Chapter 564: Chapter 564: Do You Really Like the Farmer Girl?
Qin Er Lang paused, fully aware that he wouldn’t listen, and would only use even harsher methods to stop Qin San Lang from altering the decree.
"Er Lang, have you woken up?" Qin San Lang asked.
Qin Er Lang stayed silent for a moment, eventually nodding his head. "San Lang, I was too anxious, losing my usual composure."
Hearing this, Qin San Lang breathed a sigh of relief... He had noticed the changes in his brother, understanding that he had been through a great ordeal, could not withstand the blows, and had begun to show signs of madness.
Previously, there were physicians in the family, and imperial physicians often visited. He was well aware that some people, after experiencing great difficulties, could lose emotional control, leading to insanity.
He worried that Er Lang might become one of them.
Grandfather was also worried - he scolded and beat Er Lang, tried many methods to save him, but to no avail, Er Lang’s temper became increasingly worse.
After much deliberation, he thought of this method to frustrate him.
Initially worried it might not succeed, it turned out to be successful.
Qin San Lang was very pleased, sat down on the ground, and said to Qin Er Lang, "After you arrive in Central State Yuchang Prefecture, don’t rush to achieve merits, just be an inconspicuous soldier, so when the time comes to fake your death, no one will investigate too much."
A soldier who dies without having achieved any feats, with a family of farmers, generals won’t pay much attention and giving a bit of compensation silver would suffice.
"Mm." Qin Er Lang responded, then sat down on the grassy mountain, which was a bit damp with dew, causing Qin Er Lang to frown.
Like him, San Lang was a legitimate son from a noble family, born with a silver spoon in his mouth - he couldn’t understand how San Lang could sit so casually on the ground like a farmer.
Qin San Lang saw the frown on Qin Er Lang’s forehead, and the disdain in his eyes, and laughed, then added, "Er Lang, we don’t know the true situation in Yangji Prefecture, you must remember to be cautious and prudent, not reckless and impulsive again."
Qin Er Lang nodded and replied, "San Lang, the ones I trust most are you and Elder General He. Once I’m settled in Yangji Prefecture, you both must come to help me."
Worried that Qin San Lang wouldn’t come, he stared at him and said, "This is a great vengeance of our three clans. Marquis Qin has only you left as a legitimate son, you are the most legitimate heir to the Qin family’s title, you should take revenge for the Qin family and restore its glory."
Rather than hiding here, mixing with a farm girl.
Qin San Lang looked at the sky where black and white intermingled and said, "Er Lang, rest assured, I will avenge the Qin family."
Hearing this, Qin Er Lang was overjoyed and added, "I know you went to the prefecture city to change the decree to protect those few families, fearing that my actions could endanger them. But those who achieve great things must accept some deaths, they are outsiders..."
"They are our benefactors," Qin San Lang interrupted Qin Er Lang. "Er Lang, remember, no one wishes to follow a leader who harms his benefactors."
Qin Er Lang was left speechless. Although he knew those families had been kind to him, he disliked them, and in his view, sacrificing some outsiders was acceptable for revenge.
"Er Lang, there are many ways to do things. Although it requires some effort, if putting in the effort can lead to the best of both worlds, why not do it?"
Qin Er Lang was left utterly ashamed.
The two brothers sat silently, hearing only the early morning calls of birds and frogs, and the whooshing of the mountain breeze.
After a while, golden light rose from the mountain peak, sunlight radiated across the land, and the mountains brightened. Qin San Lang stood up, saying, "Er Lang, let’s go back."
Seeing him walking away, Qin Er Lang could only follow, walking down the familiar mountain path towards home. Just before leaving the mountain, Qin Er Lang couldn’t help but ask, "Does San Lang really like that farmer girl? They are different from us."
Qin San Lang paused then continued walking, "The Qin family originated from farmers, my grandfather was a farmer who tilled the land."
Qin Er Lang’s expression changed slightly. Although San Lang didn’t answer whether he liked the farmer girl, he did say that the Qin family were farmers, a point worth deep reflection.
"San Lang," Qin Er Lang called out to Qin San Lang, and when he turned his head, added, "Don’t let those families or that fish trap you."
San Lang is a wild horse racing across the plains, an eagle soaring through the mountains, an arrow cleaving the air on the battlefield; he should not be trapped by anyone.
Qin San Lang looked back at Qin Er Lang and smiled, "Brother, you worry too much."
After hearing this, Qin Er Lang didn’t say anything else. He had said what needed to be said, and so had Qin San Lang, what could be and needed to be said was all spoken.
At the end of the village by the old well, Gu Jinli placed two empty buckets at his feet, stretched his neck, stood on tiptoes, and gazed down the small path behind the Qin family’s house.
Elder Qin was by the well, and said, "Xiao Yu, don’t worry, it’s alright."
Gu Jinli turned to look at Elder Qin and said, "You arrived even earlier than me, you must have had a sleepless night."
You yourself are worried, so don’t bother comforting me with an air of unconcern.
Elder Qin chuckled and said, "I’m getting old, sleep lightly. How come you didn’t sleep either?"
Last night he had stood guard on the path behind the house, but saw this young lady get up three times to look down it. In the morning, she was up before dawn, pretending to fetch water, carrying water buckets.
The water vats at home must be full now.
Gu Jinli, called out on last night’s behavior, was not angry; she turned back and smiled at Elder Qin, "I was worried about Brother Qin, so I couldn’t sleep peacefully."
Elder Qin was startled and then laughed out loud, "You girl, your character really is..."
Gu Jinli: "Quite good, right?"
Elder Qin: "..."
He stayed silent; saying anything would make the girl feel smug, and he couldn’t let her feel smug.
However...
Elder Qin looked at Gu Jinli, thinking if she could truly stay by San Lang’s side, San Lang’s days ahead would definitely be joyful... San Lang only ever smiled that brightly in front of Xiao Yu, like a youth, with a touch of naive childishness.
"Brother Qin!" Gu Jinli saw Qin San Lang appear on the small path behind the Qin family’s house and hurriedly ran over.
Qin San Lang, hearing her voice and seeing her run towards him, curved his lips into a smile, bright as the sun, quickened his pace towards her, and said, "Careful, slow down, don’t trip."
"I run steadily, I won’t trip," Gu Jinli ran up to Qin San Lang, looked him over from head to toe, and asked, "Were you bullied? If you were bullied, tell me and I’ll get revenge for you."
After saying this, she glared at Qin Er Lang on the small path, directly causing Qin Er Lang’s face to darken.
Qin San Lang said, "No."
Then he whispered to her, "I won."
There was a hint of pride in his tone.
Gu Jinli laughed: "I knew you would win."
Qin Er Lang, listening to their conversation, looked even grimmer. San Lang was telling this country girl everything; where had his caution gone?
Elder Qin slowly walked over, saw Qin Er Lang’s darkened expression and the wound on his neck, and said, "You’re all covered in dirt, hurry back and wash up."
Qin Er Lang, much more sober now and aware of Elder Qin’s deep concern for him, didn’t want to defy Elder Qin any further and respectfully said, "Yes, grandchild will go now."