Chapter 324 Progress (Two Updates)

Gu Jiao was not a real man after all, but she was not used to being so close to people. When Mo Qianxue finished wiping her forehead and went to wipe her neck, Gu Jiao grabbed her wrist.

Mo Qianxue glared at Gu Jiao, then raised her other hand to remove Gu Jiao's mask, but Gu Jiao grabbed her wrist.

Mo Qianxue was skilled in martial arts, but unfortunately, she was no match for Gu Jiao. Unable to move, she said angrily, "I know, I know, I won't touch you! Do it yourself!"

Gu Jiao let go.

Mo Qianxue rolled her eyes, snorted, and tossed the handkerchief to Gu Jiao.

Gu Jiao wiped the sweat off her neck.

It's so hot! Wearing a chest binder makes it even hotter, and wearing a mask on top of that is like adding heat to heat. Luckily, Mo Qianxue's room has a good orientation, so it's warm in winter and cool in summer. She also has an ice basin, otherwise Gu Jiao might have really suffered heatstroke on the spot.

Gu Jiao put the towel back into the copper basin, and a maid came in to collect it and take it out.

"Xiao Wu, are there any lychees left from this morning?" Mo Qianxue asked.

The maidservant, Xiao Wu, said, "Yes, yes, this servant will bring it to you right away, Miss!"

Before long, Xiao Wu brought in a plate of chilled lychees. The lychees were large and plump, with a bright red color, as if they had just been picked from the tree.

Lychees are not grown in the capital; they are all transported from the south by fast horses. Not only do the horses need to be fast, but the ice also needs to be changed along the way. If they are not handled carefully, they will spoil by the time they reach the capital.

This is an extremely luxurious fruit. Gu Jiao had only ever tasted it at Renshou Palace. She heard from Madam Yao that even the Marquis's mansion rarely received such a fruit in previous years.

Who would have thought that such luxurious fruit could be enjoyed in a small brothel?

Gu Jiao looked at the lychees, lost in thought for a moment and didn't touch them.

"If you don't eat it yourself, do you expect me to peel it for you?" Mo Qianxue snorted, but her slender fingers picked up the biggest and reddest lychee, peeled it, and fed it to Gu Jiao.

The peeled lychee was big and round, white and bouncy, and looked especially fresh and juicy.

"Eat it yourself," Gu Jiao said with her eyes.

"Hmph!" Mo Qianxue rolled her eyes. "I won't take back what I've given away!"

Sigh, what's more, why can't we get along with fruit?

Gu Jiao reluctantly took it and fed it to him.

She's been feeling a bit feverish lately, so she can't eat too many lychees.

Seeing her eat, Mo Qianxue's eyes regained their smile. She rested her right elbow on the table, her index finger knuckle touching her delicate chin, and looked at Gu Jiao with a smile: "Why did you suddenly come to see me, young master? Did you miss me?"

Gu Jiao took out her notebook and quickly wrote: "I didn't come here to see you."

Mo Qianxue's face darkened instantly. She snatched the notebook from her, crossed out the word "no" and wrote "just" on it, adding at the end, "I miss you so much."

He then tossed the notebook back to Gu Jiao.

Gu Jiao: ...This works?

Mo Qianxue raised an eyebrow and asked, "Did the tassel I gave you last time come in handy? Have you found the murderer?"

Gu Jiao nodded, then shook her head.

Mo Qianxue frowned slightly: "What do you mean? Did you find anything or not?"

Gu Jiao quickly wrote: "Halfway through the investigation."

Yuan Tang was the one who took action, but he couldn't accomplish this alone. Gu Jiao increasingly felt that he had an accomplice.

“Then there’s nothing I can do.” Mo Qianxue spread her hands. “I just happened to overhear their conversation and picked up one of their tassels.”

Therefore, the place where Yuan Tang exchanged messages with that person was Xianleju. Xianleju is not a place that just anyone can enter. The other party was either a guest of Xianleju or an employee of Xianleju.

It's even possible that the other party is the owner of Xianleju.

Gu Jiao quickly wrote: "Who is the owner of Xianle Residence?"

"You're asking about the head of the household?" Mo Qianxue leaned closer to Gu Jiao, looking at her with a half-smile, her eyes filled with mockery but also a hint of wariness. "Why are you asking about this?"

Gu Jiao wrote: "Just asking out of curiosity. If it's inconvenient to say, then forget it."

This is what it means to retreat in order to advance.

Mo Qianxue pouted and said uninterestedly, "Actually, I don't know either. I've only seen the owner twice, and it was through a screen. I don't even know what the owner looks like."

Even the most renowned courtesan was unaware of the master's true identity; the other party had truly kept his identity hidden for a very long time.

Gu Jiao recalled a sentence that Mo Qianxue had said when she was teaching that woman in yellow a lesson—"For the sake of the master of the house, I'll spare you this time!"

She wrote: "What is the relationship between Hua Xiyao and the resident?"

"You still remember that little bitch's name!" Mo Qianxue exploded in anger!

Gu Jiao: ...Uh, how is she supposed to respond to this?

Mo Qianxue said angrily, "Have you taken a fancy to that little bitch?"

Gu Jiao, with a strong will to survive, wrote: She's so ugly, it's hard to forget her.

Upon hearing Gu Jiao call her ugly, Mo Qianxue chuckled, her anger instantly vanishing. She said smugly, "Her relationship with the Master isn't anything special; she only served him for a few days. The Master saw that she was somewhat pretty and asked me to train her properly. Don't worry, she won't dare to bother you again."

Gu Jiao nodded.

She had one last question: "Is the homeowner a man or a woman?"

Mo Qianxue retorted, "The owner of Xianleju is of course a woman, not some stinky man like you! I would never risk my life for a stinky man!"

Women, they risk their lives.

Gu Jiao remembered these two important clues.

Unable to get any more information from Mo Qianxue, Gu Jiao excused herself, saying it was getting late, and got up to leave.

Mo Qianxue pursed her lips, her eyes showing lingering interest, but she probably had other plans for the evening, so she didn't try to keep Gu Jiao.

She escorted Gu Jiao downstairs.

As they reached the corner of the stairs, she suddenly grabbed Gu Jiao's sleeve: "At least tell me your last name."

Gu Jiao wrote: "Gu".

"Young Master Gu," Mo Qianxue murmured, smiling gently. "Not bad."

As she and Gu Jiao passed by the stairwell on the second floor, they unexpectedly ran into Hua Xiyao.

Hua Xiyao was clearly somewhat wary of Mo Qianxue, so she lowered her head, stepped aside, and gave a slight bow.

Mo Qianxue gave a cold snort, not even glancing at her, and escorted Gu Jiao downstairs.

Hua Xiyao touched her still throbbing face, her eyes filled with resentment: "Mo Qianxue, just you wait, you won't always be this lucky!"

The maid stepped forward and said to Hua Xiyao, "Miss Hua, the Shadow Guard just brought news that the Master is coming back."

Hua Xiyao's eyes lit up: "I'll go pick up the head of the household!"

The maidservant said sheepishly, "No need, the shadow guard said to send Miss Qianxue to pick her up."

Hua Xiyao clenched her fingers, watching Mo Qianxue smilingly bid farewell to Gu Jiao at the entrance of Xianleju, and stomped her foot angrily!

Mo Qianxue, Mo Qianxue, all the good things are attributed to Mo Qianxue!

-

After leaving Xianleju, Gu Jiao went straight back to Bishui Hutong.

It was already late, and all the households in the alley had closed their doors. Lanterns were hung under the eaves, and the faint candlelight illuminated the long alley in a dim yellow hue.

When Gu Jiao arrived at her doorstep, she found a little dumpling sitting pitifully on the threshold. Even without her saying a word, she could feel a huge sense of grievance emanating from its small body.

Gu Jiao stepped forward and whispered, "Jingkong?"

Hearing the familiar voice, Xiao Jingkong suddenly raised his head and ran towards Gu Jiao: "Jiao Jiao!"

Gu Jiao bent down so that the little one could jump into her arms.

Little Jingkong threw himself into her arms and grabbed her collar, pouting pitifully, "Jiaojiao..."

"What's wrong?" Gu Jiao picked up the little one.

Little Jingkong pouted: "Auntie doesn't like me anymore."

Gu Jiao asked, amused, "Why doesn't your great-aunt like you anymore? Who told you that?"

Xiao Jingkong snorted, "Brother-in-law."

Gu Jiao said, "He said your great-aunt doesn't like you anymore?"

Xiao Jingkong shook his head.

Gu Jiao then asked, "Then how do you know your aunt doesn't like you?"

Xiao Jingkong said aggrievedly, "My aunt gave my brother-in-law so many things, but she didn't give me this many. Am I still my aunt's favorite little man?"

He emphasized the little man because he excluded Gu Jiao from his mind. In his heart, his aunt could treat Jiao Jiao the best, and he wouldn't be jealous of Jiao Jiao.

Gu Jiao laughed: "But when your aunt gave you things before, your brother-in-law didn't receive any either."

Xiao Jingkong thought about it carefully and realized that this was indeed the case.

So, my aunt didn't intentionally give my brother-in-law more things; she just made up for what she hadn't given him before all at once.

Thinking this way, he felt at peace.

But he still wanted to take this opportunity to ask for a kiss, and he said with his head drooping, "But I'm still a little hurt."

Where did you learn to speak like an adult?

He started spouting new words, which Gu Jiao found both novel and adorable.

Gu Jiao planted a kissing seed in him.

Xiao Jingkong was finally completely satisfied. She covered her face and ran quickly back to the house to find a gauze scarf.

Gu Jiao walked through the front yard and entered the main room. She was about to return to the west room when she looked up and saw that the door to the study was open and an oil lamp was lit inside. Xiao Liulang was engrossed in reading under the oil lamp.

The study door is usually not left so wide open, especially when Xiao Liulang is reading.

At this moment, every inch of the door frame and threshold seemed to silently convey an atmosphere of "come in quickly, come in quickly".

Gu Jiao then stepped into the house.

The study was as tidy and clean as ever. Directly opposite the door was Xiao Liulang's desk, which Xiao Jingkong also used frequently these days. Half of the space on it was occupied by Xiao Jingkong's books, writing brushes, ink, paper and inkstones.

On the other half of Xiao Liulang's territory, in the most conspicuous position, stood an exquisite wooden brocade box.

Xiao Liulang's chair faced the main entrance. He didn't look up, as if he were immersed in a sea of ​​arithmetic problems.

Ever since he got his hands on that book on advanced mathematics from Yan State, he would spend his evenings studying it, and Gu Jiao was no longer surprised by it.

It's still strange.

The atmosphere was a bit strange.

The chair opposite him was also set up.

It seemed as if they were just waiting for people to sit down.

Gu Jiao sat down in the chair opposite the desk: "I heard you went to the palace today?"

Xiao Liulang said in a serious tone, "Yes, I went to see my great-aunt."

The box was placed perfectly, within Gu Jiao's reach. She pointed at the box and asked, "Was this a gift from my aunt?"

"Hmm." Xiao Liulang nodded with a serious expression.

You can take a look.

His eyes spoke volumes.

This time it's not about showing off, it's about sharing—sharing my gains and joy.

He wanted to do it on the way back. He wasn't sure what kind of emotion it was, but he just... wanted to tell her about it.

“Let me see,” she said.

Xiao Liulang nodded solemnly.

Gu Jiao opened the brocade box.

She looked at the contents of the brocade box, but Xiao Liulang was looking at her.

This reminded him of his childhood, when his writings were praised by his teacher, and he would take the writings to the princess's residence, eager to tell Princess Xinyang.

When Princess Xinyang read his essays and the teacher's comments, he would feel both excited and nervous.

Like it is right now.

Why is that?

Do you care?

"There are more than I expected." Gu Jiao thought that her aunt was just making up for the gifts she hadn't given before, but she didn't expect there to be so many more. No wonder Xiao Jingkong was so jealous.

But there must be other reasons for this.

There must be a misunderstanding between his aunt and him.

It seems the misunderstanding has been cleared up.

Gu Jiao smiled and looked at him, saying, "Your aunt loves you very much."

Xiao Liulang suppressed the corners of his lips that were turning up and said calmly, "It's for you."

"Which one is for me?" Gu Jiao asked, looking at the box of valuables.

"I'll give them all to you," Xiao Liulang said.

Gu Jiao's eyes widened: "So many?"

Xiao Liulang saw the surprise in her eyes, and the corners of his lips curled up again. He took out a money pouch from his pocket and handed it to her: "This is for this month's household expenses."

Wow, she's struck it rich!

Gu Jiao blinked, looked at the money pouch, then at the items in the box, and was momentarily incredulous.

Xiao Liulang gave her a deep look. Her bewildered expression with her mouth agape drew his gaze and made him involuntarily move closer to her.

He watched the face slowly enlarge in front of him, and his heart began to pound.

The world seemed to fall silent, leaving only the pounding of my own heart.

"Sis! You're here!"

Gu Xiaoshun suddenly ran in.

The main problem was that the door was open; he had no idea that Xiao Liulang would sneak away to steal his own sister at this time.

Of course, he arrived quickly enough that Xiao Liulang didn't get a chance to kiss her. He quickly sat back down in his chair, creating a huge distance between himself and Gu Jiao!

Gu Xiaoshun scratched his head: I think I saw something, but then again, I don't think I saw anything at all!

Never mind!

Business comes first!

"Brother-in-law," he greeted Xiao Liulang.

Xiao Liulang's eyes were filled with resentment.

Gu Xiaoshun: "..."

Gu Xiaoshun came to Gu Jiao to ask her to fix his knives. The handle of one of his small knives had come off, and he couldn't put it back on himself.

"Okay, I'll go take a look." Gu Jiao nodded, put the household items into the brocade box, and left the study with Gu Xiaoshun while holding the box.

Xiao Liulang leaned back in his chair, feeling utterly helpless.

He was a little disappointed.

But they didn't know what they were missing.

At night, after everyone in the family had gone to sleep, Xiao Liulang rubbed his sore eyes, closed his book, put it back on the shelf, and also planned to rest.

He went to the main room, only to find a figure relaxing on the newly built small swing in the front yard.

The mosquito coils that Gu Jiao had made herself were burning next to the swing set.

Seeing Xiao Liulang come out, the small figure on the swing suddenly stopped, stepped off the swing, and came to Xiao Liulang: "Are you done with your work?"

Xiao Liulang looked at her in surprise: "You're not asleep yet?" He paused, then asked, "Waiting for me?"

"Mmm." Gu Jiao nodded, looking at him with her clear, watery eyes wide open.

He had seen how aloof those eyes were when they looked at others, but now they were obedient and clear. Her pupils reflected the candlelight under the corridor, and also his stunned expression.

"You..." He opened his mouth, the two of them were quite close, and his heart began to pound violently again.

Gu Jiao stood on tiptoe.

You've grown taller!

You have to stand on tiptoe to get there.

Xiao Liulang looked at her face suddenly approaching him, his eyes flickered, and his heart almost leaped out of his chest. He clutched his chest, trying to calm himself: "You..."

Gu Jiao remained on tiptoe, looking at him obediently: "Didn't you already think about it just now?"

What are you thinking about?

Xiao Liulang's blood rushed to his head.

He's not really stupid; how could he not understand what she's saying?

She discovered it… How did she discover it? And she acted so nonchalantly, without letting Gu Xiaoshun notice anything amiss.

Gu Jiao tilted her head slightly: "If you don't want it, I'm leaving."

As she spoke, she lowered her tiptoes and turned back to her east room.

Before he could take a step, Xiao Liulang grabbed his wrist.

His palms were burning hot, carrying an irresistible force, as he brought her in front of him, holding her wrist with one hand and wrapping his other arm around her slender, soft waist.

His breathing became erratic.

He raised his hand to cover her eyes and gently lowered his head.

The moonlight, shy and delicate, filled the room with tenderness.

As dawn broke, Xiao Jingkong woke up as usual. The first thing he did was remove the veil wrapped around his face and head, and then look at his little face in the bronze mirror, which actually had nothing on it: "My darling has sprouted!"

He ran out to the backyard, scooped up half a ladle of water and placed it on the stone bench. He then used his fingers to grab a few drops of water and gently sprinkled them on his little face.

"Washing your face, to clear your mind?" Granny Fang asked with a smile.

Xiao Jingkong corrected, "I'm not washing my face, I'm watering my darling!"

Granny Fang burst out laughing.

Xiao Liulang came out of the kitchen carrying a basin of water. He placed the basin on the stone table, scooped up the water and splashed it all over his face, not even sparing his mouth.

Xiao Jingkong snorted, "You wash your face too?"

Xiao Liulang raised an eyebrow and said, "No, I'll water it."

Xiao Jingkong: "...!!"

Today was another day of my wicked brother-in-law getting on my nerves, lol.

(End of this chapter)