Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside Chapter 1728: Hostage

"Ah, the husband of Little Gu." Mrs. Qi exclaimed with delight and sighed, "I didn’t expect Little Gu to be married already. She was such a frail young girl when I first saw her."

During the famine, she was bullied by her grandparents and uncles, and her family was almost sold off. Now she is married.

Qi Yi laughed and said, "Seven years have passed, and our daughter is already twelve years old. Girl Gu Er is a few years older, so naturally, she is married."

He continued, "She married a great hero. I heard they met on the road while fleeing the famine, two youngsters growing up together. It’s the best kind of marriage, though going to the Northwest to fight is very hard."

But Girl Gu Er has been feisty since childhood, so her temper will surely endure the hardships in the Northwest.

As for Ah Shu...

Qi Yi looked at his wife and thought of his daughter, who was almost grown. He felt fear and hesitated, "Ah Shu, maybe you shouldn’t go to the Northwest just yet. It’s too chaotic, I’m worried..."

"Husband, we agreed, no matter where we go, as long as we can leave the Capital as a family." Mrs. Qi interrupted Qi Yi, her eyes brimming with tears, "We don’t like the Capital; the Northwest is better. Although life is hard, people’s hearts can find happiness."

Back then, they fled the famine, desperately wanting to leave the Northwest, dreaming of a peaceful life in the Capital.

But life in the Capital isn’t stable; many look down on them because they’re from the Northwest. The Capital has many powerful figures, and the Qi Family is insignificant there. They must act humbly when visiting friends for fear of saying or doing the wrong thing, lest they invite ridicule or disaster.

Mrs. Qi’s family isn’t in the Capital, and she has no familiar female companions there. She felt very depressed when they first arrived in the Capital.

After Qi Yi excelled in the exams and gained Emperor Jingyuan’s favor, many families began to curry favor with them, and for a while, their door was almost always crowded.

But then they nearly got into trouble.

There are too many entanglements in the Capital; a moment’s carelessness can lead one astray and bring harm to the family.

And some saw her husband as young and handsome and considered her family unimpressive, seeking to plot against her official wife position... After all, Emperor Jingyuan is suspicious and rarely trusts anyone easily. Her husband received the Emperor’s trust, so those Ministers’ families were eager to use a niece, or even a legitimate daughter, to latch onto her husband to gain first-hand news from Mingwei Palace.

Fortunately, her husband treated her like always and didn’t develop an ulterior motive. He even managed to suppress those who tried to scheme.

But it seemed the people in the Capital were like those with nothing better to do, loving to plot constantly.

Emperor Jingyuan also liked to kill people, frequently instructing Lord Ming to confiscate properties, leading to regular bloodshed in the Capital. Mrs. Qi was terrified living there and wanted to leave.

"Let’s leave the Capital together as a family and never be separated." Mrs. Qi almost pleaded.

Qi Yi felt heartache, holding her and comforting her, "Alright, we’ll leave together, no one will stay behind!"

He felt guilty for Ah Shu, for letting her live a life of fear and anxiety... In the past, when they were unmarried, she was a bright and cheerful girl. Who would have thought now she had to be so cautious even when speaking outside?

"Back to the Northwest, we’ll return to the Northwest together."

The Capital was too suppressive, making life unhappy.

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Qi smiled and, the next day, began preparing to leave with her children.

Meanwhile, Qi Yi went to bid farewell to Mr. Feng.

During this period, he had greatly benefited from following Mr. Feng, learning many things.

Mr. Feng was in poor health, very thin, with sunken eyes and a pale complexion, it was apparent he wouldn’t live long. Yet who would have thought Mr. Feng used to excel in horseback riding?

Mr. Feng listened to Qi Yi, saw the joy on his face from the family leaving the Capital, and shook his head, "You’re still thinking too highly of him... You think you’ve earned his trust and become confidants, but you forget he’s a King. Even if he trusts you, he needs to hold something that can threaten your life to feel secure."

Upon hearing this, Qi Yi’s joy vanished, leaving him pale. He knelt down, "I beg you, sir, to help my family!"

He only wanted his family to leave the Capital, so his wife and children wouldn’t live in fear anymore. He would never have ulterior motives towards Emperor Jingyuan; this was the King who recognized his talents. Despite the King’s faults, Qi Yi was willing to sacrifice everything for him.

Mr. Feng chuckled self-deprecatingly and shook his head, "I’m merely a remaining body, how can I help you?"

He added, "But don’t worry, as long as he needs you, your wife and children will be safe, unless you betray him."

Yet Qi Yi wanted his whole family to leave the Capital!

"My wife’s temper is gentle; without me, she wouldn’t be able to handle the people in the Capital." Qi Yi always wanted to protect his wife, but it seemed he never actually gave her comfort over all those years.

Qi Yi glanced at the tea table beside Mr. Feng’s couch, where a few books were placed... Should he not be reading? Should he not persist in pursuing an official position, assisting the King, and balancing the state?

Perhaps he should’ve just been an honest young master in a family that valued farming and learning in the Northwest.

"If I resign or contract poisonous insect disease, could I then leave the court and safely take my family away?" Qi Yi hadn’t given up on his ideals for years, yet he asked this question at this moment.

Mr. Feng frowned and said, "Compared to Mai Cong, you’re still far behind."

Though he didn’t like Mai Cong, he had to admit Mai Cong was suited to be a Powerful Minister, ruthless and never emotional.

Qi Yi had excellent talents and character, but he was too sentimental, towards his wife and children, and even towards Emperor Jingyuan. If he had resigned a few months earlier, it might have worked, but now with the imperial decree issued, the only way to avoid going to Long’an Prefecture would be death.

Mr. Feng conveyed this to Qi Yi.

Qi Yi almost fell to the ground.

He had been mistaken, thinking he could save the court by himself.

Seeing this, Mr. Feng felt some sympathy. In this selfish and self-serving Capital, there weren’t many as loyal as Qi Yi.

Thus Mr. Feng asked Qi Yi, "Have you thought it through? Truly not wanting to be a Minister supporting the state?"

Qi Yi smiled bitterly, "Previously, as a student, I was arrogant, actually, I’m just an ordinary person without such great abilities."

Mr. Feng shook his head, actually Qi Yi was quite good, just encountered the madman Emperor Jingyuan, wasting his talents.

"Since you’re willing to let go of your ambitions, when he summons you to the palace, make it clear that you’ll only serve as the Vice Magistrate of Long’an Prefecture for three years, overseeing Xu You for him during that time, repaying his kindness. After three years, resign and retire with your family, never serving anyone again." Mr. Feng advised him.

Qi Yi was shocked, "Will His Majesty agree?"

Mr. Feng nodded, "He will agree. More than the scheming behind the scenes, he prefers someone trusting enough to speak openly. But you’re likely to receive a beating."

Qi Yi wasn’t afraid of a beating and solemnly kowtowed to Mr. Feng, "Thank you, sir."

Mr. Feng waved his hand, "Get up, prepare the pen and ink."

"Yes." Qi Yi promptly brought the writing tools over and personally ground ink.

Mr. Feng took up his pen and wrote a memorial on the paper.

After the ink dried, he pointed to the memorial, "Keep it safe. When you reach the Northwest, set up an incense table facing Longshan Prefecture and burn the memorial."