Chapter 490 - 491: Reunion

Chapter 490: Chapter 491: Reunion

Vice General Wang spoke aggressively, "You’re worrying for nothing. Do you take our supervisors for pushovers?

"If they dare to try anything, they’ll lose their hands."

Li Ji said, "In any case, I do not approve. If anything were to happen to the city walls, every single one of us here would be held responsible."

Zhou Shixiong said, "We can discuss this matter later. For now, let’s talk about how to establish a Navy."

Li Ji objected, "Great General, you can’t do this. The Holy Emperor did not approve the establishment of a Navy in the Holy Decree. This would be going against His Majesty’s will."

Zhou Shixiong shot him a look. ’This guy is really an eyesore.’ "Then I’ll rephrase the question: how do we assemble a team of strong swimmers?"

Li Ji was speechless. ’Isn’t that the same thing?’

After that, no one paid him any mind. The generals present all began to chime in, each offering their own ideas.

Zhou Shixiong had a strategist at his side record every suggestion so they could choose the most suitable one later.

* * *

Jin Qianqian finally reached Lu City after a long and winding journey, just as the spring planting season was coming to an end.

The moment her carriage reached the city gate, she happened to run into Jiang Shiniu, who was on guard duty that day.

Jiang Shiniu spotted the distant convoy and immediately recognized the Gu family’s carriage.

He quickly told one of his men to run back and inform their master, while he himself hurried down from the city wall.

Meanwhile, Ancient Wen Heng was in a discussion with He Gaofei and the others about whether to build a reservoir in Lu City.

"A project of this scale is too large. Our Prefecture City doesn’t have the Silver Taels for it right now," Wu Yichen objected. "We’re already failing to make ends meet. If we start construction, where will the money come from?"

He Gaofei and the others, who had been somewhat tempted, also reined in their enthusiasm. "Mr. Wu has a point. We lack the manpower and resources. Besides, Lu City has managed just fine for all these years. There’s no need to take on this unnecessary burden."

Ancient Wen Heng knew it would be difficult. This year’s tax revenue hadn’t been collected yet, and even when it was, they couldn’t keep it all in the government office. The majority had to be submitted to the higher authorities.

However, since he had brought it up, he naturally had a plan. He was just about to elaborate when Ming Feng ran over and whispered something in his ear.

Ancient Wen Heng shot to his feet. Before they could even react, he was already out the door, shouting, "We’ll discuss any other matters when I return!"

...

"What just happened?" ’We were in the middle of a discussion, and he just vanished in an instant.’

They had never seen Ancient Wen Heng lose his composure like that before.

"It can’t be bad news, can it? I thought I saw a look of pleasant surprise on Mr. Gu’s face," said Lu Shenggen, who had been sitting directly across from Ancient Wen Heng.

Wu Yichen asked, "Should we go take a look?"

He Gaofei stared at the empty doorway. "Even if we tried, we probably couldn’t catch him now..."

Given how fast he was moving, Ancient Wen Heng had bolted quicker than a monkey. There was no sign of him anymore.

When Jin Qianqian heard Lin Dapeng announce from outside that they were about to arrive, she excitedly hugged Gu Ben Can and nuzzled his face. "We’re finally going to see your father! Are you happy?"

"Ah,"

"That’s wonderful."

She carefully set the child aside to play by himself, then took a mirror from a cabinet to meticulously check her appearance.

"Madam, would you like me to help you fix your hair?" Li Qiu was already reaching for a comb.

Jin Qianqian shook her head. "It’s fine as it is. No need to go to any trouble."

’Who travels with their hair full of jeweled pins, anyway?’ Throughout the journey, she had kept things as simple as possible, merely tying her hair up.

’If I want to dress up properly, I can think about it after I’ve had some rest. There’s no need to be so deliberate right now.’

The carriage had just come to a stop at the city gate when the curtain was flung open from the outside.

Li Qiu immediately moved to stand in front of Jin Qianqian. Just as she was about to issue a reprimand, she clapped a hand over her own mouth.

Seeing the maid’s reaction, Ancient Wen Heng realized he might have been a bit too forceful.

But he couldn’t be bothered with that now. He stood on his tiptoes, trying to see his wife, who was completely hidden behind the maid.

’This maid usually seems so sharp. Why is she just standing there like a wooden post?’

She was blocking his view of the master and didn’t even realize it. Just as he was about to say something, Jin Qianqian peeked her head out from behind her maid. "Husband."

Ancient Wen Heng’s sharp expression immediately softened. "My dear wife, you’ve had a long journey."

Li Qiu finally snapped out of it, her face turning bright red. She wanted to smack herself. ’Why was I just standing there in a daze?’

She quickly stepped aside, shrinking into a corner and hoping her master would forget what had just happened.

Clearly, she was worrying for nothing. At this moment, the reunited couple had eyes only for each other. Even Gu Ben Can, who was babbling away beside them, had been momentarily forgotten.

"Ah, ah, ah!" Gu Ben Can tugged on Jin Qianqian’s dress, finally pulling her back to reality.

"Let’s talk more when we get back home," Ancient Wen Heng said, noticing that many people at the city gate were staring at them, especially at his conspicuous official robes.

"Mm," Jin Qianqian replied, knowing they had all the time in the world. "But is this a convenient time for you?"

Ancient Wen Heng glanced down at his official robes. "I’ll take you to the government office first."

With that, he used the mounting block to step into the carriage. The moment he was inside, he scooped Gu Ben Can into his arms. "Where’s Luo Luo?"

Jin Qianqian smiled, her lips pursed. "He’s in the carriage behind us. The little rascal said his brother was too noisy, so he’s with the nanny in the other carriage."

Gu Ben Can struggled to get down. ’This man is a stranger. I want Mommy.’

Ancient Wen Heng didn’t forget to lean out and instruct the driver, "Follow the guard up front."

Gu Ben Can was small and not very strong; he couldn’t break free at all. Seeing that even his own mother wasn’t looking at him, he couldn’t hold it in any longer and started wailing at the top of his lungs.

The reunited couple fell silent.

"Such a loud cry! No wonder your brother can’t stand you," Ancient Wen Heng said, patting his bottom lightly. "What’s the matter? Don’t you recognize your own father?"

Jin Qianqian reached out and took the child. "Isn’t it perfectly normal for him not to remember? You’ve been gone for months. It would be strange if a child his age did remember you."

Ancient Wen Heng reached out and patted the boy’s head. "You little stinker, just you wait. In less than two days, I’ll have you clinging to me all day long."

"Ah, ah, ah!"—*Who are you?*

"Oh, so you know how to talk back now?"

"Ah, ah, ah!"

Jin Qianqian held the baby, but her eyes were glued to Ancient Wen Heng. "Your skin has gotten lighter."

Ancient Wen Heng touched his face. "Really?"

’It’s true, I’ve been stuck in the government office handling affairs all day, so I haven’t been outside much.’

Jin Qianqian nodded, saying with a hint of envy, "I’ve gotten a bit of a tan, but you’re still so fair. You’ll have to share your skincare secrets with me."

Ancient Wen Heng reached out and gently tweaked her nose. "Are you making fun of me? Believe it or not, I could spend a few days running around outside and come back as dark as charcoal."