A group of old villagers from home came?

Gu Jinli rubbed her eyes, sat up from the bed, yawned, and asked: "Where are these villagers from? What’s their surname? Are they from the same town in our county or from other counties? Who let them in?"

Gu Jinli asked several questions in a row, with the last one being the most crucial.

Upon learning that the Emperor was going to increase the tax, she had already instructed Wang Yongfu and the others that, apart from people coming to pick up goods, other people, even acquaintances, should not be easily let in.

If she found out who dared to disobey orders, they shouldn’t blame her for being unkind.

Xiao Ji said, "They are villagers from the Northwest. They said they came with the Young Master to escape the famine, from Niugou Town, surnamed Zhou and Lin. It seems Third Grandpa and Third Grandma quite like them. Knowing they came, they asked Uncle Wang to let them in."

Were they people Third Grandpa and Third Grandma wanted to see?

Gu Jinli squinted for a while, became much clearer, and finally remembered the Zhou and Lin families... these two families indeed escaped famine with them and were assigned to the same county, but different villages, quite far apart, and thus did not have much contact.

This sudden visit must be to borrow money for tax payment.

Gu Jinli got up to change clothes, casually tied a bun, and went next door to brush her teeth and wash her face, asking, "Where’s my sister? Go find her, bring her back, there are too many people, if someone with no manners happens to bump into her, it’s going to be embarrassing."

The Zhou and Lin families have many members. When escaping to He’an Prefecture, there were more than fifty people. With so many people, not all of them might behave well. There might be single men who are trying to make a wrong move.

Indeed, her thoughts were so dark and distrustful of people.

Xiao Yu said, "Sister, don’t worry. I’m here with Sister Li to protect you." Gu Jinxiu brought a food box into the courtyard, listened to the words, and smiled very happily. It was a great feeling to be protected by younger siblings.

But...

"Sister can fight, you don’t need to worry every time." Gu Jinxiu also escaped famine, knew to be on guard, she didn’t want Xiao Yu, Brother An, or even Brother Cheng to worry too much about her.

Gu Jinli laughed, "I know sister can fight, and even has poison for self-protection, there’s no doubt about that, but I’m used to it, I always feel sister is so weak, afraid she’ll have trouble."

After hanging the cotton towel, she said to Gu Jinxiu, "Sister, just stay in the courtyard, don’t go anywhere, I’ll go out and check."

"Elder Zhou and Elder Lin just came, they’re probably not leaving early, have something to eat first." Gu Jinxiu called to Gu Jinli, went to the courtyard’s main room, and took breakfast out of the food box.

Gu Jinli was also a bit hungry, ate two cakes and a bowl of porridge, and then left with Xiao Ji. She encountered Erqing before even leaving the back house.

Erqing stopped the two girls and said, "Miss Zhou Er, Miss Lin Si, this is the inner courtyard, further along is the courtyard of the mistress’ daughters, please don’t wander around."

"Mistress? Are you a servant of the Gu Family?" Miss Zhou Er looked at Erqing, feeling quite uncomfortable. They all escaped from famine, but the Gu Family’s life was much better than theirs, even the fabric of the servant’s clothes was better than hers.

Erqing replied, "Yes, I am indeed a servant of the Gu Family."

Miss Zhou Er laughed, "Since you’re a servant, go notify and tell Sister Gu and Sister Gu Er that we came to see them."

She added, "We escaped famine with the two sisters of the Gu Family, shared hardships, have a great relationship, and it’s rare to visit, Sister Gu and Sister Gu Er will be terribly happy to hear we came."

Gu Jinli frowned, when did she become familiar with Miss Zhou?

When they escaped famine, Elder Zhou and Elder Lin saw that there were people who could fight on their side and wanted shelter, so they brought their families to follow them, and it was Elder Zhou and Elder Lin who came to talk. They brought a son at most, and no granddaughters to meet them.

Erqing refused, "Forgive me, Miss Zhou Er, this is an important place in the back courtyard, please go to the front courtyard to be with the elders, don’t wander around."

Visiting someone else’s home without staying with the elders and wandering around like that, what does it look like?

Miss Zhou Er was a bit angry, she actually sneaked into the back courtyard hoping, besides seeing Gu Jinxiu and Gu Jinli, that she could run into Gu Jin’an.

Gu Jin’an became a scholar and became Jianghuai’s second small three-yuan scholar, news also reached Xiaolizi Village in Niugou Town, causing a sensation in that poor mountain ditch.

Due to their acquaintance with the Gu Family, the Zhou and Lin families received gifts from many villagers and even wealthy households in town, who wanted to curry favor with them for an introduction to see Scholar Gu.

Miss Zhou Er was two years older than Gu Jinli, already seventeen, long past the age to marry, but being refugees, potential marriage matches were not suitable.

Plus, a few ruffians in the village often bothered her, made her very scared, even her elder sister’s man...

Miss Zhou Er was quite troubled by her marriage prospects. Upon hearing of Scholar Gu’s achievement, her thoughts stirred, aiming for Gu Jin’an.

However, her grandfather warned her not to embarrass themselves, or if it affected borrowing silver, she’d face consequences!

Miss Zhou Er was very aggrieved but didn’t consider giving up. If she could connect with Gu Jin’an and bring benefits to the family, her grandfather would not blame her, only praise her for doing right.

Miss Lin Si said, "This lady, don’t be angry. We’re looking for the toilet, don’t know the way, mistakenly came here."

Miss Lin Si felt wronged; she was lured by Sister Zhou Er, didn’t intend to wander.

"Sister Zhou Er, let’s hurry back and stop wandering. We’re guests here, roaming is unruly." Miss Lin Si pulled Miss Zhou Er’s hand to take her away.

Miss Zhou Er suppressed her anger, wanted to shake off Lin Si’s hand but didn’t want it to look too ugly, held back, took Lin Si’s hand instead, "Little Sister, didn’t you want to see the two sisters of the Gu Family? Now you’re about to see them and reconsider? So fickle, sigh..."

Miss Zhou Er sighed, secretly complaining about Lin Si, then said to Erqing, "Since you find it difficult, we won’t make it hard for you. We’ll return to the front courtyard, please inform Sister Gu, that sisters from the Zhou and Lin families came, and if convenient, we would like to see her, and reminisce."

She remembered Eldest Miss Gu is wooden, has a soft heart, and observes the etiquette; knowing they arrived, out of courtesy, she would come out to meet them.

To win over Gu Jin’an, starting with the Gu sisters is right.

Unfortunately, Gu Jinxiu had been taught by Gu Jinli for several years, long different from the girl who would do things she didn’t like just because it’s polite.

"Alright, the servant will inform the eldest lady, the two of you farewell." Erqing casually responded and dismissed Miss Zhou Er and her party.

Gu Jinli only came out with Xiao Ji after they left.