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

Faced with Gu Xixi's question, a trace of shame finally appeared on Meng Chengping's usually calm and eccentric face.

"……Um."

"sorry."

Gu Xixi said seriously, "It was just a coincidence that we met. It's not your fault. General Meng, there's no need to apologize."

"Moreover, when we decided to leave the village to put out the fire, there was already a risk of encountering the Northern Expeditionary Army."

She glanced at Mu Nanzhao as she spoke, feeling somewhat relieved.

In this way, the debt of gratitude owed to Mu Nanzhao for saving his life is not too great, and he can always find an opportunity to repay it in the future.

This special mission has been reported.

Huo Jiang decided to punish Meng Chengping anyway, "With a major battle imminent, what can you do looking so distracted? Go down and receive twenty strokes of the military rod to wake up your head."

Without a word, Meng Chengping turned and left.

Seeing this, Gu Xixi stood up and pleaded, "General Huo, you are wise. General Meng has his reasons for doing this."

The events that occurred at the entrance of Gu Xixi's military camp can be explained in just a few words.

"General Meng was just upset because he was hit hard; he didn't mean to disrespect the General."

"Besides, the conflict between him and Miss He has been going on for more than just the last couple of days."

"But he still managed to prioritize military orders and not let his emotions affect the heavy responsibilities he was supposed to shoulder."

Huo Jiang pondered for a moment and said, "You mean Xiao Meng, and Miss He?"

"How could these two be? Boss Gu, I know you've known Xiao Meng for a long time and you're good friends. If you wanted to exonerate him, you wouldn't have made up such a story."

Gu Xixi said helplessly, "I've dealt with the General several times now. Do you think I'm the kind of person who would make jokes like this?"

"Moreover, the incident where Miss He ignored General Meng just now happened outside the military camp, and several military dependents witnessed it."

Huo Jiang's expression gradually became intriguing.

"This matter..."

Gu Xixi said anxiously, "If you don't stop it, the beatings will be over soon!"

Huo Jiang grinned nonchalantly, "Hey, what's the point of stopping me?"

"Although I have wronged him because of that face."

"But he disobeyed military orders and acted on his own. It's good that he got a few lashes to teach him a lesson."

“If he does something similar again, he should think about the consequences he will face when he returns to camp before making the decision.”

Gu Xixi looked at Mu Nanzhao questioningly, and Mu Nanzhao shook his head slightly.

Left with no other choice, Gu Xixi had to return to her seat.

Huo Jiang was in a good mood and comforted him with a smile, "Don't worry, Boss Gu. That kid is strong and popular. The person who beat him up knows his limits and won't hurt him badly."

"Furthermore..." Huo Jiang paused intentionally, his eyes gleaming slyly, "as the saying goes, fortune and misfortune are intertwined."

“It might not be a bad thing for him to suffer some physical pain at this time.”

Gu Xixi was puzzled, having heard that military rods were much harsher than caning in the yamen.

Twenty strokes of the military rod, isn't that a bad thing?

Before leaving, Huo Jiang personally escorted Gu Xixi to the outside of the military tent.

He smiled and instructed, "Xiao Meng only got twenty lashes and is lying there unable to get up. She might even have a persistent high fever. It's nothing serious. Boss Gu, please don't tell Miss He, so she won't worry."

Gu Xixi broke out in a cold sweat.

This great general!

The beginning made it sound like Meng Chengping was about to die, but later it was emphasized that He Jinglan should not be told.

Isn't this hint a bit too obvious?

Gu Xixi said, "I understand the General's wish that General Meng can recover his strength quickly."

Huo Jiang looked slightly embarrassed.

In addition to showing concern for Meng Chengping.

With a major battle imminent, he naturally hoped that his fierce generals would recover to normal as soon as possible and be in their most valiant condition.

Gu Xixi said solemnly, "However, Miss He is also my good friend. I can only subtly let her know about General Meng's current situation, but I will never try to persuade her."

Whether or not to give the person who made the mistake another chance depends on Miss He's own decision.

Huo Jiang nodded and said, "Okay! I trust Boss Gu to act according to his own discretion."

After saying that, he gave Mu Nanzhao a push, "I have nothing else to do, so I want to look at the map in peace."

"It's perfect that you take Boss Gu back. You can stay there tonight and don't need to come back. Just keep Boss Gu company."

Gu Xixi was embarrassed and hurriedly clarified, "I don't need anyone to accompany me!"

Mu Nanzhao spoke almost at the same time as her, "I've said it so many times, we're not in that kind of relationship."

Huo Jiang patted Mu Nanzhao seriously and said, "Others may not know, but I do. You are the man that Boss Gu bought for a single penny."

"We are all upright men, and we should keep our promises."

"How could you let Boss Gu spend money, and what was the result? You're nothing, you do nothing, you just hide here all day shirking your responsibilities and shirking your duties. That's unacceptable!"

Huo Jiang spoke with righteous indignation, and at first glance, his words seemed reasonable.

But it's inevitable that people... might misunderstand.

Gu Xixi suppressed the urge to turn around and storm off, and tried to remain calm, saying, "I'm currently idle in the family village, so there's really nothing I need him to do for me."

"Since he has been of some help to the General, let him stay here."

Huo Jiang waved his hand and said, "No, no, I've kept him here for too long, I really shouldn't have."

"You two, who are about to become a couple, have always lived under the same roof. When have you ever been apart for so long?"

Gu Xixi wanted to say something, but Mu Nanzhao grabbed her wrist.

She looked up in surprise, only to see Mu Nanzhao smiling gently and tenderly (which was frightening).

"General Huo has given us the freedom to reunite, so please don't refuse, sir."

He addressed the word "Dongjia" with exceptional affection, as if it were a term of endearment used by a young couple.

Huo Jiang glanced at the two of them sideways and clicked his tongue, "Then I won't see you off any further. Take care, you two."

Gu Xixi felt a chill run down her spine and was forced to let Mu Nanzhao lead her away by the wrist.

One penny, one penny, that damned penny!

Heaven knows how much she wanted to sew up General Huo's liar mouth just now!

Why bring up something you shouldn't talk about? She knows perfectly well that it's a great humiliation for her to have Mu Nanzhao bought by her, yet she keeps bringing it up.

Huo Jiang is only concerned with his own pleasure and doesn't care at all about Gu Xixi's life or death!

Once outside the military camp, Gu Xixi secretly strained, trying to free her wrist.

Mu Nanzhao then released his grip, saying, "If we hadn't left quickly, do you know what the consequences would have been?"

By noon, the military dependents had long since returned home, and the area outside the military camp was deserted.

Gu Xixi looked around nervously and said, "...What are the consequences?"

Mu Nanzhao said coldly, "First, if you continue to refuse, you will only give Huo Jiang the opportunity to laugh at us."

Gu Xixi was taken aback. That's it?

She immediately retorted righteously, "You're right, how come I didn't realize he was up to no good?"

"No way, we'll have to find a chance to make him look bad later!"

After Gu Xixi finished speaking, she asked, "You said one, so what's the second one?"

"Second, I can't guarantee that if a fight breaks out, someone will be splattered with blood." Mu Nanzhao's eyes were gloomy.