Chapter 15: The God of Wealth
Ning Xin was unaware that someone was plotting against her. She walked along, waiting for her father. Ning Dalang’s legs felt like they might burst from anticipation.
A dozen horsemen, escorting a carriage, galloped swiftly toward them. Ning Xin and Ning Dalang hurriedly stepped aside.
One horse stopped, and a man atop it smiled as he asked, “Are these wild boars?”
Ning Xin and Ning Dalang nodded in unison.
“Are you selling them?”
“Yes, yes, yes. Sir, would you like to buy?”
“How much?”
Ning Dalang calculated in his mind what would be reasonable.
Ning Xin spoke up, “Two taels of silver.”
When the man raised an eyebrow slightly, Ning Xin added, “If you want wild boars in the future, I can catch more.”
Dou Meng’s interest was piqued.
He had intended to buy a wild boar to feast on, but seeing a young girl carrying two wild boars surprised him; she was strong. What intrigued him most was her claim that she could hunt wild boars.
Dou Meng examined the head of one boar. It looked as if it had been smashed by a fist or a stone. Judging by the wound, it was a kill shot.
He grew even more interested.
“Did you hunt these wild boars?”
Ning Xin nodded.
“I heard wild boars run very fast. Can you really catch them?”
“Yes, I can!”
Dou Meng stroked his chin, his eyes narrowing slightly. “How about this: you carry those wild boars and race against my horse. If you outrun it, I’ll pay you five taels of silver for these two. What do you say? Dare to try?”
Could it really be that easy to earn five taels?
Ning Xin instantly felt a surge of excitement.
“Then give me the money first.”
“Heh, little girl, are you afraid I’ll cheat you?” Dou Meng was not offended.
If this girl could actually outrun his fine horse on two legs, recruiting her to serve the young master would be worth it—not just five taels, but fifty or even five hundred.
Dou Meng unfastened his pouch, pulled out a silver piece, weighed it in his hand, and tentatively tossed it toward Ning Xin.
She caught the silver effortlessly without even jostling the boars on her shoulder.
Dou Meng’s eyes lit up instantly.
Ning Dalang tugged at Ning Xin’s arm. “Xin, you should take the money now. What if you lose the race?”
“That’s impossible, Father. Here, you hold the silver. We’ll meet at the city gate.”
Ning Xin didn’t even know the meaning of losing.
She looked seriously at Dou Meng and asked, “Sir, if I win, you won’t give me any trouble, will you?”
“Of course not. As long as you win, I’ll keep coming to you for wild boars.”
Buy more? The thought of making a lot of money thrilled Ning Xin immensely.
“Then let’s begin.”
Without hesitation, she assumed a ready stance for the race.
Dou Meng shouted, “Go!”
Almost as soon as he spurred his horse forward, Ning Xin’s legs seemed to take flight; in the blink of an eye, she was already ahead of him.
...
Dou Meng was stunned.
Little did he know, Ning Xin was taking the race very seriously, exerting her utmost for five taels of silver.
He immediately urged his horse into a frantic chase.
As Ning Xin dashed past with the boars, the escorting riders were all incredulous, exchanging glances.
“Did someone just rush past carrying two wild boars?”
“Seems like it.”
“Seems like it? It was definitely a girl.”
As they whispered, Dou Meng caught up.
“Dou Meng?”
“...”
“Could it be Dou Meng is trying to snatch her boars?”
“Nonsense.”
Whatever was said outside was clearly audible inside the carriage.
A pale, slender hand pinched a black jade chess piece and slowly placed it down, seemingly blocking the white pieces without any hope of counterattack.
Yet that same hand picked up a white piece and placed it, instantly turning the tide of the game.
“Chen Hui, quickly.”
The lazy, deep voice came from inside the carriage. Chen Hui, who was driving the carriage, promptly responded, “Yes, Young Master.”
“Go.”