Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside Chapter 1758: Ah Ji’s New Firebed

Ms. Gao Lei didn’t pay her any mind and said, "Go ahead and cry. One day you’ll thank me."

After saying that, she continued her meal leisurely, chatting and laughing with Gu Jinli, Mrs. Kuang, and Mrs. Han.

Ji Zhenniang saw everyone talking and eating, with only Mrs. Han comforting Sister Yu, so after crying for a bit, she couldn’t keep it up either. She reluctantly started eating.

As she ate, she couldn’t help but start a conversation with Gu Jinli and the others, and before long, she began giggling again.

Xie Cheng and the others were eating at another table. Though they didn’t come over to comfort her when they saw her crying, they occasionally glanced over and, seeing her laugh, they were relieved.

"Company Commander Xie, look at you..." Company Commander Jin found it amusing and wanted to tease Xie Cheng but stopped himself, fearing that his untimely joke might offend Ms. Gao Lei.

Tonight, this farewell dinner at Lei Family’s Courtyard wasn’t one Ms. Gao Lei invited him to; he came on his own, so he needed to mind his manners.

"What?" Xie Cheng turned around and asked.

Company Commander Jin laughed it off, saying, "Oh, nothing. I just noticed you weren’t drinking that wine and thought it was a pity. I wanted to ask if you’ll drink it. If not, give it to me. I enjoy it."

In the Northwest, grain is scarce, and the government controls the brewing of grain-based alcohol, so it’s hard to find. The Lei Family’s Trading Team had acquired some but was reluctant to drink it. They brought out one jar today, and each man only got a bowl.

Upon hearing this, Xie Cheng naturally handed over the wine, but not all of it, just pouring a small portion for him.

Company Commander Jin accepted it happily, secretly noting that ever since Xie Cheng followed Qin San Lang, he’d become shrewder. In the past, Xie Cheng would have handed over the whole bowl without hesitation, but now he kept most for himself.

It didn’t seem like a big deal, but it revealed a great deal. Company Commander Jin understood that Xie Cheng wanted to show all the other Company Commanders at the table that he wasn’t naive and they shouldn’t think they could easily take advantage of him.

However, Company Commander Jin only wished to maintain good relations with Xie Cheng and his group these days and never thought of harming or taking advantage of Xie Cheng.

The farewell banquet was held at noon and lasted about an hour. Afterward, Ms. Gao Lei said, "If you’re done eating, let’s disperse. I need my afternoon nap."

She also instructed Gu Jinli and the others, "Once you return, think carefully about any omissions. Make sure to handle them before departure."

"Yes, we understand," Gu Jinli replied but didn’t leave.

Once everyone else had left, Ms. Gao Lei looked at her, asking, "Why are you still standing here?"

Could there be private words left unsaid?

Gu Jinli came over and hooked her arm, smiling, "I’ll nap with you. Reminisce about those days when we slept together under siege in the city."

Ms. Gao Lei’s mouth twitched, never expecting that this was the reason she stayed.

But she felt warmth in her heart and silently allowed Gu Jinli to stay.

Though they said they’d nap together, since they were about to part ways, Ms. Gao Lei couldn’t sleep and asked, "You don’t like Ah Ji?"

Gu Jinli was taken aback and said, "I really don’t like him, but who told you this?"

Ms. Gao Lei said, "Does anyone need to tell me? Since I’ve known you, you’ve inquired about the first brother, Ah Chuan, and the others several times, but never about Ah Ji. He followed the first brother to your home to buy spices, so you’re familiar and have known each other for years. Not asking about him shows you dislike him. What has he done to you?"

Gu Jinli sighed, "Granny Lei, you’re really perceptive, guessing even this."

Ms. Gao Lei snorted, "Just tell the truth about any grievances you have. I’m not hiding it from you; I consider you as a grandchild, and you treat me well too. I have a heart that favors you."

This was to tell her that even if she had grievances with Ah Ji, she could speak freely; she wouldn’t side with Ah Ji.

Gu Jinli recounted her grievances with Ah Ji and added, "He hasn’t really harmed me. I just think he’s two-faced and might harm me in the future."

After saying this, even Gu Jinli thought she was being a bit harsh, so she added, "Maybe I’m just overly sensitive."

Ms. Gao Lei listened and, after a moment of silence, said, "You just feel he looks down on you, behaves nicely in front of others but belittles you in private... I understand; I won’t mention you if he asks."

Gu Jinli was very grateful and then asked, "Granny Lei, did you suddenly ask about my relationship with Ah Ji because he sent a letter or is he coming to the Northwest?"

Ms. Gao Lei nodded, "He sent a letter. Initially, he wanted to come over, but the situation in Dongqing delayed him, and he couldn’t make it."

As expected, he was coming, and Gu Jinli felt a bit upset, not wanting to interact with Ah Ji.

But understanding the enemy is the key to victory, so she asked about Ah Ji’s affairs in the Northeast and Dongqing.

Ms. Gao Lei recounted to her.

When Gu Jinli heard about Ah Ji improving the fire pits in the Northeast, she was surprised: "Is it the kind connected to a stove, where heating the water warms the bed, without smoke, keeping the house warm in winter?"

The Great Chu had fire pits, but unlike modern ones. They just built a bed and put charcoal or firewood inside, similar to digging a pit for warmth while traveling. They were rudimentary and smoky; sleeping there wouldn’t freeze you but was uncomfortable and could cause lung diseases.

Ms. Gao Lei was astonished, "You actually know about this."

Gu Jinli was even more surprised. How did Ah Ji create such a fire pit? It looked simple but involved complex issues like smoke ducts, requiring some engineering knowledge. Without it, the fire pit wouldn’t vent smoke properly.

Could it be that Ah Ji is really from another time?

Gu Jinli’s mind once again entertained this suspicion, so she asked Ms. Gao Lei, "Granny Lei, how did he come to make such a thing?"

Ms. Gao Lei said, "His family is in the ordnance business and maintains many master craftsmen. He said that after going to the Northeast and seeing the local people’s hardship, he researched the old dirt beds with the master craftsmen and developed the new fire pit."

"The new fire pit is quite practical: it saves firewood, warms the house, and helps people survive. The people in the Northeast are very grateful to him. His reputation is very good over there now."

Gu Jinli listened with a furrowed brow and asked, "Granny Lei, has Ah Ji ever had a head injury or a serious illness after which his personality changed drastically?"

Could he be from another time?

Upon hearing this, Ms. Gao Lei gave her a complicated look, "I know you don’t like Ah Ji, but it’s not right to wish misfortune upon him."

Then she added, "He comes from the Bo Residence and is the youngest son, served by countless slaves from a young age. I’ve never heard of him suffering any major calamities or diseases."

This was puzzling.

Could it be she was overthinking, and Ah Ji wasn’t from another time? He was just a native, and his knowledge of adding spices to bean oil and improving fire pits was simply because he was smart?

Gu Jinli didn’t underestimate the ancients. The master craftsmen from the Ministry of Industry were all incredibly skilled; perhaps the new fire pit was indeed developed by Ah Ji and the master craftsmen together.