes you say that?"

"Because I understand you," Qu Wanqing said with a slight smile. "Leader Wang, though you are a bandit, you are not an ordinary one. You rob the rich to help the poor and hold great prestige among the common people. You didn't hijack my goods for money, but for..." She paused intentionally, watching his reaction.

Bandit Wang’s expression shifted, and his hand tightened around the hilt of his blade. "For what?" he asked, his voice low and tinged with danger.

"For an opportunity," Qu Wanqing said, her eyes bright and resolute. "An opportunity that could change your fate."

She dangled the bait: "Leader Wang, would you not want to wash your hands of this life and live in peace?"

A glint flashed in Bandit Wang’s eyes, but he quickly suppressed it, feigning a boisterous laugh. "Wash my hands? I am a bandit; I was born to live by the blade!" With that, he waved his hand and ordered his men to imprison her.

While confined, Qu Wanqing carefully observed the inner workings of the bandit camp and discovered that Bandit Wang cared deeply for one of his brothers. Utilizing this weakness, she told her guard that she had a way to save that brother. When the news reached Bandit Wang, he came to see her. Qu Wanqing began to appeal to his reason and emotion: "Leader Wang, you have so many brothers; do you really want them to spend their lives living by the blade like this? The imperial forces are closing in; how much longer can you hold out?" Her tone was calm, but every word struck home.

Bandit Wang fell silent. Qu Wanqing knew she had won her gamble.

"I can help you," she offered, extending an olive branch. "I have the connections to help you and your brothers shed your past and live normal lives. In exchange, you will protect my trade routes. How about it?"

Bandit Wang stared at her for a long time before finally bursting into laughter. "Fine! I’ll take that gamble! Madam Qu, I hope you do not disappoint me!"

And so, Bandit Wang not only returned the goods but also became Qu Wanqing’s secret bodyguard.

Qu Wanqing returned safely with her cargo. When her peers learned of the incident, they were shocked and held her resolve and audacity in the highest regard. In a single stroke, Qu Wanqing’s fame soared, and she firmly established her footing in the business world.

Upon hearing that Qu Wanqing had returned safely and successfully resolved the crisis, Jiang Yu could no longer contain his worry and joy; he pulled her into a tight embrace.

"Wanqing, thank goodness you are unharmed!" Jiang Yu’s voice trembled slightly. He buried his head in the crook of her neck, savoring her warmth as if she were a long-lost treasure.

Qu Wanqing gently patted his back, comforting him softly. "I am fine. I promised you I would return safely." In his arms, she felt a sense of peace and warmth she had never known before.

Those around them, seeing their deep affection, smiled with relief and offered their blessings.

Following this ordeal, Qu Wanqing’s business reputation reached new heights, and orders poured in like snowflakes. Striking while the iron was hot, she relied on her keen business acumen and exceptional negotiation skills to secure three major deals in one go, reaping immense profits.

"Wanqing, I have some urgent matters at home and must return for a while," Jiang Yu said, his tone tinged with apology. It turned out that Jiang Yu’s family had once been a prominent merchant clan before being framed and falling into ruin, which was why he was so concerned with her business activities and had provided crucial advice during her crises.

Though Qu Wanqing felt a pang of reluctance, she knew he must have something of great importance to attend to, so she nodded. "Go then. Family matters come first. You need not worry about me here."

Jiang Yu looked at her deeply before turning to leave.

Qu Wanqing stood still, watching his figure disappear into the night, a sudden, inexplicable sense of unease rising within her.

She turned back to her room and picked up a note on the table. It contained only one line: "Be careful; someone intends to harm you."