On the eighteenth of the twelfth lunar month, eleven days after Zhao Liangcai's return, the wound on his ribs had already scabbed over.
For these eleven days, he had eaten well, slept well, and been in good spirits, feeling so full of strength that he could immediately go to battle and fight for three hundred rounds.
Dengzui, his trainer, and Qin Erniu, his sparring partner, were both beaten black and blue by Zhao Liangcai every day. Qin Junyao's dagger skills had also improved.
Dengzui really wanted to rest, so he proposed going up the mountain, which led to today's group of over fifty people.
Forty of them were villagers, and the rest were Zhao Liangcai's men.
Dengzui, with a bruised mouth, stood in front of the villagers. "Fellow villagers, the mountain is dangerous, and we are heading into the deep mountains. Prioritize your lives before hunting. Following us does not guarantee survival; you must rely on yourselves."
"Oldest Brother Yan, don't worry. We are already very grateful that you can lead us into the mountain. Going into the mountain at this time is our way of taking a gamble."
"Yes, Chinese New Year is approaching, and there's not a bit of oil or water at home. I have to risk my life for my old mother to have a bite of meat."
"Let's go into the mountain, we all understand."
These villagers who followed were those whose families were not working at the salt lake and who did not believe Qin Fu had hidden the grain with Zhao Liangcai.
With less than half a month until the New Year, apart from the highly skilled and brave like Zhao Liangcai, no one else would venture into the deep mountains.
Dengzui led the way, with Zhao Liangcai holding Qin Junyao's hand as they walked behind.
"Will Fuzi cry at home?" Qin Junyao adjusted her fur hat, as the wind entering the mountain was not small.
Zhao Liangcai looked at the tracks on the thin snow and replied to Qin Junyao, "He won't cry now. He'll cry when we return, and then I'll need my wife to help me."
Qin Junyao moved her clasped hands, urging Zhao Liangcai to be mindful of his words.
These eleven days of companionship, both day and night, had gradually heated Qin Junyao's feelings for Zhao Liangcai, giving her the sense of marrying first and then falling in love.
In daily life, Zhao Liangcai was more genuine, and it was his thoughtfulness that moved Qin Junyao.
"Those behind can't hear, but the one in front, he dares not listen," Zhao Liangcai said, and then saw Dengzui quickly walk a few steps ahead.
Qin Junyao pursed her lips and smiled. "My second brother is probably crying at home."
Zhao Liangcai also smiled. "Second Aunt is pregnant and sensitive. After all, it's almost New Year's, and everyone wants peace and safety. Aren't you also hiding from me by coming into the mountain with me?"
"You know quite a lot. You even know that pregnant women are sensitive?" Qin Junyao nudged Zhao Liangcai's shoulder with hers.
Zhao Liangcai rubbed his nose. "I was chatting with Doctor Xiao Sheng at the salt lake, and it came up by chance."
"How about I hunt two monkeys for you this time? There's a famous southern dish called 'simmered monkey brains'."
His attempt to change the subject clearly did not go well. Qin Junyao's eyes widened as soon as she heard Zhao Liangcai wanted to hunt golden monkeys. Upon hearing the name of the dish, she clenched her fist and punched Zhao Liangcai's shoulder.
Punching his shoulder was not enough to vent her anger, so Qin Junyao also twisted Zhao Liangcai's arm.
"Are you crazy? You eat everything? Did the monkeys offend you? Steal your food? Pull your hair that you want to hunt them?"
Zhao Liangcai immediately begged for mercy. "No, I haven't eaten or hunted them before, really. Wife, don't hit me, ah, my arm is breaking..."
Their interaction was clearly seen by the soldiers and villagers following behind.
Miss Qin dare to hit General Zhao?
Even if Miss Qin is now the General's wife, she shouldn't hit the General.
Even their wives at home wouldn't dare to lay a hand on them. It seems this General Zhao truly values this daughter-in-law. Su Dan Novel Network.
After walking in the mountains for a whole morning, they only caught a few pheasants. With so many people acting together, the common animals on the outskirts had long since fled far away.
During their lunch break, Qin Junyao took food from her own basket, or rather, from her spatial dimension.
"Brother-in-law Yan, have two meat sandwiches. The lamb ones are still warm."
Under Zhao Liangcai's stern gaze, Dengzui took the meat sandwiches from Qin Junyao's hand and then moved a little further away from his boss.
Who wouldn't eat something warm? They would be fools not to.
"Why are you calling him brother-in-law again?" Zhao Liangcai took a bite, about one-third of the way through the meat sandwich, and expressed his dissatisfaction with Qin Junyao's address.