Chapter 194: Improper Thoughts
Xu Wei carried a bucket of hot water into the room and closed the door. She carefully removed Gan Ning’s shoes and socks and gently washed his slightly rough feet.
Gan Ning reached out to stroke Xu Wei’s beautiful hair and smiled as he asked, “Has your father replied?”
Xu Wei blushed and shook her head. “He won’t reply.”
“Your father is very stubborn?”
Xu Wei nodded lightly. “Our three siblings were raised very strictly from childhood. I was a bit better off since I didn’t grow up by his side, but my two elder brothers had it hard. They actually each had women they liked, but Father didn’t agree, so they could only accept Father’s arrangements. I’ve never hoped Father would change his mind, but I also absolutely won’t let Father interfere in my marriage. Gan Lang, no matter what the final outcome is between our father and daughter, I can accept it calmly.”
Gan Ning was moved in his heart. He held her pretty face and said, “For me, you’re willing to break with your father. I’ll remember this loyalty. Yun Qing, I absolutely won’t let you down!”
Xu Wei shyly lowered her head and used a soft cloth to dry his feet for him. Gan Ning put on wooden clogs and said, “It’s getting late. You should go back and rest early too!”
Xu Wei nodded, picked up the bucket, and went out. Gan Ning extinguished the lamp and went up to the second floor. The study had three floors in total. The third floor was the library, and the second floor was the resting area with one large and one small room. Da Qiao and Xu Wei had already tidied the bed for Gan Ning during the day.
At this moment, Gan Ning heard footsteps. Looking back, he saw Xu Wei carrying a bundle up the stairs.
“Why didn’t you go back to rest?”
“I—”
Xu Wei lowered her head and said softly, “Older Sister asked me to take care of you tonight. I’ll sleep in the small room.”
“Sleeping here won’t be comfortable. You should still go back. I’ll tell your Qiao Sister tomorrow.”
“No, it’s my own choice. I want to take care of you!”
Xu Wei blushed, quickened her steps, and carried the bundle into the small room.
The large and small rooms on the second floor were actually a suite, directly connected to each other with no door between them, only a door to enter the large room.
The small room also had a tidy bed. Xu Wei sat on the bed, her heart pounding with nervousness. She was both nervous and filled with anticipation.
However, the night passed without incident. As the sky began to lighten, Xu Wei woke up. Nothing had happened during the night. Xu Wei breathed a sigh of relief, though there was a hint of disappointment in her heart.
She quickly got up, tidied herself simply, and went downstairs quietly. Gan Ning was still in deep sleep.
Xu Wei opened the door. Maidservants had already prepared hot water and various washing utensils in the courtyard.
It wasn’t that Xu Wei had to do everything herself. It was just that Gan Ning’s inner study didn’t allow servants to enter. Only Da Qiao, Xiao Qiao, and Xu Wei could come in. The maidservants could at most place things in the outer room, or in special cases when Gan Ning needed to ask about something, he would let the female guard come in.
Xu Wei had the maidservants place the hot water and washing items in the outer room, and the several maidservants all withdrew.
Only then did Xu Wei go back upstairs. Gan Ning had already sat up.
“Did I wake Gan Lang?”
Gan Ning shook his head. “I wake up at this time every day precisely. It has nothing to do with you.”
“Let me help Gan Lang wash up!”
“Alright!”
Gan Ning walked toward downstairs, and Xu Wei followed uneasily behind him. Suddenly, she missed a step. She cried out in alarm and was about to fall. Gan Ning reacted quickly and caught her in his arms.
Xu Wei was scared pale. If she had fallen, she would have tumbled down the stairs.
Held tightly by her love, smelling his strong masculine scent, she felt her heart race in confusion. She steadied herself on the stairs and said, “I’m fine now.”
Gan Ning carefully released her, and she hurried downstairs, blushing and not daring to look back.
“I’ll go check if the water is still hot.”
After washing his face, Xu Wei skillfully combed Gan Ning’s hair.
“Yun Qing, you’re very skilled!”
Xu Wei smiled a bit embarrassedly. “I’ve only just learned. Older Sister taught me. A Yu and I practiced on each other.”
“Your older sister will have to look after the child in the future and might not have time for me. You’ll have to take over then.”
“Yes! Older Sister said that this year, I’ll be the one serving Gan Lang in the mornings.”
“And at night? You’ll serve me at night too!” Gan Ning said with a squinted smile.
“At night… didn’t you say until the end of the year?” Xu Wei lowered her head and said softly.
“That’s under normal circumstances, but now your older sister is pregnant. Otherwise, why would I be sleeping in the study?”
“But I—”
Gan Ning patted her hand and smiled. “I just feel lonely sleeping alone. Having the woman I like by my side makes me feel at ease. It doesn’t necessarily mean we have to do anything.”
“I understand!” Xu Wei lowered her eyes.
After saying that, Gan Ning felt a bit regretful. He actually couldn’t guarantee that he ‘wouldn’t necessarily do anything.’
Arriving at the official residence, he unexpectedly saw Strategist Pang and Zhao Yun waiting for him.
Gan Ning was delighted. “When did you two return?”
The two stood and saluted. Strategist Pang said embarrassedly, “We came back last night. It was late, so we didn’t disturb everyone. The army has already entered camp.”
Gan Ning nodded and smiled. “Then you should rest well for a few days!”
“There are some important matters that need to be reported to the general immediately.”
“Sit!”
Gan Ning invited the two to sit. He smiled at Zhao Yun and said, “I heard Zi Long is getting married. Congratulations! Congratulations!”
Zhao Yun said a bit embarrassedly, “It was love at first sight. I’m over thirty but have no children. Now that things are finally settled, I also want to have my own son.”
Gan Ning nodded. “A son is the continuation of our lives. Once you meet the right woman, don’t delay any longer. I hope to drink your wedding wine soon.”
“I’ll arrange it as soon as possible!”
Zhao Yun didn’t plan a grand wedding. He just wanted to invite some friends and close colleagues to gather. Of course, his lord was a must-invite.
Gan Ning then said to Strategist Pang, “Tell me about the important matters!”
Strategist Pang said, “Guiyang Commandery has always been an important area for the Imperial Court’s mineral resources, with the largest output of copper ore and silver. There are both public and private mines. The private mines are mainly concentrated in the hands of two powerful noble families: one is the Zhao family, and the other is the Fan family. Last time I wrote a letter back. The general should know about it!”
Gan Ning nodded. “Strategist Lu has already reported it to me, but it seems he didn’t mention the public mines.”
“Right! At that time, I only mentioned the private mines. After writing the letter, I sorted through the ledgers and discovered things weren’t as simple as I thought. Of all the mineral resources, half are Imperial Court mines, and even all the silver pits are Imperial Court mineral resources. They were seized by Liu Biao. After Zhang Xian’s rebellion, these mines lost control and were occupied by private interests.”
“Seized by the Zhao family and Fan family?”
“Exactly!”
Zhao Yun said uneasily, “I’ve already talked with Fan Shi’s patriarch. He said he’s willing to return all the Imperial Court mine shafts to us.”
Gan Ning nodded. “What about the Zhao family?”
“This subordinate visited the Zhao family patriarch in Changsha. Their patriarch promised to hand over all the Imperial Court copper mines, but of the five silver pits, they want to keep two. They said they’ve invested a lot of money and hope we can be lenient.”
Gan Ning sneered. “They’ve been illicitly mining public mines for so many years; no matter how much money they invested, they’ve earned it back. Please have Strategist Pang write a letter to their patriarch. Originally, whatever private mines they own are legitimate, and I’m willing to recognize the legal status of their mineral resources. But if they insist on overturning the agreement reached with the Imperial Court and forcibly occupy public mines, that means their own mines become illegitimate. Then I’d be happy to take back all the mines.”
Strategist Pang nodded lightly. “I understand. I’ll write the letter today and send someone to deliver it. I believe the Zhao family won’t do something like lifting a stone to smash their own feet.”
