Couple's Night Talk

Upon returning home, Gao Yuan immediately faced a grilling from three women.

It was not entirely the three women's fault; just reading the battle reports was heart-stopping enough, let alone seeing the scars on Gao Yuan's body right now.

"Didn't you promise us you wouldn't do anything risky?"

"Exactly, just look at these wounds on your body..."

As Song Yao spoke, she couldn't help but shed tears; her tearful expression made Gao Yuan feel guilty.

Zhao Xiyao was a bit more rational, though her tone still carried a hint of reproach.

"Actually, that last battle didn't have to be fought at all. As a result, not only did you end up covered in wounds, but the First Division also lost nearly a hundred men."

When tallying the losses after the battle, Gao Yuan also felt a pang of heartache. After all, that precious S-rank experience card had been used up. Fortunately, the spoils of war were substantial, otherwise, he would have slapped his thigh in regret.

Looking at the three beautiful young women, whose faces were full of worry and resentment, Gao Yuan helped them sit down on the stools.

"It's just that I heard the meat was too succulent and I couldn't resist. I definitely won't do this next time. Don't be angry, okay?"

Zheng Wan glared with her phoenix eyes.

"Next time? You still want a next time?"

"No, didn't I say I wouldn't do it next time..."

"Verbal promises are worthless. You must sign a written agreement, otherwise, we sisters will never be at ease."

"Uh... alright, alright..."

Just as Gao Yuan agreed, Zheng Wan pulled a piece of silk from her bosom and spread it flat on the table.

At this moment, even if Gao Yuan were foolish, he would understand that he had been schemed against by this girl. From the initial grilling to Song Yao's tears, everything had been planned by them.

"You... you clearly dug a pit for me to jump into. This... I won't sign..."

"You won't sign?"

Zhao Xiyao stared at Gao Yuan with her bright, starry eyes, her tone growing colder.

"You already promised just now. A gentleman's word is his bond. You wouldn't want your subordinates to know that their commander is someone who breaks his promises, would you!"

Gao Yuan felt this plot was so familiar. Shouldn't it be "Madam, you wouldn't want..."

Sighing, Gao Yuan took the unequal treaty, which still carried the warmth and fragrance of Zheng Wan, and without even bothering to look at it, he picked up a brush and signed his name.

Song Yao snatched the silk, and after one glance, she burst into laughter with a "pfft."

"Husband, you are considered a famous handsome man in the Great Qian, so why is your handwriting so ugly? Hahaha!"

Zhao Xiyao and Zheng Wan also leaned in to take a look, and they all laughed until they were swaying like flowers, completely losing their graceful image.

Gao Yuan felt so wronged. He really couldn't be blamed for this; he had never practiced traditional characters or brush calligraphy, and the original owner of his body was an ignorant playboy. It would be a miracle if the handwriting looked good.

After laughing enough, Zhao Xiyao said while rubbing her little belly.

"Consort, as the saying goes, seeing handwriting is like seeing the person, and handwriting reflects the person. You are destined to do great things in the future, so you must practice your handwriting."

"Ever since I came to this Southwest, I've either been training troops and practicing martial arts, or leading troops on expeditions. Where would I find the time to practice calligraphy!"

The three women knew Gao Yuan was very busy and worked very hard, and their eyes were full of heartache.

In the end, Zhao Xiyao volunteered.

"How about I set aside time every day to practice calligraphy with you from now on?"

Song Yao immediately raised both hands in approval.

"Yes, yes! Sister Zhao Xiyao is the number one talented woman in the Great Qian!"

"If even the number one talented woman cannot teach you well, then husband, you will be a laughingstock for the rest of your life."

Provoked by Zheng Wan, Gao Yuan immediately made a firm guarantee.

"Rest assured, within three years... no, five years, I will definitely be able to master calligraphy."

Having the number one beauty and the number one talented woman of the Great Qian personally teaching him—just thinking about it was wonderful!

After dinner, Zheng Wan and Song Yao returned to their own courtyards. Zhao Xiyao stayed behind. Seeing that she had something to say, Gao Yuan did not move.

"Xiyao, is there something you want to tell me?"

Zhao Xiyao signaled with her eyes, and the court lady on the side understood, waved her hand, and led the maids away.

"Consort, you once said you didn't want to be emperor, so why are you working so hard to expand the territory now? Do you know that the more powerful you become, the more..."

Gao Yuan understood that this woman was worried that he had deceived her, and also worried that he would follow the same path as his cheap father in the future.

He moved his stool to sit beside Zhao Xiyao, grabbed one of her small hands to play with, and said.

"I really don't want to be emperor; it's too tiring. Look at which emperor has had a long life. The reason I'm working so hard now is mostly for self-preservation."

"You also know that we are surrounded by powerful enemies. Toungoo, Western Kang, and Dongjing—which one isn't several times stronger than Lan Xang?"

"If we don't have enough strength, when some changes occur in the future, we will become soybeans in a mill, crushed to pieces."

Gao Yuan still didn't tell the truth; the idea of putting his own woman on the throne was too shocking. Telling her now would inevitably frighten her.

He still planned to follow his plan, influencing Zhao Xiyao step by step, and when the time was ripe in the future, he would wrap her in the yellow robe, and she would have no choice but to agree.

Hearing Gao Yuan say this, Zhao Xiyao secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Although she was still a bit worried, she pretended to be relaxed.

"That's good. I am truly afraid that one day I will have to face my father and brothers on the battlefield."

Gao Yuan suddenly felt sorry for Zhao Xiyao and really wanted to tell her that this was bound to happen sooner or later.

He patted the young woman's small hand and said softly.

"Xiyao, don't worry, I won't let you face that situation."

The young woman leaned obediently on Gao Yuan's shoulder.

"Thank you, Brother Yuan!"

"We are husband and wife, so don't say such distant things."

Gao Yuan also secretly made up his mind that no matter what happens in the future, he would carry it all for her.

So, he wasn't really lying to her. Thinking of this, Gao Yuan felt much better.

After a while, the young woman's breathing gradually steadied. Gao Yuan looked down and saw she had fallen asleep.

Her long eyelashes trembled slightly, and her cherry-like mouth was slightly open, breathing out like orchids—extremely cute.

Without waking her, Gao Yuan put one hand under her knees and lifted her up in a princess carry.

He gently placed the young woman on the bed, then walked to the door and called for two personal maids.

"Her Highness is asleep; serve her well."

"Yes!"

Waving his hand, Gao Yuan returned to his own courtyard.

The autumn wind blew across the entire Nanzhou land, golden waves of rice rolling—a scene of harvest was right before his eyes.

This year, Gao Yuan did not get hands-on himself; he brought a group of officials to sit on the mountaintop.

While enjoying fragrant tea and eating delicious pastries, he watched the busy scene.

Listening to the cheers from the foot of the mountain, Mu Sheng sighed with emotion.

"If it were a few years ago, I would never have dared to imagine that West City would have such a harvest scene. This is all the County Duke's credit."

Gao Yuan took a sip of tea, diluting the sweetness of the pastries in his mouth, and smiled faintly.

"It's nothing more than some sudden whims. We are still far from letting the common people truly have plenty of food and clothing."

"County Duke is too modest. I heard that the chicken farm will soon have output?"

After a year of effort, the chicken farm had now developed to a scale of 50,000 birds, supplying thousands of eggs every day.

"It can indeed supply eggs stably, but I plan to push the time back a bit further."

"I plan to set up branches in Menge, Luang Namtha, and Puer next year; this can significantly reduce transportation costs."

"Starting the year after next, not only will we stably supply eggs to the army and the schools, but we will also sell them externally."