Since we're going to the capital, we need to discuss this with Lu's mother.

When Lu's mother heard about this, she reacted very strongly: "No, absolutely not. We don't object to you wanting to do business, but the capital is far away, and we really can't leave a young woman alone."

Having lived most of her life, the farthest Lu's mother had ever been was the county town. The capital was a place she could never reach; right under the emperor's nose, she didn't even know anyone there.

Gu Nanjiao said helplessly, "Mother, I won't be alone on the way to the capital. Fourth Sister is going too, and so is the manager of Yunshang Pavilion. There will be someone escorting us on the way, so there's really no need to worry. Besides, my father and Yanzhao have already finished their imperial examinations, so I'll go to the capital to meet them."

Madam Lu still hesitated: "Jiaojiao, you are young and have not seen much. Even if Fourth Sister is with you, you two are still weak women. We don't know if the manager of Yunshang Pavilion is trustworthy. If you want to go to the capital, wait for Yanzhao to return and I will take you with me."

Gu Nanjiao said, "Mother, if Yanzhao and my father pass the exam, they will inevitably have to stay in the capital. My trip to the capital to discuss business is a good opportunity to explore the situation."

Mrs. Lu sighed and frowned, saying, "Child, why won't you listen to advice? Those people from the capital are cunning as monkeys. On the surface, they're advising you to talk business, but who knows how they're trying to swindle you behind your back?"

Although Lu's mother scolded her sternly as if she were disciplining a child, Gu Nanjiao was not angry because Lu's mother cared about her and treated her as family. That's why she analyzed the pros and cons for her like an elder.

She was very touched by this!

Gu Nanjiao was determined to leave, and no matter how much Lu's mother tried to dissuade her, she could not change her mind.

All of Lu's mother's worries could only turn into a sigh as she got up to prepare things for Gu Nanjiao's trip.

After Gu Nanjiao arranged everything at Meiwuzhai, she made a trip to Baicaibang, hoping that he could keep an eye on things while she was away. Zhang Hu readily agreed.

Finally, Yingniang was entrusted with taking care of Lu's mother and younger sister. Since Lu's mother was illiterate, Yingniang was the only one who could handle the accounting and revenue of Meiwuzhai.

Yingniang was deeply moved: "Since you trust me so much, I will definitely do everything you ask. You can go with peace of mind."

In the evening, Madam Lu packed several large bundles, touched them over and over again, and sighed, "I feel like I've forgotten something. Jiaojiao, where will you stay in the capital? Do you have enough money? I also don't know what the weather will be like in the capital. I was thinking of preparing a few more clothes for you."

Looking at the several large bundles in front of her, Gu Nanjiao couldn't help but think of the small bundles that Lu's mother had prepared for Lu Yanzhao. This was clearly a case of favoring girls over boys.

Gu Nanjiao couldn't help but laugh and said, "Mother, it's a long journey to the capital, and we won't be able to fit everything in the carriage if we bring too much. We can rest at inns along the way. Just bring two changes of clothes, and leave the rest at home. As long as we bring enough money, we won't have to worry about anything."

Since Gu Nanjiao had said that, Lu's mother had no choice but to give up.

After a while, Lu's mother seemed to have thought of something: "Why don't you write a letter to Yanzhao about your trip to the capital?"

“Mother, I don’t even know where Yanzhao lives in the capital, how can I write a letter?” Gu Nanjiao paused and said, “After I get to the capital, I will go to the place where the exam is held and wait there. I will definitely see him on the day the results are released.”

The next morning, Lü Siniang and Manager Yun arrived early.

There was just an extra carriage parked at the entrance.

Gu Nanjiao was puzzled. Whose carriage was parked in front of her house? At this moment, Lü Siniang got off the carriage, and a white figure slowly got off another carriage.

Bai Luochen smiled warmly, but his words made Lu's mother uneasy.

Bai Luochen said, "I also have something to do in the capital, so I'll go with you."

Lu's mother glanced at Gu Nanjiao, then hesitated, as if she wanted to say something but didn't.

This pretty boy is definitely going to the capital, and with Jiaojiao no less. Could it be that he really has ulterior motives, is interested in her daughter-in-law, and is trying to steal her away while Yanzhao is away?

Gu Nanjiao didn't think so much about it. She smiled and said, "That's perfect. More people on the road means more protection."

She felt much more at ease knowing Bai Luochen was with her. Having worked together for so long, she knew Bai Luochen's character very well.

When we arrive in the capital, we won't be completely clueless.

Before they left, Madam Lu pulled Lü Siniang aside, glancing at Bai Luochen with her eyes, seemingly giving him some instructions. Lü Siniang gave Madam Lu a reassuring look, and Madam Lu finally breathed a sigh of relief, watching them depart.

They traveled at a leisurely pace, stopping frequently along the way. When they arrived at an inn to rest, Bai Luochen said, "The etiquette in the capital is quite complicated, unlike in the countryside where there are fewer restrictions. It might be undignified for a woman to show her face in public to do business." He paused and then asked Gu Nanjiao, "I wonder if either of you has prepared men's clothing?"

Before Gu Nanjiao could answer, Lü Siniang quickly said, "Hey, Jiaojiao already told me to get a few men's clothes, all in small sizes. We'll change into them later."

After the meal, the two changed into men's clothing and prepared to continue their journey.

Bai Luochen and Manager Yun were both taken aback when they saw Gu Nanjiao and Lü Siniang dressed in men's clothing, but they quickly recovered.

"If you're going to change into men's clothes, then change into men's clothes. Why stick on moles and a beard?" Bai Luochen's lips twitched, feeling a burning sensation in his eyes. Luckily, he was in the same carriage as Manager Yun; otherwise, facing a face covered in stubble and moles, he probably wouldn't be able to eat.

Gu Nanjiao, unaware of Bai Luochen's thoughts, spun around triumphantly: "How about that?"

Bai Luochen covered his eyes and said against his will, "Not bad, very handsome!"

Manager Yun chuckled and joked, "Both of you managers are meticulous and cautious. Dressed like this, you do look very much like men. You might even scare away bad guys on the road. However, once you get to the capital, you should dress more presentably. It will make doing business much easier that way."

"Of course!" Gu Nanjiao was very satisfied with her and Si Niang's attire. It wasn't that she was narcissistic, but she thought she looked pretty good. What if they encountered bad guys on the street who took advantage of her?

Although Lü Siniang was past her prime, she still retained her charm, and the two weak women could not afford to take the risk.

Although Bai Luochen and Manager Yun were traveling with them, everything had to be carefully considered to ensure that nothing went wrong.

Gu Nanjiao asked Manager Yun, "How long will it take to get to the capital?"

"If we keep stopping and resting along the way, it will take at least a month!"

"Ah, it's been so long!" Lu Siniang exclaimed anxiously upon hearing this.

Gu Nanjiao was also anxious and urged, "Let's hurry on our way, we can't stop now."

Manager Yun was unaware that Lu Yanzhao and Gu's father were in the capital taking the imperial examinations, assuming that Gu Nanjiao was in a hurry to discuss business. Seeing the two impatient individuals, Manager Yun wasn't worried about the deal falling through. Their head manager was cunning and shrewd; with a few words, these two women would obediently do their bidding.

Noticing Manager Yun's gaze, Gu Nanjiao felt he harbored ill intentions, but she wasn't afraid; the law applied even under the emperor's rule. She had Bai Luochen and Lü Siniang traveling with her.

Lu Yanzhao, Lin Ji, and Gu's father are all in the capital.

There's strength in numbers!

Thinking this way, Gu Nanjiao's unease gradually subsided.

Manager Yun coughed lightly and asked, "Manager Gu, Manager Lü, since you've arrived in the capital dressed as men, how should I address you?"

Bai Luochen also said, "Yes, even if I call you Brother Gu, I still need to have a name! I can't just call you Jiaojiao or Fourth Sister, those sounds too feminine."

Gu Nanjiao had already considered this question and quickly answered, "Gu Nan."

After thinking for a moment, Lü Siniang said, "I'll be called Lü Si!"

"Lv Si?" Gu Nanjiao pondered for a moment, then nodded: "Not bad, that's a pretty corny name!"

Lü Siniang "..."