Chapter 310 The Truth Comes Out (Two Updates)
Gu Jiao went to the clinic first, changed her clothes, and then returned to Bishui Hutong.
The aunt has already returned to the palace. The emperor is injured and unable to manage state affairs. As the empress dowager, she can't really be idle all day long.
They dispersed after the game was over.
The old chief minister also went to the Imperial College to handle today's official business.
The news of the emperor's assassination was not released to the public, nor were any personnel summoned from the palace. Instead, Gu Changqing was left to protect the emperor.
Gu Changqing settled down openly and legitimately in Bishui Hutong.
Xiao Liulang and his three younger brothers had not yet returned. Gu Jiao went next door to check on Eunuch Wei, whose injuries were quite serious.
"He took his medicine this afternoon and fell asleep again shortly after," Yu Ya'er said. "Miss, am I sure I haven't made a mistake? Why won't he wake up?"
Gu Jiao took Wei Gonggong's pulse and said, "You did a good job. He is too weak and needs to rest for a few days."
Hearing Gu Jiao say this, Yu Ya'er felt relieved.
Gu Jiao went to her aunt's room to take the emperor's pulse.
The emperor has also fallen asleep. His wound has not yet shown any signs of infection, but we cannot let our guard down.
Gu Changqing had nothing to do in the afternoon, and since he couldn't practice his swordplay for fear of disturbing the emperor's sleep with too much noise, he saw some corn cobs hanging on the rope and simply took a few down to pluck them.
He had seen his aunt and Gu Yan harvesting corn cobs in the same way before.
If the soldiers in the camp were to see the cold-faced Yama, who could raise his arm and cause millions of corpses to fall, sitting on a stone bench in the backyard picking corn cobs, their eyes would probably pop out of their sockets.
Gu Jiao walked over and sat down beside him, asking about the southwest corner of the palace: "Who lives in the southwest corner of the palace?"
"Why are you suddenly asking about this?" Gu Changqing paused in his hand as he picked the corn cob.
"I just went out to gather some information. The assassin seems to be connected to the southwest corner of the palace." Gu Jiao didn't mention that she went to the brothel to gather information.
But Gu Changqing wasn't stupid. Such big news couldn't be found anywhere outside. The only place they hadn't checked was Xianleju.
Gu Changqing narrowed his eyes, put down the corncob in his hand, and his expression turned serious: "You went to Xianleju?"
Gu Jiao said seriously, "No, I am a gentleman, I don't go to places like that!"
She had already changed her clothes, but she wouldn't admit it, so she didn't go!
Gu Changqing's gaze fell on her small throat: "You haven't removed your Adam's apple yet."
Gu Jiao: "..."
Her public persona collapsed too quickly, like a tornado!
Gu Changqing was both angry and helpless. Although he knew she was very capable, Xianleju was not an ordinary den of dragons and tigers. It was heavily guarded and full of experts. Even he did not know the extent of her power.
"Don't go to such dangerous places again." Gu Changqing paused after saying this, thinking that she probably wouldn't listen obediently, and then said, "If you go, take me with you."
Gu Jiao thought for a moment and nodded.
Gu Changqing then asked, "How did you get in?"
"I picked up a token from Xianleju," Gu Jiao said without changing her expression.
She even managed to find a token? Gu Changqing wondered what kind of luck this girl had. But then he thought of Empress Dowager Zhuang and the Emperor, and realized that she really did have that kind of luck.
He didn't suspect anything, but said, "So you found out about the assassin?"
"Hmm, the assassin is connected to the southwest corner of the palace. Do you recognize this tassel?" Gu Jiao took out the tassel that Qianxue had given her.
This is a tassel hanging from a jade pendant. It is exquisitely crafted. There are many such hand-woven tassels available, and they can be bought on every street corner.
The only difference is that this tassel is colorful.
Gu Changqing said, "The ears of grain are usually red, but the ears of grain worn by His Majesty, the Empress, and the Empress Dowager are bright yellow."
Colorful tassels do exist, but they are relatively rare.
Gu Changqing had never seen anyone he knew wearing such a tassel.
Gu Jiao asked, "Do the concubines in the harem wear colorful tassels?"
Gu Changqing thought about it seriously: "Maybe."
Colorful tassels are not taboo, they're just not very popular.
“But,” Gu Changqing continued, “there are no concubines living in the southwest corner of the palace. It’s a place for beekeeping and growing flowers. There’s only one bee farm and one flower shed.”
Could it be that the note didn't refer to the person living in the southwest corner of the palace, but rather to the person who would appear in the southwest corner of the palace?
"Jiaojiao!"
As Gu Jiao pondered, Xiao Jingkong returned from school at the Imperial Academy.
He jumped off Liu Quan's carriage, ran into the courtyard, passed through the front yard and the hallway to the back yard, and buried himself in Gu Jiao's arms.
The little head rubbed against her chest, enjoying the moment.
Gu Jiao has been busy lately, and Xiao Jingkong hasn't seen her on his way home from school for a long time.
Of course, Xiao Jingkong didn't forget to greet Gu Changqing, calling him "Big Brother" in a clear and cheerful voice.
Xiao Jingkong's bald head has grown a little bit of hair, and he now has a handsome buzz cut.
Gu Jiao patted his little head, her hand sweaty.
It's so hot that I can hardly wear my clothes anymore.
Gu Jiao simply went to the kitchen to fetch water to give him a bath.
Gu Changqing said, "I'll do it."
Gu Changqing was very experienced in taking care of his younger brother. He took Xiao Jingkong back to the house and gave him a bath.
Xiao Jingkong changed his clothes by himself. After putting on his pants, he seemed to have discovered a new continent. He strode up to Gu Jiao and pointed to his little pant legs and shoes: "Jiao Jiao! I've grown taller!"
The pants are too short.
It used to cover the shoes, but now it's on top of the shoe surface.
Not much, only two inches.
Even two inches is still a significant increase in height!
Gu Jiao nodded: "Yes, you've grown taller."
"Oh my!" Little Jingkong was overjoyed and started announcing it all over the yard, telling everyone he met that he had grown taller, and even showing off his shorter trouser legs.
Everyone went out today and hasn't come back yet.
Never before has Xiao Jingkong longed for his bad brother-in-law, Yan-gege, and Xiao Shun-gege as much as he does now.
He wants to show the whole world that he has grown taller!
But as they waited, Xiao Liulang was working overtime at the Hanlin Academy, Gu Yan and Gu Xiaoshun went to Nanxiang and Master Lu to learn their skills, and even Yao Shi, who went to the temple to offer incense, stayed overnight at the temple with Granny Fang.
Oh dear, he's really worried about this!
There's nowhere to show off my height!
Xiao Jingkong sighed, put his little hands behind his back, and paced back and forth in the yard, walking with the same steps that Grandpa Zhao was worried about the rice price going up tomorrow!
"Cough cough..."
A low cough came from my aunt's room.
Xiao Jingkong's eyes lit up: "Hmm? Auntie is back?"
He ran over, chirping, and pushed open the door: "Auntie! Huh? It's not Auntie?"
He recognized the man on the bed, tilted his head, and exclaimed in surprise, "Uncle Chu?"
Qin Chuyu kept his identity well hidden. To this day, Xiao Jingkong and Xu Zhouzhou still believe that his surname is Chu, his name is Chu Yu, and that his father is an official in the imperial court.
The emperor had just woken up and was still a little dazed. It was only when he saw Jingkong that he remembered that he had stayed at the Little Divine Doctor's place.
"It's Jingkong," he greeted weakly.
"Uncle Chu, are you sick?" Xiao Jingkong came to the bedside and looked at him with wide eyes.
Gu Jiao is a doctor, so it's not unusual for her to have a patient or two at home. What's strange is that he actually moved into his great-aunt's house.
"Why is Uncle Chu staying in Auntie's house?" Xiao Jingkong asked.
Children don't have as many hidden thoughts as adults; they just say what's on their minds.
Why doesn't Uncle Chu stay at my place?
That way he can sleep with Jiaojiao at night!
The emperor was also surprised to find that this room was actually Empress Dowager Zhuang's room: "This is...your great-aunt's room?"
"Yes!" Xiao Jingkong nodded vigorously.
"Then the things here..." The emperor stopped mid-sentence.
He was saved by the little miracle doctor in the middle of the night. He was on the verge of death, and the little miracle doctor was busy saving him. Where would he find the time and inclination to decorate a room for him?
The table, chair, lamp, and candle here must have been arranged in advance.
The emperor lost all interest in the thought that everything here was arranged by Empress Dowager Zhuang.
Little Jingkong was unaware of the emperor's thoughts. Seeing his sudden dejection, Little Jingkong assumed he was in pain and patted his hand, saying, "Uncle Chu, you'll get better. Jiaojiao's medical skills are excellent; she will definitely be able to cure you. Don't worry!"
The emperor looked at the little hand resting on the back of his own hand. The dignified emperor was actually being comforted by a four-year-old child.
The emperor suddenly found himself at a loss for words, both amused and exasperated.
He soon realized that he had been sleeping and was disheveled, with his clothes in disarray and his hair in a mess, which was unbecoming of a king. So he wanted to call someone to tidy up his appearance.
However, since Eunuch Wei was injured and there were no other palace servants to attend to him, he immediately looked troubled.
Xiao Jingkong asked, "Uncle Chu, what's wrong?"
"I……"
Never mind, let him do it himself.
The emperor reached for the hair ornament on the bedside table.
Xiao Jingkong said, "Uncle Chu, do you want to comb your hair? Let me help you! You're sick, so don't move!"
"Can you?" the emperor asked.
"Of course I can!" Xiao Jingkong patted his chest and said.
He brushes Xiao Ba's fur every day!
Xiao Jingkong went to the dressing table, took a comb, kicked off his shoes, climbed onto the bed, stood behind the emperor, and began to comb the emperor's hair.
He combed his hair quite well.
The emperor was amused and became more talkative: "Can you recite poems?"
Xiao Jingkong said, "I can, but I don't like reciting poems."
The emperor smiled: "Then what do you like?"
Xiao Jingkong said, "I like to sing."
I recently learned a few new songs from Jiaojiao.
"Oh?" the emperor laughed. "You can sing? Sing a couple of songs for me."
"Hmm..." Xiao Jingkong thought about it seriously for a moment, then stopped combing his hair.
He gathered his emotions for a moment, raised a small hand, struck a pose, and began to sing: "The north wind blows~ the snowflakes fall~ the snowflakes flutter~ the New Year arrives~ Dad goes out to hide in the tent~ seven whole days~"
The emperor shuddered.
Why is it such a sad song?
Is this to make sure he's not already feeling miserable enough?
Xiao Jingkong sang with great emotion, his eyes filled with sorrow, and tears glistening in his eyes.
The emperor could hardly bear to watch: "Can't the children sing something cheerful?"
"Sure!" Little Jingkong switched moods in a second, singing and swaying his head as he braided the emperor's hair, "Other people's daughters have flowers to wear~ Your father is too poor to buy them~ I'll tear off two feet of red ribbon~ and tie it up for my Xi'er~ Hey~ tie it up~"
The emperor, whose hair was now styled in a long braid, turned pale!
What kind of mess is this!
The emperor felt he couldn't listen any longer; if he did, he would be so angry he would suffer internal injuries.
"I...I...I have one more song!" Little Jingkong cleared his throat, grabbed the emperor's braid, and his little body trembled. "Ah!"
The force was so strong that the emperor's hair was pulled, and his scalp was almost ripped off!
"Cough cough, wrong tune, let's try again!" Xiao Jingkong paused for a moment, his expression hardening, and then he used all his strength—
"Oh~ Uncle Ba and his little uncle~"
Hey~ Sakri doesn't flaunt wealth~
He's dead~ He didn't even mention killing his father~
Hmm~ It's probably here to kill Mom~
"Dad, die a bunch of them~"
Actually, the last line doesn't have the "yi" sound, but Xiao Jingkong felt that it wasn't fluent and rigorous enough, so he added a "yi" himself.
He's such a clever little devil!
The emperor didn't enjoy the same things as Xiao Jingkong.
What kind of nonsense is this kid singing? It's about killing one's father and mother. Is it really okay for such a young child to sing such vicious songs?
He should ask that old bastard Huo Xuan what the Imperial Academy was teaching the elementary school children!
Also, if you're going to sing, just sing, can you please stop pulling his hair?
Is it easy to maintain such a thick head of hair at your age? Be careful not to pull it all out!
Xiao Liulang returned from the Imperial Academy first, and Xiao Jingkong finally ended his double torment of the emperor's hairline and dragon ears.
He went to brag to his bad brother-in-law about how tall he had grown.
After showing off, he would sit by the door, stretch out his legs, and put his trouser legs in the most conspicuous position. He would show off every time someone came to his house.
Gu Xiaoshun touched his nose and said, "Could it be that you pulled your pants up?"
Gu Xiaoshun pulled Xiao Jingkong's waistband back to his belly button: "See, now it can cover the shoes again?"
Xiao Jingkong: "..."
Little Jingkong burst into tears!
Gu Xiaoshun is a true-to-life person!
Finally, Gu Jiao measured Xiao Jingkong's height and showed him the data she had recorded before to confirm that he had indeed grown taller, just not by as much as two inches.
"You've grown an inch taller," Gu Jiao said.
Xiao Jingkong sat in Gu Jiao's lap, playing with Gu Jiao's hair with a wronged expression: "Does growing an inch count as growing taller?"
Gu Jiao patted his little head: "Of course."
Xiao Jingkong looked down at his fingers and said, "Then, then I should reward you with a kiss."
Gu Jiao kissed the top of his head.
Little Jingkong jumped down, covered his head with his little hands, and ran back to the house quickly.
At night, when Gu Jiao went to change the emperor's dressing, she asked him if he had seen the tassel.
The emperor shook his head: "I have never seen it."
The next day, Gu Jiao went to the palace.
Empress Dowager Zhuang went to court. Gu Jiao held up the tassel and asked Eunuch Qin, "Eunuch Qin, have you seen this tassel before?"
Eunuch Qin shook his head: "This old servant has never seen it."
"Eunuch Qin, is there a place in the palace where honey is collected?" she asked.
Eunuch Qin said, "There is a bee farm in the southwest corner. Would Miss Gu like some fresh honey? I will send someone to collect it."
"No need, I'll go by myself." Gu Jiao paused. "Is it okay for me to go?"
Eunuch Qin smiled and said, "Of course."
Eunuch Qin handed a jar to Gu Jiao: "There are beekeepers over there. If Miss Gu gets tired of collecting bees, you can give it to them."
"Okay." Gu Jiao picked up the jar.
Fearing she would get lost, Eunuch Qin specially ordered a eunuch from Renshou Palace to escort her there.
Gu Jiao decided to wait here for the opportunity to strike.
I waited all morning, but no one else passed by except for the gardener and the beekeeper.
Just as Gu Jiao was about to leave, several female figures suddenly appeared at the end of the path.
The one leading the group was Princess Ning.
Princess Ning was accompanied by two eunuchs carrying flower baskets, and followed by four palace maids.
Princess Ning had recently suffered a miscarriage, and her face was still somewhat swollen. Despite the hot weather in June, she was still wrapped in a cloak.
Princess Rui said that this was Princess Ning's third miscarriage.
Every miscarriage is extremely damaging to a woman, let alone three times. In ancient times, when medical conditions were not advanced, it was very difficult for her to conceive again.
She lived in the Ning Prince's Mansion outside the palace, so it's unclear why she would come to such a remote southwest corner.
Could it be... that she is the one I've been waiting for?
Gu Jiaoren was in a small wooden house, but her gaze was fixed on Princess Ning through the window.
“Your Highness, you can leave this to us servants. Why do it yourself?” a palace maid asked.
Princess Ning said, "You all don't understand. What a waste of those good honeys. Call the beekeeper over."
"yes!"
The palace maid agreed and went to the bee garden to call over the beekeeper on duty.
The beekeeper bowed respectfully to Princess Ning and said, "This servant greets Princess Ning."
Princess Ning asked, "What kinds of honey did you collect today?"
The beekeeper replied, "In response to Princess Ning, we have jujube blossom honey, acacia honey, and half a jar of wildflower honey."
"Let me try it," said Princess Ning.
"Yes!" The beekeeper poured a small cup of each of the three types of honey over.
After tasting each type of honey with a spoon, Princess Ning said, "Let's stick with jujube blossom honey."
"How much does Princess Ning want?" the beekeeper asked respectfully.
“Two cans,” Princess Ning said.
The beekeeper filled two jars with honey for Princess Ning, which were accepted by the eunuch beside her. Afterward, the group went to the garden to select a few potted plants.
Watching Princess Ning's departing figure, Gu Jiao came out and said to the beekeeper, "I picked up a tassel on the ground. Is it Princess Ning's?"
"Oh dear." The beekeeper hurriedly took the tassel and caught up with Princess Ning.
Gu Jiao saw the beekeeper present the ear of grain to Princess Ning, but Princess Ning shook her head, her expression seemingly genuine.
“Miss, Princess Ning said it’s not hers.” The beekeeper returned the tassel to Gu Jiao.
Gu Jiao wasn't dressed as an imperial concubine or palace maid, but since she came from Renshou Palace, the beekeeper still didn't dare to neglect her.
Gu Jiao took the tassel and asked, "Has anyone else been here?"
The beekeeper chuckled and said, "There are a lot of bees here, and it's easy to get stung, so usually not many people come here."
Was the courtesan of Xianleju just playing a joke on me?
Gu Jiao pondered the words "Royal Palace, Southwest Corner" in her mind.
In the southwest corner, besides the bee farm, there was a garden, which she kept watching without making a move.
Gu Jiao touched her chin.
Just when I was completely baffled, someone else came over.
This time, it was the Crown Princess who came.
Since being brutally beaten by Gu Jiao after being stuffed in a sack, the Crown Princess had been recuperating in the East Palace. Her injuries were fully healed yesterday, and she only left the East Palace again this morning.
The beekeeper was terrified. It was one thing for Princess Ning to come, but why did the Crown Princess also come?
The beekeeper hurriedly stepped forward and bowed: "This servant greets the Crown Princess!"
The Crown Princess nodded slightly.
Gu Jiao was standing at the entrance of the bee garden, and before she could return to the cabin, the Crown Princess spotted her.
The Crown Princess knew Gu Jiao; after all, she had seen Gu Jiao from afar.
Gu Jiao also knew the Crown Princess, after all, she had severely beaten the Crown Princess.
However, in their minds, the other person should not know them.
This is their first formal meeting.
As a woman who could captivate the Crown Prince, the Crown Princess's appearance was impeccable; it would not be an exaggeration to say that she was stunning at first sight and could topple kingdoms upon second glance.
In comparison, Gu Jiao, who had a large red birthmark on her cheek, was much less attractive.
At least that's how it appears to outsiders.
The Crown Princess is like the moon and clouds in the sky; all the beauties in the harem pale in comparison to her, let alone this girl with a disfigured face.
"Who are you? Why don't you kneel before the Crown Princess?" asked the Crown Princess's chief eunuch.
If she were a lady-in-waiting to the Crown Princess, she would probably recognize Gu Jiao.
Unfortunately, this chief eunuch had never met Gu Jiao.
The beekeeper hurriedly whispered, "Sir, this young lady is from Renshou Palace."
The head eunuch's expression changed, but only for a moment before he raised his voice: "The people of Renshou Palace are very particular about etiquette. Even Miss Zhuang has to bow respectfully to the Crown Princess!"
This combination of praise and criticism was clearly meant to tell Gu Jiao that even the Empress Dowager's own grandniece had to bow to the Crown Princess, regardless of her status. How could she possibly bypass Zhuang Yuexi?
The Crown Princess looked at Gu Jiao.
She suddenly also wanted to see this woman bow to her.
Gu Jiao, however, refused to bow to her.
As a member of the Eastern Palace, the Grand Eunuch naturally had a grudge against Renshou Palace, but he couldn't just go up and punish Gu Jiao. He still had to use the rules to keep Gu Jiao in check: "Does the Empress Dowager know about your rudeness?"
"Does the Empress Dowager know if this is any of your business?"
It's Eunuch Qin who's here.
The head eunuch's expression changed, and he lowered his head slightly.
Although both were chief eunuchs serving their masters, he could not compare to Eunuch Qin, while only Eunuch Wei could rival Eunuch Qin in terms of status.
The Crown Princess also showed a hint of confusion when she saw Eunuch Qin.
Then, Eunuch Qin approached Gu Jiao and bowed respectfully: "Miss Gu, the Empress Dowager has finished court and is asking why you haven't returned to Renshou Palace for dinner yet?"
After saying this, he turned around and bowed to the Crown Princess, saying, "This servant greets the Crown Princess."
His smile and manners were impeccable, but the fact that he greeted Gu Jiao before paying respects to the Crown Princess was already a disrespect to her.
A subtle glint flashed in the Crown Princess's eyes, but her face remained calm: "Eunuch Qin, you may dispense with the formalities."
"Miss Gu, have you collected the honey you requested?"
"Yes." Gu Jiao nodded. "Inside the house."
Eunuch Qin personally carried out the two jars of honey, smiling broadly, and said, "Is there anything else Miss Gu would like? There are many flowers in the garden; is there any that you fancy?"
Gu Jiao shook her head: "I don't grow flowers."
Eunuch Qin laughed and said, "Alright. Let's go back then, or the Empress Dowager will get worried."
The Crown Princess could hardly hide her surprise.
She had known Eunuch Qin for so long, and she had never seen him treat anyone with such courtesy.
Even in front of Empress Xiao and Consort Zhuang, he was merely being polite, but his courtesy to Gu Jiao seemed to go beyond mere formality.
There seemed to be a hint of affection and fondness in that respect.
Throughout the entire process, Eunuch Qin treated the Crown Princess as if she didn't exist, only asking Gu Jiao questions as if he had endless worries.
The old Eunuch Qin didn't talk this much.
The Crown Princess frowned.
The two then left.
As they brushed past each other, Gu Jiao suddenly pointed to the tassels on the ground and said, "Your tassels fell off."
The Crown Princess looked down and said, "It's not mine."
Gu Jiao: "Oh."
It wasn't even the Crown Princess.
The people who appeared in the southwest corner of the palace today have nothing to do with this tassel.
Why is this happening?
Gu Jiao left with doubts.
The Crown Princess had just as many doubts as Gu Jiao. Gazing at Gu Jiao's retreating figure, she felt something was amiss: "Isn't she the wife of the newly appointed top scholar? How come she's getting so close to Renshou Palace?"
“Crown Princess!” The little palace maid suddenly remembered something and said, “Do you remember the incident a couple of days ago when the Fifth Prince was pushed into the water? Consort Shu wanted to punish that person, but the Empress Dowager took him away, and that person even rode in the Empress Dowager’s phoenix carriage.”
This matter caused quite a stir in the palace, and even though the Crown Princess never left her residence, she still heard about it.
That person was Consort Shu's own niece, the true eldest daughter of the Marquis of Ding'an's family.
It is said that she was highly skilled in medicine and was treated as an honored guest by Empress Dowager Zhuang.
The Crown Princess paused slightly, then asked, "It's her?"
Xiao Liulang did not marry an ordinary peasant girl, but a real daughter of a marquis.
At that moment, the Crown Princess felt a sudden mix of emotions.
The palace maid muttered, "Speaking of which, has this young lady from the Marquis's mansion gone mad? The Marquis of Ding'an's family is His Majesty's confidant, and Xiao Liulang is also the newly appointed top scholar chosen by His Majesty. Her father, brothers, and husband are all His Majesty's men, yet she insists on associating with Empress Dowager Zhuang! Isn't she afraid of being disliked by her father and brothers, or being divorced by her husband?"
Yes, isn't she afraid?
How could she... live so fearlessly, so recklessly?
Gu Jiao returned to Renshou Palace and personally made a honey-scented crispy duck for her great-aunt. It tasted similar to sugar-coated duck, but less sweet, and had a hint of the natural sourness of honey, making it more flavorful.
With her troublesome son, the emperor, no longer competing with her for food, Empress Dowager Zhuang ate with great relish.
After the meal, Gu Jiao took out the tassel: "Auntie, have you ever seen anyone wear this tassel?"
Empress Dowager Zhuang frowned as she looked at the tassels: "I've never seen such ugly tassels before!"
"It's not ugly," Gu Jiao thought.
"Wait, I feel like I've seen this before." Empress Dowager Zhuang looked up at the sky, thought carefully for a moment, and then waved her hand, "I can't remember."
Well, the clue I just got has suddenly disappeared.
"Where did you get the tassels?" Empress Dowager Zhuang asked.
"I found it," Gu Jiao said without changing her expression. "This tassel may be related to the assassin who tried to assassinate His Majesty."
"Hmph." Empress Dowager Zhuang snorted, her face full of disgust. "You can't even kill someone cleanly!"
Gu Jiao: "..."
Gu Jiao went to the bee farm again in the afternoon, but still found nothing.
As dusk fell, she left the palace.
She carried a small basket on her back and walked alone on the bustling street.
She was still pondering the murderer when suddenly, the sound of punches and kicks came from the alley. She glanced at the sound without thinking.
A group of burly men were seen beating up a thin, bony man.
The man was tightly protecting something in his arms, refusing to let go even after being beaten black and blue.
Gu Jiao walked over, grabbed a burly man with each hand, and quickly took down a group of them.
Seeing that they were no match for Gu Jiao, the group ran away in a panic.
Gu Jiao squatted down next to the man. The man, unaware of what was happening and thinking that another attack was about to begin, covered his head with one hand and clutched the bundle in his arms with the other.
Gu Jiao stretched out her slender index finger and poked his shoulder: "It's me."
Upon hearing this, Liu Yisheng removed his hand from his head and looked at her in surprise.
Gu Jiao sighed: "Why did you get bullied again?"
Liu Yisheng got up from the ground embarrassedly and said lightly, "Isn't this normal? It's not like it's the first time you've seen it."
No one can talk about getting beaten up so casually.
Gu Jiao glanced at the half-loose bundle in his arms and hummed, "You've finally decided to go to school?"
Liu Yisheng said casually, "Just reciting it casually."
Gu Jiao: "Oh."
Liu Yisheng: "..."
Liu Yisheng's lips moved slightly, and she said, "If there's nothing else, I'll be going now."
"Here you go." Gu Jiao tossed him a bottle of wound medicine.
Liu Yisheng instinctively took it, paused, and was about to return it to her: "I don't have any money on me."
Gu Jiao said, "It's a gift for you, it doesn't cost money."
Liu Yisheng still didn't want to accept her medicine for nothing. After thinking for a moment, he picked out a book from a pile of treasured books and gave it to her: "Medicine payment."
Gu Jiao said, "Wound medicine isn't that expensive."
Liu Yisheng said, "Including the previous ones as well."
This man has too much pride and is never willing to accept favors from others for nothing. Otherwise, he might have gone to the State of Chen to seek refuge with his maternal grandfather long ago.
"Okay then." Gu Jiao accepted his book.
The two then parted ways.
Gu Jiao stopped in her tracks, took out the tassel from her bosom, and called out to him, "Have you seen this before?"
“Eh? My tassel…” Liu Yisheng said, looking down to touch the jade pendant in her bosom.
When he took out the jade pendant and saw that it had an identical tassel hanging on it, he apologized and said, "I've mistaken you for someone else. It's not mine. I still have mine."
Gu Jiao pointed to his tassel: "Has this tassel always been there?"
Liu Yisheng nodded: "Yes, it was left to me by my mother, and I've always kept it on this jade pendant."
Xiao Jingkong's KTV repertoire includes "The White-Haired Girl" and "Stars" by Vitas.
I'm too sleepy, I'll think of a title tomorrow. If you have any good titles, feel free to tag me in the comments!
(End of this chapter)
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