Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside Chapter 1472: In High Demand

Qin San Lang said, "Lord County Magistrate, you worry too much. The bandits of Hundred Wolves Mountain offended someone they shouldn’t have. Even if any escape, they’ll be ambushed along the way and won’t have the chance to return."

If the roaming bandits of the Hundred Wolves Mountain Nine Villages continue their misdeeds, wouldn’t the Eagle Food Gang lose face?

County Magistrate Chou brightened up upon hearing this and asked, "Company Commander Qin, what do you mean by this? Who did the bandits of the Hundred Wolves Mountain Nine Villages offend? Who has such ability to kill the escaping bandits?"

Even the court doesn’t have the manpower to chase down roaming bandits.

Qin San Lang: "They offended the Eagle Food Gang. Lord County Magistrate, you can rest easy."

"What? They offended the Eagle Food Gang, hahaha!" County Magistrate Chou couldn’t contain his laughter. Truly, the heavens have opened their eyes! Well then, hurry up and leave.

County Magistrate Chou waved his hand and said, "Company Commander Qin, take your time leaving. This official won’t see you off."

He urged again, "Don’t delay going to the Northwest for the military excursion. You should set out as soon as possible."

Don’t stay too long in our Hundred Wolves County. Your soldiers’ family members are a bunch of shrews, comparable to bandits. If you stay a few more days, our Hundred Wolves County will be emptied by them!

After saying this, County Magistrate Chou shot a fierce look at Niu Dabao; the woman who caused him the most trouble was Mrs. Kuang, Niu Dabao’s wife!

"Lord County Magistrate, what are you doing? Got a twitch?" Niu Dabao asked suspiciously.

County Magistrate Chou was stumped by the question, snorted coldly without responding to Niu Dabao, turned around and left, saying to the squad leader at the county government, "You take people to handle the aftermath; the soldiers from the Military Office will follow me to the nearest bandit village!"

White Wolf Village has been cleared out by Qin San Lang and his people; staying here won’t bring any benefits. He has to rush to other bandit villages to find the underground vault!

Qin San Lang was quite considerate, handing the map of other villages to County Magistrate Chou, ensuring he wouldn’t get lost in the mountains.

"Move out," Qin San Lang ordered, and the soldiers started marching, going down the mountain in great numbers.

Two hours later, they finally arrived at the foot of the mountain: "Strike camp, head back!"

The soldiers guarding the camp at the base quickly stood up and hastened towards the Hundred Wolves County Inn with their trove of goods.

Though everyone was exhausted, the treasure they had acquired made them extremely excited. After a brisk march lasting four hours, they finally returned to the Hundred Wolves County Inn.

The wounded, family members, Vice General Fang, and the common folks of Hundred Wolves County all came out to welcome them. At sight of Qin San Lang and his men approaching from afar, they shouted, "Hey, they’re back, they’re back! Look, they must have brought a haul of great things!"

The townsfolk of Hundred Wolves County shouted, "The heroes who fought the bandits have returned! Quick, everyone, strike up the gongs and drums to welcome them!"

Clang clang clang, thud thud thud—the sound of the copper gongs and big drums immediately rang out, noisy as could be, devoid of musical charm. But the people of Hundred Wolves County were genuinely joyful.

With the bandit threat eliminated, they no longer had to worry about their daughters, new brides, or young sisters being snatched away by bandits.

"Oh, who’s that young man riding the horse up front? He looks so handsome and impressive! Is he married? He seems so young, surely he hasn’t married yet. Just right, my daughter turned fifteen this year, she would be a good match for him!"

"Pfft, Old Miao’s, give it a rest! Anyone riding a tall horse must be someone of importance. Him being an official at such a young age, you think he’d marry your daughter? She’s just plain looking; stop dreaming about marrying high!"

"Hey, Da Hu’s wife, though Old Miao’s daughter isn’t much to look at, I heard one of the Company Commanders on the westward expedition married an ugly woman. Oh my, so ugly it’s a sin against the ancestors! If someone that ugly can wed a Company Commander, Old Miao’s daughter might still have a shot at climbing high."

Da Hu’s wife was shocked: "What? There really is a Company Commander who married an ugly woman?"

The woman replied, "Of course it’s true! That ugly woman is Mrs. Qin Gu, who nearly bought out our county and surrounding villages these past couple of days!"

"It’s her, huh? But she’s wealthy! Old Miao’s family just forges iron, they don’t have any Silver!" Da Hu’s wife said to Old Mrs. Miao, "You better quit dreaming."

Besides Qin San Lang, Xie Cheng also caught the eye of some women, who chuckled, "This lord is good too. If my granddaughter could marry him, she’d live a blessed life."

"Yes, he’s great, but judging by his age, he’s likely married already."

"What’s it matter if he’s married? We’re poor. If my granddaughter could become a concubine for an official, that would be a big step up."

Not far away, inside a carriage, Ji Zhenniang heard this and was furious. She lifted the curtain and yelled at the women, "Phooey, you shrewish bunch! Have you no shame? He’s already married with a daughter, yet you still think he can be your granddaughter’s husband? Is your granddaughter some ugly freak who can’t get married otherwise?!"

The women, having been scolded, were about to shout back, but seeing the armed servants surrounding the carriage, they knew the person inside was of significant status and dared not retaliate, only snapping, "It’s normal for men to have multiple wives and concubines; just because he’s married doesn’t mean he can’t marry again. Refusing to let men take concubines makes you a jealous woman who’ll be sent packing back to your mother’s house. Watch out for being cast aside!"

"You, you!" Ji Zhenniang was beside herself with anger, about to get off the carriage to deal with them if Gu Jinli hadn’t stopped her, saying, "See, Company Commander Xie is quite popular; if you don’t want him, plenty of others will."

She continued, "If you dislike Company Commander Xie, what’s there to be angry about him marrying other women."

Ji Zhenniang was agitated, yelling, "Nonsense, when have I ever disliked him?!"

Gu Jinli was stunned: "You’ve been disparaging Company Commander Xie for almost three years now, acting all righteous while denying it. Ji Zhenniang, you’re truly unreasonable."

She threatened Ji Zhenniang, "I heard there are quite a few beauties captured from the bandit villages; some might fancy Company Commander Xie and come back with him. Ji Zhenniang, you’re finished, your status is at risk."

"Shut up! Xie Cheng wouldn’t do that!" Ji Zhenniang cried, weeping bitterly, thinking what if Xie Cheng really brought women from the mountains back?

After successfully making her cry, Gu Jinli said, "See, now you know Company Commander Xie is sought-after. You realize he’s not entirely dependent on you, right? So treat him better then."

Ji Zhenniang said, "I’ve been treating him quite well recently, even, even... "

"Even what?" Gu Jinli gossiped slyly; could it be you two did the deed?

Ji Zhenniang glared at her, retorting, "What’s with that look? Gu Xiaoyu, you’re shameless!"

On the road, they didn’t have the time, but there were kisses and embraces; in any case, much closer than two years ago.

Gu Jinli sneered, saying, "This is my nosy eye. I’m telling you, though you’ve been fairly nice to Company Commander Xie lately, it’s far from enough. You’re truly not a qualified wife; when Company Commander Xie protects you, you should assist him too. Do what a lady should and stop acting childish, throwing tantrums. Otherwise, after a while, Company Commander Xie’s patience will run out, and he’ll divorce you for a more sensible girl."

She added, "I’m not scaring you; think for yourself, aren’t you the most burdensome among the family members on the westward trip?"