Chapter 683: then translation of chapter title

This...

Chen Wuji's question left Lu Wanwan somewhat embarrassed; after thinking for a long time, she said, "Life isn't great, but it's not terrible either—at least we have food, we can barely fill our stomachs, and we're getting by."

"Do the Qiang people often come?" Chen Wuji asked gently, gradually steering the conversation toward their relationship with the Qiang.

Although Lu Jia Village lies near Qiang territory, it has never suffered Qiang raids—a rare and indeed unusual situation.

The relationship between Great Yu and the Qiang people has always been tense; within twenty to thirty miles of the border, it's hard to find another village like Lu Jia Village. The nearest ones are usually within about ten miles of the border and mostly gather deep in the mountains, lacking a conspicuous town like Lu Jia Village.

"Indeed, they come often." Lu Wanwan said, "The Qiang people frequently bring their mutton, beef, and hides to trade for our herbs and grain."

"It's trade, not plunder?" Chen Wuji asked, feigning surprise.

"Trade—ever since I can remember, it's always been like this," Lu Wanwan said.

"Those Qiang people are aggravating; they always like to take advantage. They usually come at mealtime, shouting my father's name from two or three li away, then rush in, sit at the table, and wait for the meal to start."

"Just eating a meal isn't enough; when they see the dishes my mother prepares, they always praise this one as delicious, that one as delicious, then ask, 'Beautiful sister-in-law, could you pack some of what you made for me? I want my children to taste it—they've never been to Great Yu.'"

"Then my mother would pack some for him, and afterward I'd go days without any snacks—utterly hateful."

"This sounds like a very harmonious ethnic tableau; although there are dislikes and quarrels, they get along extremely well. Yet given the tense relationship between Great Yu and the Qiang, such harmony feels out of place."

Chen Wuji said in astonishment, "This sounds extremely rare; I've nearly traversed half of Nan Commandery, and I've never heard of anything like this before."

"The Qiang people have always been brutally ruthless toward Great Yu's subjects; when they raid with knives, they never sit down for peaceful trade. They seize men to use as livestock, take women to bear their children—or sell them to others—and then kill the children."

Lu Wanwan gaped, "Husband, is… is it really like that?"

"A village like Lu Jia Village—I've never heard of such a thing; Qiang people like that don't even seem like Qiang." Chen Wuji said deliberately, "In Nan Commandery, Lu Jia Village would certainly be considered a very special exception."

Lu Wanwan blinked in confusion, "Why is that?"

"I'd like to know too," Chen Wuji said.

After saying that, Chen Wuji didn't add further commentary but waited quietly for Lu Wanwan to give an explanation.

Although he had accepted this woman, he still harbored some doubts about Lu Wanwan's identity.

What if Lu Wanwan is an insider, or even someone of relatively high status in Lu Jia Village?

No one can say for sure about such matters.

Like that old Snake Staff wielder, he is very skilled at using beauty schemes.

What if Qin Zhanhongyi accidentally fell into that old rascal's pit?

These are all quite possible; before Lu Wanwan's identity is fully confirmed, any suspicion is reasonable.

"So that means our Lu Jia Village is off…" Lu Wanwan quickly realized the crux of the issue, "But our village really isn't different from ordinary villages—we're just regular villagers who read a bit and practice martial arts in our spare time; could there be something I don't know about?"

"Could our village be related to the Qiang? I've never heard of such a thing… no, no, but aside from that, what else could it be?"

Lu Wanwan pondered, her lower lip slightly pouting, her delicate fingers fluttering her rosy lips like a pick, producing soft popping sounds.

Watching her movements, Chen Wuji felt a strange sensation stirring in his chest and abdomen.

He seemed to have entertained a thought he shouldn't have.

Although her lustrous lips certainly…

But how could he possibly think about such things out of the blue at this moment?

Damn, I've fallen.

"Husband, I suddenly thought of something that might be related," Lu Wanwan said, raising her head. "I think it was the year before last when a Qiang merchant caravan came to our village; among them seemed to be a Qiang of relatively high status who took a liking to several village girls, and I was one of them."

"They tried to take us by force, which led to a clash with the villagers; that somewhat prominent Qiang was accidentally beaten to death by my third uncle. That night I overheard my third uncle telling my father something like, 'If we can't avoid it, we might as well kill them all—it's just a small settlement, nobody would care.'"

"Husband, could it be that our Lu Jia Village avoids Qiang raids because we're too strong? Anyway, after that Qiang was killed, the village was tense for a few days, but nothing happened."

"No, it's not that nothing happened. Not long after, another group of Qiang came and had a lengthy talk with my great-grandfather—our family patriarch—and they left a horse behind."

Chen Wuji's expression froze slightly.

Could that be possible?

"If that's what you mean, is your Lu Jia Village actually a reclusive village of experts? The Qiang people refrain from raiding you because they fear you?"

Lu Wanwan felt a bit embarrassed, "Although this sounds rather far-fetched, I can't say for sure, and besides, I really can't think of anything else."

"Besides, my few uncles are indeed quite good at fighting—I can't beat them. Last year I secretly killed one of my third uncle's chickens; he chased me for dozens of li, caught me, and made my father compensate him with silver."

Chen Wuji's mouth twitched slightly.

"Think about it some more," he said gently. "If Lu Jia Village is really as you describe, I must go in person to meet my parents-in-law; now is the time to employ talent, and such people cannot be left to wander outside."

"Husband, don't take it seriously yet; I'll think again," Lu Wanwan said quickly. "Although I hope it's true, I have no eyewitness evidence, so I need to think it over carefully."

Chen Wuji said, "We've talked a lot; let me arrange a place for you to rest. You've come far, so wash up, have something to eat, and get proper rest."

"Mm-hmm," Lu Wanwan nodded obediently.

Chen Wuji entrusted the matter to a maid, instructing her to take Lu Wanwan to make the arrangements.

The maid was one of three people arranged by Chen Li after Chen Wuji moved in; they handle making his bed, sweeping the courtyard, and preparing simple meals each day.

They proved through long years of military campaign that some things are indeed not suitable for these rough old fellows to do.