Lu Yanzhao went out early in the morning, saying that a friend had invited him to celebrate his passing the imperial examination with top honors.
After finishing her business at Meiweizhai, Gu Nanjiao went to Jiaoniang Pavilion and happened to run into Huang Qingqing there.
Huang Qingqing has changed a lot in just a few months.
Her light green dress accentuated her slender figure and fair skin. Her chubby cheeks and two shallow dimples when she smiled made her look playful and cute.
Gu Nanjiao looked Huang Qingqing up and down, and couldn't help but tease, "It's been so long, you've changed so much, I almost didn't recognize you. At first, I was wondering whose young lady was so beautiful, but it turns out it's you!"
Huang Qingqing smiled a little shyly: "Jiaojiao, I heard you went to Beijing recently? How was it? Was it fun?"
"It's fun, much more prosperous than our county town. If you go, you'll be amazed. Also! The hairpins there are all gorgeous and exquisite. I heard your hairpin-making skills are quite good now. Have you considered developing your career in the capital?"
Gu Nanjiao heard that Huang Qingqing's hairpin-making skills were honed under a master and were now even more refined. She thought, why not bring Huang Qingqing to the capital? With all the clothes and accessories in Jiaoniang Pavilion, she would soon become famous throughout the capital.
The two chatted like long-lost friends, and Huang Qingqing finally felt a longing to visit the bustling capital city.
Before leaving, Huang Qingqing gave each person a hairpin. Cuihong Juzi was delighted with it, while Lü Siniang received an exquisitely carved headdress. Huang Qingqing presented it to congratulate Siniang on her marriage.
On the way, Gu Nanjiao bought some gifts and prepared to visit the Baicai Gang to thank them for sending Lu Yanzhao to the capital to take the imperial examination, and to thank them for protecting Meiwuzhai while Gu Nanjiao was away.
The sounds of drinking and finger-guessing games rose and fell among the cabbage leaves.
Zhang Ergou laughed heartily as he approached Lu Yanzhao with his wine glass in hand: "Brother Zhao, congratulations on passing the imperial examination with top honors! When you enter the capital, don't forget to help out your brothers!"
"Brothers, you have all been kind to me, and I am deeply grateful. How could I forget your kindness? I'll drink this cup first as a sign of respect!" His clear voice, tinged with a slight buzz, seemed somewhat out of place among the group of loud, boisterous voices.
"Hahaha, Brother Zhao, you're so generous! I, Hu Zi, toast you!" Zhang Hu was hearty and drank directly from his large bowl, clinking it against Lu Yanzhao's small wine cup with a loud thud, splashing wine everywhere.
As soon as Gu Nanjiao stepped into the gate of the Cabbage Gang, she heard a group of burly men laughing loudly and playing drinking games.
She paused, realizing she had come at the wrong time.
At this moment, Zhang Ergou spoke up: "Brother Zhao... Brother Zhao, the winery business is booming, but I feel bad about having to make money off my sister-in-law while we're working together!"
Lu Yanzhao gripped the wine glass in his hand, pursed his lips, and said, "If we don't earn it, she might become suspicious."
Zhang Hu said in a gruff voice, "Brother Zhao, although we are from the lowest class, associating with someone of your status might lower your standing. Perhaps we should reduce our contact in the future!"
Lu Yanzhao frowned: "What are you saying? My brothers and I have a bond that transcends life and death. I was humiliated back then, and if it weren't for you brothers, I wouldn't be Lu Yanzhao today. I will always remember your kindness and never forget it." After saying that, he drank the wine in his glass in one gulp.
Zhang Hu sighed: "I'm afraid my sister-in-law will be unhappy if she finds out that you're associating with people like us!"
Lu Yanzhao fell silent, somewhat annoyed, and poured himself another full glass of wine, then downed it in one gulp.
Zhang Ergou chuckled lewdly, "Hehe, in my opinion, your wife isn't that kind of person. She's fair-skinned, beautiful, and has long legs. She seems kind, understanding, and reasonable. Besides, if she's unhappy, just throw her on the bed and teach her a lesson. Make her unable to get out of bed for three days and three nights. Hehehe, she'll definitely listen to you. Why would you be afraid of her?"
Zhang Hu scolded Zhang Ergou: "You talk too much. How dare you make fun of Zhao Di's wife?"
Zhang Ergou glanced at Lu Yanzhao sheepishly and remained silent.
Gu Nanjiao, who was about to leave, suddenly heard Lu Yanzhao's name and became suspicious. Her feet moved uncontrollably and she walked up to them.
"Lu Yanzhao?"
A sweet voice rang out, and the noisy environment suddenly fell silent. Zhang Ergou, holding his wine glass, froze on the spot, muttering incredulously, "Zhao...Zhao...Sister-in-law Zhao is here!"
Gu Nanjiao was jolted awake by the address "Sister-in-law Zhao," and finally understood why Zhang Ergou had called her "sister-in-law" before.
So it turns out Lu Yanzhao has this group of cronies. I never would have guessed. The refined and ethereal Lu Yanzhao is so down-to-earth, drinking and playing drinking games with a bunch of thugs and gangsters.
Lu Yanzhao froze, gripping his wine glass tightly until his palms were sweaty, before turning around and standing up. He calmly smiled slightly at Gu Nanjiao and said, "My wife, you've come!"
"Yes." Gu Nanjiao waved the gift in her hand and smiled, "I've come to thank the head and second-in-command of the Cabbage Gang for protecting Meiwuzhai for me while I was in the capital, and for providing thugs to escort my husband to the capital for the imperial examinations free of charge."
Gu Nanjiao's tone was completely normal, without any sarcasm, but Lu Yanzhao became increasingly nervous.
Zhang Ergou and Zhang Hu exchanged glances. Zhang Hu reacted quickly and took the gift from Gu Nanjiao's hand: "Manager Gu is too kind, haha. Well, we have a business relationship with Manager Gu. Since you are a woman, it's not appropriate for us to invite you to a drinking party, so we had to invite your husband instead. You don't mind, do you?"
"I don't mind!" Gu Nanjiao said calmly, her tone revealing no dissatisfaction.
Everyone was puzzled. Manager Gu seemed shrewd, but was he really so easily fooled?
...
Gu Nanjiao walked in front, with Lu Yanzhao following closely behind.
Gu Nanjiao and Lu Yanzhao remained silent the entire way. As they neared their house, to ease the awkwardness, Gu Nanjiao coughed twice: "Um… you and Bai Caibang…"
Lu Yanzhao glanced at Gu Nanjiao, suppressed his unease, and answered truthfully: "After my father passed away, I took on the responsibility of my widowed mother and younger sister. At that time, I was young, and I couldn't hunt anything in the mountains with the villagers. Helpless, I could only copy books in the study. I accidentally copied a book on brewing, and I learned to brew wine according to the instructions in it. Later, I sold the wine in the county town and was ambushed and beaten at the entrance of an alley. It was Zhang Hu and Er Gou who saved me. We became acquainted after that, so... the rest is what you saw."
Gu Nanjiao nodded and said, "So, the winery that collaborates with Meiwuzhai is actually owned by you?"
Unexpectedly, Lu Yanzhao had such a little-known experience. However, he is also an inspirational young man who took on the responsibility of his widowed mother and younger sister from a young age. He was able to work hard without neglecting his studies and still earn money to support his family. To be honest, Gu Nanjiao admired him a little.
"No!" Lu Yanzhao stepped forward, took Gu Nanjiao's hand and held it tightly. Seeing that she did not break free, he was delighted: "They have helped me many times. Tiger and Dog are not like ordinary thugs who do all kinds of evil. They are very loyal. I thought that relying on protection money was not a long-term solution, so I came up with the idea of letting them open a security escort agency and a winery to guide them onto the right path."
"And the distillery, I only took a small cut!"
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