"Brother Qin!" Gu Jinli’s eyes lit up slightly when she saw Qin San Lang, her voice carrying joy as she called out to him.

Qin San Lang had specifically come to find her, and seeing her, joy surged in his heart, and a smile spread across his face, making his originally stern face appear gentle.

He moved, walking quickly towards her, wanting to wrap his long arms around her waist, but with Gu Jin’an there, he instead just held her hand, gently clasping it in his palm, asking, "Is it settled?"

"How do you know what matter we’re here to handle?" Gu Jin’an asked before Gu Jinli could, puzzled about Qin San Lang.

If he remembered correctly, San Lang had been very busy the past two months. According to Brother Cheng, he hadn’t returned to the village for more than a month, only sending word of safety back.

In truth, Qin San Lang hadn’t returned to the village during the day, but he had come back twice at night to see Gu Jinli... He missed her, willing to sacrifice his rest to see her, even if only briefly, he felt satisfied.

Gu Jinli said, "I had Si’an inform him."

Then she looked up at Qin San Lang and smiled, "Yes, it’s settled, very smoothly, so you don’t need to worry."

By now, the sky was completely dark, but the Ouyang Family had money, and they lit the two large lanterns under the eaves as soon as it got dark, allowing her to see his face clearly: "Are you very tired?"

He appeared somewhat fatigued, seemingly hadn’t slept for at least a day and a night.

Likely, he had rushed back during his rest time to see her.

Qin San Lang chuckled and tightened his grip on her hand, saying, "I’m not tired."

"Let’s talk on the mule cart first." Gu Jin’an looked on helplessly, wondering if these two could take it easy. Although they were betrothed, gazing at each other with such affection under someone else’s eaves wasn’t appropriate.

Gu Jinli, being thick-skinned, thought merely holding hands and looking at each other was nothing.

Young Master Dou was shocked, finding it incredible that the Young Marquis would hold a young girl’s hand under someone else’s eaves; although she was his bride-to-be, it was still surprising.

Where did the Young Marquis’ proper demeanor go?

Qin San Lang knew Young Master Dou was there, turning his head to look at him.

Young Master Dou was startled, retreating a step, folding his hands, and giving a deep bow, "Company Commander Qin."

Seeing this, Qin San Lang let go of Gu Jinli’s hand and returned the gesture with a cupped fist salute.

Young Master Dou was shocked again, silently stepping aside, cold sweat breaking out on his back. Honestly, even though he had known the Young Marquis since childhood, due to their differing social status, it was always him bowing to the Young Marquis; he couldn’t dare to accept the Young Marquis’ courtesy.

"Young Master Dou, you’re noble; I, Qin, thank you on behalf of the people of He’an Prefecture." Qin San Lang was forthright, always adapting well; since his family had fallen, he no longer upheld unnecessary airs.

Young Master Dou was overwhelmed with favor, almost speechless with excitement. After suppressing his excitement, he said, "Company Commander Qin overpraises. The truly intelligent one is Little Boss Gu."

Qin San Lang heard this and smiled, though indirectly praising Gu Jinli; he said, "You are all noble people."

Young Master Dou: "..."

You’re just flattering me along the way.

But Young Master Dou didn’t get angry; seeing the Young Marquis was already a delightful surprise today.

It seemed the Young Marquis already trusted him.

The Young Marquis was cautious. If he hadn’t already believed and confirmed that Young Master Dou wouldn’t betray him, it was impossible for him to appear and meet.

Having the Young Marquis’ trust, thinking about it made him excited.

"It’s getting late, let’s go back, or Uncle Dashan and Aunt Dashan will worry." Qin San Lang took Gu Jinli’s hand again, calling to Gu Jin’an once more, and first got on the mule cart.

"Okay." Gu Jinli responded, following Qin San Lang onto the mule cart.

Gu Jin’an glanced at Young Master Dou and said, "You seem to respect San Lang greatly."

As arrogant as Young Master Dou was, seeing San Lang, he was acting like a servant in front of their master—illogical.

Young Master Dou flicked his sleeves and regained his previous arrogant demeanor, sneering, "Scholar Gu might not know this, but this Young Master was once saved by a soldier, ever since then, I admire soldiers and vowed to always treat them with respect whenever I meet one."

Is that so?

Then I will find a soldier to beat you up and see if you still treat them with respect?

Gu Jin’an didn’t believe this nonsense but didn’t pursue the matter further, cupped his hands towards Young Master Dou, and followed them onto the mule cart.

After they were seated, Zezi drove the cart away, and Si’an rode Qin San Lang’s horse back.

Young Master Dou stood under the Ouyang Family’s eaves, using the lantern’s light to watch the departing mule cart, bowing deeply to the cart.

However, he frowned while looking at the cart, thinking the Gu Family’s mule cart was too shabby; the canopy was just ordinary wooden planks pieced together, something even the servants in the Capital wouldn’t sit in such a shabby mule cart.

The Young Marquis was too pitiful; he wanted to send him a horse carriage!

Thinking about carriages, Young Master Dou remembered the Young Marquis used to have a Hanxue Treasure Horse named Bai Jian, swift as the wind while running.

The Young Marquis would almost always set out riding Bai Jian, saying it was exchanged for his father’s battle achievements, claiming it would be his lifelong companion on the battlefield.

At that time, he had the privilege to touch Bai Jian, but Bai Jian had a bad temper, almost kicking him to death.

He used to imagine the Young Marquis charging into battle on Bai Jian, breaking through enemy lines, but wishes remained just wishes... The Young Marquis never got to build his reputation riding Bai Jian, instead, he died on the battlefield.

It’s said that his death was extremely tragic, torn apart by war chariots, his facial features unrecognizable, but beside his corpse knelt the severely wounded Bai Jian... Everyone recognized Bai Jian as the Young Marquis’ horse; only the Young Marquis in the Northwest Army had such a Hanxue Treasure Horse.

Later, Bai Jian also died, and everyone lamented.

"Young Master, wipe your tears, stop crying, it looks rather embarrassing." Dou Zhi said with slight disdain but considerately handed him a handkerchief to wipe his tears.

Young Master Dou was furious, gritting his teeth, swatting away her hand, shouting, "What nonsense are you saying? When did this Young Master cry? It’s sweat, understand? The weather is unbearably hot, sweating on my forehead, dripping into my eyes!"

Dou Zhi: "Oh, then Young Master, wipe the sweat; it’s quite uncomfortable having it drip into your eyes."

Young Master Dou’s face turned dark: "Are you doing this on purpose?!"

Dou Zhi: "Young Master is overthinking. I’m not as bored as you are."

The Young Master could even cry at the sight of the mule cart’s silhouette; Young Master, you’re quite the sentimental one.

Young Master Dou was really upset, but Dou Zhi was an odd maid; his years of experience told him not to argue with such peculiar girls, or he’d end up crying instead. So he took the handkerchief, wiped his eyes, and said, "Prepare pen, ink, paper, and inkstone, I want to write a letter to Uncle Ruan."