A husband found in the village? I bought a regent for a penny!

Chapter 428 Let's watch the stars together

Stone's naive question reminded Aunt Zhang once again.

Aunt Zhang's kind eyes suddenly turned sharp as she glared at Mu Nanzhao, "After all this time, shouldn't you have taken care of things at Mu's family's place by now?"

Judging from this posture, it seemed as if Mu Nanzhao would be killed on the spot if he dared to say no.

Knowing full well that Mu Nanzhao couldn't possibly stay here, Gu Xixi quickly smiled and said, "He's no longer a criminal."

"It's a rare opportunity to reunite with my family, and I've also returned to my previous position."

"I've told you all this, Auntie. Have you forgotten?"

Aunt Zhang certainly remembered that incident, but so what?

A son-in-law who had already married into the family was not content to stay at home to take care of his wife and children; he was always away from home and never seen again.

What kind of system?

Aunt Zhang said, "I'm just an old woman from the countryside. I've never seen much of the world in my life, and I don't understand what it's like to be an official or a minister."

"All I know is that no matter how powerful he is outside, when he comes back, he's still the son-in-law of this family."

Gu Xixi secretly groaned, then stole a glance at Mu Nanzhao and found that he wasn't angry at all, and could even laugh.

“Besides,” Aunt Zhang said matter-of-factly, “no matter how high Xiao Mu’s position is, can it be greater than that of the Regent?”

"Even the Regent was willing to announce to the world that he would marry into the family for the sake of Miss Gu."

"Don't they live their lives?"

"Everywhere is like you two, long-term separation!"

Mu Nanzhao's smile deepened, "Yes, yes, I think Auntie is absolutely right."

Gu Xixi sighed silently.

It's one thing to spill the gossip to the person in question.

In the end, it inevitably expanded from Mu Nanzhao being reprimanded alone to her being reprimanded along with him.

Sure enough, Aunt Zhang immediately turned her attention to Gu Xixi.

"I know this can't be entirely blamed on Xiao Mu."

"You don't want to get married, so you'd rather Xiao Mu stay away from home."

Gu Xixi noticed Mu Nanzhao looking at her with amusement in his eyes, and inexplicably felt guilty.

Even though she hadn't done anything wrong, she felt like a heartless woman with a heart full of tricks, being publicly judged.

Gu Xixi shifted her posture uncomfortably, "I..."

"Actually, there is some of this kind of thinking."

Faced with the knowing looks from the crowd, she quickly said, "But I can explain!"

Aunt Zhang sighed heavily and even looked at Mu Nanzhao apologetically.

"You owe Xiao Mu an explanation."

Mu Nanzhao's eyelids were half-closed, and his expression was indifferent.

It's as if he has a lot of grievances but keeps them to himself.

No words are needed; instead, they make one feel even more sorry for them.

While Aunt Zhang wasn't looking at her, Gu Xixi glared fiercely at Mu Nanzhao.

I never realized before, this young man is quite a good actor!

Aunt Zhang said guiltily, "Xiao Mu, I'm so sorry. I was too harsh when I said that. Our family will definitely take responsibility for you."

Mu Nanzhao said, "I hope my aunts will stand up for me more."

"However, I believe Xixi must have her reasons."

Aunt Zhang's previous resentment was completely swept away, leaving only her love and affection for her future son-in-law.

"I know you're the most sensible child, but you spoil Xixi too much."

Gu Xixi had lost the ability to make expressions at this moment.

She said with a blank expression, "I've always planned to establish my career before starting a family."

"Even if you force yourself to be with someone, you can't take care of your family, and in the end, you're only making things difficult for the other person."

"However, I wouldn't mind supporting one more person."

"Auntie, ask him if he's willing to stay in this yard, rely on me for his livelihood, and help me with all the household chores?"

Lü Jing narrowed her eyes, secretly applauding in her heart. She had turned the tables on him! Well done!

Aunt Zhang looked at Mu Nanzhao and said, "Now you have something to do outside, and you're an official, no less."

"I'm afraid you can't just abandon all of this, can you?"

Mu Nanzhao smiled, making no attempt to evade the question, "It's indeed not possible for the time being."

Although Aunt Zhang had the answer in her heart, she couldn't help but feel discouraged.

"Fine, fine, I see it now."

"You two are evenly matched, neither of you is easy to deal with!"

She got up to collect the empty bowls, saying, "From now on, I'm completely ignoring this."

"You two can just keep being all lovey-dovey,"

"Anyway, one of them can't live without the other, but neither of them wants to get married."

"These young people nowadays, I really can't understand them!"

Aunt Zhang walked away with the bowl in her hand.

Gu Xixi and Mu Nanzhao stared at each other in a daze.

"Anyway, one can't live without the other"—a seemingly unintentional and common saying, yet it touched the hearts of lovers.

If two people cannot live without each other.

What does it matter if we can be together for a short time?

Lu Jing sensed the awkward atmosphere and picked up the stone. "I practiced calligraphy on two sheets of paper yesterday. Can you take a look and see how they turned out?"

Only two people remained, sitting facing each other in the courtyard.

After a moment of silence, they all laughed in unison.

Mu Nanzhao breathed a sigh of relief and looked at the night sky, saying, "It's still better in the village; you can't see so many stars in the capital."

Gu Xixi also looked up and said, "Yes, things in life are rarely perfect."

Double entendre.

Mu Nanzhao's lips curled up. "I've already decided not to pressure you anymore."

"I was just teasing you by going along with what Aunt Zhang said."

"I know." Gu Xixi paused, then turned to look at him.

"Are you kidding me? You're clearly just getting revenge on purpose!"

Mu Nanzhao chuckled softly.

The two continued to gaze at the starry sky, needing no words to communicate, their hearts simply connected.

Tonight, Mu Nanzhao will stay temporarily in the old doctor's room.

Before going to sleep, the young couple were reluctant to part. Even though it was only a few steps away, Mu Nanzhao still had to escort Gu Xixi to the door of her bedroom.

Gu Xixi asked, "Will you be gone when I wake up tomorrow morning?"

Mu Nanzhao smiled with eyes full of doting affection, "Don't worry, I will never leave without saying goodbye again."

Gu Xixi nodded, hesitated for a moment before pushing open the door. Just as she was about to go in, she heard Mu Nanzhao say:

"His Majesty has ordered me to assist the Northwest Army in reorganizing the border defenses and, incidentally, to be involved in local government affairs."

"So for a long time to come, I will be traveling back and forth between the capital and the Northwest, and I will be spending a lot of time in the Northwest."

After a moment of joy, Gu Xixi glared angrily, "Why didn't you say something so important sooner!"

Mu Nanzhao smiled innocently, "I forgot, I just suddenly remembered."

"Liar!" Gu Xixi became even more indignant. "You're deliberately keeping quiet so you can see that I'm reluctant to part with you!"

"big liar!"

With a bang, the door closed.

"Sigh!" Mu Nanzhao had no chance to argue and shook his head helplessly.

Never mind, there's plenty of time. I'll figure out a way to coax them slowly later.

Inside the house, Gu Xixi leaned against the door, listening to the footsteps outside heading towards the backyard.

Her lips couldn't help but curve into a smile, and she finally broke into a happy laugh.

The location for the tea plantation has been finalized, and Gu Xixi will be going to the estate with Lü Jing early the next morning.

When Mu Nanzhao learned of this during breakfast, he was about to speak when Gu Xixi cut him off.

"You are not allowed to go with them."

"Why?" Mu Nanzhao asked.

Gu Xixi had a good reason: "I'm afraid something might happen during the wheat harvest, so you have to stay home and keep an eye on things for me."

If I'm not mistaken, today's return journey will be the time for Gu Tiezhu to make his move.

If we bring Mu Nanzhao along, how could that coward Gu Tiezhu dare to show his face?