Reborn as a Happy Wife in a Rural Family - Chapter 232: Successful Negotiation

Chapter 232: Chapter 232: Successful Negotiation

This was the first time Ms. Li had seen Gu Qingping like this; when enraged, he bore a striking resemblance to her father-in-law, like a volcano on the verge of erupting, threatening to annihilate her at any moment.

Just as Gu Qingping was about to explode, Ms. Su entered with a bowl of soup. Sensing the tense atmosphere, she asked, “Hmm? What’s wrong? Ms. Li, did you upset your sister-in-law?”

Ms. Su hurried forward, set down the tray, and looked Gu Qingli up and down. Then, she glanced at her son’s gloomy face and at Ms. Li, who kept her head bowed.

Gu Qingli pursed her lips and smiled. “It’s nothing. We were just discussing something.”

“Really?” Ms. Su was skeptical.

Gu Qingli nodded. “Yes, really. Big Brother just disagreed with Big Sister-in-law’s words, that’s all.”

Hearing Gu Qingli address them as “Big Brother” and “Big Sister-in-law,” Ms. Su felt her worries vanish. Now that “Big Brother” and “Big Sister-in-law” have been uttered, can being called “Mother” by her be far off? She didn’t mind at all that Gu Qingli hadn’t called her first. She said cheerfully, “That’s good. Mother made you a bowl of hot and sour soup. Drink it quickly. See if Mother’s cooking is good, alright?”

Gu Qingli smiled and nodded, unable to resist Ms. Su’s eager gaze.

This hot and sour soup was a daily essential for her. Her mouth felt tasteless, and drinking this soup always brought a sense of comfort.

Of course, the ingredients were all from the Space.

Gu Qingli took a sip. It was that familiar sour and spicy taste.

She said sincerely, “Thank you, it’s delicious. You’ve gone to a lot of trouble.”

Ms. Su stroked her head, her voice incredibly gentle. “As long as Li’er likes it, that’s all that matters.”

Gu Qingli looked up at her and smiled.

Watching this scene, Ms. Li felt a bitter taste in her mouth. Her mother-in-law, who never lifted a finger at home, was now personally making soup for her daughter. Indeed, a daughter is a treasure, while she, the daughter-in-law, is just a blade of grass.

“Ms. Li, come to the kitchen and help Mother.” Seeing Ms. Li’s expression, Ms. Su immediately called out to her.

This idiot shouldn’t have been brought along. She was ostensibly here to care for Gu Qingli, but in reality, she was just here to cause her trouble.

Ms. Su narrowed her eyes. If Ms. Li dared to do anything to her precious Li’er, she would skin her alive.

Ms. Li nodded to Ms. Su, stood up, and followed her out of the room.

Once the tiresome person had left, Gu Qingping said, “Sister, don’t listen to your sister-in-law’s nonsense. Big Brother already earns a lot with a twenty percent share.”

Gu Qingli shook her head. “Actually, Big Sister-in-law isn’t wrong. I only supply the tea leaves and don’t manage anything else. Twenty percent is indeed a bit low. How about this: Big Brother takes thirty percent.”

“No, absolutely not.” Gu Qingping waved his hands repeatedly, directly interrupting Gu Qingli.

Gu Qingli felt quite gratified; this brother of hers was still very upright. She said, “Big Brother, please hear me out. With the money from selling tea leaves, please help me stockpile grain, cotton, cloth, and medicinal herbs. The more of these, the better.”

“Alright.” Gu Qingping thought for a moment and readily agreed. After all, these items were urgently needed in the harsh environment of Beijing.

However, he himself would have to act carefully. If caught, it would be a capital offense.

Right now, to Daqian, Beijing was considered rebellious territory, its people traitors—a situation even more severe than that involving Qingchen.

Thinking about the future of Daqian and the Gu Family, Gu Qingping felt an impulsive urge to follow Xiao Yunjing and commit to his cause.

He wasn’t particularly concerned whether the imperial court was corrupt or not. He only worried that if Qingchen ascended the throne, the Gu Family would be their first target.

This was a serious matter that could not be delayed; preparations had to be made early.

Seeing Gu Qingping’s fluctuating expression, Gu Qingli knew he was contemplating something and didn’t disturb him.

“What are you two thinking about, sitting there so quietly?” Just then, Xiao Yunjing pushed open the door and entered. He saw Gu Qingping in deep thought and Gu Qingli taking occasional sips of water.

“Brother-in-law, you’re back.” Gu Qingping looked up.

Xiao Yunjing nodded, sat down beside Gu Qingli, rubbed his hands together, and then took Gu Qingli’s hand.

Gu Qingli was taken aback by Gu Qingping’s “brother-in-law.” This seemingly honest Gu Qingping wasn’t honest at all; he was actually quite sly, subtly taking advantage of Xiao Yunjing.

Although this advantage was rightfully his to claim, she hadn’t officially acknowledged her return to the family yet.

“What were you discussing just now?” Xiao Yunjing finally asked.

“We were talking about the tea leaves.” Gu Qingli recounted her earlier conversation with Gu Qingping.

After listening, Xiao Yunjing felt this method was feasible. Although he had specialized personnel for purchasing supplies, no one had been assigned to the Capital City.

Those high-ranking officials and nobles in the Capital City, which one of them didn’t have substantial industries? But trying to buy things from them was genuinely difficult.

If Gu Qingping, the son of the Senior Grand Secretary, operated covertly, a significant amount of resources could be extracted from the Capital City.

Thinking of this, Xiao Yunjing said, “This plan is feasible. However, Big Brother, you must be careful during operations and ensure you are not exposed. Additionally, I will send people to assist you.”

“Don’t worry about that. Our Gu Family already owns a large grain and oil store that handles a lot of goods year-round. In the future, I will use both overt and covert channels simultaneously.”

Xiao Yunjing nodded. Afterward, Gu Qingping and Xiao Yunjing discussed other matters until it was time for lunch, at which point they set those topics aside.

For the next two days, Xiao Yunjing and Gu Qingping continued their discussions. On the third day, Gu Qingping and Ms. Li departed for the Capital City with the tea leaves.

Their journey was as discreet as their arrival. No one would know they had returned from Beijing County. Even if Qingchen’s men came, it would be like throwing meat buns at a dog—they would come but never return.

Once Gu Qingping and Ms. Li left, Xiao Yunjing became busy again.

They had originally planned to return to Qinghe Village after finishing matters in Beijing County. However, the arrival of Ms. Su and the others disrupted these plans, so they decided not to go back.

Since they weren’t returning, previous arrangements had to be reorganized.

Fortunately, members of the Secret Sect were distributed throughout Daqian. Orders, once issued, were executed with high efficiency.

Xiao Yunjing handled these matters; Gu Qingli didn’t concern herself with them at all.

Since the previous day, Ms. Su had been preparing for the birth of the three little ones, including making their clothes.

Among Gu Qingli and her two servants, only she herself could do needlework; Wuqing and Wuyou could only use embroidery needles for killing.

With only Ms. Su and Gu Qingli to do the sewing, and Gu Qingli herself unable to sit for long each day, most of the work fell to Ms. Su.

Gu Qingli suggested hiring two people skilled in embroidery, but Ms. Su refused.

Ms. Su said that it was best for children to wear things handmade by their own family at birth.

Gu Qingli wasn’t particular; the children could wear anything once they were born. In modern times, how many children born could still wear clothes personally sewn by their mothers?

Even if there were such cases, they would be exceedingly rare. Most people would just make a sweeping gesture and buy them.

She worried that Ms. Su’s eyes wouldn’t be able to take the strain. After mentioning it several times to no avail, Gu Qingli had no choice but to add Spiritual spring water to Ms. Su’s drinking water.

Several days later, Ms. Su found it exceedingly strange. Not only did she feel her body had improved and she no longer tired easily from doing things, but most importantly, she seemed to no longer fear the cold.

Ultimately, she attributed it to having acclimated to the environment here.

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