Qin San Lang knew that Great Chu meant something different to Grandpa and the others; it had once been their pride.

He comforted Elder Qin: "Grandpa, don’t be sad. You’ve always taught us since we were young that the fate of a dynasty isn’t something humans can control. It’s all predestined."

"Predestined? You kid still believe in that? Don’t fool the old man." Elder Qin knew very well that San Lang didn’t believe in fate; he only believed in human agency.

Wasn’t that cold-hearted girl Xiao Yu secretly warmed by him for years before he won her over?

"You don’t need to comfort me. This old man has seen it all and can handle it," Elder Qin said, not wanting Qin San Lang to worry.

Qin San Lang smiled and said, "It’s good you’ve come to terms."

Elder Qin looked at him, his eyes deep, and reminded him: "You should also come to terms with it yourself. You’re a Company Commander at the Military Office, and you know well what lies ahead. If you truly can’t keep it, if blood is shed, don’t feel too upset."

"And your soldiers, keep an eye on them. Don’t let them get themselves killed for helping the farmers, and don’t let them take the opportunity to do evil."

Qin San Lang: "Understood, Grandpa. Don’t worry, I already instructed them before I came back. They’ve been trained for years and know the rules; they won’t hold me back at such a time."

Elder Qin remembered Brother Luo Wu and told Qin San Lang what Luo Wu had said to the villagers.

Qin San Lang frowned slightly and said, "Rest assured, Grandpa. I will talk to Brother Luo Wu and won’t let him make mistakes."

"Let’s not talk about these troubling matters. With Good Brother An and Xiao Yu at home and me at Songzi Manor, you can run around outside with peace of mind." Elder Qin saw how exhausted Qin San Lang was and immediately stopped talking: "You should go and take a nap; I’ll call you when it’s time."

Qin San Lang didn’t say anything further and went back to the house to sleep.

He slept deeply, but he was thinking about going to see Gu Jinli, so he woke up after just over two hours without Elder Qin having to call him and got up to take a bath.

After washing up, he changed into clean clothes and went to say goodbye to Elder Qin.

Elder Qin smiled and said, "Go on then."

Certainly eager to see Little Xiao Yu.

Being young is really wonderful.

Seeing Elder Qin’s smiling face made Qin San Lang feel a bit awkward, so he left after a brief exchange with Elder Qin.

Soon, Qin San Lang climbed over the wall into the Gu Family, mimicked a few bird calls, and then knocked on the window.

Almost at the same moment he knocked, Gu Jinli opened the window. Seeing him, she broke into a smile: "You’re here, come in quickly."

Seeing her smile, Qin San Lang felt at ease, jumped into the room, and with a long arm, gathered her tightly into his embrace... Her body, as soft as gentle hands, soothed his heart; no matter the hardships he’d faced, holding her made everything better.

Gu Jinli was surprised, then laughed, hugging his waist and snuggling into his arms. Hmm, Brother Qin’s embrace was still so comforting, though the weather was too hot, making his embrace somewhat hot to the touch.

Qin San Lang felt her body was slightly cool, which was very comforting to hug... She also had a faint, refreshing fragrance that was very pleasant.

Gu Jinli knew he’d encountered some unpleasant things recently, and that things would get even tougher after he left this time. So, she didn’t speak or move, allowing him to hold her, hoping to ease his heart a little.

Only...

Is the hug too long?

The weather is really too hot. The blazing July heat made Gu Jinli feel like she was about to sweat from the warmth radiating off him.

"Um, have you hugged enough? Maybe we should change positions?" Gu Jinli seriously suggested.

Upon hearing this, Qin San Lang laughed, released her, but didn’t plan on moving away. Instead, he moved closer, bent down, and kissed her, whispering in a deep voice: "Enough hugging for tonight."

But I haven’t kissed you enough yet.

Gu Jinli: "..."

Well, you’ve grown bolder. Now every time you see me, you want to kiss and hug. What happened to your previous restraint?

Gu Jinli felt that she used to be the one initiating things, but now he had taken over that role, which made her a little angry. She moved her hand that was around his waist and pinched him.

Qin San Lang’s body stiffened, and his previously gentle touch became domineering. Holding her, he pressed her against the wall by the window, telling her: "Don’t do that next time." It’s hard to control myself, you know?

His voice carried a sense of helplessness and restraint, his body hotter than before, muscles in his back taut. Gu Jinli felt like her hand was touching a stone wall.

I was wrong!

I’ll never pinch your waist in situations like this again. Calm down.

Seeing the shock and regret in her eyes, Qin San Lang couldn’t help but laugh. He raised his hand to cover her eyes and continued kissing her: "Little Xiao Yu is so cute~"

No matter how fierce others said she was, in his eyes, Xiao Yu was just a cute girl. She was sometimes silly, often saying strange things and doing weirdly silly things, much more charming than the dull young ladies of the Capital.

Hmm, she was prettier too.

Those so-called Capital City’s Double Pearls, unmatched in beauty and talent, couldn’t compare to his Little Xiao Yu.

Sigh!

A quarter of an hour later, Qin San Lang released her. Gu Jinli was catching her breath and glaring at him: "What are your lungs made of?"

Iron lungs, are they, brother? I’m about to run out of breath here.

Qin San Lang laughed, poking her flushed cheek, reddened from holding her breath, saying: "Little Xiao Yu still hasn’t learned how to breathe during a kiss. Don’t worry; next time, I’ll breathe for you."

"Shut up, don’t say such things," Gu Jinli blushed deeply; such shameless words, and you just say them out loud—Qin San Lang, clearly, I had misjudged you in the past.

"Okay, I won’t say it." Qin San Lang wisely shut up, although he’d already noted the idea of breathing for her next time firmly in his mind.

After all, you can’t let the wife you finally won suffocate from just one kiss.

Gu Jinli huffed coldly, looking angry, but still hugged him, saying: "Remember, this isn’t your fault. The blame lies with the Emperor; you’re just following orders. So, no matter what you do, don’t feel it’s your crime."

Qin San Lang was taken aback and said: "Okay, I promise you, I won’t be affected by what’s to come."

He added: "As long as Little Xiao Yu doesn’t think I’m an evil man, that’s enough."

He didn’t have the time or heart to care about what others thought.

Seeing his mood lifted, Gu Jinli was also happy. As the light of dawn appeared, she urged him: "Go now. Hold on for a few more days, and once the silver arrives, people will see hope and stop causing trouble. You all won’t have to do anything against your conscience then."

She added: "Remember to take care of yourself. Half of you belongs to me now, and if you dare to let my other half get hurt, you’re dead."

Hearing this, Qin San Lang felt incredibly warm inside. His Little Xiao Yu always used the fiercest words to express the most heartfelt care for him: "Okay, I won’t let myself, your man, get hurt."

Uh, Gu Jinli blushed with anger, pointing to the window: "Get going."

Qin San Lang didn’t linger, releasing her and climbing out the window.

Not long after, Gu Jinli heard the sound of horse hooves, knowing he had left. She stood at the window for a moment before going back to sleep.

But she hadn’t slept long before being awoken by a commotion.

Xiao Ji was knocking on her door, shouting: "Young Master, your fellow villagers from your hometown are here, a whole group of them. Hurry and come see."