Chapter 64: Fighting or Not Fighting Between Husband and Wife

The first snow fell heavily all day, and the house felt extremely cold at night, but not so cold that we had to move to the kang.

Gu Youan happily hid in his arms, and he pulled her shoulders covered by the corner of the quilt.

It was the first time for her to have skin-to-skin contact with someone and share warmth on a snowy night. She felt that this feeling was great and rubbed against his arms affectionately.

Zhou Qi suddenly groaned. Gu Youan was about to ask him what was wrong when he placed his right hand on her waist and gently pressed it down, "Be good and don't move."

Gu Youan's face suddenly turned red, and he buried his head in his shoulders, feeling a little embarrassed.

Alas, people who have just gotten married are still a little thin-skinned.

Not daring to rub against each other any more, after a while, Gu Youan asked, "Are you leaving early tomorrow morning?"

"Yes, I'll be leaving early tomorrow morning. After I leave, there will be several more shipments of food arriving from the interior. I'll need you to keep a close eye on them and make sure nothing goes wrong."

We have gotten through this year, but we don’t know what the harvest will be like next year. We cannot relax when it comes to food, and we should store as much as we can.

His fingers brushed against her temples as he continued, "I estimate that Zhang Heng will come to Songjiang City after the food issue is resolved in the middle or late part of next month. I'll arrange for him to join the city defense army. You'll meet him for me then."

Gu Youan still remembered Zhang Heng: "Nephew of General Zhang Minghui of Yanzhou?"

"It's him. His wife and children have settled in Songjiang City a few months ago. They are now living on North First Street. I have asked Zhou Chen to take good care of them."

The first street in the north of the city is just to the right of Prince Qi's Mansion, not far away. It is safe and convenient to be placed there.

Gu Youan took note and reached out from under the quilt to touch his slightly itchy chin: "Is there anything else you want to tell me?"

"That's all. If there's anything else after I leave, I'll have someone send you a letter." Zhou Qi thought for a moment and said, "I'll send you a letter every five days."

Gu Youan chuckled softly and said, "It's snowy and frozen in winter. If it's something important, forget it. If not, it's better to send someone back every ten days to avoid too much trouble."

"Well, I'll listen to you."

Zhou Qi thought back to the time before he got married. At that time, he would go to the grassland every year, and sometimes he would hide his identity and go to the south of the Yangtze River. He could always leave at a moment's notice. Now that he has a family, he still has concerns in his heart. Things are different after all.

Her fingers slowly slid down from his chin, across his Adam's apple, the dimple between his collarbone, and then gently stroked down his...

He held her hand and said, "Don't make trouble. Aren't you tired?"

"Not tired."

She turned over and half-lay on him, her long, silky hair spread out on his chest. She had a smile on her face and hummed as she kissed him.

Male beauty is so tempting!

Since it's yours, you can eat it whenever you want.

He suddenly stood up and hugged her, and their positions suddenly switched. Gu Youan screamed in fright.

Three or two maids were changing the candles in the lanterns on the corridor outside. Suddenly they heard a noise from inside the house and were stunned for a moment.

Xiaoyue hurriedly urged in a low voice: "Hurry up, and leave as soon as you finish."

It was already cold as it had just snowed, so the maids didn't dare say a word. They quickly changed the last few lanterns and ran away rubbing their hands.

A heavy snowfall brought a cold night, with the chill wind circling around the yard. The house with its doors and windows tightly closed was cozy and warm, like spring or midsummer. The person under me had such smooth and moist skin that it made me fall in love with her.

In the corner room outside the main courtyard gate, the night maid and the gatekeeper stayed on guard for the first half of the night. Someone called for water in the room, and then it became quiet in the second half of the night.

I slept until dawn, and there was a knock on the door. Xiaoyue got up and opened the door slightly. Xu Zhi and several of the prince's attendants were waiting outside.

Xu Zhi: "I asked the kitchen staff to prepare breakfast. You guys should go get some water. The master will definitely call for you soon."

Xiaoyue quickly put on a thin cotton jacket and asked, "Why did the prince leave so early?"

"Don't ask about the master's affairs, just follow his orders."

Xiaoyue said nothing.

In the past, Xiaoyue was a maid who followed the manager to do the accounting in the warehouse and had never served the master. Although someone taught her after she was selected, she was always careful about everything, but she still forgot occasionally.

However, the steward who taught her also said that she was an ordinary maid and naturally needed to follow the rules. If she became the most favored person around the master, she would have to think ahead of the master in many things, and the master would only praise her if she slightly crossed the line.

Just like Xu Zhi, he could make preparations on his own without the prince giving any orders.

Seeing Xiaoyue remained silent, Xu Zhi smiled and said, "Sister Xiaoyue, I'm sorry. I was too harsh in my words and didn't mean to offend you!"

Xiaoyue shook her head: "What's wrong with that? I should thank you for your advice."

After all, she was the eldest maidservant by the princess's side. Xu Zhi didn't want to make enemies with her. Seeing that Xiaoyue was not angry, he just smiled and let it go.

The golden bell outside the door rang.

The maidservants hurriedly brought in water. The main courtyard door opened slightly, and the prince's voice came from inside: "Don't make any noise, it will disturb the princess's sleep."

The maids and servants moved their hands more lightly, and for a moment, the only sounds in the room were the slight sounds of people walking and washing.

I had just finished washing up when the kitchen brought over breakfast.

Prince Qi ate breakfast leisurely. On the other side, Xu Zhi and his men had already prepared all the luggage and were ready to leave at any time.

"My Lord, it's time."

"knew."

Xu Zhi and others who were about to set off were waiting at the door.

Prince Qi tied his cloak, turned around and went to his bedroom. He waited for a quarter of an hour before coming out and setting off with his men.

As soon as Prince Qi left, the main courtyard fell silent, with not a sound at all. Only when daybreak arrived and Liu Zhong and Xiao Ju arrived to relieve their shift did a sound begin to emanate from the main courtyard gate.

“Ding-ling-ling~”

The golden bell rang, and Xiaoju came in with her maid to serve. Xiaoju deftly pulled open the gauze curtain and tied it up, then asked, "Princess, do you want to open the window?"

"Open it."

After a good sleep, Gu Youan stretched slightly and got out of bed. The chilly weather gave her goose bumps.

After putting on his coat, the maid brought him some warm black tea. Gu Youan drank a cup and regained consciousness. Then he said, "Light up the kang on the west wall today. I'll sleep on it tonight."

The person who held her and kept her warm left. She was afraid of the cold sleeping alone, so the kang was more practical.

"Well, I'll ask someone to burn it soon."

After combing her hair into a simple bun and washing up, the kitchen in the back delivered breakfast, all of which were her favorite flavors.

"The weather is getting cold. Have you stocked up on vegetables in the mansion?"

Liu Zhong stepped forward and said, "According to the custom of previous years, we stocked up on all kinds of vegetables half a month ago. In a few days, when the weather gets cooler and there's no need to worry about spoilage, all kinds of seafood from the seaside and beef and mutton from the grasslands should be arriving."

"The prince has already instructed that, to suit the princess's taste, we've dedicated two acres of land in our mansion's farm to growing cauliflower this year. A few days ago, the farm manager reported that several vegetables are already showing buds. We estimate we'll be able to enjoy fresh vegetables in another month."

Greenhouse vegetables? Last year, even though the Gu family had so many people working on the land, they didn't think of hiring anyone to grow greenhouse vegetables. In winter, they just ate potatoes, radishes, cabbages, and other vegetables.

After becoming a princess, her living standard improved.

To put it another way, even though she became a princess, her living standard was not as good as that of an ordinary person in later generations.

Gu Youan asked about the various arrangements for the winter in the mansion so that he could have a clear idea of ​​everything. After he had asked all these questions, Gu Youan mentioned North First Street.

"I heard from the prince that the houses where the Meng and Yuan families live on North First Street are all owned by our palace?"

Liu Zhong nodded and said, "The house on North First Street was built together with our palace. Originally, the house on North First Street was allocated to the military commanders under the prince."

"In the past few years, some military commanders have gone to the Northeast Army, and some to the City Defense Army. Everyone has gradually moved out of North First Street. The vacant houses on North First Street are either used by the government officials or by distant relatives like the Meng and Yuan families who occasionally visit Songjiang City."

"I see."

Gu Youan asked Liu Zhong to prepare a list so that she could see which families lived on North First Street.

Liu Zhong nodded and accepted the order.

These chores were quickly dealt with, and Gu Youan had some free time with nothing to do, so he went to the study to read.

Liu Zhong waited at the study door for a while, and when he saw that the princess didn't need him, he turned around and went to do other things.

While Prince Qi was away, Gu Youan lived a peaceful life in the mansion. Seven or eight days later, a new batch of grain arrived from the interior, and Gu Youan then took a carriage to the granary.

When Gu Youan arrived, Zhou Chen and Tian Jiaxuan had already been waiting for a while.

"This subordinate pays his respects to the princess."

"Meet the princess."

Gu Youan helped the maid get off the carriage and glanced at Zhou Chen and Tian Dalang: "Get up."

After the two stood up, Zhou Chen hurried over and handed them the list with both hands.

Gu Youan unfolded the list, glanced at it briefly, and asked, "Is the grain shipped from Shanxi?"

"That's right. Several prefectures in Shanxi have people supported by our Qi Wang Mansion. It's not difficult to buy grain from them."

It was Zhou Chen who responded. Gu Youan suddenly asked Tian Jiaxuan, "Do you know the details?"

Tian Jiaxuan bowed his head and replied, "Princess, Chief Zhou has been very attentive in teaching me, and I understand all of this."

Gu Youan hummed, then turned back to look at Zhou Chen, with a hint of a smile in her voice: "Zhou Changshi has always been dedicated to his work. This princess and the prince are very satisfied with you."

Zhou Chen immediately knelt down and said: "It is my honor to work for the prince and princess. I don't deserve your praise."

Gu Youan said with a smile: "It's just a few words of idle chat, no need for such a grand ceremony, get up."

"Thank you, Princess."

Gu Youan glanced at Tian Jiaxuan and blinked. Gu Youan chuckled and took the girl's hand to go look in the granary.

After this batch of grain arrived, four more batches of grain arrived within the next half month, filling the several granaries built in Prince Qi's Mansion this year.

With Gu Youan's deliberate indulgence, the news in Songjiang City spread quickly. In just half a month, all the officials and people inside and outside Songjiang City knew that the granaries guarded by the city defense troops in the suburbs were full. Even if something happened again, there was no need to worry about food shortages.

The price of food in the city has dropped again.

The news that Songjiang City's granaries were full of grain was sent to Prince Qi on the grasslands. Meng Chuan also read the letter and hesitated, saying, "Since there's no shortage of food, then there's no need for us to fight the Tartars."

Meng Chuan was old after all. Although he could still barely mount a horse and lift a knife, he felt a little timid in his heart. He told himself that if he could avoid fighting, he would do so. He would just live in peace for a few more years. Even if something happened, it would not be his fault.

After all, he will retire in a few years.

Prince Qi said in a deep voice, "If we say we won't fight, will they listen?"

"There hasn't been a war in the North for nearly ten years. We've had peace here for the past ten years. The tribes on the grasslands are overpopulated, and food is running out. It's already difficult, and coupled with this year's drought, this winter might be another harsh one. Do you think they'll come south to plunder?"

"this……"

King Qi interrupted him and said, "You are not needed in the war. I will bring some men over and tell them to fight."

He had planned his plan early on. He would have food and money from the imperial court, and would fight back the Tartars as soon as they showed up. The people he valued would be promoted through this battle.

Meng Chuan remained silent. He didn't want to fight himself, nor did he want others to take the lead.

Prince Qi sneered, "I've already sent word of the border unrest back to Luoyang, and the Grand Commander-in-Chief of the Northern Frontier has approved this. Not only me, but he also thinks there will be a war in the north this winter, sooner or later. What do you think?"

Meng Chuan pondered for a moment, and finally asked the question that had been lingering in his mind for a long time: "You want to pick someone to replace me?"

"If the Meng family is willing to fight, the young men in the Meng family can also serve as vanguard generals. This king will give them a chance."

A member of the Meng family? Meng Chuan gave a wry smile and gave up.

Prince Qi was actually involved with the Grand Commander of Zhenbei. As a general in the Northeast, he had no say in whether to fight or not.

Meng Chuan sighed softly. With the Tartars' attack like this, the Meng family might be doomed this year.