Farming with kids: My deceased husband returns and I spoil him rotten.

Lao Zong leaned closer: "What's wrong? You've always acted with integrity and uprightness, why do you seem afraid?"

Gu Yu feigned composure: "I'm not afraid, I just think your question is absurd."

“Is that so…” Lao Zong stroked his chin thoughtfully, paused for a moment, and then continued, “But when I think about it carefully, you have indeed been acting strangely lately, especially after Lord Meng came. You seem to care a lot about him being alone with Shang Qing.”

Gu Yu, however, argued logically and with evidence: "I used to work in the yamen and spent every day with Lord Meng. I know him better than you do. He and Shang Qing are not a good match."

"So...do you like Shang Qing?"

Lao Zong suddenly asked a question, which left Gu Yu looking bewildered. But he quickly recovered and calmly asked in return, "What do you think?"

Lao Zong subconsciously looked around to make sure no one else was present before pulling Gu Yu aside.

"Shang Qing is different from ordinary women. Don't be fooled by her gentle and weak appearance. She is actually very independent and self-reliant. Your personality is just like that, so you won't complement each other in a relationship. Am I right?"

Lao Zong did not notice Gu Yu's gradually darkening expression, and continued to say to himself, "You two are both very strong. Two strong people together will not have a good outcome. There will definitely be more arguments in the future."

"Let's talk about your shortcomings. Shang Qing is the kind of person who keeps things to herself, and you're the same, even more so. I don't even want to think about the two of you getting together."

"So, although you two are a perfect match, I don't think you're a good fit. Shang Qing needs someone like Meng Fengzhu who can unconditionally tolerate her, while you're more suited to a petite, dependent woman."

Lao Zong felt that his analysis was very logical, but when he turned around, he saw a cold and stern face.

"Why do I suddenly feel a little cold..." Lao Zong took two steps to the side and smiled, "What do you think?"

Seeing that Gu Yu didn't reply, Lao Zong's eyes widened: "No way... could it be that you really like Shang Qing? I thought you were just asking for fun!"

Gu Yu coughed twice and replied, "I just didn't expect you to describe me in such a negative light."

"No, no, I think you're actually a great person. How about I help you find someone and introduce you to a girl?"

Lao Zong was recklessly flirting with death.

Gu Yu gave him a look, signaling him to get lost.

Seeing Lao Zong flee the scene in a hurry, Gu Yu also fell into deep thought. Could it be that he and Shang Qing were really not suitable for each other?

Even during lunch, Gu Yu was still agonizing over this issue, so he exuded an aura that kept strangers at bay, and even the usually mischievous children didn't dare to talk to him.

"My godmother made such a lavish lunch today! Anyone who didn't know better would think we were celebrating a holiday!"

Meng Zizhou remained very excited, clearly still immersed in joy.

Although this wasn't the first time Meng Fengzhu had eaten Shang Qing's cooking, the taste seemed different today. She couldn't help but praise, "Shang Qing, with your skills, you could open a restaurant in town. If you ever really have that idea, come find me, and I'll be the first to invest."

Lao Zong found that he found Meng Fengzhu pleasing to the eye no matter how he looked at her, and she was nothing like what Gu Yu had described.

Upon hearing this, Shang Qing smiled and said, "Alright, since Lord Meng brought it up, I'll think about it carefully later. After all, we are very good partners."

For some reason, when Meng Fengzhu heard her mention "partner" again today, she felt a sense of emptiness in her heart.

Although that's what she thought in her heart, she still outwardly agreed, saying, "Okay."

Of the group, Meng Zizhou was the happiest, chattering away throughout the meal.

After the meal, Shang Qing personally escorted the father and son to the village entrance. Seeing that quite a few villagers were indeed following behind to watch the commotion, Meng Fengzhu suddenly remembered Nie Niang's words and went to the villagers to explain.

"Fellow villagers, today's incident was just a small misunderstanding. Please don't spread rumors. Shang Qing and I are just friends, and we have no other relationship. I hope you will stop asking about this matter!"

"Oh? It was fake after all. I was hoping to attend the wedding banquet."

"Indeed, Shang Qing and Lord Meng are quite a good match."

"It's better for Shang Qing to stay in our village. I don't want her to leave!"

Shang Qing was very pleased, never expecting that he would think of her.

After they had walked a distance, the village chief asked Shang Qing with a gossipy look, "Why did you refuse Lord Meng?"

Shang Qing watched the father and son's figures gradually disappear into the distance, smiling without saying a word.

As for Meng Zizhou, he had already noticed his father's absent-mindedness on the way back.

"Dad, are you unhappy?"

Meng Zizhou asked tentatively, but then thought about it again and felt that the question was strange.

Who would be happy after being rejected?

"I have a question for you, and you'd better tell me honestly..." Meng Fengzhu suddenly became serious. "After all, you lived in Shang Qing's house for quite a while before. What kind of man do you think she likes?"

Meng Zizhou stared at his father in disbelief, and asked in confusion, "Dad, what do you mean by asking me this? Didn't she already reject you?"

Seeing that Meng Fengzhu remained silent, Meng Zizhou was still puzzled: "Father, could it be that you really have feelings for this Shang Qing?"

Meng Fengzhu didn't intend to hide anything and answered truthfully, "At first, I came here with a try-it-out mentality, without thinking that I had to be with Shang Qing. But after she rejected me, I felt bad."

"Could it be because you were rejected and felt embarrassed, that's why you're feeling bad?"

Meng Fengzhu retorted directly, "Your father has been an official for so many years, have you ever seen him care about his reputation? If I were just concerned about saving face, I wouldn't have bothered explaining to the villagers."

What his father said seemed to make some sense.

"So you only truly realized your own feelings after she rejected you, and that you really did like Shang Qing?"

Meng Fengzhu remained silent, which was taken as tacit agreement. After a moment of contemplation, he muttered to himself, "At first, I only admired her. I thought I only admired her talent... but it seems that it's not quite what I thought."

Meng Zizhou seemed to understand but not quite, while Meng Fengzhu said helplessly, "Forget it, you wouldn't understand even if I told you."

"I know, you just like Shang Qing! How about I give you some advice?"