novelbin Chapter 588: Scouting the Border
Chapter 588: Scouting the Border
When the old Madam Gu got angry, even Mrs. Jia dared not make a sound.
The dining table in the old house was always dominated by the old Madam Gu. She pulled the meat plate closer, scooped the good meat to Gu Honglian and Mr. Gu’s bowls, gave most of the remaining meat to Gu Youtian, and only picked up two pieces of chicken bones for herself.
Mrs. Jia and Gu Ruinian didn’t get a single piece.
Two black-hearted bastards, eat shit!
Gu Ruinian clenched his teeth.
This was his real situation in the old house, and for someone who’s been through two lives aiming for family glory, it felt like hell.
Besides his situation at home, there’s Xu Xinghua making him feel suffocated.
The reason the marriage with Xu Xinghua hasn’t been settled is that Mr. Gu hesitates on whether to let him marry in.
He must break this dilemma.
The key to breaking it is the extreme cold weather he’s learned about from Mr. Su.
A few days ago, he went to Yan Guan Town and found out the Zheng Family had a village there; he snuck over and encountered one of their village heads.
That village head happened to be on his way to deliver grains to the Zheng Family. He asked the village head to deliver a letter to Young Master Zheng, expressing the desire to meet, to inform him of significant upcoming events learned from future history books.
But as winter loomed, Young Master Zheng still hadn’t replied.
Once winter set in, Tong Huaqiong became busier.
Cotton clothing needed to be sent to the border; Magistrate Yao would definitely send someone to transport them. Tong Huaqiong had no doubts about Magistrate Yao’s ability to execute tasks, surely the cotton clothes would be delivered to the border smoothly.
However, Tong Huaqiong thought her family should also send reliable people along.
First, to show her resolve in contributing to the border, and second, to explore the market at the border.
Of course, the latter was the most important, after all, wars can’t go on forever; eventually, trade will resume between the two countries, giving her commercial empire a chance to expand to the border.
These days, Tong Huaqiong was contemplating whom to send to the border to explore.
Honestly, she really wanted to go herself.
But now, with chaos at the border, she’s selfishly unwilling to take the risk; meanwhile, her business in Ning City needs her presence.
After some pondering, Gu Dashu was suitable.
This son was a natural socialite, knew how to manage relationships, and had already shown his talents whether in the capital’s shop or Jufu Supermarket in Pingchuan County.
Apart from sending Gu Dashu to the border, she’d have He Chao and Su Chengmin accompany him.
He Chao was Tong Huaqiong’s chief shopkeeper; joining would let him seize business opportunities unseen by others, and keep Gu Dashu in check.
Su Chengmin, no need to explain, was incredibly familiar with the border; his presence assured the safety of He Chao and Gu Dashu.
After Tong Huaqiong made her decision, she sent Su Chengmin to Pingchuan County to call Gu Dashu home.
Gu Baishuang came along with Gu Dashu.
Upon seeing Tong Huaqiong, Gu Baishuang’s eyes turned red.
Tong Huaqiong thought, shouldn’t have so much emotion for a stepmother.
"What’s the matter?"
Before Gu Baishuang could speak, tears started to fall; Gu Dashu’s expression wasn’t good either.
Tong Huaqiong thought the siblings might be having a conflict.
"Dashu, what’s wrong?" Tong Huaqiong asked.
Gu Dashu gritted his teeth and said, "Xiaofeng, the little rascal, secretly enlisted in the army. By the time we found out, he was already with the troop, probably reached the border by now."
Gu Baishuang started to wail.
Who didn’t know the border was at war; Nie Xiaofeng at the border would surely go to the battlefield.
Many men are passionate, wishing to achieve glory, but how many can truly achieve that on the battlefield.
Tong Huaqiong had been wondering why Nie Xiaofeng hadn’t visited Qinghe Bay lately, it turned out he had joined the troop.
No doubt, the troop he joined was the same as Chun Wang’s.
But Tong Huaqiong felt Nie Xiaofeng was more suited for military service than Chun Wang, firstly due to his age, also his martial prowess, and intelligence - his troop venture might truly bring him glory.
In terms of Nie Xiaofeng’s character, even if he didn’t go to the border this time, he’d enlist sooner or later.
But, of course, she couldn’t say that to Gu Baishuang. Being a mother, the heart always aches for the son; even if Nie Xiaofeng were already a general, suddenly going to the border to fight would make Gu Baishuang worry sleeplessly.
"These days, he’s been doing business in Pingchuan with me. I thought his mind was settled, even planned to arrange a marriage for him next year. He agreed nicely but secretly enlisted."
Gu Baishuang wiped her tears, starting to get angry.
It seemed her son’s obedience these months was a facade, merely to deceive her.
Tong Huaqiong said, "Don’t worry, now that he’s gone to the border, there’s nothing to do. I believe Xiaofeng is favored by fortune and will surely be safe."
Gu Baishuang cried and said, "That’s all we can wish for now; I don’t even fantasize about him slaying enemies and earning honors. I just hope he’s safe."
Tong Huaqiong comforted Gu Baishuang for a while, saying, "Truthfully, I won’t hide from you that my Weaving Workshop’s order is precisely to send cotton clothes to the border. Asking Dashu home is to send him to the border with the clothes. Once there, he’ll inquire about Xiaofeng’s situation and see if he can meet him."
"Lai Fu will go too, he’s familiar with the border."
Tong Huaqiong’s gaze fell on Su Chengmin.
Su Chengmin avoided it.
Tong Huaqiong guessed that Nie Xiaofeng’s decision to head to the border was informed by Su Chengmin’s cues.
The troop transfer from Shengjing to Ning City’s vicinity - who among ordinary people could know this in advance?
Yet Xiao Long found out and even tricked Chun Wang into going.
Su Chengmin must have his own channels for obtaining such information.
But Tong Huaqiong couldn’t blame Su Chengmin, for with Nie Xiaofeng’s character, no one could persuade him otherwise.
Gu Dashu learned that Tong Huaqiong summoned him home to send him to the border.
Knowing the border was dangerous due to the war, he wasn’t afraid, rather eagerly excited.
He had long wished to go out for business like the Lu Family’s shopkeepers.
From his face, Tong Huaqiong knew Gu Dashu hadn’t personally experienced war, unaware of its horrors, she’d have to admonish him later.
Gu Dashu said, "Don’t worry, big sis, I swear I’ll find Xiaofeng."
Gu Baishuang stopped crying and nodded.
Gu Baishuang knew that even if Gu Dashu did find Nie Xiaofeng, he couldn’t bring him home unless risking execution for desertion; yet seeing him would still be good.
Soon, Tong Huaqiong agreed on a cotton clothes delivery date with Magistrate Yao.
All cotton clothes were packed in burlap sacks, and Magistrate Yao sent a carriage to load them.
He Chao and Su Chengmin led Gu Dashu, following the troop sent by Magistrate Yao.
Mr. Lu, well-traveled with much experience, sent some escort agency folks to go along too.
"Mom, you said this year would be extremely cold, but it’s winter already and not a single snowflake has fallen. How’s this extreme cold?" Gu Dashu quietly asked Tong Huaqiong before departing.
Tong Huaqiong kicked Gu Dashu and said, "Winter isn’t over yet."
Tong Huaqiong looked up at the sky.
Even though it was winter, the sunshine was brilliant, not cold at all.
Tong Huaqiong wondered if her presence had altered the world’s trajectory, then felt it couldn’t be, she wasn’t the main character of this world’s novel, nor could she change extreme weather.
Su Chengmin repeatedly cautioned Xiao Long and asked Tong Huaqiong to take good care of Xiao Long.
Tong Huaqiong mused, so much time had passed, Xiao Long had encountered no trouble at Qinghe Bay Gu Family: no assassins coming, no poisoning attempts, truly the aura of a protagonist.