Tiger Owl

Chapter 198: The Way of Managing a Household
When Gan Ning returned to his residence, the lanterns and decorations, along with the large double happiness characters, were still up, and the atmosphere of their newlywed life still permeated the entire place.

However, the first thing Gan Ning did upon returning was to accompany his wife, Da Qiao, for a walk in the back garden. The doctor said that she needed to walk more to ensure a smooth delivery.

Gan Ning was also a little worried. After all, Da Qiao was only eighteen years old and it was her first time giving birth. He didn't want any accidents to happen. To ensure that there would be no accidents during childbirth, he would have to pay attention to every little detail in daily life.

Therefore, returning home every day to take a walk with his wife was an unwavering routine for Gan Ning, unless he was not in Chaisang.

On the garden path, Gan Ning held his wife's hand and walked slowly.

"My husband, Yunqing served me tea today."

"Didn't she offer it at the wedding yesterday?"

“That was the tea she served with Xiao Qiao, but she wanted to serve it again by herself.”

Gan Ning smiled with relief and said, "I'm really happy that you two can get along like sisters. Ah Zhu, thank you for your tolerance."

"Isn't this what I should do? Besides, Yunqing was willing to give up her position as the principal wife to me, and I haven't forgotten that kindness."

Gan Ning cupped her pretty face, kissed her, and said, "You are a kind, tolerant, and loyal woman, which is why I made you my principal wife. Sun Quan valued political marriages more than character, which is why the witchcraft incident happened and Bu Lianshi died tragically. In my heart, whoever I make my principal wife, their background is not important; feelings and character are the most important."

"Okay! Okay! I know what you're thinking."

Sweetness filled Da Qiao's heart, and she smiled broadly as she held her husband's hand, asking, "How was it with Yun Qing last night?"

"She didn't tell you?"

"She did say that! I want to ask you how you feel."

"Jealous?"

"No!"

Gan Ning stared into her eyes and smiled, "Really not?"

"Really, no. It's not that I'm not jealous, but I'm selective about who I am. Yunqing and Ayu are both my sisters. I won't be angry if you're with them; in fact, I'll be very happy. They'll keep an eye on you for me. But if another woman were in your bed, I would definitely feel uncomfortable!"

"So you got pregnant and arranged for Yunqing to be with me, so I couldn't go to other women. What a clever scheme!"

Da Qiao winked mischievously, "Spending so much time with you has taught me a few tricks. It's called 'one is influenced by one's surroundings'!"

Gan Ning smiled and looked up at the sky, muttering to himself, "That's strange. I'm not a cheerleader, so where did she learn to brag like that!"

"How annoying! You actually accused him of bragging!"

Da Qiao playfully punched Gan Ning's shoulder a few times, and Gan Ning laughed heartily. He then took her hand, and Da Qiao hugged his hand, resting her head on his arm, and sighed happily.

"My love, I really want to walk with you like this for the rest of my life!"

"Yes, we will continue on this path."

...........
As night fell, laughter filled Gan Ning's study. Da Qiao leaned comfortably against the soft couch, with Xiao Qiao and Xu Wei sitting beside her. All three held teacups and enjoyed the milk tea that Xiao Qiao had brewed. Gan Ning sat behind the large long table, telling the three women all sorts of interesting stories, which brought bursts of laughter from them.

This is also Gan Ning's way of managing his household. He tries not to neglect his three women, and even with Xiao Qiao, he will consider her feelings. They try to stay together at night and only go back to their rooms when it is late at night.

"Yunqing, can you tell my fortune? Is it a boy or a girl in my belly?" "Big sister, didn't I already tell your fortune? You forgot? Not long after I arrived."

Da Qiao remembered that she seemed to have calculated that she would have two children, the first being Shao Lang. She smiled and said, "Can it only be calculated once?"

Xu Wei nodded, "The same thing is generally only counted once."

Da Qiao smiled and nodded, "I see!"

Gan Ning took another sip of milk tea. Xiao Qiao's entire attention was on Gan Ning. Seeing her husband drink the milk tea, she quickly asked ingratiatingly, "Husband, did you like the milk tea tonight?"

Gan Ning nodded. "This milk tea suits my taste better today. I like it sweet with a hint of saltiness."

"I'll cook for you again tomorrow!"

Gan Ning smiled and nodded, "Okay! Thank you for your hard work tomorrow."

"You've worked hard, isn't this what I should do?" Xiao Qiao was overjoyed to receive the praise.

"I'm a little tired, I need to go back. Ayu, let's go!"

As Da Qiao was about to get up, Xu Wei and Xiao Qiao quickly stepped forward to help her up. Da Qiao smiled at Gan Ning and said, "My husband, see you tomorrow morning."

Gan Ning nodded, "Get some rest!"

Xu Wei and Xiao Qiao helped Da Qiao back into the house. Gan Ning stood at the door the whole time. After a while, Xu Wei's deer-like figure appeared in the darkness. She ran forward and hugged Gan Ning, tilting her head back and kissing her lover passionately. Even the female guards hiding in the shadows turned their faces away quietly.

Xu Wei's shy tone carried a hint of expectation as she whispered in Gan Ning's ear, "I want you, I want you to treat me like you did last night!"

One sentence ignited a fire within Gan Ning's heart. He could no longer restrain himself, so he grabbed her by the knees, lifted her up, and slammed the door shut with his foot. Soon, his figure disappeared down the stairs.

In Jingling County, Cao Ren gazed intently at the opposite bank of the Han River, his voice low and deep, "Are the salt mines in Anlu County that important?"

Cheng Yu nodded beside him, "That salt mine is Gan Ning's lifeline. It is because of it that he dared to turn against Jiangdong. If we seize the salt mine, we will also have Gan Ning by the throat."

"But he is also deploying troops and increasing his forces in Jiangxia County. In particular, his warships control the Han River. What if they cut off my logistics and retreat?"

Cheng Yu sighed: "General Zixiao's concerns are not wrong. Back then, Liu Biao attacked Jiangxia County in the same way, and as a result, his entire army of 30,000 was wiped out. We cannot repeat the same mistake!"

"If that's the case, what's the point of us standing here?"

Cheng Yu smiled and said, "Gathering 50,000 troops in Jingling County only gives Gan Ning the illusion that we will attack Jiangxia from Jingling County. But has the general considered that there is another route that does not require going through the Han River and can directly reach Anlu?"

"The strategist is referring to the three northern passes of Jiangxia?"

Cheng Yu nodded. "Once we capture the three northern passes, the northern gate of Jiangxia County will be opened. At that time, our army can drive straight in and capture Anlu County. We have three thousand iron cavalry. What can the Yuzhang Army do to resist us? Even if we can't take Jiangxia, we can retreat back to the three northern passes at any time. There will be no more of this situation where our retreat is cut off by the Han River."

"But what if the Prime Minister disagrees with this plan?"

Cheng Yu nodded. "This plan is indeed quite risky. If it weren't for the need to control such a vital strategic resource as Yanyuan, I would never have had this idea!"

Cao Ren pondered for a long time before finally saying in a deep voice, "In that case, we can launch an attack, and I will bear all the consequences!"

(End of this chapter)