After a male student transmigrated into the body of a widow,

Chapter 140 Parading Through the Streets (2)

Box.

After breakfast, Gu Lin first took a car to inspect the shop, and then went to the restaurant where he had arranged to meet with Madam Fang. After a detailed discussion, the two decided that the shop would open in three days.

After finishing their business, Gu Lin and Madam Fang came to their senses and realized that they hadn't had lunch yet.

Gu Lin looked apologetic and said to the woman opposite him, "I was so engrossed in what I was saying that I forgot to tell people to have lunch. Madam Fang must be hungry."

After saying that, he got up and was about to walk out, calling the waiter to come up and order food.

Mrs. Fang raised her hand to stop the other person: "I just ate at home and I don't feel hungry."

"However," she changed the subject, smiling slightly at the young man, "although I'm not hungry, we should still have some food to fill our stomachs."

She said to the young man in front of her, "You sit still, I'll have Xiangyun go."

After saying that, Madam Fang turned around and called out to the outside. Xiangyun opened the door and came over in small steps: "Madam, what can I do for you?"

Madam Fang first turned to look at Gu Lin and said, "We've known each other for many days, but I always call you 'Boss Gu,' which sounds too formal. How about I call you Brother Lin?"

Gu Lin replied with a smile, "It is my honor to be addressed as such by Madam Fang."

Hearing Gu Lin's words, Madam Fang gave him a reproachful look: "Why are you still calling me Madam Fang? It sounds so distant. My maiden name is Li, and I am the third in my family. You can call me Third Sister Li."

Although Mrs. Fang was a married woman, she possessed a blend of youthful energy and mature grace. Coupled with her naturally beautiful appearance, even Gu Lin, who wasn't a straight man, could sense her charm with a gentle pout.

However, he also knew that the reason the other party treated him so intimately was because of his status as a young master.

Gu Lin said sweetly, "Third Sister Li."

Looking at the handsome young man in front of her, who was calling her "sister" so obediently, Madam Fang couldn't help but recall the time when her younger siblings would follow her around calling her "sister" incessantly before she got married.

For a moment, Madam Fang was filled with emotion. Looking at the young man in front of her, and thinking of how he had come to the capital from the countryside with no one to rely on, Madam Fang felt even more sorry for him and said, "The food at this restaurant is quite good. Take a look at the menu and see if there's anything you'd like to eat."

Picking up the booklet and looking down at the menu, Gu Lin didn't just focus on himself. He memorized all the dish names as he looked at it. Then, he looked up at Madam Fang and asked, "Sister Li San, is there anything you'd like to eat?"

Upon hearing this, Madam Fang raised her hand and gently patted her chest, shaking her head slightly. She said, "I don't have much of an appetite. You eat, and I'll have someone bring me a bowl of soup."

Gu Lin nodded and said, "I see that this restaurant has a wide variety of soups, but Sister Li is pregnant. Winter melon in winter melon and shrimp soup is cold in nature, so it's best for pregnant women not to drink it. How about I order a bamboo shoot and shrimp soup for you? Spring bamboo shoots are tender, and the soup made with shrimp is the most delicious."

As Gu Lin finished speaking, from top to bottom, Madam Fang's hands went from lightly touching her chest to overlapping in front of her lower abdomen. Even Xiangyun looked nervously at the young man who was looking down at the menu.

With a slight raise of her hand, stopping Xiangyun from asking Gu Lin a question, Madam Fang spoke slowly, "I'm two months pregnant, but I'm not showing yet. How did Lin-ge'er know I was pregnant?"

Upon hearing Madam Fang's words, Gu Lin was taken aback.

He looked up and saw the two people opposite him, master and servant, staring at him. Although he didn't know what he had said wrong, seeing Xiangyun's nervous expression, he began to ponder.

Then, he immediately realized the mistake he had made.

Women from prominent families like Sister Li San value their offspring most. However, such families often have many secrets and hidden matters within the household. If things go wrong, the woman might keep her pregnancy a secret from others in order to protect the pregnancy, only to have it unintentionally exposed by him.

Look at Xiangyun's nervous expression as she looks at him.

Gu Lin sighed slightly; it was truly unintentional of him.

Seeing the young man's blank expression and silence, Madam Fang knew that he was probably thinking about something in a strange way.

She looked up and gave Xiangyun a slight glare.

Look, he actually scared the person.

Xiangyun's eyes were innocent. The Fang family line was thin, and besides him, the eldest young master only had one half-brother. This child of Madam Fang was something the entire Fang family had been eagerly awaiting. Although it hadn't been announced to outsiders and the Fang family didn't know about it, only the servants who served them knew, but they couldn't afford to make the slightest mistake.

"Don't let your imagination run wild."

Madam Fang spoke slowly, soothing the young man whose mind was filled with bloodshed and treachery: "The baby in my womb has an unstable pulse. The doctor told me to rest well so as not to disturb the baby. So I didn't tell my family about the pregnancy, thinking that I would tell them after the baby was three months along and the situation had stabilized."

"I see," Gu Lin breathed a sigh of relief.

He looked up at the gentle woman who was bowing her head slightly and gently stroking her abdomen. If he were to accidentally expose what she was trying to hide, Gu Lin felt a chill run down his spine and felt extremely embarrassed.

Knowing that it wasn't what he thought, Gu Lin explained how he had figured out that the other woman was pregnant: "Recently, when Sister Li San went out, she would open the wooden window to ventilate the room as soon as she entered. She also didn't like tea and only drank warm water. Whenever pastries were served, she would only eat things like sour jujube cake and sour plum cake. I guessed that she must be pregnant."

"So that's it."

Upon hearing this, Madam Fang smiled and gently stroked her still flat belly, her expression and eyes softening: "Look, it's clear that this little devil has worn me out. I'm already feeling unwell after only two months. I don't know how I'll get through the next few months."

Seeing the woman complaining but with happiness radiating from her eyes and brows, Gu Lin said, "After the child in your womb is born, he will surely understand your hardships and be filial to you."

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Fang laughed happily.

She turned to Xiangyun and instructed, "Remember what Brother Lin said, go and have someone serve the dishes, but don't serve winter melon and shrimp soup."

Xiangyun lowered her head and said, "Yes."

She then left the private room.

About an incense stick's time later, Xiangyun returned, followed by a waiter who came to serve the dishes.

As the waiter placed dishes on the table, Gu Lin looked up in surprise at Madam Fang across from him.

Since the other party said they weren't eating, Gu Lin didn't order many dishes. If he was eating alone, two dishes would be enough at most.

Mrs. Fang said, "The portions of dishes at this restaurant look large, but they are only a few bites each, so you don't have to worry about not being able to finish them."

At this point, she changed the subject, picked up a handkerchief, covered her mouth, and chuckled, "I was worried you wouldn't have enough to eat."

Upon hearing this, Gu Lin began to re-examine the food in front of him.

Indeed, although the table was covered with plates and dishes, there was actually not much food on each plate.

The food was just right for Gu Lin, who had only drunk a bowl of porridge before coming to discuss business.

He was relieved to see that there was no deliberate extravagance or waste of food.

Mrs. Fang drank the bamboo shoot and shrimp soup. The bamboo shoots in spring were tender, crisp and sweet, and the shrimp meat was freshly caught from the river in the morning. It was sweet, crisp and bouncy. Mrs. Fang had a great appetite after a long time and couldn't help but keep drinking it. Gradually, the soup in the stew pot decreased.

Seeing this, Xiangyun looked delighted. Ever since her wife became two months pregnant, she had lost her appetite. It was rare to see her using so many ingredients. Xiangyun quickly wrote down the recipe for this stew, so that she could have the kitchen make it whenever her wife had no appetite in the future.

Gu Lin ate the delicious-looking food on the table. Each dish was small, and after he had tasted and finished all the dishes, he was full.

After they had eaten and drunk their fill, the waiter from the restaurant came up to clean up the mess, and Xiangyun brought them two cups of tea.

Gu Lin's was Lu'an Melon Seed tea, while Mrs. Fang's was warm water.

Picking up his teacup, Gu Lin lowered his head and took a sip. Instantly, he felt much more refreshed in his greasy stomach after eating so much meat.

He looked up, about to speak to Madam Fang, when suddenly a noise came from outside. At the same time, rustling sounds came from the private rooms on either side.

He vaguely heard someone scream, "Help! The top scholar is so handsome!"

Mrs. Fang's expression shifted, clearly indicating that she had also heard the commotion coming from the private rooms on either side and outside.

She put down her teacup, pondered for a moment, then relaxed her brow and said to Gu Lin, "Today is the day the candidates will take the palace examination. Judging from the commotion outside, the examination must have ended, and the candidates are parading through the streets!"

Originally, after Zheng Hao left the inn to participate in the palace examination, Gu Lin couldn't help but miss him. However, after going out to inspect the shops and discussing business with Madam Fang, the young man's mind was gradually occupied by the shops and business. Only now did he belatedly realize that he hadn't thought of Zheng Hao for a long time.

Gu Lin couldn't help but raise his hand to touch his nose, a hint of guilt flashing in his eyes.

Immediately afterwards, he heard cheers and screams outside again, and Gu Lin couldn't help but get up and walk towards the wooden window.

Seeing this, Madam Fang smiled and said, "The parade of the Jinshi (successful candidates in the highest imperial examinations) every three years is the most lively time in the capital. A group of talented young men ride fine horses, especially the top three scholars at the front. If any of them are handsome, they can captivate the hearts of countless young men and women."

As Mrs. Fang spoke, she and Gu Lin walked toward the wooden window.

Looking down, the street was crowded with people, but the scholars had not yet arrived. Gu Lin turned his head to look at the street, guessing that the scholars were probably still on the next street.

Suddenly, someone below exclaimed in surprise, "The scholar has arrived!"

"The top scholar is here! Don't push! I want to see the top scholar who is as handsome as Pan An and as graceful as Song Yu!"

Some of the more assertive young men pushed their way forward, completely oblivious to their own short stature, constantly pushing aside the crowd blocking their way.

A man turned his head and happened to see this scene. He saw the young man trying his best to squeeze forward, his face flushed with anxiety. The other party didn't care at all, and kept pushing forward regardless of whether the person in front of him was a man or a woman.

A look of surprise crossed the man's face. He couldn't help but look behind the young man, only to see that the young man was not alone; there was a tall man following behind him.

Perhaps the man's gaze lingered for too long, for the tall man raised his head and glanced coldly in his direction. Upon seeing the other man's icy eyes, the man immediately turned away.

Then, he curled his lip. He wondered where this spineless man came from. His lover was looking at other men outside, and he not only didn't dare to express his dissatisfaction, but he also protected the other man while he looked at him, acting as if he was worthless. He was afraid that his lover would be knocked down by someone while looking at other men. He dared to throw a tantrum at others, but what did it matter if he glared at him? His lover was still looking at other men.

At the street corner, a tall, light brown horse came towards them, with two rows of guards holding weapons on either side of the horse, keeping the onlookers outside. The people could only look up at the young man sitting on the tall horse.

They caught their breath at just one glance.

Under the golden sunlight, the young man had a face as handsome as jade and a graceful appearance. He wore a bright red round-necked robe, and the bright red color did not make him look sallow or dull. On the contrary, it made his skin look as white as snow. Even the young ladies and gentlemen present could not help but envy his skin.

They said sourly, "Isn't he supposed to be studying day and night? How come this top scholar has better skin than us?"

Even so, the top scholar's handsome appearance opened their eyes. Unlike the refined and elegant second-place scholar behind him, or the charming and amorous third-place scholar beside him, the top scholar, though fair-skinned, had striking features, especially his deep eyes, which made people's hearts race when they looked over.

Suddenly, the top scholar turned his head and glanced at a spot on the street. The person standing in that direction immediately exclaimed, "The top scholar is looking at me!"

Raising his head slightly, Zheng Hao saw the young man leaning against the wooden window. Gu Lin was taken aback, clearly not expecting that the other person could find him so quickly in the vast sea of ​​people.

With a slight upturn of his lips, Zheng Hao's cool and aloof face slowly revealed a smile as he spoke a few words to Gu Lin.

Immediately, the group of women and men, who were already excited, could no longer contain themselves when they saw the aloof top scholar with a faint smile on his handsome face.

They raised their hands and threw flowers, bouquets, purses, and even fruits of various sizes in Zheng Hao's direction.

"The top scholar is handsome and dashing!"

"The top scholar is dashing and debonair!"

"Scholar, look at me! I'm only sixteen and still unmarried!"

When she saw the top scholar looking in their direction, Madam Fang was surprised, and then she remembered that Gu Lin's nephew was the top scholar in the imperial examination.

Her face showed surprise and delight as she asked Gu Lin, "Brother Lin, do you know the top scholar?"

Gu Lin replied, "He is my nephew, who previously achieved the highest score in the provincial examination."

Upon hearing this, Madam Fang exclaimed, "You two, uncle and nephew, are no ordinary people!"

The uncle expanded his business from the county town to the capital, and the nephew rose from a commoner to a top scholar. Mrs. Fang felt a deep sense of admiration for him.

Suddenly, she remembered something the top scholar had said to them earlier.

Mrs. Fang asked Gu Lin curiously, "What did the top scholar just say to you?"