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

Chapter 179 Scholars Understand Principles

She soon learned that the family had been in Kyoto for half a month before today and had been staying in the house that Gu Chang'an had prepared for them. It was said that Gu Chang'an did not allow them to stay at his home.

“Daughter-in-law, you’re well-educated. Do you think it’s reasonable to let your own relatives live outside?” the woman asked.

Shen Li nodded slightly and said calmly, "It was indeed his oversight. I will have someone prepare a side courtyard for my uncle and aunt to move in with my cousin. If they need anything, just let me know."

"Look, this educated daughter-in-law is different; she's so sensible," the woman continued to praise.

Shen Li then ordered someone to set out dinner, and watched as the group devoured it all. When she escorted them to the side courtyard, all the necessities of life had already been prepared, with everything they needed.

The Liu family members were dumbfounded by the layout; it seemed they had come to the right place, as there were many things here they had never seen before.

Shen Li handled everything flawlessly, leaving no room for criticism, but her expression remained indifferent throughout, and the underlying tone in her eyes was even cold.

She needs to ask Gu Chang'an who these people are.

As evening fell, Gu Chang'an strode into the inner room, his expression concerned: "Ah Li, did they disturb you?"

"It's just settling a few people, why is it bothering me?" Shen Li said, half-laughing and half-crying, "Am I that fragile?"

“I’ll have them move out tomorrow,” Gu Chang’an said.

Shen Li didn't try to persuade her; instead, she asked, "How come I've never heard you mention having such a close relative?"

“My parents died at sea, and I have been alone ever since that day. As for them…” Gu Chang’an shook his head at this point: “They are indeed my uncles, but I have only seen them a few times since I was a child. It’s like they are relatives who appeared out of nowhere after I passed the imperial examination.”

Upon hearing this, Shen Li felt sorry for Gu Chang'an and waved to him. When Gu Chang'an approached, she grabbed his hand.

"So that's how it is. No wonder you didn't seem very interested."

“This family is wicked, but I have to help them out because he is my mother’s younger brother,” Gu Chang’an said with a sense of helplessness.

Shen Li, however, said with a calm expression, "Husband, look at those high-ranking officials and nobles, which family doesn't have a few difficult relatives? Some bring trouble, some rely on their age, and some want to seize property. This is common."

She grew up in a prominent family, and although her own family didn't have these kinds of problems, she heard about them all the time. It wasn't just about eccentric relatives, but also the conflicts between the mistress and the concubines, and the open and covert struggles between the legitimate and illegitimate children.

The various underhanded tactics used in the inner quarters were commonplace, and she was tired of hearing about them from childhood to adulthood.

She didn't see this family as a problem from the beginning; she just came to settle them down and, incidentally, to test their character.

If the betrayal in her previous life was due to a misunderstanding, she would resolve the misunderstanding early in this life.

If you simply can't tame them, you should act early to prevent them from betraying you.

"That makes sense." Gu Chang'an listened to her explanation and felt quite relieved.

"My husband is busy with affairs of state, so don't worry about things at home. Leave it to me." Shen Li felt sorry for him when she saw him returning home late at night and still having to worry about things at home.

Gu Chang'an refused, saying, "How can I trouble A-Li to handle my affairs? I..."

"Does my husband not trust me?" Shen Li interrupted him, her expression somewhat resentful.

"Ah Li, you know that's not what I meant. I just didn't want them to disturb your peace and quiet," Gu Chang'an quickly explained.

"It's alright, I'm not home during the day, they won't bother me." Shen Li comforted her, "Besides, if you make relatives stay outside when they come to stay with you, they might have some complaints."

Gu Chang'an was silent for a moment, then finally nodded, looking at Shen Li with a guilty expression: "Then I'll have to trouble you, A-Li."

“We are husband and wife, it’s too much of a formality for you to be so polite, my husband,” Shen Li said, wrinkling her nose at him.

Gu Chang'an was amused by her and couldn't help but hug her. Ah Li was simply the best woman in the world, and he was so lucky.

The two talked a lot that day, and it was the first time Shen Li had heard Gu Chang'an talk about his childhood.

His parents were both fishermen who made a living by fishing at sea. He spent most of his childhood on the boat and only went to school for a few days when he was ashore.

He was very smart and learned quickly. His teacher liked him very much and waived his tuition fees. However, little Gu Chang'an had no friends.

People on the shore complained that he had a fishy smell that he couldn't wash off. Little Gu Chang'an lowered his head amidst the laughter and disgust, but then raised his head again as the voices grew louder.

He began to ignore all voices and devoted himself to his studies. He firmly believed that he was different from those people and that he could enable himself and his parents to live a dignified life.

But fate's joke on him wasn't over yet. Seven or eight-year-old Gu Chang'an was already living in the school, earning a living by doing odd jobs and studying for free.

A tsunami struck, and Gu Chang'an lost his parents. The little boy felt empty inside. He numbly climbed upwards, as if all the hardships had become commonplace for him.

He became fearless, his heart hardened like stone, and he had nothing left to lose.

His heart was filled with Shen Li; upon first seeing her, he smiled and said, "The top scholar is truly handsome."

His heart skipped a beat. The person in the clouds not only didn't dislike him but also admired him. He liked looking at her, and as he looked at her, he could no longer see anyone else.

"Ah Li, do you know? To me, you are the only beauty left in this world." In the darkness, Gu Chang'an held her, his voice hoarse and aggrieved: "God has finally been kind to me this once."

Shen Li was already too heartbroken to speak. After a long silence, she finally said in a trembling voice, "It's all in the past. We'll get better and better. I'll be with you."

That night, Gu Chang'an had a dream in which he built a huge ship that could sail against the sea breeze without capsizing.

"You can do it." Shen Li gave him her answer immediately after hearing his dream that morning.

In his previous life, Gu Chang'an did indeed demonstrate remarkable insight in shipbuilding. Later in his life, the treasury of the Great Zhao Kingdom was overflowing, and the invincible fleet of the Great Zhao Kingdom frequently landed in Japan and many surrounding islands, causing other small countries to submit.

In this lifetime, they must live to see that magnificent scene continue; they must not be delayed again by an incompetent monarch.

Gu Chang'an kissed her forehead and went to court, satisfied.

Shen Li thought to herself that this person was too easily satisfied.

While she was having breakfast, she overheard the two maids whispering to each other, so she asked, "What are they saying this morning? Tell me."

Yu Die and Shao Yao looked at each other, and finally Shao Yao said, "It's nothing serious. It's just that the news spread on the streets this morning that the third son of the Minister of Personnel was attacked last night."

"Oh? Tell me more." As Shen Li listened, the steamed buns in her hands seemed to smell even better.