Lu Yanzhao seemed even busier than Gu Nanjiao; the two had only met for a few days before parting ways again.
I heard there's a gathering of scholars in the prefectural city, and all the attendees are high-ranking officials and nobles. Lu Yanzhao is only a top scholar now, so it's not easy for him to refuse an invitation from such officials and nobles.
In the kitchen, Gu Nanjiao and Sister Wang were busy at work. Sister Wang couldn't help but ask, "Manager, Mr. Lu is always so busy, never around, always at this party or that party. Aren't you worried?"
"What's the use of worrying? It's not easy to refuse an invitation from a high-ranking official!"
"That's true, but I've heard that most of these gatherings of high-ranking officials are actually people bringing their daughters to find wealthy husbands. Master Lu is now a top scholar, handsome and promising, what if..."
"You'd better keep a close eye on him. If he gets snatched up by some girl, wouldn't you be doing all the work for someone else?"
Although Sister Wang loves to gossip and has a quick tongue, she genuinely cares about Gu Nanjiao. Master Lu is currently a top scholar in the provincial examinations, and might even become the top scholar in the imperial examinations. Girls outside are going all out to get close to him. If it were anyone else, they would definitely keep a close eye on such a husband. But Manager Gu is acting as if nothing's wrong.
Gu Nanjiao smiled faintly: "Men are like sand in your hand; the tighter you hold them, the faster they run away."
Sister Wang sighed helplessly: "Shopkeeper, don't think I'm being nosy, but I think a man is like a horse. You have to hold the reins firmly and keep him in check so he won't be attracted by other women."
Sister Wang's words were a metaphor for Lu Yanzhao being a horse, implying that Gu Nanjiao was keeping him firmly tethered so that he wouldn't run away and be blinded by other women.
As the head of Meiwuzhai, Sister Wang manages about a dozen people. Her current position is entirely thanks to Gu Nanjiao.
Lu Jieyuan will only rise higher in the future. If such a good husband is snatched away by someone else, Gu Nanjiao will be heartbroken in love. How can she still run Meiwuzhai well?
Both publicly and privately, Sister Wang is extremely worried.
Gu Nanjiao glanced at Sister Wang and said unhurriedly, "Instead of going to all the trouble of tying up this horse, we should use that time to plant a grassland. The horse won't need to be tied up; it will come running by itself."
"What if...the horse doesn't come?"
"If they don't want to come, they don't want to come. I already have grasslands at home, why would I be afraid of not being able to attract other horses?"
"Besides, can anyone else ride my horse?" Gu Nanjiao's tone became somewhat arrogant at the end.
Lu Yanzhao is cold and arrogant, not someone an ordinary person can handle. Even she doesn't dare say she can control him. He's a man with a white face but a black heart; you never know what he's thinking! What will he do next?
Sister Wang fell silent, then nodded, agreeing with Gu Nanjiao's point.
Just like her, now she's the manager of Meiwuzhai, earning money and carrying weight in her words. Her deadbeat husband clings to her tightly, and her wicked mother-in-law doesn't openly vent her anger on her.
She speaks and acts with great confidence.
As more customers arrived outside, Sister Wang busied herself greeting them.
Gu Nanjiao fell into deep thought. Lu Yanzhao was so outstanding; she couldn't believe that no other girls had their eyes on him. Just his face alone had attracted countless people's attention.
As a single, older woman with no dating experience, she didn't want to compete with a bunch of women for a man. However, she also knew that relationships require effort, and if she remained indifferent, the relationship might not last.
Or should she try acting like a girl in love?
But what should you do? Be cute and charming, or give him a light punch to the chest?
...
Three days later, Lu Yanzhao finally returned.
He changed into an exquisite white silk robe, and a jade hairpin adorned his hair. A gentle breeze stirred, causing his skirt to flutter. He occasionally waved a folding fan in his hand, looking quite flamboyant!
Gu Nan gave him a cold look and turned to leave.
Lu Yanzhao quickly chased after him: "What's wrong?"
"Why are you dressed so flashy just to go out? Are you afraid people won't know how ostentatious you are?"
Lu Yanzhao was taken aback for a moment, then suddenly laughed: "What's so flashy about it? You're clearly dressed as Chu Chen, elegant and proper. Are you jealous?"
Gu Nanjiao "..."
She wasn't jealous at all. The most important thing between couples is mutual trust, and being suspicious is a big no-no.
She just wanted to take the opportunity to cause trouble, but she didn't expect Lu Yanzhao to be so happy!
Gu Nanjiao said dryly, "No, I'm not jealous. I'm just worried that someone will ride my horse away."
Lu Yanzhao: "?"
Her horse?
Lu Yanzhao was very clever; after thinking for a while, he understood the meaning behind Gu Nanjiao's words.
She was just jealous, or maybe she overheard something someone said.
At the banquet, many high-ranking officials and nobles sent him beautiful maids, and many pretty girls offered him favors, but he refused them all. He only wanted the banquet to end quickly so he could go home and sleep with Gu Nanjiao.
However, Gu Nanjiao's jealousy now actually made him happy.
Seeing that Gu Nanjiao ignored him, Lu Yanzhao smiled, walked up to Gu Nanjiao, blocked her way, and bent down slightly.
Gu Nanjiao was caught off guard and fell onto his back. By the time she realized what was happening, Lu Yanzhao had already carried her on his back.
"What...what are you doing?"
"I'll let you ride me like a horse. Don't worry, I'll only let you ride me for the rest of my life."
Gu Nanjiao "..."
What do you mean by "only for her to ride"? That sounds a bit strange.
Passersby turned to look, and Gu Nanjiao struggled uncomfortably off Lu Yanzhao's back: "So many people are watching! What if people say we're being indecent? Put me down right now."
Lu Yanzhao squatted down, and Gu Nanjiao got off his back. She stood awkwardly to the side.
Lu Yanzhao smiled and took Gu Nanjiao's hand: "Then... holding hands is alright, isn't it?"
Gu Nanjiao wasn't being coy. It's normal for couples to hold hands in the street, even in ancient times, and it doesn't go too far beyond the bounds of propriety.
The two intertwined their fingers, as if trying to imprint each other's hearts. A smile involuntarily appeared on Lu Yanzhao's lips, attracting the attention of the girls on the roadside.
"Whose husband is this? He is so handsome and elegant, he is absolutely gorgeous."
"The young lady next to him is also quite pretty, with fair skin and a beautiful face. They are truly a perfect couple."
Listening to the chatter of passersby, Gu Nanjiao felt as if her heart was filled with honey, sweet and satisfied.
As they passed an old man selling candied hawthorns on the street, she gently shook Lu Yanzhao's arm: "I want some, will you buy some for me!"
As soon as Gu Nanjiao finished speaking, she got goosebumps all over her body.
Acting cute is definitely not her forte; she shouldn't use it anymore.
Lu Yanzhao, however, was quite pleased and gave Gu Nanjiao a doting look: "Okay, I'll buy it for you!"
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