“You’re right, look at me.” Shen Guiyan chuckled softly, looking at Scholar Zhou and curtsying: “Please, Master, go settle in first. Guiyan has much she wishes to discuss with you.”

Perhaps because she’d been taught by Master since childhood, Shen Guiyan had deep feelings for Scholar Zhou, like toward a father, hoping to gain his approval.

Even though the world praised her talents, she felt it wasn’t worth as much as a single nod from Master.

“No rush. There’s still plenty of time. This old man can live another ten or twenty years yet.” Scholar Zhou stroked his beard and laughed heartily, his eyes gazing deeply at her: “I’ll speak with Miss more later.”

Bowing slightly, Shen Guiyan watched Master leave. Only after he was out of sight did she turn and sit at the table. She didn’t look at the menu but continued writing her plans.

Scholar Zhou was the person she most admired in this life, and also the one who’d once saved her from dire straits. When she was eight and the engagement with the Prime Minister’s residence was arranged, she’d nearly been killed several times. After Master repeatedly saved her, he gave her six words—those six words that had kept her safe until now.

The six words were: Endure, Understand, Relinquish.

Endure the world’s suffering, understand the teachings of propriety and righteousness, relinquish fame and prosperity. Shen Guiyan felt her ability to endure Shen Guiya for so many years was thanks to Master’s teachings.

After finishing matters related to the school, Baoshan returned at just the right time.

“Master is settled in the room on the north side. Later, send someone to inform Madam about it.”

“Mm, come help me with something first.” Shen Guiyan put down her brush: “Take some silver to smooth things over in the kitchen. Starting tomorrow, breakfast matters will all be our responsibility.”

Baoshan froze, having no idea what had happened while she was gone. She simply nodded in agreement. She was best at dealing with people—taking the silver, she could quickly become familiar with the kitchen staff.

The menu Shen Guiya had given listed a bowl of sweet porridge for Prime Minister Gu, savory porridge for Lady Gu, and plain porridge with simple dishes for everyone else.

Shen Guiyan perhaps didn’t know as many food varieties as Shen Guiya, but she had an excellent memory. On the first day having breakfast at the Gu residence, Prime Minister Gu had clearly been given savory porridge cooked with preserved egg and lean meat, while Lady Gu had pumpkin sweet porridge.

Ordinary people wouldn’t remember such things, but Shen Guiyan happened to remember them. So trying to embarrass her on this front was impossible.

Getting up early the next morning to go to the kitchen, Shen Guiyan personally supervised the kitchen staff cooking porridge and preparing dishes. Following what Shen Guiya usually prepared but making slight changes, she personally oversaw everything. The servants didn’t dare slack off and worked much more carefully than usual.

When breakfast was served, the Prime Minister still didn’t know the person in charge had changed. Drinking his porridge, he only said: “Today’s porridge seems even tastier.”

Shen Guiya’s face turned ashen. She barely ate two bites. But Lady Gu smiled: “It seems Guiyan is doing quite well.”

“Oh?” Prime Minister Gu glanced at Shen Guiyan: “You’re preparing these now?”

“Yes.” Shen Guiyan put down her chopsticks and nodded.

Prime Minister Gu smiled slightly: “That’s good then.”

Having only the Eastern Courtyard manage things all the time—it was time to balance things out.

Shen Guiya stood up: “I have no appetite. I don’t like eating these things. I’ll go rest first.”

After speaking, she left directly, leaving the whole family looking at each other in dismay.

In modern times, leaving the table halfway through a meal was normal, but this was ancient times. When elders hadn’t moved, even if your stomach burst, you had to remain seated. Shen Guiya’s action was truly lacking in upbringing.

Lady Gu’s expression grew even uglier.

Shen Guiyan lowered her head and ate her breakfast without saying much. Prime Minister Gu only sneered. But after this breakfast, the account books in Shen Guiya’s hands were also taken back.

“Damn it, these rigid old fossils.” Shen Guiya was very upset, sitting in her room angrily: “If they can’t appreciate me, fine, but to be so harsh—I’m just slightly different and they think I’m being improper. What’s the point?”

This time-travel was truly too frustrating!

After angrily smashing a vase, Shen Guiya took a deep breath: “It must be because I’m in the residence every day with no one else around. I should go out and walk around more. Maybe I’ll have different encounters?”

Actually, she’d gone to the wrong set. If she’d gone to a Mary Sue fiction set, this series of behaviors would still earn audience applause. Unfortunately, she’d come to the wrong place.

“What’s wrong with the eldest young madam?” Someone outside brought refreshments, peeked inside, then entered smiling: “Oh my, I just saw you didn’t eat breakfast, and you’re carrying a child too. How can you torment yourself like this?”

Shen Guiya froze and looked up to see it was Concubine Guan from the Western Courtyard.

Concubine Guan had given birth to Third Daughter Gu Chaoxi, who was already married off. Now the Western Courtyard held only her. She wasn’t usually favored and would fawn around Lady Gu.

Seeing her, Shen Guiya’s anger subsided somewhat. She pressed her lips together: “Lady Guan, please come in and talk.”

“Certainly.” Guan Fengyue entered smiling, casually closing the door behind her.

With Scholar Zhou’s arrival at the Gu residence, Shen Guiyan discussed with him many events from the past two years. Speaking of the marriage, she still couldn’t help feeling somewhat rueful.

“In this old man’s view, that Fourth Young Master Gu is actually better than Gu Chaodong.” Scholar Zhou suddenly said this.

Shen Guiyan was puzzled: “Is Master familiar with Chaobei?”

“No.” Scholar Zhou shook his head: “This old man has only heard what people outside say, treating him as a wastrel.”

“Then why…” Shen Guiyan frowned.

Scholar Zhou smiled: “Your destiny is ostentatious and has attracted much deadly trouble. If you’d truly been promised to someone of great reputation like Gu Chaodong, what good ending could there be? Better to hide your talents in the mud and preserve yourself.”

Shen Guiyan chuckled lightly: “So you’re saying I should thank Guiya for stealing my engagement?”

“Ah…” Scholar Zhou stroked his beard and shook his head: “One can’t quite say that. Though this old man often teaches you to thank those who give you hardships, as they make you more perfect, that mindset is for when you can’t avoid hardships—to help you see things more clearly. But once you have the ability, why should you still be grateful? Naturally, you settle grudges and repay grievances.”

“Those who endure temporarily and strike later are sages. Those who endure their whole lives without striking…” Scholar Zhou said very seriously: “Are turtles.”

Shen Guiyan laughed.

After finishing matters in the residence, that afternoon Shen Guiyan went out with Master. This was her first time leaving since marrying in. Shen Guiyan obtained Madam’s permission before taking her dowry banknotes with Master to view a large estate to use as a school.

Shen Guiyan’s idea was simple. Many children in the capital couldn’t afford schooling. Opening a school with lower prices, accepting some talented students to teach—that would be a good deed.

However, actually doing it wouldn’t be easy.

Gu Chaobei was still at the Drunken Flower Pavilion, though during the day he wasn’t living dissolutely but sitting in a side room writing things.

“The young madam hasn’t done anything excessive. On the contrary, the eldest young madam made quite a scene.” Zhuiyun said beside him: “Madam even handed some household affairs over to the young madam to handle.”

Gu Chaobei didn’t look up, only smiled: “That’s her ability then. Being able to gain Lady An’s favor shows she truly knows how to keep a low profile.”

“In this servant’s view, the young madam and Master are truly well-matched.” Zhuiyun smiled.

Gu Chaobei looked up at him and snorted softly.

Her being able to match him was also her ability. Originally thinking he’d married her because why not, after bringing her back, he’d discovered he’d picked up a treasure.

If she truly was suitable, there’d be nothing wrong with keeping her around.

“There’s one more day until the return visit.” Zhuiyun said: “What does Master plan to do?”

Putting down his brush, Gu Chaobei stretched lazily, saying carelessly: “What’s there to plan? Her family doesn’t like me, and few of them like her either. Why care so much? Just go through the motions.”

“But tomorrow, General Yuwen’s side…” Zhuiyun frowned: “Having urgent matters come up without prior notice to Master.”

“General Yuwen?” Gu Chaobei’s brows furrowed as he covered his eyes with his hand: “Why won’t you all let me rest easy? I can’t even accompany my wife back to her family in peace? General Yuwen was doing fine in Liuzhou—why would there be matters?”

“He should have returned to the capital in three more days, but General Yuwen says there are important matters he must tell you personally, so he’s returning early.” Zhuiyun pressed his lips together: “Otherwise, this servant will find a way to have him meet at the Shen residence—that would provide good cover.”

Gu Chaobei sighed. He hadn’t seen Shen Guiyan for quite a while. He’d just wanted to finish these few busy days then go back and spend a few days with her. He hadn’t expected there’d still be matters.

They still hadn’t consummated the marriage!

The Fourth Young Master Gu was full of resentment. Zhuiyun coughed lightly twice and said no more.

After arranging school matters, she returned to the residence and sought an audience with the Prime Minister, finally getting the school approved. Marrying into the Prime Minister’s residence had its benefits—as long as you could please your father-in-law, things were half accomplished.

Shen Guiyan returned to the Northern Courtyard very happily. But upon entering, she saw Gu Chaobei holding Jiang Shi, saying with deep affection: “Biyue, these few days away, I’ve missed you and Shuangjiang so much. Come let your master have a good look—have you lost weight?”

Jiang Shi’s face was flushed. Looking up, she saw Shen Guiyan and quickly pushed his hands away, respectfully curtsying: “Madam.”

Gu Chaobei turned his head and met Shen Guiyan’s smiling eyes. After a slight pause, he smoothly smiled: “Yan’er, I missed you so much.”

The corner of Shen Guiyan’s mouth twitched. After several days apart, this person was still just as shameless.

“Husband has worked hard.”

Gu Chaobei walked close to her with a smile, lifting a strand of her hair to smell: “Are you saying I worked hard playing outside, or what?”

“Playing also requires stamina, so naturally it’s hard work.” Shen Guiyan smiled, glancing at Jiang Shi: “Does husband want to go to Jiang Shi’s place, or to the main room?”

“With you asking like that, where else could I go?” Gu Chaobei swept the person into his arms and, right in front of Jiang Shi, kissed her cheek: “Let’s go.”

Jiang Shi stood to the side with lowered eyes, her body trembling slightly. As Shen Guiyan passed by her, she couldn’t help looking at her sympathetically.

This person Gu Chaobei—he was most passionate, yet most heartless.