I became the God Brother of the Regent King after Transmigration!-Chapter 299 - 223: Seventeen

Nan Shiqi didn’t notice anything unusual about Rong Heng, just felt a bit regretful that she couldn’t return the money pouch to Gu Lan herself.

She carefully raised her head to look at the handsome young man with a somewhat pale complexion on the bed, a trace of admiration flashing in her eyes.

Rong Heng saw this and rolled his eyes.

There were quite a few things in the pouch, so Gu Lan simply poured everything out to sort through it, discovering the darts she had won from Chen Da in the obstacle course.

It was said these belonged to Wei Junzhuo. She would have Brother Hang coat them with poison and, when the time came, unexpectedly throw them at Wei Junzhuo on the battlefield, using his own darts to poison him.

Inside the money pouch, there was also a pair of gloves.

Made of refined steel, the pattern was delicate and beautiful, clean and well-kept, with intricately embedded rivets, making them especially powerful when hitting someone.

Gu Lan tried them on; these were custom-made with the Zhou family a long time ago, now seldom used.

Seeing her put on the gloves, a spark seemed to light in Nan Shiqi’s dull eyes, prompting her to speak:

"Do you like these gloves, Young Master?"

Gu Lan clenched her gloved hand tightly, saying: "They’re okay. Xiao Shiqi, you’ve worked hard these past days. Clearly a Hidden Guard, yet handling the duties of a main bookkeeper and still having to fight in battles."

"Those, those are my duties," Nan Shiqi said quietly.

Gu Lan curled her lips, her tone teasing: "If you like them, call me Brother, and I’ll give them to you—"

Rong Heng, on the side, had a head full of black lines.

"No need!" Nan Shiqi hastily refused, face flushed red as a ripe tomato.

"I just heard that back then, Zhou Xinhai of the Zhou family, and... and his daughter, were skilled at making small objects, once made a pair of gloves for the son of Dingyuan Marquis Mansion under the family head’s orders. I wonder if these are the ones."

Gu Lan replied: "So it was Uncle and... my cousin who made them. Hmm, I do like them."

"As long as you like them, Young Master. Well then, I’ll take my leave."

Nan Shiqi took a deep look at the gloves and retreated.

Gu Lan took off the gloves, looking at the porridge in front of her: "Brother Hang."

Seeing Nan Shiqi leave, Rong Heng’s expression became somewhat complicated: "What’s the matter?"

Gu Lan snorted, tapping the porridge spoon with her fingers: "Turns out Brother Hang is quite the actor. When Shiqi was here, you were fetching dishes and receiving pouches, yet didn’t allow me to speak to my subordinates. Now that Shiqi’s gone, you’re so ruthless and cold-hearted?"

Rong Heng’s breath hitched, silently picking up the bowl:

"I’m not ruthless, cold-hearted, or cruel, Gu Lan, open your mouth."

"Ah—" 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Gu Lan contentedly let him feed her half a bowl of porridge, then grabbed the bowl herself, finishing the rest in three seconds: "Too much trouble, I’ll do it myself."

Rong Heng: "..." Perhaps he’s been too good to Gu Lan.

"However, don’t you think this Nan Shiqi seems a bit odd?" Gu Lan said slowly.

With a nonchalant expression, Rong Heng spoke:

"Of course she’s odd, she’s a woman, how could she not be."

Wo... Wo... Woman?

Stunned for a few seconds, she widened her eyes: "Holy... she’s a... I... she... fine!"

Gu Lan was stunned to accept this fact.

"The world is full of wonders. Hehehe, to each their own, Sister Shiqi truly stands equal among heroes; I think she might make a good companion for Baoyi, don’t you think so, Brother Hang."

Poor her, still pretending as if it were her first time seeing someone disguised as the opposite gender, fearful that Rong Heng would point the finger at herself.

Gu Lan realized why she felt a sense of familiarity when she first met Nan Shiqi.

Oh my, because both of them were disguised as men! They had the same storyline, no wonder they felt familiar.

Rong Heng calmly said: "Is the Young Master Gu excited? This Nan Shiqi is not only a woman but seemingly has a crush on you too."

Recalling Nan Shiqi’s previous care, Gu Lan whispered: "Is that my fault... Besides, we clearly have a straightforward superior-subordinate relationship."

Rong Heng’s expression visibly darkened, a slight blush appearing on the edge of his eyes, gently retorting: "One call of ’Brother’ and you’re giving away the gloves. Too bad, she’s a girl and doesn’t like your gloves."

Unable to handle Rong Heng’s aggrieved look, Gu Lan felt she seemed quite scummy, so she immediately said: "Fine, blame my overwhelming charm. From now on, I’ll keep my distance from her. My heart and eyes are solely for Brother Hang."

Rong Heng said contentedly: "That’s good, Gu Lan, I’ll be watching over you."

He hadn’t forgotten when Gu Lan previously mentioned marrying and continuing the family line.

"How did you return yesterday? I thought we’d have to hold out for three more days." Gu Lan finished the porridge and tore open a steamed bun, dipping it into the dish’s sauce, finishing the meal thoroughly clean.

Rong Heng replied: "Though the Xiao Family Army is infantry, their battle capabilities are considered the strongest of this era, and their footwork is astonishing. Not carrying any supplies made their return naturally swift.

By the way, Li Yuanju’s force of ten thousand that went to support the border army at Cang Wind Port suffered heavy losses in the battle of Cang City, now only five thousand remain, and they’re on their way back."

Gu Lan thought of the brave soldiers she saw on the city walls yesterday and couldn’t help but nod in agreement:

"The Xiao Family Army is so valiant, thanks to Prince Rui’s years of unrelenting training... I wonder when Prince Rui will wake up."

Rong Heng’s expression darkened: "I haven’t given the letter from Consort Jia to Rong Shuo... the poison has been neutralized, but he’s still unconscious, and it will take some time for him to wake up."

Gu Lan breathed a sigh of relief; Rong Heng’s medical skills far surpassed those of military doctors, this was the best news she learned today.

"Since you’ve neutralized the poison, with Prince Rui’s physical resilience, he will eventually recover, perhaps even waking up tomorrow."

"I haven’t told anyone yet about the poison being neutralized in Rong Shuo," Rong Heng added in a low voice after a pause.

Gu Lan paused, catching on: "Are you... suspecting a traitor within the Yan Army as well?"

"Regardless of the case, caution is best."

Overnight passed, by the next noon, Li Yuanju led his troops back to Yinzhou.

Gu Lan was busy feeding Hong with fodder. The pearls and jewels she used had been exchanged for resources, but the provisions would only last another day or two. It wasn’t a problem of being out of money, rather, the wealthy households in the city couldn’t afford to produce extra grain.

"Li Yuanju has returned?" Hearing Nan Shiqi’s urgent report, Gu Lan paused her actions, "His speed isn’t slow, how did he get in?"

After learning that Nan Shiqi was a woman, looking at her now, everything became clear.

The young girl was thin and frail, with delicate and refined features, appearing easily shy, especially—when meeting her.

Though her personality was soft and gentle, her martial arts were quite commendable, and she handled affairs very diligently.

Generally speaking, the Hidden Guards from her Dark Hall were orphans adopted over the years, raised and trained from childhood to be loyal and devoted. Did Uncle Li know about a female Hidden Guard in the Dark Hall? Gu Lan couldn’t help but wonder.

Shiqi remained completely unaware, replying: "The Wei Army retreated thirty li overnight, seemingly allowing General Li and his soldiers to enter the city on purpose."

Gu Lan said: "It was intentional, indeed. This time, Wei Junzhuo isn’t planning to attack. He intends to starve the people inside the city. With Li Yuanju leading his troops back, Yinzhou now has five thousand more mouths to feed."