Chapter 141

Qian Dasi and Qin Dasao exchanged a glance, half-believing, half-doubting the old bachelor's words.

Qian Dasi pushed through the crowd, saw Gu Xixi walking this way, and quickly waved, "Gu Xixi, over here!"

"Come quickly and help the Qin family check—see if the fruit trees and medicinal seedlings are all right."

Qin Dasao hurriedly pointed out the spot the old bachelor had damaged.

Gu Xixi walked into the orchard, examined the ground and the trees carefully, and said, "It's fine, nothing serious."

Qin Dasao breathed a sigh of relief, turned, and pointed at the old bachelor, scolding, "If there's a next time, I'll pull out all your wheat seedlings and throw them to feed the sheep and pigs!"

The old bachelor sucked in a breath and muttered under his breath, "That's harsh—truly the most venomous woman's heart!"

Qin Dasao glared at him, "Who are you calling vicious? If you weren't asking for trouble, I wouldn't bother with you!"

The old bachelor avoids work (he's just lazy and fond of eating); last year he struggled for several days before finally getting the winter wheat sown.

This year's food supply still hinges entirely on that!

So he didn't dare cross Qin Dasao again, saying, "Fine, I won't stoop to squabbling with a woman like you—I can't afford to offend you, nor can I hide from you. From now on, when I pass your orchard, I'll go around. Is that okay?"

Only then did Qin Dasao keep a cold face and say nothing more.

Seeing the matter settled, Qian Dasi stepped in to smooth things over, "All right, all right—everyone's busy lately, let's disperse."

After the onlookers had all dispersed, Qian Dasi beckoned Gu Xixi and Qin Dasao to come closer and speak.

"Although we can truly say our fruit trees have taken root."

"But as far as I know, those harboring ill intentions aren't done yet."

Qin Dasao hurriedly asked, "What's going on? Did you hear some rumor?"

Qian Dasi then explained in detail.

Over the years Lao Qian has served as village chief, he has still managed to accumulate some goodwill in the village.

Thus someone leaked the news to him.

Since the Pinpo fruit trees were planted in Huachi Du Cun, those who had been waiting to watch the fun have now split into three groups.

The first group regrets bitterly not having spared a mu or two to try it out—after all, the saplings were free.

After Gu Xixi refused them, those regretful people split again into two factions.

One faction gave up, thinking to wait a year and join next year if they wished, their attitude now calm.

Another faction grew jealous, hoping the fruit-tree planting would fail, preferably with some major disaster, utterly ruined.

The third group still wholeheartedly waits for Gu Xixi to slip up, their aim still the secret of growing grain.

At their forefront are the two old fogies of the Gu clan.

Qian Dasi's expression grew grave: "So these people might well do something—just like what the old bachelor did earlier; who knows whether he meant it or was egged on to cause harm deliberately?"

Qin Dasao agreed wholeheartedly: "Someone like that old bachelor, idle all day, will do anything for a little favor—you can order him around like a dog."

Qian Dasi looked at Gu Xixi and said, "Gu Xixi, Uncle Qian asked me to tell you this, and I'll inform a few other households later."

"We must be careful, after all, one can never be too wary of others."

Gu Xixi nodded, "Uncle Qian and Aunt Qian, your concerns are spot on; this time I was negligent."

"For now it's fine—we're all from the same village; after today, anyone thinking of mischief will have to think twice."

"But if the fruit trees spread and the intercropping in the woods yields a harvest, it will surely draw more envy; we need to prepare early."

She lowered her head in thought for a moment, then flashed a sly smile: "I'm not afraid of thieves stealing; I'm afraid of them having designs. I happen to have a plan."

Gu Xixi then whispered a few sentences along those lines.

Both women's eyes lit up.

Qin Dasao covered her mouth, trying not to laugh, "That's a good plan—let's do it!"

Before parting, the three of them, Gu Xixi said, "The first hurdle for the orchard is cleared; there shouldn't be any trouble soon. I'm preparing to make a trip, returning in at most three to five days."

Qian Dasi and Qin Dasao both said, "Go ahead, we'll even keep an eye on your plot for you," and so on.

After thanking them, Gu Xixi bade them farewell and went home alone.

Upon hearing that Gu Xixi would be away for three to five days, Zhang Shen jumped to her feet, anxious: "You said you got the seedlings and wouldn't be going to Yunling for a while—did something happen?"

Gu Xixi laughed, "Nothing's wrong, and I'm not going to Yunling County either."

"I'm heading to the vicinity of the interior pass; you forgot—I still have those Pinpo fruit trees planted there."

"No matter what, with spring here I have to go see them in person."

Zhang Shen said affectionately, "You, you just worry too much."

"You said someone there lent you land and helped you plant the trees—why not leave it to them with peace of mind?"

Gu Xixi smiled faintly, "That simply won't do."

"One's own affairs must be kept firmly in hand at all times; only then can one rest easy."

Zhang Shen stopped urging her and began packing the things Gu Xixi would need for her trip.

As she packed, she glanced out the window, "It's already dark—has Little Chen not come back again?"

"Two days straight with no sign of him, and this is the third day—Xixi, I think you ought to keep an eye on him appropriately."

Yesterday the village school was on break; today Mu Nan Zhao didn't go either.

This has never happened before.

However, he had anticipated that this trip would delay his return, so before the break he left assignments for the children, saying he had business away, and would be back to teach in as little as five days or as long as seven or eight.

So Gu Xixi comforted Zhang Shen with this: "Even when he was busiest before, he still taught every day; now he's not even going to the village school, which shows something really is up."

"We'd better not interfere."

Zhang Shen thought about it and agreed, nodding: "That Little Chen isn't the sort to act out of ignorance."

The next morning, as Gu Xixi set off in her mule cart, she still didn't see Mu Nan Zhao.

In the northwest interior pass, Meng Chengping was still waiting near the village to greet Gu Xixi.

But this time they didn't enter the village first, instead taking a detour to the Northwest Army's camp.

Gu Xixi asked, "Isn't it said that women cannot enter the military camp?"

Meng Chengping laughed, "You're no ordinary woman; you are now Boss Gu, cooperating with the Grand General."

Gu Xixi smiled and asked again, "Are there any taboos, or anything we should pay attention to?"

Meng Chengping clasped his hands, "The Grand General has issued orders to the entire army: Boss Gu may enter freely, without hindrance or taboo."

Gu Xixi said, "Then you really trust me."

Meng Chengping looked ahead, swaying his head with the horses' gait, "We're all tied to the same rope, so no need to stand on ceremony."

Gu Xixi helplessly laughed and shook her head.

On the way, Meng Chengping mentioned He Jinglan, "We're in a hurry this time, so I didn't tell her you were coming, lest she insist on following."

"After seeing the Grand General, I must send you back overnight."

Gu Xixi startled, "Why so urgent? What happened?"

Meng Chengping hesitated a moment, then said, "Perhaps a battle is imminent; you only need to know this."

Gu Xixi lowered her head and remained silent.

After a while, she asked, "Then do you know why the Grand General wants to see me at this time?"