Gu Sinian wiped away his mother's tears. "Mother, don't cry. From now on, we'll live our lives, and they'll live theirs. I will work hard to make sure you live a glorious life."
Madam Qin sighed. "My life is already set. I just wish for you to be well, to meet a good girl, marry, and have children. I don't hope for anything else."
Qi Zhenzhen's image suddenly appeared in Gu Sinian's mind. He smiled and shook his head. What was this? They had only met twice, and the young girl had saved his life. He paid attention to her because of that life-saving grace. As for what her mother had said about his good girl, he didn't know when he would meet her.
"Mother, I met Dong Huan outside today." Gu Sinian told Madam Qin everything that had happened outside. "Even if Dong Huan's men are taken in, they will still be cripples."
Madam Qin snorted coldly. "A relative of a concubine is not considered a proper relative. Yet your muddled father treats them as proper relatives! As for the position of heir apparent, Ah Nian, rest assured, that position is yours, and no one can snatch it away. I'd like to see if your father can truly lower himself and make the Duke's mansion a laughingstock in the eyes of everyone for the sake of a concubine's son."
As for the position of heir apparent, Gu Sinian didn't care for it at all. However, this position was not just about his reputation, but also his mother's. Since that was the case, he naturally couldn't hand it over. He hadn't cared before, but from now on...
Gu Sinian's eyes turned cold. At the very least, he had to protect his mother well.
Zhang Erniu arrived at the Qi family with Zhang Xiaoniu's letter.
"Miss Qi, Xiaoniu wrote back. None of us brothers can read, so please help us read it." Zhang Erniu was a little embarrassed.
Qi Zhenzhen opened the letter and was stunned. The handwriting was as good as any calligraphy copybook, full of vigor. Where had Xiaoniu found someone to write for him? Would someone who wrote such good calligraphy work with Xiaoniu?
Reading further, the letter mentioned the heir apparent. Upon closer inspection, the heir apparent was Gu Sinian. Qi Zhenzhen was a bit bewildered. The person she had saved was of such noble status. And Zhang Xiaoniu, following Gu Sinian from now on, this was a great fortune, wasn't it?
She recounted the contents of the letter to Zhang Erniu. Zhang Erniu was beaming. "That kid, he's doing well. This is much more respectable than working in a restaurant."
Qi Zhenzhen was also happy for Zhang Xiaoniu. Zhang Xiaoniu had always wanted to make a name for himself. Following someone of noble status, he truly didn't have to worry. The saying "a prime minister's doorkeeper is a seventh-rank official" still held some truth! As long as Xiaoniu didn't make mistakes, he might even get a minor official position in the future.
"Miss Qi, I'll be going now. I'll go back and tell my elder brother and third brother to talk to my parents. They were most worried about Xiaoniu when he left. Now that Xiaoniu is successful, they'll surely be happy when they find out." With that, Zhang Erniu hurried away.
Qi Zhenzhen saw him to the door, then turned back home and told Yun Shi about it.
"Surname Gu?" Yun Shi asked again.
Qi Zhenzhen nodded. "Yes, his name is Gu Sinian."
"The heir apparent of the Duke of Protectorate's mansion." Yun Shi's expression was calm.
Qi Zhenzhen's eyes lit up. "Mother knows a lot about the noble families in the capital?"
Did she know? Yun Shi gave an affirmative answer in her heart, yes, she knew. Before Qi Tianming, she often heard her parents talk about the situation of the noble families in the capital. After marrying Qi Tianming, she had been doted on by Qi Tianming for several years. He was willing to whisper anything to her. He knew a lot about the Duke of Protectorate's mansion. And she also knew that the lady of the house intended to form a marriage alliance with the Duke of Protectorate's mansion. As for which young master she fancied, that was unknown.
"How would Mother know?" Yun Shi smiled with pursed lips. "There's only one noble family with the surname Gu whose young master is enfeoffed as heir apparent. What's the use of asking these things? It has nothing to do with anything. But Xiaoniu is truly lucky. The Duke of Protectorate's mansion originated from military commanders. As the heir apparent, he will surely have to temper himself on the battlefield in the future. If Xiaoniu achieves merit, the Zhang family can truly bring glory to their ancestors."
"Going to the battlefield to fight, what's the difference from being conscripted? Brother Zhang Er also went to fight, but he didn't achieve any merit, did he?" Qi Zhenzhen said.
"How can that be the same? Most of the conscripted civilians are no different from cannon fodder. But it's different when you follow the heir apparent. They are all experienced and skilled fighters who have been on the battlefield many times. If Xiaoniu stays with them, at least his safety will be guaranteed," Yun Shi explained. "Moreover, when the heir apparent goes to the battlefield, there are more opportunities to achieve merit, and relatively speaking, Xiaoniu's opportunities to achieve merit also increase. Didn't you say that in your heart you wanted the heir apparent to temper him? That means he's being sent to learn skills."
After hearing Yun Shi's words, Qi Zhenzhen understood. The heir apparent going to the battlefield was for show. Although it was fighting, he had people protecting him. The military merits earned this way? Heh heh...
But what did these have to do with her?
She should quickly find a way to get sweet apricot branches. She had asked the village head to help inquire, but there was still no news. If she couldn't graft them in the spring, the apricot grove would truly be ruined. Her original plans were much harder to implement than she had imagined.
"Mother, I'm going to Sister Li Shan's house." Qi Zhenzhen remembered that Li Shan was now a peddler, traveling from village to village, and was well-informed. Perhaps he could help.
Yun Shi hummed. When she looked up again, the person was gone. She shook her head with a bitter smile. Since her daughter recovered from her illness, she had become a different person, capable of handling anything. She thought of the noble ladies, whose hands never touched the spring water, with people serving them for everything. Even she was doted on by her parents, with maids at her beck and call and nannies to serve her...
Over at Li Shan's wife's house, seeing Qi Zhenzhen arrive, she enthusiastically pulled her to sit on the kang. She happened to have something she wanted to discuss with Qi Zhenzhen, and as soon as the thought arose, the person arrived.
Qi Zhenzhen stated her purpose. Li Shan's wife readily agreed. "Ask your Shan Zi brother to pay more attention. Zhenzhen, sister has something she wants to discuss with you."
"Just say whatever it is, sister."
"The general store in town is doing better and better, and your Shan Zi brother's business is getting harder and harder," Li Shan's wife sighed. "In previous years, winter was the peak season for peddlers. In a month, they could earn more than one tael, but this year, they only earned half a tael of silver."
Qi Zhenzhen thought she was complaining and comforted her a few words.
Li Shan's wife changed the subject, not beating around the bush. "Zhenzhen, let's partner up. Let's do business together."
Partner up?
Qi Zhenzhen was stunned. What was there for them to partner up on?
"Sister, you're joking. I only go into the mountains to hunt. How can we partner up?"
"Who said anything about hunting?" Li Shan's wife gave her a playful glare. "I'm talking about the kimchi. Let's partner up to sell kimchi!"