Chapter 588: Waiting for a Rabbit to Run into a Tree Stump (Part 1) [Requesting Monthly Tickets]

I couldn't refuse, so I had to agree.

The woman knew very well that she couldn't afford the cost of refusing.

Since that day, she clearly sensed that her distant aunt's attitude towards her had changed. In front of Qiu Cheng, she was still virtuous, generous, and understanding, but the way she addressed her had become the extremely sarcastic "younger sister," and even Qiu Cheng's subordinates knew about it.

Besides being labeled "the lord's strategist," she was also known as "the lord's woman" and "the lord's concubine." Even her normal advice was suspected of being influenced by her husband's pillow talk, and others always looked at her with a subtle scrutiny, contempt, and suspicion.

Her colleagues were unwilling to have much contact or communication with her.

Because she is the lord's woman.

No matter how well she does things, she still faces criticism.

Because she is the lord's woman.

She'd give her face in public, but roll her eyes at her in private.

She had heard her colleagues complaining about it in private.

[It's fine for the lord to dote on his concubines in private, but how can he entrust her with such important matters...]

Alas, it's always been difficult to resist the allure of beautiful women...

As "the lord's women," they showed Qiu Cheng's wife exceptional respect, treating her with utmost deference and repeatedly praising her for her virtue and courage, for her bravery in following Qiu Cheng to the battlefield. While Qiu Cheng fought on the front lines, she managed the rear.

They spared no effort in preparing rations for the soldiers.

If any soldiers were injured, she would immediately arrange for a doctor.

She was a model wife in everyone's eyes, someone who could share both joy and sorrow. However, if Qiu Cheng ever showed particular favor to a concubine—like her—disapproving subordinates would jump out and offer their advice, warning Qiu Cheng not to be so infatuated with beauty, as favoring a concubine over one's wife could lead to family chaos!

Moreover, this concubine is also wicked.

Everyone knew she was a pitiful orphan who had come to seek refuge with the wife after her family's misfortune, and that the wife had only taken her in out of consideration for distant blood ties. But how did she repay that kindness? She barely had time to settle in before climbing into her distant uncle's bed…

Women have no way to express their grievances in the face of these voices.

But she couldn't explain or refute it.

He grew increasingly silent and taciturn.

If it weren't for the burning desire to avenge her family, she would have already broken off all pretense of civility. Watching the couple chatting amicably, she quickly finished her meal and rose to take her leave. But Qiu Cheng's wife raised her hand to stop her: "Where are you going, sister?"

The woman said, "I'm tired."

The other person laughed and said, "It's my bad timing."

The woman pursed her lips slightly, her eyes already showing displeasure.

It was Qiu Cheng who spoke up to ease the tension: "We need to reorganize the troops these two days in preparation for launching an attack on Beishang County. Shuniang must be tired from planning these past few days, so go back to your tent and rest early. The battlefield is not like home, I don't need anyone to wait on me here."

The woman bowed and withdrew.

He raised his hand and lifted the tent flap, his steps hurried.

"My sister seems displeased. Did the master upset her?" Turning her gaze away, the wife served Qiu Cheng as he continued his meal.

Qiu Cheng pretended to be stupid.

He said, "Perhaps the harvest was less than expected."

She had previously prepared a harvest estimate for Nanyu County, and that data was one of the factors that made Qiu Cheng decide to take action.

However, the result was not as expected.

Although the granary they robbed was full of fresh grain, it was only 20% full, a far cry from the number the woman had given them.

Either the woman's abilities were limited, or she misjudged the situation.

Either the Longwu (a type of dance) group has other plans.

However, judging from Nanyu County's past harvests and its current reaction, the latter possibility is almost zero; the former is more likely. Qiu Cheng said, "...Shuniang was only criticized a couple of times. She's young and hot-blooded, so naturally she'll feel resentful..."

He added, "It's normal for kids to vent their anger."

His wife sighed, "My lord, please be more tolerant of her. She used to stay at home and is good at needlework and embroidery, but she has very little experience in sharing your burdens as a strategist or retainer... I will feel at ease if you give her more opportunities to learn and grow."

Qiu Cheng: "We're family, that's only natural."

He completely ignored the conflict between the two women.

As long as it doesn't affect me personally, it's fine.

Furthermore, given the wife's virtuousness, generosity, and understanding of the bigger picture, and Shuniang's prudence and sense of propriety, the two of them would not be able to quarrel.

He smiled as if nothing had happened: "My wife, serve me another bowl. The porridge made from the newly harvested millet is so fragrant."

Beishang County, No. 1 granary.

Truckloads of heavy items were brought in.

Deep tire tracks were left on the ground.

Lu Jigang finished his patrol and returned to his tent to rest: "...I'm exhausted. Move your feet and let me sit for a while."

Zhao Wei didn't start her shift until late at night.

He's currently resting with his eyes closed in his tent.

She woke up as soon as Lu Ji entered and raised her foot to stop him.

"Zhizong, don't take off your boots..."

Lu Ji, who had just sat down with his right leg crossed over his left leg and was about to take off his boots, paused and said, "They're uncomfortable to wear."

"I feel uncomfortable when you take your feet off." Military camps are different from other places. A pair of feet are covered in boots and never see the sun for seven or eight hours at the shortest, and three to five days at the longest. If it's just patrolling and being on duty, it's fine, but if there's also training and martial arts practice, the soreness and discomfort are indescribable.

After a brief standoff, Lu Ji had no choice but to give up.

He lay down wearing boots and only half a suit of armor.

Zhao Wei: "How's it going with Commandant Bai?"

Lu Ji spread his arms out and placed them on either side of his head, gesturing upwards: "What else can it be? It literally means 'furious to the point of bursting'!"

Bai Su never expected that Nanyu County would suffer such a huge loss.

She felt even worse because the authorities hadn't yet issued any punishment.

I felt a surge of anger rising within me.

He vowed to kill Qiu Cheng's troops.

He volunteered to lead his troops to Beishang County to wait for the enemy to come to him.

She's been in a bad mood these past few days, radiating a murderous aura. Whoever she stares at feels a chill run down their spine. Even Lu Ji, who has followed Bai Su for many years, is finding it hard to cope. The training intensity is double what it usually is! The key issue is the immense mental pressure.

Lu Ji complained, "I just hope the bandits come soon so we can have a good fight and let the captain vent his anger. It's so frustrating for us poor lackeys to be stuck like this all day..."

Zhao Wei nodded in agreement.

She yawned: "Tsk, it's getting late. I'll rest a bit more and refresh myself before I have to go on duty."

Lu Ji also picked up the blanket: "Go to sleep."

Before long, soft snoring could be heard from inside the tent.

This oppressive and tense atmosphere before the storm lasted for two days. With the support of the brave and skilled soldiers, the autumn harvest in Beishang County progressed at full speed. Every day, cartloads of supplies were transported to the No. 1 granary.

Security around the area has become increasingly tight.

Bai Su wiped the sharp white sword blade with a cold expression.

Gong Shuwu said, "Shao Xuan, there's no need for that..."

Being too stressed is also not good.

Bai Su said with a somber expression, "The shame of the past can only be washed away by the blood of the enemy. Besides, my lord has placed a heavy bet in Beishang County. If there is another mishap, I truly do not know how I can atone for my sins..." She couldn't afford to be anything less than under pressure.

She suspected that all the government's advisors had been infected by Kang Shi.

Why are you all so prone to gambling?

Of the four counties within Longwu County, only Beishang County was targeted. What if the enemy's target was the other two counties, or even if Nanyu County launched a surprise attack? Wouldn't that be the end of them? But the military order had been given, and Bai Su could not speak out and shake the morale of the army.

(￣_，￣)

It's the 19th again in the blink of an eye, hehe.

(End of this chapter)