A husband found in the village? I bought a regent for a penny!

Gu Xixi sighed, "How could I not have thought about these things?"

"I plan to gradually divest myself from the farm, handing over the grain fields entirely to Uncle Chen. I also trust the fruit trees on the border to Aunt Lin and the others."

"The problem is that there are other things to do afterward. There are many complicated matters, and if I don't find a few capable and trustworthy people to share the work, I will definitely be overwhelmed by the task."

She looked at He Jinglan, "But this matter can't be rushed. I can only wait until I go back and search slowly."

He Jinglan nodded, "Once our dessert shop is running smoothly, I'll come back to the village to see you when I have time."

She joked, "Didn't you say you were going to hire me before?"

Gu Xixi couldn't help but smile, "Then I couldn't be happier!"

"Accountant, ghostwriter, village school teacher—they all come with their own bodyguards and are practically top-notch advisors. Listen to that! Aren't all these professions about getting paid more?"

Gu Xixi counted on her fingers, sighing with emotion, "All I have to do is provide you with food and lodging. Looking at it this way, I've really hit the jackpot."

Her humorous words, coupled with her serious expression, made He Jinglan laugh so hard she almost fell over.

"Alright, alright, if you keep praising me, I'll feel like I'm floating on air."

When asked about the village school teacher, He Jinglan said, "I haven't asked you about the village school yet since I last saw you."

"After Master Liu went to the capital to report on his duties, he has been transferred to another post. Will the children be able to adapt to the new old gentleman?"

Gu Xixi replied, "Old Song is a strict teacher. Those mischievous kids are very good at reading people's expressions and are very obedient. Unlike when you first went to the village school, they openly and secretly wanted to bully you, the newcomer."

He Jinglan put on a stern face and said, "Why bring up the past? Didn't I quickly subdue them later?"

Gu Xixi pouted, "Isn't it all thanks to Shi Tou and Gouwa for keeping things under control for you?"

“In the first few days, I was afraid that you would suddenly come back crying and say you didn’t want to do it anymore.”

He Jinglan smiled as she recalled the fun times at school.

After a moment, he said, "I have heard that Mr. Song is a man of high moral character. In terms of teaching and nurturing people, I am afraid that even the Regent, who is so learned, cannot compare to him."

Gu Xixi wholeheartedly agreed, "Those who can learn may not be able to teach."

She recalled Song Qingshan's earnest plea and stared blankly at the teacup in her hand.

Old Song wanted to see Mu Nanzhao.

Does she still have a chance to help Song Laoda fulfill his wish?

The invitations from Xiao He's residence were sent out early the next morning.

Gu Xixi and An Qinghe also went to visit Jiang Mingyuan. Judging from his expression and condition, he should have done quite well on the exam.

Nine days later, the results of the imperial examinations would be announced, and He Jinglan's flower-viewing banquet would be held on the eleventh day.

The banquet arrangements have been finalized, and it is now just a matter of the stewards of the manor carrying them out.

The specific acceptance results will have to wait a few more days. Gu Xixi and He Jinglan have also been busy, leaving early and returning late every day, putting all their energy into the dessert shop.

That morning, Gu Xixi was about to go to the shop as usual, but He Jinglan smiled and said, "I'm not going today."

She stood behind Gu Xixi and pushed her along as they walked out, saying:

“You’ve been in the capital for almost half a month now, and apart from the East Market, I haven’t taken you anywhere else to play.”

“When you come back to our village, everyone will ask you what's fun in the capital. If all you did was visit teahouses, explore tea shops, and open stores, wouldn't it seem like you came all this way for nothing?”

Gu Xixi said with a smile, "I didn't come here for a leisurely trip."

He Jinglan pouted, "You may not care, but this is something we agreed on a long time ago. When you come to my place, you must eat, drink, and have fun to your heart's content."

It would be a lie to say that Gu Xixi hasn't been under pressure these past few days.

Firstly, Lü Jing's case has already been heard once, but since it's being handled in a different location, various pieces of evidence still need to be collected and transferred. Secondly, it involves the county government of Nan Yi and the powerful and influential Grand Secretary Fan.

The situation is too complicated. It's easy to imagine that there are several forces vying for power, both overt and covert, trying to manipulate and interfere.

Therefore, there has been no news yet regarding a second hearing in this case.

Secondly, will the dessert shop become an instant hit after opening?

Thirdly, the upcoming banquet would be Gu Xixi's first time attending an ancient flower-viewing banquet. She wasn't nervous about anything else, except for the poetry recital…

Although He Jinglan said she would manipulate things behind the scenes to prevent Gu Xixi from having the opportunity to compose poems, Gu Xixi still felt a little worried whenever she thought about it.

Fourth, Mu Nanzhao, his very existence is a source of pressure.

The weather was sunny and a gentle spring breeze was blowing in the courtyard.

He Jinglan shook Gu Xixi, "Just pretend I can't get over it, how about you play with me?"

Gu Xixi looked up at the beautiful spring scenery and couldn't help but smile. "Great! If we're going to play, we should play to our hearts' content."

He Jinglan was delighted. "Let's go! Let's call Brother An to come along, so he won't say I'm an incompetent host!"

On this day, Gu Xixi lived a life of extravagance and debauchery.

The entire expense was paid for by Miss He.

In the morning, we watched acrobatics, tasted local flower wine, and enjoyed various snacks at an art gallery run by people from southern Xinjiang.

At noon, we booked a private room in advance at the largest and most expensive restaurant in Dongshi. A single dish of Xi Shi Tongue cost one tael of gold.

In the afternoon, they went shopping. At several familiar shops in the He family mansion, He Jinglan managed to get Gu Xixi three outfits from head to toe.

Since there was no time to customize clothes, they could only buy ready-made clothes. He Jinglan picked the best ones, two of which were unique pieces that fit Gu Xixi's size perfectly.

When Gu Xixi came out of the fitting room, the eyes of the two people waiting outside lit up.

The lotus-colored brocade jacket has a magnolia branch embroidered on the shoulder, with the bud half-open and the petals embroidered with gradually changing silk threads.

She wore a light-colored, semi-transparent gauze top over her clothes, and tied a pleated skirt of the same color around her waist.

As she moved, the folds of her skirt spread out, revealing scattered magnolia petals that seemed to exude a subtle fragrance.

He Jinglan exclaimed in astonishment, "My judgment was right after all! Xixi, you look absolutely stunning in this outfit!"

An Qinghe took a while to come to his senses, his mouth agape and a silly grin on his face, "Beautiful! So beautiful!"

"Truly... clothes make the man, and a saddle makes the horse!"

He Jinglan rolled her eyes at him, "If you can't speak properly, then don't speak. Xixi is naturally beautiful; this should be the icing on the cake."

An Qinghe nodded, his eyes still fixed on Gu Xixi, as if he had lost his soul.

He Jinglan was extremely disgusted, "Wipe your drool, it's about to come out!"

Gu Xixi turned around in front of the dressing mirror, poised and graceful.

"I think it's good too, and the size is just right."

Gu Xixi had never dressed up so exquisitely before; this simple outfit alone was enough to make her stand out.

If you add makeup, headdress, and jewelry, how stunning would that be?

Thinking this, He Jinglan eagerly pulled Gu Xixi away, saying, "Let's choose a few more pearl flowers and hairpins."

Gu Xixi firmly refused, "You said that for the banquet, the clothes and shoes are a gift from you. I accept them. I'll show them to my family when I get back. It shows the strength of our Jinglan."

"But the jewelry is too valuable. I'll just borrow yours for the banquet."