Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside Chapter 1307: Heavy Snow

After hearing the situation, Qin San Lang promptly offered his apologies to the assembled elders.

Third Grandma, feeling a pang of sympathy, reassured him, "It's still early evening, so it's not too late. Brother Cheng, Qingxi, and Gui Niu have already enjoyed a substantial amount of roasted meat and soup, so they certainly won't be hungry."

As she said this, she presented a plate of sliced roast lamb to Qin San Lang. "You must be feeling hungry. This was freshly roasted and is still warm. Eat it quickly."

Then, she turned her attention to Gu Jinli, saying, "Little Xiao Yu, why are you just standing there? San Lang loves grilled fish more than anything. Go and grill a few for him to eat."

Gu Jinli could only sigh. *I'm just a tool!*

However, feeling a sense of pity for Qin San Lang, she proceeded to prepare the grilled fish for him.

The fish had been cleaned earlier by Old Zhu's wife. After preparing the sauce and grilling them, a plate of delicious grilled fish was soon ready. "There are four more, just one more batch to grill," she announced.

Noticing Brother Cheng standing around idly, she suddenly grabbed him by the collar from behind. "Come on, head to the kitchen and help me grill fish."

Brother Cheng was unceremoniously dragged away, frantically signaling to Gu Jin'an for assistance. "Brother, help me!"

But Gu Jin'an was occupied with lighting the lanterns hanging under the veranda and couldn't spare a moment. Brother Cheng then turned to Gu Jinxiu for help. "Big Sister, Second Sister is bullying me again! As the elder, you must intervene."

Gu Jinxiu chuckled, replying, "But I can't possibly defeat your Second Sister. Be a good boy and help with the grilled fish."

Gu Jinli, laughing, added, "Asking for help is futile. Just accept it; you need to mature."

Her words carried a subtle double meaning. With Great Chu having suffered defeat, significant changes were on the horizon, changes that could potentially impact them all. While they could previously indulge Brother Cheng, the times now demanded his growth.

Brother Cheng pouted, grumbling, "Second Sister, you're so fierce. Be careful, maybe Brother San Lang won't want you anymore."

Gu Jinli laughed heartily. "That's impossible."

As Dongzhi arrived, the nights descended swiftly. In what felt like an instant, complete darkness enveloped the surroundings.

"Grandma, Third Grandma, Aunt, it's snowing! It's snowing!" Gui Niu, who had been observing Gu Jin'an lighting the corridor lamps, gasped. As the lights illuminated the area, she spotted white snowflakes drifting down and excitedly rushed back inside to share the news with the adults.

"Snowing?" Elder Qin expressed surprise. The southern regions were typically warmer, and snowfall usually began in the twelfth lunar month. He found it peculiar that it was snowing so early, in the eleventh month.

It appeared this year would bring colder weather than usual.

Considering the current weather conditions and the multitude of events that had transpired this year, he worried about how many people might succumb to the cold.

Elder Qin's foremost concern, however, was the persistent raids by the Rong people. The colder the weather grew, the more aggressive their incursions would become, placing Great Chu in grave peril!

Qin San Lang was equally taken aback. Setting down his plate, he stood and walked outside, gazing up at the courtyard. He extended his hand, catching a snowflake. It felt icy cold, a piercing pain... far colder than in previous years.

If it was this frigid in the south, the northwest and northeast must be experiencing even more extreme temperatures.

He recollected conversations with veteran soldiers about a severe cold wave. If the Rong people were to launch a large-scale invasion during such conditions, even an emperor commanding a million-strong army might struggle to repel them.

The Rong territories were known for their extreme cold, and the Rong people possessed a high resistance to it. In contrast, north of Central State in Great Chu, many soldiers had already perished in battle. Any further recruitment would have to come from the south.

Southerners, unaccustomed to the biting cold and having never witnessed vast expanses of ice, would have no idea how to survive in such harsh, frozen conditions, let alone engage in warfare. They risked freezing to death before even setting foot on the battlefield.

Gu Jin'an observed the falling snow, then glanced at Qin San Lang and inquired, "Is it that serious?"

Qin San Lang offered a slight nod but refrained from elaborating. Instead, he returned indoors with a smile, addressing the gathering with, "It truly is snowing."

Today was a festive occasion, and he wished to preserve the cheerful atmosphere, unwilling to cast a shadow with a somber expression.

Gu Dewang beamed with delight. He hurried over to the courtyard with Gu Qingxi and the others, exclaiming, "Oh my, it really is snowing! Qingxi, quickly fetch a basin to collect some snow. The teacher once mentioned that tea brewed with snow water has the finest taste. Let's enjoy a touch of elegance today!"

"Alright, I'll go get it!" Gu Qingxi replied enthusiastically, happily heading off to retrieve the basin, though she found she couldn't quite manage it on her own.

Gu Jinli then posed a question: "Do you know what those snowflakes are made of?"

"What are they made of? Sister Xiao Yu knows?" Gu Qingxi asked, her eyes wide with curiosity, eagerly awaiting the answer.

Gu Jinli inquired, "You're aware of that rather pungent pond situated near the boundary separating our village from Lianghe Village, aren't you? And what about the communal outdoor latrines within our village, Lianghe Village, and across the surrounding ten-mile radius encompassing eight villages?"

Brother Cheng, who was occupied with grilling fish nearby, could no longer contain himself. "Second Sister, please cease speaking. It's nearly time for our meal. Do you intend to induce vomiting in all of us by discussing toilets?"

Gu Jinli responded, "Hey, I'm not attempting to repulse you. I'm merely imparting some fundamental knowledge, you comprehend?"

Upon hearing this, Brother Cheng promptly retreated, calling back over his shoulder, "Then you should explain it to Qingxi; I'm not listening."

From the outset, he recognized this as a significant ploy and made a swift exit.

Gu Qingxi's countenance soured, and he cautiously observed Gu Jinli, stating, "Sister Xiao Yu, please refrain from making it too repulsive."

"Rest assured, it won't be disgusting," Gu Jinli affirmed with a smile. "Every drop of rainwater, the morning frost, and the falling snowflakes—they all originate from water vapor. This water vapor forms when the sun's rays strike the earth, drawing moisture from the land into the sky, where it condenses. And the water originating from the ground? It includes the water from ponds, the water from latrines, and..."

"Sister Xiao Yu, enough! We shall no longer brew tea with snowflakes!" Gu Qingxi, on the verge of retching, hastily cut her off.

Gu Jinli offered a gentle smile. "Ah, don't be so quick to abandon the idea; you can still brew tea with snowflakes if you wish. After all, many scholars and eccentrics seem to fancy doing so. I simply won't partake myself. You may enjoy it to your heart's content."

Gu Qingxi, eyes brimming with distress, quickly implored, "We won't drink it either!"

Having spoken, he scurried off to relay Gu Jinli's revelations to Gu Dewang.

Despite Gu Dewang's generally robust disposition, the news left him quite disgusted. He retreated to the veranda, vigorously brushed the snowflakes from his attire with a cloth, expectorated twice, and declared, "How utterly revolting."

Then, abruptly, he erupted into hearty laughter, dashed back inside, and proclaimed to the assembled company, "So, the tea that those scholars and madmen imbibe is actually concocted from urine!"

The individuals indoors were plunged into astonishment. Third Grandma, incensed, seized a broom, ready to strike him. "Brother Wang, what outlandish fabrication are you spouting? To discuss such filth so close to dinner—are you inviting a thrashing?"

Gu Dewang swiftly took refuge behind Gu Dafu. "Uncle, protect me! I wasn't fabricating tales."

"Third Aunt, please desist from striking him further. I shall admonish him once we return home after the meal," Gu Dafu interjected, hastily intervening.

Da Gui and his wife were occupied managing the workshop in the prefecture; their absence for Dongzhi meant he had assumed responsibility for both Brother Wang and Brother Fa.

Nevertheless, following this episode, Grandpa Qin's previously somber mood experienced a slight alleviation.

"Dinner is served! Dinner is served!" Mrs. Cui, alongside Old Zhu's wife, Da Lei's wife, Ms. Xu Wang, and Ms. Wang Ma, began bringing out the dishes, inviting everyone to partake in the meal.

Once the food was arranged, Old Zhu's wife and the others departed to their respective homes to observe the Dongzhi festivities with their families.