Quick Wear: The first person to love the host

Chapter 425 The Substitute Bride Becomes a Reality (26)

Seeing Su Ziyu's nonchalant demeanor, Qin Wujiu's hand clenched tightly in his sleeve, his knuckles turning white.

He underestimated this person.

I had initially thought he was just a plaything who used his looks to please others, but now I realize with a start that if he were just an ordinary male concubine, how could he have held the prince's heart so firmly? This man must be a cunning and scheming individual.

His fear of Su Ziyu instantly reached its peak.

Qin Wujiu slowly approached and stopped beside Su Ziyu. His gaze also fell on Qi Jinyu, who was being toasted by the soldiers. His tone was cold and hard, and every word was barbed.

"Young Master Su, don't you think your methods of winning people over are a bit too deliberate? You think you can erase the fact that you've dragged the Prince down and delayed military operations with just a few pigs and sheep?"

He tilted his head slightly, his voice lower but sharper: "Your Highness is responsible for the safety of the Northern Frontier. If you are negligent in taking care of the young master's daily life, causing delays in military intelligence and leading to disaster... how can the young master feel at ease then?"

With just a few casual words, she firmly pinned the label of "femme fatale" on him.

Faced with this inexplicable accusation, Su Ziyu almost burst out laughing. He finally understood the source of this person's unwarranted malice.

In the original storyline, this Qin strategist harbored unspeakable feelings for Qi Jinyu, and even considered sacrificing his own flesh to serve his lord when the army was driven to the brink of defeat.

Now it seems that he himself has become the obstacle to what he desires but cannot obtain.

This jealousy is so blatantly hypocritical.

He didn't accept the hat, but instead met Qin Wujiu's piercing gaze, a faint smile curving his lips. His voice was soft, yet pierced the heart like a needle: "Strategist Qin is so righteously speaking up for the Prince... Could it be that you yourself like him?"

Qin Wujiu's pupils constricted, his face paled instantly, and he shouted sternly, "Shut up! Stop talking nonsense!"

There was a hint of panic and tremor in his voice.

The feelings he kept hidden deep in his heart, feelings he dared not even face himself, were so casually exposed by the other party.

The prince treated him no differently than the other strategists; this deep-seated admiration, buried due to the disparity in their status, was originally a secret reserved only for him.

But Su Ziyu's appearance made him see with his own eyes that even a prince could be moved by someone, and the object of his affection was a man just like him!

This caused his long-suppressed emotions to quietly ferment into resentment and bitterness in a corner where no one could see them.

If Su Ziyu, a delicate young master raised in the Jiangnan region, can do it, why can't he?

Over the years, he has fought alongside the prince, offering advice and strategies. Clearly, he is the more suitable person!

Su Ziyu took in Qin Wujiu's momentary loss of composure, a hint of understanding flashing in his eyes. He ignored Qin Wujiu's forced composure, casually pulling his heavy cloak tighter around himself, his tone indifferent.

"My private matters with the Prince are none of your concern, Military Advisor Qin. If you have any spare time, you should think more about how to end the war as soon as possible so that the people on the border can live in peace. That would be more in line with your duty as Military Advisor."

After speaking, he no longer looked for Qin Wujiu's reaction, and walked straight towards the noisy crowd. His voice was clear and gentle, but it carried an undeniable meaning: "Gentlemen, let's stop here for today. His Highness is drunk, so please allow me to take him back to rest."

Before the soldiers could respond, the tipsy Qi Jinyu had already pushed through the crowd, found his wife precisely, and leaned his tall figure towards her.

The strong smell of alcohol hit them, and Su Ziyu frowned almost imperceptibly, but still raised her hand to support his arm and said softly, "Let's go back to the manor."

Qi Jinyu was unusually compliant, letting him lead her away.

The soldiers around him were dumbfounded by the scene and clicked their tongues in amazement—they had never seen the ruthless prince so docile and obedient.

The next day, Qi Jinyu sat up in bed, rubbing her throbbing temples.

The merriment of last night's feast had faded, leaving only silence and a parched mouth. Just as he was about to call for someone, a cup of warm tea was handed to him at the perfect moment.

Looking up, I saw Su Ziyu sitting on the edge of the bed, her expression clear, clearly having been up for some time.

“Madam…” Qi Jinyu took the teacup, her voice hoarse from a hangover.

He was not unconscious. He had enjoyed himself with the soldiers last night, and later Su Zi came to take him back to the mansion. He even had a vague recollection of standing and talking with Qin Wujiu.

Su Ziyu waited until he finished drinking the water in his cup before speaking slowly and deliberately, his voice like a clear spring flowing over jade: "It's good that Your Highness is awake. I have an idea that may alleviate the worries of the impoverished military households and the suffering of the people in the northern border, and may also open up a long-term source of income for the Prince's Palace and the army."

Upon hearing this, Qi Jinyu immediately put down her teacup, her expression brightening.

The northern frontier is harsh and cold, with scarce resources, especially for military households and their families, who have long struggled to make a living, and he has been at a loss for a good solution.

He reached out and grasped Su Ziyu's slightly cool fingertips, gathering them in his warm palm: "But has the wool experiment that Madam mentioned earlier yielded results?"

He had heard from the steward of the manor earlier that the lady had ordered people to buy a lot of sheep and raise them in the backyard, and she would occasionally shear them to try them out, as if she was thinking of something new.

Su Ziyu nodded with a smile, took something out of her sleeve, and handed it to him, saying, "Your Highness, please take a look."

Qi Jinyu took it and examined the hand-shaped fabric with five fingers, a look of doubt flashing in her eyes. "What...is this?"

"This item is called a 'glove,' and it is made of wool."

Su Ziyu explained softly and firmly, “The northern frontier has lush pastures, and cattle and sheep roam the fields. Every spring and autumn, the herders shear the wool, using only a very small amount to make felt, and the rest are either sold cheaply or left to rot.”

This material is worthless to them, but if skillfully spun into yarn and woven into clothing and blankets, its ability to keep warm far surpasses that of linen and rivals that of silk and cotton, yet its cost is much lower.

He leaned forward slightly, his eyes shining like stars: "I have figured out a way to remove the fishy smell from wool and plan to open a wool workshop to buy wool from herders at a reasonable price, and give priority to hiring soldiers who have been discharged due to injury and have no means of livelihood, as well as women and children in military households."

Wool can be woven not only into gloves, but also into sweaters, trousers, blankets, and more. This will provide for military use, easing the burden on the imperial court in procuring winter clothing, and can also be sold to surrounding areas and even the capital. The northern frontier is renowned for its harsh climate, so these excellent winter garments from such a frigid region will undoubtedly find a market.

As Qi Jinyu listened, his eyes grew brighter and brighter. Having led troops for many years, he knew the importance of supplies.

Madam's plan not only turns waste into treasure, but also settles the families of soldiers and wounded soldiers, stabilizes morale, and opens up new sources of income. It is almost a win-win situation!

He seemed to already see that, under his wife's management, the wool from the northern frontier would be transformed into a warm barrier against the severe cold and a continuous source of military supplies.

"Excellent! This plan is brilliant!"

Qi Jinyu gripped Su Ziyu's hand tightly, his excitement overflowing. "My lady is truly my lucky star! If this succeeds, the people and soldiers of the Northern Frontier will benefit immeasurably! Whatever you need, just say the word, and I will fully support you!"

Looking at his undisguised praise and trust, Su Ziyu smiled slightly, revealing a faint but genuine smile: "Your Highness's words are enough. I have already drafted a detailed plan, and we will discuss it in detail when Your Highness is feeling better."

Qi Jinyu couldn't wait any longer and immediately threw off the covers and got out of bed: "No need to wait, let's watch now!"

He pulled Su Ziyu towards the study, his steps brisk, as if the discomfort from his hangover had vanished.