Chapter 147: The Daughter of a Noble Family

Mu Nan Zhao looked at Huo Jiang and said seriously, "Everything Gu Xixi does, including helping you with these, is both her own ability and her own choice."

Huo Jiang restrained his smile, "It's rare that you say something I like to hear."

"Rest assured, I sincerely admire Boss Gu; I have never looked down on her just because she is a woman. As for you……"

He stared at Mu Nan Zhao, his expression solemn, "I always thought that after your near-death experience this time, your nasty temperament would have changed."

"But now, I admit I was wrong—not just me; if those old acquaintances in the capital knew you now hold someone dear, they would sincerely respect and value you, possibly thinking you've gone mad, or that they have."

Mu Nan Zhao gave a light, amused snort.

"Was I really that arrogant in the past?"

Huo Jiang shook his head with feeling, "Otherwise, besides your childhood friend, that little He official, who else could be called your friend but the perceptive, broad-minded commanding general himself?"

Mu Nan Zhao smiled, "At least when we first met, were you truly broad-minded, or were you calculating how I could be useful—letting me be the one to stick my neck out and clear out those grain‑hoarding worms for you?"

Huo Jiang cleared his throat and changed the subject, "If the plan goes smoothly, there'll be no need for a scorched‑earth policy, so I wouldn't have to compensate Boss Gu for her pomegranate trees, right?"

Mu Nan Zhao gave him a sideways glance, "Don't take advantage and act innocent, you great general—surely you wouldn't scheme to make a woman work for free, would you? That would be shameless."

The two exchanged a false smile; both were foxes who had cultivated for a thousand years—how could one be worse than the other?

Dependents Village, still the same little courtyard where they had lived before.

As soon as they entered the courtyard, they heard the clattering of boxes and baskets being thrown around inside the house.

Gu Xixi looked at Meng Chengping inquiringly.

Meng Chengping gave a wry smile and said softly, "Jing Lan is currently packing her things; she…… just isn't willing."

Gu Xixi nodded in understanding, "Is this the commanding general's order?"

Although the war has not yet broken out, the covert rivalry between the two sides has actually begun long ago.

No one can guarantee safety near the border.

He Jinglan, after all, is a lady of a noble family; Huo Jiang naturally refuses to take responsibility for this matter.

The crashing sounds inside the house grew louder.

Feeling bitter inside, Meng Chengping snatched Gu Xixi's reins, "I'll help you park the carriage and settle Lai Fu; you go inside and see her."

Gu Xixi saw through Meng Chengping's thoughts and laughed, "How did you become so afraid?"

"Could it be that you delivered the general's order to evict her, offended her, and lately you haven't even seen her face?"

Meng Chengping could no longer conceal it, so he gave a wry smile and admitted, "It's not that I don't want to see her—I desperately want to, but……"

He whispered timidly, "Military orders are as immovable as a mountain; I cannot keep her here, and I fear that if she sees me she will anger herself into harming her own body."

Meng Chengping again bowed repeatedly to Gu Xixi, pleading, "Please, Boss Gu, do me a favor—go in and help me put out this fire."

Gu Xixi readily agreed, "Fine, I'll go in and have a look."

"But I'm not doing this to persuade her for you."

Meng Chengping nodded eagerly, "Sure, sure, sure—as long as she can return to the capital safely, anything goes."

Gu Xixi had just pushed the door when a soft pillow flew straight at her, hitting the doorframe.

He Jinglan shouted, "Surname Meng! You've betrayed and abandoned me! You left me here alone, isn't it just because you're afraid I'll tell you I don't want to go back to the capital, and you can't agree to that?"

"You won't even dare to see my face like this—who said they'd keep me company? Turtle! Liar! Idiot!"

Upon hearing a woman's laughter, He Jinglan poked her head out from the inner room.

"Xixi!"

He Jinglan dropped the other "weapon" in her hand and joyfully ran toward Gu Xixi.

"How did you come all of a sudden? I was just about to send you a letter in advance, suggesting you stay a few days at my place on the way back!"

Gu Xixi smiled, "Miss He, since you've graced my humble home, there's no need for prior notice—come and go as you please, treat it as your own."

He Jinglan's mood had already improved; she linked arms with Gu Xixi, walked over to sit down, and began to voice her complaints:

"You say it's not aggravating, but no letter has come from home urging me back, yet General Huo actually wants to drive me away!"

Gu Xixi gave her a meaningful look, "Are you just not done playing, or are you reluctant to leave someone behind?"

He Jinglan's pretty face flushed slightly, "I've grown tired of playing, which is why I don't regret leaving this dump."

"It's just that this is the first time in my life I've been issued an eviction order; if I obediently listened, how embarrassing would that be!"

Gu Xixi pursed her lips, "What's the reason? How did General Meng explain it to you?"

He Jinglan said, "He said that every year when the weather warms and the ice thaws, the Beili people become restless; if fighting breaks out, it won't be safe."

Gu Xixi thought, "That reason is both reasonable and not deceitful."

"It's just that he framed the already‑certain war as a mere possibility."

Gu Xixi said, "Since you know it's for your safety, why won't you comply?"

"Miss He's pride…… is probably just the most trivial reason among them."

He Jinglan lowered her head, twisting her handkerchief, and finally stopped being coy altogether.

"And him? He surely came trailing after you, but didn't dare to step through my door, right?"

Gu Xixi chuckled, "You two really understand each other."

"He only said you don't want to return to the capital, fearing you'd anger yourself into illness, and asked me to persuade you."

He Jinglan gave a light snort, "Self‑important!"

Gu Xixi quite agreed, "Indeed, these men sometimes are just self‑important."

He Jinglan let out a long sigh, saying, "No need for me to spell it out; you must have already seen that I and that Meng fellow, that turtle‑like blockhead……"

She paused, then continued, "This time I came out without managing to bring back the engagement with Mu Nan Zhao; the elders at home will likely soon arrange another marriage for me."

Gu Xixi frowned, "Isn't your brother about to become the family head? Can't he decide your marriage?"

A hint of bitterness appeared at the corner of He Jinglan's mouth.

"My brother dotes on me; he could go against the crowd for my sake and let me have my way, but Xixi……"

She lifted her gaze to Gu Xixi, "But I cannot be this selfish."

"At this point, even my older brother's marriage cannot be left entirely to his own wishes."

Gu Xixi fell silent.

She naturally knew that those of high birth, while enjoying the wealth and honor that come with it, must inevitably bear what is beyond their control.

He Jinglan's expression was calm; the willful young lady's temper that outsiders see is merely a façade.

"You know that, nowadays Mu Nan Zhao, General Huo, and even my older brother are doing things that could rightly be described as turning heaven and earth upside down."

"I am not as capable as you; I have no other skills and can be of little help."

"All I can do is not add to my older brother's worries."

Gu Xixi felt a heavy heart, "So you don't want to go back—just delay it as long as you can."

"You haven't told General Meng these things…?"

Meng Chengping had just finished feeding the mules and horses, walked laughing to the eaves, and was about to knock on the door.