Chapter 828 - 831: Arrived

Chapter 828: Chapter 831: Arrived

Jin Qianqian pondered. "If that’s the case, you need more people protecting you. Don’t forget that in a critical moment, I still have another option."

Gu Wenheng gripped her hand tightly. "Don’t say such silly things. If it truly comes to that, your other option would put you beyond redemption.

"Rest assured, you must have faith in me. Over the years, we’ve deployed quite a few of our people in Shangjing. When the time comes, you just need to take good care of yourselves.

"Besides, this is only the worst-case scenario. Knowing the Holy Emperor’s temperament, I believe he would never allow such a thing to happen. Let’s not borrow trouble."

Jin Qianqian pursed her lips. "I hope you’re right."

Yet deep down, they both knew that Shangjing was nowhere near as peaceful as it seemed on the surface.

The Princes had all come of age. In recent years, they had secretly received numerous overtures for their allegiance. However, because Gu Wenheng was deeply favored by the Holy Emperor and had the privilege of submitting memorials to reach the Emperor directly, those people didn’t dare force the issue.

"We will definitely get over this hurdle," Gu Wenheng said with absolute certainty.

***

With plenty of free time on his hands now, Gu Wenheng temporarily took back control of the fields they had originally entrusted to the clan to manage, aside from his daily duties of burning incense and observing the mourning period.

Gu Benluo and Gu Ben Can waded through the paddy field, pulling out weeds. Raising their heads, they spotted their unscrupulous parents sitting on the field ridge, leisurely eating fruit. Both boys gulped.

"Dad, leave some for me! Don’t eat it all!" Gu Ben Can yelled, standing on his tiptoes to stare at the plate that was already more than half empty.

Gu Wenheng ignored him entirely. Instead, he picked up a piece of fruit and personally fed it to Jin Qianqian.

Gu Ben Can fell utterly silent.

Gu Benluo chuckled softly and bent down to get back to work. He had to hurry up and finish weeding, otherwise, their dinner tonight would be severely skimped on.

"Brother, look at Dad. Isn’t he doing this on purpose just to anger us?"

Gu Benluo didn’t even lift his head. "It’s not like you just found out today. Hurry up and finish weeding. I don’t want to go hungry with you tonight."

"I’m your biological younger brother..." Gu Ben Can muttered.

"You should be glad you’re my biological brother," Gu Benluo said, shifting a few steps forward to put some distance between them. "Otherwise, I would’ve drawn a line and split this field right down the middle."

If he hadn’t been humoring this brat, he would be sitting on the ridge right now, enjoying that plate of fruit himself.

"Brother... with Mom here, she won’t let us go hungry," Gu Ben Can insisted.

"Do you actually believe that?"

Gu Ben Can had no response.

Meanwhile, Jin Qianqian fanned herself and smiled. "I bet those two brats are cooking up some bad idea again."

"No, they’re definitely talking smack about me," Gu Wenheng said. "I’ve already agreed with Gu Yi that this piece of land will be managed by the two brothers this year. The harvest will still go to the clan. I just hope these two don’t make fools of themselves."

Jin Qianqian was curious. "And if the harvest is bad?"

Gu Wenheng’s lips curled up slightly. "Then they’ll continue next year. And, of course, the land they have to work will double. They won’t be allowed to leave the village until they finally learn how to farm properly."

Jin Qianqian paused. "Have you told the boys?"

"It takes the fun out of it if I tell them now," Gu Wenheng replied. "I’m sure they’ll love the surprise when the time comes."

"You father and sons sure know how to play games..." Jin Qianqian muttered. She decided it was best not to tell the man in front of her that the precious calligraphy brushes he treasured so much had recently been plucked completely bald.

"You don’t need to worry about them," Gu Wenheng said. "Gu Yi will arrange for someone to instruct them on what to do and when. He won’t let this land go to waste."

Jin Qianqian laughed in exasperation. "Why don’t you guide them personally? You make it sound as if you’re so experienced at farming."

Gu Wenheng rubbed his nose and smiled. "I might lack hands-on experience, but they can’t beat me in theory.

"It seems these two brats still have a lot to learn. Don’t worry, we’ll take it slowly."

Jin Qianqian stared at him for a long time before saying faintly, "Your personality really makes people want to smack you... Look at them sweating profusely over there. Those are your own flesh and blood. As their father, shouldn’t you be right beside them, teaching them by example?"

Gu Wenheng smugly patted his large belly. "Does Madam think I can still bend over?"

Jin Qianqian ground her teeth. "So you’re actually proud of it now! I’ve decided. For the sake of your health and to stop the fat on your stomach from growing any further, you must jog around the village at least ten times a day from now on."

Gu Wenheng looked at her in horror. "Wife, are you trying to vent on their behalf? I knew that nowadays you only have them in your heart and eyes, but you can’t treat me so harshly..."

Jin Qianqian glanced back at the guards and maids standing far away, unable to resist reaching out to pinch the flab on his waist. "Control your expressions, Mr. Gu..."

Gu Wenheng’s face stiffened. Desperately trying to maintain his image, he said weakly, "Wife, how am I supposed to control my expression when you’re doing this? Quickly, let go..."

Jin Qianqian immediately let go. "Humph. I think you’ve just been too idle lately. How about you go join the boys and enjoy the joy of labor?

"Don’t give me that excuse about not being able to bend over. There are plenty of things you can do without bending, like carrying those pulled weeds up to the ridge..."

Catching sight of the situation from the corner of his eye, Gu Benluo lowered his head. It seemed they wouldn’t be missing dinner tonight after all; they might even get an extra dish.

***

As soon as Hou Tian’er received the letter from home, she immediately went to find Gu Yi.

Gu Yi’s expression changed drastically, and he hurriedly rushed out with the letter in hand.

"Sir," Gu Yi said upon arriving. Having served as a clerk under Gu Wenheng for several years, he had long grown accustomed to this title. "This is a letter my father-in-law went to great lengths to send out secretly. Please take a look."

Gu Wenheng skimmed the letter rapidly, taking in ten lines at a glance, and his face instantly darkened.

He sent someone to invite Jin Qianqian over. Upon reading the letter, Jin Qianqian felt a sense of closure, as if the dust had finally settled.

"I didn’t expect it to happen sooner than we thought. These people truly can’t wait a single moment," she said.

Gu Wenheng patted Gu Yi on the shoulder. "We are aware of the matter now. Go back and give your wife our thanks. We will handle it from here."

"Should I take some men and make a trip there?" Gu Yi asked.

After all, having lived in Yi Province for so many years, he had some connections there. He was well-suited to help deal with the situation.

"There’s no need," Jin Qianqian said. "The round trip is much too far. Rest assured, the steward over there will handle it properly."

Seeing how confident they were, Gu Yi harbored some doubts, but knowing that these two never spoke empty words, he took the letter and left.

Once Gu Yi was gone, Jin Qianqian chuckled self-deprecatingly. "It looks like I can retire soon."

Gu Wenheng wrapped an arm around her shoulders, looking down at her profile. "Reluctant to let it go?"

Jin Qianqian shook her head. "I’ve been preparing and planning for this for a long time, but it still leaves a sour taste in my mouth.

"Besides, the assets in our hands are simply too conspicuous. Taking this opportunity to fade into the shadows is a good thing."

A few years ago, she had already given up all her percentage of the sea trade profits. But even so, many people still made bitter, jealous remarks.