A husband found in the village? I bought a regent for a penny!

Aunt Qian and Sister-in-law Qin exchanged a glance, both skeptical of the old bachelor's claim.

Aunt Qian pushed through the crowd and saw Gu Xixi walking this way, so she quickly waved, "Niece, over here!"

"Come quickly and check on the Qin family. Are the fruit trees and medicinal seedlings alright?"

Sister-in-law Qin quickly pointed out the spot where the old bachelor had damaged it.

Gu Xixi walked into the orchard and carefully looked at the ground and the trees. "It's alright, it's nothing serious."

Sister-in-law Qin breathed a sigh of relief, then turned around and pointed at the old bachelor, cursing, "If there's a next time, I'll pull up all your wheat seedlings and throw them all to feed the sheep and pigs!"

The old bachelor gasped and muttered under his breath, "That's too cruel! Truly, the most poisonous heart is that of a woman!"

Sister-in-law Qin glared at her angrily, "Who are you calling vicious? If you weren't acting like a jerk, I wouldn't bother with you at all!"

The old bachelor couldn't do any work (actually, he was just lazy and loved to eat), and last year he managed to drag it out for several days before finally planting the winter wheat.

We're counting on these for our food supply this year!

So he didn't dare to mess with Sister-in-law Qin anymore and said, "Fine, I won't stoop to your level. If I can't afford to offend you, I can at least avoid you. From now on, I'll go around your orchard, okay?"

Sister-in-law Qin then put on a cold face and said nothing more.

Seeing that the matter was resolved, Aunt Qian stepped in to smooth things over, saying, "It's alright, it's alright. Everyone's been busy lately, let's all go home."

After the onlookers had all dispersed, Aunt Qian beckoned Gu Xixi and Sister-in-law Qin to come closer and talk.

"Although our fruit trees have truly survived."

"But as far as I know, those who are up to no good haven't stopped yet."

Sister-in-law Qin hurriedly asked, "What happened? Have you heard any rumors?"

Aunt Qian then explained in detail.

Over the years that Lao Qian has served as village chief, he has accumulated some popularity in the village.

So someone leaked the news to him.

Since the Bodhi fruit tree was planted in Huachidu Village, the people who were waiting to watch the excitement have now split into three categories.

The first type is those who regret not setting aside an acre or two to try it out, since saplings are free anyway.

After being rejected by Gu Xixi, these people who regretted their decision split into two groups.

Some people gave up, thinking they could wait and see for a year and participate next year, which made them more at ease.

Another group felt jealous and hoped that the fruit tree planting would fail, or worse, that something terrible would happen and they would be doomed.

The third type of person is still single-mindedly waiting for Gu Xixi to make a mistake, their goal still being the secret recipe for growing grain.

Among them, the two old men from the Gu family were the leaders.

Aunt Qian's expression was solemn. "So, you never know what these people might do. Like what that old bachelor did just now, who knows if he really did it unintentionally, or if he was instigated by someone to deliberately do something bad?"

Sister-in-law Qin wholeheartedly agreed, "A lazy bum like that old bachelor is idle all day long. If someone gives him a little something, he'll be bossed around like a dog!"

Aunt Qian looked at Gu Xixi and said, "My dear niece, your Uncle Qian asked me to tell you about these things, as well as a few other families. I'll go and talk to them later."

"We need to be careful; as the saying goes, one should always be wary of others."

Gu Xixi nodded and said, "Uncle Qian and Aunt Qian are right to be concerned. This time it was my oversight."

"It's fine for now, since we're all from the same village. But after today, those who want to do bad things will probably have to think twice."

"But as the fruit trees grow and the intercropping in the woodland yields a harvest, it will inevitably attract even more envy. We need to prepare early."

She lowered her head and pondered for a moment, then revealed a sly smile. "I'm not afraid of thieves stealing, I'm afraid of thieves eyeing me. I have a solution."

Gu Xixi whispered a few words like this.

Both women's eyes lit up.

Sister-in-law Qin covered her mouth, unable to suppress her laughter, "That's a good idea, let's do it that way!"

Before the three parted, Gu Xixi said, "The first hurdle of the orchard has been overcome, and there shouldn't be any problems recently. I'm going out for a while and will be back in three to five days at most."

Aunt Qian and Sister-in-law Qin both said, "Go ahead and do it. We'll even keep an eye on your area."

After thanking them, Gu Xixi bid them farewell and went home alone.

When Aunt Zhang heard that Gu Xixi was going out for three to five days, she stood up anxiously, "Didn't you say that you would take the saplings and not go to Yunling for the time being? Could something have happened?"

Gu Xixi laughed and said, "If nothing happens, I won't go to Yunling County."

“I’m going to travel to the area near the pass. You’ve forgotten, I still have those Bodhi fruit trees planted there.”

"No matter what, we have to go and see for ourselves now that spring is here."

Aunt Zhang said with concern, "You always worry too much."

"You said someone over there is willing to lend you land and even help you plant trees, so why not entrust it to them?"

Gu Xixi smiled and said, "That won't do."

"You have to keep a close eye on your own things to feel at ease."

Aunt Zhang stopped trying to dissuade Gu Xixi and started packing her things for the trip.

As she packed her bundle, she looked out the window. "It's getting dark. Is Xiao Chen not coming back again?"

"We haven't seen him for two days in a row, and this is the third day now. Xixi, I think you should keep an eye on him."

The village school was closed yesterday, and Mu Nanzhao didn't go today either.

This has never happened before.

However, he had anticipated that his return would be delayed, so before taking a break, he left the children with lessons, saying that he had to travel far away and would not be able to return for five days or seven or eight days to resume classes.

Therefore, Gu Xixi comforted Aunt Zhang with this, saying, "No matter how busy he was before, he insisted on teaching every day. Now he doesn't even go to the village school anymore, which means something really has happened."

"Let's not interfere."

Aunt Zhang thought about it and nodded, saying, "That kid Xiao Chen doesn't seem like someone who's ignorant and reckless."

The next morning, when Gu Xixi drove her mule cart away from home, she still didn't see Mu Nanzhao.

Inside the Northwest Pass, Meng Chengping still greeted Gu Xixi near the village.

This time, however, they did not enter the village first, but instead detoured to the Northwest Army camp.

Gu Xixi asked, "Isn't it said that women are not allowed to enter military camps?"

Meng Chengping laughed and said, "You are no ordinary woman. You are now Boss Gu, who is cooperating with the General."

Gu Xixi smiled and asked again, "Are there any taboos or things to be aware of?"

Meng Chengping cupped his hands in greeting, "The General has given orders to the entire army that Boss Gu may enter without hindrance or any restrictions."

Gu Xixi said, "Then you really trust me."

Meng Chengping looked ahead, swaying his head with the horse's gait, and said, "We're all tied to the same rope, so let's not stand on ceremony."

Gu Xixi smiled helplessly and shook her head.

On the way, Meng Chengping mentioned He Jinglan, "We're in a hurry this time, so I didn't tell her you were coming, lest she insist on coming along."

"After I've met the General, I'll have to send you back tonight."

Gu Xixi was taken aback. "Why the rush? What happened?"

Meng Chengping hesitated for a moment, then said, "There may be a war soon, you just need to know this."

Gu Xixi lowered her head and remained silent.

After a while, he asked, "Then do you know why the General saw me at this time?"