Chapter 1534: Luo Ying
Chapter 1534: Chapter 1534: Luo Ying
"Eh." You Xi responded, turned around, and left to instruct the people below.
"The fire needs to be smaller." Gu Jinli poured the prepared water chestnut goo into the pot, continuously stirring it, and asked Qin San Lang: "Don’t you want to see him?"
After all, it’s an old friend who survived the disaster together, finally meeting again, and the other party is coming soon. He must really want to see Luo Ying.
Qin San Lang looked at her, raised a smile, and said: "I want to see him, but there’s no rush; we will meet again one day."
Gu Jinli looked at his smile, as warm and bright as always, and laughed: "Hmm, you’re right."
She asked again: "Why weren’t you spoiled?"
Brother Qin had told her about his childhood.
According to him, he was the darling among relatives, not only pampered by his parents and brothers, but also indulged by Luo Ying’s family, Grandpa Qin’s Family, and the National Duke’s Family; yet he wasn’t arrogant, considered merely a somewhat dull and honest child in the eyes of relatives.
Father Qin was very worried, saying he was so wooden that he feared growing up would lead to him being bullied to death; thus, he thought of giving him the family title, letting him be a Marquis, reasoning that with a title, he wouldn’t be bullied by other wastrels in the Capital.
The two older brothers of the Qin family agreed, both saying they were older and more accomplished than him, having already honed their skills on the battlefield and could earn titles through their own merits.
That’s why many people called him Young Marquis.
But Brother Qin didn’t want it, saying he could support himself and earn his own merits, granting his future wife and children honor.
However, parents, brothers, and relatives ignored his words, thinking he was too young to understand the allure of titles and that he would be happy to accept it once he matured.
Qin San Lang was taken aback upon hearing this and countered: "Why would I be spoiled? Family and teachers have taught me, those living off ancestors’ grace are not acting capably. Father also said, even the eunuchs don’t rely on ancestral remains, we siblings, if thinking of relying on family, wouldn’t that make us even worse than eunuchs?"
He further added: "Father said so; I definitely can’t rely on family."
Father was a rough man, saying this while wielding a large knife, glaring at them, and shouting so loudly their ears almost went deaf, and often shouted at them, constantly giving this advice; had he still been spoiled, he indeed would have been an unteachable stone.
Gu Jinli heard this, nodded, tilted her head to look at him, making him laugh, and asked: "Xiao Yu, what are you looking at?"
He took the wooden spatula from her, helping her stir the water chestnut goo in the pot.
Gu Jinli said: "Father is a fascinating person, also a good father and very fond of you."
Endeavoring to teach his sons, not wanting them to become wasteful; seeing a son too honest, fearing he would be bullied, hoping he would be more assertive, but after seeing he couldn’t, wanting to grant him the family title for his protection.
Qin San Lang laughed, nodded: "Hmm, Father indeed is a great father and a good husband."
Devoted to mother, although rough, becomes attentive and gentle when dealing with matters concerning her.
He intended to spend his life with Xiao Yu alone, not wanting to upset her, but also because of Father.
Father set an example throughout his life, teaching them how to treat their wives.
Then he looked at Gu Jinli and said: "I will also be a good father and a good husband."
The affection in his eyes was so deep that it made Gu Jinli blush, nodding: "Hmm, certainly, Brother Qin will surely become a good father and a good husband."
She further said: "I will also become a good mother and good wife."
Qin San Lang felt deeply comforted and said: "Xiao Yu is already an excellent wife."
There’s no need to improve further.
Gu Jinli proudly hummed twice: "You’re satisfied with this? You have so little ambition. Just wait, your wife will be even better."
Qin San Lang’s smile deepened as he nodded, imitating her words: "Hmm, certainly."
Gu Jinli listened, pleased, her smile deepening.
Qin San Lang then went to wash the pottery basin, brushed a layer of soybean oil, and after putting the cooked water chestnut goo into the basin, pressed it down and set it aside.
Gu Jinli stood watching him work... Brother Qin was a child indulged, thus his heart was sunny and warm, remaining unchanged even in dire adversity.
"Done, once it cools, let Erqing and them cut the crystal cake and send it to Mrs. Meng." Qin San Lang finished his work, seeing her staring at him in a daze, he smiled: "Why are you looking at me like that?"
Daydreaming Xiao Yu was very cute.
Gu Jinli snapped back to reality and said: "You’re my husband, what’s wrong with watching?"
Qin San Lang laughed: "Makes sense, Xiao Yu, keep watching."
With these words, he scooped several ladles of hot water from another large pot, mixed it with several ladles of cold water to reach the right temperature, and waved to her: "Xiao Yu, come wash your hands, don’t do any more work today, take a break."
"Alright." Gu Jinli nodded, washed her hands, and they returned to the main room, but instead of resting, they took out the Northwest Map drawn by Qin San Lang and began to study it.
After leaving Beicang Prefecture tomorrow, a few more days of travel would lead to Daliang Prefecture, truly entering the Northwest.
Qin San Lang learned scout skills, during training he traversed the entire Northwest, Longshan Mountains, and parts of Da Rong, knowing many shortcuts and paths unknown to others.
She must quickly memorize these shortcuts.
Qin San Lang watched from the side, feeling worried but not stopping her.
These routes are crucial for her survival in critical moments.
Gu Jinli saw he hadn’t left and said: "You go busy yourself, the map you’ve drawn is detailed, and even annotated with small notes; I can read it."
Tomorrow is departure day, the Company Commanders and Chief Commanders of various camps need to gather, making final discussions; he’s actually quite busy.
Qin San Lang raised his hand, gently stroked her face, and said: "Alright, I’ll be back before dinner."
"Hmm, go ahead." Gu Jinli didn’t even look up, just waved her hand casually twice, and continued examining the map.
Qin San Lang found it amusing, watching her for a moment before turning away.
Preparations for the journey have been ongoing for the past three days, and after discussing the matters in full, Qin San Lang returned two hours later.
Gu Jinli had already bathed, her hair loose, still studying the map, seeing him return she said: "Dinner is ready, you go take a bath, and then we can eat."
She added: "I’ve prepared clean clothes for you, they’re on the soft couch in the outer room, just grab them and change. Soapnut powder is on the tea table by the couch."
Soapnut powder is something she made using soapnuts and several herbs, used to cleanse the body.
"Alright." Qin San Lang liked listening to her talk about these trivial things, feeling relaxed, giving him a sense of being at home rather than on the westward road.