Jin Huaihua blinked for two seconds, then her eyes widened in shock, "Kong... Young Master Kong?"
Indeed, the visitors were Kong Xingzhuo and Han Chijiao, who had rushed over from the county town.
Early in the morning, Han Chijiao was pried out of bed by Kong Xingzhuo before she could even eat breakfast.
The two had argued incessantly on the way to Dashui Village, leaving Han Chijiao hoarse.
"Hua... Miss Huaihua?" Kong Xingzhuo released Han Chijiao and stepped forward, looking at Jin Huaihua in bewilderment. "You... you can talk now?"
Good heavens, what kind of blessed land was Dashui Village, where even a mute could speak? It was truly miraculous!
Jin Huaihua smiled and said, "Dr. Guan cured me. Please come in, Young Master Kong!"
After some practice, Jin Huaihua's speech was already quite fluent, with only occasional stutters...
A moment later, in the guest room.
Gu Mingyan and Xiao Jinheng sat before the kang table, their gazes sweeping over Han Chijiao before slowly settling on Kong Xingzhuo.
"Your Highness, the barbarian princess has been brought!" Kong Xingzhuo said, nudging Han Chijiao.
Han Chijiao shot him a fierce glare, then looked at Gu Mingyan and Xiao Jinheng, her neck stiffening as she asked, "Did you two send people to capture me? Tell me, who is Marquis Pingyang?"
Gu Mingyan: "..."
This princess was a bit too fierce.
Xiao Jinheng snorted, a smile curling his lips. "Your barbarian tribes have repeatedly encroached on our borders and invaded the Central Plains, coveting the land and resources of our Liang Kingdom. As an aggressor, what right do you have to be so arrogant in front of us?"
He truly wished he could grow up faster, to share the burdens of state with his father, develop military strength, and drive the barbarians out completely...
Han Chijiao replied indifferently, "It's all because your Liang Kingdom is too weak. In the eyes of us barbarians, you are like a group of insignificant ants. My Abba could lead an army to flatten your capital and unify the Central Plains in an instant!"
Xiao Jinheng: "..."
You invade other countries and you have a point?
Gu Mingyan smiled slightly. "Princess Han, there is a saying in our Central Plains: a thousand-mile dike can collapse from an ant's nest. Ants can gnaw an elephant into a skeleton, and easily destroy a towering building. So, Princess Han, do not look down on small ants. For hundreds of years since the founding of the Liang Kingdom, no one has dared to speak of flattening the capital and unifying the Central Plains..."
He suddenly felt that Qingfeng bringing Han Chijiao here was a good thing, at least it would make that old brute Han Chier anxious and delay his offensive.
Han Chijiao sneered coldly, "Heh, only the weak speak like this. If your Liang Kingdom had the strength, you would fight us with real swords and spears. Why are you talking to me about proverbs?"
"As expected of the number one female war god of the barbarians..." Kong Xingzhuo clicked his tongue. "Even your words are so sharp!"
"Shut up!" Han Chijiao roared, kicking Kong Xingzhuo in the backside.
Seeing this, Gu Mingyan called out towards the door, "Qinglan, come in!"
Since he had captured the barbarian princess, Gu Mingyan intended to make good use of her, to maximize her value...
A moment later, Qinglan entered, cupping his hands. "What are your orders, Marquis?"
Gu Mingyan stared at Han Chijiao for a moment, then said faintly, "Take good care of this princess for me. Grant her whatever she wants, but on one condition: she is not allowed to step half a step outside the Old Yun family's residence..."
As he spoke, Gu Mingyan narrowed his eyes. "If she dares to run, kill her without mercy!"
With such a significant bargaining chip, if she escaped, all their previous efforts would be in vain.
"No, what right do you have to imprison me? You are too presumptuous!" Han Chijiao roared in anger.
If Abba knew she was imprisoned, he would tear down the entire Dashui Village.
Seeing this, Kong Xingzhuo scratched his face and pleaded nervously, "Well... Marquis, why don't you hand her over to me? I promise to keep an eye on her day and night and not let her slip out the door!"
"Ugh, tsk tsk, you're so perverted!" Han Chijiao looked at Kong Xingzhuo with disgust. "Do you have to watch me even when I go to the outhouse? How disgusting!"
Kong Xingzhuo: "..."
You wretched woman, can't you see I'm pleading for you?
Are any of the Marquis's subordinates easy to deal with? Do you want them to torment you severely before you behave?
Gu Mingyan pondered for a moment and asked Xiao Jinheng, "Heng'er, is Commander Kong reliable?"
What if he colluded with Princess Han and let her escape?
Xiao Jinheng smiled and said, "Uncle, don't worry. Commander Kong is cautious in his work. I can be more at ease handing Princess Han over to him..."
In any case, he was much better than Xiao Ying and Xiao Jun.
Han Chijiao was furious, struck by lightning. She shouted, "What do you think I am? An object? I want to go home now! If anyone dares to stop me, I, I will bite my tongue and commit suicide!"
Kong Xingzhuo: "..."
Here we go again.
"Princess Han, once you are on our territory, you are no longer in charge!" Gu Mingyan sneered and ordered Kong Xingzhuo, "Take her down, and have the Yun family prepare another guest room for her to rest in!"
"...Alright!" Kong Xingzhuo responded and dragged Han Chijiao away.
Xiao Xi Tian, who was drawing blueprints in the room, heard the commotion and opened the window to look outside.
She saw Kong Xingzhuo pushing a beautiful older sister towards the main hall. Xiao Xi Tian smiled and greeted, "Brother Kong, you're back..."
"I'm back, I'm back, Sweetie. I was in a hurry this time and didn't bring you a gift, but I'll make it up to you next time!" Kong Xingzhuo said with a smile.
"It's okay, I'm just glad Brother Kong is back safely!" Xiao Xi Tian said politely, then her gaze fell on Han Chijiao.
This older sister was very delicate, with a high nose bridge, deep-set eyes, and cute, pretty features, though her skin was a bit rough...
Perhaps it was due to the harsh wind and snow!
"Hey, little girl, what are you looking at? Hmph!" Han Chijiao gave her a sidelong glance.
Xiao Xi Tian: "..."
What a temper!
Never mind, she still had to focus on designing the windmill blueprints.
Having lived in Dashui Village for so many years, Xiao Xi Tian had figured out the seasonal patterns here.
Out of three hundred and sixty-five days a year, Dashui Village experienced wind for about two hundred days, especially in spring and autumn when the strong winds almost blew the roofs off...
So Xiao Xi Tian planned to use wind power to build a windmill. It could help the family grind grain and beans, and also give the Red Date Horse and Big White Horse a rest.
If all went well, she could also liberate the labor of the entire village and be the first to use such advanced tools.
In the guest room, Xiao Jinheng looked at Gu Mingyan with confusion. "Uncle, Heng'er has something he doesn't understand..."