Chapter 1358: Surprise

Gu Jinli said, "No need to rush, impatience will ruin things. He’s shrewd and we need to plan well. We must strike at once to make sure he never recovers."

Traveling west with Ding Ge, someone with disgusting tastes, Gu Jinli felt repulsed. Moreover, Ding Ge had thoughts of eliminating other Company Commanders and swallowing all the westbound soldiers of He’an Prefecture. If they didn’t kill him, they’d be the ones to die.

But Ding Ge wasn’t a fool; quite the opposite, he was astute. Today, when setting up camp, he had a housekeeper send oil and salt to the family of soldiers at each Military Office, buying a wave of people’s hearts.

Moreover, his military management wasn’t bad; the soldiers under his command moved swiftly like the wind, their momentum thunderous, orders strictly enforced, not to be underestimated.

However...

"I disgusted him sufficiently today. I reckon he can’t even eat," Gu Jinli thought of Ding Ge’s nauseated gag and couldn’t help but laugh.

Heh, despicable man, let’s see how disgusting this is for you.

And her appearance at the entrance of the Military Office was pre-discussed with Qin San Lang.

On the way to the Military Office in Luan’an County, Qin San Lang specifically discussed with her how to dispel Ding Ge’s doubts, how to spread rumors that she was ugly.

Therefore, when Ding Changsheng brought the maid over, under the guise of visiting her, she knew Ding Ge was suspicious. That’s why she ran to the Military Office entrance to meet Qin San Lang, letting everyone see her face.

Gu Jinli was busy, had no time to wait for Ding Ge to come up with tricks to probe her identity. Seeing Ding Changsheng come to investigate, she simply resolved the matter in one day to save herself from having to prepare daily to deal with Ding Ge’s investigations - it was too bothersome.

After listening, Qin San Lang’s heart ached more. Kissing her hair, he said, "But you’ve still suffered."

"You’ve suffered," Gu Jinli said with a smile at him. "Now everyone’s talking about how you, Qin San Lang, are a man who would risk life for money, even willing to settle with someone as ugly as me to get silver to raise an army. You’ve become Great Chu’s number one kept man."

Military men value face the most and resent being accused of living off women. She merely acted in a play with him, yet the image of being a kept man stuck to him - he’s the one losing out.

Qin San Lang said, "I don’t mind. Gossip doesn’t matter to me, I just feel sorry for you... My wife is clearly kind and beautiful, yet they’re calling her ugly."

Xiao Yu was his bottom line; he didn’t want to wrong her.

He added, "Xiao Yu, I will strive to rise quickly so that you’ll never have to live such a troubled life!"

Only when he stood high enough would no one covet Xiao Yu, and she could lead an unrestrained life.

Gu Jinli laughed, kissing him lightly, "Mm, I believe in you."

She emphasized, "I’m not suffering. You’re not an immortal; just a man. Humans face difficulties and can’t have everything go smoothly. But whether in hardship or happiness, I’m willing to go through it with you."

Gu Jinli rarely spoke such touching words, yet Qin San Lang seemed distracted, staring at her dazed.

Gu Jinli grew angry, "What are you daydreaming about? My words are so moving, at least show some emotion!"

Qin San Lang said, "Xiao Yu, this is the second time you’ve kissed me."

The first was on the wedding night when she kissed his Adam’s apple; the second was just now. This gentle kiss reminded him of the wedding night when he held her head, kissing her deeply, almost suffocating her.

Gu Jinli was stunned... Brother, you indeed have such a heavy taste. I still have pox marks on my face, yet you dared!

Hey, wait, what are you doing? Hands off now, it’s so cold!

"Stove, be careful of the stove. If it tips over, we’ll be burned," Gu Jinli said as she finally broke free from his kiss, quickly saying, taking the chance to breathe deeply.

Phew~ Almost got suffocated.

Qin San Lang reminded her, "Shh, keep quiet, or they’ll hear."

Gu Jinli immediately froze, not daring to move or speak. Although her servants were outside, being overheard was still embarrassing.

Qin San Lang saw her being obedient like a startled, silly deer, chuckled low, kissing her neck, saying, "Xiao Yu is so adorable."

Hmm, her body is rare and wonderful, with a thin waist. His palm pressing against her waist felt warm and smooth; so tempting!

But he restrained, pulling back his hand slightly, smiling at her, "Xiao Yu thinks too much, I didn’t mean that."

With a serious look, Gu Jinli was shocked, grabbing his hand and biting it, "Hmph, liar, pretend again and I’ll bite you next time."

Who knew, Qin San Lang said joyfully, "Bite as you wish, I like when Xiao Yu bites me. But I’m afraid your teeth might get hurt; my skin’s thick."

Remembering her first fierce bite left a scar on his arm.

But he loved it; it was Xiao Yu’s mark, to accompany him for life, maybe even to the next life.

"What are you daydreaming about? Eat quickly, and go to bed early; we have to get up at the hour to hit the road tomorrow." Gu Jinli said, adding, "I prepared a surprise for you. Wait, I’ll have Erqing bring it."

With that, she pulled open the carriage curtain, calling toward a distant carriage, "Erqing, bring the bamboo tube from the fire!"

"Yes!" Erqing responded, getting out of the carriage, digging out a bamboo tube from the fire beside the carriage, brushing off the ash, tossing it into a clay basin, handing it to Gu Jinli, "It’s hot, be careful, madam."

Qin San Lang took the basin first, "Go down."

Erqing quickly retreated.

"What did you cook?" Qin San Lang asked, picking up the bamboo tube, cutting it open with a knife, letting out the fragrant aroma of rice, smiling, "It’s rice."

Gu Jinli nodded, "Mm, always eating hard biscuits isn’t good, so I made bamboo tube rice for you."

Qin San Lang was delighted; this feeling of being pampered made his heart melt, happy and moved, leaning in and kissing her, "I love it. But it’s cold now, cooking isn’t easy. I don’t mind eating something simple; don’t worry about cooking rice for me."

Gu Jinli said, "It’s no trouble. Put water and rice in the bamboo tube to soak during the day. After a day, the rice softens. When setting up camp, bury the bamboo tube under the fire; by the time the tents are up, you can eat. It’s only a waste of bamboo tubes."

Qin San Lang listened to the last remark, smiled and quickly thought of a solution, "Next time, use a clay pot, burying the entire pot under the fire to cook good rice, and make porridge too since you love porridge."

"Oh right, we can use a clay pot, we brought some. If broken, we can buy more on the way." Gu Jinli slapped her forehead, saying, "How did I miss such an easy method? Is it ’pregnancy stupidity lasts three years,’ but I haven’t given birth yet."

Hearing about children, Qin San Lang turned serious, pressing on her abdomen, "Is it coming? Notify me quickly if not; I’ll find a way to delay the journey and we’ll travel slower."

The end.