The next day, Gu Nanjiao returned to the Gu family home. Today, Gu's father was on leave.

Arriving at the Mute Alley, the door was still locked. Gu Nanjiao knew without a doubt that her father had gone to find Lü Siniang. The two were currently in the throes of passionate love, wanting nothing more than to be together.

As expected, Gu's father was in Jiaoniang Pavilion, quietly instructing Wenzhang and Zhang Xiaohu. Liu Shi and Lü Siniang were extremely busy, their feet barely touching the ground, forming a stark contrast with the three of them.

Upon seeing Gu Nanjiao, Gu's father was stunned: "Jiaojiao, what brings you here?"

Gu Nanjiao teased, "Dad, I missed you! I went to Dumb Alley, but you weren't there. I've come twice in vain. It turns out Dad is stuck in a love nest!"

"Get out of here! How dare you make fun of your father!"

"You never come to my door without a reason, you've gotten married and forgotten all about your father. Now that you remember me, I bet you have something on your mind," Father Gu said reproachfully.

Gu Nanjiao felt a little guilty: "Dad, I was wrong!" She was afraid that her father would recognize that she was not the original and dared not face him. After several encounters, she found that her father attributed her many differences to the fact that she had gotten married and was different.

Sure enough, men aren't that perceptive!

Does this mean that no one will discover she is not the original owner of the body, and from now on she can rest easy?

Gu Nanjiao helped out at Jiaoniang Pavilion for a while, and around noon, she went to the small kitchen to cook a few dishes.

Jiaoniang Pavilion originally did not have a small kitchen, but Liu Shi did not like to buy food outside, so she set up a separate room.

The small kitchen wasn't big, but it was very clean and had all the ingredients. Gu Nanjiao noticed there was even a pineapple in the kitchen basket. Thinking of Wen Zhang and Zhang Xiaohu, Gu Nanjiao decided to make sweet and sour pork with pineapple. A sweet and sour dish would definitely be popular with children; it would be appetizing and refreshing.

First, cut the pork tenderloin into thick slices and pound it to make it more tender, so that it will be crispy and tender when fried later. Then marinate the meat with salt, soy sauce, cooking wine, and an egg. Since only sweet potato starch was available in ancient times, Gu Nanjiao used it instead of cornstarch. She repeatedly kneaded and marinated the meat to ensure that each piece of meat was evenly coated with starch.

Gu Nanjiao didn't know how to start a fire, so she called Liu Shi for help! With Liu Shi helping out, things were indeed much more convenient.

When the oil temperature reaches 50-60% of its maximum heat, carefully add the diced meat one by one and fry until golden brown. Then remove the meat. When the oil temperature reaches its maximum, return the diced meat to the oil for a second fry.

Gu Nanjiao looked around and asked Liu Shi, "Sister-in-law Meihua, do you have a large spoon? I'm going to make a small sauce."

"Yes, I'll get it for you!" Liu said, taking a large iron ladle from a wooden bucket beside her.

Gu Nanjiao was taken aback. Liu Shi smiled sheepishly and said, "The water ladle broke a few days ago, so we're using a large spoon as a temporary substitute."

As she spoke, Liu looked curiously at the sliced ​​pineapple: "Can pineapple be used in stir-fries?"

Fruit pineapple? Gu Nanjiao thought of the ancient name for pineapple, which was a rare and exotic fruit.

"Yes, Sister Meihua, it will taste better when it's ready!" Gu Nanjiao said without stopping her hands, putting a small spoonful of white sugar, a spoonful of white vinegar, and a spoonful of flavor-enhancing soy sauce into a large spoon. The tomato sauce was freshly made, dissolved with cornstarch and mixed with a small bowl of water.

"Sister-in-law Meihua, put some firewood in the pot, I'm going to start stir-frying."

"Okay," Liu replied and began adding firewood.

Once the oil is hot, add the pineapple and stir-fry continuously. Then pour in the prepared sauce and stir-fry until thickened. Finally, add the fried diced meat and the prepared bell peppers. Done!

Looking at the sweet and sour pork with pineapple on the plate, Mrs. Liu exclaimed, "Oh my, I never thought that pineapple could actually be used in cooking! Look at the colors, the reds and yellows. It looks so tempting!"

"Sister-in-law Meihua, please take the dishes over to Wenzhang and Xiaohu first! These were made especially for them."

"Okay, sure!" Liu happily took it away.

While the fire in the pot was still burning, Gu Nanjiao stir-fried Kung Pao Chicken, home-style tofu, stir-fried eggplant, green peppers, and potatoes, and made a cold chicken breast salad. The steamed buns, the staple food, had been prepared in advance by Liu Shi; they just needed to be heated up when eating.

Mr. Gu stared incredulously at the table laden with dishes: "Daughter, did you make all of this?"

Mr. Gu could hardly believe that his daughter could cook so many dishes, each one looking and smelling delicious; just looking at them made his mouth water. She was the type who would never lift a finger to pick up a fallen oil bottle, let alone do any housework, much less cook. The father and daughter either ate out or went to the academy to freeload.

Gu Nanjiao felt a pang of guilt, her eyes flickering as she said, "Yes!"

Mr. Gu couldn't help but give a thumbs up and praise, "My daughter is so different after she got married. Your in-laws have done a great job raising her."

Forehead!

Since her father had said so, Gu Nanjiao had no choice but to go along with it and say, "Yes, Father, my mother-in-law taught me a lot of things I didn't understand, just like my own mother! She took good care of me."

Gu's father sighed, "You grew up without a mother, and I, a grown man, didn't know how to raise you. Fortunately, your mother-in-law is a good person." Gu Qingyan's expression darkened when he mentioned Gu Nanjiao's biological mother.

Gu Nanjiao was filled with doubt; she had no idea whether her mother was dead or had run away. Her father had never mentioned her mother before, and this was the first time he had brought her up in conversation.

Gu Nanjiao felt it was inappropriate to mention her mother in front of Lü Siniang, so she quickly laughed it off and said, "Father, quickly call Auntie Si to come eat! Otherwise the food will get cold!"

Father Gu steadied himself and smiled, "Alright!"

On the way back, Gu Nanjiao couldn't help but ask her father, "Dad, my mother..." She was really curious whether the original owner's mother was really dead, or if she had run away with someone else.

Father Gu did not answer, but changed the subject: "What brings you here to see me today? It's not just because you miss me, is it?"

Gu Nanjiao was taken aback. Her father, with his keen eyesight, immediately guessed the purpose of her trip.

Gu Nanjiao smiled and said, "Father, I just want to ask, how close are you to the county magistrate from that day?"

Father Gu proudly raised his chin: "Of course it's iron. Back then, we were classmates and went to the capital to take the imperial examination together. If it weren't for... your father, I wouldn't have failed the exam either."

"Fortunately, your father has regained his confidence in the imperial examinations. Once I pass, I'll propose marriage to your Aunt Lü. What do you think?"

Gu Nanjiao nodded and said, "It's a good thing that Father can take up the imperial examination again. I am very grateful to Fourth Aunt for being able to accompany you for the rest of your life. I think Father can propose to her now. I believe Fourth Aunt will not care about fame and fortune."

Father Gu waved his hand: "No, no, your father is just a poor scholar now, how can he be worthy of her! I will definitely propose to her formally after I pass the imperial examination."

Gu Nanjiao couldn't help but give a thumbs up: "Dad, you have ambition!"

Mr. Gu was flattered by his daughter's praise: "That's right!"

Gu Nanjiao frowned: "Father, I want to buy a mountain. Yanzhao said that I need someone in the government office to do it. Father, could you help me and ask your friend, the county magistrate, to put in a good word for me?"

"What?"

"You want to buy the mountain?"