Chapter 20.2

The oily, glistening salted pork and radish soup filled the air with savory aromas. The pork was salty and fragrant, the radishes sweet and refreshing. On this bitterly cold winter day, a bowl of hot soup warmed her to her very bones.

Wen Ning sipped the soup, stealing glances at Lu Cheng. The Great General was not only a formidable warrior but also a skilled cook. She was thoroughly impressed.

“Are you going to pull more radishes this afternoon?” Lu Cheng asked, catching her gaze and awkwardly changing the subject.

“No, I’m not,” Wen Ning replied, eyeing the dozen or so radishes already stacked in the house. She simply couldn’t bring herself to go back.

After all, she had been a County Princess for eighteen years, constantly drilled in the refined manners expected of a noble lady. She couldn’t possibly disgrace Duke Zhenguo’s Manor by repeatedly digging in the dirt.

Not only had she gotten filthy, but her delicate skin had suffered. Even her tender palms were reddened from the rough work.

She absolutely couldn’t do this anymore. No more chores, no more joining the crowds. She needed to maintain her dignity!

Lu Cheng was about to launch into a lecture about hard work and resilience, but he could almost hear Wen Ning’s delicate, wrinkled-nose complaints. The words died on his tongue.

Forget it. No need to be annoying. If she doesn’t want to go, she doesn’t have to.

They each finished a bowl of rice. After Wen Ning was full, she watched in awe as Lu Cheng devoured all the soup and vegetables. His appetite was astonishing.

Then she remembered: he burned through a tremendous amount of energy every day, training and going on missions. Of course he needed to eat a lot.

“Ningning!” Wen Ning had just set down her chopsticks when a familiar face appeared at the courtyard gate. Sister Luo leaned in and called out, “Xiao Lu, have you two eaten?”

“Sister Luo, we just finished. Have you and Brother Huang eaten?”

“We have!” Sister Luo’s lips twitched as she watched Lu Cheng roll up his sleeves to wash the dishes. She hadn’t expected him to pamper his wife so much.

As an outsider, she couldn’t say much, so she just grinned. “I’m here for your wife. Ningning, the family compound is organizing a fishing trip this afternoon. Want to go? If we’re lucky, each family might get one or two fish.”

“Yes!” Wen Ning answered without hesitation.

---

A few miles west of the garrison flowed the Western Liang River. In this weather, the river’s surface had already frozen over, and some of the bolder and more resilient children loved to test the ice near the edges, even venturing onto the frozen surface to play.

“Erzhuzi, what are you doing! Be careful you don’t fall in—we won’t be able to get you out!” Piwa, his ear pinched by his mother, squawked loudly as he was dragged away, making Wen Ning smile.

“I want to try stepping on it too,” Wen Ning murmured. She had been tightly controlled since childhood, ever since she got lost as a toddler, leaving a psychological scar on everyone at Duke Zhenguo’s Manor.

From then on, they forbade her from approaching any dangerous places, and she was always accompanied by a group of attendants.

But the more strictly she was confined, the more she yearned for those forbidden places.

Lu Cheng could only sigh inwardly. Erzhuzi was only eight years old—did Wen Ning think she was still a child too?

“But it’s so dangerous!” Wen Ning tugged at Lu Cheng’s sleeve, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “If I fall in, I’m done for! How about this: you hold my hand, and if anything feels wrong, you can pull me back to shore.”

Lu Cheng’s expression turned serious. “…How old are you? You’re not a child anymore!”

Wen Ning huffed, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “I’m much younger than you!”

Lu Cheng: “…”

“Hurry, hurry, hurry!” A group of children came running to the riverbank, eager to watch the spectacle of the fishing. As they ran, they shouted excitedly, “Let’s walk across the ice and see who can go the farthest!”

“Let’s go before my big brother gets here…” Lu Kanglei glanced around nervously, relieved not to spot his older brother, Lu Cheng, in the crowd. He was terrified of his brother; one look from him could freeze him in place.

But no sooner had he spoken than he turned and saw a tall soldier standing by the riverbank—none other than his older brother!

Lu Cheng stood there with a stern expression, glaring at Lu Kanglei and his younger sister, Lu Kangyun. He had clearly overheard everything.

Tearfully waving goodbye to their friends, the two children trudged obediently to their brother, trying to explain, “Big brother, we weren’t really going to…”

Lu Cheng knew better and didn’t press the issue. “Just remember this. You’re young and easily distracted. Stay away from dangerous places.”

“Y-yes, we understand…” The two children replied listlessly, their spirits as wilted as frost-bitten eggplants.

“Well, I’m older than them. I can go!” Wen Ning’s voice chimed in at that moment.

For the first time, Lu Kanglei and Lu Kangyun found their “bad sister-in-law’s” words pleasing. Exactly! Playing on the ice would be so much fun, if only big brother would let us.

The siblings’ gazes softened considerably toward Wen Ning, finally seeing a good idea from her.

But Lu Cheng, as the head of the family, figured that suppressing two was no different from suppressing three. With a sharp glance at Wen Ning, he declared, “You’re not going.”

This man is harder to manage than my own siblings! Wen Ning thought furiously.

Wen Ning glared at his stern expression, muttering silent curses under her breath as he turned to speak with his comrades. She was furious!

Turning her head, she saw Lu Cheng’s younger siblings standing obediently, watching her.

“Your eldest brother is too strict!” Wen Ning exclaimed.

For the first time, Lu Kanglei and Lu Kangyun agreed with their sister-in-law. “Exactly! He never lets us have any fun, saying it’s too dangerous.”

“Sigh,” Wen Ning sighed. Having eaten their food, she felt obligated to be reasonable.

“Sigh,” the two younger ones echoed, even more helpless as minors.

The trio huddled together, whispering a few “bad words” about Lu Cheng behind his back. Then Wen Ning spotted the soldiers organizing the ice-fishing operation ahead—chiseling holes in the ice and scooping out fish. Her eyes lit up with excitement; she had never seen anything like it before!

“Quick, let’s go watch!” Wen Ning’s face glowed with a smile as she reached for Lu Kangyun’s hand. The boy, still young at heart, eagerly grabbed her hand, and the two of them, with his older brother trailing behind, trotted toward the spectacle.

A crowd had gathered around, all eagerly awaiting their share of the fish—a rare treat.

Wen Ning leaned forward, watching the ice chisel strike the frozen surface again and again. Cracks gradually appeared, widening into fissures, until a small hole was carved through.

“Wow, that’s amazing!” Wen Ning exclaimed, excitedly holding Lu Kangyun’s hand. She turned to Lu Kanglei beside them. “Lu Kanglei, will you go fish later? You’re a real man!”

“Of course I will!” Lu Kanglei puffed out his chest, brimming with pride.

“My second brother’s a great fisherman. He…” Lu Kangyun patted her sister-in-law’s arm, eager to boast about her brother’s skills. But in that instant, she suddenly realized what she was doing.

How did I end up holding hands with this awful sister-in-law to watch the fishing?

I hate her!

Lu Kangyun snatched her hand away, her expression turning stern. She reminded herself not to forget how this wicked woman had schemed against her eldest brother. Her sudden change in demeanor made Lu Kanglei remember too. The two children, who had been chattering animatedly with Wen Ning just moments before, fell silent.

Wen Ning glanced at the two little brats. Heh, how childish!

She couldn’t be bothered with them anyway.

“Regimental Commander Lu, remember to grab a fish later,” Wen Ning said. Sister Luo had told her that the faster you were when the fish were hauled up, the bigger and fatter your catch would be. Those who hesitated would only get the small ones.

Lu Cheng glanced at her. “We’ll wait until everyone else has taken their share…”

“No way!” Three voices rang out in unison.

Lu Cheng raised an eyebrow at the unexpected unity between Wen Ning and his younger siblings. They usually bickered, but now they were united.

Wen Ning turned to the two children. “There are four of us in the Lu Family. Let’s vote: should we go for the big fish?”

“Yes!” Lu Kanglei and Lu Kangyun shouted, raising their hands instantly.

Left with no choice, they had to “swallow their pride” and side with their “bad sister-in-law” for the sake of fish.

Under Wen Ning’s three-vote majority, the Lu Family secured a plump carp weighing over four pounds. It was still wriggling vigorously when Lu Cheng tied it with a grass rope.

…….

Wen Ning was in high spirits on the way home.

Food was scarce in this era. Back in the Wen Family’s Production Team, everything belonged to the collective—even the fish in the river bore the collective’s name, not an individual’s.

Now, the military’s fishing nets hauled in fish after fish. Beyond supplying the mess hall, every family in the dependents’ quarters got a share, a welcome treat to break the monotony.

No wonder everyone said marrying a soldier was a good idea these days. At least the food was much better than in the village.

Lu Kanglei and Lu Kangyun stared unblinking at the plump carp’s eyes, their mouths watering. Even their gazes toward their “bad sister-in-law” softened slightly.

Maybe she’s not completely useless after all, they thought.

…….

That evening, the Lu family prepared a special meal. Wen Ning watched Lu Kanglei, a fourteen-year-old, expertly scale and gut the fish with remarkable skill. She then turned to Lu Kangyun, a twelve-year-old girl who effortlessly tended the fire and cooked the rice.

Meanwhile, Lu Cheng, sleeves rolled up, sliced the fish and prepared the braising sauce for a red-braised fish dish.

The more Wen Ning observed, the more satisfied she became. I definitely chose the right family!

“Ningning.” Just as the Lu family was bustling with preparations for their feast, a commotion arose at the gate.

Wen Ning turned to see Jiang Rong sauntering in, a bamboo basket hanging from her arm. A quick glance revealed potatoes and cabbage. “Ningning, your family seems busy. The aroma is wonderful! I saw you got a big fish earlier.”

Jiang Rong’s gaze fell on Lu Cheng, who was busy cooking. Regimental Commander Lu is actually willing to do housework? How utterly lacking in ambition, she thought.

He’s a grown man, an elite soldier. How could he be so shortsighted, wasting his days in the kitchen?

Still, it was for the best. The more he did, the worse Wen Ning’s reputation would become. Unlike herself, whose name was known throughout the entire family compound!

“What brings you here?” Wen Ning’s pleasant expression vanished as soon as she saw Jiang Rong. Her voice turned icy, and she continued washing vegetables without looking up.

“Winter’s coming, and I thought everyone might be running low on vegetables. Lao Qin and I went to the market yesterday and bought some. I wanted to share them with you.” Jiang Rong handed over a bamboo basket filled with several mushrooms, two large cabbages, potatoes, and a cluster of fresh wood ear fungi.

“Ningning,” Jiang Rong moved closer, her voice softening into a gentle plea. “We used to be best friends. I don’t understand what’s changed. I feel like you’re hostile toward me now, as if I were your enemy.”

Wen Ning stared at Jiang Rong’s contrived act, her delicate features gradually twisting into a scowl. This woman is truly skilled at putting on a show.

“Logically speaking, we’re from the same village, and now we’re miles away from home. We should support each other. The family compound is full of gossips and mixed company—some friendly, some not. We can’t afford to be divided,” Jiang Rong said earnestly, her words dripping with sincerity. She was certain Wen Ning would be moved.

After all, she’d used the same tricks to manipulate her before!

With a smile, Jiang Rong took the vegetables from her bamboo basket and placed them on the Lu family’s cutting board. “Perfect for tonight’s fish stew! They’ll add such a delicious flavor!”

When Wen Ning remained silent, Jiang Rong continued, “And Ningning, I’m telling you this as a friend. How can you let your husband do all the cooking and housework? If word gets out, everyone will laugh at you, saying you…”

“Saying what?” Wen Ning glanced at her affectionately, her eyes brimming with disdain. “As long as you don’t spread rumors, I couldn’t care less.”

Jiang Rong’s expression soured. Her original plan had been to deliver the vegetables to Wen Ning with great fanfare, earning herself a good reputation in the family compound.

After leaving the Lu family, she’d casually drop hints about Wen Ning’s laziness and how Lu Cheng did all the chores. That would have sealed the deal.

Wen Ning was being utterly disrespectful!

Had all her heartfelt words gone to waste?

“I’ll take the vegetables,” Wen Ning said. “After all, you owe me quite a bit. Consider it partial repayment. As for you, hurry up and leave. Don’t interrupt our meal. Times are tough for everyone these days, so we won’t ask you to stay.”

“Ningning, what’s wrong with you?” Jiang Rong’s face still wore a wounded expression, as if Wen Ning had truly hurt her, but inwardly, she couldn’t help but wonder.

I’ve been reborn. Could it be that Wen Ning has too? How else could she have changed so drastically, always treating me with such hostility?

Testing the waters, Jiang Rong stared intently at Wen Ning and suddenly asked, “Odd changes, even stays the same?”

Wen Ning was caught off guard by the abrupt shift in conversation. Her beautiful peach blossom eyes filled with confusion. “…”

What on earth is that? I don’t understand!

In her previous life, Jiang Rong had read novels even in her old age. After the turn of the millennium, web novels had surged in popularity, giving rise to the transmigrator and rebirth genres.

She remembered a transmigrator novel that had used this phrase to identify fellow travelers. But Wen Ning’s expression showed no recognition of the reference.

Still unwilling to give up, Jiang Rong speculated that Wen Ning might have died young in her previous life and been reborn at an earlier point in time, before hearing the phrase. She rewound the timeline in her mind and tried again, testing her: “Palace Jade Nectar Wine 2—?”

Wen Ning’s brow furrowed deeply, her irritation growing. What on earth is Jiang Rong talking about?

Jiang Rong scrutinized her expression. Wen Ning’s delicate, beautiful face showed only exasperation, annoyance, and confusion—no hint of recognition or wariness.

This wasn’t the reaction of someone reborn with knowledge of the future. For one last test, Jiang Rong rewound the timeline further: “The spring breeze of reform sweeps across the land 3—?”

Wen Ning finally snapped, “…What are you babbling about? Are you sick?”

Jiang Rong: “…”

Though scolded, Jiang Rong left with her bamboo basket, now certain, Wen Ning hadn’t been reborn from the future an d knew nothing of what was to come. Perfect. I can still manipulate her!