Chapter 439: This is Xixi's man

Gu Xixi talked about how she found the two children and the reason she asked.

It turned out that Xiao Xiu'er and Dou Dou's families both had three generations living together.

In the household there were mother, grandmother, and three or four younger brothers and sisters.

Many mouths to feed.

The whole family wasn't starving, but they couldn't eat freely whatever they wanted.

The little ones didn't understand anything else; they only knew that when grandmother and mother cooked, they always scrimped and saved, afraid to scoop an extra mouthful of grain.

Recently, while harvesting oats, they recalled how last year everyone collectively went to the military's fields to glean wheat.

Going earlier would let them glean more.

With more grain at home, mother wouldn't have to be so tight-fisted.

So the two of them had planned the previous day to sneak out and meet before dawn today.

They would return after the sun rose.

But they ultimately misjudged the distance of this trip, and their sense of time was insufficient.

Gu Xixi said, "They walked a long way with empty baskets."

"Having gleaned so many wheat stalks, they must have been exhausted, which is why they fell asleep hidden under a wheat straw stack."

"That small spot was just shady; when a few soldiers from the military helped search for people and passed by, the two slept soundly and peacefully, and they almost missed seeing them."

Everyone listening laughed.

Dou Dou's mother and Xiu'er's mother looked at their daughters, feeling both moved and heartbroken that the children had grown up so soon, yet also a little embarrassed.

But this embarrassment was directed toward the other people in the Dependents Village.

Because the wheat-gleaning activity, since its first occurrence last year, had been tacitly understood as something the whole village does together.

It was essentially a benefit the military left for all dependents, and they wanted to keep it as fair as possible, giving everyone a share.

So everyone went together and returned together, without quarreling or snatching; how much one gleaned depended on each family's labor and ability.

But Xiu'er and Dou Dou ran off ahead this year.

Xiu'er's mother said, "The child doesn't understand the reasoning; it's my fault for not teaching her well."

Dou Dou's mother also nodded, speaking solemnly, "Since the wheat has been brought back, let's just divide it among everyone."

Zao Hua laughed and said, "How much could those two little girls possibly glean in just a little while?"

"Just these two small baskets, since they were hard-earned, let's keep them."

Others also chimed in agreement.

Xiu'er's mother and Dou Dou's mother exchanged a glance, yet both insisted, "No."

Dou Dou's mother said, "We need to make them understand that this grain belongs to everyone."

"Don't be clever by thinking that getting up early and taking a shortcut makes what you glean your own."

"What's the difference between this and stealing or robbing?"

Xiu'er and Dou Dou roughly understood this speech, and both lowered their heads.

The women looked at each other, not knowing what else to say.

They had all watched these little ones grow up together.

Of course they all hoped that the children here, even if they never attained high rank or office, would at least grow up with proper conduct.

At that moment, Aunt Lin laughed and said, "I have an idea."

"Let's temporarily store these two baskets of wheat spikes at my house; after we finish harvesting our own oats, we should also celebrate."

"Set up two big pots, stew some buckwheat noodles with fish, how about that?"

As soon as this idea was raised, everyone happily spoke their minds.

"This season's newly harvested oats—we thresh them ourselves, push the stone mill ourselves, roast them ourselves, make buckwheat flour, then eat it together—what better celebration could there be?"

"I agree!"

"These two baskets definitely won't be enough; when the time comes, we'll each contribute a share and have a big pot meal!"

With the atmosphere so heated, Aunt Lin didn't miss a beat, saying, "I'll make the stewed noodles at my house, providing the vegetables and pork!"

Gu Xixi was the hero who found the children today; the crowd again gathered around her, insisting she must stay to participate.

Gu Xixi readily agreed.

After everyone laughed, they only then noticed the man standing behind Gu Xixi who had helped bring the oats back.

Previously, Gu Xixi and He Jinglan had been in the Dependents Village, and Mu Nan Zhao had also stayed in the small courtyard a few times.

But he often came after dark and left before dawn for the military camp, and had never met the village women face to face.

Therefore everyone just found him unfamiliar and didn't know who he really was.

However……

Never had they heard of such a good-looking man in the military.

The women's gazes darted back and forth between Gu Xixi and Mu Nan Zhao, with some amused smiles.

Aside from the children, everyone present was experienced; at a glance they could see that the atmosphere between the two was unusual.

Aunt Lin laughed and said, "This young sir also rendered great help; we don't yet know how to address this benefactor."

The others nodded along, all smiling and staring at Mu Nan Zhao.

These gazes made Mu Nan Zhao suddenly feel as if he had acquired countless mothers-in-law.

He collected himself, clasped his fists, and was about to speak.

Gu Xixi, however, calmly stepped forward first, saying, "He is Regent Prince Mu Nan Zhao."

The surrounding silence was such that one could hear the sound of a breeze blowing past.

The dependents were collectively stunned like wooden chickens.

Gu Xixi turned her gaze to Mu Nan Zhao, half-smiling, "How come you're also surprised?"

Mu Nan Zhao silently shifted his gaze away, looking elsewhere, then after a moment muttered, "First time."

"It's inevitable that there would be an accident."

He furrowed his brow without smiling, yet flowers quietly bloomed in his heart.

One flower, then another...

The flowers bloomed more and more, faster and faster, his heart blossomed in delight!

The military dependents gradually began to react, whispering:

"Regent Prince? The one who posted the notice revealing his feelings?"

"Mu Nan... I recall his surname is Mu. Exactly!"

"The notice wrote 'Gu clan', street rumors said it was a wealthy Miss Gu; I even thought it couldn't be the Gu boss we know."

"You still think it's impossible? The main person is standing right before us!"

About seven or eight days ago, the Regent Prince's notice was only posted at the border.

Everyone had received imperial rewards, went together to the nearby town to buy things, saw it, and upon returning to the village they discussed it with great relish.

Not long ago from today, so everyone still retains a deep impression.

One is the Regent Prince.

One is a Gu, female.

The two of them appear together again now.

What else is there to doubt?!

The Gu boss is admitting to everyone that she and this man are a couple!

The women, in astonishment, quickly integrated all the information.

Madam Lin was the first to beam with joy, saying, "Congratulations, Regent Prince! Congratulations, our Gu boss!"

Everyone congratulated in turn.

Unexpectedly, the Gu boss they knew turned out to be the female lead mentioned in the notice.

The Gu boss has really made it!

Having the Regent Prince acknowledge to the world that he is 'her person' can be called a model for women.

The entire Dependents Village fell into a joyful atmosphere.

Only Lv Jing missed out on this long-awaited good show.

Later, upon hearing the news, Lv Jing sighed with regret, beat her chest and stamped her feet, sobbing as she shook Gu Xixi, demanding she perform again right before her.

Northwest Army's main camp.

Huo Jiang intended to let the Bei Li people wait.

Not until the next afternoon did he summon someone to invite the Rouran princess over for a talk.

I have already discussed this with the Regent Prince.

You want to further friendly relations between the two states; what are you prepared to give, and what do you hope to gain?

Now you can speak openly.

I will submit a memorial to the imperial court, for our Celestial Dynasty's emperor to decide.

The Rouran princess crossed her hands, spoke solemnly, "The Third Princess of Bei Li wishes to marry into Da Ye, forging an alliance between our two states."

Someone has already been chosen.