Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside Chapter 1306: Mutual Affection

Witnessing his distress, Gu Jinli embraced him with a smile, saying, "Don't be sad. One day, you shall avenge them."

Her words held a double meaning, referring to both the fallen soldiers and his family.

She understood that for someone from a military family, protecting the borders and defending the people was an deeply ingrained duty. The loss of several cities in Great Chu and the deaths of hundreds of thousands of soldiers represented a hatred as profound as the massacre of his own kin.

Gently patting his back, Gu Jinli coaxed, "If you wish to weep, do so. I won't mock you."

Qin San Lang's body stiffened momentarily. He tightened his embrace but responded, "I won't cry. It is not yet the time... If I were to cry now, even if you didn't mock me, Father and Second Brother certainly would."

Gu Jinli inquired with curiosity, "Would Eldest Brother and Mother also make fun of you?"

Qin San Lang shook his head. "No, Eldest Brother cherishes me too much. If I cried, he would simply offer comfort. As for Mother, she would likely wish for me to cry more. She always said I was too quiet as a child, rarely shedding tears, which wasn't quite like a child at all."

Gu Jinli let out a laugh. "Hearing you speak, it seems your mother possesses a rather playful nature."

Qin San Lang pondered for a moment before replying, "Mother does enjoy playing with us, but in front of others, her laughter is seldom heard."

An elderly nanny who served Mother remarked that Mother was once someone who rarely smiled. It was only after marrying Father that her demeanor gradually shifted, becoming more lighthearted and playful.

The old nanny would often recount, "When they were betrothed, everyone in the Capital declared Miss and the Master to be an ill-matched pair. Many noble ladies asserted that the Master was uncouth and hot-tempered, capable of striking Miss to death in a fit of rage. However, after their marriage, the Master cherished Miss profoundly, to the astonishment of all the young ladies in the Capital, who marveled to discover the Master was not a brute, but a devoted romantic."

Ultimately, the old nanny's expression would invariably carry a hint of pride as she concluded, "Miss truly married the right man."

Gu Jinli remarked, "That is because your father cherished her. A woman truly lives freely and blossoms into a lively, playful spirit only when she marries the right person."

Qin San Lang, upon hearing this, shifted slightly and looked at her. "I, too, will dote on Xiao Yu, ensuring she lives with complete freedom."

Gu Jinli chuckled, reaching out to playfully poke his earnest face. "Hmm, I believe you."

She added, "Do not worry, I shall dote on you as well."

Qin San Lang burst into laughter, drew closer, and pressed his forehead against hers. "Xiao Yu already spoils me immensely."

When he first encountered her, she had appeared quite cold and formidable. Indeed, she might have even considered herself cold-hearted, yet she failed to recognize her own deep affection. Even when Aunt Da Gui proved so exasperating, Gu Jinli refrained from resorting to poisoning.

Her treatment of him was even more exceptional. Simply because he had assisted in safeguarding her family's passage, she consistently prepared delectable meals for him. Noticing his fondness for grilled fish, she would prepare it for him whenever the opportunity arose.

Then there was the beef. Cattle were essential labor animals, making beef both costly and scarce. Yet, she enlisted the help of Boss Hu from Futai Building to procure the finest beef, crafting it into jerky for him. She would prepare an entire bag at once, sufficient to last him half a month.

The sole reason she undertook the effort of making him beef was her observation of his arduous work at the Military Office from such a tender age. She explained that consuming beef was beneficial for the body, imparting strength, and thus she spared no expense in preparing it for him.

Reflecting on all that had transpired since their meeting, he increasingly felt that she treated him with unparalleled kindness.

He wished for Xiao Yu to always maintain her affectionate disposition towards him, but...

Gu Jinli gazed at him and laughed. "I am good to you because you are good to me. However, should you dare to mistreat me, I shall poison you without hesitation!"

Qin San Lang chuckled and inquired, "So ruthless! Would you truly poison me instantly? Could you not grant a few days' grace?"

Gu Jinli nodded. "Hmm, naturally, I do not harbor grudges overnight."

After a moment's thought, she added, "Or perhaps, I would merely poison you enough to incapacitate you, abscond with half your family fortune, and depart."

Qin San Lang laughed. "I shall give you all my silver and assist in testing the poison. Let us not separate, alright?"

Gu Jinli considered his proposal. "Seeing as you are so sincere, very well."

However, were the two not forgetting that they were merely engaged and not yet married? Was there even a need to discuss separation?

Nevertheless, it mattered little, as they both seemed content with their current arrangement.

Gu Jinli pinched his cheek and asked, "Are you still feeling sad?"

Qin San Lang replied, "Much better, thank you, Xiao Yu, for comforting me."

Had she not arrived, he would have been lost in sorrow for a considerable time. Yet, fate had not been unkind, bringing her into his presence.

Gu Jinli offered a smile, suggesting, "Then let's head home. We've prepared three whole roasted lambs. Grandpa Qin mentioned you have a fondness for this, so indulge to your heart's content."

With so many people gathered, three lambs might seem insufficient.

However, Qin San Lang inquired, "Is there any grilled fish? I do enjoy fish."

"How can you still desire grilled fish? Aren't you weary of it?" Gu Jinli responded. "During a grand festival, one should savor rare and opulent delicacies that are usually beyond our reach."

Upon uttering these words, she paused, realizing Qin San Lang was gazing at her with a smile, a certain glint in his eyes that caused her to blush.

Gu Jinli mentally urged herself to maintain composure, reminding herself of her modern spirit origins. Alas, she could not resist and her cheeks flushed crimson.

Flustered and slightly annoyed, she exclaimed, "What are you staring at? No fish for you today!"

With that declaration, she produced a bamboo whistle and blew it six times. Erqing and Feng Jin, hearing the signal in the distance, promptly approached, guiding the mule cart away.

Qin San Lang's horse, a loyal companion of many years and possessing considerable intelligence, followed the moving mule cart without needing a rider.

Gu Jinli's fleeting temper subsided as quickly as it arose. She turned to Qin San Lang, asking, "Are you tired? You should take a nap. I'll wake you when we arrive home."

Having said this, she gently guided him to lie down and then draped a sheepskin blanket over him.

Qin San Lang rested his head on her lap, clasping her hand, and with closed eyes, murmured, "Xiao Yu, do not concern yourself with me. I am well; I will persevere."

He felt that if he couldn't endure this much, what could he possibly handle?

Gu Jinli replied, "I know you can endure, but I wish for your happiness."

She could not bear to witness his sadness or his internal struggles.

Adding softly, "Stop talking such nonsense and go to sleep."

"Alright," Qin San Lang responded, and soon drifted into a deep sleep.

He invariably found it effortless to fall asleep beside her, and his slumber was always peaceful.

Gu Jinli tapped on the carriage and instructed Feng Jin, who was steering, "Slow down. There's no need to rush our journey home."

This would allow him a little more time to rest.

"Understood," Feng Jin complied, reducing the cart's pace to half its usual speed. What would have typically been an arrival by afternoon stretched into the evening on this occasion.

However, Gu Jinli, wishing to spare her family unnecessary worry, dispatched Erqing ahead to convey their imminent arrival.

Before they reached the village entrance, Qin San Lang stirred. Gu Jinli presented him with a cup of warm water, remarking, "Drink this to help you wake up."

"Certainly," Qin San Lang accepted, swiftly finishing the water. He then gave her a lingering embrace before dismounting the cart with practiced ease upon their arrival home, proceeding directly to visit Elder Qin.

Observing that Elder Qin’s smile was only slightly diminished, not deeply affected by sorrow, he felt a measure of relief.

"You've returned. Why so late? Everyone has been anticipating your presence for dinner," Elder Qin stated, expressing a hint of displeasure with Qin San Lang's tardiness.