Tang Qiyue pushed Zhan Zeyi away. She didn't want to answer his question, but she also didn't want him to look at her with suspicion.
"Crossing the river and burning the bridge!"
Her finger poked the spot where Zhan Zeyi had been injured, silently reminding him that if it weren't for her, he might still be wounded.
Zhan Zeyi clearly understood her implication. He grabbed her finger and pulled her into his arms.
"I'm just giving you a friendly reminder. How is that crossing the river and burning the bridge? The people on this island are simple—don't let your guard down!"
He couldn't reveal much about the soldiers he led. Tang Qiyue might eventually notice discrepancies, but he couldn't say it outright. His warning was purely because she was his wife.
"I've already submitted the application. You're my legal wife now. Don't think about hiding anything from me. I already know about your brother's situation, and I've spoken to the old leader to take care of him!"
Tang Qiyue thought of Tang Xiuyuan. She had asked her father to sever ties with him, but now, with Zhan Zeyi's protection, whether or not that happened no longer mattered. She only knew that Tang Xiuyuan had been specially recruited as a university student by a professor for his exceptional talent in mathematics.
News of political shifts was rampant at the time: many students were expelled for failing political reviews, and campaigns called on university students to serve in the countryside. Tang Qiyue couldn't predict the future, but she could sense the changing tides—and Zhan Zeyi clearly had inside information.
"Your brother won't attend university classes anymore. He'll be in a research institute under that professor. He's considered a national talent reserve, so don't worry too much!"
Tang Qiyue was stunned. She realized how crucial it had been to agree to the substitute marriage, allow her brother to leave the Tang family, and seek Zhan Zeyi's protection.
Her worries eased, Tang Qiyue was in high spirits. She leaned away from his embrace and planted a quick kiss on his cheek.
"Thank you!"
Her words were sincere, but Zhan Zeyi interpreted them differently. How could he not want more when his wife took the initiative?
He simply offered the other cheek. "This way!"
Tang Qiyue hadn't expected his shamelessness but didn't refuse, leaning in obediently.
Zhan Zeyi, still feeling unsatisfied, lifted her chin to steal another quick kiss.
Before anything further could happen, someone shouted from the doorway, "Battalion Commander! Old Li is looking for you!"
Zhan Zeyi's actions were interrupted, much to his annoyance. Yet seeing Tang Qiyue's teasing smile, he ignored the commotion, cupped her face, and kissed her twice more.
"I'll go see him. You rest—I'll bring dinner back!"
He feared that if he lingered, he would inevitably carry her to the bed.
Tang Qiyue spat lightly after he left. "You're so improper!"
Once alone, she surveyed the open space in front of the house. The men had cleared weeds and removed stones, but no path was laid, and the land's use hadn't been planned.
Tang Qiyue took out a notebook and sketched a simple floor plan of the courtyard. Remembering Xu Qiuju's warning about mosquitoes, she rummaged through her dowry chests for thin gauze. She covered the windows and nailed them securely.
With leftover gauze, she fashioned a simple door curtain, sewing a wooden stick at the bottom to prevent it from blowing open. She would have preferred a split-middle design, but without magnets, she made do.
Curious, she explored the island further. Wild mugwort grew abundantly; she collected it and burned it around the house to repel mosquitoes. Inside, she buried some mugwort-based mosquito repellent—a scent imperceptible to humans but effective against mosquitoes, snakes, and ants. The mugwort was just a cover.
Having taken care of these matters, Tang Qiyue felt her stomach rumble—not from hunger, but from urgent biological needs.
There was only one room and no toilet. Her face darkened. No kitchen, no washroom—how could anyone endure this? She regretted coming with the army.
At that moment, Zhan Zeyi returned with a lunchbox.
"What's wrong? Feeling unwell?" he asked, noticing her standing with legs crossed instead of sitting.
"I need to go to the outhouse!" Tang Qiyue whispered through gritted teeth.
Zhan Zeyi laughed, guiding her to a nearby bamboo grove.
"I'll cut bamboo and build one tomorrow. Let's relieve ourselves here today!"
Tang Qiyue, blushing, reminded him to stay away. He knew the area and agreed without concern.
When she emerged, her face still red, Zhan Zeyi had prepared clean water for washing. Even under primitive conditions, Tang Qiyue could cleanse herself.
The lunchbox contained steamed seafood and rice.
"Your conditions here are quite good! You even have white rice!" Tang Qiyue exclaimed, pleased. Refined grains were rationed.
Zhan Zeyi said, "This is all thanks to you!"
Tang Qiyue looked at him, surprised.
He placed the lunchbox before her. "If it weren't for your donated dowry, where would we have gotten the money for this rice?"
Tang Qiyue's appetite faltered. The gold she had donated had been spent on food, not weapons or equipment. A wave of awkwardness washed over her.
"Doesn't it taste better now?" Zhan Zeyi cheekily leaned closer, as if awaiting praise.