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

Gu Xixi lay on the bed like a lump of mud, her eyes closed and motionless.

Then her red lips parted slightly, and she began to snore softly and evenly.

He fell asleep again after walking only a few steps?

Weren't you just making a big fuss?!

Mu Nanzhao rarely felt so powerless, and silently pulled the quilt over her.

Just as I was about to walk away, I suddenly heard someone behind me smacking their lips and muttering indistinctly with a sigh:

Actually... I don't dislike you.

Mu Nanzhao was startled and turned around to look.

Gu Xixi was lying on her side, her arms and legs spread out like a frog, the blanket she had just covered herself with was rolled up in her arms.

Mu Nanzhao couldn't help but think to himself, "This sleeping posture is really terrible, even worse than her drinking capacity and behavior when drunk."

Gu Xixi kept her eyes closed, it was unclear whether she was talking in her sleep or drunkenly.

"After all, you're quite good-looking, and women can be attracted to good looks..."

Mu Nanzhao's face darkened. So, all that time she took him in, helped him find medicine, and went through life and death with him was just because of his good looks?!

Mu Nanzhao simply moved a drum stool to the side of the bed and sat down, waiting patiently.

He wanted to see what other nonsense this woman could come up with!

This time, it didn't take long before Gu Xixi mumbled again, "When you proposed to me, I hesitated. I really hesitated about whether to accept you. Anyway, I've already spent money."

"You don't understand. My family was broke back then. Even a single penny was very important!"

Mu Nanzhao looked at Gu Xixi, who was winking and pouting, her eyes drooping, looking very aggrieved.

He couldn't help but sneer.

Thanks to her, her shouting was heard by many people, and who knows what strange rumors will circulate tomorrow morning.

She, on the contrary, is the one who's feeling wronged first?

but……

A playful glint flashed in Mu Nanzhao's eyes as he asked in a low voice, "Since you considered taking me in, why did you change your mind?"

"Isn't it a huge loss to have such a valuable coin?"

After a pause, Gu Xixi actually answered, her brows furrowed, "I...I dare not..."

Mu Nanzhao looked at her with a complicated expression and remained so for a long time.

Just as he was about to ask, "Why don't you dare?"

Suddenly, a pair of bright, sparkling eyes opened in the dimly lit bed curtains, staring intently at him.

Despite feeling somewhat guilty, Mu Nanzhao calmly asked, "Awake? Would you like some tea?"

The next moment, Gu Xixi, with strength she didn't know she had, suddenly sat up on her own.

Her face flushed, she glared fiercely at Mu Nanzhao, "I want to focus on my career!!"

"Career!! Do you understand?!"

Mu Nanzhao glanced helplessly at the door. "I understand, so could you please keep your voice down?"

Gu Xixi ignored her, saying, "You don't understand!"

"This is ancient times; it's not a true society governed by the rule of law. It's unequal and lacks freedom!"

Mu Nanzhao frowned. A society governed by law? Does that mean using laws to define rules?

Gu Xixi lowered her head and sighed, "You were born into a noble family, so you don't understand what it means to be an ant. I came here and was born as an ordinary person. It's so hard, so hard."

"I need to be capable first, to be able to make my own decisions before I'm qualified to think about other things."

"Because I don't want to always be afraid, afraid that someone could take away my money, my land, or even my life with the slightest flick of their finger."

"Just like... just like Lü Jing."

A deep ache welled up in Mu Nanzhao's heart.

In the past, he only knew that Gu Xixi had many special skills and that she was strong and independent by nature.

He naturally has the confidence to not depend on anyone, including him, who is seen as the pride of heaven and a powerful minister of the country.

Only at this moment did Mu Nanzhao realize that Gu Xixi was also carrying so much unease in her heart.

He looked at her, his eyes completely losing their sharpness and pretense, leaving only truth and tenderness.

"From what you're saying, once you're capable of protecting yourself, would you be willing to truly open up to me?"

Gu Xixi didn't look at Mu Nanzhao, but continued talking to herself, as if venting her frustrations.

"So I need to become stronger, preferably as strong as you, so that no one can easily trample on me. That way..."

She swayed as she looked at Mu Nanzhao, and laughed a few times, "You can't just lock me up like that."

Mu Nanzhao's heart skipped a beat, and he stared at her intently. "When did I ever lock you up?"

Gu Xixi grinned at him, then rolled her eyes and fell straight backward, never to speak again.

Mu Nanzhao stood up. "Gu Xixi! You pretend to be asleep whenever it comes to crucial questions!"

"What do you mean I can just lock you up? You're deliberately changing the subject and talking nonsense, aren't you?"

There was no response for a long time.

Mu Nanzhao wanted to wake her up, but when he reached out, he saw her sleeping sweetly and couldn't bear to.

I had to give up for now.

When Gu Xixi opened her eyes again, it was already dawn.

She shook her head on the pillow, and surprisingly, she didn't have the headache or discomfort that comes with a hangover.

Lifting the bed curtains, one could see He Jinglan sitting in front of the dressing table, with Ziyan styling her hair.

He Jinglan looked back in the mirror. "You're awake. You slept well, didn't you?"

Gu Xixi turned over and sat on the edge of the bed to put on her shoes, asking curiously, "What's Ziyan doing here?"

Ziyan smiled and said, "Miss Xixi slept well last night."

“My master was worried that there would be no one to serve you and Miss Xixi here, so he sent Uncle Li with my master’s badge to bring me and Guangzhu here overnight.”

Gu Xixi murmured, "If we calculate the time, wouldn't that be breaking curfew?"

Ziyan nodded slightly, "Occasionally, in case of an emergency, we have to make an exception."

The clothes I took off last night are gone; instead, a set of narrow-waisted, narrow-sleeved Hu-style clothing lies beside the bed.

Women in the capital city were fashionable to wear Hu clothing and dress as men while riding horses.

Gu Xixi didn't think much of it and got up to dress. She didn't see He Jinglan and Ziyan looking at each other in the mirror, both of whom couldn't help but laugh, then quickly lowered their eyes to hide it.

Gu Xixi had just finished dressing when Guangzhu came in carrying a copper basin.

Upon seeing Gu Xixi, he smiled and said, "I reckon Miss Xixi will get up soon. This is some warm water that I just poured, mixed with jasmine dew. The fragrance is refreshing and invigorating. Applying it for a while can also moisturize your skin."

Gu Xixi smiled and accepted the cloth. "Thank you."

She washed her face and used the toothpaste and toothbrush that Guangzhu had prepared, and finally felt completely comfortable.

Turning around, she found Guangzhu staring at her with a smile, seemingly looking at something.

Gu Xixi looked herself up and down in confusion. "Did I do something wrong?"

Guangzhu quickly suppressed her smile and shook her head.

Gu Xixi then looked at He Jinglan and Ziyan.

She discovered that He Jinglan was avoiding her gaze.

Gu Xixi narrowed her eyes.

Now she was certain that something unusual had happened while she was asleep!

It seems I can't ask right away; I'll wait and find another opportunity.

He Jinglan's hair was already combed.

It was quite different from usual.

She only braided a few hairs and tied them high on top of her head with a red ribbon.

Each braid ends with a pearl the size of a lotus seed, and there are no other beaded hairpins or hair ornaments.

She also changed into the same style of Hu clothing as Gu Xixi.

Ziyan offered to help Gu Xixi comb her hair, and Gu Xixi accepted and sat down at the dressing table.

"Shall we ride out of the city today?"

"I don't want anything too complicated, just a high ponytail will do."

Ziyan laughed and said, "That's a hairstyle like a man's, which matches the riding outfit quite well."