Take the initiative
A gentle breeze wafted through the pavilion, and the aroma of tea filled the air. Gu Jinning felt as if she were floating in the mountains, her whole body refreshed.
Gu Jinning's recent worries vanished. She walked briskly back to the Prince of Jin's residence, humming a little tune, her mood even more cheerful than the cicadas in the treetops.
As soon as he stepped into the courtyard, Chu Lang darted out, his anxiety visibly palpable.
"Master, where have you been?" he asked angrily, hands on his hips.
Gu Jinning walked past him and replied, "I was hungry, so I went for a walk. What's up?"
Chu Lang followed, looking aggrieved. "I thought you'd run away again, leaving me all alone here."
"No, no, it's not that serious." Gu Jinning patted his shoulder and pushed the pastry box into his arms to coax him, "Here, I specially brought you some pastries to calm you down."
Chu Lang followed her into the house with a wronged expression. He looked at the pastries and then at Gu Jinning, still somewhat disbelieving.
Gu Jinning turned her head and asked, "Have you finished the task I assigned you?"
Chu Lang pulled a booklet from his waist and waved it in front of Gu Jinning. "One hundred and thirty-five people, all taken care of."
"sure."
Gu Jinning's eyes lit up as she picked up the booklet and flipped through it. The thick booklet was filled with densely packed details of everyone's appearance, temperament, likes, dislikes, strengths, and weaknesses.
"I knew it, you're the most talented."
Chu Lang felt a sense of pride and satisfaction at being recognized, and his lips curled up involuntarily. "That's right."
Gu Jinning quickly scanned the book, spread out the papers, and drafted job descriptions for each person based on their characteristics.
Chu Lang gestured wildly to himself, describing how he had become one of the hundred or so burly men and managed to extract information from them with just a few words.
"I only found out after I got to know them. They weren't all roughnecks. Some were good at boxing, some were literate, some could do math, some were excellent cooks, and some were as eloquent as me. It was truly a place where hidden talents abounded."
Gu Jinning understood immediately. Xiao Heng'an had planned this all along; every person he brought was assigned a specific role, none were left idle. It seemed he really had set a trap for her.
Gu Jinning tried to figure out what Xiao Heng'an was thinking. After making the list, she felt that it was too perfect and would easily give her away, so she swapped a few of the names.
"Done!"
Gu Jinning tossed the pen aside with satisfaction, turned and went into the inner room to tighten her waist. When she came out, she had transformed into Ji Lin.
She folded the list and put it in her sleeve, told Chu Lang to rest well, took out a pastry from the snack box, carried it out, and went straight to find Xiao Heng'an.
There were no guards inside or outside Yunshu Courtyard. Gu Jinning entered the courtyard by herself and saw Xiao Heng'an bent over his desk by the window, polishing a rather large piece of black jade in his hand.
She casually tugged at her collar to reveal her beautiful collarbone and neck, and slowly stepped into the study.
"cousin."
Gu Jinning called softly as she slowly approached the table. Before she even reached it, the refreshing aroma of tea wafted over on the breeze.
Xiao Heng'an looked up, glanced at her face, and then lowered his head to polish the jade again.
"Cousin, this is some green tea ice cream I had someone buy this morning. It's made with the new tea leaves harvested before Qingming Festival this year, so it's especially fragrant. Would you like to try some?"
Gu Jinning politely placed the pastries in front of Xiao Heng'an's table.
Xiao Heng'an glanced at the jade-green ice cream and asked indifferently, "What is it?"
With a smile in her eyes and tenderness, Gu Jinning handed over the list, "The list is ready, please take a look and see if it's suitable?"
Xiao Heng'an then took out a handkerchief to wipe his hands clean and accepted the list.
He scanned them all and nodded in approval, "Okay, let's arrange it this way."
Gu Jinning feigned surprise and asked, "No need to move?"
Xiao Heng'an said, "It's not a crucial matter, so there's no need to be too demanding. If necessary, we can change it later."
Gu Jinning obediently hummed in agreement, pushed the pastries toward Xiao Heng'an, and turned her body to the side, her stray hairs brushing against Xiao Heng'an's shoulder.
"Cousin, please try a bite, it's delicious." Gu Jinning lowered her voice and breathed softly.
Xiao Heng'an leaned closer and subtly handed over the list, separating the two of them. "The servant in your courtyard is quite clever."
"Yes, he's quite efficient and hardworking, so I've had him run errands and relay messages more often."
"Then let's proceed with the proposed roster and let him continue to run errands and register the positions."
"Okay, I won't let my cousin down."
Gu Jinning answered the questions and took the list while still trying to squeeze in.
"Your Highness."
A voice suddenly called from outside the study. Gu Jinning was startled and quickly sat up. She turned around and saw that it was Yang Yu. She awkwardly straightened her clothes, curtsied, and hurriedly left the study.
When Gu Jinning met Yang Yu outside the door, her eyes were filled with resentment as she scanned him from head to toe. Her gaze fell on the three knives hanging at his waist, and she thought to herself, "Three knives at the waist, he must be either a ruthless person or a devil. He really has no sense at all."
Yang Yu, on the contrary, clasped his hands in a respectful bow to her and watched her leave with an open and honest demeanor.
"I've come at an inopportune time," Yang Yu joked as he entered the house.
Xiao Heng'an pushed the plate of green jade cakes with a sigh of relief, "They came just in time."
Yang Yu said, "Miss is quite capable. Yesterday, she ordered the servants in the courtyard to spend the whole day with us brothers, and today she has already drawn up a list. How is it? Are you satisfied?"
Xiao Heng'an's gaze fell on the list on the table, which he had already prepared and which was almost identical to the original. He frowned and said, "Almost identical."
Yang Yu commented: "Indeed, very clever."
Xiao Heng'an flipped through the roster and said in a deep voice, "They are too clever."
The discrepancies in this list are minor, and the people comparable to her could easily be swapped, showing that she put thought into it.
Yang Yu casually picked up the popsicle on the table and tasted it, saying, "Not bad, the tea aroma is rich and the taste is refreshing. No wonder Miss Biao smells of tea."
Xiao Heng glanced at him and asked, "Is there anything wrong with that servant?"
Yang Yu replied, "The servant was already in the mansion, and his identity is innocent. If there is any problem, it cannot be blamed on Miss Yang."
Xiao Heng'an sensed a hidden meaning in his words, "What do you mean?"
Yang Yu smiled strangely, "All the servants in this mansion were dispatched by the former princess's mansion."
Xiao Heng'an's eyes dimmed instantly. Three years ago, when the emperor bestowed the marriage, he also granted the Prince of Jin's residence and the Princess's residence.
Before he went to war, Gu Jinning solemnly promised that she would take good care of his mansion.
She did it.
She never broke her promises to him, except for the marriage agreement.
Yang Yu had only been with Xiao Heng'an for three years, but he understood that Gu Jinning and Xiao Heng'an had a special relationship, so he couldn't understand Gu Jinning's sudden breach of contract.
"Forgive my cynical view, but has the princess found someone else?"
Xiao Heng'an shook his head. "No, if she did, she wouldn't hide it from me."
She was always open and honest. He trusted her. He also understood that what held her back was her family and her yearning for freedom, nothing else.
Yang Yu sighed, "Is it really impossible to annul this engagement?"
Xiao Heng'an smiled bitterly, "If she could withdraw, the Emperor wouldn't have bestowed the name 'Jin Ning' upon her."
All the princes and crown princes belonged to the "Li" generation. Gu Jinning was Emperor Xiao Juebai's niece. Not only was she exceptionally granted the title of Princess at birth, but she was also given a name that elevated her generation. One can imagine the profound meaning behind this, which was planned in advance.
Whenever Gu Jinning was mentioned, Xiao Heng'an always looked bitter and resentful. Yang Yu didn't want to stay any longer, so he picked up the plate and slipped out, saying, "If you're not going to eat, I'll take it to Song Hui and the others."
In the shadows, Gu Jinning watched as Yang Yu brought out the whole plate of ice cream. She was so angry that she blew her nose and glared at Xiao Heng'an, scolding him for not knowing the value of his work, since she had made it herself.
How can we win over Xiao Heng'an, who is so cold and ruthless?
Gu Jinning was troubled. After all, she was a battle-hardened heroine, and she couldn't afford to be defeated by Xiao Heng'an, that blockhead.
There was a vacant lot in the backyard of the Prince's mansion, which was originally intended to be a back garden. Chu Lang said that Xiao Heng'an found it too troublesome and turned it into a training ground.
With many hands making light work, the open space was leveled and solidified in just one day, and archery targets were erected there. Xiao Heng'an was there for his daily training.
As soon as Gu Jinning received the news, she dressed up and went to look for the person, swaying her hips.
Because of the hot weather, the guards all took off their shirts and fought bare-chested.
Considering Ji Lin's reserved nature, Gu Jinning didn't want to walk openly through the crowd, so she took a shortcut. But with just a glance, she could see everything clearly from that side.
Gu Jinning glanced at him the whole way, her heart filled with joy. She couldn't help but think of Xiao Heng'an's bare-chested appearance, and laughed even more heartily.
Just as she was feeling happy, a sharp gaze shot over from afar. Gu Jinning instantly composed herself, instinctively avoiding Yang Yu's eagle eyes. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed that Xiao Heng'an was also there, and the group of people were dressed neatly and formally.
Gu Jinning walked with her head down, thinking to herself, "It's such a pity they're wearing clothes."
"Your Highness, Miss Biao has arrived," Yang Yu said in a low voice.
Xiao Heng'an drew his bow to its fullest extent, aimed at the target a hundred meters away, and steadily released an arrow that hit the bullseye.
"good!"
Gu Jinning suddenly clapped and cheered, startling the guards on the sidelines who hurriedly tore off their clothes and ran away.
Gu Jinning stuck out her tongue, smiled and called out "Cousin," then lifted her skirt and trotted over.
"Cousin, your archery skills are amazing! Can you teach me?" She looked up at Xiao Heng'an with admiration and asked expectantly.
Xiao Heng'an was somewhat displeased by her uninvited arrival and did not want to pay her any attention.
Gu Jinning said softly, "Grandmother's old house is in a mountain village outside the city, where there are many wild animals. I'll learn some archery to protect myself, which might scare them away. If you don't want to, then so be it."
With that, Gu Jinning lowered her head, turned around, leaving behind a dejected figure, and made as if to leave.
Xiao Heng'an remained unmoved. Song Hui, however, was young, kind-hearted, and outspoken. Seeing that Gu Jinning was truly pitiful, he advised, "Your Highness, why don't you teach Miss Gu? She's a weak and helpless woman; it would be good for her to learn something."
Xiao Heng'an readily agreed, "Okay, you teach me."
Song Hui was startled and his eyes widened. He hurriedly declined, saying, "Men and women should not touch each other. I have no relation to Miss Song Hui, so how can I overstep my bounds? You are her cousin, and it is only natural for a brother to take care of his sister."
Yang Yufei glanced over, signaling him to shut up.
Song Hui pursed his lips and silently shrank back behind Song Ming.
Gu Jinning took a few steps, but seeing no response from Xiao Heng'an, she turned around and said with an embarrassed smile, "Cousin, you don't need to teach me, I can learn by myself. Can I borrow a bow and arrow? I'll practice in the corner, so I won't bother you."
Her humble demeanor made it difficult for Xiao Heng'an to refuse, so he acquiesced.
Song Hui happily fetched a bow and arrow and handed it to Gu Jinning, then led her to the target area nearby.
“Miss, this is your first time drawing a bow. Don’t aim too far or too accurately. Just stay close and hit the target.”
Gu Jinning softly thanked him, raised her arm to draw the bow, and habitually closed her eyes to aim. Suddenly realizing she had to act, she quickly lowered the bow and arrow, loosened her grip, and pretended to be weak and unable to draw the bow fully.
The arrow fell limply to the ground, landing a foot away.
Song Hui said, "You have to use some force, draw the bow fully before releasing it. Also, when aiming, you have to raise your hand high, it won't work if it's too low."
He offered a few words of advice and then left in a hurry, as if standing there any longer would jeopardize his innocence.
Gu Jinning raised an eyebrow, stood with her back to Xiao Heng'an and his group, facing the target, and practiced "diligently".
Making a play isn't difficult, it's just boring.
The shooting range offered no shade, and the blazing sun beat down relentlessly. Before long, Gu Jinning was burning up, her face beaded with sweat. She thought to herself, "Xiao Heng'an, I've been working this hard, if you don't take the bait, I'm going to get angry!"
The weather was getting hotter and hotter, and there wasn't even a breeze. Gu Jinning's patience was wearing thin, so she simply treated the target as if it were Xiao Heng'an and started shooting wildly.
The arrows pounded against the target with a loud clatter, making quite a racket, and there was absolutely no pattern to it.
Xiao Heng'an finally remembered her existence, glanced at her, and suddenly froze. That back view... why did it seem so familiar?
Yang Yu said, "I suggest you go and take a look."
Xiao Heng'an snapped out of his reverie and ignored him, saying, "She'll back down when things get tough."
Yang Yu analyzed, "But she will come again tomorrow. For the sake of the brothers, it would be better to deal with it."
Guards had gathered around them without them noticing, and they were all training absentmindedly, their eyes constantly glancing at the field.
They were used to fighting on the frontier and rarely saw delicate and beautiful women, so they couldn't help but be intrigued. They all wanted to know what was so special about the young lady who could earn the Prince of Jin's military merits.
Gu Jinning was tired, so she propped her bow up on the ground, supported herself with her arm, and threw the arrow at the target with one hand.
"That's not how you play with a bow."
"Who cares about the rules, as long as you hit the target."
The footsteps beside me suddenly stopped.
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