Chapter 393 A Fluttering Heart (First Update)
Gu Jiao didn't think much of it, such as why Xiao Liulang didn't sit on the side with the afternoon sun in the first place, or why he didn't switch seats with her.
She wasn't complicated in this regard, and besides, in her impression, Xiao Liulang wasn't that good at flirting.
This summer was rather long; the weather was still incredibly hot at the end of July, and the two exchanged breaths through their thin clothing.
Because he was holding a little bundle of joy in his arms, which constantly suppressed his rationality, Xiao Liulang did not do anything out of line for the time being.
Suddenly, the wheels ran over something, causing the vehicle to lurch violently and both of them to sway.
Xiao Liulang reached out and put his arm around her shoulder in time: "Are you alright?"
Liu Quan said, "Hey, are you two alright? It seems like you bumped into a rock just now. It's my fault for not watching the road carefully."
"It's alright, Uncle Liu," Gu Jiao replied.
Liu Quan was relieved.
Xiao Liulang stared at her intently, his gaze deep, like a still pool under the moonlight.
Gu Jiao seemed to have accidentally fallen in. She could swim, but in his deep pool, she seemed to have forgotten how.
Xiao Liulang's Adam's apple bobbed, and he subtly withdrew his gaze, looking at the carriage curtain ahead: "It's good that you're alright."
He paused, then asked, "Are you sleepy?"
"Huh?" Gu Jiao blinked, puzzled. She wasn't sleepy at all! She was wide awake!
"I got up early today and thought you were sleepy, so I was going to..." He stopped halfway through his sentence, his gaze seemingly casually sweeping over the shoulders of the two of them leaning together.
Gu Jiao followed his gaze and noticed his broad shoulders.
What were you thinking?
Can I lend her my shoulder to lean on?
"I'm suddenly sleepy!" She leaned her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes. "So sleepy, so sleepy!"
Xiao Liulang's lips curved into a barely perceptible smile, and he didn't pull his arm around her back.
When the carriage arrived at the alley, both the adult and the child were asleep, leaning against Xiao Liulang. Xiao Liulang originally wanted to ruthlessly shake the little guy in his arms awake and let him get down on his own, and then Xiao Liulang would carry Gu Jiao out of the carriage.
But Xiao Jingkong must have used up all his energy taking care of the child, and he was so exhausted that he couldn't wake up.
This woke up Gu Jiao, who was standing nearby.
Gu Jiao rubbed her eyes: "Are we home?"
Xiao Liulang could only reply, "Yes, we've arrived."
Gu Jiao picked up the sleeping Xiao Jingkong and jumped off the carriage.
Xiao Liulang watched her retreating figure, his eyes darkening.
He actually wanted to say that he could carry her, but she was just afraid of tiring his legs.
For the first time, Xiao Liulang felt frustrated with his legs. Why couldn't he walk? Why was he always limping?
When the two entered the courtyard, they discovered that guests had arrived at their home, or rather, uninvited guests—Gu Jinyu and a mother and daughter.
The mother and daughter were He Shi and Yao Xin, whom Gu Jiao had met at the Yao family home earlier this year.
Xiao Liulang had never seen the two of them before. The two of them were sitting with Gu Jinyu and Yao Shi, as if they had some unspeakable relationship.
Madam Yao looked somewhat embarrassed. Ever since she took Jiaojiao, Gu Yan, and Xiao Jingkong back to her parents' home at the beginning of the year, she had almost completely cut off contact with them.
She hadn't expected them to find her here today.
I wonder if it will upset Jiaojiao and her son-in-law.
"Sister, brother-in-law, I'm sorry... I brought my aunt and cousin Xin here." Gu Jinyu stood up and said apologetically.
“Ah…he, he is…my nephew-in-law…” Madam He was stunned.
Nobody told her that her nephew-in-law was so handsome!
Not only was he a poor country boy who had never been to any formal occasions, but he was also a little cripple.
When Xiao Liulang came in, Madam He noticed that he was lame, but his face was so handsome that it made Madam He's mind go blank, and she couldn't connect him with the only lame son-in-law in the family.
Yao Xin blushed instantly.
This was the first time she had ever seen such an ethereal young man, yet unlike ordinary boys who were full of childishness, he possessed the maturity and composure of an adult man.
Gu Jiao hesitated to call this aunt, nor did she acknowledge Yao Xin as her cousin.
Xiao Liulang naturally wouldn't admit it.
This is different from the situation where Gu Jiao doesn't call Yao Shi Niang. Gu Jiao has accepted Yao Shi in her heart, but that title seems somewhat unfamiliar to her.
Gu Jiao's gaze towards He Shi and Yao Xin was cold.
Xiao Liulang greeted Yao Shi: "Mother, we're back."
The word "mother" put Yao's mind at ease. She smiled and said, "It's good that you're back. You must be so hot. Go and change your clothes."
"Okay." Xiao Liulang and Gu Jiao returned to the west room. Gu Jiao put Xiao Jingkong on the bed before returning to her own east room.
Madam He finally came to her senses: "Your son-in-law is not bad looking, it's just a pity he's a cripple. Jiaojiao is a noblewoman from a marquis's family, how could you find her a cripple?"
Madam Yao was not very welcoming to Madam He and her daughter to begin with, and her face darkened immediately upon hearing this.
Gu Jinyu quickly smoothed things over, saying, "Aunt, my brother-in-law is very capable; he's this year's top scholar in the imperial examination."
Madam He curled her lip: "A cripple can become the top scholar? Is it that easy to become the top scholar nowadays? Then my Feng-ge could become one too!"
Yao Fengyi, the son of He Shi and Yao Yuan, is two years older than Gu Jiao and Gu Yan.
Madam Yao had long since given up on this sister-in-law. Madam He was just ignorant and always self-righteous. If it weren't for the fact that she was brought by Gu Jinyu, they wouldn't have let Madam He in.
Madam He grumbled, "And your son-in-law is so arrogant! He doesn't even bother to entertain his wife's relatives when they come to visit! Does he think he's something special just because he became the top scholar? Does he look down on Jiaojiao now? Well, I'm not trying to be mean, but Jiaojiao's face still needs some covering up. It's one thing to be ugly, but she doesn't even bother to dress up..."
"Sister-in-law!" Madam Yao slammed the teacup down on the table. Suppressing her anger, she said calmly, "You've had your tea and said your piece. If you have nothing else to say, please go home. The house is very busy!"
"What do you mean, sister-in-law? I just arrived and you're already kicking me out! All I did was speak the truth!" Madam He said, looking at Gu Jinyu. "Jinyu, you be the judge. Did your brother-in-law not even say hello to us?"
Gu Jinyu said softly, "Brother-in-law didn't do it on purpose, he doesn't know him."
He snorted, "Then he should at least know you. I don't think he even gave you a second glance."
Gu Jinyu also fell silent.
Seeing the atmosphere turn awkward, Madam He quickly smiled and said, "Alright, alright, it's my fault. I'm not good with words, Yao'er, please don't take it to heart!"
Madam He came to visit today for two main reasons. The first was about Yao Fengyi's studies; she wanted to use her connections to get him into the Imperial Academy. The second was about Yao Xin's marriage.
"Yao'er, just say yes!" Madam He said shamelessly.
Madam Yao said coldly, "What did I promise? Do you think I can just say I'm allowed into the Imperial Academy?"
Madam He choked for a moment: "You...aren't you the mistress of the Marquis's mansion? I heard the old Marquis has returned. Can you ask him to help think of a solution?"
Mrs. Yao exclaimed in disbelief, "So, my sister-in-law has her eye on my father-in-law!"
Madam He's eyes flashed, and she said, "Even a starved camel is bigger than a horse. Although your father-in-law has been dismissed from his post and the Gu family army has been lost, he should still have some connections in the capital. Otherwise, how could your Marquis's mansion have lived so extravagantly for so many years?"
That's the truth. The Marquis of Ding'an's mansion has never lacked money, even though it has no real power. It's very wealthy.
Madam He continued, "Besides, Feng'er is your own nephew! If you don't help him, who will you help? Wasn't your lame son-in-law also someone you put into the Imperial Academy? You can put him in, but not Feng'er!"
Madam Yao was furious. Luckily, her daughter had taken good care of her health during this time, otherwise the baby in her womb would have been seriously injured by Madam He's anger: "I don't care where you heard that from, but I'm telling you clearly, my son-in-law passed the Imperial Academy exam on his own! He was the top scholar in the provincial examination in Youzhou!"
Madam He was taken aback by Madam Yao's anger. She had never seen Madam Yao so furious before, and her arrogance unconsciously diminished: "Well, well, that's because you pulled some strings..."
There's no reasoning with someone like He Shi. Just as a ephemeral mushroom doesn't know the difference between dawn and dusk, and a cicada doesn't know the difference between spring and autumn, someone as shallow-minded and self-righteous as He Shi would never believe in Xiao Liulang's excellence!
She just makes wild guesses and thinks her guesses are very reasonable!
"Believe it or not!" Madam Yao didn't want to waste any more words with Madam He. She stood up, turned around, and left.
Madam He hurriedly said, "Oh! Yao'er! I haven't finished speaking yet!"
Seeing that Madam Yao was truly angry, Gu Jinyu disregarded Madam He's side and followed Madam Yao's steps.
He tried to chase after her, but was grabbed by the collar by a force.
It's Gu Jiao.
Gu Jiao dragged the person out of the main room and, without any regard for the fact that she had grabbed He Shi by the neck, strangled her.
He Shi was being strangled so badly her eyes rolled back, and she tried to grab him with both hands, but couldn't get a grip: "What... what are you doing?"
"Big Cousin!" Yao Xin stood up, her face pale.
Gu Jiao threw He Shi out of her own house.
"Ouch—" Madam He lost her balance and fell to the ground, landing face-first in the dirt.
"Mother!" Yao Xin lifted her skirt and stepped over the threshold to help He Shi, who was lying on the ground.
Madam He was furious. She scrambled to her feet, patted her skirt, and glared fiercely at Gu Jiao: "You brat—"
She had only spoken halfway when she met Gu Jiao's deathly gaze. Her heart skipped a beat, and her scalp suddenly went numb.
Gu Jiao knocked on the door, her eyes filled with undisguised coldness: "You're not allowed to come here again, or I'll break your bones."
He wanted to say, "You dare?", but when she met that cold gaze, she couldn't utter a single word.
He was able to act so unreasonably in front of Yao because she understood that Yao would at most ignore her but wouldn't harm her. However, He inexplicably felt that this girl really could kill her...
With a pale face, Madam He said, "Aren't you afraid... if word gets out... it will ruin your reputation..."
That statement sounded extremely unconvincing.
"Really?" Gu Jiao suddenly raised her hand.
"Ah—" Madam He was so frightened that she turned and ran away, forgetting even Yao Xin!
Yao Xin saw that Gu Jiao simply dusted off her sleeves.
With her own mother gone, Yao Xin was too ashamed to stay any longer: "Mother, wait for me!"
Inside the house, Gu Jinyu was apologizing to Madam Yao: "...Mother, I'm sorry. I didn't know things would turn out like this. My aunt didn't tell me because she was too worried about you and also worried about how she treated my sister last time, so she insisted on coming over to make amends. I figured that since it was to make amends to my sister, I...so I took the liberty of bringing her over."
Yao closed her eyes, feeling a headache coming on: "Don't do this kind of thing again."
Gu Jinyu replied softly, "I understand, Mother."
Madam Yao frowned and asked, "How did they know about Liu Lang's affairs?"
Gu Jinyu thought for a moment and said, "When my aunt asked about my brother-in-law, I only said that he and my sister got married in the countryside, studied at the Imperial Academy, and now work in the Hanlin Academy. I didn't say anything else."
Madam Yao looked at Gu Jinyu and said, "Didn't you mention his leg?"
Gu Jinyu lowered her head: "When my aunt asked, I mentioned it, but I didn't say that my brother-in-law was lame. I would never say that about my brother-in-law... He's just not able to walk properly."
Gu Jinyu wasn't so blunt; she wouldn't constantly mention the cripple, but He Shi's words were just too offensive.
Yao felt a tightness in her chest. She didn't know if she was angry at He or Gu Jinyu. All she knew was that she didn't want to see any of them right now.
She rested her forehead on her hand and sighed, "You should go back soon too. You're about to get married, don't always be running around."
"……yes."
Gu Jinyu came out of Yao's house and ran into Gu Jiao and Xiao Liulang, who were feeding the chicks, Xiao Ba and Xiao Jiu.
Gu Jinyu first looked at Gu Jiao: "Sister."
Gu Jiao replied coldly, "Don't call me that, it's not me."
Gu Jinyu bit her lip in grievance, then looked at Xiao Liulang: "Brother-in-law."
Xiao Liulang did not respond.
He focused on feeding the birds and chickens, completely ignoring Gu Jinyu.
Gu Jinyu left Bishui Hutong feeling wronged. As soon as her carriage turned the corner, she was stopped by Madam He, who was waiting on Chang'an Avenue.
The coachman stopped the carriage.
Gu Jinyu thought Madam He had come to say goodbye, but to her surprise, she came to interrogate her: "Jinyu, why didn't you speak up for your aunt just now?"
Gu Jinyu was utterly shocked by He Shi's shamelessness. Hadn't she spoken up for her earlier? She had covered for her so many times!
Madam He snorted, "That's where you're wrong. Look how much your aunt loves you. She always gives the best things to Yan'er and you. Your aunt has never been this good to your mother's own daughter!"
Gu Jinyu was already in a bad mood after being rebuffed by Madam Yao and Gu Jiaoxiao Liulang. Then, she was attacked by Madam He, which made her even angrier: "Didn't Aunt say that she was only here to apologize to my sister today? How come I haven't heard Aunt mention a word of apology from beginning to end!"
Madam He's eyes flickered, and she said awkwardly, "I... I didn't have a chance to say it yet, did I? Oh dear, that girl grew up in the countryside, she has no manners at all!"
Gu Jinyu said unhappily, "If there's nothing else, Aunt, I'll be leaving now!"
"Hey—Jinyu—" Madam He grabbed the carriage window with her hand and laughed, "Um... could you help out with your cousin and your cousin's matter?"
"How can I help?" Gu Jinyu's expression was also not good.
Madam He said, "Don't think your aunt doesn't know. Aren't you engaged to Prince An? The Zhuang family's power is even greater than that of the Marquis's mansion. Go and talk to your future son-in-law and ask him to help your cousin!"
Gu Jinyu wasn't that stupid. This marriage was already a step up for her, and if she were to involve her scoundrel relatives, it would only make the Zhuang family look down on her even more.
"I can't help," she replied immediately.
He was furious: "You..."
Yao Xin said, "Cousin Jinyu, don't be angry. It was my mother who was wrong today. She didn't mean any harm. She was just too worried about me and my brother. It's also my fault for being too stupid. If I were half as smart as you, cousin, my mother wouldn't have to worry so much."
Madam He glared at her daughter: "What nonsense are you talking about? You're smart too! You just never had the chance to go to that...what...girls' school! Yes, girls' school!"
Thinking of this, Madam He's mind started working again. She looked at Gu Jinyu with a smile: "Alright, alright, let's put your cousin's matter aside for now. Just help your cousin get into the girls' school! Look at you, you only managed to snag such a good husband after you went to the girls' school. Your cousin's conditions are no worse than yours. You're an adopted daughter, but she's a legitimate daughter of the Yao family..."
Gu Jinyu was so angry that her face turned green. This is what it means to lift a rock only to drop it on your own foot!
She gripped the handkerchief tightly: "Let's go!"
Once the driver received the order, he didn't care that Madam He was still holding onto the carriage. With a flick of the whip, the horse, in pain, galloped off with all its might.
"Ouch—" Madam He staggered and almost fell to the ground.
"Mother, are you alright?" Yao Xin helped her up.
Madam He spat on the ground: "Pah! A little country bumpkin switched at birth, she really thinks she's something special!"
"mother--"
Madam He said, "Xin'er, don't be afraid. Your two older cousins, one is adopted and the other has a scar on her face, can find good marriages. I don't believe you can't! Don't worry, I will definitely find you a suitable husband!"
When Yao Xin thought of her ideal husband, an image of a young man with delicate, jade-like features flashed through her mind. He had a cool and aloof expression, yet he possessed an inexplicable attraction and charm.
Yao Xin... Yao Xin's heart skipped a beat.
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(End of this chapter)
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