Lu Baifu was puzzled.

As Qin Fang’s neighbor, he knew that this guy was cautious and submitted his monthly salary dutifully; how could he be hiding private savings now?

However, he didn’t ask: “Alright, I understand. I won’t expose you.”

Han Zhen added, “And don’t expose me either.”

His wife didn’t want him to go hunting because she feared for his safety, and he had agreed, so he couldn’t let her know.

Otherwise, the pregnant woman would get too upset and it wouldn’t be good for her.

Lu Baifu exchanged a glance with Yang Baifu, and Yang Baifu understood: “So you guys are hiding savings?”

There was no other explanation.

Han Zhen snorted, “Am I that kind of person?”

While his wife was busy managing their finances, he had already given her all the savings he had, so he didn’t have a single coin left.

However, while Han Zhen said this, Qin Fang beside him responded with an “mm.”

“Oh my God.” Instantly, Lu Baifu looked at Qin Fang with disbelief, as if to say, “Are you serious?”

Not just Han Zhen, but even Yang Baifu and Lu Baifu stared at Qin Fang.

In the hundred-men district, Yang Haiyan was quite famous.

First, there was the incident of her poisoning herself on their wedding night; second, it was her ability to earn money.

As a result, the wives in the hundred-men district envied Yang Haiyan, but they had no means to do what she did.

Even if they opened a shop, they wouldn’t have Yang Haiyan’s skills.

Han Zhen then exclaimed in surprise, “Old Qin, you’re something else! Hiding private savings, be careful not to let my sister-in-law find out!”

A glint of threat flashed in Qin Fang’s eyes: “If you don’t say anything, how would she know? If you dare to speak…”

The depth of his gaze concealed a menacing aura.

Lu Baifu immediately caved in: “I definitely won’t say anything. Besides… I think private savings are very important. We men should hide some savings to enjoy a few drinks privately. By the way, Captain Qin, you haven’t treated us to a drink yet.” Being a captain wasn’t just for show!

Qin Fang thought for a moment: “Alright, tonight we’ll call the others and go to the tavern in town for drinks.” Since they were on duty during the day in the eighteenth district, they would have time at night.

Han Zhen immediately remarked, “I’m just afraid you won’t have enough silver on you to spend!”

Qin Fang shot him a glance: “Then we’ll eat modestly.”

Han Zhen opened his mouth in shock, as if he had swallowed an egg: “Aren’t you being too stingy? Can’t you show a bit of a captain’s spirit?”

Qin Fang replied, “I can’t.”

He wanted to save his money for his wife and their future child, not for treating them to drinks.

Yang Baifu asked, “Do you want the deer antlers processed in the kitchen?”

His sudden question made Qin Fang and the others fall silent.

Han Zhen grunted, “I don’t need it.”

His wife was pregnant, and if he ate that, he wouldn’t know how to relieve himself of the heat.

Lu Baifu said, “I don’t need it either. I’m too tired lately and need to rest well.”

Yang Baifu looked toward Qin Fang.

Qin Fang, who had never vented his frustrations on his wife, replied, “I’m not you. Do I look like I need it?” Then he turned to leave.

Yang Baifu: “…”

Wasn’t that bullying?

But looking at Qin Fang’s physique, he indeed didn’t need it.

However, could his wife handle it?

Qin Fang rode his horse back to the family residence, bringing Han Zhen along.

Since the distance was short, riding the horse was very quick, so having two people wouldn’t tire them out.

Otherwise, Qin Fang would have certainly left Han Zhen behind.

Right now, in Qin Fang’s mind, his wife was the first priority, and the horse was second.

Upon arriving at the family residence’s door, Qin Fang said, “You can head back. We’ll go to the tavern for drinks at the sixth watch (6 PM). I need to make a trip to the county town.”

Han Zhen asked, “What are you going to the county town for?”

Qin Fang replied, “To buy some things.”

Han Zhen thought for a moment: “I’ll go too.”

Thus, the two of them went to the county town together.

They had a purpose for their visit, so they bought what they needed and returned.

“Aren’t you back, sir?” Aunt Yu was washing vegetables in the courtyard when she saw Qin Fang return.

Qin Fang nodded: “Where’s my wife?”

Aunt Yu replied, “She’s inside embroidering.”

Yang Haiyan only came out after hearing his voice: “Why are you back so early? Aunt Fan hasn’t started cooking yet.”

Qin Fang showed her a basket of items: “Look and see what you want to eat.”

When Yang Haiyan saw it, she exclaimed in surprise, “This is apple and tofu! You can buy them in town too?”

Qin Fang looked at her and pretended to be mysterious, not speaking.

Yang Haiyan smiled and said, “Did you buy these in the county, my dear husband?”

She remembered that she had been craving tofu and that when Yang Dahua brought apples before, she had said they were delicious.

So this time, he specifically bought them for her.

Yang Haiyan looked at him with her eyes curving in delight; this man had a warm heart, and with just a little spark, it could boil over.

Qin Fang felt a bit uneasy under her gaze and cleared his throat, “What are you looking at me for?”

Yang Haiyan replied, “I think you look handsome.”

Qin Fang stammered, “You… don’t say such nonsense.”

Then he hurriedly ran into the house.

Yang Haiyan let out a clear, cheerful laugh: “My dear husband, let’s make tofu soup for dinner.”

Qin Fang came out from the house again, “I won’t be home for dinner tonight; I invited the Centurions to go to a restaurant for drinks, so there’s no need to prepare anything at home.”

Yang Haiyan listened and followed him into the house, then took out a fifty-tael silver note: “Here, since you’re treating everyone to drinks, we need to make sure there’s enough food.”

Qin Fang replied, “No need.”

He still had more than thirty taels of silver, which was enough for him.

With that, he could eat for a year.

Yang Haiyan took his hand and pressed the money into it, saying, “Better safe than sorry; come on, take it.”

Seeing this, Qin Fang had no choice but to accept it.

When Qin Fang returned from the drinks, everyone in the house had gone to bed.

However, there was still warm water in the kitchen.

He took a bath, freshened up, and went back to his room.

Yang Haiyan was lying in bed reading a book: “You’re back pretty early.”

Although it was late, according to modern time, it was only seven-thirty.

Qin Fang replied, “I have to be on duty tomorrow. Everyone was just teasing.”

As he spoke, he took out the remaining money, “Today, I spent two taels, leaving forty-eight taels, which I’ll put on the table.”

After placing the money down, he climbed into bed and squeezed next to Yang Haiyan, leaning against her.

The Han Family
Yang Dahua was particularly happy today because her husband bought her a silver hairpin.

They had married in late August, and after more than three months, it was the first time she received a gift from him, so she was so delighted she hardly wanted to wear it.

Han Zhen looked at her and felt happy as well: “Don’t be afraid to wear it; we’ll buy better ones in the future.”

Yang Dahua replied, “Mmm.”

On the last day of November, Qin Fang returned from duty, bringing back five soldiers who had completed their military service.

Because Qin Fang had informed Yang Haiyan a day in advance, the dinner was especially lavish, with all the meat he brought back from a couple of days ago roasted.

Yes, roasted meat.

Among the five soldiers Qin Fang brought back was one named Kun Shi, who used to be a squad leader, leading ten men.

The other four were soldiers, all under him when he was a centurion.

Now, he had taken these five as personal guards, with Kun Shi appointed as the squad leader.

Naturally, there wasn’t enough space in the small courtyard of the family quarters for all five, so they stayed in the barracks.

Many things had already been moved in, and the servants could go over, but since Yang Haiyan still needed some things from the main house, they hadn’t moved yet.

The personal guards usually stayed at the barracks, which had originally been the residence of General Ao.

There was a dedicated training ground for them, where they practiced martial arts. Kun Shi followed Qin Fang to the military camp, and to support him, Yang Haiyan bought Kun Shi a horse.

This made Kun Shi, who had no money of his own, incredibly happy; owning his own horse was a matter of great pride.

Every day, when he returned to the barracks, the first thing he did was take care of his horse.

With nothing to do in winter, the days passed unnoticed, and soon it was December 5th.

On this day, they were to attend a banquet at the general’s mansion in the county town, and Yang Haiyan had prepared everything they needed.