Chapter 248: Returning to Qinghe Village
Chapter 248: Chapter 248: Returning to Qinghe Village
「Five days later」, Xiao Yunjing, having finished his arrangements, packed up with Gu Qingli to return to Qinghe Village.
“Li’er, how long do you plan to stay once we’re back?”
“We’ll see. My intention is to settle in Qinghe Village long-term.”
Qinghe Village was remote, making it even safer than Qiyang County.
Plans rarely keep up with changes. They had only been back for a few days, yet members of the Secret Sect had already dealt with several groups of people. Gu Qingli wondered who could be so lavish, practically throwing lives away like this. Training an assassin wasn’t easy; it required not just a significant amount of money, but also a great deal of time. This benefactor had to be incredibly wealthy. She almost wanted to seek them out herself. After all, she was short on money. Maybe they could sponsor her a bit?
“That’s fine. Qinghe Village is peaceful.” Although traveling to Qiyang County would be somewhat inconvenient for him, the village’s safety made it worthwhile. Spending more time on the commute wouldn’t be an issue.
It took everyone half an hour to pack. Then, three carriages departed from Qiyang County City.
As soon as they left the city, Gu Qingli moved the three little ones into her Space. When the carriages were assigned, their family of five shared one, making it convenient to place the children into the Space.
Wuqing had been moved into the Space beforehand, so only Wuyou rode in a carriage with the three elderly women.
Another carriage transported their belongings.
And then there were the three coachmen.
The carriages left the city and headed towards Qinghe County.
Traveling quickly, they reached Qinghe County in about an hour.
Gu Qingli alighted from the carriage to take a look. When she had last passed through here, it was all ruins. Now, it was rebuilt, but the gap between the rich and the poor had visibly widened.
The poor still lived in thatched huts, while the wealthy had large courtyard homes and multi-story buildings.
Gu Qingli sighed. It was quite impressive that it had all been rebuilt in just over a year.
People could live normal lives now, and the Secret Sect must have played a significant role in this.
The carriages continued their journey.
After another half an hour, they arrived at Qinghe Town.
Qinghe Town was much the same; though not as lively or bustling as it once was, its people were living in peace and contentment.
The road to Qinghe Village had been paved with stone slabs, wide enough for two carriages to travel side by side.
“Do we need to buy anything to bring back?” Gu Qingli asked as they happened to pass the town entrance. She thought if there was anything they could bring, they should.
Xiao Yunjing held her hand and said, “No need. Everything at home has been prepared. We can use it all as soon as we get back.”
A couple of days prior, Xiao Yunjing had already arranged for people to return and set things up.
“Hehe, husband, you’re so thoughtful.”
“It’s nothing for me to do this, considering Li’er takes care of our sons all day.”
SMACK! Gu Qingli, her eyes curving into crescents as she smiled, kissed Xiao Yunjing on the cheek. His words and actions were just so comforting.
His words truly resonated with her. Although the three nannies, Wuyou, and Wuqing helped with their three little ones, she preferred to handle things herself whenever possible.
There were some things she disliked entrusting to others.
As a result, her days were often consumed by thoughts of her sons, sometimes leading her to unintentionally neglect Xiao Yunjing.
Yet, he never complained. Instead, whenever he had a moment to spare, he would come home early to help her with the children.
Xiao Yunjing was thrilled by Gu Qingli’s kiss and returned it, the couple continuing to flirt affectionately in the carriage.
“Sister, Sister!”
Two voices, cracking with the changes of puberty, called out as their owners ran towards the carriage.
“Is that Dashuang and Xiaoshuang?” Gu Qingli exclaimed internally, surprised. Those two little rascals were already going through puberty!
They were already thirteen, and she herself had passed her eighteenth birthday. In the blink of an eye, nearly three years had passed since she arrived. Time really flew.
Xiao Yunjing instructed the coachman to stop. Gu Qingli then brought the three little ones and Wuqing out from the Space. She, Xiao Yunjing, and Wuqing each held a child.
After the carriage halted, two panting teenagers appeared before it.
“Sister, Sister…” Dashuang and Xiaoshuang were still calling out.
“Dashuang, Xiaoshuang, I’m here! Wait a moment, okay?” Gu Qingli immediately responded.
“Alright!” came two voices in unison from outside.
Xiao Yunjing, carrying Little Le’er, went first. The coachman had already drawn aside the carriage curtain, and Xiao Yunjing leaped down.
Wuqing followed, then Gu Qingli.
The moment she alighted, Dashuang and Xiaoshuang, who were now each holding one of the other babies, immediately crowded around her.
Xiaoshuang chirped, “Sister, this is our little nephew! He’s so cute!”
Dashuang added, “Sister, you’re amazing, having three little nephews all at once!”
Gu Qingli, Xiao Yunjing, and Wuqing were momentarily speechless. These clueless kids…
Gu Qingli pursed her lips, observing the two boys who were now about her height. Not only had they shot up in height, but their features had also matured. They were quite handsome; they would definitely be much better-looking than Chen Erlang when they grew up.
“Where are Mom and Dad?”
“Mom and Dad are cooking! We’re eating at home tonight, and there’ll be tons of delicious food!” Dashuang said, teasing the little dumpling in his arms.
“Well then, let’s go,” Gu Qingli said.
“Alright!” Dashuang and Xiaoshuang immediately started walking, each carrying one of the little ones, chatting to them as they went.
“Little nephew, we’re going home! You’ll see Grandma and Grandpa soon. Aren’t you excited?”
“Oh, and your little aunt, too!”
“And a beautiful house!”
“And wild rabbits caught by your uncle!”
The three adults following behind listened, a mixture of amusement and exasperation on their faces.
When they reached the village entrance, quite a few people were standing there.
Many familiar faces were present, led by Gu Chang’an, with his family behind him.
There were also many others, such as Gu Qingmei’s family of three, Ms. Niu’s family, Daniu, Zhang Qiaozui and her family, First Brother Gu and his family…
In short, everyone who should be there, and even some who perhaps shouldn’t, had come.
Gu Chang’an walked towards them, beaming.
“Second Grandpa,” Xiao Yunjing and Gu Qingli greeted him in unison.
“Ah, you’re back! That’s wonderful! Your old Second Grandpa here has been looking forward to your return every single day. Hehe, such a good baby! Come, let your Great-grandpa hold you,” he said, reaching for Little Yuanzi in Gu Qingli’s arms.
Gu Qingli handed him the baby.
Gu Chang’an carefully cradled the infant, looking at Little Yuanzi with a loving expression.
Gu Qingli then went over to Ms. Qiao and the others, greeting them one by one.
“Cousin Erni,” Gu Qingmei, holding a two-year-old boy, whispered to her.
Gu Qingli nodded at her and then glanced at Chen Erlang, who stood beside Gu Qingmei.
Chen Erlang looked at Gu Qingli. He remembered her as Xiao Third’s beautiful wife, his wife’s younger cousin, and the woman who had lent them money, saving his life during their most difficult time. His wife had always told him to remember her kindness.
Chen Erlang nodded slightly to Gu Qingli and said, “Cousin Erni.”
“Cousin-in-law,” Gu Qingli responded, then gestured for Wuyou to come over.
Wuyou immediately approached, took a box from her satchel, and handed it to Gu Qingli.
Gu Qingli accepted it.
At this moment, all eyes were on Gu Qingli; everyone knew what she was about to do.
Some people, like Zhang Qiaozui, Ms. Yun, Gu Qingyan, and the two young women behind him, had eyes full of jealousy.
Others, like Ms. Niu, looked on with anticipation.
Gu Qingli, smiling, placed the box in Gu Qingmei’s arms. “I didn’t know you had a boy, so the gift might not be entirely suitable. Please don’t mind, Cousin.”
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