Rebirth: So what if my husband is a little crazy? He loves me.

Chapter 68 Was he playing hard to get?

"It's not that we don't have these hundreds of thousands of taels, but the various expenses of the imperial court have already stretched the Ministry of Revenue thin. If we want to get more, we can only try to find ways to get more," Gu Chang'an explained.

"Being an official in the Ministry of Revenue is really tough." Shen Li thought about how Gu Chang'an had gone to great lengths to replenish the national treasury in her previous life. If it weren't for his efforts to turn the tide, the Great Zhao Dynasty would not have had much time left after losing territory in the north.

“Ah Li, you don’t need to worry about me. I was born in the countryside and I knew early on where this money should come from.” Gu Chang’an said confidently, “Now is the perfect time for me to realize my ambitions.”

"I believe you." Shen Li's eyes were also sparkling when she saw him full of vigor. He hadn't taken any detours in this life. Gu Chang'an entered the Ministry of Revenue more than three years earlier than in the previous life, which meant he had fewer hardships.

"Ah Li, would you like to hear how I plan to reform the system?" Gu Chang'an took the initiative to speak.

It was rare for him to want to talk so much; you could tell he was in a really good mood.

Shen Li nodded seriously: "I want to hear it."

"Then please excuse Ah Li's poor performance." Gu Chang'an put down his chopsticks, carefully choosing his words.

"My lord, madam, Miss Zheng has arrived. She has been invited into the front courtyard and is heading towards the main house," Chunsheng reported as he ran in.

Gu Chang'an and Shen Li looked at him at almost the same time.

Chunsheng suddenly felt two chills pressing down on him, and immediately exclaimed, "Should we have the younger one wait in the main hall?"

He had been instructed by Consort Zheng, so he dared not neglect him. But now, did he realize that he had made a mistake?

"Husband, please eat. I'll be right back." Shen Li put down her chopsticks and stood up.

"No, if you go, she'll inevitably have to talk to you, and the food will be cold when you come back." Gu Chang'an pressed down on her shoulder and said, "I'll go and arrange for her to stay, then I'll be right back."

"Isn't it rather impolite for you to entertain an unmarried young lady?" Shen Li said with amusement. She hadn't expected Gu Chang'an to volunteer for such a task.

“That’s right, Lian Qiao, you’ll come with me.” Gu Chang’an listened to the suggestion, but not entirely.

No one is allowed to disturb Ah Li while she's eating.

Shen Li couldn't help but laugh as she watched his resolute back. After he left, she said to Shaoyao, "You should go and see if your son-in-law will blush when he sees a beauty."

"Huh?" Peony was also a little worried when she heard this, and quickly followed after him.

Shen Li didn't go because she really couldn't bear to part with all that delicious food. Because she had been indulging her appetite and in a good mood lately, she was getting hungry faster and faster, and it would be really hard for her not to eat.

I used to be so used to enduring things, but now I'm so unaccustomed to them.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

In the front hall, Zheng Yanran, dressed in a red jacket and long skirt with a matching cloak, had a beautiful face as ethereal as a lotus flower. However, when she saw Gu Chang'an, her eyes seemed to be filled with tears. Her eyelashes trembled slightly, and she bowed shyly, saying, "Lord Gu."

Her voice was so soft and gentle, it seemed to soften one's bones.

Lianqiao and the peony who followed were both mesmerized. Peony even thought that the face looked a lot like the young Consort Zheng in the portrait. Her eyes seemed to have hooks, making people linger.

“Miss Zheng, there’s no need for such formalities. Madam is feeling unwell and went to bed early today. Please stay here for now, and Madam will see you tomorrow.” Gu Chang’an’s voice was clear and cold, like moonlight: “Lian Qiao, take Miss Zheng back to her residence.”

After saying that, he turned and left.

"Lord Gu." Zheng Yanran paused for a moment, then called out to him. Facing his cold and distant gaze, she asked politely, "May I visit my sister?"

"It's inconvenient, Miss Zheng, please go ahead. I'll take care of things when I get back." Gu Chang'an said this, then turned and left again, leaving very decisively.

Zheng Yanran was almost at a loss. She had never seen a man whose eyes remained clear and calm when he saw her, without excitement or evil thoughts, and without even lingering for a moment.

She never doubted her own charm, because she suspected that Gu Chang'an was probably playing hard to get, and that he couldn't possibly be completely unmoved.

"Miss Zheng, please." Lian Qiao stepped forward.

Zheng Yanran gave a soft hum and followed her.

As Gu Chang'an walked back, he asked Shaoyao, "Why did you follow me?"

"Oh, it was Miss who sent me to see if the master would blush when he saw a beauty." Peony, being simple-minded, blurted it out immediately.

Gu Chang'an asked, puzzled, "Why are you blushing?"

"That's naturally a sign of attraction."

"Fluttering heart? Her?" Gu Chang'an looked puzzled. "Why?"

“Uh…” Peony obviously couldn’t answer such a serious question; it didn’t make any sense.

Shen Li was eating a chicken, but before she had even finished one chicken leg, Gu Chang'an walked back. She was a little surprised and asked, "Didn't you see him? Why are you here so soon?"

"I sent Lian Qiao and her people to their lodgings." Gu Chang'an washed and dried his hands, then sat down again. He glanced at the dishes and asked, "But the food prepared in the kitchen today wasn't to my liking. Why did I have to go out for a while before I could eat these few bites?"

Shen Li almost couldn't help but laugh. Did he think he had been gone for a long time?

"I'll have the kitchen make it again, or I can learn to cook whatever Ah Li likes, okay?" Gu Chang'an was still worried because she wasn't eating much.

"No need, it's fine. I have a better appetite when you're with me." To keep him calm, Shen Li put some vegetables on his plate: "Be a good husband, eat your food."

"Oh..." Hearing these words of coaxing for a child, Gu Chang'an obediently responded, lowering his head as his ears burned again.

Shen Li breathed a sigh of relief; she had finally stabilized.

After dinner, Gu Chang'an returned to his study to handle official documents, and Shen Li finally found an opportunity to ask Shaoyao, "Did you blush?"

"No," Peony shook her head. "Not at all."

"It doesn't sound lively at all."

“But this Miss Zheng is looking more and more like the Imperial Concubine. Even I am mesmerized. Do you think she really came to our house to learn painting?” Peony asked, puzzled.

"If the Imperial Concubine says so, then it must be so." Shen Li yawned. "I'm tired. I'll lie down first. If the Lord hasn't returned in an hour, then go and urge him."

"Yes." Peony helped Shen Li lie down.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Night falls outside the study.

“Miss Zheng… Miss Zheng, we don’t allow outsiders into our master’s study.” Chunsheng stopped Zheng Yanran in her tracks.

"Young man, could you please inform our young lady that she wants to read before bed, but she forgot to bring her book, so she would like to go in and choose one?" A maid stepped forward and stuffed a silver ingot into Chunsheng's hand: "Thank you for your trouble."

"This won't do." Chunsheng returned the silver, but the maid refused to accept it. He didn't want to force it into her hand, so he blushed deeply.

"I've left it for you. I'll go ask." Chunsheng had no choice but to put the silver on the steps and turn to knock on the door.

Gu Chang'an was writing a policy proposal on tax law reform when he heard a knock on the door and was displeased: "What is it?"

Chunsheng quietly opened the door and came in, whispering, "Sir, Miss Zheng would like to come to the study to choose a book. What do you think?"

“Just send her whatever she wants.” Gu Chang’an continued writing: “It’s getting late, so it’s not very convenient.”