Reborn as the Blissful Wife in the countryside
Chapter 201 Ms. Chu’s Fury

Chapter 201: Chapter 201 Ms. Chu’s Fury

"Your father hasn’t even asked anything yet, and you’re already protecting him," County Captain Jiang glared at his own son, waving his hand dismissively, "Alright, alright, I won’t ask anymore, you handle it yourself."

Although he was glaring at Jiang Qi while speaking, County Captain Jiang was very satisfied with his eldest son. He wanted Jiang Qi to gradually take over his responsibilities and achieve a few more merits, so that after his retirement, he could take his place as the County Magistrate.

Earlier, County Captain Jiang wasn’t necessarily determined to have his son become the County Magistrate. However, since the drought, he had felt uneasy, always feeling that the times might become even more chaotic.

In chaotic times, having someone in the family in an official position, even a minor one, is too important for a family; it can save lives at critical moments.

"Thank you, Dad, for allowing it." Jiang Qi playfully saluted County Captain Jiang with clasped hands. After stepping into the study and taking a seat, his smile vanished as he spoke to Qin Er Lang and Qin San Lang. "Although the Military Office isn’t a real barracks, it deals with the important matters of protecting the country and our homes. Since you both want to join the Military Office, you must be prepared to lay down your lives. There is no easy job in this world."

Upon hearing this, Qin Er Lang looked at Jiang Qi seriously for the first time. Originally, he thought Jiang Qi was just a soldier from a small county town. But hearing such nobly said words from him was quite admirable.

Qin Er Lang clasped his hands, "Uncle Jiang, rest assured, my brother and I are joining the Military Office to protect our country and homes. We have no disdain for the Military Office."

Qin San Lang also clasped his hands in assurance, "I think the same as my elder brother."

Jiang Qi, hearing this, was quite pleased, especially with Qin Er Lang. Initially, he was somewhat critical of him for being too somber and lacking the openness of San Lang. Now, seeing that he spoke agreeably, Jiang Qi also felt relieved.

"Alright then, come to the county government in three days, and I will take you to the Military Office." Jiang Qi reminded them, "The Military Office recruits new soldiers every February, trains them for three months, and then conducts a test. Those who fail the test will be expelled. Although I’m the one enlisting you, if you fail the test, you will also be kicked out."

Counting the days, the Qin Brothers would be entering the Military Office over a month late compared to others. However, their family had served as soldiers and both were skilled in martial arts. Jiang Qi was optimistic about their testing performance and wasn’t worried.

If they really perform poorly, Jiang Qi would just consider it a misjudgment on his part.

"Uncle Jiang, don’t worry, we understand," Qin Er Lang and Qin San Lang responded.

Jiang Qi nodded in satisfaction and turned to Elder Qin, recalling how all his sons had died on the battlefield. He finally asked, "Elder Qin, are you really willing to let the boys join the Military Office? If you are not willing, I won’t take them."

Elder Qin replied, "Lord Jiang, rest assured, as an old man, I have come to terms with it. While they are still young, let them serve a few years in the Military Office. If they don’t make a name for themselves, they can come back home and I will let them farm peacefully without complaints."

As Elder Qin finished speaking, Ah Jiu approached the study door, standing below the steps and reported into the study, "Old Master, Brother Wu from Luo Family in Da Feng Village has come and he wants to see Uncle."

The people in the study were startled by the news, and Third Grandpa had already stood up, asking Ah Jiu, "Why has the boy come? Did something happen at home?"

Ah Jiu smiled, "Elder Gu can rest assured, the gatekeeper already asked. Brother Wu said there’s no issue at home, he came by himself to look for our Uncle, saying he wants to work at the government office."

Hearing this, Third Grandpa and the others were even more surprised. Gu Jinli frowned—what was Luo Wu thinking? Wasn’t he always unwilling to leave the village to take care of his elder sister? Why did he suddenly want to work at the county government?

Jiang Qi was very pleased, and he laughed heartily, "If he doesn’t come at all, he doesn’t come; but when he does, he comes in threes. Ah Jiu, go bring Luo Wu in."

"Okay, I’ll go right now." Ah Jiu turned around and soon brought Luo Wu to the study.

Luo Wu had rushed over, beads of sweat on his forehead, and his shoes still carrying mud.

He was afraid that the mud on his shoes would dirty Scholar Shang’s study, so at the steps, he bowed and asked for forgiveness, then immediately ran to the side of the courtyard, rubbing the mud off his shoes before running back and entering the study.

No one commented on his actions.

Luo Wu, who appeared very anxious, didn’t even greet Third Grandpa and the others. As soon as he entered the study, he greeted Jiang Qi with a bow, "Uncle Jiang, I have made up my mind. I want to serve in the county government."

Before Jiang Qi could respond, County Captain Jiang asked, "Why? You said yesterday that you didn’t want to work at the government office, what made you change your mind overnight?"

County Captain Jiang disliked it when young people changed their minds too quickly, feeling it showed a lack of stability.

This was because the Qin Brothers had mentioned that Qin Er Lang wanted to enlist in the military just yesterday, but was stopped by Elder Qin.

Luo Wu hesitated for a moment before saying, "It’s my parents at home who want me to join the government office. After hearing their words last night and thinking it over, I realized that working in the government office would not only cultivate my abilities but also protect my family. So, I decided to go to the county government to serve. I hope County Captain Jiang and Uncle Jiang won’t find me unworthy and will accept me!"

Luo Wu’s words were half-true, half-false, as he was hiding some things.

This year he had turned eighteen, and Sister Xiu had reached fifteen in the first month of the year, becoming old enough to start discussing marriage.

However, he hinted several times to his mother, who had not given him a clear answer.

After returning from the Gu Family the day before, he again pleaded with his mother to pick a date to propose to the Gu Family. But instead, his mother exploded and said something shocking, "If you keep clinging to Sister Xiu like this, I will not allow you to marry her!"

Luo Wu was taken aback and asked his mother, "Why? Do you dislike Sister Xiu?"

Thinking that his mother disliked Sister Xiu because of the child kidnapping incident, he quickly spoke up for Sister Xiu, "That night when the kidnapping happened, although Sister Xiu was dragged away by Sister Liu and the others, she wasn’t taken far and was soon saved by Xiao Yu. Sister Xiu has not been wronged; she is a pure and decent girl, don’t look down on her."

Ms. Chu became even more angered upon hearing this, "When have I ever looked down on Sister Xiu? We escaped the famine together; your mother has eyes to see that Sister Xiu wasn’t wronged on the road."

"Why won’t you let me marry Sister Xiu?" Luo Wu was perplexed, "Mother should know, I’ve liked Sister Xiu since I was a child, my heart has always been set on her. In this lifetime, I only want her, please fulfill my wish and go to the Gu Family to propose so I can marry Sister Xiu."

When Luo Wu said these words, his voice became choked up, "If you don’t let me marry Sister Xiu, I will have to remain a bachelor my whole life!"

Ms. Chu, upon hearing this, not only refused to compromise but instead said, "Then don’t marry at all, just stay single."

Luo Wu didn’t expect his mother’s attitude to be so resolute. Hearing her sentence him to a life of bachelorhood utterly shocked him, and he stared at her, dumbfounded.