Chapter 1033: Surrounded

"Alright, I’ll take a nap before we set out." Qin San Lang gently said as he stroked her hair.

She had washed her hair but hadn’t tied it up yet, so it cascaded like black silk, making her look even more graceful and enchanting: "Don’t worry, it’s just a pack of wolves, I can handle them."

He had dealt with many wolves during his time in the Northwest before, and this was not his first encounter with such things.

"Yeah, I trust your skills." Gu Jinli laughed again: "Besides, they’re so dumb, they certainly aren’t your match."

Qin San Lang: "Dumb?"

Gu Jinli nodded: "That’s right, they’re indeed very dumb. Why can’t they just stay quietly on the mountain? Going against people and playing tricks on Squad Leader Yang, isn’t this courting death?"

Right now it’s not winter or spring; it’s nearly May. Food isn’t scarce on the mountain at this time, yet the wolf pack came down to seek trouble—either they’re stupid or sick.

Qin San Lang laughed: "Xiao Yu makes a good point, they’re truly not clever."

However...

"Wolves attacking people must have a reason. After exterminating them, I’ll go into the mountain to have a look."

Upon hearing this, Gu Jinli thought of something: "If you discover any wolf pups when checking their den, bring them back for me; I want to train them."

"Training wolves?" Qin San Lang furrowed his brows like swords: "What do you want to train wolves for? They’re dangerous and can eat people."

Gu Jinli replied: "Precisely because they’re dangerous, I want to train them. They are very powerful, and once trained, they’ll be even more formidable than a protector. When we don’t have enough manpower, they can act as warriors and help us kill enemies."

She added: "During your training in the mountains, you can use them to transport supplies. Given their small size, they can navigate even the tiniest paths briskly and swiftly. Once trained, they’ll be truly useful."

Gu Jinli enumerated the benefits of wolves, and after hearing this, Qin San Lang’s heart was swelling with warmth—most of the advantages she listed would benefit him.

Her ultimate goal in training them was to assist him.

Looking at his touched demeanor, Gu Jinli snorted: "Why are you so moved? I’m not just training wolves for you; it’s also for my family."

Qin San Lang: "I know."

But he was still delighted, pleased that whatever she did, she always thought of him first.

He added: "Write down the secrets of how to train them; I’ll start the training first. You won’t need to train them personally."

After all, it’s a dangerous task, and he didn’t want her to take risks first.

Gu Jinli pondered and agreed: "Alright."

She further instructed: "Don’t let the pups witness the extermination of the pack; if they do, abandon the entire litter."

Wolves never forget a grudge, so caution is wise.

Qin San Lang nodded, kissed her, and said: "Understood, go get some sleep."

Gu Jinli didn’t linger this time and hugged him, smiling: "I’m going back."

With that said, she let go of his body, climbed over the courtyard wall, and turned to tell him: "I’ll miss you."

Qin San Lang was stunned, watching her leap from the wall after speaking, the corners of his lips drew into a bright smile: "Xiao Yu, I’ll miss you too."

Gu Jinli heard him but didn’t linger; she joyfully turned and walked toward her residence.

Qin San Lang waited until her footsteps faded away, then took the torch, mounted his horse, and left.

Gu Jinli returned home and had a splendid sleep.

The next day, the Gu Family people rose early and opened the family storeroom, letting Da Tuan, Zezi, and Ah Jiang move things from the storeroom to the guest hall.

Third Grandma, Mrs. Cui, Gu Jinxiu, and Nanny Tao, accompanied by Sister Li, Erqing, Xiao Ji, and Tong Xiaoxue, divided these items into gift packages.

Once sorted, they were to be delivered to the villagers, the Shang Family, the Jiang Family, the Du Family, and other familiar households.

"Good Brother An will soon visit the Shang Family and Master Ouyang’s Family, so let’s organize the gifts for the Shang Family, the Jiang Family, and Master Ouyang’s Family first." Mrs. Cui said, instructing Xiao Ji: "Prepare the gifts for the Village Chief Shang’s house, the Si Li Square officials and clerks as well, so Good Brother An can deliver them while heading to town."

Over the past few years, the Gu Family’s life had vastly improved, but they remained humble, treating those who helped them well. After returning from the Prefecture, they prepared gifts for many families.

Many of these gifts were given by the Qi Family, which made Third Grandma carefree about gifting.

"Sure." Xiao Ji responded, deftly packing gifts for the Village Chief Shang’s house, the Si Li Square clerks, and officials.

Meanwhile, Erqing had already organized the gifts for the Shang, Jiang, and Ouyang Families.

The gifts for the Shang and Jiang Families were similar—valuable Jinling Brocade, Jinning Silk, two pieces of leather, and some other items.

For Master Ouyang, the gifts were simpler—a ham, a jar of wine prepared by Gu Jinli, and a handwritten copybook by Gu Jin’an.

The Ouyang Family was a distinguished family; Master Ouyang had seen many excellent things, so there was no need to send pricey items, just a gesture of goodwill sufficed.

The guest hall was filled with items; nearly every corner was occupied. More than a hundred families were to receive gifts, yet with Nanny Tao in charge, Mrs. Cui and her group were not tired at all.

Nanny Tao organized everyone to sit while Xiao Ji and her group sorted the gifts. Once divided, they recorded what was given to each household in a register, creating a gift list, which she handed to Mrs. Cui: "Dong Family’s Madam, please check if there’s anything to add or remove. If not, we will proceed with the list in delivering gifts to each household."

Mrs. Cui reviewed the list and smiled: "Nothing needs to be added; let’s send it out this way."

Third Grandma praised: "Old sister, your approach is effective; we finished this in less than an hour without needing to lift a finger."

Before having Nanny Tao, they used to spend the whole day preparing gifts for the Dragon Boat Festival.

"Third Grandma, Mother, Elder Sister, it’s getting late; you should go have breakfast." Gu Jin’an and Brother Cheng entered and pointed at several gifts on the table: "Are these for the teachers?"

"Yes." Mrs. Cui stood up with a smile, pointing at those gifts: "The one with Jinling Brocade is for Master Shang’s Family, the ham is for Master Ouyang, this is for the Jiang Family, and those are for Village Chief Shang’s house—you better remember and not mix them up."

"Got it, your son remembers." Gu Jin’an responded and added: "It’s getting late; Brother Cheng and I should go now."

They recently passed the Prefecture Examination and must visit their teachers and Master Ouyang to express their gratitude, without delay.

Mrs. Cui was very confident in her eldest son, and she smiled as she said: "Go ahead."

When Gu Jin’an and his brother reached the main gate, Qi Kangming, Gu Dexing, Gu Qingliang, and Gu Qingtian were already waiting outside with gifts.

After exchanging greetings, Gu Jin’an instructed Zezi: "Zezi, drive the cart bringing the gifts out of the village; we’ll take the back path behind the Qin Family’s house."

This was to prevent further encirclement.

However, Gu Jin’an miscalculated—he didn’t anticipate people blocking the path.

As they were nearing the village’s outskirts, a group of women charged out from the shrubbery and surrounded them.