Chapter 289: Unheard, Unasked, Unheeded

When He Jinglan plucked plum blossoms, two handsome men stood beside her.

One had a pleasant smile, the other a stern expression.

He Jinglan held the plum blossom, turned and smiled, saying, "Everyone says auspicious snow promises a good harvest; next year's wheat will surely grow vigorously."

He Jinghui smiled indulgently, but his smile also carried a hint of helplessness.

His sister, ever since returning from the Northwest, would steer any conversation toward farming in just a few words.

Could it really be that she's been assimilated by that Mr. He?

When He Jinglan left Huachi Du Cun, the winter wheat had already been planted.

She glanced at Mu Nan Zhao, intentionally bringing up, "I wonder if Huachi Du Cun will also have snow; Xixi seeing the first snow would surely be delighted."

"Brother Qixiu, you'd agree, right?"

Since He Jinglan gave up on Mu Nan Zhao, she no longer calls him "A-Zhao".

Previously she would directly call him by name in private, but now that she's back in the capital, she must observe the propriety of old family friends, so she now addresses him with his courtesy name plus "elder brother".

Mu Nan Zhao has had no expression since just now, and no one knows what he's thinking.

Hearing He Jinglan directly ask him, he turned his gaze, his thin lips parting slightly, "Given her preferences, she would surely be delighted."

Especially since she is certain he will never return to Huachi Du Cun, her mood should be even better.

Thinking of this, Mu Nan Zhao's face grew a few degrees colder.

Obviously he had already sent Master Liu back; superficially it was to let Master Liu continue teaching, waiting to find a suitable village schoolmaster before replacing him.

In reality, it was to leave a connection near Gu Xixi so that when she thought of him, she could always find a place to contact.

However……

It has been over a month since Mu Nan Zhao returned to the capital.

Gu Xixi has sent no news at all—she neither hears, inquires, nor pays attention.

Mu Nan Zhao is quite certain that this woman is putting into practice what she previously said.

As if she had never known him, as if he had never been to Huachi Du Cun.

As if he had never existed beside her.

He Jinghui watched his friend, at times with a solemn face, at times breaking into a cold smile; unable to bear it any longer, he said, "If you miss her in your heart, then go find her."

"What good is sulking here alone? Besides, you're making us keep you company out in the heavy snow, risking catching a chill."

We were just drinking tea in the warm pavilion.

It was Mu Nan Zhao who suddenly said he felt stuffy and wanted to stroll in the garden.

Mu Nan Zhao shot him a glare.

He Jinghui, however, was not afraid of him, saying, "Even if you glare at me, I'll still say it!"

"Since the day you entered court, have you ever had a day when your mood was good?"

"The backlog of documents from the past two years and various regional memorials you had people reorganize, then you personally review them, especially those concerning agriculture and people's livelihood from all regions."

"You said that the Empress Dowager's faction had increased taxes, which should be corrected promptly; the Emperor personally approved, adjusting the taxes. Moreover, in recognition of the Northwest Army's merits, you granted the Northwest a two-year tax exemption."

"But you're still not happy; when you're unhappy, you work yourself to the bone."

"Nowadays, officials from all departments are nearly worked to death by you, everyone on edge, afraid you'll spot-check them."

"Putting it nicely, you're the diligent Regent Prince handling affairs without rest; putting it harshly, this is just your own pent-up frustration, making everyone suffer for it."

Mu Nan Zhao said lightly, "In the past, when the maternal relatives held power, they made too many mistakes; if I don't correct them swiftly, should I just let them develop?"

He Jinghui, exasperated, said, "You also say there are too many mistakes—can they be fixed in a month or two?"

"Chronic ailments need to be eradicated at the root, and also require long-term gradual planning; you understand this better than I do."

He Jinglan nodded in agreement, "Even if Brother Qixiu works himself to death, the remaining mess still has to be cleaned up by my brother and the other officials."

The brother and sister gazed sympathetically at Mu Nan Zhao, conveying the meaning "we understand you."

Mu Nan Zhao felt as if pricked by a needle, his face dark as he flicked his sleeves and left.

He Jinglan followed behind, shouting, "I won't laugh at you! I understand!"

"One cannot give up just because of one or two rejections!"

"Out of old family friendship, I've already made the news clear to you!"

"Your rival is strong! The person you admire is even stronger! If you retreat, it's defeat!!"

He Jinghui looked at his own sister with a beaming smile.

"This girl, she hasn't read all those storybooks for nothing; this slogan she's shouting is really catchy."

In the wind and snow, Mu Nan Zhao walked faster and faster, as if a wolf pack were chasing him from behind.

There are still three days until New Year's Eve.

Gu Xixi hasn't gone out these past few days; the whole family eats and drinks together, experiencing the bliss of wintering in.

Taking advantage of the farmers' holiday, Gu Xixi, in her free time, flips through the pharmacopoeia, learning more medicinal ingredients and practicing compounding.

At first, Old Doctor had some reservations about Gu Xixi only studying compounding.

Especially seeing the medicines Gu Xixi compounded herself—aside from poison, they were all sorts that cause adverse reactions in the human body.

Old Doctor was puzzled, "Good apprentice, why are you concocting these things?"

Gu Xixi, eager for knowledge, not grasping Old Doctor's concern, said, "Is my compounding no good? Master, do you think any formula still needs adjustment?"

Old Doctor fell silent for a moment, then said, "Your formula is fine."

"Not even I, as your teacher, can see where it needs adjustment."

Old Doctor couldn't hold back, lifting his head to Gu Xixi, saying, "But it's just too good—you have such talent; why not use it locally to compound medicines that cure and save people?"

Gu Xixi blinked her eyes, saying, "I haven't studied medicine with you; I don't know diagnosis and treatment—how could I cure and save people? Master, you're just joking."

Old Doctor: "Then learn!"

Gu Xixi acted coquettishly: "We had already agreed on it, I won't study."

Lao Langzhong felt somewhat helpless; after a while, he said, "Some of your poisons are too toxic; just in case, I need to make you more antidotes."

Gu Xixi laughed, "I've made them, and I will be extremely careful when using them, so you can rest assured."

Lao Langzhong's expression was somewhat confused; he always felt something was not quite right.

At this moment, Shitou ran in, "Sister Xixi, Master Liu has come to say goodbye, saying he has something for you!"

Gu Xixi took the opportunity to stand up and slipped away in a puff of smoke.

Lao Langzhong heard the door closing and suddenly turned pale with shock.

Just now, from that girl's tone, it's clear she has already used poison, and not just once!

In the front yard, Master Liu politely declined Zhang Shen's invitation to come inside for tea.

He stood outside the gate, waiting for Gu Xixi to come over, smiling and clasping his hands, "In Flower Pool Ford Village, I have been cared for by Boss Gu; I have come specially to bid farewell."

Before the village school closed for vacation, Master Liu had already announced his impending departure.

After the New Year festivities, another teacher will come to replace him.

Gu Xixi also returned a salute to Master Liu, "Mr. Liu, you are too kind; I have been repeatedly helped by you, and I am deeply grateful."

"I hope Master Liu, on your journey, you have smooth sailing and a successful official career."

Master Liu was taken aback; indeed he was about to enter officialdom, so he smiled and said, "I thank you for your kind words."

Finally he took out an envelope and handed it to Gu Xixi.

"No need for me to say more; Boss Gu surely knows the origin of this letter."