With a golden finger in her hand, Lu Zhaozhao felt completely at ease at this moment.
She calmly prepared a cold mixed vegetable salad and a pot of coarse rice porridge. By the time she finished cooking, Gu Yan was also almost done with his own tasks. Earlier, Lu Zhaozhao had noticed him coming in and out, busy with something, but since they were not very familiar yet, she hadn’t asked.
“Husband, dinner’s ready. Where should we eat?”
Gu Yan, who was washing his hands, replied calmly, “Hmm, I’ll set up a table. Mother isn’t well; let’s eat in her room.”
After saying that, he moved two large stones into the room and placed a wooden board over them, creating a makeshift dining table.
Lu Zhaozhao didn’t mind at all. She was hungry and carried in the pot of porridge and the plate of mixed vegetables. Then she took the two little ones to wash their hands before sitting at the table to serve everyone.
Madam Li also sat up at that moment, giving her the opportunity to scrutinize Lu Zhaozhao. She was a little thin, but her features were delicate and symmetrical—she did not embarrass Yan’er.
Lu Zhaozhao noticed the woman’s gaze. She carefully served the porridge, placed it in front of her, and smiled brightly and generously:
“Mother, my name is Lu Zhaozhao. Please have some porridge.”
Madam Li took a handkerchief from her bosom, carefully removed a silver hairpin from it, and handed it to Lu Zhaozhao. “Zhaozhao, this is a gift from me to you. Don’t be embarrassed. From now on, you will be part of the Gu Family as our daughter-in-law. Take good care of Yan’er… cough, cough…”
No sooner had she finished speaking than she began coughing violently. Gu Yan immediately patted her back while bringing her some water.
Her health was truly deteriorating.
Madam Li looked at the young woman in front of her. Her eyes were clear, gentle, and harmless. She felt satisfied. This silver hairpin was one of the few pieces of jewelry she still owned.
Originally, Madam Li hadn’t wanted Yan’er to marry a peasant girl; she thought it would be a slight against him, given his previously noble status.
But now, they had fallen on hard times. Simply surviving was already a luxury—there was no question of humiliation.
Besides, her son had grown up with a silver spoon in his mouth—willful, unruly, completely ignorant about grains, and utterly clueless about household matters. If he hadn’t possessed martial skills to hunt in the mountains, they would likely have starved long ago.
Thinking of her frail body and two young children, she realized that if something happened to her in the future, someone would need to take care of them.
A peasant girl might have a low social status, but she would surely be diligent and capable. And this girl named Zhaozhao seemed to appeal to her. Since she had entered their home, Madam Li would treat her genuinely as family.
Lu Zhaozhao glanced at the silver hairpin. It was exquisitely made and clearly not something a peasant family would own.
She quickly declined, “Mother, this is too valuable. I can’t take it. You should keep it.”
“Take it. Don’t be polite.”
Lu Zhaozhao had no choice but to glance at Gu Yan. Seeing him nod at her, she finally placed the hairpin in her hair.
“Thank you, Mother. I’ll treasure it. Let’s eat now.”
“Yes, yes, let’s eat.”
“Drink up, Little Aunt. The porridge you made is so delicious. What’s this green thing?”
An An had just taken a sip of the hot porridge. It was soft, sticky, and tastier than what Little Uncle and Grandmother usually made. Looking at the green leaves on the table, she asked curiously.
Lu Zhaozhao quickly explained, “This is called bitter vegetable. It’s a wild vegetable and quite tasty. Try it.”
Under Lu Zhaozhao’s gaze, An An picked up a small portion and ate it. After chewing, she broke into a big smile:
“It’s not bitter at all. Delicious!”
Following An An’s lead, everyone began eating the porridge and vegetables together. Despite its simplicity, the meal became quite enjoyable.
The two little ones, finally enjoying a decent meal, fell silent and focused on eating.
Lu Zhaozhao, too, ate quietly, paying attention only to her own bowl.
Gu Yan took a bite of porridge and a bite of vegetables and was a little surprised. They were made with the same rice, yet Lu Zhaozhao’s cooking tasted far better than what he and his mother had made. He couldn’t figure it out.
Moreover, the plate of green vegetables on the table looked appetizing. A little salt had been added, making it much better than plain porridge.
He had seen her squatting outside earlier, apparently digging for something. Ah, so she had been harvesting wild vegetables. They had grown there all along, but he had never realized these weeds could be eaten.
After tasting Lu Zhaozhao’s cooking, Madam Li felt even more satisfied. She was indeed capable, far better than herself.
Having spent her life as a lady and then as a madam, she had rarely cooked, only ever making sure the food was edible.
After the meal, Lu Zhaozhao clearly noticed that the Gu family’s attitude toward her had warmed, especially the two little ones.
Once they finished eating, they followed her around, eager to help with cleaning up.
“Little Aunt, your cooking is so good. An An had so much fun eating today.”
“Little Aunt, I’ll help you carry the stool. Don’t squat.”
“Little Aunt, will you always stay with us from now on?”
“Little Aunt, Little Uncle and Grandmother’s cooking isn’t as good as yours.”
Gu Yi’an and Gu Yimo, the two little ones, spoke nonstop, taking turns to chat with her while Lu Zhaozhao washed the dishes. They squatted nearby, their eyes full of affection for her.
Looking at them, though a little dirty, their delicate features and cuteness softened Lu Zhaozhao’s heart. They were far more adorable than the Original Owner’s younger brother.
She remembered the Original Owner’s brother—also six years old, chubby, and utterly indifferent to her as an older sister. Influenced by their mother, he only gave orders haughtily, which was very irritating.
After tidying the dishes, Lu Zhaozhao boiled a large pot of hot water for washing before bed.
Gu Yan walked over and said, “You’ll sleep in that thatched house. I’ve prepared the bed for you.”
“Okay, thank you. I boiled hot water. You can soak your feet before bed—it relieves fatigue and is good for your health.”
In modern times, Lu Zhaozhao had the habit of soaking her feet daily. Though conditions were tougher now, soaking her feet was still possible.
“Mm.”
Gu Yan nodded expressionlessly and went to get a wooden basin, but suddenly, the two little ones each clung to one of his legs and blocked him. Looking up at him, they said:
“Little Uncle, we won’t sleep with you tonight. Can we sleep with Little Aunt instead?”