Chapter 444: Chapter 445: Meeting

Lichun covered her mouth and chuckled. "Young Master Luo Luo went to the private academy with Master Le Shun today.

As for the little young master, he started fussing to see the old madam while you were at the banquet.

His nanny had no choice but to carry him over, and now he’s following the old madam around on her visits."

It was a mystery who Gu Ben Can took after. For such a little child, he certainly loved being praised.

He couldn’t even speak properly yet, but whenever someone complimented him, he would clap his hands and jump up and down with joy.

"He’s such a clever little imp," Jin Qianqian said with a resigned smile. "I’ve tried to teach him some sense, but the moment I start to lecture him, the little rascal falls asleep instantly."

’If he weren’t just a toddler, she would have thought he was doing it on purpose.’

Thinking of Gu Wenheng on his long journey, Jin Qianqian couldn’t help but mutter with worry, "I wonder if Wenheng has arrived yet? It’s already starting to snow lightly here; it must be even colder where he is."

Lichun said, "With Guard Jiang and the others protecting him, Madam, you needn’t worry too much."

"How can I not worry?" Jin Qianqian gave a bitter smile. "If not for the weather, I would’ve taken the children to join him in a heartbeat."

’Even without going there herself, she could imagine just how difficult life in Lu City must be right now.’

’It was already in a remote border region, and with the constant harassment from bandits, anyone with the means to leave had probably already fled. The only ones left would be the poor common folk.’

’This meant it was practically a barren wasteland. Daily life and transportation would surely be nothing like the convenience she had here.’

’But what she truly dreaded were the bandits. It was the age of cold weapons, true, but those men were cunning and vicious, making them impossible to fully guard against.’

’These past few days, she had already sent Housekeeper Fu to search for capable martial arts masters. The guards and male servants who would accompany her on the next trip all had to have self-defense skills.’

’Even her four personal maids had to take time to train every day.’

’Meanwhile, she herself was taking advantage of the time dilation in her pocket dimension, secretly practicing self-defense techniques by watching videos.’

’Even if she couldn’t fight on the front lines, she had to at least be able to protect herself and not drag her husband down.’

She had just laid down to rest when someone else arrived at the small courtyard.

Jin Qianqian roused herself and asked curiously, "Fourth Sister-in-law, what brings you here?"

’We were all just at the banquet at noon. What could be so important that she had to make a special trip?’

Liu Liu sidled up to Jin Qianqian with a mysterious look on her face. "Seventh Sister-in-law, you interact with all those ladies in the city every day. Have any of the young maidens caught your eye?"

Jin Qianqian replied, "Why do you ask, Fourth Sister-in-law? I recall that Le Kai is still young, not yet of an age for marriage talks."

Liu Liu immediately waved her hand. "Of course this isn’t for our Le Kai. He’s only a few years old! I’m still counting on him to pass the imperial exams and bring home a title for me."

Jin Qianqian looked at her curiously. "I never thought you’d get into the matchmaking business, Fourth Sister-in-law. Who are you trying to find a match for this time?

But I have to tell you upfront, I have no interest in playing matchmaker. If you’re hoping I’ll act as a go-between, you can forget about it."

Liu Liu said, "It’s for Third Sister-in-law’s son, Le Ping. She saw that the children of First and Second Sister-in-law are all settled, so she’s gotten some ideas.

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She has already inquired about many families nearby, but none have met her standards, so she asked me to come and ask you.

You’ve attended so many banquets in Fu County, you must have seen plenty of young ladies from good families. If there’s a suitable one, she wants to try and make a match for her Le Ping."

Jin Qianqian said, "Isn’t Third Sister-in-law being a bit too ambitious? Marriages have always been about matching social standing. Le Ping is neither a scholar nor a warrior, and he has no outstanding qualities of his own. Who would be willing to marry down to him?"

Liu Liu replied, "I told Third Sister-in-law the same thing. But you know, First Sister-in-law’s daughter-in-law, Yue Wei, comes from a very good family. She’s been with the family for so long now, and she and First Sister-in-law get along like a real mother and daughter.

On the other hand, there’s that Xiuxiang, who stirs up trouble in the family all day long and is always scheming.

That’s why Third Sister-in-law is set on finding a well-bred daughter-in-law, which she thinks is more important than anything else."

’This was also something the sisters-in-law had discussed privately. They had a bit of a family fortune now, after all, and with Seventh as their backer, they figured it was possible to find a legitimate daughter from a minor landlord’s family.’

Jin Qianqian naturally understood this principle. ’A virtuous wife brings her husband few troubles’—she had seen countless examples of this.

"To be honest, I haven’t paid any attention to things like that.

But tell Third Sister-in-law not to pin all her hopes on me. I’ll help her keep an eye out in the future, but she can also continue looking on her own," Jin Qianqian said, giving a noncommittal answer.

’For the rest of the winter, everyone would be cooped up indoors. Once spring arrived, she would have to prepare to leave for Lu City, so she probably wouldn’t be able to play matchmaker anyway.’

Hearing this, Liu Liu wasn’t disappointed. After all, Seventh’s wife was still so young herself; it was only normal that she wouldn’t think about such matters when seeing other young women.

She had completed the task Third Sister-in-law had given her. Liu Liu then chatted with Jin Qianqian about the latest village gossip until it was nearly dinnertime. Remembering her husband would be home soon, she finally hurried off.

Jin Qianqian straightened her clothes and set off with her maids to search the village for her little troublemaker.

＆

After the second major snowfall in Lu City, Gu Wenheng finally met with Zhou Shixiong.

"Brother Gu, you don’t blame your big brother for taking so long to come see you, do you?" The moment they met, Zhou Shixiong rushed over and clapped him on the shoulder, leaving He Gaofei and the others standing by, completely stunned.

Gu Wenheng said, "Brother Zhou, I knew you were fighting the bandits, so I didn’t dare disturb you.

How are things now?"

Zhou Shixiong replied, "Everything is frozen over now, and with the snow so thick, it’s not as easy for those bandits to hide their tracks. Under these conditions, they don’t dare make any rash moves, which has bought us a lot of time to rest.

Otherwise, how would I have the time to come and meet with you today?"

This was the first time He Gaofei and the others had seen General Zhou up close. Although he was all smiles, that was only for Gu Wenheng.

When his gaze swept over them, they all tensed up unconsciously.

"There’s nothing for you here. Go on about your business. My Brother Gu and I are going to catch up," Zhou Shixiong said. Seeing so many people staring at them made him feel a bit irritated, and he waved his hand to dismiss them.

He Gaofei and the others couldn’t wait to leave the oppressive atmosphere. In no time, the entire hall was empty.

Gu Wenheng said, "Brother Zhou, it must have been a difficult few days. You look like you’ve lost a lot of weight."

Zhou Shixiong patted his own arm nonchalantly. "It’s nothing. Once this winter is over, the weight will come right back.

You, on the other hand... life in this border city isn’t easy. Even for those of us in high positions, there are many things you just can’t get here. You have to learn to make do. You need to be mentally prepared for that."

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