"No!" Guo Honglei frowned, his face sullen. "Heqin is in chaos, and a weak woman can't protect herself. If anything were to happen to you, how would I explain it to my father-in-law? This isn't a good move. I'll think about it and find another way."
The group hurried along. Jiang Yushu's expression was solemn, clutching her handkerchief and tugging at it. She said calmly, "According to prison rules, any prisoners who remain unaccounted for before twilight will be relocated to several northern counties. We have no time to think of another plan right now, so we can only take a risk and try."
"There are dozens of men in the family, but in a critical moment, you let a woman take risks? It's so cowardly!" The second son of Mr. Guo had a gloomy face and he disagreed no matter what.
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Jiang Yushu hurriedly consoled him, "It's all because I happen to know a little about potatoes, and you don't. It has nothing to do with being a coward. Besides, Magistrate Pan wants me to farm, not fight in battle. Just be careful, and you should be safe."
Cuimei said without hesitation: "Miss, wherever you go, I will follow you!"
"Please, Madam, take me with you to Heqin." Xiao Tao's face turned pale, but she mustered up her courage and said, "Although I don't know anything about potatoes, I can serve you with food and daily life."
Potato seeds? Beans? Yam eggs? Sweet potatoes? Potatoes? Jiang Yushu burst out laughing and said happily, "It's potatoes, not potato seeds."
Xiao Tao said awkwardly, "I remembered it wrongly."
Guo Honglei suddenly stopped and turned around!
"Ah——" Jiang Yushu was completely unprepared and bumped into him, closing her eyes instinctively.
Guo Honglei took a half step back in time. Without thinking, he pinched his wife's chin with his right hand and lifted it up. He leaned closer and asked in confusion, "What time is it now? How can you laugh?"
"Did I laugh?" Jiang Yushu was forced to look up, and her chin hurt.
Guo Honglei asked cautiously, "Tell me, did you understand what Magistrate Pan meant?"
"I understand! He asked me to go to Heqin County and teach the locals how to grow potatoes." Jiang Yushu struggled to lean back. Their breaths intertwined, and the unfamiliar masculine scent hit her face. Her face flushed, and she tilted her head and said, "Second Young Master, let's talk it over. Let go."
Guo Honglei easily subdued the man, his eyes fixed on him, and said in confusion, "Strange, I never saw any fear or reluctance in you."
Timid? What's the point of being afraid?
Reluctant? In fact, when Jiang Yushu heard about the "new grain, sea potatoes, and no one cultivating them," she was extremely excited and full of energy. She wanted to fly to Heqin, roll up her sleeves and do some serious research!
In my previous life, I studied hard for more than ten years to get a diploma, and then I worked hard for several years to practice. The experience I accumulated with great effort is just going to waste. How pity!
This is a godsend opportunity to return to your profession, don't miss it! If you miss it, you might find it difficult to escape the shackles of the harem for the rest of your life.
Whenever she imagined that she might be mired in the trivialities of family life, or the intrigues between mother-in-law, daughter-in-law, and relatives for decades, she would shudder and feel disgusted and anxious.
Thinking of this, Jiang Yushu explained passionately and righteously, "I'm so happy to be able to help my family go to Changping County. How could I be reluctant? Besides, 'When things are extremely difficult, you must be brave,' so I dare not be afraid!"
"You—a woman who's as brave as a man. You're truly courageous." Guo Honglei sighed, full of admiration. He slowly loosened his grip, only to see two red fingerprints appear on the woman's fair chin. Feeling guilty, he hurriedly said, "Why are they bruised? I didn't use any force at all."
Jiang Yushu waved her hand to indicate it was okay, rubbed her fingerprints, and said briskly, "Actually, the county magistrate's request isn't excessive. We're asking for help from someone we're not related to, so it's rare for them to be willing to help. But Captain Pan was a surprise. I thought he'd take advantage of the situation and offer to recruit you."
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In reality, Guo Honglei knew it all. He said solemnly, "You're right. Although the captain didn't say it explicitly, he certainly meant it. As the saying goes, 'A drop of water should be repaid with a spring,' let alone a timely help. I can't play dumb."
"It's only natural to repay a favor. I will try my best to help them plant potatoes!" Jiang Yushu wiped the sweat off her face. She was sweating profusely from the heat and didn't care to think about the hidden meaning of her husband's words.
Guo Honglei was about to speak when he heard a loud noise behind him. Everyone turned around and looked:
The prison gate opened wide, and a group of frontier soldiers in military uniforms rushed in. The leaders knew each other and were greeting each other with their arms around each other's shoulders and backs.
"You're such a jerk, Pan Kui!" one of the bearded men demanded, "Why didn't you say anything when we passed by Xinyang? We haven't had a drink in ages."
Another short and fat middle-aged man feigned anger, "You were sneaking around when you passed by our Silu, aren't you afraid that I'll blackmail you for a drink?"
"Nonsense! I've always been aboveboard. When have I ever been sneaky?" Pan Kui said cheerfully, explaining, "Well, I was planning to come see you, but my eldest brother was in a hurry to go to the government office, so I had to hurry on."
"I see."
Pan Rui smiled and said, "I blame myself for delaying your gathering. I'll definitely prepare a few jars of good wine some other day so we can all catch up on the past."
"good!"
…
After watching for a while, Guo Honglei informed him, "People from Xinyang Guard and Silu Guard are here too."
Jiang Yushu sighed, "Of course, this is their responsibility. Let's go back and discuss it."
A moment later
"Really? Really?" Wang Qiaozhen's eyes lit up, she was filled with surprise and joy. "Master Pan, are you really willing to help us? This is really great!"
After repeated consideration, Guo Honglei made up his mind and said solemnly, "But the other party has two requirements."
ah?
Two requests? Wasn't there only one? Jiang Yushu frowned in surprise, thinking she had misheard.
Happy events bring joy to the soul, and even the ailing Wang Shi seemed to brighten up. She leaned against the headboard and anxiously asked, "What did they ask for?" She took a breath and, worriedly, said, "How much will they ask for? Alas, I don't know if the money at home is enough for the trip. If not, I'll just owe it to them. I'll save my dignity and write to my relatives to ask for it."
Wang Qiaozhen immediately sneered, gnashing her teeth and saying bitterly, "Humph, Liao Xiaodie took two thousand taels from us, and now, let alone accomplishing the task, there's not even a trace of news or even a sign of her—"
"Don't interrupt! There's a commotion outside! People from the northern border counties are here. We can't lose any time. We need to discuss business first." Wang interrupted the eldest daughter-in-law unhappily and urged, "Honglei, quickly tell us the other party's two demands."
Guo Honglei slowly replied, "First, Magistrate Pan has asked Yushu to go to Heqin to teach the villagers how to grow potatoes. Second, if Captain Pan doesn't mind, I will go to Heqin to join the guards."
Instantly, everyone in the room was dumbfounded, looking at each other in bewilderment, and asking in shock, "What?"
"What are you talking about?" Jiang Yushu stood up in surprise, confused, "How come I don't know——"
Guo Honglei lifted his robe and knelt on the ground, raising his voice to drown out his wife's, and said guiltily: "Mother, please forgive my unfilial behavior. I have not yet repaid you for raising me, but you have to go to the battlefield to kill the enemy. If anything unexpected happens, I can only repay you in the next life." After speaking, he kowtowed uprightly.
"Brother, you can't go!" Guo Hongxuan's face turned pale with fear, and he was at a loss. Guo Hongzhe was also panicking and said nervously: "Brother, don't go, that place is too chaotic! Let's, let's find another way."
Wang's face paled as she came to her senses. "How can this be? It's outrageous! Yushu is enough to help with the farm work. Why would we have to involve you?" Anxious, tears welling in her eyes, she asked sadly, "The Marquis and Yao'er are gone, and Azhe and Xuan'er are still young. If something happens to you, who will I rely on? What will happen to our family then?"
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As expected, my mother-in-law didn't even consider my safety. Jiang Yushu remained calm, unsurprised. She thought to herself, "So, he's decided to join the Heqin Guard?" He probably lied about his "two demands" because he was afraid his mother wouldn't stop him. But it was true; Captain Pan clearly had that in mind.
Guo Honglei knelt, head held high and chest puffed out, and spoke in a resounding voice, "Don't be sad. His Majesty has ordered the Guo family to be exiled to the army and cultivate the land. No one can escape this order. Since I am exiled, no matter where I go, I will fight to defend my country. Life and death are at the mercy of fate. If I am safe and sound, I will continue to serve you in the future. If I die in battle, it is God's will. I am willing to use my blood to wash away the infamy of the Guo family's involvement in the corruption case!"
So open-minded and courageous! Jiang Yushu secretly praised him.
"No, how can this be? I would rather let Lord Pan ask for money and property. He, he is so unreasonable. It's really too much. He is simply trying to kill me!" Although Wang was often dissatisfied with her second son, he was her biological son after all, and she cried and beat her chest.
Wang Qiaozhen looked at Guo Honglei, then glanced at Jiang Yushu, and finally stared at the tip of her shoes without saying a word.
His brothers and sisters panicked and tried to dissuade him, their mother weeping bitterly. But Guo Honglei felt obligated to do what was best for them, so he could only offer comfort, "Don't worry. I'll first send you to Changping County to seek refuge with Uncle Mu, and then we'll go to Heqin." He stood up, patted his two brothers on the shoulders, and sternly instructed them, "Remember! When I'm not home, discuss small matters with the housekeeper, and consult Uncle Mu on major matters. Be diligent and filial, and don't irritate your mother."
"Second brother..." The third and fourth brothers burst into tears, choking with sobs.
Jiang Yushu calmed down, cheered up, and said apologetically: "Sister-in-law, I don't know when I can return after I leave. I can only trouble you to take care of mother-in-law."
"Well, it's my duty, it's my duty! Serving my mother-in-law is a daughter-in-law's duty, you, you can rest assured." Wang Qiaozhen quickly approached and held her sister-in-law's hand affectionately. "Yushu, when we get to Heqin, you and Honglei must be extra careful."
Jiang Yushu smiled and replied: "Well, we will be careful."
"Lord Pan will set off at 4:04 PM. There is no time to lose. I will give you an answer right away!"
Jiang Yushu followed and said, "Let's go together. There are injured patients at home, so we need to ask them to arrange a few cars."
"Wait!" Wang, who was lying on the sickbed, stretched out her hand and called out anxiously, "Honglei, stop. Don't answer Master Pan yet. Stop now, cough cough cough—"
Wang Qiaozhen felt relieved to be assigned to Changping County and stopped trying to commit suicide. She gently rubbed the elder's back to soothe his nerves and said softly, "Honglei is the head of the family. He's made his decision, and it's for the good of the whole family. You can't persuade him. Lie down and rest for a while. We'll be leaving for Changping County soon."
When the young couple stepped out of the door, they saw many servants kneeling at the bottom of the stairs, talking in unison:
"Please, young lady, take me and Xiaotao with you!" The two maids crawled forward on their knees.
"Master, I also want to join the Heqin Guard!" The trusted servants were loyal and clamored to follow.
Among them, Guo Honglei's wet nurse, Pan Ma, even carried her bag, fearing that she would be left behind.
Jiang Yushu was deeply moved and hurriedly helped the maid to her feet. Guo Honglei thought for a moment and then instructed, "I'll go and tell Master Pan. You can pick a few to take to Heqin, and the rest will stay in Changping."
"OK!"
The couple acted separately. Guo Honglei acted decisively and quickly sought an audience with the Pan brothers. He first said to Pan Rui, "Thank you for your kindness and support, sir. Don't worry, when we get to Heqin, my wife Jiang will teach us everything she knows!"
"Well, okay." Pan Rui nodded with satisfaction.
Guo Honglei then knelt on one knee before Pan Kui without hesitation, clasping his fists and declaring, "I deeply respect the justice and dignity of the captain, and am willing to follow you into battle to kill the enemy and defend our country. I beg you to take me in!"
The former nobleman of a noble family, knelt on one knee, bowed his head and begged him... Pan Kui was startled, and was filled with admiration and appreciation. He quickly bent down to support him, grinning from ear to ear, and said happily: "Good! Good boy, I knew you were not a coward!"
It was only at this moment that Liao Xiaodie, who had been scheming, arrived with her husband. Gong Yipeng, holding the documents, was anxious and breathless, and shouted apologetically from a distance:
"Honglei! I'm so sorry, I'm late and kept you waiting."
The author has something to say:
Wang Qiaozhen [sneered]: You’re just in time. I’m so filled with resentment that I can’t hold it back any longer!
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Although, although it is late, I insist on updating every day [lack of confidence face] I wish the little angel a happy holiday ~ (＾o＾)/~
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