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

Tonight, Aunt Zhang, the old doctor, Shi Tou, and Lü Jing all gathered together.

No one spoke at the dinner table; everyone seemed to be in low spirits.

Even Little Flower lay there listlessly, not moving an inch.

The only sounds coming from inside the room were the soft clatter of chopsticks being used and a sigh from someone.

Until the stone let out its umpteenth long sigh.

Gu Xixi finally couldn't take it anymore and stopped eating the steamed bun she was about to put in her mouth. "How old are you to be sighing like that?"

"If you encounter any difficulties or are bullied by someone, just say so."

"With so many people in our family now, if we can't win an argument, are we afraid we can't win a fight?"

Stone said weakly, "Sister Xixi got it backwards."

He sighed again, his expression one of deep sorrow that seemed utterly out of place for his age, and said, “It’s a pity the capital is so far away. If I could go, I would really like to scold him to his face until he is utterly ashamed!”

"I misjudged him in the past!"

The stone gritted its teeth fiercely, its snarling appearance resembling that of a small beast.

Gu Xixi's auditory system triggered the keyword, "Beijing? Who are you trying to insult?"

Shi Tou is a local and has never been to Beijing. As for whether he knows anyone in Beijing…

There were only He Jinglan and Mu Nanzhao.

He Jinglan had just sent two high-quality wolf-hair brushes to Shi Tou a few days ago.

The little guy was overjoyed, holding the calligraphy brush and repeatedly praising how wonderful Sister Jinglan was.

And tonight I even saw Shi Tou practicing calligraphy with that wolf-hair brush.

So if it's not He Jinglan, then it must be...

Gu Xixi glanced around sharply. "I've noticed something's off about you all tonight."

“Especially Aunt Zhang and Shi Tou, judging from your expressions, it seems like I’m going to kick the bucket tonight and treat the whole village to a feast.”

Aunt Zhang immediately spat out, "Pah, pah, pah! Don't say such unlucky things!"

"If a man runs away, it might be the end of the world for someone else."

"But our family is different. We have money, land, and a house. We don't need to be in such dire straits!"

Shi Tou nodded vigorously, "Sister Xi Xi, I support you!"

Gu Xixi asked in confusion, "What exactly happened?"

"Do you know something that I don't?"

These past few days she's been busy managing the orchards in the village, going from house to house, she hasn't had a moment's rest.

Perhaps there's some new information out there that she's unaware of?

Seeing that everyone had fallen silent again, he became even more dejected.

Gu Xixi narrowed her eyes. "Has something happened to Mu Nanzhao?"

She paused, then looked at Lü Jing, "You know too, right? You tell me."

Lu Jing looked around with a troubled expression, and after a moment, whispered, "The delegation from Beili has already arrived in the capital."

"I heard...I heard...Ten days later, the two countries will be united by marriage, it's the Rouran princess and the regent."

Gu Xixi's expression tightened, but she then smiled calmly and said, "Impossible."

Stone shouted, "How is that impossible? It's all over the place!"

Aunt Zhang's face was full of anger, "He's a heartless man!"

Finally, the old doctor looked somewhat conflicted, but still spoke up, "Has Xiao Mu not written to you in a long time?"

"I remember receiving letters every day a while ago?"

Gu Xixi was stunned.

Yes, that does seem unusual.

Lu Jing continued, "Last time I saw him seem angry. He turned around and left without saying a word."

"And indeed, he never returned after that departure."

Aunt Zhang sighed softly, "You can't entirely blame them."

"They proposed to our Xixi several times, but she stubbornly refused to agree."

"After dragging it out for so long, someone else snatched it away in the end."

Lü Jing chimed in, "Maybe it wasn't his choice, but there's nothing we can do about it."

"That princess just happened to take a liking to him, but he's an unmarried free man, which is just terrible."

Gu Xixi suddenly got up, silently got off the kang (a heated brick bed), and put on her shoes.

Aunt Zhang exchanged glances with Lü Jing and Shi Tou, then asked, "Xi Xi, what are you going to do if you're not going to eat?"

Without turning her head, Gu Xixi said, "To the capital."

"I don't believe what others say; I want to hear what he has to say in person."

Even if they were to break up, that would be a matter between her and Mu Nanzhao.

How can we just let it go based on rumors?

Anyway, the farm work in the village has come to a temporary end.

And so, Gu Xixi rode away from home that very night.

The sound of horses' hooves faded into the distance.

The three people and the cat cautiously peeked out from the front door to observe.

Aunt Zhang asked worriedly, "Is it alright for him to run out so late at night?"

Lü Jing laughed and said, "It's alright, someone is protecting her."

Stone said excitedly, "We should grab our things and hurry up and leave, or we'll definitely miss our chance!"

……

After traveling for several days, Gu Xixi rode a horse during the day and stayed overnight at post stations.

But the closer she got to the capital, the clearer her mind became.

Looking back, there were many unreasonable aspects.

For example, Aunt Zhang didn't believe that Mu Nanzhao was the regent before, so why did she immediately curse him as a heartless man when she heard that the regent had married a princess?

For example, the slightly apologetic expression on the master's face when he spoke made it seem as if he was forced to participate.

For example, when she left home in a hurry that night, Aunt Zhang, who always cared most about her safety, didn't stop her.

And their performance that night, wasn't it too uniform?

They were so neat and orderly, it was as if they had planned it in advance!

In addition, there are many suspicious points in the capital.

Firstly, He Jinglan should have been furious when Mu Nanzhao wanted to marry someone else, and she should have written an urgent letter to Huachidu Village.

Secondly, Mu Nanzhao would rather break his leg than marry the princess, but he compromised after only half a month?

Something's not right, something's really not right.

Gu Xixi was a little confused when she left home, but now that she has calmed down, she has gradually sorted out her thoughts and is already near the capital.

Well, we're already here, we can't just turn back now.

She wanted to see what these people were up to when they teamed up!

Around noon, at Xiao He's residence, Gu Xixi dismounted and went to knock on the door.

As soon as the door opened, four people came out to greet us: Ziyan, Lüla, Lianxing, and Guangzhu.

Without saying a word, they surrounded Gu Xixi and led her into the inner courtyard.

Gu Xixi struggled in vain, crying out, "My horse!"

Guangzhu smiled and said, "Don't worry, young lady, someone will take care of the horses."

Gu Xixi was forced to walk forward, feeling dizzy and disoriented. "Where are we going? Is your daughter home?"

"Have her accompany me to the Regent's Palace next door!"

The four maids pursed their lips and chuckled.

Gu Xixi was puzzled when she heard Ziyan say softly, "Miss, don't be impatient."

"The bride is not allowed to meet the groom before the wedding."

Gu Xixi was stunned. "The bride?"

Her head felt like it was in a knot. "Who?"

As they spoke, they entered the Jade Bamboo Courtyard.

He Jinglan laughed loudly, "You've finally arrived!"

Gu Xixi looked up, as if seeing a savior, "Jinglan! They..."

However, He Jinglan seemed oblivious to Gu Xixi's pleading eyes, and kept ordering, "Hurry, hurry, the clothes and jewelry are all prepared. If we don't get dressed quickly, we might miss the auspicious time!"

Then a group of maids and old women rushed forward and surrounded Gu Xixi.

Gu Xixi practically lifted her feet off the ground as she entered the house.

By the time she saw the festive colors filling the room and realized something was wrong, it was too late to escape.

Bathing, changing clothes, washing face, combing hair...

After everyone dispersed, Gu Xixi looked at herself in the mirror, dressed in her wedding attire and with makeup as beautiful as peach blossoms.

And the person who appeared behind her at some unknown time.

Gu Xixi gritted her teeth and roared angrily, "Mu Nanzhao!!!"

Mu Nanzhao stood with his hands in his sleeves, dressed in red, which added a touch of alluring color to his aloof temperament.

"It was my mistake to trick you into going to the capital to get married."

"Once we enter the bridal chamber, my wife can do whatever she wants with me."

"There is still one hour before the Regent's Consort enters the Qinglu residence at dusk to formally complete the wedding ceremony."

“If the employer refuses to work for me, I have plenty of time to leave.”

"but……"

He paused for a moment, then said, “Aunt, Master, and Stone set off a little later than you, but I sent a fast horse to pick them up, so they will definitely make it in time for the ceremony tonight.”

Gu Xixi suddenly turned around, her head full of beads swaying, making her shy and annoyed expression lively and cute.

"You did it on purpose!"

Mu Nanzhao readily agreed, "Yes, it was intentional."

“You’ve exchanged silver locks with someone else. I’m afraid that if we wait any longer, something might happen, like a jade pendant or something else.”

Gu Xixi glared at him angrily, "Didn't we say we couldn't meet before the wedding?"

Mu Nanzhao thought for a moment, "I've come up with so many tricks, thinking I couldn't escape."

"But I'm also afraid you'll really run away."

"I really can't rest easy if I don't come and take a look. Anyway, no outsiders will know that I've climbed over the wall, so it's not considered impolite."

The fact that the dignified Regent spoke of climbing over the wall so openly finally made Gu Xixi burst out laughing.

"Well, I'm already dressed up like this, and I'm ready to go. It wouldn't hurt to settle my marriage while I'm at it."

She stepped forward and lifted Mu Nanzhao's chin.

"My lord said that I can handle things tonight, is that really true?"

Mu Nanzhao's eyes were filled with the reflection of his beloved, and his smile reached his very core.

He leaned in and kissed her.

"Unchanging in this life."

(end)