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

Mu Nanzhao looked at Huo Jiang and said seriously, "Anything Gu Xixi does, including what she did for you, is both her own ability and her own choice."

Huo Jiang's smile faded. "It's rare that you say something I like to hear."

"Don't worry, I truly admire Boss Gu and have never looked down on her in the slightest because she is a woman. But you..."

He stared at Mu Nanzhao and said seriously, "I always thought that even though you went through a near-death experience this time, your wicked nature hadn't changed."

"But now, I admit I was wrong. Not just me, but if those old friends in the capital knew that you now take someone seriously and genuinely respect them, they might think you've gone mad, or that they've gone mad."

Mu Nanzhao chuckled and gave a light sneer.

Was I really that arrogant in the past?

Huo Jiang shook his head and sighed, "Otherwise, besides your childhood friend, that young Lord He, the only person you can call a friend is this general with discerning eyes and a magnanimous heart, right?"

Mu Nanzhao smiled, "At least when we first met, were you truly magnanimous, or were you plotting to use me? So that I would be the one to take the lead and clean up those parasites who embezzled rations for you?"

Huo Jiang cleared his throat and changed the subject, "If the plan goes smoothly and there's no need for a scorched-earth policy, then I won't have to compensate Boss Gu for the Bodhi tree, right?"

Mu Nanzhao glared at him, "Don't act innocent after getting a good deal. A dignified general like you wouldn't be so shameless as to trick a woman into working for free, would you?"

The two exchanged a forced smile. Both were foxes who had cultivated for a thousand years; who was inferior to whom?

The village for dependents, it's the same little courtyard where I lived before.

As soon as I entered the courtyard, I heard the clanging and banging of chests and cages coming from inside the house.

Gu Xixi looked at Meng Chengping questioningly.

Meng Chengping smiled wryly and said softly, "Jinglan is packing her things right now. She... just isn't too keen on it."

Gu Xixi nodded knowingly, "Is this the General's intention?"

Although the war has not yet started, the covert struggle between the two sides has already begun.

No one can guarantee that the area near the border is safe.

He Jinglan was, after all, a daughter of a wealthy family, and Huo Jiang naturally refused to take responsibility for her.

The sounds of slamming and smashing inside the house grew louder.

Meng Chengping felt bitter inside. He snatched the reins from Gu Xixi and said, "I'll help you park the car and settle Laifu in. You go inside and check on her."

Gu Xixi saw through Meng Chengping's thoughts and laughed, "Why are you so afraid?"

"Could it be that you offended her by delivering the General's order to leave, and now you haven't even seen her lately?"

Unable to continue hiding the truth, Meng Chengping could only admit with a wry smile, "It's not that I don't want to see her, I desperately want to see her, but..."

He said timidly in a low voice, "Military orders are absolute. I can't leave her here. I'm afraid that seeing me will upset her and harm her health."

Meng Chengping then repeatedly bowed and begged Gu Xixi, "Please, Mr. Gu, have mercy and go in to put out this fire for me."

Gu Xixi readily agreed, "Okay, I'll go in and take a look."

"However, I'm not trying to persuade her on your behalf."

Meng Chengping nodded vigorously, "Alright, alright, as long as she can return to the capital safely, anything is fine."

As soon as Gu Xixi pushed open the door, a soft pillow was thrown at her, hitting the door frame.

He Jinglan angrily said, "You surnamed Meng! You've broken your promise! You left me here alone just because you were afraid that if I told you I didn't want to go back to the capital, you wouldn't be able to agree to it."

"So you won't even look me in the eye anymore? Who said they'd play with me? You turtle! Liar! Idiot!"

He Jinglan peeked out from the inner room after hearing the woman's laughter.

"Happy!"

He Jinglan dropped her other "weapon" and ran excitedly toward Gu Xixi.

"Why did you come all of a sudden? I was just saying I'd write to you beforehand and stay at your house for a few days on my way back!"

Gu Xixi said with a smile, "Miss He, there's no need to give prior notice for your visit to my humble abode. Just come in and make yourself at home."

He Jinglan's mood had improved. She took Gu Xixi's arm and sat down to express her dissatisfaction:

"Isn't it infuriating? My family hasn't even sent a letter forcing me to go back yet, and General Huo is already trying to send me away!"

Gu Xixi looked at her meaningfully, "Are you not done having fun, or are you reluctant to part with someone you already have?"

He Jinglan's pretty face flushed slightly. "I'm already tired of playing here, so I'm not reluctant to leave this shabby place."

"This is the first time in my life I've been asked to leave. If I obediently listen to them, I'll lose face!"

Gu Xixi pursed her lips. "What did General Meng tell you about the reasons?"

He Jinglan said, "He said that every year when the weather warms up and the ice melts, those Beili people become restless, and it would be unsafe if a fight broke out."

Gu Xixi thought to herself that this reason was both reasonable and not exactly deceptive.

They simply described a war that was already a certainty as "possible."

Gu Xixi said, "Since you know it's for your safety, why don't you agree?"

"The young lady's face... that should only be the most insignificant reason, right?"

He Jinglan lowered her head and twisted her handkerchief, finally giving up on being coy.

"And him? He's probably following you here like a little puppy, but he's too scared to come through my door, right?"

Gu Xixi chuckled, "You two really know each other very well."

"He only said that you didn't want to go back to the capital and that he was afraid you would get sick from the anger, so he asked me to persuade you."

He Jinglan scoffed, "So self-righteous!"

Gu Xixi agreed, "Indeed, these men are sometimes just self-righteous."

He Jinglan sighed softly and said, "I don't need to explain, you must have already figured it out, that blockhead Meng and I..."

She paused for a moment, then continued, "This time I came out and couldn't bring back my engagement to Mu Nanzhao. My elders at home will probably be arranging another marriage for me soon."

Gu Xixi frowned. "Isn't your brother about to become the head of the family? Can't he make the decision about your marriage?"

A bitter smile appeared on He Jinglan's lips.

“My elder brother loves me the most. He went against everyone’s wishes to make things go my way, but Xixi…”

She looked up at Gu Xixi and said, "But I can't be so selfish."

“At this juncture, even my brother’s own marriage cannot be entirely based on his own wishes.”

Gu Xixi fell silent.

She knew, of course, that those born into high-ranking families, enjoying the privileges they were born into, naturally had to endure things beyond their control.

He Jinglan remained calm; the capricious temper that outsiders perceived was merely a facade.

"You know, the things that Mu Nanzhao, General Huo, and my brother are doing now will undoubtedly revolutionize the future."

"I am not as good as you, I have no other skills, and I can't be of any help."

"All I can do is not add to my brother's worries."

Gu Xixi felt heavy-hearted. "So you don't want to go back, and you're just trying to delay it as long as possible."

"Didn't you tell General Meng these things?"

Meng Chengping had just finished feeding the mules and horses, and walked to the eaves with a smile, about to knock on the door.