Although Gu Nanjiao was unwilling, she had no choice but to continue living in the same room and lying in the same bed.

However, Lu Yanzhao soon went to live at the academy and only came back once every two weeks. By then, the whole room wouldn't be hers anymore. Thinking of this, Gu Nanjiao felt relieved.

She had asked Lu Yanzhao how she wanted the room decorated, and Lu Yanzhao told her to do it her way. Since that was the case, she decided to do it her way.

Unlike modern houses, which can be painted, houses in the countryside in ancient times were built and ready to be moved into. The walls were simply nailed together, and the houses were covered with various items, with little to no furniture except for the wardrobe that came with a woman's dowry.

Lu Yanzhao helped arrange the furniture and cabinets neatly, with a wardrobe placed by the bedside and two landscape paintings hanging on the wall.

Gu Nanjiao casually bought a shelf and a dressing table, placed them opposite her desk, and nailed a nail above the dressing table to hang an oil lamp.

On the shelf sat a vase containing several stalks of vibrant green bamboo. On the dressing table, two vases, one on each side, were filled with unknown wildflowers.

After completing the task, Gu Nanjiao looked around the room with satisfaction. Not bad, adding some flowers and plants really made it look much more refined.

Once her business grows and Lu Yanzhao passes the exam, she won't be living in this small village for many more years. There's no need to spend a lot of money renovating the house; if it's too nice, it will attract envy.

Despite this, Li was still green with envy. For so many years, Lu's family had been completely suppressed by them, but now that he had married a wife, their lives had improved.

Lu Yanping had just run back from the private school when Li pulled him into the house.

"Yanping, let me ask you, have you seen Master Huang's daughter? What does she look like? Have you had any contact with her?"

Thinking of that Master Huang's daughter, Lu Yanping felt a chill. Not only was she dark-skinned and ugly, but she also had large nostrils and wore yellow clothes. She was terribly unsightly.

Thinking of this, Lu Yanping said with a wronged expression, "Mother, can I stop going to the private school? It's so embarrassing to study with a bunch of kids."

Li poked Lu Yanping's head with a look of exasperation: "Are you stupid? It's only because they're all children that you've been able to get to know Master Huang's daughter. Even though his daughter is three years older than you, there's a saying that a woman three years older than you is a lucky charm."

"Mother, I don't want to. She's just too ugly."

“What good is good looks? They’re all seductive vixens. Marry a virtuous wife, son. Listen to your mother, you won’t go wrong.” Madam Li earnestly advised her son, hoping he would make up his mind to spend more time with Master Huang’s daughter.

"No way!" Lu Yanping's face turned cold. He didn't want to marry that ugly girl. If he had to face that face every day, he'd probably have nightmares every night. Yang Meiqin was much better; her voice was charming and soothing, naturally alluring, and she had him completely captivated.

"What?" Madam Li raised her voice, angrily saying, "Are you still thinking about that whore?"

Lu Yanping remained silent, his gaze fixed to the side. His silence spoke volumes.

Seeing this, Li sat down on the ground with a thud, slapping her thighs loudly as she cried out, "Why is my life so miserable? My son has been bewitched by a prostitute, I don't want to live anymore!" After crying, she quickly got up and banged her head against the door frame.

Lu Yanping tried to pull Li Shi back, but Li Shi was extremely strong. Due to the momentum, her forehead still hit the door frame. Li Shi covered her head and fell to the ground groaning, still cursing under her breath.

Lu Lao Er had just returned from the fields when he saw Li Shi lying on the ground in a terrible state!

Lu Lao Er said impatiently to Li Shi, "You never know when to stop. What are you trying to do now?"

Li did not answer, but lay on the ground clutching her head, repeatedly crying out, "What a miserable life! What terrible things have I done!"

Lu Lao Er turned to Lu Yanping and asked, "Son, tell me, what happened?"

Lu Yanping suddenly felt a little aggrieved: "Father, Mother insisted that I get to know Master Huang's daughter and wanted me to marry her. I didn't want to, so Mother banged on the door."

Upon hearing this, Lu Lao Er fell silent. He only had one son, Lu Yanping, who was young and had been bewitched by Yang Meiqin. He knew all too well how alluring Yang Meiqin was.

This can't go on. It's also his wish for his son to marry someone better. Besides, she's Master Huang's daughter. Master Huang's private school is full of seven or eight-year-old children. There are no adults like Yanping. I heard that Master Huang's daughter is still unmarried. If his son gets to know her better, maybe he can help him find a good match.

Lu Lao Er patted Lu Yanping on the shoulder and said earnestly, "Son, your mother is doing this for your own good. Listen to her, you won't go wrong."

Li Shi perked up immediately and scrambled to her feet: "Look, your father said so too, so just listen to his advice this time. Your parents won't harm you."

Lu Yanping's face was extremely ugly, as if he had swallowed a fly.

Early the next morning, Li pulled Lu Yanping out of bed.

"Come on, Mother will take you to school!"

Lu Yanping pulled the blanket back up, lay down again, and said, "Mother, I don't want to go!"

"No, we have to go!"

And so, Lu Yanping was reluctantly pulled up by Madam Li and sent back to Master Huang's private school.

Master Huang's private school was located in his own courtyard, and all the students were young children just beginning their education.

When Lu Yanping was first sent here, he inquired everywhere about Master Huang's daughter; his original purpose was not to study.

Huang Qingqing was overjoyed to hear that a handsome young man of fifteen or sixteen had come to her father's private school and had been inquiring about her whereabouts ever since.

She's eighteen years old this year, and no one wants to marry her. Her father used his connections to introduce her to several families, but as soon as they saw her appearance, they all broke off the engagements.

Huang Qingqing glanced at Lu Yanping from afar; he was good-looking, with fair skin.

Huang Qingqing stepped forward, gazing at Lu Yanping with adoration, and bowed, saying, "This humble woman, Qingqing, greets Young Master Lu!"

When Lu Yanping saw Huang Qingqing, he wanted nothing more than to gouge out her eyes. He had said, "What kind of decent family's daughter can't get married by eighteen? She's practically a pig!"

Lu Yanping was disgusted and ran away.

...

When Li and Lu Lao Er dragged Lu Yanping to Master Huang's house, Lu Yanping felt like he had no will to live.

When Li saw Huang Qingqing, she suppressed her discomfort and praised her against her will: "Master Huang's daughter is indeed different. She knows how to behave and is a model of a virtuous wife."

The praise made Master Huang beam with joy, and Huang Qingqing was overjoyed.

Then Li said, "Master Huang, my son Yanping started his studies a little late, and I hope you will pay more attention to him." As she spoke, she placed the gifts she was holding on the table: "It's just a small token of my appreciation, please accept it."

“Alright, I will definitely take it to heart!” Master Huang said with a smile!

In the days that followed, Huang Qingqing would frequently bring Lu Yanping snacks and fruits. She would also often go to Lu Yanping's house to try and get closer to Li Shi.

She always felt that Lu Yanping would avoid her whenever he saw her. She was already eighteen years old and couldn't delay any longer. Lu Yanping's parents were very satisfied with her. They all said that marriage was arranged by parents and matchmakers, and if his parents were satisfied with her, Lu Yanping had no say in whether he wanted to or not.

...

That day, Lu Yanping seized the opportunity to sneak into Yang Meiqin's courtyard.

Yang Meiqin was admiring the jewelry given to her by Master Wang. Each piece was incredibly luxurious, and she couldn't bear to part with it.

She's now completely focused on Master Wang, and she's turned away every man from the village who comes to see him. She has no interest in these peasants now.

When Yang Meiqin saw Lu Yanping, she was stunned for a moment, then smiled and said, "Oh, what brings you here again?"

Lu Yanping hugged Yang Meiqin tightly, buried his head in her neck, and took a deep breath: "Did you miss me?"

Yang Meiqin smiled and pushed Lu Yanping away: "I heard that a girl came to your house and is eager to marry you?"

It would have been better if this hadn't been brought up, because mentioning it made Lu Yanping furious: "Don't mention that ugly freak!"

They say it's easy for a woman to pursue a man, but I think you'll be in trouble sooner or later...

Before Yang Meiqin could finish speaking, Lu Yanping covered her mouth with his, kissing her while his hand reached inappropriately towards her collar.

Just as the two were lost in passion, the door was kicked open with a bang.