Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside Chapter 1184: Wanting to Protect Her

After hearing this, Master Ouyang became quite interested and remarked, "I have never tasted a farmer’s flowing feast. Tomorrow, I must go and enjoy a meal."

"Master Ouyang wishes to attend? That’s fantastic. I’ll arrange everything properly upon returning, making sure the Master has a great time." Gu Jin’an felt thrilled; he yearned to build more rapport with Master Ouyang at this point. Indeed, without gaining Master Ouyang’s endorsement, all his hopes were mere fantasies.

Master Ouyang smiled and waved dismissively, commenting, "I’m merely there to savor a flowing feast. Don’t make it too elaborate—treat me as a regular farmer."

Gu Dexing chuckled inwardly, imagining Brother Wang’s reaction if he were here: he’d tease Master Ouyang for abandoning luxury to play farmer, indulging in idle pursuits and courting unnecessary hassle.

Noticing Gu Dexing’s laughter, Master Ouyang huffed, pulled out paper and brush, scribbled two characters, then passed it over, instructing, "Bring this home. Hand it to Brother Wang come morning and say it’s his assignment for tomorrow."

Gu Dexing accepted the paper in surprise, unfolded it, and stared in confusion: "Master, even I struggle to begin such essays—won’t this be too tough for Brother Wang?"

"Exactly the point—to test him. Who let that boy keep provoking this old man?" replied Master Ouyang.

Gu Dexing: "..."

He sensed his own chuckle had doomed Brother Wang. Apologies, Brother Wang—while others feast merrily tomorrow, you’ll be stuck composing essays.

Gu Jin’an burst into laughter, "Witnessing the Master’s delight puts my mind at ease."

Should Master Ouyang take a liking to Brother Wang, he’d remain to keep instructing them. Thus, chances to encounter Miss Ouyang would arise.

Mentioning Miss Ouyang, Gu Jin’an glanced toward the courtyard entrance, peering toward the rear residence... Past the firmly shut inner gate lay a lofty cotton tree. Right then, the majestic tree bore only scattered cotton blossoms, their hues still dazzlingly bright.

Just like her... A bloom confined within lofty walls, yet standing firm as a peak, ready to gallop forth and loose arrows in crisis to rescue him.

Gazing upon that cotton tree, Gu Jin’an’s smile gradually bloomed, his eyes sparkling... Powerful as she was, to him, she remained a lively little flower.

He dreamed of becoming a mighty banyan surpassing the cotton blooms, sheltering her from storms and guarding her forever.

"Dear Brother An, what catches your eye?" Master Ouyang drew near, spotting Gu Jin’an staring at the cotton flowers beyond the inner gate, and noted, "It’s late spring cotton, past its flowering peak—nothing special left to behold."

Gu Jin’an shook his head, "No, it’s perfect just like this."

Perfect just like this?

Master Ouyang shot him a glance implying foolishness.

Gu Jin’an and his companions lingered at the Ouyang household into the late afternoon, close to dusk, then collected Brother Cheng along with the Gu Dewang siblings before departing for home.

Despite missing Miss Ouyang that day, Gu Jin’an stayed undaunted. As he put it, it’s ideal right now, with plenty of time stretching ahead. He could afford to wait.

...

Curious Gu Jinli had waited eagerly at home for Gu Jin’an. Spotting her big brother’s return, she hurried over, inquiring, "How did it go? Any headway?"

Gu Jin’an eyed her briefly, seized the stone-breaking bow, and offered it: "Third Miss sends this as your return gift. Grip it firmly; it weighs a ton."

Crafted for warfare, the stone-breaking bow met strict military specs as a mighty weapon, rendering it exceedingly heavy.

Yet Gu Jinli possessed great strength; she took it single-handedly, drew back the string, let it snap with a twang, and heard the resonant vibration. Grinning, she exclaimed, "Excellent bow!"

After admiring it, she turned to Gu Jin’an and requested, "Big brother, when you visit the Ouyang family next, pass on my thanks to Third Sister."

A flush warmed Gu Jin’an’s cheeks, "Third Miss resides in the inner quarters as a proper lady. How could I encounter her? Thank her in person yourself."

Gu Jinli arched her brows—had he not met Miss Ouyang?

True enough, aristocratic homes brimmed with protocols. Calling on Master Ouyang barred access to Miss Ouyang.

She let out a sigh, "What a shame."

That "what a shame" almost irked Gu Jin’an. Xiao Yu, this lass, delighted in ribbing him over his feelings.

"Take this return gift from Third Miss for Elder Sister and deliver it to her." Gu Jin’an tossed the Jingyun Silk to Gu Jinli, ignored her further, and strode to his chamber to switch attire.

Gu Jinli halted Brother Cheng, questioning, "Will folks from the Ouyang family join our flowing feast tomorrow?"

The invitation to the Ouyang family had been dispatched long ago, extending welcomes to the two Miss Ouyangs too, yet noble ladies rarely deign to attend such gatherings.

Brother Cheng responded, "Master Ouyang will come."

Which meant the two young ladies wouldn't show up.

Alas, such a headache. Big Brother's road to claiming his bride remains lengthy and full of trials.

Gu Jinli was helpless though—she couldn't storm into the Ouyang family's inner quarters, seize Ouyang Ming's hand, and proclaim, "Sister-in-law, my brother fancies you, please marry him!"

"Woof woof woof!" Da Gou barreled inside, slammed a dead rabbit down at Gu Jinli’s feet with a thump, raised its wolfish head proudly, and barked with smug arrogance at her.

Gu Jinli eyed its "I’m the boss" posture, sneered in contempt, "Just one rabbit? You’re too useless."

"Woof woof woof!" Da Gou bristled with fury; it might not comprehend the human woman's words, but that scornful look clearly mocked it.

"Don’t eat here—don’t dirty the floor with rabbit blood." Gu Jinli ignored Da Gou completely now, grabbing the stone-breaking bow and Jingyun Silk before heading back to the courtyard.

Da Gou seethed with rage, unleashing a series of howls.

Third Grandma caught the noise, rushed out broom in hand, and rebuked, "Da Gouzi, why the howling again? Quit it, Gui Niu’s here—don’t terrify her to tears once more."

She scanned the area and questioned, "Where’s Er Gouzi? Why hasn’t it returned with you? Brother Cheng, go hunt it down. Ensure it hasn’t crushed the Mingya Grass again—otherwise, Second Sister will butcher them all."

"Don’t worry, Third Grandma. Second Sister already punished them before; Da Gou and Er Gou are sharp—they won’t scrap in the Mingya Grass anymore." Brother Cheng reassured her, yet he stood up anyway to lead Da Gou in searching for Er Gou.

As dusk fell, Da Feng Village hummed with excitement while all prepared for tomorrow’s flowing feast, planned for the wide open space beyond the workshop house.

Gu Jin’an and companions acing the scholar exams had rocked He’an Prefecture, drawing eager crowds from villages near and far to join the feast. But crowds too vast, plus families at the village fringe with unwed daughters, prompted holding it in the workshop yard to shield the girls from any rough crowds.

Besides the workshop yard, Gu Jinli’s home would lay out a few tables solely for entertaining the female guests from Scholar Shang’s family, the Jiang Family, the Xu Family, and the Yuan Family.