Chapter Seventy: As You Wish

After grinding the medicinal herbs into a paste, Gu Xiaoyao filled a small bowl and made her way to the room where Chu Chengjin was staying.

A fit of coughing overtook Chu Chengjin, harsher than before; it seemed his injuries had not only failed to improve but had perhaps worsened.

“I foraged some herbs in the mountains. I can apply this to your wounds, and there are others I can brew into medicine—drinking it should bring you some relief,” she said, noting that his complexion looked even paler than yesterday. She placed the bowl on the bedside cabinet.

Chu Chengjin pulled the quilt a little higher and, upon hearing her words, responded with a faint, appreciative smile.

“Thank you, my dear wife. I heard you’ve taken on a rather significant matter.”

Gu Xiaoyao did not elaborate on this “significant matter,” instead turning the conversation to the three members of the Liu family.

“Let’s set aside that business for now. Today, I tied them up again; you must have heard the commotion.”

With so many villagers about, surely some busybody had already run here to tell Chu Chengjin everything.

Indeed, Chu Chengjin was well aware—someone had just come by, recounting her exploits with vivid detail.

“Are you asking for my opinion on the matter?” he inquired, his long fingers brushing the edge of his sleeve as he looked up at her with a smile.

“Yes. If you think I’ve gone too far…”

“If I thought you’d gone too far, would you stop?” His low voice carried a trace of amusement, the tilt at the corner of his eyes betraying a certain warmth.

“Of course not. If you think I’ve gone too far, you can simply turn a blind eye. Now that we are a family, I must teach them how to survive properly.”

At heart, Gu Xiaoyao could not bear to see people living off others’ efforts. If they were ill or infirm, she would understand. But these three were hale and hearty, hands and feet uninjured, yet all they wished for was to idle their lives away. That, she could not allow.

“Haha! My dear, your words are exactly what I hoped to hear. You may take charge of all matters at home. As for my mother and brothers, if you can set them straight, you have my deepest gratitude.”

There was sincerity in Chu Chengjin’s words. He often had to go down the mountain and thus could not keep a close watch at home. He knew all too well the temperaments of those in his household; though he had tried to correct them, the moment his back was turned, they reverted to their old ways.

“Since you feel the same, I’ll proceed as I see fit. Now, let me apply your medicine.”

“As for tomorrow’s competition, if you feel up to it, you might go and watch. It would do you good to escape the confines of this room for a while.”

Gu Xiaoyao mentioned the contest with Dagu Village that was set for the next day. Having already given her word, she was determined that they must win.

“My wife, there is something I do not understand. I have heard that back in the village, you were of a gentle and unremarkable disposition. How is it that, now, your temperament has changed so drastically?”

Chu Chengjin had already sent someone to inquire into Gu Xiaoyao’s past. Curiously, her conduct in her former village had been entirely unremarkable. Compared to her present character, it was as if she had been transformed overnight—something he found intriguing. How could a person change so suddenly?

“You have your secrets, and I have mine. Rest assured, I will not harm you. You are my husband; I will protect you.”

Gu Xiaoyao spoke with utmost sincerity, her clear apricot eyes reflecting his image.