After saying that, she felt it was a bit inappropriate. When Gu Sinian was not around, Zhang Xiaoniu could do whatever he wanted, but now that he had come with Gu Sinian and was Gu Sinian's subordinate, it was unreasonable for him to leave his master here and go wash dishes himself. Moreover, he was now representing Gu Sinian's reputation. Washing dishes was not a dignified task, and Gu Sinian would not think she was deliberately trying to embarrass him, would he?
Qi Zhenzhen quietly glanced at Gu Sinian, and seeing his expressionless face, she became even more uneasy. She stood up and said, "This Xiaoniu is truly something. How can he be made to do the washing and cleaning? Your Highness, please be seated, I will call him back right away."
Gu Sinian found it a little amusing. This girl had clearly sat down with a clear conscience at first, but now she was saying such things. Was she afraid he would object?
"Let him do it, it's nothing," Gu Sinian said seriously. "When marching, no one helps with washing up after eating."
Qi Zhenzhen confirmed that Gu Sinian was not speaking sarcastically and finally breathed a sigh of relief. "They say a gentleman stays away from the kitchen. People who are always around the kitchen stove are considered useless. It's fine for Xiaoniu to be an ordinary young man from the countryside, but now that he is by your Highness's side, every move he makes represents your Highness..."
So, what she meant was that she was afraid others would misunderstand him as incompetent?
"Those who always say such things are probably the most useless. If you can't even sweep a room, how can you sweep the world?" Gu Sinian said slowly, with a faint smile at the corner of his eyes.
Qi Zhenzhen was a little surprised. She hadn't expected someone of such high status and noble birth to say such things.
"The Gu family originated from military commanders, and military commanders are often unconcerned with trivial matters."
Military commanders? Qi Zhenzhen's mind conjured images of burly men. The Zhang family's four brothers were all quite fitting for the image of military commanders. However, Gu Sinian before her was clearly a refined and elegant young gentleman, more like a scholar. Of course, if she hadn't seen his handsome skills before, she would have thought so. But now, appearances could be deceiving, and the sea could not be measured with a single dipper. The ancients had not deceived her.
"What are you thinking about?" Gu Sinian asked subtly.
Qi Zhenzhen snapped back to attention and answered instinctively, "I was thinking you don't seem like a military commander at all."
"It's not only those who are burly and like black iron towers that look like military commanders. When marching and fighting, it's not just about physique," Gu Sinian found it somewhat amusing and explained seriously. "Perhaps ordinary soldiers can be burly, but leading troops in battle is different. You need skills, and you need this too."
Gu Sinian pointed to his head.
His mind, you mean.
"So, Your Highness is destined to be a general, not a common soldier."
"There are no born generals. Aren't they all promoted from common soldiers?"
"Aren't many noble sons of prominent families directly made generals?"
"Miss Qi, have you watched too many plays? Warfare is not child's play. If you handed over a large army to such people, do you think they could lead the soldiers to a triumphant return?"
Gu Sinian's expression was stern, and his tone was very serious.
Qi Zhenzhen felt a little embarrassed. She had just said it casually. In the past, when she watched dramas, there were often such plots: noble sons shone brightly, came up with ingenious strategies, led armies to turn the tide, defeated the enemy, returned triumphantly, and enjoyed wealth and beauty all the way.
"I joined the army at the age of twelve, starting as an infantryman. I accumulated twelve enemy kills before I could lead a hundred-man company. I made contributions escorting supplies and was able to lead five hundred men. Then, in a battle to repel the enemy, I was promoted to captain," Gu Sinian said lightly. "This is what I earned through hard work over three years."
Qi Zhenzhen felt a bit awkward. "I was thinking too simply."
Gu Sinian was silent for a moment, then suddenly smiled. "I was too serious. Miss Qi is a woman, and her understanding of warfare comes from hearsay. Those storytellers always exaggerate."
He explained so earnestly because he wanted her to know that he was not incompetent.
"Miss Qi, do you like the green-veined Tianhuangdong stone that I had Xiaoniu send back before the New Year?" Gu Sinian changed the subject in a relaxed tone.
Qi Zhenzhen shot up from her seat. "Your Highness, please wait a moment."
After saying that, she hurried back to her room to get the Tianhuangdong stone and brought it out. "Your Highness, I'm returning this to you. It's too valuable, I cannot accept it."
"Miss Qi, there is no reason to return a gift that has already been accepted. If you don't like it, you should refuse it in person."
"But you had Xiaoniu send it back then, and Xiaoniu said it was your order. How could I return it?" Qi Zhenzhen frowned slightly and pouted.
"I remember. In the future, when I send things to Miss Qi, I will deliver them in person, face to face."
Gu Sinian emphasized the words "in person" and "face to face" heavily.
Qi Zhenzhen felt a little strange. That wasn't the point she was trying to make. Her point was that the item he sent was too valuable for her to accept.
"Look, I've eaten most of Miss Qi's snacks. If you don't accept my gifts, I can't accept yours either, but now it's too late to return them," Gu Sinian said with a look of annoyance.
"Those things were just made casually by me, they're not worth much, but these stones of Your Highness are rare and hard to come by..."
"Miss Qi's snacks are very much to my liking. In my opinion, they are more valuable than a few stones," Gu Sinian said very seriously. "My mother also likes Miss Qi's craftsmanship very much. She is usually very picky, and the snacks I find for her don't catch her eye. But she loves Miss Qi's snacks. To me, these are far more meaningful than a few stones."
His words were so sincere and heartfelt that if Qi Zhenzhen refused again, she would seem too petty.
"Alright then, but please don't send such valuable things in the future," Qi Zhenzhen cautioned.
Gu Sinian nodded, which meant that he could continue to send less valuable things.
"By the way, why has Your Highness come this time?"
The sky was getting late, but Gu Sinian showed no sign of leaving. Could he be planning to stay for dinner?
"It is said that there are fierce bandits appearing near Tiger Tooth Mountain. I have received a secret order to investigate," Gu Sinian said with a serious expression. "Xiaoniu's family is around here, and he knows many people, so I thought I would start with Xinghua Village."
Fierce bandits? How had she never heard of them? But since it was a secret order, it should be true.
"Then Your Highness is staying at the Zhang family's place?"
"The Zhang family..." Gu Sinian's expression was a little awkward. "Their brothers all sleep together. If I add myself, it might be too crowded. I can't possibly ask them to move just because of me, can I?"
Qi Zhenzhen thought about it and realized it was indeed true. The Zhang brothers were all burly, and fitting Gu Sinian among them would be rather inappropriate.
"How about this, I can temporarily stay here. Of course, I will pay for the accommodation and meals. I am on official duty, and the court provides subsidies," Gu Sinian said after some thought. "I can communicate with the village head and show him my official documents. Rest assured, this will not cause any gossip."