Reborn as a Happy Wife in a Rural Family
Chapter 84: The IQ That Makes People Anxious

Chapter 84: Chapter 84: The IQ That Makes People Anxious

The war with Xichen Kingdom had lasted five long years, enough time for him to consolidate military power.

Moreover, Feng Zhiqiang’s men from Blue Clouds Mountain were periodically sent in, all recruited through normal military conscription.

These men, accustomed to daily fighting and killing, quickly adapted to the battlefield, slaughtering enemies without mercy, fierce and brutal.

They won several small battles consecutively.

Even though they were small victories, they significantly boosted morale.

Watching such scenes, Xiao Yunjing felt a resurgence of the youthful vigor he had possessed on the battlefields of his past.

But now, I’m just a common soldier. Just a common soldier, he thought.

「In Qinghe Village, at Master Gu’s house...」

It was Gu Qingmei’s wedding day, yet the atmosphere was cold and desolate, hardly any better than Gu Qingli’s wedding had been.

Chen Erlang’s house looked no different than usual. Chen Erlang himself casually threw on his everyday clothes, went to Master Gu’s house, collected Gu Qingmei, and left.

He maintained a sullen expression throughout, not cracking a smile once. Matchmaker Liu, leading the bride by the hand, followed behind, not daring to breathe too loudly. She had arranged many marriages, but this was only the second time she had witnessed such a bizarre wedding.

The first, of course, had been Xiao Third and his bride. While they had no dowry and no grand celebration, at least all the proper procedures had been followed.

This couple, however, had skipped everything. Their birth charts weren’t even compared for compatibility; Matchmaker Liu was simply hired to go through the motions.

And so, Gu Qingmei was married.

This wedding added another juicy topic for the villagers’ after-dinner gossip.

It was likely because the villagers had just finished the busy spring planting and had little to do, so they welcomed a bit of amusement.

Upon hearing about it, Gu Qingli thought Chen Erlang must have lost his mind. They had already slept together, yet he treats the marriage like he’s merely taking a concubine, demeaning both himself and Gu Qingmei. For him to have passed the preliminary scholar examination, his ancestors must have risen from their graves in the middle of the night to burn incense for him. His stupidity is infuriating!

Gu Qingli felt extremely fortunate that the Original Host hadn’t married before dying. If I had transmigrated after she was married, I would definitely have died a second time.

「The next day...」

As soon as Gu Qingli woke up, Wuqing brought news that a peculiar patient had been admitted to the Gu Clinic in Qiyang County, and they wanted her to take a look.

"Peculiar in what way? Did Wuyou mention any symptoms?"

Wuqing shook her head.

"Alright, we’ll go take a look after breakfast."

Anyone with a modicum of skill would be intrigued by a patient with a novel illness, and Gu Qingli was no exception. She particularly enjoyed researching complex and rare cases.

Successful research means good money, she mused.

Hearing this, Wuqing quickly went to help set out the meal, knowing her Young Miss would insist on eating even if the sky were falling.

Meanwhile, Gu Qingli went to bottle two jars of the tiger bone wine she had been soaking. She put one jar into her Space and planned to take the other in the carriage to Qiyang County.

During breakfast, Gu Qingli asked Ms. Jiang, "Mother, I’m going to Qiyang County. Would you like to come with me for a few days?" She hadn’t been in good spirits since Mr. Xiao left, and Gu Qingli thought a change of scenery might do her good.

"No, this old body of mine can’t handle the exertion. You just be careful in Qiyang County," Ms. Jiang said, shaking her head. She no longer had the youthful energy for spontaneous trips.

Besides, if I were to go anywhere, it would be with my old man. Why would I go with my daughter-in-law? Ms. Jiang thought.

"Oh, right," Ms. Jiang added, "don’t go spending money on things again."

Gu Qingli was speechless. Do I look like a spendthrift?

Gu Qingli nodded, finished her meal, said goodbye to her family, and left in the carriage.

This time, she had a member of the Secret Sect follow her, just in case.

Wuqing drove the carriage.

This time, Gu Qingli had put Da Bai into her Space. The creature had insisted on coming with her, and she couldn’t very well bring it along openly.

Once the carriage left the village, it headed towards the town.

"WHOA!"

Halfway there, an ox-cart blocked their path, forcing Wuqing to halt the carriage.

The ox-cart ahead seemed to be broken. One man sat on it, lost in thought, while another was fiddling with a wheel, tapping it here and there.

The man on the cart was Chen Erlang, and the one tinkering with the wheel was Chen Dalang.

The two brothers recognized the Xiao family’s carriage and saw Gu Qingli’s maid driving it, so it was obvious who was inside.

Chen Erlang’s spirits instantly lifted. He scrambled down from the ox-cart and rushed to the carriage, eagerly calling out, "Is Li’er in the carriage?"

Gu Qingli had already seen that lunatic Chen Erlang through the carriage curtain. Hearing his question, she couldn’t be bothered to answer him.

Instead, Wuqing shot him a disdainful glance and said coldly, "Sir, is my Young Miss’s personal name something a man like you can shout so casually? Move aside, or don’t blame my whip for being indiscriminate."

As she spoke, Wuqing even flicked her whip. This fellow is as skinny as a bamboo pole, a total weakling. I’d be embarrassed to actually hit him, she thought.

Chen Erlang only registered the words "my Young Miss" from Wuqing.

’Young Miss’ already? he thought. If Mother hadn’t insisted on dragging me to break off the engagement, everything Gu Qingli has today would be mine!

Thinking of the broken engagement, Chen Erlang’s heart ached. He said tenderly, "Li’er, I’ve already passed the preliminary scholar examination. In the future, I’ll definitely pass higher examinations to become a Xiucai and even a Juren. Li’er, come back to me. I promise I’ll treat you well from now on."

"BLECH!"

Gu Qingli nearly threw up her breakfast. Is this lunatic delusional? Go back to him? This man’s brain must have been seriously squeezed by a door!

Gu Qingli was not known for her patience. She flung open the curtain, jumped down from the carriage, strode up to the still love-struck-looking Chen Erlang, and slapped him hard across the face.

Damn it! If I don’t show some anger, they’ll think I’m a pushover!

Chen Erlang was stunned. Chen Dalang was also stunned. He rushed forward to question Gu Qingli, but Wuqing’s whip coiled around him and flung him into the bushes by the roadside.

Meanwhile, Chen Erlang clutched his stinging face, pointing at Gu Qingli in disbelief. "Li’er, you...?"

He had never imagined that the once-timid Gu Qingli would be so forceful as to slap him today.

Growing up, no one had ever hit him except for his father that one night. Everyone else had always coddled him.

Gu Qingli sneered. "What’s wrong with *me*? So you passed the preliminary examination and now you’re all high and mighty? Let you have me back? Your head is full of bean dregs! Is your brain not working? Just wait, I’m going to the county magistrate to report you. Someone like you passing the examination? You must have cheated! I’ll ask the magistrate to re-examine you!

"If I ever hear such nonsense from you again, I’ll beat you until you can’t even take care of yourself!

"As for your looks, in my, Gu Qingli’s, eyes, you’re just a pile of shit! Even if you achieved high office, you’d still be a disgusting pile of shit!"

Gu Qingli regarded Chen Erlang with utter contempt and disgust.

Chen Erlang felt as if struck by lightning, staring blankly at Gu Qingli with eyes full of unfamiliarity.

Is this person still Gu Qingli?

Since the day the engagement was broken, Gu Qingli had changed too much. And since that day, the love for him in her eyes had vanished.

Back then, he had assumed she had changed so drastically due to the shock.

But he never expected... She can’t be Li’er. It’s impossible for someone to become so utterly different, so much like a stranger, all of a sudden!