After four years of marriage, the military officer husband came back

Lu Jingzhe didn't ask any more questions. The two of them walked together on the path in the mountains. Because Guo Yumei had just cleared the road, there were no branches blocking the way, so the journey was smooth.

In the mountains, the moon seemed to come out very early. Before the sun had completely set, it had already impatiently hung on the treetops.

The two walked home one after the other, passing through a small bamboo forest. The wind made the bamboo leaves rustle. In the field outside the bamboo forest, there were a few women who had not returned home. They were picking sweet potato leaves and chatting.

Xia Qingning didn't care what they said at first, but when her name came into her ears, she unconsciously slowed down her pace.

"That Qingning girl from the Xia family is back. Did you see her?"

"How could I not see him? He came back with the second son of the Lu family."

"You know what, the second child of the Lu family had no warmth in his body when he was young, and it's still the same when he grows up. His face is as cold as if it was covered with frost! He never smiles."

"That's all because of his father. If you ask me, Su Hui is a fool. She was a sent-down youth, pretty, and could have found many men in the surrounding area, but she chose this stinky old man with a child."

"I'm not stupid at all. Didn't Lu Baichuan finally take off his hat and go back to the city? I'm smart. Now I follow Lu Baichuan and I have a very good life."

"What a bullshit! I heard the person died a long time ago!"

"Ah! Dead? Oh, he was a pitiful man. He suffered a lot following Lu Baichuan, but he didn't enjoy any happiness."

"I think it was probably her second son who did it. Look at his cold face. It's scary. People like him always bring disaster."

Xia Qingning was listening to these words behind the bamboo forest, her emotions surging out, she was even angrier than Lu Jingzhe.

Those injustices are already unfortunate, and now they have to become the topic of conversation for others after dinner. They have no idea how foolish and vicious the speculations and conclusions that come out of their mouths are.

"I'll go tell them to stop talking." Xia Qingning, who was always gentle, wrinkled her face with indignation when she heard this, and she couldn't help but turn around and walk out.

Before she could move, a large, strong hand reached out and grabbed her arm, preventing her from taking the next step.

Xia Qingning looked at Lu Jingzhe in confusion, but saw that he had a calm face and no ripples on his expression, as if he was not affected by those words at all. He only heard him utter two words in a deep voice:

"No need."

Xia Qingning felt angry and distressed, and blurted out:

"Why do they say that about you and your mother?"

Lu Jingzhe's expression changed slightly when he saw Xia Qingning's protection, but he did not let go and uttered a word in a deep voice.

"There is no use in quarrelling."

Xia Qingning knew that he couldn't possibly not care. His clenched fist had already betrayed him. Those were the relatives he found hardest to part with and the ones he wanted to protect the most!

He was just enduring it and didn't want to engage in pointless arguments with these ignorant country women.

Xia Qingning gradually calmed down. She knew that if the matter got out of hand, it would only make Lu Jingzhe more embarrassed, so she didn't insist on going to them to reason.

Seeing that she had calmed down a lot, Lu Jingzhe was about to let go of her arm, but in the next second, she suddenly held his hand.

Her hands were small, and she seemed to have used a lot of strength to cover the back of his hands. He could feel her five fingers continuing to exert force, as if trying to give him some strength.

A scorching heat came from her palm, spreading around like warm spring water flowing. A hint of surprise flashed across his indifferent eyes. He hesitated for a moment, but did not pull his hand back.

Xia Qingning's heart was filled with piety at this moment, without any distracting thoughts. She didn't know how to comfort him just now, so she held his hand in desperation, wanting to give him some warmth and strength, to make him feel that the world was not all malicious.

Her eyes were clear and bright, she looked at him gently and said firmly:

"They are just talking nonsense, all about being strong or weak, all feudal dregs. You are very good, very, very good, so don't pay attention to what they say."

"Yeah." Lu Jingzhe responded, with tenderness and gentleness in his eyes, and whispered one word: "Okay."

Only then did Xia Qingning notice that she was still holding his hand, and suddenly felt a little embarrassed. In order to cover up, she could only smile, and then withdrew her hand with an awkward smile.

Secretly observing Lu Jingzhe, he found that he didn't seem to care and didn't mean to blame him, so he felt relieved. The two were about to continue walking when they suddenly heard the village women continue chatting:

"Hey, I remember that it wasn't the eldest son of the Lu family who was engaged to the girl from the Xia family? How come he suddenly became the second son?"

"Yes, if we were in the city, there would be no distinction between these things. After all, we are brothers, so it doesn't matter who you marry."

"How can we not separate? That girl's father died saving the eldest brother of the Lu family, so this marriage was arranged. The other person is a city person, and she is a country girl, how can she choose who to marry!"

"Yes, then you should marry the eldest, so why are you marrying the second one now?"

"I think it's probably that girl who took the initiative to seduce the second brother, or she used some dishonorable means..."

Although these aunties are talkative, their guesses are really accurate!

Xia Qingning had just finished comforting Lu Jingzhe, but she didn't expect that the anger would be directed at herself in an instant. She just gave a bitter smile pretending to be indifferent, stopped listening, and walked forward quickly.

The two walked out of the bamboo forest. Xia Qingning suddenly heard Lu Jingzhe beside her cough consciously. When the women heard the noise, they immediately shut up and looked over here.

Xia Qingning walked in front with her back straight. She would not show her weakness in front of these talkative women. As she was walking, a loose military uniform was draped over her shoulders.

This action naturally reminded her of the scene when they first met. When she was most embarrassed and helpless, he also wrapped her in a loose piece of clothing and helped her solve the dilemma silently.

But unlike the last time when it was just help, this time it was more like protection.

"It's windy." He lowered his head to help her adjust her clothes, and said, "Don't catch a cold."

The voice is clear and cold, but deep and pleasant to the ear.

Under the gazes of everyone, he took her hand and walked forward calmly.