Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside-Chapter 1109: My Face Is Stiff from Smiling

"No." Xiao Ji thought of Mrs. Chen’s mannerisms and was almost scared to tears: "If I become like Aunt Da Gui, I won’t live anymore."

Erqing sneered: "Then you need to change. If it doesn’t work, after the engagement ceremony of the Young Master is over, I’ll take you to the mountains for a few days. It’ll ensure you turn over a new leaf."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Ji quickly waved her hand and said: "I can definitely change, no need to trouble you, Erqing."

But Erqing wouldn’t agree: "No, if you want to continue serving by the Young Master’s side, you must go to the mountains for training. Otherwise, you should go work at the pharmaceutical workshop and let someone else replace you."

Xiao Ji was anxious and hurriedly covered her mouth: "I’ll go, I’ll go. I promise I won’t speak out of turn again in the future."

Actually, Xiao Ji, as a close maid, was quite qualified. She learned accounting from Nanny Tao, studied etiquette, knew martial arts, understood Gu Jinli’s temperament, and worked well with her. However, she was too fond of gossip, both listening to and spreading it.

These minor flaws could be corrected as long as she didn’t disclose matters of the Gu Family, which could be tolerated.

After Erqing reprimanded Xiao Ji, she picked up the booklet left by the Zong matchmaker and began flipping through it: "Young Master, let me show you. Tomorrow, when the engagement ceremony begins, I’ll be by your side to remind you."

"Hmm." Gu Jinli responded, picking up the robe made for Qin San Lang, and started gathering the hem. Once the hem was gathered, the robe was completed.

...

The Zong matchmaker was sent by the Qin family to deliver the engagement gifts. Therefore, she couldn’t stay at Gu Jinli’s house and left for the Qin family after explaining the steps for tomorrow’s engagement ceremony.

The Qin family was bustling with activity. Village Chief He, the He Family Elders, Lu Gen Sheng, and the Lu Family Elders were all there, gathered around General Xiao Guo with curiosity.

Village Chief He held General Xiao Guo’s hand tightly and said: "As expected of General Guo’s son, so robust, like a little tiger, and quite the handsome little tiger too."

Brother Cheng also went to the Qin family to join the fun. Hearing this, he almost burst into laughter. Village Chief He still loved to flatter the nobles, holding that hand so tightly that General Xiao Guo couldn’t pull it back.

Guo Qiang didn’t expect the villagers of Da Feng Village to be so enthusiastic; his face was stiff from smiling. However, he couldn’t lose his temper, as this was Brother San Lang’s village. If he lost his temper with them, it would definitely offend these villagers. They might not dare do anything to him, but they would certainly blame Brother San Lang.

Therefore, he had to endure it and smile at them in various ways.

Gu Dewang thought Guo Qiang was pretty unfortunate and, while munching on some snacks, offered his hand to Village Chief He: "Here, hold my hand and let General Xiao Guo’s hand rest. You’ve got him sweating."

In this hot weather, holding a sweaty hand, isn’t it slippery for you, sir?

"Get out. I see you every day, who wants to hold your hand? Is your hand as precious as the little general’s?" Village Chief He said, glaring at Gu Dewang. However, he quickly realized Gu Dewang was reminding him. Reluctantly, he let go of Guo Qiang’s hand and apologized with a smile: "Please don’t mind, General Xiao Guo. This old man is a country bumpkin who hasn’t seen the world. I can’t help but want to hold on when I see a noble like you."

Guo Qiang’s face hurt from all the forced smiles, yet he still had to say with a smile: "You flatter me. When I once went to the Capital, I saw a Lord, and I was so awed that I kept following him around."

"L-Lord? General Xiao Guo, you’ve met a Lord from the Capital? Oh my, that’s incredible. I’ve heard that a Lord is just one rank below a Marquis, a noble!" Village Chief He got excited again, asking Guo Qiang about things concerning the Capital, and the Lord.

Guo Qiang was internally despairing; he was merely making a polite remark, how did it lead to this sort of topic?

"The Capital isn’t all that great, too many rules, not comfortable to stay in. There are more royal families and high-ranking officials, that’s all. The Lord doesn’t hold much position either, just an idle Lord, nothing special." Guo Qiang thought, maybe with this, you won’t ask anymore?

Instead...

Village Chief He gazed at Guo Qiang, with eyes almost tearing up again, grabbing Guo Qiang’s hand and asking: "General Xiao Guo, you speak so confidently, could it be that your family holds a Marquis title? Oh my, not only a young general but also a Young Marquis, our Da Feng Village surprisingly welcomes a Young Marquis, it’s like a blessing from above!"

General Xiao Guo was dumbfounded, hurriedly waving his hands: "No, no, you misunderstood. My family is just an ordinary military general’s household, not a Marquis Mansion, I’m not a Young Marquis. Such words must not be carelessly spoken; impersonating nobles could lead to beheading."

Brother Cheng was on the verge of laughter. Seeing Guo Qiang struggling to cope, he rushed to Village Chief He and said: "Village Chief, it’s getting dark. You’d better take the villagers back now and come back tomorrow for the feast."

And reminded: "There’s a rule set in our village; if broken, it could affect the purchase price of Mingya Grass."

The last sentence was like a thunderstorm, startling many into standing up and saying: "Right, right, it’s time we head back. We can’t break the rules."

In no time, more than half the villagers had left.

Village Chief He quickly stood up as well: "General Xiao Guo, it’s getting late, I’ll take my leave, take care. Do make sure San Lang cooks the chicken, duck, fish, and meat we’ve given you, so you won’t go hungry."

The villagers, upon knowing a young general had arrived, were all astir and came bearing gifts. However, it was too late for them to go to town and buy proper gifts, so they grabbed chickens and eggs from their coops at home as offerings. As a result, the Qin family now had a mound of chickens, ducks, fish, and eggs, which would save a lot on tomorrow’s meat dishes.

Guo Qiang maintained his stiff smile: "Don’t worry, I’ll eat well. You may go now."

Please leave, or else my face will cramp from smiling.

"Yes, yes, I’m leaving, no need to see me out." Village Chief He called his two grandsons over to bid farewell to Guo Qiang and only left fully satisfied once they exchanged words with him.

After they left, the Zong matchmaker instructed her servants to tidy up the Qin family house, sort the gifts, place them in the side room, and then start cooking. After dinner, they discussed with the Qin family about the steps of tomorrow’s engagement ceremony and didn’t sleep until late at night.

The next day, before dawn, the families of Qin, Gu, and Luotian got up. After the women cleaned up, they went to Gu Jinli’s house to help.

The men went to the workshop first to finish the morning’s work, then changed into clean new clothes, and before the auspicious time, headed to Gu Jinli’s house.

Guests from outside the village were also heading to the Gu Family. Scholar Shang and his family were the first to arrive. Shang Yuanyuan had been eagerly counting down the days and got up early to get ready and went to the Gu Family to keep Gu Jinli company.

"Sister Xiao Yu, you look really beautiful today." Shang Yuanyuan looked at Gu Jinli with bright eyes and said.