Lu Yanzhao stared at her for a long while before slowly walking to the bedside.

He noticed a faint fragrance emanating from the person beside him. He was puzzled. Gu Nanjiao didn't use any incense or makeup, so why did she have such a pleasant scent? It was light and refreshing, and it was very comforting to smell.

After passing the imperial examination and becoming a scholar, the slight resentment he harbored towards Gu Nanjiao completely disappeared.

I couldn't help but want to get closer to her, and even closer to her.

Staring at her peaceful sleeping face, Lu Yanzhao couldn't help but lean forward slightly and gently rub his nose against hers!

It smells so good!

Lu Yanzhao's breath hitched, and his gaze toward Gu Nanjiao turned dangerous.

As if sensing some kind of call, Gu Nanjiao slowly opened her eyes while she was asleep.

Lu Yanzhao...

Gu Nanjiao felt as if there was a wolf in front of her, staring at her fiercely, as if it wanted to tear her apart and devour her.

The two stared at each other for a moment, then Gu Nanjiao suddenly pushed Lu Yanzhao away, hugging herself and sobbing, "You pervert, what are you trying to do, staring at me in the middle of the night?"

A hint of guilt flashed across Lu Yanzhao's face, but he quickly regained his composure.

"There was a mosquito on your face, I just shooed it away!"

Gu Nanjiao looked at Lu Yanzhao with suspicion.

I don't believe you for a second!

"Believe it or not, it really is a mosquito," Lu Yanzhao said irritably, then turned to leave.

Gu Nanjiao couldn't help but ask, "Where are you going?"

"bath!"

Then came the sound of the door slamming shut.

...

Early the next morning, Lu Yanzhao went to Li Si's house.

Zhang San, Li Si, and Lu Yanzhao used to go into the mountains together. Now that Zhang San is gone, Li Si is the only one they are close to.

Upon hearing that the Lu family was going to build a house, Li Si said he would take care of it.

Now that Lu Yanzhao is a scholar, the villagers can't help but try to get close to him. When they heard that he was going to build a house, they all offered to help.

The Lu family had no other base, so building a new house had to be done on the original homestead. The old house was obviously no longer habitable. Fortunately, the weather wasn't cold, so the family temporarily set up a small shed outside and squeezed in together for the time being.

Lu Yanzhao is quite efficient. In less than two days, the foundation has been laid. It seems that the house will be completed in less than half a month.

Lu Yanzhao went to the academy, and the three of them squeezed together in the makeshift shed. Even so, there were still many inconveniences.

The task of setting up the stall was temporarily handed over to Lu's mother and younger sister. Lu Yanzhao said he would help after school. Gu Nanjiao stayed home to cook.

With the help of the villagers, the new house was built quickly. The Lu family paid a good wage; neighbors could not only help each other but also get paid, it was just a matter of putting in some effort.

Because there were so many people, Gu Nanjiao had to set up several large tables. Luckily, she had a large pot at home, which she had bought when she was making braised offal.

The people of Hama Village love to eat stewed in a large pot with potstickers. Gu Nanjiao believes that if meals are to be provided, they can't be stingy. Every meal should have both meat and vegetables, and be plentiful. If the villagers are satisfied with their food and receive money, they will work even harder.

Looking at the rows of houses rising up in the distance, Li gritted her teeth in envy.

Ever since Gu Nanjiao entered the Lu family, her life has become better and better.

It seems that marrying a good wife is very important. Unfortunately, Lu Yanping was a disappointment, as he mingled with prostitutes. Fortunately, she discovered this in time and sent her son to the private school in town.

Although it was a bit too old for her to start school, she had inquired and learned that the private tutor had a daughter who was eighteen and still unmarried, suggesting he had very high standards for choosing a husband. Yanping was good-looking, and being in such a good position made things easier for him. She refused to believe that her son could be any less attractive than Lu Yanzhao.

Lunchtime arrived, and the villagers, having finished their work, gathered around a large table.

Gu Nanjiao and Niu Er's wife carried over a large basin together.

As soon as the lid was opened, an enticing aroma wafted out. Everyone sniffed and couldn't help but ask, "Yanzhao's wife, what delicious food did you make today? It smells so good."

Gu Nanjiao smiled and said, "Today I'm making braised chicken and spicy fish. I guarantee you'll love it."

Niu Er's wife couldn't help but praise, "Aunt Lu is so lucky. She married a capable daughter-in-law and her son is a top scholar."

The villagers chimed in, "Yes, yes, Yanzhao is good at studying, he'll definitely be a top scholar in the imperial examinations."

Gu Nanjiao smiled but didn't say anything. She had been eating and drinking well lately, and all the villagers were satisfied. They were tired of hearing her praise them every day.

The enticing aroma of meat filled her nostrils, and Li couldn't help but swallow. She hadn't eaten meat in a long time, and every time Gu Nanjiao stewed meat, her mouth would water just from the smell. Lu Lao Er had insisted on helping build the house, but she grabbed him and angrily scolded him for never having eaten anything in his life, acting like a dog eager to please. Helpless, Lu Lao Er had no choice but to give up.

Thinking of this, Li couldn't help but peek out from the corner of the wall and sneer: "What a scholar, a mere virtuous man? He's just a gigolo."

One villager couldn't help but retort, "Li, you're just being sour. Yanzhao is a scholar who receives a salary and grain subsidies every year. That's because he's capable. How can he be a freeloader?"

"That's right, that's right, Yanzhao is a capable person."

Gu Nanjiao agreed with the villagers' words. Although she had said that she would cover Lu Yanzhao's tuition every year, the Lu family had never accepted any money from her. They would even give her a little from time to time, such as the five taels she received for the last imperial examination and the five taels she received this time. Including the money for building the house, the Lu family had not let Gu Nanjiao contribute a single penny.

Li sneered, "Everyone knows that before he got married, he was so poor that he could barely afford to eat chaff and wild vegetables. Now he eats meat and fish every day and has even built a house. Where did they get the capital to do business? It was all from his wife's dowry."

No one paid any attention to Li's sour remarks and kept quiet, but they couldn't help but speculate in their hearts. The Lu family was indeed so poor before that they ate chaff and wild vegetables, but now, the lunch they were treated to was full of fish and meat. How much money must that have cost? In the end, it was because the bride's family gave her a lot of dowry. The daughter of a scholar is capable and knows how to do business.

Seeing that everyone was silent, Li looked at Gu Nanjiao and thought to herself with smugness: "I'm not trying to criticize you, but you rushed to marry into this family without asking for a single penny of dowry, and now you're supporting his studies. Once he passes the imperial examination, he'll dump you in no time."

Gu Nanjiao was annoyed by Li's nagging and said in a deep voice, "Whether I ask for a bride price or not is none of your business. You want to give a bride price, but no one is willing to marry your son. Besides, Lu Yanzhao studied on his own and didn't spend a penny of my money. The money for building the house was also his."

"Who would believe that? The more you explain, the worse it gets. Don't bother explaining for him; he's just a freeloader." Madam Li rolled her eyes and snorted coldly.

"Second Aunt, you're just saying the grapes are sour because you can't have them."

A deep, clear male voice came from behind.