The next day, Gao Mu went to the hall to receive orders as usual.
Although the young lady had told him and Qiuju that they wouldn't have to work for the first three days of their marriage, he still thought of Shuanzi's prank last night and decided to go check on the gatehouse.
Feeling refreshed, he walked toward the gatehouse.
"Where did Shuanzi go today?"
Gao Mu noticed that a different servant had taken over the gatekeeper's duties, so he looked around and asked.
The servant replied with a smile, "It was my turn to be on duty today, but Shuanzi caught a cold last night and asked me to ask for two days off for him."
"Hehe! You were quite energetic when you were making a ruckus last night."
Gao Mu was certain that the kid must have been drunk yesterday, and the alcohol emboldened him to eavesdrop. Now he was ashamed and avoiding him.
The servants in Gao Mubi's mansion were all older than him, so naturally they wouldn't argue with the younger ones.
He said to the servant, "I didn't mean to blame him. Just tell him to do what he's supposed to do."
"Hehe, thanks, Brother Gao. Actually, we didn't hear anything yesterday."
The servant was referring to the time before it got dark.
Gao Mu strode towards the kitchen with a beaming smile.
His wife was too ashamed to come out, so he could only deliver the food to the side courtyard.
As soon as Gao Mu returned to his room, the gatekeeper brought him a gift box.
"What are you doing? We don't accept gifts." Gao Mu refused to accept them.
Most of the wedding favors were provided by the young lady; they didn't accept any gifts from others.
Besides, it's unlucky to receive gifts on the second day after a wedding; the elders say that's unlucky.
The servant gave Gao Mu and Qiu Ju an awkward smile. "Brother Gao, Steward Qiu, please don't misunderstand. This isn't a gift from anyone. It's from the palace. They say it's a reward from the Empress Dowager to Steward Qiu."
Seeing the joyful atmosphere still in the room, the servant put down the gift box and ran away.
Why did the Empress Dowager bestow these gifts upon us?
Qiuju took the gift box and opened it; inside was a piece of brocade with scattered flowers.
"You can't refuse something bestowed by the Empress Dowager. This piece of cloth will make a beautiful spring dress for you, my lady." Gao Mu's gaze was fiery as he looked at Qiu Ju, making her face flush red.
Qiuju originally wanted to serve the young lady, but her husband was too strong and had been up all night, leaving her almost unable to get out of bed.
Qiuju rubbed her lower back and said, "I mean, this reward came out of nowhere. We servants are so grateful that the Empress Dowager would bestow gifts upon us just for getting married. We feel ashamed to accept such a gift."
"Perhaps the Empress Dowager knows that you have served the young master diligently. Don't overthink it, just accept it. When you have time, tell Miss that Miss will naturally convey our gratitude to the Empress Dowager."
As Gao Mu spoke, he put the gift box into the wardrobe, turned around and hugged his wife, saying gently, "You didn't sleep well last night. Go back to bed after dinner and take a nap. I'll call you for lunch."
Qiuju nodded shyly, "Yes, I'll take a day off."
“Okay, let’s take a day off during the day and continue tonight.” Gao Mu deliberately misinterpreted Qiu Ju’s meaning.
"you……"
"I mean, I'll do whatever I need to do tomorrow. If I really stay in the room for three days straight, those girls will laugh at me." Qiuju gave her husband a playful glare.
Seeing his wife's mixture of embarrassment and anxiety, Gao Mu suppressed a laugh and said, "Alright, alright, I'll listen to you, my wife. I'll go on duty tomorrow."
Gao Mu was unaware that Jiang Shuyue had just encountered someone from the palace when she went out, and it was she who had the gatekeeper deliver the gift box directly to the side courtyard.
As soon as Jiang Shuyue left the hospital, she saw Nangong Zeyue lift the carriage curtain and wave to her, "Yue Niang, are you going to the clinic or the restaurant today? I knew you wouldn't be alone today."
"How did you know I was going out, and alone?" Jiang Shuyue walked over with a smile.
“I asked Miss Mei’er, and she said that you gave Qiuju and her husband three days off. With your restless nature, it’s impossible for you to stay home for three days.”
Nangong Zeyue extended her hand as she spoke.
"No need, I can climb onto the carriage even without getting off the stool." Jiang Shuyue wasn't concerned about the difference between men and women, but rather that she was no longer a delicate person.
Drinking spiritual spring water every day, soaking in the hot spring in the space every two days, and practicing yoga for a while in the morning, my body is light and flexible, and my spirit is full.
Not to mention stepping onto the carriage from the dismounting stool, she could even ride a horse at full gallop.
Jiang Shuyue entered the carriage and sat opposite Nangong Zeyue.
Jiang Shuyue looked up and saw that Nangong Zeyue was a little different today than usual.
He wore a silver brocade robe with feather patterns embroidered on the collar and wide sleeves, and a jade belt that lightly tied around his waist, outlining his lean and powerful figure.
With his black hair tied up high, his eyebrows and eyes clear and bright, his smile as gentle as spring, and his demeanor as clear as a gentle breeze and bright as the moon, he was like a handsome young gentleman in a turbulent world.
It took Jiang Shuyue a moment to notice the difference. Today, Nangong Zeyue was more gentle and refined, and less unrestrained.
She asked with a smile, "Why are you dressed like this today?"
"Does Yue Niang like it? It is said that women dress up for those who appreciate them, but men can also win the favor of a beautiful woman."
As Nangong Zeyue spoke, she leaned her elbow against the small table in the carriage and even gave Jiang Shuyue a flirtatious wink, revealing her unrestrained nature.
Jiang Shuyue was amused by his appearance. She glared at Nangong Zeyue and said, "Stop teasing me. Did you remember anything after you went back last night?"
"Of course I thought about it. The Emperor rushed into the mansion in a hurry, and then left in a huff. Is there something wrong with him?"
Nangong Zeyue would never say that he was provoked by the Emperor last night.
He couldn't sleep all night after returning home, thinking a lot. It was too agonizing to keep his feelings hidden in his heart. He wanted to lure her into his arms, fly wing to wing with her, roam the world together, and become a pair of celestial lovers.
But then she remembered the look in Xiao Jingzhao's eyes when he looked at her, a mixture of jealousy and envy, or perhaps it was just her imagination.
It's baffling. Could he feel that he stole his son's mother and ordered her to be 'killed'?
"Stop being cheeky. I'm asking about the name you gave Aunt Du's shop. Who told you to go and figure out what's wrong with the Emperor? He brings Sui Sui to the palace every few days; this isn't the first time."
Nangong Zeyue sat up straight, raised her arms, and said with a grin, "Moon Lady, tell me first if my outfit looks good today, and then I'll tell you about naming the shop."
Jiang Shuyue exaggeratedly scanned him up and down twice, "Good-looking, dashing, quite marketable."
What is a market?
Nangong Zeyue's eyes lit up. Yueniang praised him! She finally looked at him like she would look at a man. It was good that he dressed up carefully today.
Jiang Shuyue lifted the carriage curtain, just as the carriage passed in front of the Nanfeng Pavilion.
She raised her chin. "Look there, Nanfeng Pavilion. If you go in, you'll be incredibly popular, even more so than the prettiest courtesan there. That's the market."
Nangong Zeyue glanced at Nanfeng Pavilion and felt a tightness in her chrysanthemum. She quickly pulled Jiang Shuyue's hand and lowered the carriage curtain.
"I am a true man, Moon Maiden, don't be mistaken. If you don't believe me, you can verify it..."
Before he could finish speaking, Jiang Shuyue glared at him and shut him up.
"Fine, I'll tell you, okay? Last night I thought of a few names: Women's Pavilion, Poppy, Pretty Girl, Moon Maiden. Do you think any of these are suitable?"
"They're all good. I'll write them down and let Aunt Du choose."
Before Jiang Shuyue could finish speaking, the carriage suddenly jolted, followed by the sound of a woman wailing.
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