The warhorse was very tall, making it difficult for Guan Xiao Rou to climb up.
Just as Jin Feng was about to help her, Run Niang thoughtfully brought over a stool.
Guan Xiao Rou stepped on the stool and clumsily climbed onto the horse’s back.
Jin Feng was now very familiar with warhorses and skillfully mounted, sitting behind Guan Xiao Rou.
When riding alone, the saddle felt spacious, but with two people, it was a bit cramped.
Guan Xiao Rou’s back was almost pressed tightly against Jin Feng’s chest.
Feeling the warmth of his body, her posture stiffened, and she didn’t dare move.
“Sister, Brother-in-law, where are you going? I want to go too!”
Xiao E ran in from outside with a few children, her flushed face looking up as she saw the two on horseback and asked.
“I’m going with your sister to Guan Jia Bay. We’ll be back soon.”
Jin Feng replied, “The horse can only carry two. I’ll take you next time.”
Xiao E was about to make a fuss, but upon hearing they were going to Guan Jia Bay, she quickly said, “Go ahead, I’m not going.”
Guan Jia Bay was practically a childhood nightmare for her. Life at her brother-in-law’s house was so much better, with food to eat and warm clothes to wear, and everyone liked her.
What if she went to Guan Jia Bay and her brother-in-law didn’t let her come back?
“Be good. Next time Liang Ge goes to the county, I’ll have him bring you something tasty.”
Jin Feng shook the reins, and the warhorse obediently walked out of the courtyard.
This warhorse was carefully chosen by Qing Huai from captured horses, young, strong, powerful, and gentle.
Neither of them was heavy, and together they weighed less than Zhong Wu. Once out of the courtyard, the horse trotted lightly, carrying them with ease.
Villagers passing by saw them riding together and gave teasing smiles.
Jin Feng hadn’t thought much of it initially. In his mind, they were husband and wife, so what was wrong with sharing a horse?
But as the horse’s movements jostled them, and with them sitting so close, his thoughts drifted to a set of dramatic images about Yang Guifei on horseback, and his breathing quickened involuntarily.
Guan Xiao Rou, already nervous, felt his warm breath on her ear. Her stiff body soon softened, melting into his arms.
It was broad daylight, and no matter how bold Jin Feng was, he couldn’t do anything.
He started to regret riding with her.
Wasn’t this just asking for trouble?
“I’ll definitely build a carriage when we get back.”
Jin Feng steadied his mind, shifting his body back slightly, then silently recited the periodic table in his head.
“Hydrogen, chlorine, potassium, sodium, silver for one; oxygen, calcium, barium, magnesium, zinc for two; aluminium for three, silicon for four, phosphorus for five; iron two or three, carbon two or four, nitrogen from one to five…”
Fortunately, Guan Jia Bay wasn’t far. In just over ten minutes, they reached the back mountain.
Rounding the foot of the mountain and going another li, they arrived at the village entrance.
“Dear, let me walk from here.”
Guan Xiao Rou pleaded again, her voice trembling.
Being teased by the women in Xihe Bay was one thing, but Guan Jia Bay was full of her clansmen and elders. If they teased her too, she’d be too embarrassed to face anyone.
“You stay put. I’ll walk.”
How could he let his wife walk while he rode?
Without further discussion, Jin Feng dismounted.
Guan Xiao Rou breathed a sigh of relief, her heart feeling sweet.
Horses were rare in these parts, something ordinary folk seldom saw.
Before they even entered the village, the villagers gathered at the entrance to chat in the shade spotted them.
“Look, a horse is coming!”
“Could it be bandits? Who else would ride a horse to our place, if not bandits showing off?”
“Bandits come in groups. This is just one horse. Probably not bandits.”
“The bandits at Iron Can Mountain ride mules. This horse is so tall, it must be a warhorse, and not one from our Central Plains.”
“How do you know?”
“I fought the Dangxiang people in the northwest back then. Their cavalry horses were like this.”
“The one on the horse looks like Xiao Rou.”
By now, Jin Feng was leading the horse closer, and someone with sharp eyes recognised Guan Xiao Rou.
“Hey, it really is Xiao Rou. The one leading the horse must be her husband, right?”
“Isn’t that obvious? Who else would lead a horse to bring her home?”
“But wasn’t her husband off with some big shot at war?”
“Can’t he come back? That warhorse is probably from the battlefield.”
“Xiao Rou’s got good fortune, marrying a capable man.”
“Now you’re jealous? You didn’t hold back gossiping about her before.”
“Who gossiped? Keep talking nonsense, and I’ll rip your mouth off.”
“You try ripping it!”
…
The villagers’ chatter was about to turn into a fight.
“Quiet down, all of you!”
The Guan clan head, who was also the village head, appeared out of nowhere.
Old and senior, he held great authority.
With one shout, the arguing clansmen shut their mouths.
“Don’t you all want to go to Xihe Bay to work and earn money? Xiao Rou’s husband is here, so behave yourselves. If anyone causes trouble, see how I deal with them.”
The clan head said sternly.
“Third Grandpa, don’t worry. We’ll behave.”
“Xihe Bay folks have been acting all high and mighty at the market lately, as if they’d have good days without our Guan family’s son-in-law.”
“Exactly. Now that he’s back, we’ve got to convince him to open a workshop here too. Let’s see Xihe Bay folks strut then.”
“Enough talk. Old Six, go call Zhu Zi and tell him his brother-in-law and Xiao Rou are back.”
“Right away.”
A man hurried off to fetch Guan Zhu Zi.
Seeing so many people at the village entrance, Guan Xiao Rou’s grip on the saddle tightened slightly.
She still remembered her last visit, when these people had plenty to say behind her back.
“Xiao Rou, don’t be nervous. If anyone talks nonsense today, I’ll deal with them.”
Having been through war, Jin Feng’s character had grown more decisive and ruthless.
If anyone mocked Guan Xiao Rou today, he wouldn’t mind making an example of them.
Before they reached the entrance, the crowd surged forward.
“Oh, Xiao Rou’s back! Looking prettier than ever.”
“That’s because she married a good man. Life’s going well, so of course she’s glowing.”
“Yeah, I saw Xiao E at the market the other day. Couldn’t even recognise her. She’ll grow up to be a beauty too.”
“Xiao Rou’s so lucky, with a capable and caring husband who’s also handsome.”
The villagers crowded around, showering them with praise.
If they’d hung a few red banners, it’d feel like a leader’s inspection visit.
Guan Xiao Rou, in all her years, had never been so popular in the village. She was a bit dazed by the compliments.
Jin Feng, however, had a knowing glint in his eye.
It seemed recruiting people wouldn’t be a problem this time.
“Where’s my brother-in-law? Where’s Xiao Rou?”
Guan Zhu Zi, with his wife Tian San Ya, came stumbling over.
