Chapter 1343: Assembly

Mrs. Yang, still fearful, worried that Gu Jinli might think she was rejecting her, hurriedly said, "Madam, what you say is right, everything will be fine."

Gu Jinli looked into Mrs. Yang’s sympathetic eyes and smiled, greeting the little girl in her arms, "Hello there, are you hungry? Auntie will get you some snacks to eat."

Gu Jinli felt like crying; she had become an aunt so abruptly, jumping generations too fast.

The little girl was also timid, but upon hearing that there was food, her eyes immediately lit up.

Mrs. Yang said, "Madam, no need to give her snacks; snacks are too expensive. Just half a sweet potato is enough... Xiaocao doesn’t eat much, nor do I, very little indeed."

She was afraid that if she and her daughter ate too much, the Company Commander’s wife would not agree to take them to the Northwest.

Gu Jinli looked at Mrs. Yang and thought of Mrs. Cui... Was mother this difficult back then?

"Erqing, bring some food here." Seeing Mrs. Yang trying to refuse, Gu Jinli added, "We had a banquet at home a couple of days ago, and there’s a lot of leftover food. We’ve all been eating leftovers for days. Sis and Xiaocao should help us finish the food, otherwise, when we leave for the Northwest, Grandpa will be left with the food until next year and still can’t finish it."

Only then did Mrs. Yang accept.

But when the food was served, she was really surprised; the leftovers from the Company Commander’s wife were too good. Apart from the pickled radishes, everything else was meat dishes, along with white rice and thick rice porridge that Xiaocao could eat.

"Madam, these are too good," Mrs. Yang hesitated to start eating. Even the pickled radishes weren’t cheap; salt was needed and salt was expensive.

Gu Jinli laughed, "Even so, they’re still leftovers. Eat quickly, finish early and rest well, we’ll be leaving for the Northwest before daybreak tomorrow."

Mrs. Yang delightedly asked, "Madam, can we really go to the Northwest?"

They hadn’t been informed beforehand.

Gu Jinli nodded, "You are the family of soldiers, naturally you can go with us."

The soldier list noted Lin Tongshan’s reliability, showing Brother Qin valued him and wanted to train him, so naturally she would treat Lin Tongshan’s family well.

While talking, Gu Jinli started eating, crushed an egg, and fed Xiaocao a few bites, prompting Mrs. Yang to finally dare to eat.

The mother and daughter were starving, never having eaten such good food at the Old Lin Family; while eating, Mrs. Yang couldn’t help but shed tears, "Thank you, Madam."

Gu Jinli laughed, giving her a drumstick, "Don’t cry, the good days are long ahead."

Listening to her, Mrs. Yang nodded and ate the chicken skin, tearing the meat into strips to feed Xiaocao.

Xiaocao was very thin, yet a big eater, consumed a drumstick, two eggs, a bowl of porridge, still wanting more, until Gu Jinli stopped her, "Her tummy is only so big, don’t feed her more, it might harm her intestines."

Some starving people gorge themselves suddenly upon finding food, ending up damaging their intestines. This is what Gu Jin’an said; full stomach but hungry eyes, thus always controlling Brother Cheng’s portions.

Mrs. Yang obeyed and stopped feeding Lin Xiaocao.

Gu Jinli smiled and asked Erqing to escort Mrs. Yang and her daughter to rest.

After a full meal, Lin Xiaocao seemed to recognize Gu Jinli’s kindness, calling out as she waved her little hand.

Mrs. Yang said apologetically, "Madam, please don’t mind. Xiaocao can only call mom and dad, brother, not quite able to speak other words."

Gu Jinli replied, "No problem, Xiaocao is already very capable."

A child so young, scolded and beaten by the Old Lin Family regularly, being normal is already showing great emotional resilience.

"Lin Family’s sister-in-law, come with the slave." Erqing led Mrs. Yang and her daughter out of the servant’s house but had to serve Gu Jinli, couldn’t keep tending to Mrs. Yang, so she entrusted Aunt Xiong with the task.

Aunt Xiong did well, the right wing room of the main house had everything, equipped with a plate of pancakes for them: "Eat more if you’re hungry at night, the stove outside boils hot water, drink when you’re thirsty."

She also gave Mrs. Yang several sets of clothes, "These came from the house near the workshop, divided from the servant’s clothes over there, there are clothes for adults and kids, each take them to change."

Xiaocao’s clothes were from He Sanlai’s house; although He Jiahui was only a few months old, He Sanlai spoiled him incredibly, stocking clothes to last until he was three. Taking two sets for Xiaocao is no big deal.

Mrs. Yang was very grateful, continuously thanking Aunt Xiong, and after she left, changed Xiaocao into new clothes. Once she lulled Xiaocao to sleep, she kept shedding tears.

When Lin Tongshan returned holding his sleeping son, Xiao Shi, he saw her crying and asked, "Why are you crying? Is it because you’re afraid the journey to Northwest is dangerous? Rest assured, with the army, I will take care of you all along the way; if we encounter bandits, a group of brothers will help, nothing will happen."

Mrs. Yang shook her head, "It’s not because of that... her father, the lady is too good to us, gives us meat, good houses to stay, even new clothes. Xiaocao’s never worn new clothes since birth... Madam is treating us better than our own family; we must repay her well in the future."

Lin Tongshan laughed at this, heartily saying, "Naturally, my life belongs to Lord Company Commander now."

Commander Qin, capable and upright, cares for those under him. By following him, not boasting wealth, but the family’s food, clothing, and shelter is assured, and that’s enough.

Also, he injured the human trafficker; Commander Qin sent people to resolve it and informed Lord County Captain, who will visit his home to separate the family, then directly send the family documents to the Northwest.

This is a great favor that must be repaid!

Mrs. Yang nodded, "You’re right, we’re poor, have nothing, in the future our lives belong to the Company Commander and Madam, we will repay them with our lives!"

Lin Tongshan looked at Mrs. Yang’s resolute demeanor, unexpectedly saying, "Wow, wife, after dining with the Company Commander’s wife, you sound louder than before. That’s good, keep it like this. It’s tough to survive in the Northwest, cannot be weak, don’t cause trouble for the Company Commander and Madam."

He then put Lin Xiaoshi on the bed, removing the dirty, ragged clothes, and replacing them with the jackets Aunt Xiong provided, tucking him into the covers.

That night, Lin Tongshan’s family slept well, first time under such good quilts, Lin Tongshan held the quilt tighter, embracing his wife, even more determined to follow Commander Qin!

...

In the new room, Gu Jinli had already taken a bath, removed the acne patches from her face, yet specifically left some on her wrist, planning to scare Qin San Lang.

"Disgusting or not? Mrs. Lin was almost scared sick by me." Gu Jinli stretched out her wrist, waving in front of Qin San Lang.

Qin San Lang held her hand, kissed it gently, tenderly saying, "Not disgusting at all, skin like soft aloe wood, fingers like scallion jade, delicate boneless, purer than snow, prettier than frost."

Gu Jinli was startled, "You, you can say such cheesy words!"

Qin San Lang laughed, lifting her chin, kissing her, "Is it cheesy? But I’m telling the truth."

Gu Jinli laughed, dodging his kiss, glancing at him, "With a mouth this sweet, are you trying to be naughty?"

Qin San Lang agreed honestly, "Yes."

A strong urge to devour this little fish.

But it’s impossible; the journey starts tomorrow, if he recklessly tires her tonight, she would be exhausted tomorrow.

Gu Jinli saw his pitiable, aggrieved look, considering his discomfort from last night and morning, was about to agree, yet Qin San Lang cherished her, despite his struggles, only embraced her, fervently kissed her once, then held her to sleep.

Qin San Lang gave Gu Jinli a great sense of safety, resting beside him, she slept soundly. However, whenever holding concerns, regardless of how well she sleeps, would still wake early, just as dawn broke her eyes opened, getting ready to go to the Military Office for the gathering.