Gan Qiongying couldn't control the corners of her mouth from turning up in a crazy smile.
She has some money now, but what does she lack most? She lacks people!
She was worried about where to find some people to secretly keep, but she didn't dare to buy servants or guards easily, because if they were not loyal, they would be a huge hidden danger.
However, the secrets that Princess Duanrong kept hidden underground, which she had been raising for a long time and did not let anyone know, are absolutely reliable!
According to Chen Wa, all of the more than two thousand private soldiers were elite troops!
She ran up to Chen Wa in a few quick steps, turning back to urge him, "Can't you take a step? Hurry up!"
After a moment of surprise, Chen Wa quickened his pace, leaving Manyue far behind. He hurried back into the house to fetch a cloak for Gan Qiongying and jogged to catch up with the two.
With every step she took, Gan Qiongying wondered if the guards were training right beneath the ground she was standing on.
After Gan Qiongying made her way through a maze of turns and arrived at a hidden entrance to a rockery, and then took a human-powered elevator to the training ground, even though she had mentally prepared herself beforehand, she couldn't help but be shocked by the massive underground training facility.
A gust of cold wind, carrying dampness and an unknown smell, blew over and went straight into people's robes. Fortunately, Manyue had brought a thin cloak, which she quickly wrapped around Gan Qiongying.
Gan Qiongying pulled her cloak tighter and walked forward.
Chen Wa rushed ahead to make arrangements, and the torches in the underground passage were all lit up, twice as many as usual, making the underground as bright as the surface.
The passageway was very quiet, the ground was smooth, and the walls were mottled, clearly indicating that people had lived there for many years.
It wasn't until she reached the middle of the section that Gan Qiongying could vaguely hear the sounds of fighting and the clash of weapons.
The stones on the ground had changed, becoming more uneven. Manyue quickly helped Gan Qiongying up and reminded her, "Princess, watch your step."
The road turned downhill, and after walking for a while, Gan Qiongying finally saw someone.
The man, dressed as a groom, knelt down respectfully from a distance to pay his respects. He only stood up when Gan Qiongying and the others approached, his face filled with barely concealed excitement.
Chen Wa crouched down, gathered his strength, and leaped forward, striking the stone wall at the top with his palm. Gan Qiongying then saw the stone wall in front of her suddenly cave in, and the stones began to rapidly change shape.
Countless arrows shot out from the wall, startling Gan Qiongying so much that she took a step back.
Chen Wa immediately stepped forward and stood in front of Gan Qiongying and Manyue. The arrows were obviously within their range and did not hit the place where they were standing.
Once all the arrows were fired, Chen Wa led Gan Qiongying and Manyue to continue forward.
Finally, they stopped in front of a stone door. Chen Wa reached out and moved the stone carving. When the switch was triggered, the sounds in the passage immediately stopped.
Only when the massive stone gate slowly opened did Gan Qiongying see a group of people kneeling down to welcome her.
But they weren't the armored soldiers she had imagined; instead, they were people dressed in ordinary servants' clothes.
Their faces were beaming with smiles. Almost all of these people worked as servants, guards, grooms, and all sorts of other jobs in the mansion.
Therefore, they all knew what Gan Qiongying looked like, and when they learned that the princess had actually come to this underground training ground, they could hardly contain their excitement.
"Greetings, Princess!"
The chorus of greetings was deafening, almost piercing the ground and reaching the heavens.
However, Gan Qiongying knew from her journey that the underground training ground was extremely soundproof and quite far from the ground, so no matter what sounds they made inside, they would never be heard from the outside.
Otherwise, Gan Qiongying wouldn't have taken so long to find out that she had an army.
Gan Qiongying was so shocked that she closed her eyes briefly, but she recognized the group of people.
There were guards at the gate and servants sweeping and cleaning. She never expected them to be so secretive. She had only thought they were strong and muscular, but she never imagined that they were the army she had secretly trained.
Chen Wa signaled, and the group immediately ran back to their original positions, all picking up their weapons. Following the flag in Chen Wa's hand, they constantly changed formations in this wide yet oppressive underground training ground.
The shouts of changing formations and the sounds of clashing swords filled the air. Gan Qiongying felt as if she were on an ancient battlefield, and was deeply shocked, both physically and mentally.
She later watched several more matches, and the skill level of these people completely exceeded her expectations.
Finally, Gan Qiongying generously rewarded everyone.
Everyone kowtowed in respect to see them off, their fervent loyalty almost bursting forth.
After Gan Qiongying and Manyue came up from underground, they felt refreshed, as if they had just sparred with those elites and won a battle.
Looking at the thin clouds in the sky, she felt a surge of confidence. More than two thousand elite soldiers could do so much, and they were utterly loyal.
On her way back, Gan Qiongying felt as if she were floating, each step feeling like she was walking on clouds.
She now has both money and manpower; all that's missing is to enter the palace and discuss the specifics of how to make the trip with Gan Lin. Right now, she's just waiting for the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet.
Everything is ready, except for the east wind!
During dinner, Gan Qiongying stared at the food on the table, wondering if Li Hua would bring her roast duck today, but Li Hua did not return for a long time.
Several dishes had already been reheated before someone announced that the prince consort had returned.
Gan Qiongying immediately went to the door to greet him. Li Hua seemed to be particularly busy these past few days, and occasionally when he came back, he would smell of alcohol, so he must have been entertaining clients.
Gan Qiongying never questioned him, but was always exceptionally attentive, personally helping him change his clothes and bringing him the ginseng soup he drank every night. She was a truly virtuous and good wife.
She herself did not realize that she genuinely felt sorry for Li Hua, and it wasn't entirely because of the 500,000 taels.
Although Li Hua didn't bring Gan Qiongying roast duck, he did bring her some snacks. Moreover, he seemed to be in a good mood today, and he smiled more than usual.
“Husband,” Gan Qiongying gently shook Li Hua’s hand, looking at Li Hua’s face, “You’ve been working too hard lately. Bring over the ginseng soup for the full moon celebration later, and have a bowl. Also, it seems the weather is going to change, so apply a hot compress to your legs later.”
Li Hua grasped Gan Qiongying's hand, pulled her close, and embraced her.
He now holds Gan Qiongying very naturally and skillfully.
He smiled and said, "Thank you for your understanding, Princess. The Chamber of Commerce is quite busy today. If this happens again, please have your meal first and don't wait for me."
Gan Qiongying leaned against Li Hua's chest and looked up: "I'm willing to wait for you. Without you, eating alone isn't enjoyable."
This was absolutely true; she had long been used to eating with Li Hua.
Li Hua reached out and touched Gan Qiongying's face. Hearing her say those words, an indescribable tenderness welled up in his heart.
He spoke very softly, yet his voice carried the weight of a thousand pounds, as if making a promise: "Then I will come back early every day to eat with you. If I am busy, I will not eat out; I will definitely come back to be with you."
"No need for that..." Gan Qiongying chuckled, taking it as Li Hua joking.
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