Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside Chapter 1270: Can’t Meet Bai for Free

"A Jade Pendant like this belongs exclusively to the Zhong Family; it is not fitting as a gift. Please select something else," Qin San Lang interjected.

Upon hearing this, Elder Xu hastily retracted his hand and offered a smile to Zhong Yu, stating, "Young Master Zhong, your presence to offer congratulations is a tremendous honor for the Xu Family. Pray do not trouble yourself with the gift; please be seated and rest."

Zhong Yu found the situation improper, so he put away the Jade Pendant and apologized, "I beg your pardon for the oversight. I shall ensure a proper gift is sent in a few days."

"Ah, anything will suffice," Elder Xu replied with an expansive grin, drawing Xu Zhao Ming forward. "This is my eldest grandson, Zhao Ming, a scholar who successfully passed this year’s examinations."

"Greetings, Young Master Zhong," Xu Zhao Ming said, bowing respectfully to Zhong Yu.

Though he had served as a soldier, Zhong Yu still recalled the proper etiquette of noble households. He rose and returned the salute to Xu Zhao Ming, saying, "Brother Xu."

Elder Xu’s grin widened uncontrollably, and he exclaimed repeatedly, "Excellent, excellent, excellent! You two are of similar age and should certainly become like brothers."

The affluent gentlemen present couldn’t help but inwardly scoff: *Pah, Old Man Xu, you certainly have the audacity to say such a thing. What sort of person is Young Master Zhong, and what kind of person is your grandson? He wouldn’t even be worthy to carry the Young Master’s shoes, yet you suggest they be brothers?*

"Company Commander Qin!" Young Master Dou exclaimed, his face lighting up as if he had discovered a treasure. He hurried over to greet Qin San Lang, offering him a plate of beef. "The Xu Family’s beef is quite delectable. Company Commander Qin, please do partake."

Dou Meng observed: "..."

*Young Master, you’re practically acting like a doting nanny, constantly concerned whether Company Commander Qin has eaten.*

Qin San Lang accepted the plate and set it on a nearby table, remarking, "There is no need. I shall not be staying long. I merely need to pay my respects to my future father-in-law, and then I will depart."

He had come to lend his support to Gu Dexing’s event, and once that was concluded, he intended to leave.

*Father-in-law? You’re already referring to him as such before the wedding? Young Marquis, you are exceedingly eager. Such haste is ill-advised; otherwise, you may find it challenging to maintain familial authority in the future and will likely be subjected to ridicule.*

However, Young Master Dou was aware of Qin San Lang’s deep affection for Gu Jinli. Consequently, he refrained from directly suggesting that Qin San Lang maintain a distance from the Gu Family members. Instead, he inquired, "Leaving so soon?"

*What a disappointment. I had hoped we could at least share a meal with the Young Marquis.*

Qin San Lang nodded in agreement. "Indeed. Although matters appear stable at present, we cannot afford to become complacent."

Other prefectures remain in a state of turmoil, and it is common knowledge that the foremost Dou Ou Bank is situated in Tianfu County. Should a group of malevolent individuals decide to target it, Tianfu County would face utter devastation.

Young Master Dou concurred, "Company Commander Qin speaks wisely. The more stable things seem, the less we should relax our guard."

*The Young Marquis has included us in his statement, considering us as part of his own circle! How truly gratifying!*

He continued, "Your future father-in-law is currently seated with me. Allow me to escort you to meet him."

Zhong Yu’s arrival had drawn a considerable crowd, who gathered as if witnessing a grand spectacle, congesting the main guest hall to the point of impeding movement. Nevertheless, Young Master Dou commanded significant influence, with many eager to curry his favor. They promptly made way as he strode forward, effortlessly guiding Qin San Lang towards Gu Dashan and the others.

"Uncle Dashan, Third Grandfather," Qin San Lang greeted them. After a brief conversation with Gu Dashan and the others, and having partaken in a small portion of food at Gu Dashan’s insistence, he departed promptly. "Zhong Yu, have you finished eating? Muster your soldiers; we are leaving."

"Understood!" Zhong Yu responded, nearly overcome with emotion. He had never felt such profound relief at being summoned by Qin San Lang. Elder Xu’s excessive warmth had made him feel as though *he* were the one betrothed to the elder’s granddaughter.

"Elder Xu, I have pressing duties to attend to, and thus must take my leave," Zhong Yu announced, making his hasty retreat. Elder Xu, Xu Zhao Ming, and a contingent of affluent county gentlemen ensued his departure. "Brother Yu, do slow your pace! Allow me to see you off. We have an agreement; I shall bring Zhao Ming to the Prefecture garrison to visit you another day, remember?"

*Good heavens, in mere moments Elder Xu is already addressing him as Brother Yu and making plans for a visit to the Prefecture garrison.*

"Did you just acquire a grandfather?" Young Master Dou inquired of Zhong Yu.

Zhong Yu felt an overwhelming urge to weep and chose to ignore Young Master Dou, hastening his pace to follow Qin San Lang.

Once clear of the Xu Family’s premises, Zhong Yu felt as though he had been reborn. He let out a long, drawn-out sigh of relief. "Finally escaped! It was absolutely terrifying. Are all gentry members in the countryside this overly hospitable?"

Qin San Lang cast him a knowing glance, a half-smile playing on his lips. "Scared now? Weren’t you eager to come here earlier?"

Zhong Yu was momentarily speechless, fixing Qin San Lang with a glare. "Did you set me up?"

Qin San Lang offered no confirmation nor denial, responding, "I issued a warning prior to our arrival; country banquets possess a directness in speech and action unlike that of noble families. Yet, you yourself stated you had attended countless such events and that this betrothal feast of the countryside Xu family was nothing to fear. What apprehension could there be?"

He directed his gaze at Zhong Yu and declared, "I have but two points to convey: firstly, your assessment of them was insufficient; secondly, this predicament is of your own making."

A frustrated sigh escaped Zhong Yu, his face flushing with shame. He promptly changed the topic: "Commander Liu has been apprehended and is being escorted to Jianghuai Commandery by the garrison commander of Hushan Prefecture. I've made my contribution!"

Upon finishing, he noticed Qin San Lang remained impassive. Feeling an increasing sense of awkwardness, Zhong Yu ultimately abandoned his attempt at boasting. "We must take our leave; General Guo indicated he has matters to discuss with you once your business here concludes. Make haste to the Prefecture garrison at your convenience."

He quickly added, "I am merely relaying General Guo's message."

He had no intention of showing off; he was no such naive individual!

Yet, who would possibly believe such a claim?

Zhong Yu himself found his own words unconvincing, and with haste, he led his soldiers away.

Young Master Dou could barely contain his amusement, exclaiming, "Fool!"

"Serves you right for opposing the Young Marquis; have you not learned your lesson?"

Qin San Lang cast him a brief look, remarking, "Zhong Yu is adequate; he is a person worth associating with."

It wasn't merely Zhong Yu's competence; the Zhong family standing behind him represented a significant and valuable alliance.

Young Master Dou nodded in understanding. "Understood."

Further conversation was minimal; with only a few parting words exchanged, they soon parted ways. One rode off on horseback, while the other returned to the Xu family residence to rejoin the ongoing feast.

...

The betrothal ceremony uniting Gu Dexing and Xu Zhong was a grand affair, with news of the distinguished guests in attendance swiftly spreading to neighboring counties and even the Prefecture itself.

Consequently, in the days that followed, families with tenuous connections began dispatching congratulatory gifts. Some even made personal visits to Elder Xu, earnestly requesting introductions to Master Ouyang, Young Master Dou, and Young Master Zhong.

Elder Xu, possessing a keen shrewdness, accepted the gifts, allowing them to facilitate his dealings. However, he ultimately stated, "Master Ouyang is akin to a solitary immortal, preferring his seclusion. He specifically instructed us not to divulge his whereabouts, a promise even the Lord Magistrate himself endorsed. I truly cannot elaborate further."

As for Zhong Yu, that young man is currently stationed at the Prefecture garrison; you may seek him out yourselves."

Elder Xu also guided them towards Dou Ou Bank to meet Young Master Dou. But what manner of person was Young Master Dou? Did they truly believe such an audience could be obtained without cost?

Each encounter resulted in a lighter purse for the visitors, and apprehension soon dawned upon them, leading them to avoid further visits for a period.

After reveling in this newfound prosperity for a few days, Elder Xu summoned Young Master Xu and his wife. He issued his instructions: "Release Miss Ling, ensure she is presentable, and dispatch her to the manor in Hukang County."

On the day of Xu Zhong's betrothal, once the last of the guests had departed, Elder Xu enacted his punishment upon Xu Ling by confining her to the woodshed. His decree was one bun and a bowl of water per diem, a sentence which continued until the present day.