Chapter 228: Cannot Delay Affairs

Villagers couldn't know the military's movements; they could only guess what their men were doing lately by observing the wind and grass near the camp.

Even if these ideas were unverifiable, doing so at least made them feel a little closer to their relatives.

The woman who came to report said, "I saw more guards outside the camp, ten or so extra archers on the watchtower, and people in the camp bustling about moving things."

"You say, could it be that the Northern Separation people are coming to attack again?"

The military families looked at each other, and the atmosphere suddenly grew tense.

Aunt Lin frowned, thought for a moment, then said calmly, "It won't happen."

"Don't panic, everyone; my husband said the Northern Separation people are badly weakened, so they wouldn't dare fight the Great Undertaking for at least a few years—otherwise they wouldn't have sent a peace letter and actively paid tribute."

These words did reassure everyone, yet no one showed a happy expression; instead, they felt even more gloomy.

Gu Xixi glanced around and already understood the reason.

But at this moment she shouldn't speak first, so she simply stood quietly in place.

He Jinglan merely glanced at Gu Xixi out of the corner of her eye, and her mind was as clear as a mirror.

The Northwest Army headquarters suddenly raised its alertness; now there is only one possibility.

It seems the Huo River side is about to formally engage with the Imperial Court.

For a moment no one spoke in the courtyard; only the occasional crackle of firewood could be heard.

Even Zao Hua lowered her head, her expression dim.

Suddenly, the boy wrapped in a blue cloth bundle burst into tears.

The summer swaddle was thin; he stretched out a pale, lotus-root-like arm and waved it, striking the longevity lock at his chest, making the silver bell chime.

As if waking from a great dream, all the adults were startled awake by the commotion.

Someone cheered up and laughed, "Look, it's just moving troops and supplies—it's a happy day; we're gathered here to rejoice for Zao Hua and her two kids, so don't overthink it, don't scare yourself!"

Aunt Lin also laughed, "Listen to the baby's cry—so vigorous! When he grows up he'll be just like his father, sturdy and brave."

Others also turned from worry to joy, and several women gathered around Zao Hua to play with the children.

"The baby's not crying, he's not crying now—did we just scare our baby?"

The boy was cooperative; after a little coaxing from everyone he stopped crying.

Looking at the girl wrapped in a red-floral cloth bundle, she wasn't woken by her brother and was still sleeping sweetly.

As everyone gathered to look, she didn't know what she had dreamed, and a faint dimple appeared on her cheek.

Zao Hua gazed at her two children, maternal tenderness in her eyes, "Good children, wait a little longer; once Father finishes his outside business, he'll come back to hold you."

Several women had reddened eye rims, yet none shed a tear.

Instead, they smiled even more brightly, "Exactly! The children's father will surely keep his word!"

"Back where I'm from, having dragon-and-phoenix twins is a good omen; these two will surely bless their father and bless our Northwest Army!"

……

The atmosphere heated up again.

Aunt Lin raised her voice, "We've been through so much together—what haven't we seen? Isn't it just another war?"

"We women and children are still as before—we eat when we should, drink when we should, and live our lives as we ought to!"

The sounds of chopping boards, sizzling stir-fry, and chatter continued to fill the whole courtyard.

Gu Xixi and He Jinglan exchanged a glance, both feeling somewhat moved.

He Jinglan said, "I'd only heard that before a big battle the army would mobilize and boost morale, but I didn't expect the same among the military families."

Gu Xixi remained silent for a moment, then said, "Aunt Lin is right—rather than worry about unseen things, we should first take care of what's before us."

She walked over to Aunt Lin and asked quietly, "After the meal, I'd like to go see the oats everyone planted; I wonder if that would be a bit of a downer?"

Aunt Lin first said, "It won't be a downer; after the meal breaks up, everyone just tidies up together and goes home, nothing else."

After she said that, she asked concernedly, "You only arrived late last night, got up early to keep us company, and later you'll have to go work in the fields—aren't you tired?"

"It's fine," Gu Xixi shook her head, "I came here precisely for these matters; the sooner I do them, the more at ease I'll be."

Aunt Lin nodded while thinking, "Alright, I'll let them know later."

She paused, then told Gu Xixi about some recent developments.

"Since you left until now, the soldiers have been rotating to tend those military fields; I've watched them closely and they're just as careful as the way you taught us."

"As for the alfalfa, it's been harvested five or six times already, basically loaded and shipped out the same day."

Previously, Gu Xixi hadn't asked Aunt Lin to pay attention to these matters.

But Aunt Lin herself, while recently walking outside the village, had seen it and felt it necessary to mention it to Gu Xixi.

After all, Gu Xixi is helping the Northwest Army reclaim land, and this isn't considered a secret in the border region.

Whether the people actually in charge of farming are being obedient on the surface but defiant underneath, Gu Xixi should at least have a clear idea beforehand.

Gu Xixi naturally accepted Aunt Lin's goodwill, smiling and saying, "Everything can proceed as we previously agreed; hearing this puts me more at ease."

The banquet began.

Gu Xixi and He Jinglan were surrounded by everyone and firmly seated at the place of honor at the main table.

On the table were six cold dishes, six hot dishes, a basin of meatball soup, and enough pan-fried flatbread.

Since it's a happy occasion and the men aren't here, the women also want to have a drink.

Two kinds of liquor were prepared: the local common sorghum liquor, strong and potent.

And there was the village-brewed rice mash, white like goat's milk, with a cloudy, opaque body.

Having heard Gu Xixi say her alcohol tolerance is low, they feared drinking would cause trouble.

Zao Hua immediately swapped Gu Xixi's sorghum liquor for the rice mash.

"This won't get you drunk, Boss Gu, feel free to drink."

Gu Xixi took a sip and involuntarily exclaimed, "Delicious!"

The fermented rice wine had been chilled in advance in the river water; it went down cool and refreshing, with no trace of alcohol's sharpness or bitterness.

Only a sweet-and-sour taste filled the mouth, like a small beverage with a faint wine aroma.

He Jinglan tried it and was amazed, exclaiming, "It's really delicious—smooth, cool, and refreshing, quite special."

The weather was hot, Gu Xixi was already a bit thirsty, and people kept coming up to toast her, so she drank two more bowls.

"Wishing Sister Zao Hua health and safety!"

"Wishing the two little ones to grow up strong and healthy!"

"Wishing brother-in-law! May you return victorious soon, so as not to worry Sister Zao Hua."

Facing everyone's strange gazes.

He Jinglan wiped her mouth, calmly looked around, indicating not to worry, it was just a small scene.

"Gu Xixi, you're tired, right? Let's go home and take a nap."

He Jinglan tried several times with force, but couldn't help Gu Xixi up from the stool.

Suddenly, Gu Xixi stood up on her own, her posture straight as a pine sapling.

"Have you all finished eating? If so, follow me out of the village to work!"

After about the time of a meal, at the entrance of Dependents Village.

Gu Xixi walked unsteadily but quickly.

A group of people closely followed her, saying, "Slow down! Don't fall!"