Chapter 1421: Duck Feathers and Goose Feathers

Chapter 1421: Chapter 1421: Duck Feathers and Goose Feathers

"Old Lady Fan didn’t give the old servants any trouble, but Mrs. Niu led several golden-decorated individuals to visit her, resulting in four meeting gifts, which made Mrs. Fan somewhat displeased with Mrs. Niu."

Old Lady Fan hesitated for a moment when she saw several golden-decorated individuals from the Niu Family kneel down and call her grandmother. Her expression was noticeably unpleasant, but she soon smiled and gave each one a purse with a silver ingot.

"Mrs. Niu was extremely delighted, said many good words, and scolded the golden individuals for not knowing better and accepting the gifts of Old Lady Fan. However, she quickly changed her tone and praised her golden individuals, saying they were exceptional, which made Old Lady Fan happy for a while."

This westward journey against Kangrong is dangerous. Old Lady Fan wants Fang Tian to have more sons, so she brought Fang Tian’s two concubines and bestowed two maids upon him, urging them to bear children quickly.

"Lady Xie was quite obedient and didn’t cause any trouble. Mrs. Cen was very articulate, and Sister Tang even earned a couple of compliments from Old Lady Fan. Overall, our side hasn’t upset that old lady, so Madam can be at ease," Nanny Tao said.

Gu Jinli nodded, listening: "It’s good that she wasn’t angered. Nanny, you’ve worked hard, go eat your meal, and take a rest afterwards. There’s no need to come over; I will sleep in a bit."

"Alright." Nanny Tao replied, and went off to eat.

Qin San Lang returned an hour later when Gu Jinli was about to sleep, hearing footsteps approaching the carriage.

"It’s me, I’m back, don’t be afraid." Every time Qin San Lang approached the carriage, he would first say this sentence, to reassure her that it was him returning, not some villain.

Gu Jinli loosened her grip on the knife, sat up, lifted the thick curtain, and saw him unfastening the armor.

Once he removed the heavy and slightly dirty outerwear, Qin San Lang entered the carriage, held her, and said: "I’ve heard about it, sorry for the grievance you’ve suffered."

Gu Jinli laughed upon hearing this, turned around to embrace him, smilingly said: "I’ve told you, don’t say such things anymore, our current status isn’t as high as theirs, we must first endure, and besides, I really look unsightly now."

Though she said this, Qin San Lang’s heart was still aching, filled with a sense of indignation, he said: "I will strive to achieve fast merit and climb to a high position so that you won’t have to suffer such grievances anymore!"

As long as he becomes stronger, even if Xiao Yu makes herself look uglier, no one will dare trouble her.

"Alright, I’m waiting for that day." Gu Jinli asked, "Have you eaten enough? I saved a bowl of meat porridge for you."

She got up, took the slightly warm meat porridge from the iron box beside her, and handed it to Qin San Lang: "Eat, I added extra meat and two pieces of radish, it tastes refreshing."

The iron box was specially made, with great sealing properties, and consisted of two iron boxes nested together. Even if a small stove with charcoal was inside, there was no fear of it falling, as the charcoal wouldn’t spill if the iron box toppled.

However, Gu Jinli wouldn’t put too much charcoal in the stove, only about five pieces, just to keep some water and emergency food warm.

"I happened to feel a bit hungry." Qin San Lang took the bowl and chopsticks, first fed Gu Jinli a piece of radish and several pieces of lean meat, then finished the meat porridge in a few bites.

He then talked to Gu Jinli about visiting Fang Tian: "Limited ability, but the advantage is not being foolish, won’t do anything overly disgraceful, Xiao Yu can be at ease."

After hearing this, Gu Jinli inquired about Ding Ge: "Has he been currying favor with General Fan?"

Qin San Lang nodded: "He has, but Fang Tian is not foolish, he won’t swallow soldiers based on a few attempts at currying favor, the most likely outcome is minding his own business, leaving Ding Ge to act as he wishes."

Gu Jinli frowned: "Even so, Ding Ge has still managed to gain some benefits."

As long as Fang Tian, the superior, doesn’t intervene, Ding Ge can act recklessly.

Qin San Lang held her tighter, kissed her little lips, and said: "Don’t worry, we can handle it."

They expected a violent storm on the road, and already had countermeasures ready, just waiting for Ding Ge to make a move to retaliate.

Gu Jinli nodded, nestled in his embrace, and said: "Of course, we’re not to be trifled with!"

Qin San Lang listened and laughed: "Yes, my little Xiao Yu is right, we are indeed fierce."

These were words spoken by Xiao Yu, yet he felt she was not fierce at all, but very endearing.

When Gu Jinli heard his laughter, she laughed along, remembering another matter, she said: "By the way, when gathering tomorrow, tell everyone to send a group to buy duck feathers and goose feathers. Once dried, these can be used to stuff quilts and jackets, providing excellent warmth and being lighter than cotton... Now, as we go further north, cotton becomes rarer, costing three times more than in the south, simply terrifying. Let’s buy duck and goose feathers while everyone else is buying cotton, to avoid others coming to compete with us once they think of it."

Qin San Lang paused, a look of surprise and delight appeared: "Duck feathers and goose feathers can truly be used to make quilts and jackets?"

Gu Jinli nodded: "Of course they can, poor families even use straw scraps to make winter quilts, hair-like materials can certainly be used, just look at wool."

Modern down jackets are made from goose down, very warm and light.

"Alright, I’ll instruct them tomorrow to buy duck feathers and goose feathers," Qin San Lang said joyfully, holding Gu Jinli tightly: "My wife is truly smart, always coming up with ideas others can’t, she has help me tremendously."

Gu Jinli laughed: "Since you’ve earned the nickname Qin Ruofan, shouldn’t I pamper you a bit more?"

Qin San Lang laughed, said again: "No need to mind them, let them say what they will, as long as we’re living well."

Gu Jinli raised her head to look at him, pointing to the acne patch on her face: "Since you think it so easy to let go, I’ll wear it a bit longer."

Qin San Lang didn’t reply with words, but instead used actions to show his answer.

In the end, Gu Jinli was kissed until she could barely breathe!

...

Before dawn, thirty minutes earlier, Qin San Lang got up and instructed Zhang Zhong and Bu Fang to keep an eye out along the way. If they pass by villages or towns, ask around if there are any duck or goose feathers available, if so, buy them all, as they’re warmer than cotton.

The two trusted Qin San Lang very much, so they believed what he said.

Qin San Lang also had people call over the Xiong Family’s mother and four sons, instructing them to also buy duck and goose feathers during their rest.

Thus began a curious scene in the marching squad from this day forward; while everyone else scrambled for cotton, only Qin San Lang’s group was vigorously buying duck and goose feathers.

Sometimes, to get duck and goose feathers, they even bought entire ducks and geese, cooked and ate them, saving the feathers to dry.

"Did ducks and geese fail to kill Company Commander Qin in their past lives? Why is he so at odds with ducks and geese, wanting to kill and exterminate them all to be happy?"

"Company Commander Qin isn’t that crazy, this is his ugly wife’s idea, he’s just following his wife’s instructions."

"What?!" Other commanders were astonished hearing this, that Company Commander Qin actually follows the words of an ugly wife? Is he really enjoying being a kept man this much?