Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside

Chapter 1270: Can’t Meet Bai for Free

"This is a Jade Pendant that only the Zhong Family can have; it’s not suitable as a gift. You should choose something else." Qin San Lang intervened.

Upon hearing this, Elder Xu quickly withdrew his hand and smiled at Zhong Yu, saying, "Young Master Zhong, your visit to congratulate us is a great blessing for the Xu Family, don’t make a fuss about the gift, please sit down and rest."

Zhong Yu felt it was improper, so he put away the Jade Pendant and said, "I apologize for the impropriety. I’ll make sure to send a gift in a few days."

"Ah, anything is fine," Elder Xu said with a big smile, pulling Xu Zhao Ming over and saying, "This is my eldest grandson, called Zhao Ming, and he is a scholar in this year’s exams."

"Greetings, Young Master Zhong." Xu Zhao Ming bowed to Zhong Yu.

Zhong Yu, though having been a soldier, still remembered the etiquette of noble families, so he stood up and returned the salute to Xu Zhao Ming: "Brother Xu."

Elder Xu’s grin was so wide it couldn’t be contained, and he said repeatedly, "Good, good, good, you two are similar in age and should get along like brothers."

The wealthy men present secretly cursed: Peh, Old Man Xu, you really dare say that. What kind of person is Young Master Zhong? What kind of person is your grandson? He wouldn’t even be worthy to carry his shoes, yet you call them brothers?

"Company Commander Qin!" Young Master Dou smiled as if he’d just found gold, and ran over to greet Qin San Lang, offering him a plate of beef: "The Xu Family’s beef is quite good, Company Commander Qin, please have a taste."

Dou Meng: "..."

Young master, you’re nearly acting like a nanny, always worrying whether Company Commander Qin has eaten.

Qin San Lang took the plate and placed it on a table nearby, saying, "No need, I won’t stay long. I just need to greet my future father-in-law and then I’ll leave."

He had come to support Gu Dexing’s event, and once that was done, he intended to leave.

Father-in-law? You’re already calling him that before the wedding? Young Marquis, you’re too eager. You shouldn’t do that; otherwise, in the future, you’ll struggle to maintain family authority and be laughed at.

However, Young Master Dou knew that Qin San Lang was very concerned about Gu Jinli, and thus did not dare to suggest to his face that Qin San Lang should not get too close to the Gu Family People. Instead, he asked, "Leaving so soon?"

What a disappointment, I thought we could at least have a meal with the Young Marquis.

Qin San Lang nodded: "Yes, although things seem stable right now, we can’t afford to be careless."

Other prefectures are still in disarray, and everyone knows the first Dou Ou Bank is in Tianfu County, so if a group of Evil Men were to come, Tianfu County would be doomed.

Young Master Dou nodded: "Company Commander Qin is right; the more things seem stable, the less we can afford to relax."

The Young Marquis included us in his words, considering us as part of his own! How delightful!

He continued, "Your future father-in-law is sitting with me, let me take you to meet him."

Because Zhong Yu had come, many people gathered to watch as if it were a spectacle, blocking the large guest hall to the point it was hard to move. However, Young Master Dou had significant influence, with many trying to curry favor with him, so they made way as he walked ahead, easily leading Qin San Lang to Gu Dashan and the others.

"Uncle Dashan, Third Grandpa." Qin San Lang spoke with Gu Dashan and the others for a short while, eating a little at Gu Dashan’s insistence, before promptly leaving: "Zhong Yu, have you finished eating? Gather your soldiers, we’re leaving."

"Coming!" Zhong Yu was nearly in tears. He had never been so relieved by Qin San Lang calling for him. Elder Xu’s warmth made him feel as though it was he who was betrothed to the elder’s granddaughter.

"Elder Xu, I have duties to attend to, so I must take my leave," Zhong Yu said as he fled, with Elder Xu, Xu Zhao Ming, and a group of wealthy county men in pursuit: "Brother Yu, slow down, let me see you off. We agreed, I’ll bring Zhao Ming to the Prefecture garrison to visit you another day, remember?"

My goodness, in just a moment Elder Xu was already calling him Brother Yu and made plans to visit him at the Prefecture garrison.

"Did you just acknowledge a grandfather?" Young Master Dou asked Zhong Yu.

Zhong Yu felt like crying and ignored Young Master Dou, hastening to follow Qin San Lang.

Once out of the Xu Family’s, Zhong Yu felt reborn and let out a long sigh of relief: "Finally escaped, it’s terrifying. Are all countryside gentry like this?"

Qin San Lang glanced at him, half-smiling: "Scared now? Weren’t you eager to come?"

Zhong Yu was stymied, glaring at Qin San Lang: "Did you set me up?"

Qin San Lang neither confirmed nor denied it: "I warned you before we came; country banquets differ from noble families, their words and deeds are more direct. Yet you said you’d attended countless banquets and this was just a countryside Xu family betrothal feast, what was there to fear?"

He looked at Zhong Yu and said, "I have only two things to tell you: first, you underestimated them; second, you brought it on yourself."

Ugh, once again, Zhong Yu was left speechless, his face flushed with embarrassment, so he shifted the subject: "Liu Chief Commander was caught and has been taken to the Jianghuai Commandery by the garrison commander at Hushan Prefecture. I’ve made my contribution!"

After finishing, seeing Qin San Lang still without any expression, Zhong Yu felt quite awkward, ultimately abandoning his boast, saying: "We must be going; General Guo mentioned he has business with you once you’re done here. You should head to the Prefecture garrison when you have time."

Adding quickly: "I was just passing along General Guo’s message."

Not here to flaunt anything, for he was no such child!

But who would believe that?

Zhong Yu himself felt his words were unconvincing, so he hastily led his soldiers away.

Young Master Dou nearly laughed himself to death: "Fool!"

Serves you right for opposing the Young Marquis, didn’t you learn your lesson?

Qin San Lang gave him a glance and said, "Zhong Yu is alright; he’s worth associating with."

Zhong Yu wasn’t just a capable individual; the Zhong family behind him was a substantial ally.

Young Master Dou nodded: "Understood."

They didn’t say much else; with only a few parting words, they soon went their separate ways, one riding off on horseback, the other returning to the Xu Family to continue with the feast.

...

The betrothal ceremony of Gu Dexing and Xu Zhong was bustling, with word of notable figures attending spreading to nearby counties and the Prefecture.

Hence, families with hardly any connection began sending congratulatory gifts in the following days, some even visiting Elder Xu in person, requesting introductions to meet Master Ouyang, Young Master Dou, and Young Master Zhong.

Elder Xu, being shrewd, accepted gifts in exchange for favors, but ultimately said, "Master Ouyang is like an Immortal who loves solitude; he specially instructed us not to disclose his whereabouts, a promise the Lord Magistrate himself agreed to. I really can’t say more."

As for Zhong Yu, that young man is at the Prefecture garrison; go find him yourselves.

Elder Xu also took them to Dou Ou Bank to meet Young Master Dou, but what kind of person is Young Master Dou? Did they think they could meet him for free?

Each meeting left their pockets lighter, and they soon grew apprehensive, avoiding further visits for a while.

After enjoying a few days of this, Elder Xu summoned Young Master Xu and his wife, instructing, "Let Girl Ling out, tidy her up, and send her to the manor in Hukang County."

On the day of Xu Zhong’s betrothal, once the guests had departed, Elder Xu punished Xu Ling by locking her in the woodshed, giving her one bun and a bowl of water a day, until now.