It was too much to ask of him. To avoid making people feel awkward around him, he simply stayed indoors.
Fortunately, Yin Jiuchen will be leaving in two days.
He no longer needs to hide from everyone here.
The vegetables were almost all picked, and Gu Lili couldn't offer much help, so she decided to go check on the neighbor's yard.
It's a good time to invite Lao Zhou and the others over for dinner.
Gu Lili first glanced at her eyes before going to call Lao Zhou and the others.
More and more crystals are forming around the pot; I wonder how much salt can be extracted from these ten buckets of brine.
When the time comes, let Yin Jiuchen take him to the capital to meet the Emperor.
At that time, salt fields can be built on the other side of the mountain, so there will be no need to use fire for refining.
With the help of this sunlight, coarse salt can be produced by drying.
After checking the salt water, Gu Lili walked towards the house where Lao Zhou and the others lived.
It must have been Old Zhou who revealed his identity to the group. The three grand-disciples of Gu Lili looked noticeably restrained.
When Ah Jin sees Gu Lili, he always greets her warmly as "Grandma." Now, the three of them are in a state of awkwardness, unsure whether to stand or sit.
Gu Lili felt somewhat helpless. Did she have to hide in her room and avoid everyone, just like Yin Jiuchen?
"Why didn't you three grand-disciples greet me properly today?" Gu Lili said jokingly.
Gu Lili really disliked this kind of atmosphere.
Upon hearing this, the three men hurriedly cupped their hands and said, "Greetings, Madam."
They really didn't expect that their master's master was actually the Princess of Yongning County.
Seeing that the group was still nervous, Gu Lili continued, "Treat me the same way you treated me before, and don't be so reserved. It's uncomfortable for everyone. Let's go, the food will be ready soon, let's go eat."
After saying that, Gu Lili took the lead and left.
Old Zhou patted his young apprentice's head gently and said with a smile, "Did you hear that? Your housewife said so, so just do as she says. Come on, let's go eat!"
After pondering for a whole afternoon, Lao Zhou finally understood.
Gu Lili is my master, what's there to be afraid of?
In the future, when I return to Jiangdu, if my old friends find out that I am the county magistrate's apprentice, I don't know how proud they will be.
Being afraid of everything will only make you worse at doing things.
The three apprentices nodded repeatedly after hearing what their master said and followed Old Zhou to the next courtyard.
When Gu Lili returned, Gu Yanyu, Li Qimu, Han Mingyue, and Lin Xiyao, who had just finished their studies, also returned.
Upon seeing Gu Lili return, Lin Xiyao stepped forward first and took Gu Lili's hand.
"Lili, where did you go just now!" Lin Xiyao asked, pouting.
Lin Xiyao felt sleepy every day while attending classes at the school.
If it weren't for someone, she definitely wouldn't have been able to sit still.
After a long and agonizing morning, I was just waiting for school to end so I could finally play with Gu Lili.
Gu Lili took Lin Xiyao's hand and briefly told Lin Xiyao what had just happened.
"Oh, right, I brought gifts for you all. Come on, Yan Yu, come with me to get them. Before Grandma's food is ready, I'll give you a portion," Gu Lili said with a smile.
Everyone was very happy to hear that there would be gifts.
Only Han Mingyue looked somewhat forlorn.
Previously, he had also mocked Yin Jiuchen for his unclear identity.
Now that he knows Yin Jiuchen is the Crown Prince, he has a clear understanding of the situation.
She can no longer compete with Yin Jiuchen for Gu Lili.
He is currently just a student in the imperial examinations, but he will surely pass the exams with flying colors in the future.
In front of Yin Jiuchen, they were still not worth mentioning.
Lin Xiyao said with a smile, "I'll go move too, Cuizhu, you come too!"
Soon, the group moved out the things that Gu Lili had brought back.
Boxes and bundles of all sizes were piled up like a small mountain in the courtyard.
Looking out the window, Yin Jiuchen was puzzled. He had personally watched these things being loaded onto the carriage.
It seems like there are even more than before.
Seeing that everyone was in high spirits, Yin Jiuchen wisely stood by the window.
I didn't go out, afraid of affecting everyone's mood.
However, when his gaze fell on Han Mingyue, Yin Jiuchen's eyes sharpened.
Now that he knows his identity, this kid still clings to Gu Lili when he looks at her.
I really want to gouge his eyes out!
It seems that after I return to the capital, I will have to leave someone behind to keep an eye on Han Mingyue.
If anyone dares to get close to Gu Lili while I'm not around, they'll be in for a beating!
Just then, I saw Gu Lili smiling as she distributed the gifts she had chosen from Jiangdu.
Zuo Xiuhong and Old Man Li, who were still in the kitchen watching the cooking, also came out as if nothing had happened.
Everyone was curious about what Gu Lili had brought back from Jiangdu.
Gu Lili smiled and took out the mother-of-pearl inlaid bracelets and wooden hairpins that she had bought for the women in her family.
The women in the family, including the three embroiderers and the apprentices, were all involved.
Huang Ying and Xiu Niang were somewhat incredulous; they hadn't expected Gu Lili to bring them gifts.
Several people couldn't help but tear up.
Seeing this, Gu Lili smiled and called out, "Don't just stand there! Each of you can choose one of these items. Come and choose!"
As Gu Lili spoke, she took out several items that she had carefully selected.
They were left for their families.
"Aunt, come and see, do you like this mimosa flower hairpin?"
As Gu Lili spoke, she handed the hairpin to Zuo Xiuhong.
Zuo Xiuhong took it and nodded repeatedly, her smile so wide she couldn't stop.
Gu Lili left a comb for Old Madam Li, and three bracelets for Gu Chenxi, Lin Xiyao, and Gu Huanhuan.
Old Li's pipe was the same as the village head's.
The only difference is that Old Man Li's is inlaid with pine trees.
"Lili, this is for me!" Old Man Li said with a big smile.
I've been using this pipe for decades, and I've never been willing to replace it.
It's already so dark and unsightly.
I was just thinking that when I went to Jiangdu, I should go to Donghai Town to get a new one, so as not to embarrass Li Ershu when I went to the Liu family.
Unexpectedly, Gu Lili gave him a golf club.
It was like finding a perfect pillow when you're sleepy.
Gu Lili nodded and smiled, "Yes, Grandpa, you should try it and see if it works."
Old Li took the pipe and couldn't wait to squat down to the side, ready to give it a try.
This scene was witnessed by Grandma Li, who had just finished cooking. She glared at Grandpa Li with annoyance.
"Shameless old woman," Old Mrs. Li muttered under her breath.
Old Li heard this but didn't care at all; on the contrary, his face became even happier.
He squatted down, placed the rolled tobacco leaves on the pipe, and started puffing away.
While smoking, he praised Gu Lili, saying, "As expected of my granddaughter who personally chose it, it suits my taste perfectly."
Seeing Old Man Li's childlike appearance made everyone present burst into laughter.
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