Chapter 112 The Empress Dowager (First Update)
On the oxcart back, Xiao Jingkong had a serious little face.
Today I encountered a very fierce female benefactor. She also said many things that I couldn't understand, and they didn't seem to be nice.
But that's not the point.
It seems like he was being protected by Brother Gu Yan today...
He was clearly so much smarter than his brother Gu Yan; he skipped grades and always got first place in his exams, while his brother Gu Yan was just a baby. But when his brother Gu Yan knelt down to wipe his little hands and then pulled him towards the private school, he had the illusion that he was the baby.
Meanwhile, Prince An and Miss Zhuang returned to the manor.
Miss Zhuang was exhausted and fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.
Prince An instructed her personal maid: "Do not let anyone disturb her rest, and do not see anyone who comes."
The maid hesitated and said, "What if it's Miss Gu..."
Prince An's gaze was icy: "I won't see you!"
"Yes," the maid hurriedly replied.
Prince An returned to his room.
A short while later, the man in black slipped in and bowed to him, saying, "Your Highness."
Prince An poured himself a cup of tea and asked calmly, "Did you find anything?"
The man in black shook his head: "I have secretly investigated all the inns, clinics, and doctors' homes in town, but I have not found any trace of the Empress Dowager."
Prince An murmured, "Perhaps she didn't go to the clinic, nor did she see the doctor in town, nor did she stay at the inn."
The man in black asked, puzzled, "Where could the Empress Dowager have gone? Could she be hiding in some commoner's house?"
Prince An remained silent.
The man in black dismissed it, saying, "Your Highness, that's impossible. Have you forgotten that the Empress Dowager has leprosy?"
In the early stages of leprosy, there are only small red spots on the body and face, which look like frostbite or allergies. However, as the disease progresses, the symptoms of leprosy become more and more obvious, and eventually the person becomes completely different from a normal person.
A leprosy patient cannot hide unless she goes deep into the mountains and forests and lives alone in seclusion.
But that makes it even more impossible.
The Empress Dowager had lived a life of luxury and ease; she couldn't even cook. If she really went to stay in the old forest, she would either die of illness or be bitten to death by wild beasts, or she would eventually starve to death.
Prince An said thoughtfully, "You're right, but if she didn't hide, where would she have gone? She has leprosy, and she'll cause a commotion wherever she goes."
The man in black said, "Are you really not considering the possibility of the Empress Dowager's death?"
Prince An: "I said, I want to see him alive or dead."
The man in black was at a loss.
"Perhaps someone took her in and cured her."
The man in black said, "Leprosy is incurable!" Even Chen Guo, the most skilled doctor, could only delay the symptoms of leprosy. The earlier the intervention, the better the effect. A complete cure is unheard of.
Prince An certainly understood how absurd his guess was, but rather than being cured, he was less willing to believe that the Empress Dowager had died alone in some corner.
He instructed, "Go and investigate the old woman who came to Qingquan Town last winter, including the villages under your jurisdiction."
"yes."
The man in black was ordered to investigate. He was much more efficient than Huang Zhong and his group. In just a few days, he found two matching clues: one in Daniu Village and the other in Qingquan Village. The two villages were located in the north and south of the town, respectively.
“This girl from Da Niu Village ended up there last winter. When the villagers found her, she was huddled in an abandoned cowshed. They felt sorry for her and let her stay there. Occasionally, someone would bring her some food so she wouldn’t starve.”
Prince An asked, "And the last one?"
The man in black continued, "This man from Qingquan Village is a distant relative of a scholar from our village. His family suffered a misfortune, and he came to seek refuge with the old man."
Based on the clues, the old woman from Da Niu Village seems to be a better match for the person they are looking for.
However, for some reason, Prince An chose Qingquan Village.
There was no reason, just a gut feeling.
To avoid alerting the enemy, Prince An decided to go in person, while the men in black and his subordinates waited in the town.
Prince An rode his horse to the village.
Summer days are long, and the evening light is still very bright.
Prince An tied his horse to the old locust tree at the entrance of the village and headed toward the house according to the map drawn by the man in black.
Right now, Xiao Jingkong is feeding the chickens in the backyard. Worried that the chicks might run away, he has closed the door.
Prince An raised his hand and knocked on the door.
The one who opened the door was Xiao Jingkong.
On that day, before Gu Jiao took action, Xiao Jingkong was taken to the private school by Gu Yan, so he was unaware of what happened afterward and did not see Prince An.
However, after getting into the carriage, Prince An looked back and saw Gu Jiao leading Xiao Jingkong out of the private school. Beside them was a boy who looked very much like Lord Gu, who was presumably Gu Yan, whom the imperial physician had predicted would not live past fifteen.
How strange, what is this little guy doing here?
"Is this your home?" Prince An asked.
Xiao Jingkong didn't open the door completely, only a crack, revealing a round head: "Of course this is my home. Who are you? What are you doing here?"
Prince An said in a gentle tone, "I was just passing by and would like to ask for a bowl of water."
"Then wait a moment!" Xiao Jingkong didn't invite him into the house, but closed the door. After a while, he brought him a bowl of water. "Here you go."
The little guy is very wary...
Prince An took the bowl, drank the water in it in one gulp, and then handed the empty bowl back to him: "Are you home alone?"
Xiao Jingkong instantly became alert, closing the door a crack even smaller: "Are you a human trafficker? Why are you asking about this?"
Prince An said calmly, "Ah, no, I just drank your water and wanted to thank your master."
Xiao Jingkong said seriously, "I brought you the water, so thanking me is enough!"
Prince An had never seen such an unpredictable child before. He paused for a moment, then said, "Ah, thank you very much. By the way, may I ask you for directions to Da Niu Village?"
If Xiao Jingkong knew about Xinghua Village and Yangliu Village, he would know about Da Niu Village, but Da Niu Village exceeded his common sense reserves, and Xiao Jingkong was speechless on the spot.
Prince An smiled and said, "Could you ask your master for me?"
"My family is very busy, you should ask around elsewhere! Go east, the seventh house is surnamed Luo, Uncle Luo is a bullock cart driver, he knows every village!" After pointing out the way, Xiao Jingkong decisively closed the door and didn't forget to bolt it!
Jiaojiao once said that strangers should never be allowed to come into the house when there are no adults around!
He was a child, and his great-aunt was an elderly woman; neither of them were adults!
Prince An was a man who had traveled abroad and was very experienced, yet he was unexpectedly turned away by a child.
However, he was not going to give up so easily; he was determined to see that old lady today.
Prince An went around to the back gate.
The back door of the kitchen was also closed, but not locked.
Prince An paused for a moment, then gently pushed the door open and stepped inside.
His footsteps were very light, almost silent.
Just as he took a few steps, a figure suddenly jumped out from behind the door and hit him on the head with a rolling pin.
With a loud thud, Prince An was knocked unconscious.
The old lady threw the rolling pin back onto the cutting board, looked down at the unconscious Prince An, and snorted irritably, "Sneaking around like that, he's obviously no good!"
The old lady overheard the entire conversation between Prince An and Xiao Jingkong. She kept asking if the adults in the house were home. When she was refused entry, she even sneaked in through the back door. What a thief!
It's no wonder the old lady was so suspicious. After the family's life became less difficult, they did attract the attention of some petty thieves. However, the thieves always acted at night, when Gu Jiao and Gu Yan's bodyguards were always there, and they could take care of the thieves in no time.
I never expected the thief to be so bold as to steal things in broad daylight!
The old lady looked at his handsome profile and clicked her tongue, saying, "Even if you rely on your looks to make a living, it's better than being a petty thief. But... why does this kid look so familiar... haven't I seen him somewhere before?"
The old lady struck him hard with a blow; when Gu Jiao, Gu Xiaoshun, and Gu Yan returned from chopping firewood on the mountain, he was still unconscious on the floor of the kitchen.
Gu Jiao and Gu Xiaoshun put down the two bundles of firewood on their backs, and Gu Yan also put down the small half-basket of withered branches and leaves he had gathered.
"Jiaojiao, our house has been burgled! Auntie is so amazing, she knocked the burglar unconscious!"
Xiao Jingkong instantly transformed into a megaphone spirit, rattling off the whole story.
Gu Jiao quickly recognized him not as a petty thief, but as the young man in brocade robes she had met a few days earlier outside the private school—the Prince An that Gu Jinyu had mentioned.
Gu Jiao's impression of him was neither good nor bad. He didn't protect his own sister and even apologized to Lord Gu and her. At such a young age, he was so understanding. She didn't know if he was just too fair and kind or if he was simply not simple at all.
In any case, he cannot allow anything to happen to them.
Gu Jiao grabbed him with both hands and dragged him to Gu Xiaoshun's room.
The old lady really didn't hold back; he got a big bump on his head and bled a little. Gu Jiao applied medicine and wrapped it with gauze.
Then Gu Jiao took out silver needles and pricked his acupoints a few times.
Prince An slowly opened his eyes.
Prince An's features were not particularly refined, but he possessed a captivating charm.
His eyes are very beautiful, but there seems to be something wrong with his gaze.
Gu Jiao gave him a strange look, then took out her hand and waved it in front of his eyes.
He didn't react at all.
What's going on?
Are you blind?
It was already dark, and only a dim oil lamp was lit in the room.
Gu Jiao turned the lamp wick up a bit, but he still couldn't see.
But he didn't panic or show the slightest sign of distress. He calmly closed his eyes and said, "My eyes hurt."
The first thing they say when they wake up isn't asking where they are or who they are, but rather covering up the facts they can't see.
What a strange person.
Since he had said that, Gu Jiao naturally wouldn't expose him, after all, no one could guarantee that there wouldn't be any consequences if they did.
The more you know, the faster you die.
"Then don't open your eyes. I'll find some herbs to apply to your eyes." Gu Jiao said, haphazardly picking some mint leaves, wrapping them in a piece of cloth, and covering his eyes with it.
"Jiaojiao!" Little Jingkong poked his head in from outside the door. "Is he awake?"
That's the little guy's voice.
Prince An began to speculate about Gu Jiao's identity. If he wasn't mistaken, she should be the woman who had argued with his sister that day.
But isn't she the daughter of the Marquis of Ding'an?
How could someone live in a place like this?
"He's awake," Gu Jiao asked. "Are you hungry?"
"Yes, I'm hungry." Xiao Jingkong nodded honestly, then asked, "Is he busy?"
Gu Jiao said softly, "He's fine, just his eyes are a little uncomfortable."
Xiao Jingkong then asked, "Will he blame his aunt?"
Gu Jiao looked at Prince An: "Our house has been burgled a few times recently. You came in through the back door, and my great-aunt mistook you for a petty thief."
“It is my fault,” said Prince An.
“He doesn’t blame his aunt.” Gu Jiao turned to Xiao Jingkong and said, “Go and have some snacks first, I’ll cook right away.”
Xiao Jingkong then left with peace of mind.
Listening to Gu Jiao's voice, Prince An found it hard to connect her with the woman who slapped his sister and Gu Jinyu. It was as if they were two different people, and as if all her patience and gentleness were reserved for her family.
Once everyone else was out of the room, Gu Jiao asked again, "What brings Prince An here so suddenly?"
It was just a guess at first, but now the name Prince An has completely confirmed her identity. After all, it's impossible for someone who has never met him to know that he is Prince An.
Prince An couldn't very well tell her that he suspected the Empress Dowager was hiding in their house, so he hesitated for a moment before saying, "To be honest, I've come to apologize. Miss Gu has been wronged because of my sister's situation."
Gu Jiao: "Oh."
Prince An couldn't tell whether she believed him or not: "You said... the one who knocked me unconscious was your great-aunt?"
Gu Jiao asked, "What's wrong?"
Prince An smiled calmly and said, "She's really strong."
It seems the other party is not the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager recognized him.
Just as Prince An was about to take his leave, Xiao Jingkong's whistle-dropping voice came from the backyard: "Jiaojiao! Auntie has been stealing candied fruit again!"
"I didn't! Little monk, don't talk nonsense!"
"I am not a monk!"
"You're bald!"
That sound...
Prince An felt a tremor run through his body, and he froze completely!
Requesting monthly votes~
XX has opened a monthly pass bonus program; those who voted for monthly passes, remember to claim it!
(End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
