Although Shen Ningsi likes these things, he still retains some rationality.

"And what a coincidence! I just told the general that I wanted to find a way to make money, and the general put these things in front of me."

Although this was a test, Shen Ning thought that since he had asked it, it must be because he already had a definite answer in his mind.

"The general helped me out before this, didn't he?"

Seeing Gu Hong's face obviously stiffened, Shen Ningsi immediately spoke to block the retreat.

"General Gu, please don't say that all this was done by Lord Fan Xing. He did say that in the memorial he wrote to His Majesty, he mentioned that I had discovered a plant called potato, and that it had an extremely high yield."

"Lord Fan Xing would never dare to give His Majesty any advice, let alone seek benefits for me."

Shen Ningsi denied all possibilities, what else could Gu Hong say.

He looked at Shen Ningsi, trying his best to control the expression on his face.

"I did help you get some leverage in the court, but that was only because I couldn't stand seeing my people being bullied. Don't overthink it."

Shen Ningsi really couldn't understand Gu Hong.

Often, when he really does something that makes himself happy, he doesn't say anything or make any requests, and just gives in to others and owes them a favor for nothing.

Seeing Shen Ningsi not saying anything, Gu Hong's expression became visibly stiffer.

"Those officials in the capital are always looking down on others. If they knew that my wife had suffered a loss in this regard, they would naturally be even more proud! Even for this little bit of face, I will never let you suffer any injustice."

"Dad, can't you just say you want to take care of Mom? Why do you have to make this up just to save face?"

Gu Xiuwen originally came to the kitchen to see if there was anything he could help with.

But he didn’t expect to hear what Shen Ningsi and Gu Hong said, and he couldn’t help but teasing.

"Lord Fan Xing just told Xiu Wen that all the officials in the capital call you 'Gu Shacai'. If any of them dare to laugh at you, they will probably suffer a bad fate. Why should the general have to protect his wife's face to gain everyone's respect?"

The stage that Gu Hong had built with great difficulty was completely destroyed by his own son.

He forced a cold smile and said, "Are you a worm in my stomach or something? Do you know everything I'm thinking?"

Gu Hong gritted his teeth and said, "If you have nothing to do, get out of here and see if your younger brother and sister's underwear is ready to dry."

Gu Xiuwen lowered his eyebrows and chuckled, "Dad, if you want to be nice to Mom, just say it directly. Whether Mom accepts it or not is Mom's business, but if you don't say it, Mom won't even have the chance to know."

Gu Hong's face flushed inexplicably, and he waved his fingers quickly.

"Get out, get out, don't get in my way here."

Gu Xiuwen didn't argue, just chuckled and turned away.

Shen Ningsi watched the conversation between the father and son and lowered his eyes slightly.

"They are indeed blood relatives. I was originally worried about the children and their status as generals, but now it seems that I was worrying too much."

Gu Hong was originally a slow-witted person. Even if the other party explained everything, he couldn't react.

But this time, Gu Hong suddenly understood Shen Ningsi's little thoughts.

"Even if these kids are treating me better, it's ultimately because of you."

Gu Hong whispered, "They realized I was genuinely trying to be nice to you, so they were happy to treat me well. I did something wrong back then, and the way these kids looked at me was no different from looking at an enemy."

"So don't worry. They'll only stand with me when I'm truly kind to them. If they discover something fishy about me, given their personalities, they'll probably immediately turn against me."

Shen Ningsi glanced at Gu Hong and looked away, "They are your children, General. Even if they treated you badly at the beginning, it was just impulsive."

Gu Hong just chuckled softly, "Do you believe what you said? If they really act on impulse, how can these two guys be so calculating? How are they supposed to support the family after they leave me?"

Gu Xiuwen and Gu Xiuwu had made up their minds at that time that they would never rely on the help of the General's Mansion and would support their family on their own.

Ana Shen waved his hand to drive the person out, “I want to go, I’m about to light a fire, the smoke is huge, you’d better go out quickly.”

Gu Hong gritted his teeth and sneered, "Now that you've asked all the questions and you're relieved, you don't have to worry about anything, right?"

Shen Ningsi coughed lightly. Although she did think so, she was still embarrassed when Gu Hong said it frankly.

Just as she was thinking about how to get the person back, Gu Hong suddenly turned around and didn't bother her any further.

"Okay, forget about you sitting here trying to figure out how to talk me into submission. I'll just go on my own."

After saying this, Gu Hong turned around without even a moment's hesitation.

Shen Ningsi breathed a sigh of relief. It was beyond her expectation that Gu Hong was so easy to talk to. She couldn't help but feel more favorable towards Gu Hong.

No matter what, this man may have done many wrong things in the past, but he has never used his power to force her.

Putting his thoughts aside, Shen Ningsi put the marinated meat into the hot oil.

With a crackling sound, milky white smoke mixed with a warm aroma rushed directly into the nasal cavity.

Shen Ningsi couldn't help coughing. She had seen the peppercorn on Gu Jiajun's men that day.

After dragging many people, they finally found fresh peppercorns on Tuer Mountain.

Shen Ningsi had long missed the past. The spicy, salty and fragrant taste, without having time to dry the fresh peppercorns, she just threw them into the frying pan.

“Ahem—”

The stimulating taste caught Shen Ningsi off guard and made her burst into tears. She couldn't help but cough loudly.

Gu Hong outside the house pushed the door open almost instantly.

Seeing Shen Ningsi's eyes filled with tears and the tip of her nose slightly red, he was slightly stunned, then he hurried over and took over the spatula in Shen Ningsi's hand.

"How?"

Gu Hong was holding a spatula, and he could lift a sword that was several times heavier than this one with ease.

But he felt helpless when he picked up this light spatula.

Shen Ningsi quickly wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, "General, you probably won't do these things, let it go, it's just that the smell choked me, it's not a big deal."

When Gu Hong saw Shen Ningsi's red eyes, his brows were already furrowed.

"Just tell me what to do, like you usually do, just stir-fry it."

Shen Ningsi looked at Gu Hong's unwillingness to give up, and was slightly stunned and could only take a step back.

"Just watch the meat in the pot change color."