When Yang Haiyan heard this question, she almost thought she had misheard.

She had been admiring Qin Fang’s physique, noticing the marks she had left on him during their passionate moments, and felt quite satisfied.

A woman’s sense of possessiveness often shows in such moments—liking to leave marks on a man as a way of claiming him as her own.

Sometimes, it’s just a bit of fun, and at least she enjoyed it.

But truth be told, this man was rather intense in bed.

Now, however, her eyes took on a teasing look as she nodded. “You looked best when you were at the border,” she said.

Qin Fang pursed his lips but stubbornly retorted, “What does a man need to look good for?”

Yang Haiyan tried to appear serious, but seeing Qin Fang’s expression, she couldn’t manage it.

She stifled a laugh as she looked at him.

Realizing he was being teased, Qin Fang’s face flushed red. “Yanyan, you’re too wicked!” he said, climbing onto the bed. “I’m going to teach you a lesson today.”

Yang Haiyan cried out, “Get off! You’re too heavy!”

Qin Fang protested, “I’ve lost weight! Didn’t you say my face looks thinner?”

Yang Haiyan replied, “How much weight can you lose on your face? Losing a little doesn’t count for much.”

Qin Fang grabbed her hand. “Why don’t you feel for yourself and see how much weight I’ve lost?”

Yang Haiyan let out a playful shriek, “Ah! Where are you letting me touch? You’re such a scoundrel, a brute…”

His response was a hearty, carefree laugh.

In the throes of their intimacy, Qin Fang was reminded of an old poem celebrating the night of one’s wedding, a moment of fulfillment.

But he felt that a different line fit him better: “In the moment of achievement, a wife’s cries accompany.”

He fancied himself a bit of a poet and thought he might write more verses in the future.

The next day…

April has a way of making people feel tired. This kind of tiredness isn’t from hard work but rather from the urge to nap, which is an instinctive response quite different from nature’s spring awakening.

They had been lively once in the afternoon and again that night, leaving Yang Haiyan thoroughly exhausted.

Her whole body felt like it had been taken apart, but she didn’t wake up too late—around eight o’clock by modern standards, just in time for breakfast.

Yawning as she got up, Yang Haiyan didn’t see Qin Fang.

She knew he’d been busy with settling the surrendered barbarians outside the county these past few days, so she didn’t mind.

After she rose, Granny Lian came in, smiling from ear to ear.

Yang Haiyan shivered slightly, fearing that Granny Lian would bring up the subject of children again. “Granny, is the General out at the county?”

Granny Lian guided her to the dressing table and began brushing her hair, replying, “The General is in the study, Madam. He’s been working since early morning.”

Yang Haiyan said, “He’s been quite busy lately. Have the kitchen prepare some nourishing meals for him.”

Mama Lian replied, “Don’t worry, Madam. I’ve already taken care of it.”

After her hair was done, Yang Haiyan went to the study to see Qin Fang.

Not wanting to disturb him as he was deeply focused on his writing, she left and went to have breakfast.

Meanwhile, Qin Shoucheng and Kun Daying had started their studies at the local academy in the county, and she had arranged for Qin Siya to be trained at a seamstress shop.

Although the county was a bit barren, it still had the essentials.

Over the past year, she had taught Qin Siya some needlework, but her patience was limited, and Siya’s progress wasn’t great.

When they were at the border, there was no seamstress shop, so Qin Siya couldn’t get proper training.

Now that Yunxiang County had a shop, Yang Haiyan sent her there, not just for skills but also to make connections with other young women.

What surprised Yang Haiyan was that Meng Qiushi also sent her daughter, Meng Qiu, to the embroidery workshop.

In an era where sons were heavily favored over daughters, Meng Qiushi was one of the rare mothers who treated her daughter well.

After finishing her meal, Yang Haiyan went to the study and saw Qin Fang still writing.

Beside him were several sheets of paper filled with writing.

She walked over to take a look.

At first glance, she was satisfied with Qin Fang’s handwriting.

Although it lacked the grace of a calligrapher and wasn’t even as good as some children’s writing, it was neat and well-formed, which was already a great improvement for him.

However, when Yang Haiyan read what was written, her face nearly darkened.

Qin Fang turned his head and smiled at her, “This is a poem I thought of yesterday. I remembered it today, so I quickly wrote it down before I forgot.”

Yang Haiyan glared at him, “Is this what you call poetry?” The lines he wrote about becoming famous and having a beautiful wife calling out to him were absurd.

Qin Fang blinked in confusion, “Why isn’t it a poem? And it even rhymes.”

But seeing Yang Haiyan’s expression, he quickly corrected himself, “I’ve just started learning to write poetry, so it’s not very good. I’ll practice more, don’t be mad.”

Yang Haiyan was nearly fuming, “Don’t bother learning poetry anymore. Instead, focus on practicing your martial arts.”

If his poetry was considered acceptable, pigs would be climbing trees!

Qin Fang, knowing better, stopped and carefully put away his “poetry,” clearly fond of it.

Then, he switched the topic, “I’ve listened to you. By the way, take a look at this plan. It’s the arrangement for settling the barbarians and those women rescued from the bandits.”

Now that the conversation shifted to serious matters, Yang Haiyan didn’t linger on the previous topic.

She was too tired to read the plan herself—so many words were tiring to look at. “Just tell me how you’re planning to settle them.”

She enjoyed discussing these matters with him.

A woman should always stay informed about her husband’s affairs, or else they might grow distant.

Qin Fang, when it came to making decisions, had many ideas.

He explained, “Here’s how I’ve arranged things. Yunxiang County has 18 towns, and although the barbarian population is 3,000 people, they only make up 624 households. So, I’ve divided those 624 households evenly among the 18 towns, giving each town about 30 households.

Then, I’ve instructed each town’s head to distribute those households into villages, with each village ideally having at least two barbarian households. This way, they’ll be spread out, and the barbarians won’t feel isolated, which could cause tension with the locals.”

Yang Haiyan agreed, “That’s a good arrangement. If each village has two barbarian households, they can help each other out in case of any issues.”

Qin Fang was thrilled to receive her approval and added, “I also made sure to settle those rescued women in the farthest villages.”

He said this carefully, hoping to win her favor.

Yang Haiyan didn’t think much of it, “Whatever you decide is fine.” She had no particular feelings about those women.

Qin Fang watched her expression closely. Was she mad? Or not?

Thinking back to what Yang Haiyan and the Graanny had discussed yesterday, he decided to clarify his innocence further. “Some of them had other thoughts, not very proper ones. Settling them far away is better for everyone.”

Yang Haiyan looked down at him, noticing his pleading expression, as if urging her to ask.

She found it amusing.

She thought maybe she was overthinking—how could Qin Fang be like that?

However, remembering the Granny’s words, she decided to ask, “What kind of thoughts did they have?”

Qin Fang replied, “Since Master Du asked me to bring them along, I couldn’t refuse. But on the way here, some women hinted that they wanted to repay their ‘life-saving favor’ by staying with me as servants or maids. But, Yan Yan, I didn’t agree! I kept my distance from them and even told them that I already have servants at home. That’s why I thought it would be best to settle them far away. If they stayed too close to the county, rumors might start, especially since both the barbarian soldiers and the soldiers who fought the bandits know their identities. I’m doing this for their own good.” He glanced at her again, cautiously.

Seeing that Yang Haiyan didn’t say anything, Qin Fang anxiously asked, “Yan Yan, do you think my plan makes sense?”

Yang Haiyan looked at his eager-to-be-praised expression and gently touched his face, “Husband, you’ve thought it through very well. Settling them far away will indeed help them avoid any gossip.”

Qin Fang took advantage of her touch, rubbing his face against her soft palm, “You’re right, Yan Yan. It’s for their own good.”

Yang Haiyan couldn’t help but laugh, “I’ve got some things to tell you about these past few days too.”

Though Qin Fang had already heard about it from Captain Lu yesterday, he was happy to listen again. If his wife was willing to share with him, it meant she valued him. “I’m listening.”

Yang Haiyan first mentioned their purchase of land, then continued, “I bought 1,000 acres of land for your military camp. Five hundred acres are mountain land, bought for one tael of silver per acre, but it needs to be cleared. So essentially, I bought a mountain. Niu Da said that mountain land is great for growing sweet potatoes and potatoes because it’s fertile, so we should get a good harvest. Of the other 500 acres, 300 are medium-quality, and 200 are lower-quality.

These lands were bought from landlords and merchants who moved away due to Yunxiang County’s poverty. The lands were registered and sold through brokers, and I bought them all for 2,100 taels of silver. With this land, the soldiers guarding the city won’t have to worry about food in the future.”

Qin Fang held Yang Haiyan’s hand tightly, “Yan Yan, thank you.”

Only she would go to such lengths to think of him.

If not for him, why would she care about the soldiers’ needs?

Yang Haiyan playfully scratched his palm, “Just remember, treat me well, and I’ll treat you well in return.”

Although her words seemed blunt, her tone was soft and affectionate, almost like she was teasing him.

Qin Fang looked at her and couldn’t help but feel a tickle in his heart.

This woman—she could be a little wicked.

But he liked that about her.