Having obtained what he came to the north for and settled matters with Qing Huai, Jin Feng put his return journey on the schedule.
Zhang Mancang also arrived at Qingshui Valley from Weizhou City, ready to depart once Jin Feng completed the handover.
General Fan genuinely wanted Jin Feng to stay with the Western Garrison Army. Despite knowing Jin Feng’s resolve to leave, he came to persuade him several times, even guaranteeing a promotion to earl within three years.
General Fan’s attitude was sincere, but Jin Feng still declined.
The rise of a new noble would inevitably face fierce opposition from entrenched interests. After all, the pie was only so big, and adding one more person meant dividing it further.
Staying here might bring promotion, but it would surely come with bloodshed and turmoil.
Just thinking about it gave Jin Feng a headache. After completing the handover, he bid farewell to Qing Huai and General Fan early the next morning and set off with Mancang.
For safety, Qing Huai assigned ten of his personal guards to escort them the entire way.
After five days on horseback, they reached the Jialing River crossing, where they happened to catch a merchant ship heading their way.
The journey to the north had taken nearly ten days, but the return was much faster.
Sailing downstream, they reached the Jinchuan crossing in just a day and a half.
Disembarking at the dock and riding for another hour, Jin Feng could see West River Bay Village in the distance.
It was evening, time for cooking, with wisps of smoke rising. The distant mountains were like ink, dotted with thatched cottages, resembling a watercolour painting. Jin Feng couldn’t help but pause his horse to gaze.
Though a transmigrator, seeing the little village nestled in the river bend, Jin Feng’s heart suddenly calmed.
It felt like a weary traveller returning home.
Because in this small village, someone was waiting for him to come back.
At the village clearing, Guan Xiao’e was playing wildly with some children when she suddenly looked up into the distance.
“Xiao’e, what are you looking at?”
Zhang Mancang’s sister tugged at her, “It’s your turn to jump.”
“Xiaohua, look, isn’t that a group of horses coming?”
Guan Xiao’e said excitedly, “It must be my brother-in-law returning.”
Without waiting for Zhang Xiaohua’s reply, she sprinted toward the village outskirts to meet Jin Feng.
But after a few steps, she turned and ran back toward the village.
Not caring if Guan Xiaorou or Tang Dongdong could hear, she shouted as she ran, “Sister, Sister Tang, brother-in-law’s back!”
Zhang Xiaohua came to her senses and ran in another direction.
“Mother, big brother, second brother’s back!”
The tranquil village instantly erupted with the children’s shouts.
Men, women, young, and old all rushed out of their homes.
At Jin Feng’s house, Runniang and Guan Xiaorou were cooking in the kitchen when Guan Xiao’e burst in.
“Xiao’e, look at you, all sweaty. Go wash up, dinner’s almost ready.”
Guan Xiaorou gave Xiao’e a look, though her lips curved slightly.
Since joining this family, Xiao’e had gradually become lively. Her once dry, yellow hair was now black and thick.
Her gaunt face had become rounder, and village women who saw her couldn’t help but call her lovely.
“Sister, quick, come with me!”
Xiao’e grabbed Guan Xiaorou’s sleeve, pulling her outside.
“Don’t mess around. Work’s almost done, and dinner’s not ready yet.”
Guan Xiaorou swatted Xiao’e’s hand away irritably.
“Brother-in-law’s back. Aren’t you going to meet him, sister?”
Xiao’e stomped her foot.
Clang!
The spatula in Guan Xiaorou’s hand fell to the floor, but she didn’t pick it up. Instead, she grabbed Xiao’e’s shoulders, “What did you say?”
“I said brother-in-law’s back, almost at the village entrance.”
Before Xiao’e could finish, Guan Xiaorou was already out of the kitchen.
She ran so fast that she collided with Tang Dongdong, who was entering.
“Xiaorou-jie, what’s wrong?”
Tang Dongdong rubbed her chest, asking, “What happened?”
“My husband’s back.”
Guan Xiaorou replied hurriedly, rubbing her forehead as she ran off.
“Brother Feng’s back?”
Tang Dongdong paused, then quickly followed.
The women working in the shed heard the commotion, stopped their tasks, and poured out of the courtyard.
Runniang wanted to follow but, thinking Jin Feng didn’t like wheat porridge, hurried to the flour jar and scooped a ladle of flour.
As Jin Feng rode around the mountain’s base, he saw a large crowd at the village clearing.
“Why so many people? Is the village holding a meeting today?”
Mancang turned to Jin Feng.
“Doesn’t look like it. Could they be welcoming us?”
Jin Feng said with a smile, “Oh, Mancang, I see your wife.”
Mancang, always a bit self-conscious despite his travels with Jin Feng, blushed but straightened his back instinctively.
Zhong Wu smiled, signalling the guards to slow their horses and follow behind.
“It’s really Brother Feng and Mancang!”
“Look, Mancang’s learned to ride!”
“The Marquis sent so many guards to protect them. Brother Feng must have done great things on the battlefield, so impressive!”
“Xiaorou, your man’s really capable.”
“Xiaorou, my girl’s turning sixteen next year. How about taking her as a concubine for Brother Feng? Don’t worry, my girl’s hardworking and will serve you and Brother Feng well.”
“Second Aunt, forget it. If Brother Feng takes a concubine, Sister Dongdong’s surely first in line.”
“For someone as capable as Brother Feng, what’s wrong with taking a few?”
“Even if he takes a few, your girl’s skinny as a pole. Would Brother Feng even notice her?”
“What do you know? Xiao’e was skinny too, but now she’s eating well and turned into a little beauty. If my girl’s raised well, she won’t be any less.”
“Your girl won’t match my granddaughter, no matter how you raise her. Jin Feng’s family, if Brother Feng wants a concubine, send him to my place. My three sons have five girls; he can pick any.”
“Ninth Grandma, give it up. Your youngest granddaughter isn’t even ten.”
“She’s not ten, but we can take her now and raise her. She can help with chores.”
The women chattered, pitching their daughters to Guan Xiaorou.
Normally, Guan Xiaorou would respond earnestly, but now, she didn’t hear a word. Her eyes were fixed on Jin Feng, riding toward her.
To her, Jin Feng was her sole anchor.
Since he left, her heart had felt empty, never at peace.
Now, seeing him approach, her heart settled.
She wanted to rush up and hug her man, but with so many people around, she held back.
Xiao’e had no such reservations. Seeing Jin Feng dismount, she threw herself into his arms, wrapping her arms around his neck and cooing, “Brother-in-law, you’re finally back! I missed you so much! Did you miss me?”
“Haha, I missed Xiao’e too.”
Jin Feng patted her back, “Let go, you’re choking me.”
