"Dongdong is the shopkeeper, so it's only right that she handles the accounts," Jin Feng said.
"Xiaorou, you need to understand something," Jin Feng continued. "Leave specialized tasks to those who are skilled in them. Your role is to manage people. Otherwise, as our business grows, how will you keep up with everything?"
"But it's already too late for that," Guan Xiaorou protested, wrapping her arms around Jin Feng's waist and burying her face in his neck. "Husband, how about this? I'll call Dongdong over tonight, and you two can share a room. Tomorrow, I'll go to the county office and arrange the marriage documents. What do you think? Dongdong will be yours sooner or later anyway. If you marry her early, I can hand over the household responsibilities to her."
According to the laws of Dakang, as Jin Feng's primary wife, she had the authority to arrange a concubine for him.
"Let go of that idea," Jin Feng said with a sigh. "Listen to me. When I'm not home, let Dongdong help you with the accounts. I'll review them when I return."
"Alright…" Sensing Jin Feng's displeasure, Guan Xiaorou dropped the subject and turned to fetch a bundle from the bed. "Husband, I've altered your clothes. Try them on."
The fit was perfect this time, accentuating Jin Feng's scholarly demeanor.
"Xiaorou, you've done a great job with these," Jin Feng praised with a smile.
"Dongdong helped with the alterations," Guan Xiaorou admitted shyly. "Her family is in the textile business, so she's been skilled in needlework since she was young. She also made another set for you."
Not wanting the conversation to steer back to Tang Dongdong, Jin Feng quickly changed the subject. "After I leave, lock up the shop and don't let anyone in. Leave the workshop to Dongdong. If anything comes up outside, let Liang Ge handle it."
"Understood," Guan Xiaorou replied, sensing Jin Feng's shift to serious matters. She leaned quietly against his chest. "Husband, I know you're going off to do something important. I can't stop you, but remember, I'll be waiting for you at home."
"Don't worry. Mancang and I aren't going to fight. We're just accompanying the Marquis to observe the battlefield. Our roles are as his stewards, not soldiers. If there's any danger, I'll be the first to run," Jin Feng reassured her.
"You always say that, but every time there's danger, you're the first to charge in," Guan Xiaorou countered. "Like that time with the tiger, and today with the bandits…"
"How did you know about the bandits today?" Jin Feng frowned. "Did Zheng Fang tell you?"
He couldn't believe Zheng Fang had such a loose tongue.
"No, it wasn't Brother Zheng. Dongdong guessed it," Guan Xiaorou explained. "Last time the Marquis came to the village, you mistook him for a bandit and told us to run, even acting like you were ready to fight. Dongdong later mentioned that the bald man who came to our house with Xie Guang might have been a bandit. She said that with your personality, you wouldn't leave without resolving a threat. So when you left today with the Marquis and Brother Zhong, Dongdong guessed you were going to deal with the bandits."
"Dongdong is truly remarkable," Jin Feng marveled.
With so little information, she had pieced together the entire situation. Tang Dongdong's deductive skills were truly impressive.
"Yes, Dongdong is amazing," Guan Xiaorou echoed.
"But no more talk of marrying her!" Jin Feng quickly interjected.
"Fine, I won't bring it up again," Guan Xiaorou conceded, then asked, "Husband, where were those bandits from? Did you and the Marquis wipe them out?"
"Don't worry. They've all been captured or killed. Not a single one escaped," Jin Feng assured her.
The bandits from Maomao Mountain were few in number, only a few dozen. Zhang Liang's burly comrade knew each of them by sight. While Zhong Wu was capturing or killing them, he had stayed hidden, confirming that none had escaped.
"My husband is the best," Guan Xiaorou said, gazing at him with admiration.
"Of course," Jin Feng replied, not minding his wife's adoration. He lifted her onto the bed. "It's late. Let's get some rest."
"Mmm…" Guan Xiaorou murmured, burying her face in Jin Feng's chest.
Soon, the wooden bed began to creak. Knowing Jin Feng was leaving on a long journey, Guan Xiaorou, usually so shy, was unusually bold that night. They didn't quiet down until well past midnight.
Jin Feng felt as though he had just fallen asleep when the deep sound of a drum echoed outside.
This was the drum used to muster soldiers before a campaign. Noble households would beat the drum to inspire courage before sending their men off to war. Though Jin Feng wasn't a soldier, since Marquis Qing Huai had sounded the drum, he had no choice but to rise.
Guan Xiaorou had gotten up at the first beat of the drum, hurriedly helping Jin Feng dress.
"Don't trouble yourself. Go back to sleep," Jin Feng said, feeling guilty for how exhausted she must be after the night's activities.
"How can I sleep in when you're setting off on a campaign? It's already indulgent of me not to have gotten up earlier," Guan Xiaorou replied, tucking her disheveled hair behind her ears before rushing to prepare water for Jin Feng to wash.
In Dakang, there were no toothbrushes. Instead, they used frayed willow twigs dipped in salt to clean their teeth. Jin Feng, who had initially found this practice unbearable, had grown accustomed to it over time.
By the time Jin Feng stepped outside, the guards had already assembled in the courtyard. Aunt Liu was holding Zhong Wu's hand, giving him some last-minute advice. Tang Dongdong stood in a corner, scanning the area. When she saw Jin Feng, she quickly approached.
"Brother Feng, you're a scholar, not a soldier. When you're on the battlefield, don't rush into danger…" Tang Dongdong said softly, her eyes red.
"Don't worry," Jin Feng replied, giving her a meaningful look. "Dongdong, you're a clever girl. While I'm away, help Xiaorou manage the workshop and take care of her and Xiao'e for me."
"I will," Tang Dongdong promised with a firm nod.
Zhang Liang arrived with Mancang and the burly man, offering some final words of caution before pulling Jin Feng aside. "I'm entrusting Mancang to you. If he doesn't listen at the front lines, don't hesitate to discipline him."
"Understood."
"There's one more thing," Zhang Liang added, gesturing to the burly man. "Old Hei is struggling to make ends meet. I was thinking of having him help out at your family's kiln. Is that alright?"
"Of course. You don't need to ask me about such things," Jin Feng said. "I've already told Xiaorou and Dongdong that while I'm away, you should stay home and keep an eye on things instead of making deliveries."
"Feng, don't worry. As long as I'm alive, nothing will happen to the household," Zhang Liang vowed, thumping his chest.
"Good," Jin Feng nodded. He was about to say more when Marquis Qing Huai approached.
Zhong Wu had already prepared the carriage. "Sir, it's time to depart."
Jin Feng patted Zhang Liang's shoulder, hugged Guan Xiaorou one last time, and climbed into the carriage.
**Boom!**
The drum sounded again.
"Safe travels, and return victorious!" the servants and staff of the household shouted in unison.
But no one shed a tear. Even Guan Xiaorou, who was usually quick to cry, bit her lip hard, refusing to let a single tear fall.
In Dakang, it was believed that crying when sending men off to war brought bad luck.
"Victory! Victory! Victory!" Marquis Qing Huai's guards chanted three times in response before riding into the morning mist.