After transmigrating, I became a stepmother.

"Who can disagree? We really owe it all to these neighbors!" Lin Hao was also quite moved. There are evil people like Zhu Gui in this world, but there are also good people like the scholar neighbor. All kinds of people fully demonstrate the multifaceted and complex nature of humanity.

"Then this scholar must hate Zhu Gui to death! With the support of that wealthy merchant, he won't stop until he's completely destroyed Zhu Gui!" the old lady said confidently.

"That's right, this case is no longer just about food at a restaurant. Even if the magistrate wants to protect him, he's probably powerless! Let's just wait and see what happens to him!" Lin Hao said, his face full of undisguised joy and smugness.

"This is truly a joyous occasion! This wealthy merchant has rid our county of a scourge, it's truly gratifying!" The old lady also had a happy expression on her face.

The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law exchanged a glance, both beaming with smiles.

"That's right! We shouldn't have let someone like him go into the food business in the first place, otherwise, so many people wouldn't have suffered!" Lin Hao said indignantly. Thinking of the aborted child and the old man who died unjustly, she felt like giving Zhu Gui a good beating!

Seeing that Gu Liunian hadn't said a word, Lin looked at him and asked with a smile, "So, you're happy about this too, right?"

"Hmm." Gu Liunian responded lightly, his expression not changing much, revealing no indication of his attitude towards the matter.

Lin Hao pouted in displeasure. Forget it, she wouldn't talk to him anymore.

Seeing her like this, Gu Liunian knew she was dissatisfied with his attitude, but he didn't say anything. There were some things she didn't need to know; as long as she was happy, that was enough.

They were so engrossed in their conversation that they forgot to eat. They picked up their bowls and chopsticks again, quickly finished their dinner, and then parted ways.

"You don't seem to like your cousin very much!" Gu Liunian put his arm around Lin Hao, playing with her hair with his fingertips. Lin Hao's hair was naturally beautiful, jet black and shiny, smooth as silk, and felt wonderful to the touch.

"You figured it out!" Lin Hao pouted, not bothering to hide it.

"Hmm, is something wrong with her?"

"Didn't you notice?" Lin Hao sat up, staring at him with wide eyes, looking like she was about to interrogate him.

She didn't believe that this old fox hadn't noticed anything amiss; who was he trying to fool!

As she moved, the long hair between Gu Liunian's fingers slipped away. He was somewhat dissatisfied, so he pulled her back into his arms with a forceful pull, and his fingers once again wrapped around her hair.

"Haven't I already avoided suspicion, huh?" He leaned close to Lin Hao's ear, his voice low, the last word drawn out and rising in tone.

Lin Hao felt a tingling sensation; he had gone too far!

"Hmph, don't think you can fool me. Let me tell you, as long as I'm here, you can forget about having anyone else. Otherwise, don't even come into my room. I'll stay with Yu-ge'er, and you can stay with other women!"

These words sound like a joke, but they are Lin Hao's true feelings. She absolutely cannot accept sharing a man with someone else, no matter how outstanding that man is!

Gu Liunian keenly sensed that Lin Hao's words were not just a joke, and he was momentarily stunned.

It wasn't because he had any intention of taking a concubine; otherwise, he could have done so when Lin Shu had been childless for many years.

He was a little surprised that Lin Hao would be so direct in saying such things, but considering her consistent honesty, he felt that this was the kind of thing she would do!

Seeing that he didn't speak, Lin Hao thought he couldn't accept it and tried to break free from his embrace.

Gu Liunian snapped back to his senses, exerted force with his arm to stop her movement, and gently comforted her, "Don't move. I didn't say I wouldn't agree. I just didn't expect you to say it so directly."

"You really won't take a concubine? You're not lying to me?" Lin Hao remained skeptical of his words. Could men in ancient times really accept this?

"Of course not. If I wanted to take a concubine, wouldn't it have been more logical before Yu-ge was even born?" Gu Liunian's voice was absolutely certain.

"That might mean you want a legitimate eldest son!" Lin Hao pouted.

"Wasn't the timing of your illness also quite good?"

"That's probably because you're worried about your reputation and don't dare to accept it!"

"So, according to you, with all these concerns, it seems there's no chance for me!" Gu Liunian could only say helplessly. For the first time, he felt that Lin Hao being too smart wasn't necessarily a good thing!

"What if you get into a high-ranking family and a girl from a wealthy family takes a liking to you?" Lin Hao probed. Little did she know that her guess would come true in the future. At that moment, she wished she could go back to that time and shut her mouth.

"So that's what you're worried about." Gu Liunian thought he had guessed Lin Hao's intention.

"Don't worry, as long as you don't do anything harmful to the Gu family in the future, as long as you're here, you'll be the only one by my side." His words were very powerful; this was his guarantee to her.

Lin Hao could sense that his words were sincere at this moment, but things are ever-changing, and no one can guarantee what will happen in the future! Not even herself.

Therefore, she looked into Gu Liunian's eyes and said earnestly, "No matter what, as long as you don't betray me, I will never let you down. If one day you have other choices, I will not hold a grudge."

Gu Liunian looked at her, knowing that she still had things to say.

"I just hope that you can consider our past relationship and give me a manor, preferably far away from you, so that I can have a place to settle down. But from now on, let's not have any further involvement with each other, and let's pretend that this person never existed in my life."

This was the best ending she could think of. It meant they wouldn't have to hate each other, nor would she have to stop him from marrying someone else in the future. It also guaranteed her a comfortable life for the rest of her days. As for Gu Liunian, there was no loss. Given his character, he should be able to spare her life.

At this moment, Gu Liunian's heart was shaken. He had always known that she was not as weak as she appeared, but he was still surprised by the clarity and composure she showed at this moment. Could such a temperament really be found in a sixteen-year-old girl?

He asked himself the question, and the answer was no. No matter how difficult life was for the Lin family, she shouldn't be like this; the servants who raised her wouldn't have such thoughts.

He recalled the question that had once crossed his mind: Who exactly was she?

"You can think about it carefully, there's no need to rush to answer." Seeing that he remained silent, Lin Hao knew that her thoughts were still somewhat difficult for people of this era to accept, so she didn't expect to get an answer right away.

Lin Hao turned over, her back to Gu Liunian. This time, she encountered no obstacles.

The couple remained silent, as if something was flowing in the air, making them even more awake, and they could even hear each other breathing.

After a long silence, Gu Liunian finally spoke, his voice somewhat hoarse, as if he hadn't spoken in a long time: "Who exactly are you?"