Chapter 123

Gu Xixi took the paper scroll, unfolded it and scanned.

He Jinglan leaned in to look together, reading out the key lines: "The agreement states that before spring planting, these plots of land are for Gu Xixi's use."

"The remuneration listed below……will be paid in two installments, summer and autumn harvests, proportionally."

She admiringly patted Gu Xixi's shoulder, "Xixi, you never work for nothing—actually managed to get benefits from the General! Sis, I willingly bow down!"

Gu Xixi smiled, squinting, "You talk as if the General were stingy."

He Jinglan pursed her lips; to preserve the He family's dignity, she refrained from saying anything that would harm the General's prestige.

However, everyone in the know, including Meng Chengping, understood.

Isn't the General not stingy?

Who let the Northwest Army have meager provisions? Just having enough to eat for the troops is already good.

Gu Xixi satisfiedly put away the scroll, solemnly telling Meng Chengping, "Please tell the General I will not fail the trust; once the granary is arranged, by this summer at the latest, the General's private funds need no longer be diverted to military expenses."

"In another year or so, the Northwest Army will no longer have to look to others' faces for food."

Meng Chengping happily said, "I'll definitely deliver the message!"

Running around begging grandparents for my stutter, I've had enough!

He Jinglan smirked, "Always 'old man, old man'—so vulgar at such a young age."

Meng Chengping wasn't angry; his smile held a hint of tension as he asked, "Mu Nan Zhao is leaving—what about you? Are you going with them? I can arrange an escort."

"Your brother specially sent a letter to the General, ordering us to protect He Jinglan's safety at all costs."

He Jinglan muttered displeased, "My brother controls everything; even now that I'm out, I can't escape."

She gave Meng Chengping a white-eye, saying, "They're both returning home as a couple; what would I gain by going with them?"

"Besides, I rarely get to tour the Northwest; I haven't had enough fun yet!"

Meng Chengping's face lit up instantly, his smile like the sun breaking through clouds.

"If you haven't had enough fun, stay longer—I'm not too busy these days; I can take you horseback riding."

"After spring opens, the Northwest wilderness has wildflowers of many colors, very pretty, plus wild hares and pikas—none of which you can see in the capital!"

He Jinglan's eyes lit up upon hearing, "Great, then I'll stay a bit longer."

She then took Gu Xixi's hand affectionately, "Around springtime, you'll likely come often; we can meet and play together."

Gu Xixi worried for He Jinglan, "You staying alone in the Northwest for so long—will your family agree?"

He Jinglan laughed, "Don't worry, it's fine."

"First, thanks to someone's scheming, barring any mishap, my brother will become head of the He family in a few days."

"Not just my father, but the whole He family will have to obey him."

She glanced at Mu Nan Zhao, then said with deep meaning:

"Second, out of consideration for that person, since the He family has staked its entire fortune on this venture, my staying here puts the uncles and aunts at ease—they're reluctant to take me back."

Meng Chengping listened, utterly confused, blinking his big eyes at one then the other.

Gu Xixi half-heard, half-guessed, and grasped the gist.

The "certain person" He Jinglan spoke of is undoubtedly Mu Nan Zhao.

In the story, Mu Nan Zhao will later support the new emperor's ascension, quell chaos and restore order, becoming the first non-surname Regent Prince of the Great Enterprise.

Given the current situation, the He family under He Jinghui's control has also chosen the new emperor.

Moreover, among these, the alliance formed through marital and blood ties is the simplest and most trustworthy.

So……

Gu Xixi's gaze swept over He Jinglan and then Mu Nan Zhao.

Mu Nan Zhao suddenly said coolly, "Rest assured, I've already told your brother we won't be marrying."

He Jinglan made a face at him, "Don't worry either—I wrote my brother a few days ago telling him I don't want to marry you!"

He Jinglan stood proudly with hands on hips.

At this moment she seemed to radiate a brilliant aura.

It's clear now! She doesn't want Mu Nan Zhao, not that he refuses to marry her!

Mu Nan Zhao, for the first time, showed a warm smile, "Then let's meet again when spring warms."

He Jinglan waved at the departing mule cart, "Oh! Just take care of yourself—don't die!"

"Xixi! Come next time quickly—I get bored facing that wooden-headed Meng all the time!"

The silly smile on Meng Chengping's face from just now hasn't stopped.

He understood: He Jinglan doesn't want to marry Mu Nan Zhao!

Until Gu Xixi's mule cart disappeared from sight, Meng Chengping grinned and asked, "You weren't almost engaged to Mu Brother, and you came here for him—why the sudden change?"

He Jinglan kept her gaze fixed, murmuring, "Because, as the esteemed He Jinglan, how could I want a man whose heart belongs to another?"

From childhood, she had thought Mu Nan Zhao's lack of flirtation with any woman was just his innate cold nature.

Until she saw Mu Nan Zhao's demeanor before Gu Xixi……

Meng Chengping imitated He Jinglan's posture, gazing together toward the direction Gu Xixi and her party left.

"You mean… Mu Brother and Boss Gu have something going on?"

He frowned in confusion, "How come I didn't notice?"

"Blockhead!" He Jinglan shot him a fierce glance, then turned and left.

Huachi Du Cun.

Gu Xixi and Mu Nan Zhao arrived home just as night fell.

Lao Langzhong set down his half-eaten dinner, clasped the glow-bone flower without a word, and turned to leave.

Zhang Shen entered holding two freshly served bowls of porridge, looked back puzzled, "This old thing—what's he up to, not eating his meal?"

Gu Xixi laughed and said, "I picked a strange new herb."

"You know Master's temperament; he just likes to fuss with these things—let him be. I'll bring him some late-night snack later."

Zhang Shen nodded, while placing the porridge bowl on the kang table, she sized up Mu Nan Zhao.

"Little Chen, why is there no color on your face? You seem to have lost a bit of weight."

"No way! You have to eat more!"

Speaking, she split a hot steamed bun, stuffed it full of braised meat, and shoved it into Mu Nan Zhao's hands.

Mu Nan Zhao laughed, "Thank you, Auntie. She didn't give me anything to eat on the road; I'm starving, so I was craving your cooking."

Zhang Shen nearly dropped her jaw, she poked Xixi beside her and said, "Little Chen is really joking with me?"

Gu Xixi couldn't help but let out a light laugh.

Mu Nan Zhao usually didn't smile much at home; saying so many compliments to Aunt Zhang was nothing short of a miracle.

Gu Xixi said, "Yeah, he's just joking with you; I clearly gave him dry rations on the road."

"Don't listen to him making it sound like I'm abusing him."

Zhang Shen was delighted, saying, "Just gave him dry rations, and yet he says it's not abuse?"

"No wonder our fine son-in-law has lost weight again; tomorrow Auntie will make you something tasty to fatten up."

Gu Xixi picked up her chopsticks and said without a trace, "What son-in-law? We're not there yet."

Zhang Shen, however, took this as the young lady's shyness.

Seeing Mu Nan Zhao not objecting, her smile deepened.

"Good, good, for now don't call me that; wait until later when it's proper to do so."