Chapter 1485: New Year [2]
Chapter 1485: Chapter 1485: New Year [2]
Gu Jinli nodded with a smile and said, "Of course, that’s great. There should be more people for the New Year, especially since we’re all from Jianghuai. When we get to the manor tomorrow, we can all make niangao together, it’s a must-have for celebrating the New Year in the south."
Qin San Lang laughed at this and looked at her, saying, "Sure, let’s make niangao. The manor has all the ingredients; we can directly make it and eat it once we’re there."
Gu Jinli continued, "The manor also has sheep and fish, so let’s make a whole roasted lamb, braised lamb, and fish and lamb stew. Your lamb cooking skills are excellent, so you can prepare it tomorrow."
Is she already placing orders?
Qin San Lang smiled even more deeply, agreeing with her on everything: "Alright, tomorrow I’ll make roasted lamb, braised lamb, and fish and lamb stew for you."
Gu Jinli’s eyes crinkled with her smile, nodding repeatedly.
Their conversation helped Mrs. Han relax, and she no longer felt awkward about spending New Year’s at someone else’s manor.
However...
This Company Commander Qin truly has genuine feelings for the Gu Family. The way he looks at Gu Jinli is filled with affection, more intense and focused than the way her husband looked at her during their newlywed period.
Upon closer inspection of Gu Jinli... Although her face has pustules, her facial features are unusually delicate and beautiful. If the pustules could be removed and her body odor eliminated, she would undoubtedly be a rare beauty.
The Qin family saved her entire family, and Mrs. Han thought it necessary to quickly write a letter back to the Capital, asking someone to find an Imperial Physician skilled in treating pustules and body odor to cure Gu Jinli as soon as possible.
Seeing Mrs. Han staring at her in a daze, Gu Jinli said, "Sister-in-law, is there anything you want to eat? Don’t be shy, just tell us. The manor has servants; whatever you want, they’ll make it for you."
Mrs. Han replied with a smile, "I’m not picky, my husband is content as long as there’s meat to eat, and the two children... Sister Yu likes crystal cake, but that’s only available at the Futai Building. Later, sister-in-law, just give me some sugar and flour, and I’ll make her other pastries."
Sister Yu was especially sensible, knowing their family was celebrating New Year at someone else’s manor, and chimed in, "Aunt Qin, I also love meat cake, just having that will be enough."
Meat cake is simple to make with just some meat and flour, being one of the most common pastries.
Gu Jinli laughed, "During the New Year, let’s not have plain meat cakes, only eat what we really like. Tomorrow Aunt Qin will make you crystal cake, just wait for it."
She then asked, "And Brother Yi? What does sister-in-law like to eat?"
Mrs. Han hesitated for a moment and said, "He likes ham, but it’s too expensive and hard to get, providing him some meat will be fine."
Ham is sent from the Capital, a delicacy competed over by the offspring of the nobles, aristocrats, and high-ranking officials. Even the Capital Earl Mansion sent them only two small portions, but Brother Yi loved it so much he thought of it every day.
Mrs. Han initially didn’t want to say anything but didn’t want to deceive those who saved their lives.
To this...
Gu Jinli chuckled, "Brother Yi has an exquisite taste, alright, tomorrow he’ll definitely get to eat ham, but not too much since he’s still unwell."
Mrs. Han was taken aback and quickly said, "Sister-in-law, please don’t trouble yourself, it’s too costly."
"No need for such concerns, sister-in-law. During the New Year, we should all enjoy ourselves and eat what we like." Afraid that Mrs. Han would continue being overly polite, Gu Jinli said, "It’s late, the tents are all set up, sister-in-law, you should take the kids back to rest, we’re continuing our journey tomorrow."
Treating Brother Yi took four hours, during which the soldiers had already set up tents nearby and prepared food, which they were currently eating.
She then turned to Sister Yu and said, "Later, Doctor Dai will bring Brother Yi’s medicine and calming medicine to you, make sure everyone in your family drinks some, especially Sister Yu since children can easily catch a fever when they’re frightened."
Mrs. Han nodded, "Thank you, sister-in-law, then we’ll head back first."
"Alright." Gu Jinli had Nanny Tao escort Mrs. Han’s family and also sent Qing Pu along, in case Brother Yi or Sister Yu developed a fever.
Normally, Mrs. Han wouldn’t dare accept assistance from other families’ servants, but knowing the Gu Family saved her whole family, and that Gu Jinli wouldn’t harm them, she accepted.
"You must be Mrs. Zhang, I’m a servant of the Gu Family, my husband’s surname is Xiong, and everyone calls me Aunt Xiong. These are supplies from our lady for your family to use first." Aunt Xiong, accompanied by Xiong Da, Xiong Er, and Xiong San, brought over two carts of supplies for the Zhang Family’s use.
Mrs. Han was immensely grateful and was about to voice her thanks, but Aunt Xiong quickly said, "Mrs. Zhang, no need for formalities; our lady said we’re here to help each other. Today, the Qin family helped yours, tomorrow you return the favor. We’ll unload the supplies and then head back to the camp for dinner."
Upon hearing this, Mrs. Han didn’t say more and had the servants assist in unloading the supplies.
After Aunt Xiong and her group left, Doctor Dai personally delivered the medicine. He examined Brother Yi, Sister Yu, and Company Commander Zhang, saying, "They’re all fine, nothing serious, there shouldn’t be any fever tonight, so you can rest easy."
Having explained how to brew the medicine, he left it and departed.
Mrs. Han and Company Commander Zhang took the children back to their tent.
This tent was set up with the help of the soldiers from the Qin Family Camp. It was large and thick, allowing their carriage to enter directly.
Inside the tent, two half-meter wide pits were dug, with fires burning inside, warming the entire tent nicely.
Mrs. Han said to Company Commander Zhang, "Husband, the Qin family treats us too well; how will we ever repay them?"
Company Commander Zhang, being a soldier, was straightforward by nature, and he laughed, "Brother Qin treats us well because we’re both from Jianghuai and are on this journey to the Northwest to face the Rong people. Once we reach the Northwest, we can look out for each other. You don’t need to keep worrying about repaying Brother Qin and his wife, just treat them like family."
He continued, "Brother Qin said the situation in the Northwest isn’t good, fighting against the Rong people requires comrades working closely together. The more soldiers we get to know, the better it will be in the Northwest. His thinking aligns with ours, but the people in various Military Offices in Linhe Prefecture fear Mrs. Jiao and have abandoned us, unwilling to accompany us. Brother Qin is willing, so naturally, we should maintain good relations with him."
At the mention of this, Mrs. Han felt guilt-ridden, "Husband, it’s all because of me..."
Company Commander Zhang quickly said, "We’re a married couple, no need for such talk. Marrying you is my blessing, I have no regrets."
You shouldn’t feel guilty.
"But..." Mrs. Han began to cry, "If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t be isolated by them."
This wasn’t the first time Mrs. Jiao had attempted to have them killed; it was already the third attempt on their westward journey. The Company Commanders from various counties in Linhe Prefecture had been intimidated and no longer wanted to travel with the Zhang Family, leaving them behind to press ahead.
This couldn’t entirely be blamed on them; after all, Mrs. Jiao sent assassins, and her son and brothers from her maternal family held positions as Capital Officials, making these Company Commanders afraid to offend her.
Company Commander Zhang held Mrs. Han’s hand and said, "Sese, remember, those who abandon us aren’t worth associating with. Such people would abandon their comrades on the battlefield too. We’ll only form sincere connections with those who can endure hardships with us, like the Qin family."