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

Nie Qianqian tried her best to persuade Dean Qiu and Teacher Jiang to stay for dinner, but the two firmly refused. They had already been fed a mouthful of dog food (a Chinese slang term for witnessing public displays of affection), so how could they possibly eat?

Dean Qiu came to the village to personally inform Gu Xiao because of his love for talent and his great curiosity about him. Seeing that Gu Xiao remained calm and composed after learning that he had passed the exam with a perfect score and had a great chance of passing the imperial examination, Dean Qiu couldn't help but sigh at the boy's composure.

Nie Qianqian and Liu Yan didn't seem to disregard Gu Xiao like the rest of the Nie family, so he felt relieved. In this era, the imperial examination was not just an individual matter, but a major event for a family and a clan.

As Gu Xiao saw the two off, he ran into the village head and Huang Zhenzhu, who had brought Tiedan to learn to read.

The village head already knew their identities: the headmaster of Tiande Academy in the county, who was many ranks higher than him, a mere village official. He bowed deeply, his face full of respect.

Huang Zhenzhu didn't know what the two well-dressed people in front of her did, but she felt that they were inexplicably more refined than the villagers, especially the older one, who had an inviolable sense of sanctity. She followed the village head's example and bowed to the two of them, and even used her arm to press Tie Dan down to imitate the bow.

Upon hearing that the visitor was the village head, Dean Qiu earnestly instructed him, "Village Head Liu, Gu Xiao is a promising talent. If the village produces a scholar, it will be a blessing for the whole village. As the village head, you must give him your full support."

Liu Lizheng nodded hurriedly, "Definitely, definitely."

After the two left, Liu Lizheng and Huang Zhenzhu were both somewhat dazed.

Liu Li was wondering what kind of luck Liu Yan's family had. First, Nie Qianqian got to know the county magistrate, then the little disabled person with very little presence in the village became a rising star in the imperial examination, and then there was Liu Yan, whom he had just seen. He thought that even Liu Yan had changed.

How has Liu Yan changed?

Liu Yan used to have to take care of both the housework and the farm work. She was often hungry, and the wind and sun made her dark and thin. Even in the coldest days, she would immerse her hands in ice water to wash clothes for the whole family. Her hands were covered with cracks and frostbite.

Although my appearance hasn't changed much, my complexion has improved, I've gained a little weight, and my hands are much better than before.

The key is his demeanor. He used to suffer greatly in the Nie family, so his face was naturally full of sorrow and he acted timidly. Now, his appearance is completely different. He stands up straight and always has a smile on his face.

If Nie Qianqian knew Liu Lizheng's sigh, she would be very gratified. During this time, she had worried a lot about Liu Yan, keeping an eye on the milk and eggs every day, and using supermarket hand cream to moisturize and massage Liu Yan's hands repeatedly every night. She also applied ointment to remove scars from Liu Yan's body. Most importantly, she constantly gave Liu Yan a sense of security: "Mom made the right decision to divorce. Life will get better and better after leaving the Nie family. Tuantuan and I will take good care of Mom."

People in ancient times were somewhat superstitious, and villagers were even more so. Liu Lizheng firmly believed that Liu Yan's family's fortunes had changed.

Liu Lizheng couldn't help but look up at the sky and sigh, "Liu Yan's family is different now!"

Huang Zhenzhu asked curiously, "Uncle Village Head, who are those two people?"

Liu Lizheng: "The one in the lead is the dean of Tiande Academy. The master values ​​Gu Xiao as a promising talent and is counting on Gu Xiao to pass the imperial examination."

Huang Zhenzhu was so surprised she couldn't close her mouth. A scholar?

Is Nie Qianqian's disabled husband really that capable? I thought he was a burden, but he's turned out to be a promising prospect.

Huang Zhenzhu: "Is it really true that Gu Xiao can pass the imperial examination and become a scholar?"

Liu Lizheng snorted, "The dean of Tiande Academy has come to our house in person, which shows how much he values ​​Gu Xiao. How could it be fake?"

Huang Zhenzhu patted her chest as if she had been startled. If Gu Xiaozhen really passed the imperial examination, wouldn't the Liu family be lifted up to a great height? That would be incredible.

After Liu Lizheng left, Huang Zhenzhu pondered for a moment, then squatted down and said to Tiedan, "Tiedan, did you hear what Grandpa Lizheng said?"

Tie Dan nodded, not understanding what was going on.

Huang Zhenzhu: "Your brother Gu Xiao is very capable. You must learn from him and understand?"

Tie Dan nodded emphatically.

Huang Zhenzhu patted Tiedan's head and said, "You must listen to your brother Gu Xiao, please him, and never make him angry, understand?"

Tie Dan nodded obediently again, thinking to himself, "If I'm good, I'll win over Brother Gu Xiao."

That evening, after teaching the two little ones to recognize characters, Gu Xiao washed up and went to bed, his mind constantly replaying the words Nie Qianqian had spoken that night.

He suffered from insomnia.

In the east room, someone is also suffering from insomnia.

However, it wasn't Nie Qianqian. After thinking for a moment about how to treat her cheap husband well, Nie Qianqian decided to add a chicken leg to the meal she brought for Gu Xiao tomorrow morning, and then went to sleep peacefully.

Liu Yan is suffering from insomnia.

Gu Xiao was forced into the Nie family, and she always felt guilty towards him. No matter how hard her life was in the Nie family, she always thought of leaving half a steamed bun for Gu Xiao. As for Gu Xiao, he appeared cold, but after more than three years, Liu Yan could see that Gu Xiao was much better than her own man. He was a responsible and dependable man who did his best to protect Liu Yan and Nie Qianqian.

She truly treated Gu Xiao like her own child. She was both gratified and excited that Gu Xiao was able to study and had the hope of passing the imperial examination.

The next day, Gu Xiao had some dark circles under his eyes, but he didn't stay in bed. He got up early on time to read and copy books. Nie Qianqian also got up early to cultivate, and after finishing her cultivation, she made food for Gu Xiao to take to the academy.

She cooked for Gu Xiao partly to fulfill her promise to take good care of him, and partly to teach her mother how to cook new dishes.

Liu Yan puts Qianqian first in everything. She had wondered why Nie Qianqian knew so many strange and unusual tricks, but since her daughter didn't say anything, she didn't think much of it or ask any further questions.

After the family finished eating, Gu Xiao drove the oxcart to the county as usual. This time, he went directly to Tiande Academy for classes. Yesterday, when Dean Qiu came, he told him that he would be assigned to the erudite class. Although Gu Xiao did not have any official rank, sending him to the knowledge-enhancing class was no joke. It was like sending a high school student to kindergarten.

After Gu Xiao left, Nie Qianqian took Liu Yan to check on the construction progress next door. The new house was located next to the old house, within the Liu family's land area. Construction had been in full swing for the past few days, and part of the courtyard wall had already been built.

As soon as the two stepped out of the old house, they saw Huang Zhenzhu's eldest nephew, Huang Datao, rushing past the door. Liu Yan had a good impression of the boy; he was hardworking, knew how to handle things, and had a sweet tongue. "Datao, slow down and watch where you're going."

Da Tao turned around and saw Nie Qianqian and Liu Yan, and said anxiously, "Auntie, something happened at the new house! The courtyard wall collapsed!"

Liu Yan: "Huh?"

How could that be? The courtyard wall was built just these past two days, and it hasn't been exposed to wind and sun yet. How could it have collapsed?

The two hurriedly went with Da Tao to the new house and found that the newly built courtyard wall had indeed collapsed. There were more than a dozen workers around the wall, and four people at the front were pushing and shoving each other and cursing. Two of them were Huang Yijin and Huang Yiyin, the nephews of the aunt's family. Nie Qianqian vaguely remembered the other two. They were the two children of the Ma family in the village, Ma Dali and Ma Xiaoli. They were not even as old as Nie Qianqian. The villagers usually called them Big Ma and Little Ma.

Nie Qianqian stepped forward: "What happened?"

When Huang Yijin and Huang Yiyin saw Liu Yan and Nie Qianqian arrive, their attitude towards Da Ma and Xiao Ma became even more arrogant. Huang Yijin spoke first, "Sister Liu, these two workers accidentally broke into the courtyard wall. My brother and I caught them red-handed, but they are still denying it. You've come at the right time. Let them pay for it."

Nie Qianqian was the one who asked the question, but Huang Yijin answered Liu Yan. Huang Yijin is Huang Zhenzhu's younger brother. Although he is younger, he is of a higher generation than Nie Qianqian. Considering himself Nie Qianqian's elder, he didn't bother to answer her.

The other two immediately blushed. Da Ma pointed at Huang Yijin and said, "You're talking nonsense. It was clearly you who pushed us that caused us to bump into you."

Huang Yiyin glanced disdainfully at the man who had spoken, "Don't try to shift the blame. Why would we blame you?"

Little Ma, being younger, was more agitated than Big Ma. His face was flushed, and he shouted at the top of his lungs, "It's all because you guys want to slack off again! You're trying to push today's work onto me and my brother!"