Chapter 76

After completion, the village school's windows were bright and the desks clean.

Mu Nan Zhao stood on the frontmost podium, wearing a brand‑new indigo‑blue long robe, tied with a sash of the same color; though it was merely ordinary cloth, it in no way diminished his tall, graceful bearing and peerless elegance.

Under Dogwa's direction, the schoolchildren rose and collectively performed the disciple's bow to the teacher.

This time their voices were perfectly in unison: "Greetings, teacher!!"

Mu Nan Zhao slightly raised his hand. "Please be seated."

Outside, there were plenty of women of all ages watching.

Someone sighed dreamily, "This Mr. Chen is handsome—not just because his face is well‑formed; sigh, I can't put it into words, but there's just something about him."

While saying that, he shook his head with feeling.

Someone nearby chimed in, "Even the way he lifts a finger looks good—it's that certain air, something others can't imitate."

Lessons were about to start inside the schoolhouse.

Lao Qian came out at the right moment to clear the area; he didn't dare speak, so he waved his hands like driving sheep and ducks to shoo people away.

Everyone else had left; only Gu Xixi and Zhang Shen remained.

Gu Xixi kept gazing into the schoolhouse.

All that could be seen was Mu Nan Zhao holding a scroll in one hand, slowly pacing back and forth on the podium.

He would recite a line, and the children would repeat it.

"Zhao, Qian, Sun, Li,"

"Zhao, Qian, Sun, Li~~"

"Zhou, Wu, Zheng, Wang,"

"Zhou, Wu, Zheng, Wang!"

……

At that moment, Mu Nan Zhao's expression was focused and tranquil, as if he were truly just an ordinary Mr. Chen from the countryside.

This version of him made Gu Xixi feel a little unfamiliar.

She stood still, gazing for a moment, then quietly took Zhang Shen's hand and left.

If Mu Nan Zhao really were a schoolteacher, that wouldn't be bad; Gu Xixi was startled by her own thought.

She shook her head with a wry smile, wondering what nonsense she was thinking.

Mu Nan Zhao has his own path to high office in this life, just as Gu Xixi has a lifetime of fields to tend.

Not long after, Huachi Du Cun had another piece of gossip for everyone to chat about after tea and meals.

That morning, Lao Qian led two strangers from another village to Gu Lao San's home.

When the outsiders left, they carried away some items, and someone recognized them as Gu Qingye's betrothal gifts.

Earlier, Liu Shi had told people that her family was about to celebrate two joyous occasions, boasting that Gu Qingye's in‑laws valued her highly and had given a lavish dowry.

Some busybody lurked outside Gu Lao San's house, and soon enough they heard Liu Shi's wailing.

"They said the marriage was set—on what grounds do they just call it off!"

Gu Qingye sneered, "Anyway they left a hundred cash and two bolts of cloth as compensation—you still profit, so why cry?"

Liu Shi halted her sobbing, glaring fiercely at her daughter, "Don't think I don't know—you're pleased now!"

"But have you thought about what your brother will do? This is such a rare chance—where will I find another like it in the future?"

Gu Qingye rose to her feet, "Now that the marriage is called off, can I at least go out now?"

Having said that, she didn't glance at Liu Shi or Gu Lao San lying flat on the kang, and flung the curtain aside as she went out.

Since her failed escape attempt and being dragged back, she had not set foot outside again.

However…

Gu Qingye looked ahead down the path, a flash of ruthless determination crossing her eyes.

At Zhou Gua Fu's home.

A dark‑skinned, sturdy man was splitting firewood in the courtyard.

Zhou Gua Fu sat cross‑legged on the kang, just awakened, her hair messy and her collar half‑open.

"I'm increasingly unwilling to go out—seeing them all fall over themselves to curry favor with Gu Xixi's family, this Huachi Du Cun is practically becoming Gu Xixi's domain!"

As Zhou Gua Fu moved, her bosom rose and fell faintly; Gu Qingye, sitting opposite, felt a bit embarrassed to look.

"It's unavoidable, even though they're capable. And…"

She paused, lowered her head slightly, "Besides, she got lucky—landing a husband like Elder Brother Chen."

"Pah!" Zhou Gua Fu spat, "They're not even married yet—what husband is that?"

She glanced at Gu Qingye's shy, half‑concealed look, feigned sudden realization, "Oh, I see."

"So you've taken a liking to that Chen fellow too?"

When Gu Qingye was confined at home, Zhou Gua Fu—who usually had little to do with her—had found excuses to visit her twice.

During their idle chatter, she told her plenty about Chen Fang and Gu Xixi.

What Gu Qingye didn't know was that Zhou Gua Fu had long noticed her interest in Chen Fang and had deliberately approached her.

Gu Qingye lifted her head and asked, "Earlier you told me a woman should make plans for herself."

"Now I finally don't have to marry that leper—I want…"

Zhou Gua Fu smiled, her tone alluring, "You want Chen Fang?"

Gu Qingye blushed, yet still nodded, "Yes."

That day at the village entrance, Gu Xixi clearly saw her bound, yet refused to lend a hand.

In that moment, Gu Qingye hated her to the utmost.

Thinking of this, Gu Qingye snapped angrily, "I will snatch Elder Brother Chen away—I will make Gu Xixi lose to me, so she can't hold her head up before the whole village!"

Zhou Gua Fu's smile deepened, "Well, I actually have a method."

She leaned close to Gu Qingye's ear and said a few words.

Gu Qingye's face flushed bright red.

Zhou Gua Fu chuckled softly a few times, "Don't worry, go at the time I said."

"When I was drinking with Qin Dasao, she herself said that tomorrow morning Gu Xixi and Zhang Shen will go to the city together with her."

"It just happens to be the day the village school has a break, and there's a person surnamed Chen in the front courtyard."

Gu Qingye hesitated, "Would doing this harm Chen Fang's reputation?"

Zhou Gua Fu deliberately rolled her eyes, acting as if she didn't want to bother, "I gave you this idea out of goodwill."

"Do you not want the whole village to call you 'madam teacher'?"

"Or do you want to wait for your parents to sell you off to some lame or crazy person?"

Upon hearing the last sentence, Gu Qingye instantly made up her mind. "I understand."

Zhou Gua Fu pressed a small paper packet into her hand, "This stuff is potent; just sprinkle a little on his face and it'll work."

After Gu Qingye left, Zhou Gua Fu stared at the doorway, a cold smile curling her lips.

"Gu Xixi, Chen Fang, you don't look down on me, do you? After tomorrow, let's see whose reputation is worse."

"Especially you, Chen Fang."

"Wait until your immortal-like appearance is torn apart, I'll make you willingly come to my heated bed!"

The next morning, Zhang Shen drove the mule cart, Gu Xixi sat on the cart bed, and they met up with Qin Dasao who was waiting at the crossroads.

The three of them chatted and laughed as they walked toward the village entrance.

It looks like they won't be back for a while.

Gu Qingye hid by the wall, and only when the three figures had completely disappeared from view did she muster her courage to go push the door.

During the day someone was home, the gate wasn't latched, and a light push opened it.

The courtyard was quiet, and Gu Qingye tiptoed toward the west room.

Mu Nan Zhao was in the room flipping through a primer, although he had once memorized it by heart.

Now that he has to teach children, he still needs to think about how to teach more effectively.

Sensing someone enter, he looked up and asked, "Is it you?"

Mu Nan Zhao lowered his head to continue reading, "Gu Xixi has gone out, go back."

Gu Qingye, repeatedly ignored by her beloved, felt all the accumulated grievances surge up in her heart.

She rushed over in tears, her right hand slicing through the air, a fine powder flying straight at Mu Nan Zhao's face.

"Chen Fang! Since childhood I've been prettier than Sister Xixi and smarter than her."

"Can't you just look at me! Look at me!"