She planned to wash up, go downstairs for breakfast, then check out of the hotel, take one last stroll, and go home.
As soon as I opened the door, I saw Lu Yanzhao standing there with two panda eyes, holding a tray with a bowl of porridge and a few steamed buns on it.
"You're up, have some breakfast." Lu Yanzhao's tone was natural, without any of the awkwardness from last night. He hadn't slept a wink last night, tossing and turning, feeling uneasy and empty inside.
Gu Nanjiao felt that Lu Yanzhao was acting strangely; why was he suddenly standing at the door, so attentive in bringing her breakfast?
Could it be that he realized how excessive his actions were and how hurtful his words were, and wanted me to give him a way out?
"Hurry up and eat breakfast. After we eat, we'll go back early. We didn't come home all night yesterday, and Mother must be worried." Lu Yanzhao put the tray on the table and glanced at Gu Nanjiao's.
So it turns out she was impatient with his slow pace and was urging him to eat breakfast.
Gu Nanjiao didn't really want to talk to Lu Yanzhao anymore. Since he had brought her breakfast, she didn't need to be coy. She sat down and sipped her porridge.
"You guys go back first, I'll wander around the county town a bit more."
"No way." Lu Yanzhao refused without even thinking.
Gu Nanjiao almost laughed out of anger: "Why not? In broad daylight, how could I, a living person, possibly get lost?"
Lu Yanzhao frowned: "You're not familiar with the county town yet. What if you get lost?"
"We weren't familiar with each other yesterday, but we are today. Don't worry, I'll be coming to the county town many more times in the future. You and your classmates should go back first."
Gu Nanjiao finished her breakfast, but Lu Yanzhao was still standing there without moving.
Why aren't you leaving yet?
A hint of unease flashed across Lu Yanzhao's face: "I'll go shopping with you."
Gu Nanjiao paid the bill, checked out of the inn, and planned to leave to explore.
"You two are planning to abandon me and enjoy your own happiness." Lin Ji looked at the two of them with resentment, feeling that attending the poetry gathering yesterday was a mistake.
“If you don’t mind the trouble, the three of us can shop together,” Gu Nanjiao replied.
Lu Yanzhao looked up at Lin Ji with a strong warning in his eyes. Lin Ji was startled and said, "I have something to do at home, so I'll go back first. You two can go sightseeing." After saying that, he left the scene as if he were escaping.
Gu Nanjiao shopped around most of the county town, buying quite a few things, while Lu Yanzhao followed behind, carrying large bags and small packages. He was starting to regret it; he should have known better than to come with her. He was just free labor.
The two of them waited outside the county town gate for the oxcart early in the morning, afraid of missing it.
The county town is about five or six miles away from Hama Village. There are oxcarts that specialize in taking passengers, and it costs ten coins per person.
After waiting for a while, the oxcart arrived, carrying five or six women. Gu Nanjiao recognized one of them; it was Yang Meiqin.
Whenever there was an oxcart carrying passengers to the county town, Yang Meiqin was always among them, either buying rouge and face powder or some fancy clothes.
"Wow, you bought so much stuff." The speaker was a woman around forty years old, whom Gu Nanjiao didn't recognize; she was probably from a neighboring village.
"Mm." Gu Nanjiao replied politely, even though she didn't know her.
Yang Meiqin gave Gu Nanjiao a cold look and didn't say anything. Normally, she would have stepped forward to mock her, but not today?
She stole a glance at Lu Yanzhao. He was truly handsome and well-read. She longed for a man like him her whole life, but she could never forget that cold, disgusted, and contemptuous look in his eyes.
So what if Yang Meiqin can't have him? Gu Nanjiao still can't have his heart either.
Yang Meiqin tucked her hair behind her ear, flashed what she thought was her most charming smile, and greeted Lu Yanzhao. Lu Yanzhao completely ignored her, as if he hadn't seen her at all. Feeling awkward and embarrassed, Yang Meiqin turned her face away and remained silent.
This scene was witnessed by several women on the bus. The older woman who had spoken to Gu Nanjiao earlier leaned closer to Gu Nanjiao and whispered, "You'd better keep a close eye on your husband. Don't let him be seduced by some lewd vixens."
Gu Nanjiao couldn't help but laugh when she heard this. She nudged Lu Yanzhao with her elbow and said, "My husband would never do that. He's completely devoted to me, wouldn't you say so, husband?"
Upon hearing the word "husband," Lu Yanzhao felt a ripple in his heart for some reason, and his ears turned slightly red. He cooperated by saying in a voice tinged with affection, "My wife is right."
Yang Meiqin's eyes stung from the sight, and her heart ached uncontrollably.
Gu Nanjiao finally understood why Yang Meiqin was always targeting her; it turned out that she had her eye on Lu Yanzhao.
Everyone says they laugh at poverty but not prostitution, but Gu Nanjiao truly looked down on Yang Meiqin. She never looked at herself in the mirror; a mere prostitute, yet she constantly mocked her. Even if the original owner of this body did something terrible, she was still a virgin, the daughter of a scholar.
Gu Nanjiao was quite satisfied with Lu Yanzhao's cooperation. When she got home, she cooked several of her signature dishes, firstly to thank Lu Yanzhao for taking her to the poetry gathering, and secondly to thank him for his cooperation in not embarrassing her in front of outsiders.
Lu Yanzhao was engrossed in reading when he looked up at the window and saw Lu Xiaomei looking at him with a half-smile.
"Brother, your wife has prepared dinner and asked me to call you for dinner."
"Oh, so fast." Lu Yanzhao was in a good mood, and the corners of his mouth turned up.
"Yes, it's all your favorite food." Lu Xiaomei felt that her brother was a little different. Before, he would always have a cold face when he mentioned his sister-in-law, but now? He couldn't hide the smile on his lips.
For dinner, Gu Nanjiao made sweet and sour lotus root slices, sweet and sour pork tenderloin, spicy beef, stir-fried pork liver, and pork tripe soup—it was an incredibly lavish meal.
Lu Yanzhao was very satisfied with his meal.
Tomorrow is the eighth day of the Lunar New Year, and Lu's mother plans to set up her stall tomorrow. Luozhuang Town is not as bustling as the county seat, and most shops and stalls choose to open on the eighth day of the Lunar New Year, as it is an auspicious day, symbolizing prosperity.
The kudzu root powder is almost dried. Tomorrow I'll go to Jiaoniang Pavilion for a visit, and then go to Baiji Pharmacy.
Lu Yanzhao picked up a book and began to read it intently, though he was somewhat distracted. He was thinking about Gu Nanjiao's writing set. Logically speaking, he was her husband, and she had no use for the writing set, so why not do her a favor and give it to her?
Gu Nanjiao originally planned to give the calligraphy set she won to Lu Yanzhao, but then she thought that he was unhappy because he didn't get first place. If she gave him the calligraphy set, it would definitely hurt his pride, and he might even think that Gu Nanjiao was deliberately humiliating him.
Never mind, scholars are just too proud.
When I go to town tomorrow, I'll take some time to visit my father and give him the Four Treasures of the Study. I'm sure he'll be very happy.
Gu Nanjiao was busy planning for the next day, completely unaware of what Lu Yanzhao was thinking.
The next day, Lu's mother and Gu Nanjiao got up very early, and Lu's younger sister also busied herself with chores. Only Lu Yanzhao looked at Gu Nanjiao with a resentful expression.
"Why are you wearing such a long face so early in the morning? It's bad luck."
Gu Nanjiao and Lu's mother agreed that on the first day of business, they should be all smiles and say many words of blessing so that the business would prosper in the new year.
Business wasn't good on the day I set up my stall. Many people were tired of eating meat and fish after the New Year, so they didn't want to eat meat dishes anymore. At noon, most of the dishes were left over.
After finishing her business at the stall, Gu Nanjiao went to Jiaoniang Pavilion. As soon as she entered, she saw Lü Siniang looking listless with droopy eyelids.
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