I was a stepmother in ancient times, and I led my whole family to wealth.

Chapter 59 Farewell to the County Magistrate

Gu Jingye's eyes were also red as he took a handkerchief to wipe away his sister's tears, his face resolute: "Yes, no, it will never happen again."

This is what he said to his sister, and also to himself.

That's all in the past; he treats it all as a dream or a nightmare.

"Hmm."

……

Dongfang Jin looked at the man with suspicion: "Gu Chenglin, are you sure you're from a farming family?"

Gu Chenglin: "..." That's not true.

"Call me brother or Brother Lin."

Dongfang Jin pouted: "Oh, brother, let go of me. Are we going back today?"

"I'll listen to you. From now on, the family will listen to you. If you tell me to go east, I will never go west," Gu Chenglin said, and then kissed her on the lips.

Dongfang Jin was furious. This person...

"Gu Chenglin!"

"Alright, as long as you don't leave me, I'll listen to you, no matter what, really," Gu Chenglin released her, his deep laughter intoxicating.

Dongfang Jin pushed him away: "I never agreed to marry you."

Gu Chenglin pulled her back, his face solemn: "Xiao Jin, you are already my wife, your husband still owes you a wedding night."

Dongfang Jin was startled by his words and actually jumped out: "No, absolutely not, I'm still young."

Gu Chenglin walked to her side, his deep black eyes fixed on her: "You're not young anymore, our Xiao Jin has already come of age."

Dongfang Jin reached out and pinched his waist: "You've been gone for a few days, and you seem like a completely different person. Were you just pretending to be honest and dutiful?"

"No, it's just that I haven't met you yet."

"Gu Chenglin, are you really sure you want to be with me?"

"Yes, you are my wife. No matter if we are poor or rich, I will never leave you."

"Gu Chenglin, what I want is a lifelong, monogamous relationship, and I will not have children with you."

Dongfang Jin simply refused to believe that in this ancient era where men had multiple wives and concubines, a man could actually do that.

She's been staying at the county government office these days, and it's really opened her eyes. You can imagine, even a village chief can have seven concubines...

Even a farmer wants to marry a concubine...

A woman who had been married for ten years and had six daughters actually sought out a woman who could give birth to a son for her husband...

Gu Chenglin remained silent for a long time before finally nodding: "Yes, although it's a bit of a regret, as long as you don't leave me and our little family, I'll agree to anything you ask."

Dongfang Jin was surprised that he actually agreed, and muttered under her breath, "Liar, you can't trust a man's words."

A man's mouth, a liar.

Gu Chenglin: "..."

Why is he having such a hard time...?

"You have to believe me, I'll give you a surprise when we get home."

Dongfang Jin looked up: "What surprise?"

They're quite tall, with similar heights...

"We'll talk about it later, I guarantee you'll be satisfied."

Dongfang Jin looked at him, realizing she had been led astray by this man. She narrowed her eyes and asked coldly, "Tell me, where did you get so much money to buy those houses? I want the truth."

Gu Chenglin sighed inwardly: "It's money I saved up during my years in the army, but the imperial court couldn't pay the soldiers on time..."

To maintain morale, the general often had the junior generals lead us in taking turns to suppress bandits.

There were also raids and confiscations of the corrupt officials and local bullies in the surrounding prefectures and counties who oppressed the people...

There should also be severe punishment for those unscrupulous merchants who commit all sorts of evil deeds; that's how they get their money.

Every time we returned, the general would allocate a portion of it to us as military pay.

Dongfang Jin fell silent after hearing his words. Has this country become like this?

Seeing her furrowed brows, Gu Chenglin reached out and touched her forehead: "Sweetie, don't frown, I don't like it."

I'll give you all those things later; you'll be in charge of our household from now on.

Dongfang Jin looked up again, her face full of surprise: "Don't you keep a little stash of money?"

Gu Chenglin laughed and said, "I won't keep any; I'll give them all to my wife."

I'm not going anywhere anymore; I won't spend any money.

If I need to spend money, I'll ask my wife for it.

Upon hearing this, Dongfang Jin wondered if this person could really do it.

Don't you feel ashamed?

Gu Chenglin said in a serious tone, "What's so embarrassing about that? I believe you."

Yes, he didn't have any special skills, so all he could do was treat her with sincerity.

Dongfang Jin looked up at him: "You used to..."

Gu Chenglin knew what she was asking and said in a deep voice, "She can't protect her, let's not mention her anymore, okay?"

She has changed her name and started a family.

Since she left in that way, let's just pretend she's dead.

Yes, that woman never intended to have a good life with him.

When she married him, she was hoping to escape her father's control.

Otherwise, she wouldn't have been held back by her father and remained unmarried at such an advanced age.

Dongfang Jin tentatively asked, "Do you...hate her?"

Gu Chenglin's face showed no emotion, and he said frankly, "I don't hate her. It was the elders' decision to marry her back then."

I never intended to get married. You know that family; I wasn't well-liked. If I married a wife, she would only suffer with me.

However, the elders in the clan couldn't stand it anymore. They treated me that way because they didn't want the other people in the clan to laugh at them.

Furthermore, because she never existed here.

Hearing him say that, Dongfang Jin felt a surge of joy and gave him a playful push: "Scumbag!"

Although Gu Chenglin didn't know what "scumbag" meant, he knew it wasn't a nice thing to say.

Holding Dongfang Jin's hand and placing it against his heart, she said earnestly, "Really, I've never skipped this before, but since I met you, it feels like this place has come to life."

Whenever I think of you, my heart races faster involuntarily.

"Be glib and go to the magistrate. Tell him we're going home. Staying here is really inconvenient."

"it is good."

When Gu Chenglin brought Dongfang Jin to find Lu Yunqing, Old Master Chu was saying goodbye to him, and Feng was carrying sesame oil and sesame paste.

After seeing Elder Chu off, Dongfang Jin looked at the carriage they had ridden in and thought about getting one for himself.

Unfortunately, as soon as she spoke, Gu Chenglin and Lu Yunqing poured cold water on her enthusiasm, saying that their current status only allowed them to buy oxcarts or donkey carts.

Lu Yunqing looked at Dongfang Jin's depressed expression, glanced at Gu Chenglin, and shook his head helplessly. He was powerless to help either.

The imperial decree is one that no one can break.

Dongfang Jin pouted and said, "An oxcart it is then."

I never expected this dynasty to have such a hierarchy. How annoying!

Lu Yunqing shook his head: "Propriety cannot be disregarded, unless you have made contributions to Donglin."

Dongfang Jin: "..." I'm not falling for it!

Gu Chenglin advised, "An oxcart is not bad either; it can be used to haul things."

Dongfang Jin glared at him angrily: "Yes, yes, then what are you waiting for? Hurry up and go buy it, don't buy the old cow."

Oh, and buy some more bags. I need to fill them with star anise and Sichuan peppercorns and take them all home.

Lu Yunqing: "..."

He still hasn't been able to ask her what she wants those things for.

Liu Xi sends her several bags of things every day. It's so frustrating!

Gu Chenglin glanced at the aggrieved county magistrate and suppressed a laugh: "Fine."

Lu Yunqing was speechless: "I'll have Axi take you back, so you can get acquainted with the place. I'll pay you a visit sometime."

Gu Chenglin smiled at him: "Okay, I'll be waiting for you at home."

Dongfang Jin looked at their actions and found them rather strange.

Finally, Lu Yunqing sent Sun Dashan to accompany Gu Chenglin to the market to buy an oxcart. Dongfang Jin left after they did.

Back in the small courtyard where she had been staying for the past few days, she gestured to Gu Jingye and Gu Caiwei to pack up, as they were going home.

She quietly filled the bag with star anise and Sichuan peppercorns.