Chapter 198: The Way Of Managing The Household
Gan Ning returned to the manor, where the lanterns and colorful decorations along with the large “double happiness” characters had not yet been taken down, and the atmosphere of the new wedding still permeated everywhere in the manor.
However, the first thing Gan Ning did upon returning was to accompany his wife Da Qiao for a walk in the back garden. The physician said that she must walk more to ensure a smooth delivery in the end.
Gan Ning was naturally a bit worried too. Da Qiao was only eighteen after all, and this was her first child. He didn’t want any accidents to happen. To avoid mishaps during childbirth, it depended on paying attention bit by bit in daily life.
So every day upon returning to the manor to accompany his wife for a walk was Gan Ning’s unwavering arrangement, unless he wasn’t in Chaisang.
On the garden path, Gan Ning held his wife’s hand and walked slowly.
“Husband, Yun Qing offered me tea today.”
“Didn’t she already offer it during the wedding yesterday?”
“That was her and Xiao Qiao offering it together. She wanted to offer it alone once more.”
Gan Ning smiled happily: “I’m really glad you all get along like real sisters. A Zhu, thank you for your tolerance.”
“Isn’t that what I should do? Besides, Yun Qing was willing to give me the position of main wife. I haven’t forgotten that kindness.”
Gan Ning cupped her pretty face, kissed her, and said: “You are a kind, tolerant, and righteous woman, which is why I made you the main wife. Sun Quan values political marriage alliances more than character, which is why the witchcraft and poisoning incident happened, and Bu Lianshi met an unfortunate tragic end. In my heart, when choosing a main wife, background doesn’t matter at all. Feelings and character are the most important.”
“Alright! Alright! I know your heart.”
The sweetness in her heart made Da Qiao’s smile bloom like a flower. She held her husband’s hand and smiled as she asked again: “How was it with Yun Qing last night?”
“Didn’t she tell you?”
“She did! I want to hear how you felt.”
“Jealous?”
“No way!”
Gan Ning stared into her eyes and smiled: “Really not?”
“Really not. I’m not incapable of jealousy, but I judge by the person. Yun Qing and A Yu are both my younger sisters. Not only will I not be angry if you’re with them, I’ll even be happy. They’ll help me keep an eye on you. But if it’s some other woman on your bed, I’d definitely feel uncomfortable!”
“So since you’re pregnant, you arranged Yun Qing for me to keep me from seeking other women. Clever scheme!”
Da Qiao blinked playfully. “I’ve been with you so long, I’ve learned a few tricks. They say you become like the company you keep!”
Gan Ning looked at the sky smiling and muttered to himself, “Strange, I’m no flatterer. Where did she learn to boast like that!”
“Hateful! You actually say I’m boasting!”
Da Qiao coquettishly pounded Gan Ning’s shoulder a few times. Gan Ning laughed heartily, then held her hand again. Da Qiao hugged his arm, resting her head on it, and sighed happily.
“Husband, I really want to walk like this with you forever!”
“We will. We’ll keep walking together.”
………..
At night, in Gan Ning’s study, laughter rang out nonstop. Da Qiao comfortably leaned on the soft couch, with Xiao Qiao and Xu Wei sitting beside her. All three held teacups, tasting the milk tea Xiao Qiao had brewed. Gan Ning sat behind the wide long desk, telling the three women various amusing stories, drawing bursts of laughter from them.
This was also Gan Ning’s way of managing the household: try not to neglect any of his three women. Even with Xiao Qiao, Gan Ning would consider her feelings. Everyone tried to stay together in the evenings, only returning to their rooms to rest when it was late at night.
“Yun Qing, divine for me. Is the child in my belly a little boy or a daughter?”
“Older Sister, didn’t I already divine it for you? You forgot, not long after I first arrived.”
Da Qiao remembered. It seemed she had been told she’d have two children, the first a young boy. She smiled: “Can it only be divined once?”
Xu Wei nodded. “Generally, the same thing is only divined once.”
Da Qiao smiled and nodded. “I see!”
Gan Ning took another sip of milk tea. Xiao Qiao’s entire attention was on Gan Ning. Seeing her husband drink the milk tea, she eagerly asked: “Husband, do you like tonight’s milk tea?”
Gan Ning nodded. “This cup today suits my taste better. I like it sweet with a slight salty flavor.”
“Then I’ll brew it for you again tomorrow!”
Gan Ning smiled and nodded. “Good! It’ll be hard work for you tomorrow.”
“What hard work? Isn’t that what I should do?” Xiao Qiao was overjoyed at the praise.
“I’m a bit tired. I’m going back. A Yu, let’s go!”
As Da Qiao tried to stand, Xu Wei and Xiao Qiao hurried forward to help her up. Da Qiao smiled at Gan Ning: “Husband, see you tomorrow morning.”
Gan Ning nodded. “Rest well!”
Xu Wei and Xiao Qiao helped Da Qiao back to her room. Gan Ning stood at the door the whole time. Soon, in the darkness, Xu Wei’s deer-like figure appeared. She ran up and hugged Gan Ning tightly, tilting her head to passionately kiss her beloved. Even the female guard hiding in the shadows quietly turned away.
Xu Wei’s shy tone carried a hint of anticipation as she whispered softly in Gan Ning’s ear, “I want you, I want you to treat me just like last night!”
One sentence ignited Gan Ning’s heart like a raging fire. He could no longer hold back. He scooped up the back of her legs, lifted her up, kicked the door shut with his foot, and soon their figures vanished up the stairs.
In Jingling County, Cao Ren gazed deeply at the opposite bank of the Han River, his voice also becoming low: “Is the salt mine in Anlu County that important?”
Beside him, Cheng Yu nodded. “That salt mine is Gan Ning’s lifeline. It’s precisely because of it that he dares to fall out with Jiangdong. If we capture the salt mine, we’ll have Gan Ning by the throat.”
“But he’s also mobilizing troops and reinforcing Jiangxia Commandery, especially since his warships control the Han River. What if he cuts off my logistics supply and retreat route?”
Cheng Yu sighed: “General Zi Xiao’s concern is valid. Back then, Liu Biao rashly attacked Jiangxia Commandery, resulting in his thirty thousand troops being completely annihilated. We cannot repeat that mistake!”
“In that case, what’s the point of you and me standing here?”
Cheng Yu smiled. “Stationing fifty thousand troops in Jingling County is just to give Gan Ning the illusion that we’ll attack Jiangxia from Jingling Commandery. But General, have you considered? There’s another route that doesn’t cross the Han River and can go straight to Anlu.”
“Strategist means… Northern Three Passes in Jiangxia?”
Cheng Yu nodded. “Capture Northern Three Passes, and the northern gate of Jiangxia Commandery opens. Then the army can advance unimpeded to seize Anlu County. We have three thousand elite cavalry. What can the Yuzhang Army use to resist? Even if we can’t hold Jiangxia, we can always retreat to Northern Three Passes, and there won’t be any risk of the Han River cutting off our retreat.”
“But will the Chancellor… disagree with this plan?”
Cheng Yu nodded. “This plan is indeed quite risky. If it weren’t for controlling such a major strategic resource like the salt source, I absolutely wouldn’t have this idea!”
Cao Ren pondered deeply for a long time, finally saying solemnly: “In that case, we can strike. I’ll bear all the consequences!”
