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

Tang Yu originally thought that Gu Xiao would return after being gone for a while, but he didn't see him all morning. It wasn't until lunchtime that he saw Gu Xiao again, and standing next to Gu Xiao was a woman he had never seen before—presumably Gu Xiao's wife.

Tang Yu was completely absorbed in his studies and had never paid much attention to a woman's appearance before, but when he saw Nie Qianqian, he was truly amazed.

No wonder Brother Gu put down his book and went straight to his wife; Brother Gu's wife is just too beautiful.

This was also the first time Nie Qianqian had met Tang Yu.

She already knew from Gu Xiao that this was Lord Tang's son.

She couldn't help but think to herself, "Lord Tang is currently pursuing Liu Yan relentlessly. If things really work out in the future, wouldn't Tang Yu become her adopted younger brother?"

Lord Tang has thick eyebrows and big eyes, and his appearance is upright and heroic. Even when he is dressed in ordinary clothes, he exudes an aura of righteousness and authority.

Although Tang Yu looked somewhat similar to him, their temperaments were completely different. He stood there quietly, and when he saw Nie Qianqian, he bowed respectfully and said softly, "Hello, sister-in-law."

When Nie Qianqian heard the word "sister-in-law," she almost facepalmed.

Today she's my sister-in-law, tomorrow she might be my older sister.

At this moment, Madam Sun smiled and invited everyone to sit down: "Qianqian, sit down and eat!"

Nie Qianqian felt even more helpless upon hearing the name Qianqian.

The relationship is getting more and more complicated.

Everyone took their seats. Because Nie Qianqian had returned today, Madam Sun had prepared an exceptionally sumptuous meal.

During the meal, Jiang Botao mentioned wanting to rent a house outside:

"There are more and more students taking the exams at the inn right now, and many of them bring their families. The crowds and noise are really not conducive to Wenxuan and the other two's studies."

Sun continued her husband's words, saying, "Moreover, the food at the inn is rather oily. With your imperial examinations approaching, you need to be more careful with your diet. If we could rent a courtyard, I would cook for you myself every day to ensure you eat healthily."

During this period, Ms. Sun met with many family members who accompanied the examinees and also inquired about how to take care of the examinees. Only after inquiring did she realize that she was truly "troubled" by them.

Many students from well-off families had their mothers accompany them to the exam with servants. In the morning, they would prepare warm fresh milk; at noon, they would peel walnuts to nourish the brain; in the afternoon, they would cut seasonal fruits; and in the evening, they would brew a soup to help them sleep and nourish their brains.

She had never known there were so many intricacies to taking the exam before, but now that she did, she patted her chest and assured Jiang Botao that whatever others had, her son couldn't be without it either.

She personally handled all these meticulous tasks so that her three children could focus on their exams.

Nie Qianqian listened and also thought it made a lot of sense.

Inns are places to rest temporarily, and they are a mixed bag of people, so they are definitely not a good place to study for a long time.

Moreover, there is still about a month before the scientific expedition, and she also wants to expand her business in Fulin County to the provincial capital. She really needs to find a quiet and comfortable place to settle down.

She nodded and said, "Indeed, we should find a quiet courtyard. Madam Jiang is very thoughtful. I will be accompanying Director Zhang to the Jishetang in the provincial capital during this period, so I will trouble Mr. and Mrs. Jiang to take care of this matter."

Jiang Botao waved his hand: "What's the big deal? As long as they can focus on their studies and get good grades, that's better than anything else."

Sun smiled and agreed, "Qianqian, don't worry, I'll take care of it! I'll ask around this afternoon and make sure to find a quiet place with a spacious yard."

Tang Yu sat to the side, listening silently to the discussion. Finally, he mustered up his courage and asked in a low voice, "I have a favor to ask. May I also rent this house and live with Brother Gu and Brother Wenxuan to prepare for the exam?"

During this time, he had been studying with Gu Xiao and Jiang Wenxuan, and they had already developed a close bond. Learning according to Gu Xiao's methods and pace was far more effective than rote memorization, and coupled with Gu Xiao's outstanding talent, he could easily grasp concepts with just a little guidance. Naturally, he wanted to be closer to his two older brothers so he could concentrate on his exam preparation.

Nie Qianqian smiled and looked at Mr. and Mrs. Jiang Botao: "I have no objection, but it depends on what Mr. and Mrs. Jiang think."

Before Jiang Botao could speak, Jiang Wenxuan spoke first:

“Of course we should live together! We’ve been eating and living together for a while now, and I’m afraid I won’t be used to it if you’re not here.”

He said this to imply that he couldn't live without Tang Yu, but in reality, he was thinking of Tang Yu's well-being.

He could tell that Lord Tang had just been transferred to the provincial capital and was busy with official duties, leaving him no time to take care of Tang Yu, who was in a critical period of preparing for the exam and needed someone to look after him and work together.

The path to the imperial examination was inherently difficult, and as the exam approached, students inevitably felt nervous. If they studied alone in isolation, they were very likely to develop depression.

Although they hadn't known each other for long, Tang Yu was kind and simple-minded, and Jiang Wenxuan treated him like a younger brother he wanted to take care of.

Seeing his son say this, Jiang Botao smiled and nodded, "Tang Yu, of course we've considered you. We'd be very happy to have you if you're willing."

As soon as he finished speaking, Tang Yu nodded hurriedly, his eyes filled with joy: "I'm willing! I'm very willing!"

That was settled.

In the afternoon, Jiang Botao and Mrs. Sun went out to inquire about renting a house.

Nie Qianqian also urged Gu Xiao to go to school—after not seeing him for so long, she really wasn't sure what "rogue" things she would do if she kept staring at Gu Xiao's handsome face.

Besides, Gu Xiao's exam is just around the corner, and even if we know he's confident, we can't let him get distracted at this crucial moment.

Tang Yu said he didn't want Gu Xiao to be distracted, but he could clearly sense that Gu Xiao's mind wasn't on his books at all when he was reading in the afternoon.

Holding the book in my hands, I was a beat slow in turning the pages.

He thought to himself that the old saying was not entirely true. It said that "one should start a family before establishing a career." But looking at Gu Xiao, if he started a family first and indulged in a life of pleasure every day, how could he have any interest in studying?

Finally, when dinner time arrived, Gu Xiao, without waiting for anyone to urge him, closed his book and went briskly to the guest room to find Nie Qianqian.

Pushing open the door, the room was quiet. Nie Qianqian sat at the table, holding a cup of tea that had long since gone cold. Her eyes were blank as she stared out the window. The twilight cast a faint melancholy over her profile. She didn't even notice him enter the room.

Gu Xiao stepped forward gently and carefully put his arms around her shoulders. "What's wrong?"

Nie Qianqian relaxed her shoulders and leaned closer to him.

She gazed out the window at the setting sun, its afterglow painting the sky, and sighed softly.

I miss Tuantuan.

The reason I didn't bring Tuantuan to the provincial capital was that I thought treating Madam Jiang would be a difficult task, and I wouldn't be able to spare the time for ten days or half a month. Gu Xiao also had to focus on his exams and wouldn't have time to take care of the child.

But now she regrets it.

Now that I've been away from Fulin County for more than half a month, I often think of that little dumpling in my midnight dreams while I was at the governor's mansion. Now that I have some free time, the longing surges up like a tide, and I can't suppress it at all.

She transmigrated into this world, and it was Tuantuan who made her experience the joys of motherhood for the first time.

Having such a cute, obedient, soft, and cuddly little dumpling relying on you is simply the happiest thing in the world.

"I wonder if Tuantuan slept well last night," Nie Qianqian murmured softly, her voice full of worry.

Since moving into the new house after the divorce, Tuantuan has mainly slept with her.

This child always seems well-behaved and quiet, but in reality, he lacks a sense of security, especially noticeable when sleeping at night.

He always liked to rest his head on her arm, his little body nestled into her embrace, his back pressed tightly against her chest, his little head resting in the crook of her arm. He would also insist that her arm rest on his little belly, and then use both of his little hands to tightly wrap around that arm, like a little kangaroo dependent on its mother, only then could he sleep soundly and peacefully.

She's not around these days, there's no one to give him a pillow or hold him while he sleeps, will he wake up in the middle of the night?

Thinking of this, Nie Qianqian felt as if something had tugged at her heart, making her feel even more distressed.