A Starving Ghost Comes Knocking (Continued)

"That's good, as long as we don't get involved with the old man."

Gu Wanning: "... I guess she's desperate and will try anything, she'll definitely want to find a man. I'm worried she'll go after my father's political enemies."

"Where did she meet people? I think she's the most likely to target the Prince of Qin," Er Ya said mysteriously.

"If that's the case, why not the Marquis? Didn't she want to marry the Marquis?"

"She wouldn't dare scheme against the Marquis; Marquis could kill her. But this servant sees that the Prince of Qin is greasy and indiscriminate, always picking on the weak..."

Gu Wanning thought of the chubby Prince of Qin and realized that compared to Xu Weibei, he really should be softer.

A few days later, things calmed down, and it seemed that the matter was completely over.

Gu Wanning successfully found the head of the farm, and she personally went to watch him lead the people to plant the Corn.

An interesting little episode occurred during this time.

The neighbors next door are also growing Corn.

She overheard the head of the neighboring village cursing, telling people to be careful, and mentioning how precious the Corn seeds were, and even bringing her up in the process.

Of course, we should praise her for being a good father and having a good daughter, for her abilities, and for bringing benefits to the people.

Gu Wanning was so flattered by the praise that she became somewhat elated.

However, she still retained some rationality and was too embarrassed to claim responsibility. She secretly told Er Ya, "The owner of this house is definitely on my father's side. They haven't even seen the results themselves, yet they're praising me to the skies. They must be one of our own."

Er Ya replied, "Don't belittle yourself. We didn't falsify our previous production figures. Anyone with eyes can see that a meticulous person like Master wouldn't lie."

After the Corn was planted, Gu Wanning would come to check on it every few days.

Xu Weibei was busy with something and hadn't shown up for almost half a month, but he had Gao Lan deliver things to him twice.

The first one was an agate bowl, exquisitely crafted and obviously expensive, but Gu Wanning refused to accept it.

The second time was to send food, specifically an eight-treasure duck.

This time, Gu Wanning accepted it.

Eight-treasure duck is indeed delicious.

Er Ya, munching on a duck wing, said, "Miss, I thought you would reciprocate."

"What gift should I give in return for a duck?"

"The Marquis's plan has failed. He was definitely thinking of getting to know you better through this back-and-forth."

"Aren't we close enough? He just can't accept that I initiated the divorce, and he's resentful."

Gu Wanning was very clear-headed. She was neither virtuous nor gentle. Compared to the women of this era who were willing to humble themselves and bloom in the soil, she was simply an oddity.

Xu Weibei did not follow the usual path. Perhaps it was the desire for challenge and conquest, or perhaps it was his unwillingness to accept defeat that caused him to develop some inexplicable feelings about his own eccentricity.

The more you refuse, the more obsessed he becomes.

It will fade away on its own after a while.

"This servant feels that the Marquis has put his heart into you. The Marquis is so busy now! During the spring plowing season, he was busy dispatching people, so busy that he barely had time to rest. Even though he had something to eat, he still thought of you. It's not easy for him," Er Ya said, speaking a fair word.

"It wasn't easy. You get carried away when you don't have it," Gu Wanning said. "Do you believe me? Last night I even dreamt I was standing on our land, and I'd bought up every inch of it."

Er Ya: "... You're a lady from a respectable family, don't always worry about those mud clods."

"The land doesn't lie; you reap what you sow. Can a man do that?"

"If you want a child, you can't do it without a man."

"I'm still a child."

Gu Wanning knows herself well; she has little patience for children.

She liked Zhi Nu because although Zhi Nu was young, she was actually mature and had a warm, kind, and grateful adult soul.

The duck was eaten, Xu Weibei arrived that evening.

Gu Wanning: As expected, there's no such thing as a free lunch.

"A new chef has arrived at the manor. If you like, I can have Gao Lan send you another one. Or I can just send the chef over directly, since I almost never eat at the manor."

"If you don't eat, they still have to," Gu Wanning said.

She poured a cup of tea for the weary Xu Weibei.

Xu Weibei had a scraggly beard and messy hair, looking like a wild man, and it was unclear where he had come from.

"Is there any food?" Xu Weibei took the tea, took a sip, found it a little hot, and blew on it before asking.

"Didn't you eat?"

"Um."

"Then aren't you going home?"

"I'm busy. I'll just sit for a short while before heading to the palace to see the Emperor."

Aren't you going to change your clothes?

"I'm busy."

Gu Wanning: "... Er Ya, is there any more food?"

Er Ya said there was none left, only some cold rice.

"Shall I make Marquis a bowl of noodles, or stir-fry a dish?" Er Ya asked.

"That's fine, serve the rice first."

The food is cold.

"Fine."

Er Ya brought over the cold rice, Xu Weibei immediately poured in the hot tea, stirred it, and then buried himself in the rice.

Gu Wanning was dumbfounded.

Er Ya couldn't help but ask, "My Marquis, were you just released?"

"I went to the fields early this morning to teach people how to Corn, and I also checked the irrigation ditch and found it was blocked... I've been busy all day and haven't even had time to eat yet."

Xu Weibei finished half a bowl of rice in just a few bites.

"Eat slowly, let me see what else is in the kitchen and I'll make you something." Gu Wanning felt a little sorry for him.

Even during military campaigns, Xu Weibei probably never suffered like this.

Excellent people are extremely dedicated to whatever they do.

"Okay. I'm not picky, make whatever you like, even a few fried eggs are fine."

Gu Wanning was worried that he was hungry, so she first made him a few poached eggs, and then made a pot of mutton soup.

Xu Weibei also swept everything away.

"I think you haven't eaten for three days, not just today. You've come here begging for alms," Gu Wanning said irritably, handing him a large hawthorn dumpling.

"I don't like this," Xu Weibei refused. "You can eat it yourself."