Chapter 351: From Now On, I Won't Deceive You

The series of incidents caused by Dou Rongshan's reckless entry into the carriage, Gu Xixi completely did not want to recall again.

Especially Mu Nan Zhao.

Thinking of this, Gu Xixi felt her heart tighten involuntarily and had a slight headache.

She had pulled off his clothes, looked, and even touched; she feared that the more she said, the more tangled it would become.

Since Mu Nan Zhao hasn't brought it up, what are we waiting for to quickly turn the page!

Thus, Gu Xixi sat up straight, smiled and directly faced Mu Nan Zhao, "Yes, I almost forgot him; go on, then."

Yes, just like that, as if nothing had happened, so natural.

How could Mu Nan Zhao fail to see through Gu Xixi's little thoughts?

But now, he is no longer in a hurry.

Speaking of which, we should still thank Dou Rongshan.

If it weren't for Dou Rongshan's noisy fuss, he wouldn't know when he could see a bit of Gu Xixi's true feelings.

This is the first time Gu Xixi has admitted that their relationship is not shallow.

Whether she was truly jealous or simply disliked Dou Rongshan's arrogance and intended to teach her a lesson by acting.

For Mu Nan Zhao, the result was ultimately satisfactory.

At this moment, his heart felt like a mass of spring water, soft and continuous, warm and cozy.

Consequently, his whole demeanor seemed much more easygoing than usual.

"Jingdong is indeed my person."

"However, speaking of it, I don't owe him much gratitude; his family was merely one of the misdeeds committed by the faction of the former Empress Dowager in Jiangnan."

Gu Xixi asked, "Is it because of this that he wants to repay you with loyalty?"

Mu Nan Zhao said, "It should be more than that; in the end I let him personally kill his direct enemy."

"It's a pity that he had already been implicated in his family's crime and entered the Inner Court, his body mutilated, his family scattered, which can hardly be made up for."

Gu Xixi said, "Since his wrongs have been righted, has he never thought of leaving the Imperial Palace?"

Mu Nan Zhao sighed, "I gave him a chance; I did my best to gather back thirty percent of his family's original property and returned it all to him."

"He cannot bear the world's strange looks; I could also help him hide his name and live elsewhere, and by selling his property he could secure his livelihood for life."

"But he refused all of it."

Gu Xixi understood, "He wants to repay you in his own way."

Mu Nan Zhao glanced at her, "Don't judge him by his appearance; the only person left from his foster father's retinue who still serves in the Imperial Study is him, showing how clever he is."

Gu Xixi felt somewhat moved, "Perhaps the vast world outside has lost everything he cared for, leaving only his loyalty to you to keep him going."

Mu Nan Zhao said, "You seem to empathize deeply."

Gu Xixi smiled, "Just speculation."

After she transmigrated into the book, she also felt she had lost everything, left only with the task of "escaping the fate of a female side character."

But gradually, Zhang Shen, the master, Shitou, Qin Dasao, Qian Village Chief, He Jinglan...

More and more people are taking part in Gu Xixi's life.

By her side, a new little world is being rebuilt.

And this man before her...

Gu Xixi thought for the first time that she might actually be fortunate.

At this moment, Mu Nan Zhao suddenly turned, his expression rather solemn.

"From now on, with me, there's no need to guess about anything."

"Just ask if you want to know something."

Gu Xixi looked at his eyes, as if there were an invisible vortex there, wanting to draw her in, willing to drown happily in it.

She involuntarily became serious, yet spoke in a joking tone, "If what I want to know concerns state secrets, would you, this Regent Prince, break the principle for me?"

Mu Nan Zhao replied calmly, "First, you are quick-witted and cherish your life, and you love only farming. If it's the kind of secret you mentioned, you would not only not actively seek it out, but you'd also fear being too slow to hide."

"Really a hassle."

"He was imitating Gu Xixi with that last sentence."

Gu Xixi laughed lightly, "And then, what's the second?"

Mu Nan Zhao said, "Second, even if you ask, I will frankly state the reasons I cannot tell, and I will never deceive you."

As their gazes met, Gu Xixi felt a flutter in her heart and hastily turned her head to look outside.

During this process, He Jinglan remained curled in the corner, trying to minimize her presence.

She stared wide-eyed with excitement, unwilling to blink, and occasionally even covered her mouth and laughed to herself.

How sweet!

Outside the Hall of Assembled Worthies.

Upon getting off the carriage, Gu Xixi immediately fell silent, intentionally distancing herself from Mu Nan Zhao.

The servants Zi Yan and Lu La from the carriage behind came to attend.

Lu La reached out to support Gu Xixi.

Gu Xixi was still a bit unaccustomed, only hearing He Jinglan whisper, "Just let Lu La follow you."

"Look at your attire today; others will only think you are a close female relative of my family, not suspect anything else."

Saying this, she gave a meaningful glance toward Mu Nan Zhao's side.

Gu Xixi understood, and for the time being pretended to be a lady from an aristocratic family of ancient times.

However, given Mu Nan Zhao's hearing, he naturally heard it.

He stepped ahead into the gate of the Hall of Assembled Worthies, and said to the attendant who came to greet him:

「Second floor, the private room booked by Minister of Revenue He, for three. 」

The patrons of the capital's grand restaurant had long grown accustomed to seeing officials of all ranks.

Although Mu Nan Zhao rarely socializes, he doesn't often attend such occasions.

The waiter also only took a glance and recognized them, saying, "Yes! Yes!"

"Just after Minister He went up, I'll immediately lead the honored guests!"

When going upstairs, the waiter sensibly kept a distance ahead, making it convenient for guests to chat.

He Jinglan said to Mu Nan Zhao in surprise, "My brother also came?"

Mu Nan Zhao looked straight ahead, "When leaving the palace, I had someone notify him."

"If it were just me alone, bringing two young ladies would be detrimental to reputation."

He Jinglan was displeased, "Speak clearly, is it your reputation, or ours?"

Mu Nan Zhao said nothing.

Gu Xixi laughed and pressed down on He Jinglan, "No matter whose, the effect is the same anyway."

He Jinghui was already waiting in the private room.

Seeing Mu Nan Zhao enter, he first complained, "I'm still busy to the point of breathlessness; you had someone summon me here—can't we talk about this at home at night?"

Mu Nan Zhao strode over the threshold, "I have nothing to say; I just wanted to eat glazed milk pigeon."

"You!" He Jinghui was furious, but then he caught sight of the two ladies behind.

His expression instantly turned from overcast to clear.

Soon the menu was served, and the waiter went out and closed the door.

The private rooms of Gather Virtue Pavilion have excellent soundproofing; even the papered windows and doors made of green bamboo gauze are specially made.

The situation inside the private room cannot be seen or heard from outside.

He Jinghui was reporting the situation to Gu Xixi, "The insecticide has begun production; based on each county, once a batch is ready it will be issued immediately."

"At the current pace, at most within three days, the other counties of the capital region will be fully supplied."

Gu Xixi laughed and said, "With Minister He leading the Ministry of Revenue, the efficiency is higher than I imagined."

He Jinghui took pleasure in the compliment, saying, "Tomorrow I plan to go to Immortal Fruit Village, where the locusts were first discovered, to scatter pesticide together with the villagers."

"Is Boss Gu available to accompany me?"

Mu Nan Zhao said unhappily, "You of the Ministry of Revenue draw salaries from the Imperial Court; stop trying to push your work onto unrelated people."

He Jinghui gave a meaningful smile, meaning: "Yo yo yo, you're feeling the pinch?"