21 – Fengshan, this liar
Gu Pingting was sitting under the corridor embroidering again, thinking that Feng Shan should be back soon.
But Gu Pingting waited until dark, and Feng Shan still hadn’t returned. Aunt Zhang came over to bring her dinner and stay the night with her.
The young girl Zhang Rou had quarreled with her the night before last. Now that she had cooled down and felt embarrassed, she was unwilling to come. For the past two nights, it had been Aunt Zhang accompanying Gu Pingting.
Gu Pingting washed up early and lay in bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep. She asked, “Auntie, do you know where Feng Shan went?”
“Oh, he’s your husband. You don’t even know where he went? Didn’t you ask him when he left?”
Gu Pingting hadn’t asked. At the time, she only thought, who cares where that rough man goes, as long as she doesn’t lack food or clothing.
Aunt Zhang turned over to face Gu Pingting and said, “So you didn’t know? No wonder you were willing to let your man go earn that life-threatening money.”
Gu Pingting didn’t understand. “What do you mean?”
“Feng Shan went to capture mountain bandits. Our Hong County is mountainous and not a wealthy place. Harsh lands breed unruly people. Two years ago, a gang of bandits gathered on Taiya Mountain, killing, burning, and looting all day long!”
Thinking of those bandits murdering and setting fires, Aunt Zhang couldn’t help but shudder. She instinctively lowered her voice and said, “The county magistrate sent troops multiple times but couldn’t wipe them out. Seeing the bandits on Taiya Mountain gathering more and more, the county magistrate issued a bounty, hoping to find a capable person to lead troops and eliminate that nest of mountain bandits. The reward is three hundred taels of silver. Feng Shan went to capture the mountain bandits.”
When Gu Pingting heard the amount of three hundred taels, she suddenly fell silent. That liar Feng Shan! He clearly said he had money…
Seeing Gu Pingting’s pale face, Aunt Zhang knew she had frightened her and quickly comforted her, “Oh, don’t worry too much. Feng Shan used to be a great general in the military camp. He’s fought in battles. It’s just a few mountain bandits—it should be easy for him.”
Gu Pingting clutched the quilt. He said he’d be back in five days. Today was the last day, and he hadn’t returned.
Gu Pingting tossed and turned all night without sleeping. The next day, as soon as dawn broke, she got up.
After washing up and dressing properly, Gu Pingting sat under the corridor embroidering. She loved embroidering, but today she couldn’t do it well no matter how hard she tried—undoing and redoing, redoing and undoing.
Finally, Gu Pingting simply put down the embroidery cloth and walked to the courtyard gate to look out. She waited left and right but saw no sign of Feng Shan, so she returned under the corridor.
She didn’t embroider anymore, just sat there in a daze.
She didn’t know how long she had been sitting when suddenly, the gate creaked. Gu Pingting quickly looked outside and saw Feng Shan, tall and imposing, walking in!
He still wore the long sword at his waist from when he left. Gu Pingting’s heart leaped with joy, and she hurriedly stood up.
But before Gu Pingting could even ask a question, Feng Shan strode over first, bent down, wrapped his arms around her bottom, and lifted her up. He asked gruffly, “Did you miss me these past few days I’ve been gone?”
Gu Pingting was startled as he lifted her up. Then, feeling the position of his large hand, her face instantly flushed red. She scolded shyly, “You fool! Put me down right now!”
Tsk! That little look, that little voice—even being scolded made Feng Shan feel exhilarated!
Feng Shan laughed heartily, not only not letting go but also carrying her and spinning around the courtyard several times. He said loudly, “I missed you to death! Let me hold you for a while!”
He was very tall. Gu Pingting was a bit scared being lifted and spun around, so she quickly wrapped her arms around his neck.
The two were close, and Gu Pingting looked at the man up close—his features were deep, his facial lines firm and resolute, and his hearty laughter was so loud it made her ears ache.
Seeing him so cheerful, Gu Pingting snorted. This foolish man—she had been worried about him, but as soon as he returned, he started getting handsy with her. How annoying!
“Why did you come back a day late? Didn’t you say you’d be back in five days?”
Feng Shan laughed. “What, you were worried because I was late?”
Gu Pingting refused to admit it. “I wasn’t worried about you at all. I wish you hadn’t come back.”
Her contradictory expression couldn’t fool Feng Shan.
Knowing she had been thinking of him, Feng Shan felt smug and planted a loud kiss on her lips! He laughed heartily. “I haven’t spoiled you for nothing—you finally know how to care for your man! Good!”
Gu Pingting quickly let go of his neck, wiped the saliva from her mouth, and shouted, “Feng Shan! You jerk! You’re bullying me again!”
Feng Shan laughed heartily.
Gu Pingting felt a surge of anger and instinctively raised her hand to slap him, but for some reason, she suddenly remembered the three hundred taels of silver, and the slap never landed.
Seeing she didn’t hit him, Feng Shan clicked his tongue. Not hitting him wouldn’t do!
So, with both hands supporting her bottom, he gave her a firm squeeze, so hard that the flesh seemed to spill between his fingers.
Gu Pingting’s face flushed bright red instantly. Feng Shan, that jerk!
As a result, Feng Shan received two hard slaps, and only then was he completely satisfied.
Gu Pingting hadn’t slept all night and grew drowsy after lunch, yawning as she lay down to rest. Feng Shan fanned her with a large palm-leaf fan, which looked somewhat small in his hands.
Gu Pingting looked at this man, feeling indescribable emotions. Drowsiness washed over her, and she soon fell asleep.
Gu Pingting slept until evening. When she woke, she felt dizzy and groggy, with a thin layer of sweat on her body, making her feel sticky and uncomfortable.
Gu Pingting got up and walked outside. Feng Shan was cleaning his large iron bow. She spoke up, “Feng Shan, I want to bathe.”
Seeing she was awake, Feng Shan set the bow down and said, “Alright, I’ll heat some water for you.”
Gu Pingting glanced at him and pursed her lips.
Feng Shan heated a full tub of hot water, and Gu Pingting enjoyed a comfortable bath. After finishing, she sat on the porch, using a cloth to wring out her hair.
Feng Shan brought over a bowl of medicine. “Here, drink this medicine quickly. It’s best to drink it while it’s hot.”
Gu Pingting looked up at Feng Shan. This man was so good to her…
She now realized that here, she was no longer a princess. She no longer had the right to order others around, and no one was obliged to submit to her.
Only this man, Feng Shan, coaxed her, spoiled her, loved her, and protected her.
Only this man, Feng Shan, was still good to her…
Even though he also believed that she, Gu Pingting, was not a princess, Feng Shan was still willing to treat her like one, cherishing and indulging her.
Seeing her gaze fixed on him, Feng Shan thought she was unwilling to drink. This little woman hated bitterness the most and always needed coaxing to take her medicine.
Feng Shan crouched down, softening his voice. “This medicine costs thirty taels of silver per bowl. You have to drink it all obediently. Once you finish, you’ll get better. Come on, drink it quickly.”
Feng Shan brought the bowl to Gu Pingting’s lips, and she lowered her head to sip from the rim.
Seeing her drink the medicine, Feng Shan quickly took out the palm-leaf fan tucked at his waist and fanned her.
The large palm-leaf fan brought a gust of cool breeze. Gu Pingtíng was momentarily stunned, sipping her medicine while gazing at Feng Shan with moist eyes.
He coaxed her into drinking the medicine and, fearing she might sweat from the hot herbal brew, had already fetched the palm-leaf fan to fan her.
The villagers were right—Feng Shan, that rough man, truly knew how to care for someone…