A peasant girl travels through time with a hospital, rising to become an empress.

Everyone burst into laughter. Little Tuantuan's innocent and adorable words dispelled the last trace of tension and awkwardness that remained at the dinner table due to Lord Tang's presence.

Tuantuan looked around, wondering what everyone was laughing at.

Tuantuan scratched his head again and said, "Besides, you are my great-grandfather, a family member, not a guest."

Upon hearing this, Old Qiao was immediately taken aback, feeling as if a warm current was flowing through his heart.

Oh no, my heart has been struck again.

Upon hearing this, smiles appeared on everyone's faces.

Liu Xiong grinned and said, "Tuantuan is right. Old Qiao saved our lives. I have already recognized Old Qiao as my godfather, so Tuantuan should naturally call him great-grandfather."

Nie Qianqian hadn't expected Tuantuan to say that. Anyone who heard such words would feel warm inside.

Sure enough, Old Qiao seemed completely unconcerned, even a little impatient, but in reality, he was being teased relentlessly.

Actually, Tuantuan had heard Tiedan mention that Uncle Xiong wanted to become Old Qiao's godfather, but Old Qiao disliked him.

Old Qiao's personality is just like that of an old child. He acts freely and does whatever he wants. Tuan Tuan likes Old Qiao from the bottom of her heart and hopes that Old Qiao can become her great-grandfather.

After witnessing Old Master Qiao's superb martial arts skills in the private room at Guangjuxuan last time, Tuantuan's idea became even more firm. He harbored his own thoughts: if Old Master Qiao really became his great-grandfather, no one would be able to bully his mother and grandmother anymore.

Nie Qianqian gently lifted Tuantuan's nose, then picked him up and said with a doting expression, "Tuantuan is such a sweet and thoughtful baby."

Nie Qianqian held Tuantuan in her arms, and Tuantuan immediately clung to her like an octopus. In his heart, no matter whose embrace it was, it couldn't compare to the warmth and comfort of his mother's; his mother's embrace always smelled wonderful.

Liu Yan was afraid that Lord Tang and Jiang Wenxuan would laugh at her, so she quickly said, "Tuantuan, don't bother your mother, sit down and eat your food properly."

She had heard that wealthy families placed great importance on etiquette during meals, even imposing many restrictions on conversation. She wasn't afraid of what others would say about her, but she was worried that Nie Qianqian and Tuantuan would be looked down upon.

Nie Qianqian, however, didn't care and said, "Mom, Tuantuan is still small, so just hold him."

In her view, worldly etiquette is not as important as Tuan Tuan's feelings. As parents, they should give their children enough security.

Seeing this scene, Lord Tang couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness.

When Tang Yu was a child, he followed the old custom that only men of a different generation could hold children. Even though Tang Yu was full of anticipation and looked around his legs longingly for him to hold him, he never held a child.

Time flies, and in the blink of an eye, the child has grown up. Even after all these years, he still clearly remembers the disappointed and sad look in the child's eyes when he rejected him.

Looking back now, he is filled with regret, regretting that he didn't hold his child more back then.

Lord Tang said gently, "Qianqian is right. Tuantuan is still young and needs to be cared for. When eating at home, there's no need to be so formal."

After a while of acting cute, worried that her mother would get tired, Tuantuan took the initiative to get down and obediently returned to the stool to eat.

The atmosphere at the dinner table became relaxed and pleasant because of Tuantuan's words.

Lord Tang was immersed in this long-lost warm atmosphere, feeling the comfort of home. Jiang Wenxuan also felt that the atmosphere at Brother Gu's home was exceptionally comfortable and relaxed, free from the constraints of tedious rules. The family got along harmoniously, discussed things openly, and their laughter never stopped. Being there, one could almost be infected by this warmth, feeling joy from the bottom of one's heart.

Lord Tang and Jiang Wenxuan have very different personalities, but at this moment, they share the same feelings.

Such a home is truly enviable.

Lord Tang thought that in a few days he would be setting off for the provincial capital, and he would probably never be able to eat Liu Yan's cooking again, nor would he be able to sit around a table with everyone like this, sharing delicious food and talking freely.

He couldn't help but feel a little down. Then, as if thinking of something, he casually asked, "Qianqian, you have a lot of insight into business. Have you ever thought about taking your business to the provincial capital one day?"

Nie Qianqian was surprised that Lord Tang would suddenly ask this question, and she couldn't help but wonder why Lord Tang, as the magistrate of Fulin County, would care about her business plans.

Nie Qianqian had a vague idea in her mind, but she still answered truthfully, "Reporting to Lord Tang..."

Tang Jincheng interrupted her with a smile: "Just call me Uncle."

Nie Qianqian quickly changed her tune: "Uncle, I do have this plan. Gu Xiao will be taking the county examination after the New Year. If he passes smoothly, he will then go to the provincial capital for the next examination. If we can expand our business to the provincial capital, we can have someone to look after us when we go there."

Upon hearing this answer, a barely perceptible glint flashed in the eyes of both Tang Jincheng and Gu Xiao.

-

Inside the Yu family mansion in Fulin County, Yu Zhenjiang, the head of the Yu family, sat in the main seat. His usually composed face could not hide his joy as he excitedly asked, "Has Guangjuxuan really changed owners and closed down for renovations?"

Yu Fengyang nodded hurriedly, his face full of disdain. "It's absolutely true. Guangjuxuan's closure notice has been posted. I heard that the new owner is a woman who knows nothing about running a restaurant. On her first day in charge, she fired many of the long-time employees, which has caused quite a stir."

Yu Zhenjiang scoffed, his face full of contempt, and said, "A woman in charge? That's utterly absurd! Throughout history, the business world has been like a battlefield, full of unpredictable changes and treacherous situations. How could a woman possibly handle that? She's just a woman who rarely leaves her home. How could she possibly know anything about running a restaurant? I don't know what tricks she used to take over Guangjuxuan."

After a moment's thought, Yu Zhenjiang continued, "Those waiters are very experienced. She's a woman, and she probably just did things based on her own whims, which is why she fired them. Send someone to find out who was fired and recruited to our Tianxiang Restaurant. Once that stupid woman realizes what's going on, it won't be so easy to get them back."

Yu Fengyang, his face full of admiration, flattered, "Father, what a brilliant plan!"

Yu Zhenjiang was in high spirits and continued, "For so many years, Guangjuxuan has always been one step ahead of us. When outsiders mention restaurants in Fulin County, they only know Guangjuxuan, but they don't know our Tianxianglou. That Zhao guy thinks he has such great management skills, but he only relies on the fact that Guangjuxuan is a Zhao family business and has stores in the provincial capital and the capital, so its reputation far surpasses that of our Tianxianglou."

Yu Fengyang quickly chimed in, "In my opinion, that Zhao fellow is far inferior to you, Father."

Yu Zhenjiang looked excited. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our Yu Family Restaurant! Give the order to have everyone in the restaurant keep a close eye on Guangjuxuan's movements. During this period, we will increase the portion sizes and offer appropriate discounts."

"Also, the New Year is just around the corner. Have the manager personally visit Guangjuxuan to deliver New Year's gifts, specifically the newly developed pastries from Tianxianglou. If these distinguished guests are satisfied, we'll establish a good reputation."

Yu Fengyang quickly replied, "Father, don't worry, I will definitely handle this matter well."

Yu Zhenjiang seemed to suddenly remember something, his expression turned serious, and he said solemnly, "You delegate these matters to your subordinates. The announcement for the county examination has already been released. If you still fail this time, I'll have nowhere to hide my face."

Yu Fengyang lowered his head, sighed helplessly, and said, "Father, I really have no interest in studying, but I do have some talent in business. Our Yu family is so wealthy and powerful, why should I insist on taking the path of studying? Isn't it better to follow you in business?"

Upon hearing his son's words, Yu Zhenjiang's eyes widened in anger, and he cursed, "You ignorant fool! Scholars, farmers, artisans, and merchants—this is the established order of the world. Being born into a merchant family means you will always be inferior to those aristocratic families. Look at how big and prosperous our family is now, but if we don't have anyone to help us in the officialdom, this prosperity could vanish in an instant."

Yu Zhenjiang grew increasingly angry, continuing in exasperation at his son's lack of ambition: "You should understand this better than anyone. Back then, your uncle's family wasn't as wealthy as our Yu family; he was at best my follower. We studied at the same academy. I didn't like studying, but your uncle studied diligently for ten years straight. Look at the difference between our two families now! Your uncle is now the provincial transport commissioner. Everyone addresses him respectfully as 'Sir,' and I have to kneel and bow before him. Every year, a significant portion of our Yu family's earnings goes to him. He's so powerful and prestigious. Do you really want to end up kneeling and bowing before your classmates in the future?"

Yu Fengyang was scolded and hung his head in dejection, saying in a low voice, "I understand, Father."

For some reason, the image of Gu Xiao suddenly appeared in his mind. Could it be that the cripple who used to copy books at Tiande Bookstore would one day be able to turn the tables and ride on his head?