Chapter 99: Birthday

Chapter 99: Chapter 99: Birthday

After that, Wuqing taught her how to train pigeons each day, in addition to going to the mountains to check on the medicinal fields and vegetable plots. At night, she would be busy in her Space. Whenever she had spare time, she would think of her husband.

After adding some spiritual spring water to the vegetables on the mountain, some were ready to eat. As a result, dishes from her own vegetable plot began appearing on the dining table daily. They tasted refreshing and delicious. Everyone ate a lot more. Ms. Yang and Ms. Wang claimed to be on a diet every day. However, they only seemed to get fatter. Gu Qingli, on the other hand, had grown a bit taller but remained delicate and petite, making Ms. Yang and Ms. Wang burn with envy.

She would also go hunting in the mountains with Wuqing, taking the opportunity to release Da Bai. The creature had grown tremendously in her Space and was now much larger than an average large dog. At a glance, it no longer resembled a dog but a true tiger, albeit a docile one. Whenever Gu Qingli gave it a stern look, it acted even more obediently than a dog. Thus, Da Bai acquired a new nickname: “Second Dog.”

「At this time, in the Beijiang Kingdom, Xiao Yunjing was leading the Secret Sect to turn the tide, capturing a city to serve as their base for further expansion.」 Xiao Yunjing planned to first conquer the entire Beijiang Kingdom, then gradually reclaim territory, piece by piece. The Beijiang people were fierce warriors. With them, the Secret Sect, the people from Blue Clouds Mountain, and the one hundred thousand soldiers at the border, he would be unstoppable. Moreover, the Beijiang Kingdom was situated on a fertile plain, ideal for cultivating crops and medicinal materials.

That evening, after dinner and handling official business, Xiao Yunjing went to Eldest Brother Xiao’s room.

“Third Brother, why are you still up so late? Is something on your mind?” Eldest Brother Xiao asked.

“Yes, there’s something I need to discuss with you,” Xiao Yunjing said, sitting down.

“What is it?”

“Things have been quiet lately, so I plan to return for a visit. Do you or Second Brother have anything you want me to take back?”

“Go back?”

“Yes, Li’er’s birthday is in a few days.”

Eldest Brother Xiao’s mouth twitched.

Traveling such a long way just for his wife’s birthday! What a hassle!

“Alright, I’ll have it for you tomorrow.”

“As soon as possible.”

Eldest Brother Xiao thought,

Why didn’t you say so earlier?

“Third Brother, why not bring the three boys over? Forget about their studies,” Eldest Brother Xiao suggested.

What’s the use of reading so many books? Just recognizing characters is enough. Their hands are meant for swords, not writing brushes.

Xiao Yunjing frowned. “Eldest Brother, they’re still too young. Let’s wait a couple more years.”

If we overthrow the Daqian Empire,

he thought,

the three of them will need enough knowledge to be qualified for their future positions. As for me, I have no interest in that position at all. Grandfather saved my life, and Uncle gave up his position as general for me. I’ll repay them by securing the highest position for them—a position free from anyone’s control. Since the ruler of Daqian wants my life, I’ll take the throne from under him.

Eldest Brother Xiao was unaware of Xiao Yunjing’s true plans. He thought Yunjing genuinely believed the children were too young.

Then again, Xiao Han, the eldest, is only thirteen this year. He is a bit young for the battlefield. Forget it. I mainly just miss my wife. If the children came, she would surely follow.

He said, “Let’s discuss it again in two years. You should go. I need to prepare things.”

Eldest Brother Xiao hurried him out and then sent someone to inform Second Brother Xiao.

「Before they knew it, it was March 18th.」 Gu Qingli discussed Ms. Wu’s idea with Ms. Jiang, who agreed to let her do as she pleased.

When Gu Qingli and Wuqing arrived at Ms. Wu’s, Ms. Wu was already preparing lunch. As soon as Ms. Wu saw Gu Qingli, she brought out the eggs she had boiled that morning and urged her to eat.

Seeing sixteen eggs in the basin, Gu Qingli’s mouth twitched.

Am I supposed to just eat eggs?

She gave Wuqing two eggs, her mother two, and ate two herself.

“Mother, are Dashuang and Xiaoshuang coming home for lunch?”

Ms. Wu replied, “No, they said they’ll go to your place for dinner. It’s all the same.”

“Those rascals,” Gu Qingli muttered.

「Around noon, Gu Chang’an arrived with a jug of wine.」

“Dalin, your uncle is here to cadge a meal!” Gu Chang’an’s voice boomed before he appeared.

“Uncle, don’t be a stranger! Please, come in and sit down.” Gu Dalin came out to greet him, led him into the house, took the wine jug, poured him tea, and they sat chatting in the room.

Gu Chang’an took a sip of tea, looked around the tidy room, and then thought of Master Gu’s family. He sighed. “Dalin, seeing your life improve so much really puts my heart at ease.”

Gu Dalin scratched his head. “Uncle, you’re exaggerating. If you hadn’t helped Li’er back then, I might have died.”

“It wouldn’t have come to that. You’re a lucky fellow, Dalin.”

Gu Dalin smiled bitterly.

Indeed, I am lucky. I’ve cheated death twice. Abandoned at birth, I was fortunate to be found by Master Gu and his wife. Then last year, I nearly died after breaking my leg. Master Gu’s family didn’t save me then; I suppose that repays the debt for them saving my life when I was a baby. It was Li’er who truly saved my life this time.

“Uncle, your dozens of acres of medicinal herbs seem to be thriving, don’t they?” Gu Dalin said, wanting to change the subject away from Master Gu’s family.

Gu Chang’an nodded. Seeing that Dalin didn’t want to discuss Master Gu’s family, he didn’t press the issue.

“We followed Xiaoli’s instructions,” Gu Chang’an said, his eyes crinkling. “And you wouldn’t believe it, but our herbs are growing even better than those on the mountain! With my sixty acres, we’ll recoup our investment this year and even make a good profit.”

Gu Chang’an’s eyes narrowed with satisfaction.

The villagers who didn’t buy land are kicking themselves now. Afterward, more than twenty other families scrambled to buy land and transplant herbs from the mountain. They managed to catch the wave. Heh heh, Qinghe Village is in for a bumper harvest this year!

He glanced towards the kitchen, catching sight of Gu Qingli’s petite figure.

It’s all thanks to that girl. She’s the lucky star of Qinghe Village.

Gu Chang’an beamed.

Lunch was a sumptuous spread. Ms. Wu was an excellent cook, and with everyone in high spirits, the meal was a joyous affair. During the meal, a cheerful Gu Chang’an even shared a small cup of wine with Gu Qingli.

One small cup was enough to make Gu Qingli feel it immediately. She had terrible alcohol tolerance; a single drink made her dizzy. Wuqing quickly helped her back to her room.

She only managed to get up for dinner after drinking some sobering soup. Even so, she still felt a little dizzy. But she could manage.

When Dashuang and Xiaoshuang returned from their studies, they immediately rushed over to support her.

“Sister, if you can’t hold your liquor, you shouldn’t drink,” Dashuang pouted.

“N-no, it’s fine… S-Second Granduncle was happy… so I… I just had a small cup with him,” Gu Qingli slurred, her tongue still a bit tangled.

The twins shook their heads and helped her into the main hall to sit down.

Dinner that night was also sumptuous. Everyone offered Gu Qingli their birthday wishes before they began to eat.

After dinner, Gu Qingli, Wuqing, and Ms. Jiang escorted the twins home.

Wuqing helped clean up and wash the dishes.

Ms. Jiang came in, took out a box, pressed it into Gu Qingli’s arms, and then shooed her back to her own room.

“Thank you, Mother!” Gu Qingli said softly to Ms. Jiang.

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