Chapter 231: with translation of chapter title

Hearing Gu Xixi wanted to buy a carriage, He Jinglan happily said, "Buying a carriage is great; I'll help you pick one when the time comes."

The two walked forward a little longer, and the smile on He Jinglan's face suddenly vanished.

She turned her head to look at Gu Xixi, "You're in a hurry to buy a carriage; could it be that you want to run away faster?"

"Or what?" Gu Xixi calmly retorted.

"I'm just a farmer; if I'm only purchasing and transporting grain, shuttling between village and county town, why spend this money on appearances?"

"Keeping an extra horse at home also adds considerably to daily expenses."

At this moment He Jinglan thought of another crucial point.

These past two days have been so busy that as soon as she returns to the cottage and her head hits the pillow she falls asleep, so she hasn't given it much thought and almost overlooked the most frightening danger at hand.

Gu Xixi saw He Jinglan's complexion not looking good and asked, "What's wrong, did I scare you?"

"Actually I'm quite optimistic about the Grand General and the Northwest Army, but I'm making preparations for the worst-case scenario, just in case."

"You don't necessarily have to really flee with me."

"It's not that," He Jinglan said in a low voice.

The village entrance is just ahead; He Jinglan stopped, her expression solemn, and said, "Mu Nan Zhao is still alive, which surely unsettles many people, especially those who feel threatened by his existence."

"The Empress Dowager's faction, Mu Nan Zhao's former political rivals, those who personally harmed him, and the bandwagoners who kicked him when he was down."

"Their power and interests are intricately intertwined."

"In the coming period, many people will want—or have already begun—to get rid of him."

On summer evenings when it gets dark and the light is dim, Gu Xixi's calm demeanor sends a chill down one's spine.

"Since Mu Nan Zhao dares to step forward, he must have confidence in his own safety."

"And being in the Northwest Army, the Grand General will protect him thoroughly; it's impossible for him to come to harm."

"For their henchmen to infiltrate the Northwest alive is already difficult; wanting to kill Mu Nan Zhao is nearly impossible."

"So,"

"So..."

The two almost spoke in unison, then looked at each other.

He Jinglan said, "So, if I were the enemy, I would direct my target toward those associated with him."

"If a direct attack won't work, why not adopt a roundabout approach?"

"In warfare between armies, taking a few hostages is a standard tactic."

Gu Xixi said in a cool tone, "For example, me, his cheaply bought fiancée, and you, the daughter of an old family friend, his childhood sweetheart."

He Jinglan grinned, "Not only that; my brother has also been restless lately and has long been a thorn in many people's sides."

The two stared at each other, devoid of any pessimistic fear of a dying struggle, not even a hint of panic.

Gu Xixi stepped forward, "So let's head home early; while others are still making arrangements, I need to quickly finish all the necessary preparations."

He Jinglan's tone was also indifferent, "Given the distance from the capital to the Northwest, plus the Grand General guarding the Northwest gate, the entire region is now tightly secured."

"Whether they send people or messages, at least... we'll be safe for the next two or three days."

Gu Xixi remained silent for a while, gritting her teeth repeatedly, having already cursed Mu Nan Zhao countless times in her heart.

Admittedly, from Mu Nan Zhao's own perspective, he has his own plans for achieving great things and hasn't done anything wrong.

But as always, when immortals fight, mortals suffer.

If one day Gu Xixi is pushed onto the battlefield as a hostage, isn't she innocent? Who has she provoked?!

Gu Xixi is precisely the sort who refuses to resign herself to fate.

From her point of view, ever since she was forced to buy Mu Nan Zhao for a single coin, she has suffered nothing but undeserved disaster.

Clearly she has constantly tried to distance herself from Mu Nan Zhao, not marrying him as in the original story, not even getting engaged.

Yet because Mu Nan Zhao lived in her home for a year, to outsiders who know nothing of the truth it looks like an "intimate relationship" that even jumping into the Yellow River couldn't wash away!

He Jinglan counted on her fingers for a moment, then said, "In the village, counting Master Liu's people and my few guards,"

"our fate doesn't necessarily have to be mere surrender."

She patted Gu Xixi's back reassuringly, "Xixi, let's be more optimistic!"

As they talked, they had already walked outside the cottage.

Gu Xixi glanced sideways at He Jinglan, "When did I say I wanted to surrender?"

Since transmigrating into the book, her overall fate seems unable to escape the framework where her life and death are affected by Mu Nan Zhao.

Before, she feared a fate worse than death, an ignominious end.

But now her mindset has quietly changed; she's finally finding some flavor in life here, and many planned endeavors await completion.

At this moment, even if someone brandished a knife and promised her a quick death, she'd run faster than a rabbit!

Gu Xixi took He Jinglan's hand and walked into the courtyard.

"From today on, you will go in and out with me, eat with me, and sleep with me."

"The big shots stir up the winds and clouds of the world; to them my insignificant life naturally counts for nothing."

"But I insist on fighting them to the end."

"As long as I don't die, I must protect myself and you as well."

"What nonsense hostages! One moment you have bandits' knives at your throat, life hanging by a thread; the next you wait for your so-called allies to weigh their options—whether to pay a price for our survival or just let us die and call it a day."

Gu Xixi sneered, "Rather than that, I'd rather have my life in my own hands."

He Jinglan grasped Gu Xixi's hand, moved, her eyes brimming with tears.

"Xixi, you truly are my good sister; I'm willing to live and die with you!"

Gu Xixi frowned, "What death, death? Quick, pah pah pah!"

"We still want to be rich and noble, live to a hundred years old!"

The next morning, the sky had just begun to light.

Aunt Lin and the others saw Gu Xixi and He Jinglan off to the village entrance.

He Jinglan's carriage was already ready, parked there.

Thinking of the war ahead, not knowing when they might meet again, Aunt Lin was loath to part, repeatedly urging Gu Xixi to take good care of herself, and she promised that on the Dependents Village side she would follow Gu Xixi's arrangements and properly look after her.

Gu Xixi laughed, saying, "Our pomegranate orchard—I also went to have a look yesterday on the way."

"You all have taken good care of the fruit trees; there's no problem."

"As long as you get through the summer safely, you can fertilize again in autumn."

The two explanations previously given to General Liu, identical copies, Gu Xixi also gave one to Aunt Lin.

Gu Xixi said, "I have agreed with General Liu that in half a month he will send people to Huachi Du Cun."

"Once they receive the next-step planting plan, someone will come to discuss it with you in detail."

"Moreover, General Liu promised me that the required seedlings will be procured by the military, and there will be a share for the Dependents Village."

Aunt Lin's eye sockets reddened slightly; afraid she would cry if she spoke, she just kept nodding.

Gu Xixi needed to hurry on her way, so she bade farewell to everyone in the Dependents Village.

Because He Jinglan had given prior instructions, the He family coachman drove the carriage at full speed.

The sun had just set when the carriage arrived outside Gu Xixi's home.

As the two got out of the carriage, they saw Master Liu "coincidentally" hurrying over.