From Hoarding to Time-Travel: My Supplies Saved Him

Jin Qianqian didn’t go up the mountain to join the commotion, only instructing the servants to attend to the workers well.

Now, hearing the report from the guards at the village entrance, she frowned deeply. Both she and Gu Wenheng were well aware of Mr. Gao’s background—he belonged to the Xu Family, part of the Fifth Prince’s faction.

Aside from standard official interactions, they had absolutely no personal relationship. His arrival at this time was undoubtedly aimed at the new grain seeds, or perhaps an attempt to snatch a share of the credit.

"Have someone turn him away," she ordered. "Just say that the Gu family is in the intense mourning period and it’s inconvenient to receive guests."

Even the two Lord Imperial Envoys who had just arrived had headed straight up the mountain, showing that they held some reservations about the mourning period. With such an upright and justifiable excuse, Jin Qianqian felt no burden in using it.

Upon hearing that Mrs. Gu refused to see him for this reason, the others felt it was completely normal. Only Gao County Magistrate’s face stiffened. Mr. Gu had been granted imperial dispensation to bypass mourning and enter the Imperial Palace, yet here in this tiny village, a whole county magistrate like him couldn’t even get past the entrance!

In front of so many guards and officials, Gao County Magistrate naturally couldn’t show his displeasure. He had no choice but to temporarily return to the county town.

"Mother!" Gu Ben Can called out. He had originally been on the mountain watching everyone harvest. The workers hadn’t just snapped off the corn cobs; they had uprooted the stalks entirely to bring everything back together.

Many hands made light work. The three acres of land were cleared by these men in less than ten minutes, and everything was now being transported to the village entrance to be loaded onto carts.

Jin Qianqian had been waiting at home for news. Seeing her son run in, she quickly used her handkerchief to wipe the sweat from his forehead. "Why are you back now? Is the corn on the mountain all harvested?"

"Mother, it’s all harvested, and they are currently loading the carts outside." Feeling that he was growing up, Gu Ben Can felt a bit embarrassed letting his mother wipe his sweat. He quickly took the handkerchief from her hand. "Mother, I came back to tell you that Lord Mao and the others want me to accompany them back to Shangjing. I originally refused, saying I needed to observe mourning for Grandfather, but Lord Mao said it’s the Holy Emperor’s decree."

Jin Qianqian had already guessed as much. "Then I’ll have someone pack a few sets of clothes for you. Take some guards with you, and I’ll have your father pick you up when you arrive."

Gu Ben Can also understood that his parents intended to attribute this great merit to him this time; he and his older brother had rehearsed this scenario many times. "Don’t worry, Mother. I also want to go see our new estate. I’ll tell you all about it when I get back."

Gu Ben Can had long been deeply curious about Shangjing. The last time he went, it was a rushed trip with no time to linger. This time, no matter what, he had to take a good look around.

Jin Qianqian straightened his clothes before reminding him, "Don’t forget what your father told you: listen more, observe more, and speak less."

This trip was to seek an audience with the Holy Emperor. If it were her eldest son, Jin Qianqian wouldn’t be this worried. "No, I should still have Mrs. Wei and Nanny Ning accompany you. They are familiar with the Imperial Palace, and they can properly instruct you along the way."

Gu Ben Can wouldn’t reject his mother’s goodwill. "Alright, I’ll take the two nannies with me. Mother, the two lords said we’ll depart as soon as the carts are loaded. I still need to go inform Grandmother."

Having come out on this assignment, Mao Bingyan and Xiao Liwei only sought a smooth operation. They didn’t dare delay for even a moment, thinking that delivering the items to Shangjing a day earlier meant completing their mission a day sooner.

Jin Qianqian knew this was a necessary etiquette. "Go on quickly, then. I’ll have someone pack your clothes."

The moment her son stepped out, Jin Qianqian directed the housekeeper and maids, sparking a flurry of activity. The entire convoy would surely not make many stops along the journey, so she had to prepare more provisions for her child. Fortunately, Jin Qianqian had a complete set of travel gear ready. A portable stove for the carriage, non-perishable foods, and various dried meats—she meticulously prepared everything.

By the time Gu Ben Can reached the village entrance again, the Gu family’s designated carriage was already parked there. The nannies accompanying him to the capital stood waiting beside it.

"Scholars are just so troublesome," Xiao Liwei remarked. Having a moment of free time, his gaze swept over and caught the scene. "This young master looks like he can work the fields, but who knew he’d put on such airs for a trip."

"General Xiao, it’s not that we scholars are troublesome," Mao Bingyan replied. "Just look at how young the child is. It’s perfectly normal for Mrs. Gu to worry a bit more when he travels. Moreover, don’t forget that Mr. Gu is heading to Shangjing to seek an audience with the Holy Emperor this time. Look at those two nannies over there; anyone can tell they came from the Imperial Palace. Accompanying him this time is also to guide the young master."

"...I almost forgot," Xiao Liwei said. "I heard years ago that several nannies from the palace were serving beside Mrs. Gu. Many people were quite envious for a while."

It was back then that they learned Gu Wenheng and his wife didn’t merely treat their servants as disposable labor. Once the servants were too old to work, the couple would arrange a comfortable retirement for them. This fact alone had caused quite a stir in Shangjing for a time.

"Don’t call the child spoiled either," Mao Bingyan said, pointing at Gu Ben Can, who was walking over while supporting an elderly lady. "Even the skin tones of you military generals look much better than his. At a glance, it’s obvious he’s spent plenty of time toiling in the fields. But honestly, even I’m a bit envious. This kid is bound to skyrocket to greatness."

"With Mr. Gu around, could their lives really be that bad?" Xiao Liwei shot him an odd look, wondering if Mao Bingyan had genuinely started viewing the boy as a simple peasant after just one day of interaction.

Mao Bingyan really wanted to roll his eyes at him. No wonder Xiao Liwei had been stuck in the same position for over a decade with that blunt personality of his—it actually wasn’t an unfair treatment.

For the sake of their joint mission, Mao Bingyan offered a few words of guidance. "General Xiao, I’m sure you saw the grain harvest this time. This is a monumental achievement. Just think about the immense benefits that will come from it."

Xiao Liwei glanced back at the several carriages loaded with grain seeds, which were already covered with thick layers of straw and tied down securely. Even though he had been in the military for years, he came from a poor peasant background. He understood agricultural yields, and this was indeed an extraordinary discovery. Suddenly, he somewhat understood why Mao Bingyan had been so polite to that greenhorn boy earlier.

Mao Bingyan thought that Xiao Liwei was truly a typical military general. Even if he didn’t respect the boy himself, he had to respect Mr. Gu. How could he possibly treat someone’s legitimate son with cold disdain? Deciding not to stand next to this frustrating blockhead any longer, he walked toward Li Cuicui. "Madam Gu, apologies for the intrusion."

Having heard the boy mention he needed to bid farewell to his mother and grandmother earlier, Mao Bingyan deduced that the woman he was currently supporting was definitely Mr. Gu’s biological mother.

Li Cuicui quickly turned sideways to respectfully dodge the formal bow. "You are too polite, My Lord. I feel it is quite improper that we cannot invite you into our estate for a gathering. We have already had the kitchen prepare some meals. Please, My Lords, have something to eat before you depart!"

Mao Bingyan glanced at the sky, knowing that eating here right now would save the most time. "In that case, we will impose on you."

Gaoling Village had been providing meals for the soldiers and generals on the mountain these past few days. With every household pitching in, they quickly prepared the food for the envoy’s party. Naturally, Mao Bingyan couldn’t take advantage of them for free, or it would be awkward to face Mr. Gu in the future. He ordered his subordinates to hand over all the meal expenses to Clan Leader Gu for distribution.

Meanwhile, Li Cuicui held her little grandson’s hand and began to admonish him, "When you’re away from home, remember to..."

Realizing she hadn’t traveled much herself, she could only instruct the child to take care of his health and to listen carefully to the adults along the way.