Chapter 1374: Deep Schemes

Chapter 1374: Chapter 1374: Deep Schemes

"Hey, hey, hey, here she comes." Qiaozi’s wife and the others knew that Mrs. Kuang had a fiery temper, so they quickly dropped what they were doing to fetch the decoction.

Aunt Xiong was very capable. Seeing the chaos on Mrs. Kuang’s side, she immediately brought her three sons over to fix wooden posts onto the mule cart. They secured the posts with rivets and tied them with ropes, then draped a tarp that Niu Dajin handed over onto the top of the cart.

"Done, now your elderly and children can sit in the cart without being battered by wind and snow." Aunt Xiong said cheerily, even skillfully throwing in an idiom.

Mrs. Kuang had just divided the medicine among the women when she noticed that Aunt Xiong and the others had finished the cart’s top. She quickly thanked them, "Oh my, sister-in-law, I really can’t thank you enough. With this cover, our elderly and children will suffer less."

Aunt Xiong replied, "Why thank me? I’m just a servant; it’s our mistress who arranged everything."

After Mrs. Kuang thanked Gu Jinli, Aunt Xiong continued, "Mrs. Niu, our mistress is making masks for the adults. They’re pieced together with fabric to cover the mouth and nose, leaving only eye holes. The mistress said these masks can protect against cold wind, preventing illness. I suggest making similar masks for your elderly and children, as they’re more susceptible."

"Made of fabric? That would require a lot of cloth. I would like to make them, but we don’t have any fabric," Mrs. Kuang replied, looking expectant as if hoping for some fabric from their mistress.

Aunt Xiong laughed, as the mistress had predicted, Mrs. Kuang always wanted more. But the mistress said, "There’s no need for good fabric, several layers of coarse burlap will do. If you don’t have burlap, take clothes that aren’t worn and cover the mouth and nose directly—it blocks the wind and keeps warm. Just covering the mouth and nose is enough."

Ye Dakou, who hadn’t left yet, nodded and said, "Yes, the mouth and nose are gateways for all illnesses; cold easily enters there. Covering them warms half the body and prevents sickness."

He advised further, "However, the fabric or old clothes used must be clean—avoid dirty ones to prevent worsening illnesses."

Ye Dakou’s medical skill was well-known in the camp, so Mrs. Kuang trusted his advice. She quickly nodded, "Eh, sure, I’ll tell everyone. Thanks to your household mistress."

Mrs. Kuang promptly informed the women. Everyone found unworn clothing and covered their faces; their mouth and throat significantly warmed, feeling much better.

The elderly and children, after drinking the medicine brought by Ye Dakou’s group, felt no more stomachaches. Mrs. Kuang was overjoyed, sending the dry firewood the children gathered as a thank you to Gu Jinli during the noon break.

This news shocked all the soldiers at the Military Office.

Who was Mrs. Kuang? She was infamous across the He’an Prefecture’s Eight County Military Department as the number one miser, taking advantage whenever possible and never losing out. To think she sent firewood to the Qin family, and not just any wood but dry firewood that lit easily.

With cold weather accelerating firewood usage, dry wood was valuable and already dried. Mrs. Kuang, such a penny-pincher, actually sent three bundles to the Qin family—she was very generous.

Upon hearing this, Ding Ge fiercely scolded Gu Jinli, "Ugly women are indeed troublesome. Don’t be fooled by that ugly Gu woman, she’s cunning—two pots of decoction and a few posts were enough to win over Mrs. Kuang, effectively winning over Niu Dabao. We’ve been overshadowed!"

He then scolded Ding Changli, "You’re in charge of the road rations; how come you didn’t send medicine when you learned the Niu Family camp’s elderly and children caught cold and had diarrhea? You’ve let such an excellent opportunity slip to the Qin family, foolishness!"

Feeling aggrieved, Ding Changli could only accept blame, "Sir, don’t be angry. This is my fault. I’ve prepared the medicine and was waiting for Mrs. Kuang to ask for help, planning to deliver medicine and bring Doctor Lu to treat them. But Mrs. Kuang, wanting to save face, never proactively asked for help, only hinting through Niu Erjin. I wanted to put her in her place—thus, missed the chance."

He assured, "Rest assured, sir, it won’t happen again."

But Ding Ge remained furious—Niu Dabao was capable and loyal; if won over, he’d be very useful.

"Roll away and take ten sticks as punishment, remember this lesson!" Ding Ge ordered.

Ding Changli dared not protest, quickly replying, "Yes, many thanks for your mercy, sir."

He hurried off to accept his punishment.

Lu Chong, learning of Gu Jinli’s deeds, chastised Mrs. Cen, "Look at Gu, so capable, then look at you—utterly useless."

He initially married Mrs. Cen for her good looks but now realized that beauty alone was worthless—a homely wife with a substantial dowry was far better.

As long as the dowry was large, marrying an ugly wife didn’t matter; if wanting beauties, buy them using her dowry.

He married Mrs. Cen from a poor family, gaining nothing, and ended up supporting her—infuriating.

Mrs. Cen was angrier; Lu Chong, barely regarding her after sleeping with her, now complained about her family’s lack of wealth. Ha! If annoyed, he should’ve controlled himself.

Failed to control himself, slept with her, despised her family’s lack of power—what audacity! Would she even have married him if her family were influential?!

Inwardly, Mrs. Cen cursed Lu Chong dearly, but outwardly feigned weakness, "It’s all my fault, embarrassing you, sir."

"Hmph, you better know it—don’t make a scene." Lu Chong warned. His warning was genuinely ominous.

Mrs. Cen felt an inward jolt but realized Lu Chong possessed only this level of skill, inwardly sneering: Hmph, coward, you deserve to be looked down on!

Mrs. Cen saw that among the He’an Eight County Military Department’s Company Commanders, few respected Lu Chong—neither Ding Ge nor Qin San Lang, even Niu Dabao considered his skills too minor, his personality less generous, unwilling to associate.

Lu Chong finished his dry meal in the mule cart and lay down to rest, "Wake me at the appointed time."

He instructed further, "When departing, take Sister Tang to visit Gu; spend the afternoon in her carriage. Build a connection; the Gu family is wealthy, and although Gu is ugly, she’s generous. If you treat her well, benefits will be inevitable."

Mrs. Cen was willing to visit Gu Jinli, yet initially, Lu Chong foolishly proposed that since he was older than Qin San Lang, he ought to be the elder brother, thus Gu should visit her as his sister-in-law.

However, whether Gu was truly dense or feigned ignorance, she didn’t visit, only had servants deliver a greeting gift.

"Alright, I’ll take Sister Tang over before we set off." Mrs. Cen agreed.

There was little time for resting at noon—after three quarters, the soldiers rang the bell to signal departure.

After waking Lu Chong, Mrs. Cen immediately took the child to visit Gu Jinli.

Yet afar, she glimpsed Mrs. Ji, feeling joyful... Ding Ge called Mrs. Ji foolish, wanting her humiliated by Xie Cheng, instructed her to approach Mrs. Ji; winning her trust and bringing her under control would earn many benefits.