Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside Chapter 1289: Tigress

As per the customs of Great Chu during the Mid-Autumn Festival, a young lady traditionally presents a Mid-Autumn sachet to her betrothed, sealing a wish for eternal togetherness and completeness.

When Qin San Lang detected her approaching footsteps, a smile graced his lips. Upon turning and observing her, along with the sachet she offered, his smile brightened, his eyes twinkling with a gentle, warm radiance.

"Xiao Yu," he addressed her, closing the distance with a few steps and gazing down at her. "I've been exceptionally busy lately, leaving me no time to visit. Please do not hold it against me."

Gu Jinli chuckled, tilting her head up to meet his gaze. "Have you not been back to see me? Didn't you just visit on the ninth night?"

Qin San Lang shook his head. "That was too brief; it hardly counts. We need to sit for a proper meal and converse for it to truly count."

"We can share a meal tonight," Gu Jinli replied, a warm sensation blooming in her chest. Her smile widened as she presented the sachet to him once more. "Here, it is for you. At least glance at it."

All it takes is a glance at me to make you blush.

Qin San Lang let out a laugh and accepted the sachet, his hand enveloping hers. He settled onto the stone bench beneath the mountain pomelo tree, admiring the embroidered pouch. "These are two little tigers, embroidered with remarkable lifelikeness. The one with its mouth agape, baring sharp teeth as if ready to pounce, that is you."

Gu Jinli blinked in surprise. "How did you discern that? I had assumed you would identify the docile little tiger hiding behind as me."

She added, with a hint of playful indignation, "Do you truly perceive me as fierce, like a tigress?!"

Qin San Lang chuckled, clarifying, "No, Xiao Yu is a sensible and gentle soul. My accurate guess stems from my understanding of your temperament."

He continued, "Ever since we met, you have been my protector, much like the little tiger on the sachet safeguarding the one behind it."

She is an incredibly protective individual, consistently striving to shield him, undertaking numerous tasks for his benefit, and providing substantial assistance.

Gu Jinli beamed with contentment. "Despite my perceived fierceness, you still describe me as gentle; you are quite the flatterer."

Though a semblance of complaint tinged her words, her face radiated pure joy.

Qin San Lang affirmed, "Xiao Yu is not fierce at all; she is simply a gentle and understanding girl."

No one else could ever measure up to her.

Gu Jinli's cheeks flushed as she lightly tapped them. "Since you insist, I shall believe your words."

If Brother Cheng were present, he would undoubtedly exclaim with mock resentment: "Second Sister, your skin is truly thick!"

Qin San Lang chuckled softly and drew nearer to her. "Mmm, our Xiao Yu is precisely that way."

He had observed his fill of the women in the Capital, with their veiled words and complex thoughts; he found Xiao Yu's straightforward nature far more appealing. In truth, even if Xiao Yu were to speak indirectly or harbor hidden thoughts, it would not bother him, for as long as it was her, he would cherish it.

"Are you feeling hungry? I've brought some mooncakes for you." Gu Jinli retrieved a pouch from her waist, producing two snowy mooncakes. "Have these to tide you over until our meal. I have prepared a generous amount of grilled fish for you; you can eat to your heart's content."

Qin San Lang generally disliked sweet confections, but anything from Gu Jinli was an exception he gladly embraced. "Wait just a moment, Xiao Yu," he said.

With that, he rose, went to his room, and returned with a cloth bag and a jug of water. "I've brought back some fruits for you to try. If you find them agreeable, I will arrange for Dou Ke to bring a larger quantity."

Dou Ke's commercial network spanned the major waterways, prompting Qin San Lang to task him with sourcing non-perishable yet delicious fruits for Gu Jinli.

He couldn't help himself; his beloved Xiao Yu had an insatiable fondness for fruits.

Gu Jinli's eyes widened as she gazed at the bag of vibrant red fruits. "Apples!" she exclaimed in astonishment.

Qin San Lang appeared taken aback. "Xiao Yu, you recognize these? While they are not called apples here, they are known as 'big red fruits,' resembling our Great Chu's indigenous red fruit but considerably larger."

"These fruits originate from Da Rong and possess the remarkable quality of remaining unspoiled for several months."

More importantly, the 'big red fruit' carried a warming property, beneficial for a woman's constitution, unlike pears, which were considered cooling and less suitable for ladies.

Gu Jinli responded, "In the books I've read, they are referred to as apples. However, since they have their native name, let us call them 'big red fruits'."

Qin San Lang, seeing her delight, selected an apple. He rinsed it with water from the jug before presenting it to her. "Xiao Yu, please try this."

Gu Jinli stated, "It requires peeling."

"Ah? Peeling? Very well." Qin San Lang produced a small knife from his waist, carefully peeled the apple for Gu Jinli, and offered it. "Xiao Yu, this knife is clean; it has never been stained red before."

He would never use a blade that had been employed in conflict to prepare food for his beloved Xiao Yu.

Gu Jinli accepted the apple, taking a bite. The familiar sweet and crisp sensation flooded her mouth, causing her eyes to crinkle with pure joy. "So delicious, perfectly sweet and crunchy."

She took another apple and offered it to Qin San Lang. "You should try one too."

Qin San Lang glanced at the apple, then at her lips, which held a more vibrant hue than the fruit itself. "No need for me," he replied. "These fruits are for Xiao Yu. Tasting it like this is more than enough."

With that, he leaned in and planted a swift kiss upon her lips, pulling back with a smile. "Hmm, very sweet."

Gu Jinli stood momentarily frozen, her mind catching up. That scoundrel had stolen another kiss! Her face flushed a deeper red as she playfully swung a fist at him in mock anger. He didn't evade, but rather caught her fist, his own body unexpectedly bumping against the mountain pomelo tree behind him.

A distinct thud echoed, indicating a noticeable impact.

Instantly, a shadow descended from above. Qin San Lang swiftly pulled Gu Jinli into his arms, shielding her with his own body from the falling object… although, in truth, he could have easily caught it, he simply preferred holding her this way.

With another thud, the object struck the stone table, tumbled to the ground, and came to rest at Qin San Lang’s feet.

"It’s a pomelo," Gu Jinli noted, bending to retrieve it. She dismissed it with a slight sneer, "This mountain pomelo is quite small, and its stem looks rotten. It’s probably inedible."

However, Qin San Lang countered, "Let me open it and see. Perhaps it can still be eaten. It’s the very first fruit from this mountain pomelo tree; the first one always needs to be tasted."

This particular mountain pomelo tree, he had planted with the intention of it symbolizing his union with Xiao Yu and the continuation of their lineage. Therefore, the first fruit undeniably held special significance.

Gu Jinli responded, "Then go ahead and open it."

Using a knife, Qin San Lang carefully sliced the pomelo open. "Not bad," he commented, examining the flesh. "The flesh is undamaged."

With practiced ease, he peeled the pomelo, separating the segments. He took one piece to his mouth, a slight furrow appearing on his sword-like eyebrows as he mused, "The taste isn't bad."

"Not bad?" Gu Jinli echoed, observing his expression. "Your eyebrows are so knitted together; how can you possibly say the taste is merely 'not bad'?"

She took a bite of a pomelo segment, and the intense sourness nearly made her gag. Quickly swallowing, she took a large bite of her apple before declaring, "This is incredibly sour and astringent! It’s awful! Don't eat it."

Qin San Lang looked at her, a flicker of reluctance warring with determination in his eyes. "This is the first fruit from this tree; it must be consumed."

Gu Jinli was taken aback, suddenly recalling his reason for planting the mountain pomelo tree. "Wait here," she said, "I'll be right back, and then we can eat the pomelo."

With that, she dashed home, returning shortly with a jar of crushed caramel sugar and a large bowl. After breaking apart the pomelo and mixing in the sugar, she stirred it all together in the bowl. Handing Qin San Lang a spoon, she instructed, "Eat now; it should be sweet."