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

Gu Xiao drove the oxcart all the way and quickly arrived at Tiande Academy, saving a lot of time compared to usual.

Besides him, many other students from impoverished families copied books at Tiande Academy to earn money. Seeing Gu Xiao driving an oxcart today, they all cast envious glances at him. Gu Xiao thought back to his youth when he could ride a priceless Ferghana horse with ease, but now he felt a sense of joy driving the most ordinary oxcart, and he couldn't help but find it amusing.

Gu Xiao parked the oxcart in the backyard, patted Big Yellow's head, and fed it some grass.

Dahuang was the name given by Tuantuan. Tuantuan loves animals, and after Dahuang came to their home, Tuantuan always hovered around Dahuang.

The little Tuan Tuan stretched out its hand, holding grass, but couldn't even reach the cow. It just chatted with Da Huang, who responded with moo from time to time. The cow and the little one were having a great time.

Upon entering the library, Gu Xiao quietly copied books in a corner as usual, occasionally glancing up at the sundial at the library entrance, feeling that time was passing very slowly today, wondering why it wasn't lunchtime yet.

Just as he finally saw the sundial pointing due north and was about to put away his writing brush and ink to heat up his meal, he saw Jiang Wenxuan stride in, the gold hairpin on his head glittering in the sunlight.

Jiang Wenxuan rushed straight towards him, crying out, "Brother Gu, save me!"

Seeing his expression, Gu Xiao knew what he wanted to say and said calmly, "What questions has the teacher given this time?"

Jiang Wenxuan frowned. "The teacher has set a very broad topic this time, asking us to discuss the fundamentals of governing the country and ensuring its stability. Where should we even begin?"

While tidying up the writing brushes and ink on the table, Gu Xiao replied, "If we wish for a peaceful and prosperous nation, we should prioritize the interests of the people. A prosperous people lead to a prosperous nation. We must implement policies that benefit the people, promote what is beneficial and eliminate what is harmful, and act in accordance with what the people think, what they desire, what they plan for, and what they do. Those who wish for a peaceful nation must cultivate virtue and righteousness, governing with virtue and supplementing it with punishment. A ruler who governs with virtue is like the North Star, which remains in its place while all the other stars revolve around it. In addition to the interests of the people, a strong military and advanced weaponry are also essential. Our ancestors fought hard to establish this nation, which is why we have the peaceful and prosperous state we enjoy today. It was difficult to take it, and it is equally difficult to take it back. With a virtuous and righteous ruler, honest and upright officials, peaceful and prosperous families, and a strong and powerful military, this is how we can govern and bring peace to the nation..."

As Jiang Wenxuan listened, his furrowed brows gradually relaxed, as if he had been enlightened. He clapped his hands and looked at Gu Xiao with admiration, "Brother Gu, you are truly a genius. No matter what questions the teacher asks, you can handle them with ease. I really want to know how your brain works. How can there be such a big difference between people?"

Gu Xiao was tired of hearing this; every time Jiang Wenxuan asked him for help, he would always praise him.

Gu Xiao remained silent. He began his studies at the age of three, receiving instruction and guidance from numerous renowned scholars at the Imperial Academy. By the age of eight, he had read extensively in the classics and histories, and was skilled in poetry, calligraphy, seal carving, and painting. His teachers praised him as a prodigy, and his name resounded throughout the capital.

Seeing Gu Xiao's nonchalant demeanor, Jiang Wenxuan once again secretly sighed, "Brother Gu is truly a genius."

Others may not understand Gu Xiao, but he does. Gu Xiao is full of talent, yet he is never arrogant or conceited. He is reserved and low-key, and over the years, he has read almost all the books in the library without ever slacking off. His self-discipline and self-control inspire his respect. Whether praised or insulted, Gu Xiao remains calm and composed, demonstrating remarkable inner strength.

In the academy, he met many classmates. Some were from wealthy families who only knew how to compare their family wealth and pretended to be learned. Others were from poor families, like Nie Wenye, who was proud of his talent and acted aloof, as if he regarded money as dirt and disdained to associate with idle rich kids. But in reality, he could clearly see envy and even jealousy in Nie Wenye's eyes.

But Gu Xiao was different. He did not envy the wealth of others, nor did he feel inferior because of his own predicament. He was neither arrogant nor humble, treated others with courtesy, and knew how to advance and retreat with propriety. He was a true gentleman.

Although occasionally, cough cough, I find him annoying for being so noisy.

Jiang Wenxuan put his arm around Gu Xiao's shoulder. "Brother Gu has helped me again. Please give me a chance to treat you to lunch. Don't refuse me again."

Gu Xiao removed Jiang Wenxuan's arm and stepped back with some disdain. "No, I brought my own lunch."

"It's that dry, hard flatbread again. I really don't know how you managed to eat it. Don't bring out your grand principles about not worrying about food again. Food is the most important thing for people."

This time, Gu Xiao surprisingly did not refute, but simply replied, "No, it's... a delicious dish."

Jiang Wenxuan's eyes widened. "Delicious food? You actually said that? Hahaha, I'd like to see that for myself."

He wasn't in a hurry to eat, and despite Gu Xiao's expression that seemed to want to send you away a thousand miles away, he insisted on staying to wait for Gu Xiao to heat up the food and come back.

The tangy aroma of pickled fish wafted over from afar, and Jiang Wenxuan unconsciously salivated.

The fish in the sauerkraut fish dish looked fresh, smooth, and tender, floating on the golden broth. It smelled of the fish and sauerkraut mixed together. The potato pancakes were fried until golden brown, looking very appetizing. Jiang Wenxuan unconsciously swallowed.

Gu Xiao picked up a piece of fish and put it in his mouth. He was stunned. The fish was tender and boneless, with a sour and spicy taste that was delicate and refreshing, making him very hungry. He then took a bite of the potato pancake. The surface of the pancake was crispy, while the inside was soft, sticky, and sweet. He felt very happy after eating it.

Jiang Wenxuan initially looked down on the "delicious food" Gu Xiao mentioned, but now he just wanted to eat for Gu Xiao. "Where did you buy this food from? I've never seen it before."

Gu Xiao: "It was my wife who made it." He had never called Nie Qianqian "wife" before, but for some reason, it just slipped out.

After speaking, her face felt slightly flushed.

Jiang Wenxuan, oblivious to Gu Xiao's choice of words, gaped in astonishment, "Ah? She made it? I never knew your wife was such a good cook?!"

Such a beautiful and talented cook, what an enviable wife! I wonder why Brother Gu and his wife had such a strained relationship before.

Jiang Wenxuan smiled broadly, "Brother Gu, we're good brothers, can I have some of this fish?"

Gu Xiao glanced at him sideways and replied coldly, "No."

After saying that, he pulled the lunchbox closer to himself, looking like he was carefully protecting his food.

Jiang Wenxuan was injured and looked dejected. "Brother Gu, we've known each other for so many years, and it's not even worth a few bites of your fish. Besides, didn't you say that these are all just desires and should be satisfied in moderation?"

Gu Xiao remained unfazed. "Food is the first necessity of the people, and eating and sex are human nature."

Jiang Wenxuan stared at Gu Xiao in disbelief. "You, you, you! I think you're only refusing to share with me because it was your wife who made it. You really value your wife more than your friend!"

A barely perceptible smile appeared on Gu Xiao's lips as he continued to focus on eating the fish.

Jiang Wenxuan ultimately failed to eat a single bite of fish. He stormed out of the library in a huff, got into his carriage, and angrily shouted at his servant, "You! Go and find out for me right now which restaurant in the county sells that kind of sour and spicy fish!"

Gu Xiao finished all the fish and drank all the soup, leaving not a single potato pancake.

He carefully put the bowls and plates containing the food back into the food box, wondering if Nie Qianqian would bring him food again tomorrow, and what kind of food she would bring.