The man scratched his head in confusion: "No way, my wife works at the Jiaoniang Pavilion. I know the manager of the Jiaoniang Pavilion. She always wears a veil, but this rich young man's eyes and the way he walks can't be hidden at all. Could it be that I'm seeing things?"
"Tch, you're just seeing things."
Gu Nanjiao admired this person's sharp eyes; even dressed up like this, he could still recognize her.
She was always very confident in her makeup skills. Even Gu Nanjiao herself couldn't recognize her original appearance, and she was quite pleased with her transformed self.
It's amazing that someone still remembers her after she's been away from Jiaoniang Pavilion for so long.
"Back then, Jiaoniang Pavilion was all the rage, but unexpectedly, the manager suddenly left, leaving Young Master Bai and Manager Yun to help guard the shop."
"Yes, yes! With the New Year approaching, we couldn't find Manager Gu to design a new outfit, which really worried Manager Yun and Young Master Bai."
Passersby were gossiping. One woman nudged the woman next to her with her elbow and said mysteriously, "Don't you think this young master Bai and that shopkeeper Gu are having an affair?"
Another woman looked confused: "I don't think so."
"Think about it, who would help watch a shop for months on end? I don't believe there's nothing between the two of them."
Upon hearing this, Lu Yanzhao's eyes flickered: "Is Bai Luochen still in the capital?"
Gu Nanjiao "..."
Since they entered the capital together last year, Bai Luochen has stayed here and has never left.
When Gu Nanjiao and Lü Siniang returned to their hometown, they were really worried about Jiaoniang Pavilion, which had an unstable foundation, so they called Manager Yun to take charge.
The manager of Yunshang Pavilion was the brother-in-law of Bai Luochen's cousin-in-law. The two were relatives, so they summoned Bai Luochen.
Bai Luochen readily agreed to help Gu Nanjiao look after the shop, saying that as business partners, it was only natural to help each other.
Gu Nanjiao didn't know anyone there. With Bai Luochen watching over her at Jiaoniang Pavilion and Manager Yun's help, she and Lü Siniang were able to return to their hometown with peace of mind.
Gu Nanjiao continued walking forward without stopping, as if nothing had happened: "We are business partners. He insisted on helping to look after the shop, and I couldn't refuse. After all, he's an acquaintance. With him in charge of the shop, I can feel at ease going back to my hometown to find you!"
Upon hearing this, Lu Yanzhao's expression softened, but he still asked the question he wanted to ask: "They said you two have... have..." The words "have an affair" were too difficult to utter.
"These people are really something, spreading rumors like this. But now it's all good. If they knew I had such a handsome husband, they would definitely put an end to these gossips."
Lu Yanzhao smiled, clearly in a good mood: "That's good. Why don't we go for a stroll at Jiaoniang Pavilion?"
By the way, let those in the shop who lack discernment see what Manager Gu's husband looks like.
Lu Yanzhao looked at Gu Nanjiao beside him, a tenderness appearing in his eyes. He took her hand and said, "Let's go!"
Passersby covered their eyes, exclaiming, "Oh dear, two grown men holding hands! The world is going to the dogs, this is truly indecent!"
The two walked and stopped, and came to a small stall. Gu Nanjiao stopped, picked up a rabbit mask and held it up to her face a couple of times: "Let's just buy a rabbit mask and wear it! So that people won't say we're being indecent."
Lu Yanzhao curled his lips: "If you tell me my identity, naturally no one will gossip about us."
Gu Nanjiao put down the rabbit mask and was attracted by a delicate bracelet next to her. She picked it up and said, "I can buy this to give to Yingniang."
Gu Nanjiao picked out three or four items: "This one is for Mother, this one is for Huang Qingqing, this one is for Lü Siniang. And this sandalwood prayer bead is for my father."
Seeing that he was being ignored, Lu Yanzhao frowned: "Gu Nanjiao, did you hear what I said?"
"I heard that, I heard that! What do you think of this little silver lock? I heard Yingniang is pregnant. How about giving it to her child as a gift?"
Lu Yanzhao "..."
Women shouldn't go shopping. Once they start, they'll forget about you and only think about buying things.
...
As soon as the two stepped into Jiaoniang Pavilion, the female staff and customers all looked over.
Their eyes were glued to Lu Yanzhao like hungry wolves.
"Oh my, when did such a handsome young man arrive in the capital? Look at his fair and delicate skin."
"Tsk tsk tsk, I've never seen such a good-looking person before. My heart is pounding."
"I wish he were my husband. Just thinking about holding him in my arms every day makes me feel so happy."
Gu Nanjiao's expression darkened slightly, and she pulled Lu Yanzhao into the inner room.
Lu Siniang had been busy at Jiaoniang Pavilion since early morning. When she saw Gu Nanjiao, she stopped fiddling with the abacus and said, "You're back."
Gu Nanjiao nodded lightly, continuing to pull Lu Yanzhao along.
Lu Siniang asked Huang Qingqing in confusion, "What's wrong with her? Why does she smell so sour?"
Huang Qingqing shrugged, indicating that she didn't know either.
She's a single woman now, so how could she understand the subtle emotions between couples?
Inside the room, Gu Nanjiao looked Lu Yanzhao up and down, and then seriously scolded him, "I'm telling you... can you please not dress so flashy when you go out in the future? It's like you're afraid of not attracting attention. We are students who have studied hard for many years. With your flirtatious appearance, how can you be considered a student who has studied hard for many years?"
Lu Yanzhao: "???"
Gu Nanjiao's words sounded a bit sour to him. Could it be that she was jealous?
Lu Yanzhao glanced down at his plain, simple robe, then at Gu Nanjiao's conspicuously opulent robe and her gleaming golden crown. After a moment of silence, he said, "Then I'll wear a patched robe when I go out from now on?"
Gu Nanjiao was amused by him and lost her temper: "Let's go! Let's take a stroll around Jiaoniang Pavilion and let them know that you are my husband."
As soon as Lu Yanzhao stepped out of the inner room, he was surrounded by a group of chattering girls: "I heard you're Manager Gu's husband. How come I've never heard her mention you before? You're so handsome!"
"Oh dear, our Manager Gu is so lucky. She's capable and makes money, so naturally her husband is handsome."
"I heard he was a top scholar in the provincial examination."
"I'm so envious! They're both good-looking. I'd say they're a perfect match, a match made in heaven."
Gu Nanjiao was left out in the cold; she was the one who was in charge of Jiaoniang Pavilion, wasn't she?
Not having time to be jealous, Gu Nanjiao called over Lü Siniang and asked her where Manager Yun and Bai Luochen were.
Lu Siniang glanced at Gu Nanjiao and said, "After Qingqing and I came over this morning, they went back. They said they wanted you to treat them to a meal when you had time."
Gu Nanjiao nodded. It was only right to treat Bai Luochen to a meal. He hadn't been in the capital for the past few months, but the business of Jiaoniang Pavilion hadn't been taken away. He deserved some credit for that. Of course, with Manager Yun in charge, no one dared to cause trouble.
Lü Siniang pursed her lips and said, "Manager Yun was urging you before he left, saying that he hadn't released any new styles for several months and wanted you to design the ready-made clothing as soon as possible. The season is about to change, and the spring clothes must be suitable for the trends in the capital and match the season."
"I know, I'll work through the night to draw up designs for spring clothing as soon as possible."
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