Chapter 250 Sister Complex (First Update)
Feng Lin said with no small amount of envy, "I really envy you being able to sit with Liu Lang."
The two people's numbers are consecutive, either one in front of the other or one to the left and one behind.
Du Ruohan rolled her eyes: "What's there to envy? If you like it, I'll trade with you!"
He just couldn't understand it. He and Feng Lin were best friends when they were young, while Xiao Liulang was an outsider who only stayed for a short time. How did he manage to push him out of the top spot?
Feng Lin said, "I would like to change, but the examiner has to agree."
Lin Chengye also showed great envy, and he also wanted to sit next to Xiao Liulang.
Du Ruohan asked, puzzled, "Wait, what's wrong with you two? Are you sitting next to him so you can copy his exam paper or something?"
Feng Lin gave him a look that was more than just words: "You don't understand. As long as I sit next to Liu Lang, I feel at ease."
Lin Chengye nodded as well.
He is too.
Feng Lin is from Song County. Although his family lives in the county town, his grandparents and relatives all live in the countryside. To put it bluntly, he is just a poor country boy who has never seen the world.
The imperial examination is about to begin, and he will soon meet the emperor of Zhao. Just thinking about it makes his legs weak.
Although Lin Chengye was the son of the richest man in Youzhou Province, merchants have always been of low social status and were not respected in the world.
When the students of the Imperial Academy mentioned him, they mostly said, "Isn't he just someone whose family has a little money?" Some even said that his ranking was bought with money.
In short, Lin Chengye was even more afraid of meeting the emperor than Feng Lin.
Xiao Liulang looked at the two of them and said, "Don't think too much about it. Just take the exam normally. The emperor isn't a poisonous snake or a ferocious beast. He won't punish the candidates for a trivial matter."
Du Ruohan scoffed, "You've never seen it, how do you know?"
Xiao Liulang did not respond.
Actually, he was the one under real pressure. He had a premonition that once he entered the palace, he would definitely attract the emperor's attention.
Although he was confident enough to handle the situation, he couldn't guarantee what the emperor's attitude would be.
Feng Lin was exasperated with Du Ruohan, who always seemed to target Liu Lang. He said, "Alright, alright, let's not talk about this anymore. Let's go back quickly. Little Duzi, are you going back to the farm or coming with us? We're planning to go to Liu Lang's house to practice our exam questions."
Du Ruohan was about to say she wouldn't go, but then, remembering something, she asked, "Is Jiao Niang here?"
Xiao Liulang looked at him coldly: "She's not here!"
Du Ruohan: "..."
Du Ruohan eventually went. Zhuang Xianzhi was an old-fashioned man who never tried to predict exam questions. He believed that whether a person could pass the exam had nothing to do with luck, but depended entirely on their hard work.
So, in fact, Du Ruohan's success today is not only due to her own excellence, but also because she has put in more effort than the average person.
Zhuang Xianzhi never talked about exam techniques; Du Ruohan relied entirely on her knowledge.
Gu Jiao is not home today.
She had just received a letter from Xue Ningxiang, in which Xue Ningxiang said that her mother-in-law was failing and asked her to pass on a message to Zhou Erzhuang to see if he could come back to see his mother one last time.
Gu Jiao knew about Xue Ningxiang's mother-in-law's health; it was normal aging, with major organs failing, and medication could not reverse it.
Gu Jiao didn't know much about the situation in the military camp and wasn't sure if Zhou Erzhuang could ask for leave to go home. She heard that it was possible to observe mourning for the deceased, but Xue Ningxiang's mother-in-law had already passed away.
After thinking it over, Gu Jiao decided to go to the military camp.
Deputy General Hu was transferred back to Tiger Mountain Camp, where Gu Changqing was also located. Gu Jiao didn't bother him, but simply had a guard pass a message to Zhou Erzhuang, saying that she was waiting for him outside the camp.
On Tuesday, Zhuang became Hu's personal bodyguard, a position much higher than before, and no one would treat him casually anymore.
The guard went to report.
However, Zhou Erzhuang was training, and he was the one being trained. He was not allowed to leave midway, so the guards told Gu Jiao to wait.
Gu Jiao didn't wait long before Gu Changqing came out from inside.
Gu Changqing was also training, but he was the one training others, so walking for a while wouldn't hurt.
"What a coincidence," Gu Jiao greeted him.
Gu Changqing nodded.
There's really no such thing as a coincidence; it was just something someone did intentionally.
Gu Changqing had already informed the guards that if a girl surnamed Gu came to the Tiger Mountain camp, they should be notified.
The guards went to inform Gu Changqing first, and then went to inform Zhou Erzhuang.
Gu Changqing didn't mention these things.
Seeing the letter in her hand, Gu Changqing asked, "Is it to deliver a letter to Zhou Erzhuang?"
Gu Jiao nodded: "Yes. He received a letter from home; his mother is seriously ill and hopes to see him one last time. Is it easy to get leave from your military camp?"
"It's easy to invite them," Gu Changqing said casually.
The guards standing nearby were dumbfounded. "Captain, is it really okay for you to lie like this?"
The General of the Cavalry at Tiger Mountain Camp was notoriously ruthless. For a lowly bodyguard like Zhou Erzhuang, getting leave was harder than climbing to heaven. Unless he wanted to quit the army, he would be demoted upon his return.
Gu Changqing held out his hand: "Leave it to me, you go back first, I will tell him."
Gu Jiao thought for a moment and said, "Okay. Tell him to go to the clinic before he goes back. I have some things to take back with me."
Gu Changqing agreed, took the letter, and watched Gu Jiao get into the carriage before turning around and entering the camp.
Deputy General Hu was neither his subordinate nor his direct superior. He was under General Ran's command, while Deputy General Hu was under General Qin's command.
He didn't have much personal interaction with General Qin and Deputy General Hu on a regular basis.
He hesitated for a moment, then went to Deputy General Hu's tent and told him about Zhou Erzhuang's matter: "...My sister and his sister-in-law are old acquaintances."
He also explained why he had helped Zhou Erzhuang several times.
Deputy General Hu suddenly realized why Zhou Erzhuang had gone to the trouble of having the heir of the Marquis of Ding'an personally deliver the gifts; it turned out there was this connection involved.
Zhou Erzhuang was a peasant from the countryside, as were his brother and sister-in-law, and their old acquaintances must also have been from the countryside.
Deputy General Hu had long heard that the Marquis's daughter was switched at birth and raised among commoners; he assumed this was the woman in question.
When it came to matters of the household, Gu Changqing left it at that, and Vice General Hu tactfully refrained from digging deeper. He smiled and said, "This lad has been by my side for several years and has endured a lot of hardships, big and small. He is bold and meticulous and has also made meritorious contributions. One year, he was delivering a message for me when he passed through Youzhou. In order not to delay military intelligence, he simply passed by without going in... It's time to give him a break."
There is some exaggeration in these words.
It's true that Zhou Erzhuang was hardworking and brave in battle, but passing by the door without entering... that's a bit far-fetched.
He was traveling by waterway on his way to Youzhou, a route more than a hundred miles from Qingquan Village.
Gu Changqing saw through these polite exchanges but didn't say anything: "It was my sister who asked me to do this, so I'm troubling you, Lord Hu."
The young master can't stop talking about his sister. He always mentions her. Are they really that close?
Growing up in the countryside, you probably haven't seen it many times, right?
Gu Changqing was known as a cold-faced tyrant in the military camp. He never mentioned any family members, including his two younger brothers and the famous young lady in the mansion.
I thought he didn't like his younger siblings, but look how gentle his eyes were when he talked about his sister today.
Deputy General Hu touched his nose.
Today was truly an eerie experience.
However, the fact that the Commandant, who never made friends with anyone, would take the initiative to come to him was quite a surprise to Deputy General Hu. Today's events meant that Gu Changqing owed him a favor.
As for the General of the Flying Cavalry, he had his own suitable reasons.
The following day, Zhou Erzhuang packed his bags and went to the clinic.
"Excuse me, is Gu Jiaoniang here?"
He asked Manager Wang.
Manager Wang glanced at Gu Jiao, who was inspecting the medicine cabinet, and said, "Miss Gu, someone is looking for you!"
"These herbs are a bit damp; take them out to dry in the sun." After instructing the apprentice, Gu Jiao turned and walked towards the counter. "Who was looking for me?"
Shopkeeper Wang pointed at Zhou Erzhuang.
Zhou Erzhuang stared at Gu Jiao in disbelief.
This, this, this...this is...Jiao Niang?
It's different from what I remember!
Even though Xue Ningxiang repeatedly emphasized in her letter that Gu Jiao's mental illness had been cured and that she was a normal girl, Zhou Erzhuang still couldn't reconcile the girl in front of him with the little fool in his memory.
The difference is just... too big.
If there's any feature that hasn't changed, it's probably the birthmark on my face.
"Zhou Erzhuang?" Gu Jiao guessed the other person's identity.
"Ah, yes! I am Erzhuang!" Zhou Erzhuang awkwardly came to his senses. He had learned some manners from following Deputy General Hu, and staring at him like that was very impolite.
Fortunately, Gu Jiao didn't mind. She looked at the bundle on his back and asked, "Are you leaving?"
Zhou Erzhuang said, "Well, Vice General Hu just happened to have a task assigned to me: to deliver a letter to Governor Lu of Youzhou, and to personally hand it over to Governor Lu. Vice General Hu has allowed me to go home after delivering the letter."
That sounds good.
This is about carrying out a mission and taking a short trip home, which is better than simply taking leave.
Gu Jiao was unaware that this was the result of Gu Changqing's mediation. She said to Zhou Erzhuang, "Wait a minute, I have some things I'd like you to take back."
"Okay!"
Gu Jiao went back to the courtyard and brought out a large bundle. She explained to him in detail what was for Xue Ningxiang, what was for Dean Li, and what was for Luo Lizheng.
Finally, he also gave Zhou Erzhuang some travel expenses.
Zhou Erzhuang hurriedly refused: "You've already given me enough gifts! I can't take any more of your travel money! Besides, I'm going on a mission this time, and Deputy General Hu gave me the money!"
They gave me quite a bit.
It was all thanks to Gu Changqing, but Vice General Hu didn't let him know.
He insisted on not accepting it, and Gu Jiao didn't force him: "Alright then, be careful on the road."
"Okay! I'm going then!"
Zhou Erzhuang suddenly felt very fortunate that he had never bullied Jiaoniang when he was a child, and he was quite open about meeting her, but... it was quite unexpected.
Even after the Zhuang people had all gone far away on Tuesday, he couldn't help but turn back for a couple more glances.
The Imperial College did not have a holiday these days, but the candidates who were going to take the palace examination basically did not go to class. They stayed at home or in their dormitories to recuperate.
The palace examination didn't cover much, only one or two subjects, and it wasn't more difficult than the previous examinations. It mainly focused on factional struggles and the emperor's preferences.
At this point, everyone basically has a good idea of their own strengths and weaknesses, so last-minute cramming won't be very effective. It's better to relax and maintain a good state of mind.
Xiao Liulang also stopped attending classes at the Imperial Academy. He would only go to pick up Xiao Jingkong when school was over.
This afternoon, the elementary school class was on Cuju (ancient Chinese football), and there was a small Cuju match. The class went a little overtime, and by the time Xiao Jingkong came out, it was already getting dark.
Looking at the little guy covered in sweat, Xiao Liulang handed him a handkerchief with disdain: "Wipe yourself."
Xiao Jingkong pouted and said, "Jiaojiao always wipes it for me!"
Xiao Liulang: "..."
Xiao Liulang: "Wipe it yourself."
Xiao Jingkong complained, "I'm tired, so tired!"
Okay, you're tired.
Xiao Liulang raised an eyebrow, picked up the little guy, and wiped his sweat.
Then the two of them, one big and one small, walked back.
As luck would have it, the carriage from the palace that was there to fetch Qin Chuyu also arrived.
The carriage curtain was lifted, and a graceful figure stepped out of the carriage. Who else could it be but the Crown Princess?
The Crown Princess usually doesn't get out of her carriage, but she was feeling really stuffy today and decided to get out for some fresh air. Little did she know that she would run into Xiao Liulang face to face.
Xiao Liulang was not wearing the official robes of the Imperial Academy, but rather a simple white robe.
The Crown Princess was taken aback.
The Crown Princess had seen Xiao Liulang from afar in the carriage, and the feeling was completely different from seeing him up close.
Back then it was just a blurry profile, but now it's a full frontal view.
For a fleeting moment, she seemed to see again the young marquis who was once the most outstanding in Zhaodu, only he seemed to be even more handsome, possessing a youthful yet reserved charm that was somewhere between a boy and a man.
It's so captivating that you can't take your eyes off it once you see it.
The two female officials were also stunned, clearly amazed by Xiao Liulang's appearance.
However, soon all three of them noticed Xiao Jingkong beside Xiao Liulang.
The Crown Princess had met Xiao Jingkong before. He, along with Qin Chuyu and Xu Zhouzhou, the grandson of the Minister of War, ganged up on Prince Liang Guoyu's son.
I heard he was an ordinary citizen.
Is it related to this person?
Is this person really just someone who looks like the young marquis?
Xiao Jingkong was on the other side of Xiao Liulang, and his view was blocked by Xiao Liulang, so he didn't see the Crown Princess.
Xiao Liulang seemed not to notice, and led Xiao Jingkong past the Crown Princess without looking to the side.
The Crown Princess's gaze followed him. She turned around and watched his retreating figure as he leaned on his cane. Suddenly, she asked the lady-in-waiting beside her, "Last time you said that the commoner's child was taken away by someone?"
The female official bowed slightly and said, "Replying to the Crown Princess, it is Marquis Xuanping."
(End of this chapter)
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