Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside Chapter 1762: Our Hometown Has Been Occupied

Qin San Lang was indeed correct.

A few days later, another batch of soldiers passing by to fetch their relatives came through, and the village continued to sell water at fifty copper coins per barrel.

That batch of soldiers were furious upon hearing this, and questioned them: "Fifty copper coins for a barrel of water, is the water in your village made from melted gold?!"

The ruffians in the village, holding hoes, blocked the entrance to the village and said: "Ever heard of a drought in the Northwest? Water is just that expensive in the Northwest; even if you’re soldiers from the court, you have to pay to drink!"

These soldiers had traveled for a whole day, hungry and thirsty, negotiated with the villagers, and after failing to reach an agreement, reported to the Company Commanders.

These three Company Commanders were not as accommodating as Qin San Lang and his group. Upon being reported, they directly led troops into the village to fetch water and even beat up a batch of villagers, including slapping the village chief twice.

Afterwards, they scolded the villagers: "Heartless folk, we risk our lives fighting the Rong bandits to keep you and your livestock safe, yet you charge us for a sip of water along the way. Do you have any conscience left? If you dare to do this black-hearted business again, we’ll report to the General and have him submit a petition to the Capital to confiscate your village!"

The village chief and villagers, beaten, cried out in pain, yet they did not cease their water selling business... Water was scarce in the Northwest, and any village that could dig a well would sell water.

However, they learned from experience; when soldiers passed through again, they only charged five copper coins per bucket, and if the soldiers were still displeased, they gave it for free.

As for those travelers passing through from other places, they continued to sell at fifty copper coins per barrel, and if they saw someone wealthy and easy to bully, they’d hike the price up to one hundred copper coins per barrel.

...

Gu Jinli and her group started their journey on the tenth of Jiuyue. With ample time, their march was leisurely, only quickening their pace when they were close to missing an inn.

Thus, along this journey, Gu Jinli was quite relaxed, living and dining well, and even being able to find a place to bathe every three days.

Mrs. Kuang admonished her, saying that she was committing a sin, bathing when the Northwest was so short of water? Washing with water that costs dozens of copper coins a bucket?!

Yet, Gu Jinli paid no heed, as it was Brother Qin who handled the matter of fetching water for their accommodations. When Brother Qin secured good water for her, how could she not bathe?

"Xiao Yu, I’ve bought some big red fruits; I’ll cut them up for you to eat." Qin San Lang brought in a basket filled with red apples.

Today, they were staying at an inn, and as soon as Gu Jinli arrived, she requested hot water to wash herself from head to toe. Now freshly bathed and seeing this, joy filled her eyes as she approached and asked: "Where did these come from?"

Seeing her draw near, Qin San Lang wrapped an arm around her waist and affectionately kissed her cheek, saying: "I bought them from a wealthy household passing by the inn; do you like them?"

They were only five days away from Long’an Prefecture, and occasionally met wealthy families moving out from Long’an Prefecture.

"I like them!" Gu Jinli chuckled and reached to take the basket from his hands, but he stopped her: "Xiao Yu has just bathed, don’t touch these; just sit and wait to eat."

After speaking, he reluctantly released her, peeled and washed the big red fruits, sliced them open, and presented them to her.

As she happily ate, he embraced her, saying: "Xiao Yu, I missed you; let’s retire early tonight."

Gu Jinli blushed; every time they stopped at a manor or inn, he would say this, and feeling for him, she nodded in agreement.

Seeing her response, Qin San Lang was delighted, and rose to bathe. However, before leaving, he took away the remaining big red fruits: "Dinner is almost ready, Xiao Yu, don’t eat too many fruits."

Gu Jinli was furious, glaring at him and accusing: "You offered me a fruit to tempt me, and once I agreed, you take it away? That’s too insincere!"

Qin San Lang removed his overcoat, leaned closer, and smiled: "Tonight, you’ll see how sincere I am."

Hearing this, Gu Jinli was momentarily stunned, and upon realizing, she attempted to kick him, but he had already turned and left.

The next day, Gu Jinli was too exhausted to get up, and when she did, it was nearly noon outside and she was flustered. Upon hearing the commotion, Sanqing, stationed outside, said through the door: "Madam, don’t worry, the lord said today we won’t travel, claiming the cold weather necessitates everyone going into the county to buy warm clothing."

It’s merely an excuse; the real intent is to let her rest more, as they’ve brought plenty of warm clothing from Xing’an Prefecture, rendering the purchase unnecessary.

Yet upon hearing this, a smile spread across Gu Jinli’s face... You’ve done well; I won’t argue with you, I’m so tired, I’ll continue sleeping. This chilly weather is perfect for sleeping in!

Qin San Lang kept her in mind, and returned in the afternoon with some good news: "Do you still remember Tang Ling from the Tang Family Manor?"

Gu Jinli nodded: "Yes, what’s happened to her? You seem to have good news?"

Just as Qin San Lang knew all about her affairs, he wouldn’t keep things from her regarding external matters; nor did he want her to hear about Tang Ling and her mother’s affairs from others and worry, so he had already informed her.

Thus Gu Jinli remembered and quite admired Tang Ling, who after facing such tribulations, was still able to assist in the county.

Qin San Lang nodded: "Indeed, she and Yao Wan have become close, the one who was chased by the infiltrating Rong bandits and saved by us.

Upon hearing this, Gu Jinli was delighted: "It’s truly a joyful event."

She further questioned: "Wouldn’t Yao Wan look down on her? And what if Yao Family People hear gossip, what then?"

Qin San Lang shook his head: "Yao Wan knows her hardships and once looked down on her, but after they both fought side by side valiantly for months in Guanlu County, Yao Wan views her highly, developed feelings for her, and approached the Tang Family for marriage. Initially, Tang Ling didn’t agree, but after Yao Wan spoke to her, her heart was reconciled, and she accepted Yao Wan."

As for the Yao Family...

"The Yao Family feared Yao Wan’s potential demise in battle might leave them without descendants, so they had him marry early and bear a son. However, that wife died of illness two years ago, leaving behind a young son. Yao Wan now remarries a secondary wife, and the Yao Family’s demands are no longer high; they only need Yao Wan’s consent."

Aside from this, Tang Ling, caring for Mrs. Lin in Guanlu County, got acquainted with doctors and learned the skills to treat wounded soldiers.

And since Yao Wan was originally a small Section Leader, due to his merit, he has now been promoted to Chief Commander, and both are joyfully preparing for their wedding.

After listening, Gu Jinli sighed: "The tenacious ones always find a way out of dire straits; Tang Ling is remarkable."

In her situation, many would likely have resorted to ending their lives.

Qin San Lang listened and wholeheartedly agreed.

...

The next day, the familiar sound of the copper gong rang again at dawn, and soldiers and their families busied themselves, thoroughly stocking up on water, before setting off once more.

They traveled for several more days until they arrived outside Long’an Prefecture.

However, they didn’t linger, as Long’an Prefecture nowadays was quite chaotic... Many wealthy households were moving out, and many soldiers fetching family members were stopping, with various officials from the Capital, generals, and noble families present in the Prefecture city.

Not wanting to stir trouble, Qin San Lang didn’t stop during their pass by Long’an Prefecture and directly hurried onward.

After traveling for about ten more days, they finally arrived at Gaoshui County.

Gu Jinli had little recollection of Gaoshui County, yet upon stepping onto its land, she was quite pleased.

Approaching the county, she lifted the curtain of the carriage and gazed into the distance towards Gaoshui County City, remarking: "It’s quite okay, better than some counties we’ve passed by."

Qin San Lang rode alongside her carriage and replied: "Gaoshui County has the Gaoshui River, making its farmland more fertile than other counties, naturally making the county better than other places."

However, considering the previous war, Gaoshui County had also been plundered once, with its city walls quite tattered — especially indicative of how ruined other counties were compared to Gaoshui County.