After my luck was stolen, I led my whole family to defy fate and change our destiny.

On the other side, Lin Xiaoxiao followed Gu Minghai at a distance that was neither too close nor too far, attracting curious glances from everyone around her.

Wang Fugui flew around above their heads, curiously looking around. She was called over by her host to eavesdrop on the gossip, and then she would go back and tell her about it.

The poor little system sprite was forced to become a gossip reporter.

This place isn't as big as the Gu residence.

Although Lin Xiaoxiao didn't have a formal title in the mansion, everyone knew she was the designated future mistress of the house. Even without a formal title, the servants treated her with great respect.

Usually, Second Master and Lin Xiaoxiao are always smiling when they're together, but today Second Master is walking ahead by himself with a dark expression, while Lin Xiaoxiao is obediently following behind. Could it be... that they've had a fight?

Lin Xiaoxiao followed Gu Minghai into the bedroom. He sat down with a flick of his robe, his hands clenched tightly on the table.

A maidservant stepped forward to pour tea, and Lin Xiaoxiao quickly took the teapot.

"I'll pour tea for the master; you may leave."

"Yes"

The other smurfs also left.

Lin Xiaoxiao poured a cup of tea, blew on it, and then placed it in front of Gu Minghai.

"Master, have some tea." Her hand brushed against Gu Minghai's hand as if by accident.

Gu Minghai watched as his beloved woman's hand brushed past the back of his hand. He knew this was her way of showing affection, but his expression remained unchanged, and he turned his head to the other side.

"Second Master, please calm down. That's not what I meant."

"Why did you come back with me? Aren't we just like brother and sister? Didn't you want to be the Minister's wife? Go then!"

Lin Xiaoxiao said coquettishly, "Oh dear, wouldn't it damage our reputations if I admitted it directly?"

"When I said 'become the wife of a high-ranking official,' I naturally meant 'be your wife.'"

Lin Xiaoxiao went around behind Gu Minghai and gently pressed his shoulder. The light, ticklish sensation made Gu Minghai feel a tingling sensation all over his body, and his tone softened.

"What do you mean? I'm not the Minister."

Lin Xiaoxiao laughed and said, "If your older brother can do it, why can't you? Besides, he'll be stepping down soon."

Gu Minghai then took a sip of tea. "This isn't hereditary; you can't just decide to become one. Even if you're promoted beyond your rank, it won't happen this quickly."

"But what if you achieve remarkable political success?"

Gu Minghai turned to look at Lin Xiaoxiao. "What do you mean? The world is at peace now. There aren't that many remarkable achievements to speak of. Even if there were, they wouldn't be mine."

Lin Xiaoxiao sat on Gu Minghai's lap and wrapped her arms around his neck.

Gu Minghai shoved her, saying, "This is improper, get off."

"No, I'm your woman. If I don't sit on your lap, whose lap will I sit on?"

Gu Minghai's eyes darkened, and he gripped Lin Xiaoxiao's chin with one hand. "You'd better remember you're my woman, and always will be."

Wang Fugui shook his head. "Hey...no, you should say, woman, you're playing with fire."

Lin Xiaoxiao lowered her head shyly and murmured, "Mmm."

Although Lin Xiaoxiao couldn't remember many things after her rebirth, this one thing left a deep impression on her.

It hasn't rained for more than a month, and the people and officials are praying and discussing every day about when it will rain, whether there will be a severe drought, and so on.

Grain prices began to skyrocket due to the prolonged drought, and she made a small profit as a result. However, things were different for Gu Jia compared to her previous life.

In the previous life, the Gu family had already been raided and exiled, and Su Xiuran did not go to Baiyun Temple to steal her thunder, but in this life, the exile has not yet begun.

Did she misremember the time? Or is it because she was reborn, and some things are off?

She suppressed her own guesses and asked.

"Second Master, don't you feel like it's been a long time since it rained?"

Gu Minghai was slightly taken aback. "It hasn't rained for almost two months, has it?"

It's already June, and the weather is quite hot. If it doesn't rain soon, the crops will probably die of drought and there will be no harvest.

Gu Minghai's eyes burned with fervor. "You mean, there will be a severe drought this year?"

Lin Xiaoxiao lowered her head. "I was just guessing."

Gu Mingtang recalled that because of his previous conflict with Shangguan, Shangguan had been targeting him at every turn. Lin Xiaoxiao had instructed him to wait at the post station with his guards, saying that Shangguan would be robbed upon his return from a mission.

At first, he didn't believe her, but she kept pestering him, saying that if there was nothing there, he would just consider it a trip to cheer her up. Sure enough, when they arrived, a group of people showed up.

Just as Shangguan's men were exhausted and about to give up, Gu Minghai suddenly led his guards out like a timely rain.

After defeating the bandits and rescuing his superior, his relationship with his superior thawed, and he was never wronged again. He was even recommended to the Prime Minister.

There were many similar small things, and although they were all small things, Lin Xiaoxiao's guesses and predictions all came true.

This is why he grew to like Lin Xiaoxiao more and more; this woman was sent by heaven to help him.

Gu Minghai suddenly picked Lin Xiaoxiao up and spun her around. "If there's a severe drought this year, we can stockpile grain now and make a fortune later."

"Oh, and we also need to stock up on more brown rice; if there's a severe drought, there might be refugees."

"Whoever can appease the displaced people, prevent riots, and solve their food problem will indeed have a good political achievement, and might even get promoted immediately."

Gu Minghai held Lin Xiaoxiao and spun her around a few more times, lost in his own fantasy. Yes, if he, Gu Mingtang, could become the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat, why couldn't he?

If this is true, he will crush his elder brother under his feet. Everyone will think his elder brother is better than him, and when they praise him, they will mention his elder brother. He can only grit his teeth and agree.

He was clearly the most talented and hardworking person. Even his mother, who usually doted on him, implied that her older brother was better than him.

But now?

The Minister's mansion is now on the verge of collapse, and before he could figure out how to extricate himself, his elder brother had already taken the initiative to separate from the family.

He was truly a good older brother; he did a good deed even before he died.

Gu Mingtang is currently in prison, and the officers have already searched for the stolen silver. He personally placed the silver there, and once the officers find the official silver, Gu Mingtang will be finished.

He wanted outsiders to see that he, Gu Er, was more capable than Gu Mingtang, and to see the world's disgust and contempt for Gu Mingtang.

Taking advantage of his good mood, Lin Xiaoxiao coaxed him sweetly, "Second Master, may I move out of the manor?"

There are many rumors circulating about her that are unfavorable to her, so leaving the mansion is the best option.

Gu Er's face instantly turned cold when he heard that she wanted to move out.

"You didn't actually find someone better outside and want to dump me, did you?"

"How could that be? You heard it yourself today. I said I was your cousin, but no one believed me. They all said I was your concubine."

Gu Minghai frowned slightly. "You're leaving the manor just because of this? Why don't you just marry me?"

Lin Xiaoxiao lowered her eyes. "But the old lady doesn't like me yet. Give me some time, and I'll make her like me."

"Wouldn't it be better if we got married after you became the Minister of the Imperial Secretariat? Good things come in pairs."

Gu Minghai raised an eyebrow. "Alright."

"What about leaving the manor?"

"It depends on your performance"

Gu Minghai carried Lin Xiaoxiao toward the bed, but Lin Xiaoxiao pushed him away with both hands, saying, "What are you doing? It's broad daylight!"

"What do you say?"

Gu Er took out a small whip from the cabinet next to the bed.

Lin Xiaoxiao's face instantly turned bright red: "You're so annoying!"

The bed curtains were drawn, and on the floor lay pieces of torn clothing...