Lu Yanzhao bought two skewers, Gu Nanjiao bought one, and he held one in his hand.

The two ate as they walked, but the further they went, the more something seemed off.

Gu Nanjiao asked, "Where are we going?"

"Mother said that Yingniang has no brothers and is returning to her parents' home today, so she asked us to go and fetch her."

According to the customs of Luoshui County, on the day the newlywed bride returns to her parents' home, her brothers need to go to her husband's home early in the morning to pick her up.

Yingniang recognized Lu's mother as her godmother, and Lu Yanzhao naturally became her brother.

Gu Nanjiao had never been to Lin Ji's house before, and she didn't know how Yingniang was doing after marrying into the family. It wouldn't hurt to go and see for herself.

When Gu Nanjiao saw Lin Ji's small, dilapidated courtyard, she was stunned.

This is practically no different from the Lu family before.

Gu Nanjiao couldn't help but ask, "Lin Ji's family is in such dire straits, why don't you help him?"

“I did help, but Brother Lin is too proud to accept my help. He said that if he accepted my help, he would never be able to hold his head up in front of me again.”

Gu Nanjiao fell silent. The arrogance of scholars really could be a killer. But Lu Yanzhao was truly a clueless straight man; did he really mean he wouldn't help if he said he wouldn't accept it?

You don't have to give him money, but you can help him in other ways.

When Lin Ji saw Lu Yanzhao, he immediately joked, "Grand Scholar Lu, you're really busy. It's like climbing to heaven to see you."

"Are you trying to embarrass me?"

"How could I dare? You're my brother-in-law now."

As they were talking, Yingniang came out of the kitchen carrying two stools.

Lin Ji quickly stepped forward and took it: "Leave this kind of rough work to me, don't hurt your hands."

Yingniang blushed and smiled, "I'm not that delicate!"

"You all sit inside. My wife, go and chat with them. The food will be ready soon."

After placing the stool inside the house, Lin Ji rolled up his sleeves and went into the kitchen.

Yingniang invited Gu Nanjiao and Lu Yanzhao to sit inside. As soon as they entered, they saw Lin Ji's lame father shakily carrying a pot of water.

"The dwelling is simple and unassuming; I apologize for any inconvenience. I hope you two will not find it offensive."

Yingniang took the kettle from Lin's father and helped him up, saying, "Father, didn't I tell you to lie down? Why did you come out?"

Mr. Lin smiled and said, "My health is much better now. Yingniang is a lucky woman. She just married into the family and my health has improved a lot."

Yingniang felt a warmth in her heart, and the corners of her mouth turned up. Her former in-laws had said she was a jinx, unlucky, and destined to bring misfortune to her husbands. Unexpectedly, Lin's father thought she was a blessed person. With just one sentence, the heavy weight that had been weighing on Yingniang's heart was lifted.

"Dad, you should also take care to rest."

“Yes, Uncle Lin, you shouldn’t overwork yourself now that you’re feeling better. Please rest!” Gu Nanjiao stepped forward and supported Lin’s other arm. Together with Yingniang, they escorted Lin back to his room.

Looking at the simple house, Gu Nanjiao and Yingniang exchanged a glance and then said, "Yingniang, did you know about Lin Ji's family situation before you married into this family?"

"I know!"

"Then why..."

Yingniang smiled slightly and said with great emotion, "They don't mind my bad reputation, so why should I mind theirs? I believe that as long as Lin Ji and I work together, we will definitely change the situation. After a while, we will rent a house in the county town and bring Dad over, so he won't have to travel back and forth anymore."

Gu Nanjiao nodded. With Yingniang's abilities, changing the current situation wouldn't be difficult.

Lin Ji appears to have a gentle temperament and handsome appearance; you would never guess that he is living such a difficult life.

Yingniang said somewhat embarrassedly, "Excuse me for a moment, I'll go to the kitchen to see if Lin Ji has finished cooking."

Upon hearing this, Gu Nanjiao couldn't help but tease, "I really didn't realize you two were so affectionate. You can't even be apart for a short while."

"Oh dear, what are you saying!" Yingniang blushed, stamped her foot, and ran into the kitchen with small, quick steps.

Lin Ji had been in the kitchen for many years and was quite skilled in cooking. In no time, she had quickly prepared four or five dishes.

Lin Ji drank with Lu Yanzhao, happy for his success in the provincial examination. When the topic turned to Lin Ji's failure, Lin Ji waved his hand dismissively: "Every cloud has a silver lining. Being able to marry Yingniang is my blessing. No one passes the exam on their first try!"

Gu Nanjiao admired Lin Ji very much. There aren't many people in this world who can have such a positive attitude, accept that they are not as good as their friends, and are genuinely happy for their friends.

Aside from his family's poverty, Lin Ji was otherwise perfect. Seeing how attentive he was to Yingniang, Gu Nanjiao's earlier anxiety gradually subsided.

After lunch, Yingniang followed Gu Nanjiao and Lu Yanzhao back to the Lu family home.

According to local custom, the newlywed husband cannot accompany the bride on her return visit to her mother's home, because the bride needs to go home to catch up with her mother and have a private chat.

Seeing Lin Ji's reluctance to leave, Lu Yanzhao couldn't help but tease, "You can't even stand being apart for just one day?"

Lin Ji said irritably, "We're newlyweds, unlike you old married couples. Naturally, we don't want to be apart, not even for a day."

And so, Yingniang and Lin Ji lingered at the door for a long time before reluctantly parting ways.

After returning to the Lu family home, Yingniang went to Lu's mother's room. According to custom, she was to keep Lu's mother company and have some private conversations.

After washing up, Gu Nanjiao lay quietly on the bed, lost in thought.

Lin Ji failed the imperial examination, but he is highly talented. Yingniang is proficient in all the arts, including music, chess, calligraphy, and painting.

There are no girls' schools now. If a school were opened that accepts both boys and girls, Yingniang would teach the female students music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. As for the male students, Lin Ji would teach them the Four Books and Five Classics.

When husband and wife work together, the work is less tiring.

Lin Ji was able to teach while waiting for the imperial examinations. This not only changed the current situation, but also made the three years of waiting for the examinations less tedious.

When Lu Yanzhao came over, he couldn't help but tease Gu Nanjiao, who was lost in thought, "What are you thinking about? You're so engrossed in it."

"What do you think about us lending money to Lin Ji and Yingniang so they can open a school? The kind that accepts both male and female students."

Lu Yanzhao pondered for a moment: "Now that there are no girls' schools, I'm afraid it will be difficult to establish one!"

"What's so difficult about that? There's no woman who's ever opened a restaurant before, but I did it. You have to take the first step in everything, and then it'll be much easier."

Lu Yanzhao smiled and said, "You can make the decisions! Tomorrow, talk to Yingniang. If she's willing to take the first step, we'll have helped Lin Ji."

"Mmm!" Gu Nanjiao nodded. Just as she lay down, Lu Yanzhao suddenly bit her ear lightly: "Want to ride a horse?"

Gu Nanjiao blushed: "Can't you be serious for once?"

Lu Yanzhao chuckled, picked up Gu Nanjiao, and had her straddle him before they lay down.

Gu Nanjiao lay on top of him, her head resting on his chest, listening to the pounding of his heart, feeling her face burning.

Lu Yanzhao chuckled softly, "I just wanted to hug you, what are you thinking? Do you really want to ride a horse?"

"Lu Yanzhao?"

"Um?"

"Have you no shame? Believe me or not, I'll turn you into a swallow's nest in the northern winter!"

"What's the meaning?"

"Think for yourself!"

Lu Yanzhao "..."