Drive a RV and go farming in ancient times.

On the second day of the Chinese New Year, Gu Huanxi had no place to go back to her parents' home, so the whole family had fun by themselves behind closed doors.

Who could have thought that an uninvited guest would come to the door. When Xu Huaiyi saw him, he felt like there was something stuck in his throat, but he couldn't just turn hostile and chase the person out.

The man who came was Xu Huaiyu, and he brought his pregnant wife with him. Although he was followed by a large group of maids and old women, he personally supported them carefully with a flattering smile on his face. His appearance made Xu Huaiyi think of the eunuchs who were beside the concubines in the harem. They were really an eyesore.

But the other servants of the Zhu family all had expressions that showed they were used to it.

When they met, Xu Huaiyi had a cold attitude, but Xu Huaiyu didn't care. She spoke familiar words and greeted him warmly and earnestly.

If you don't know, you might actually think they are brothers who have separated and are living their own lives. Although they are a little unfamiliar with each other, they are still connected.

Little did he know that Xu Huaiyi was feeling annoyed and just wanted to find a rag to cover his noisy mouth.

But reality doesn't allow it.

He is not afraid of Xu Huaiyu, but he has to give face to the Zhu family. Didn't you see that he brought the daughter of the Zhu family with him? She is a talisman. She is pregnant, so he cannot hit her or scold her. This will definitely cause trouble for him!

After entering the main hall and sitting down, Gu Huanxi got the news and hurried over to entertain the guests. It would be hard to explain if she didn't show up since there were female relatives present.

The moment she saw the girl from the Zhu family, Gu Huanxi was stunned and thought to herself, no wonder the Zhu family, with so many men, wanted to marry a daughter-in-law. In the past, she thought that she was too overbearing and unwilling to be a servant in her husband's family, so she took a daughter-in-law and made herself the master of the house.

Now that I see it, it's because of that face, right? Virtue, appearance, and merit, when a man marries a wife, he has to examine these aspects. The Zhu family is a well-off family, so how could they be willing to marry someone with flaws in appearance?

Looking at Xu Huaiyu's fair and handsome face, the two of them sitting together made the Zhu family girl look even more ugly, and anyone would think they were not a good match.

But Xu Huaiyu looked very affectionate and acted like a good husband. Zhu's daughter also enjoyed it and did not feel inferior at all.

One is willing to fight and the other is willing to be beaten. From this point of view, they are a perfect match.

After they greeted each other, they started to make small talk. Xu Huaiyu did most of the talking, with Xu Huaiyi occasionally responding. As for Gu Huanxi, she awkwardly held the cup and pretended to sip tea. She wanted to chat with the girl from the Zhu family, but she had such an arrogant and indifferent attitude that she had no interest in joining in.

Drop whatever you like.

The couple originally thought that Xu Huaiyu and his wife's visit to their house to pay New Year's greetings was just an excuse and that they must have other intentions. However, until they saw them off, they had not figured out their intentions, as if they were just simple relatives visiting.

When Xu Huaiyu came, he brought very valuable gifts. When he left, Xu Huaiyi was indifferent and did not offer him any food, but he gave him an equally valuable gift in return.

Anyone who is attentive can interpret various meanings from this back and forth.

Perhaps, this is the purpose of their visit.

Xu Huaiyi had a cold face and muttered unwillingly, "If I had known earlier, I shouldn't have let them in. In the end, they got into trouble. The Xu brothers, Xu Huaiyu is the most educated and cunning one. He has plotted against me again. He really only remembers to eat and not to be beaten. Have you forgotten what happened to Xu Huaili?"

Gu Huanxi checked the gifts brought by the Zhu family, fearing that there might be something unclean or bring disaster among them. After hearing what he said, he said, "Perhaps, he is not willing to come either, but he has no choice..."

After she reminded him, Xu Huaiyi suddenly understood, "Don't say it, it's really possible. Xu Huaiyu is different from Xu Huaili. Xu Huaili is determined to stick to one path until the end, but Xu Huaiyu knows how to handle the current situation. At the beginning, he saw that we were not easy to bully, so he didn't get involved in the subsequent calculations and always protected himself.

Afterwards, he selfishly abandoned the Xu family and found himself a wealthy home to enjoy himself. We haven't been in touch for the past two years. Why would he suddenly try to get close to us?

In all likelihood, it was the Zhu family's idea. The Defei in the palace just got pregnant, and they don't even know if the baby is a prince, yet they're already starting to plan?

Tsk tsk, what a pity, their plan will not work. Not to mention that Xiaoyu is here, even if she is not here, I will not choose the Zhu family. Wouldn’t it be better to remain neutral? Why do they have to grab the credit for following the dragon?"

"I'm just afraid they won't give up." Gu Huanxi smiled helplessly. "After what happened today, they'll come to your house to maintain their relationship when they have the chance. I just want to ask you if you find this offensive or not?"

"Then find a reason to turn against each other?"

"Don't judge by appearances, judge by appearances. The Empress Dowager is a daughter of the Zhu family, and there is also Consort De. If the Emperor keeps whispering in their ear, he may not be unable to listen."

Hearing this, Xu Huaiyi cursed a few times in anger, "Damn it, so they are shameless and we can't do anything about it? Just let them take advantage of us?"

Gu Huanxi said, "They don't know the relationship between us and Xiaoyu, so they will naturally try to win us over. When you find an opportunity in the future, you can give them a hint of support for the orthodox attitude. As long as they are not stupid, they will not waste their efforts."

Xu Huaiyi agreed immediately.

The couple gossiped about the Zhu family for a while and then put the matter behind them.

A few days later, Xu Huaiyi, Su Zhe and Li Yunting got together for a meal and a drink. After two glasses of wine, the topic turned to the Zhu family.

Su Zhe asked, "Is the son-in-law that Zhu Yan recruited really your fifth brother?"

Xu Huaiyi nodded depressedly, but he still had to make it clear, "We broke off the relationship a long time ago. We haven't been in touch for more than two years..."

Su Zhe said, "But didn't he come to wish you a happy new year on the second day of the Chinese New Year? I heard that he was very generous and gave you a lot of gifts, which you accepted and even saw off personally. It's said outside that you two brothers have reconciled."

In fact, the rumors were spreading widely outside, and some of the words were quite unpleasant. Su Zhe was too embarrassed to say anything, and he guessed that someone must have been using this incident to smear Xu Huaiyi's reputation.

Nine times out of ten it's jealousy.

Of course, it could also be that there are certain factions that do not want to see Xu Huaiyi side with the Zhu family.

Xu Huaiyi heard what he hadn't finished saying, and immediately frowned and said, "What reconciliation? That's impossible. I can't turn my face against you. Who the hell spread the rumor?"

Su Zhe said, "Someone who is jealous of you. This matter can be a big deal or a small one. If you don't want others to misunderstand you, you still have to find a way to clarify it."

Before Xu Huaiyi could say anything, Li Yunting took over the conversation and said, "I don't think it's necessary."

"Not necessary?" Su Zhe was puzzled, "Huai Yi doesn't want to take sides..."

Li Yunting said very bluntly, "Although the crown prince has been appointed, he is still young. There is no telling how many little princes will be in the palace. Sooner or later, there will be a day of conflict. The cruelty of it can be predicted by looking at the palace coup last year.

The result is even more difficult to predict. Those who are capable may not win, and luck is also important.

The former crown prince had the title and the strongest power, but what was his fate?

Who knows which prince will be the winner until the end?

Let's not talk about the distant future, just talking about the present, the Queen's fourth prince has the ability to compete, and Concubine De has the support of the Empress Dowager, so her strength will not be weak, but what about the Crown Prince? It's just a title.

So we don’t take sides, but there’s no need to. We just need to know which faction we’re going to fall out with, and it’s up to others to decide what to do with it. What others think is their business.”

Su Zhe's eyes widened when he heard this, with an expression that said, "I misjudged you." "You mean, you can be a fence-sitter at any time?"

Li Yunting frowned in confusion, "Did I not express myself clearly enough?"

Su Zhe blinked, "Did I understand it wrongly?"

Xu Huaiyi was amused. "I understand. Yun Ting wants to be a scumbag. He flirts with everyone but doesn't establish a relationship. He can attack or defend. In short, he doesn't take the initiative, doesn't refuse, and doesn't take responsibility."

Li Yunting curled his lips, "It's a rough statement, but the truth is true. That's what I mean."

Su Zhe clicked his tongue twice, gave Li Yunting a thumbs-up and teased him, "Good fellow, I didn't expect that a man with thick eyebrows and big eyes like you could come up with such a dirty trick. Isn't this playing with other people's feelings? I thought you were a serious person, but you're actually quite a playboy in private..."

Li Yunting drank calmly and did not defend himself, allowing Su Zhe to tease him.

Su Zhe finally said, "Although it is a bit unfair to do so, I have to say that this is indeed a good idea. It is not so easy to be a neutral party. Those people will certainly try every means to drag you into the water. Instead of being on guard day and night, it is better to be a scumbag. No matter who gets the upper hand in the future, you won't get any advantage, but you won't suffer any loss either.

Unlike our Su family, we bet on the wrong horse, and decades of hard work have gone to waste. It is too difficult to make a comeback...

We are still lucky. Those who are deeply trapped are more unfortunate. Their homes are confiscated and their families are exterminated!

Therefore, you should not get involved in this matter of fighting for the throne. The risk is too great!

It’s good to be a scumbag, it keeps you safe.”

Xu Huaiyi, "..."

He didn't know what to complain about for a moment.

However, he still listened to this scumbag's behavior, and then quietly put it into practice. Whoever flirted with him, he would accept them, but he was vague about the words. In short, he always kept the ambiguity and did not establish a formal relationship.

This operation even attracted Han Jun to ask questions. Han Jun did not doubt that he wanted to start a new business, but he was curious about his purpose in doing so.

Xu Huaiyi did not talk about the scumbag theory, but explained that this was a maze he set up to conceal the fact that he was in the prince's camp, so as to avoid being exposed too early and thus not being able to keep a low profile and accumulate strength in secret.

Han Jun did not doubt his thinking and gave affirmation and support.

Gu Huanxi did not object and let him do whatever he wanted. After all, she didn't know as much as he did about court affairs, and if she interfered too much, she might end up hindering him.

Besides, she had her own things to do. After the spring, she and Mr. Jiang started to build a library. The address was chosen to be a farm outside the city. The environment was beautiful, the space was large, and it was quiet and peaceful, which was perfect for reading without distraction.

Mr. Jiang was even more motivated than her. After finalizing the construction drawings, he took over the project.

Gu Huanxi wanted it more than ever. She provided the space and the money, but when it came to influence among scholars, she couldn't even reach Mr. Jiang's level. She could open a bookstore, but to build something like a library, she needed someone like Mr. Jiang to attract attention.

Otherwise, it can easily become a joke.

She was not seeking fame, she just wanted to do something meaningful, leave something in this world, and make the journey worthwhile.

In addition, she has been continuously expanding the scale of cotton planting in the past two years, and this year has finally shown results. The supply of cotton is more than enough. Who in the capital doesn't have a few quilts at home?

For the remaining quantity, Gu Huanxi and Su Zhe jointly opened a weaving workshop, recruiting mostly female workers and providing at least several hundred jobs, giving priority to those with difficult family conditions, those who had no husband to support the family, and those who wanted to be financially independent. It can be said that this arrangement saved many families on the verge of poverty and benefited more and more women.

After finishing all these, Gu Huanxi no longer cared about anything else. She handed over the library to Mr. Jiang, the newly opened weaving workshop, and other businesses to Su Zhe, and she stayed at home to recuperate.

The reason was simple: she was pregnant.

Counting the dates, it was in April and the delivery would be in the middle of the twelfth lunar month. Her New Year's wish had come true.

As soon as the news spread, everyone in the marquis's mansion was excited, as if they had something to look forward to. During those days, the servants walked with the wind and smiles on their faces, as if they had picked up a gold ingot.

However, Xu Huaiyi did not dare to show too much happiness. Only when he carried his daughter on his back did he dare to show some excitement and anticipation. When his daughter was present, he looked indifferent, as if it didn't matter whether he had the child or not.

For this reason, Gu Huanxi complained more than once, "Are you tired of pretending? Is it necessary? Ah Li is very cunning. She herself is very excited. Who are you showing this to?"

Xu Huaiyi said, "You don't understand. My daughter can look forward to having brothers and sisters, but we as parents cannot show it too obviously. No matter whether it is a boy or a girl in the future, we must love Ah Li the most.

They say that we should treat everyone equally, but how is that possible? Fingers are always different in length, and we are no exception. But compared to the one who has not yet been born, Ah Li is of course the most important, so shouldn't we consider her feelings?

Don't say she doesn't care. No one would generously share their parents' love. Who doesn't have a desire for exclusivity?

In your previous life, have you forgotten the news about only children not allowing their parents to have a second child? "

Gu Huanxi was speechless, "Then when the baby in your belly is born, you will still do this, aren't you afraid of hurting the baby? The palms and backs of your hands are all made of flesh..."

Xu Huaiyi said confidently, "I will find a way to balance the baby after it is born, so don't worry."

"........."