Chapter 416 (Two Updates)
After leaving the clinic, Gu Jiao got into Xiao Sanzi's carriage and went to Liu Yisheng's house.
Liu Yisheng's family was as poor as ever, but Liu Yisheng was not seen sitting in the yard rubbing rice grains as he usually did.
Only the mute boy named Anu and another elderly woman were working in the front yard; one was weaving baskets, and the other was twisting tassels.
The two recognized Gu Jiao.
Gu Jiao asked, "I'm looking for Liu Yisheng. Is he here?"
The old nanny was hard of hearing and couldn't hear, so Anu pointed to a room inside.
"Thank you." Gu Jiao said thank you, stepped into the main room, and then turned and went into another small room that Anu pointed out.
This is a study, which is also Liu Yisheng's bedroom. It is about the same size as Xiao Liulang and Xiao Jingkong's west room. The furnishings are very old and simple. The cabinets have peeling paint, and the table is crippled and supported by stones.
There were also some dilapidated pieces of furniture, which were either picked up from outside or broken into by someone who broke into the house. In any case, they were riddled with holes and cracks.
Liu Yisheng, dressed in coarse linen clothes, sat behind his desk, engrossed in reading.
Gu Jiao recognized these as the books she had given him last time.
He really started reading.
Gu Jiao didn't disturb him, and leaned against the door with her arms crossed.
Liu Yisheng was so engrossed in his book that he didn't notice Gu Jiao's arrival until an old nanny outside accidentally knocked over a stool, causing a loud thud, which startled him and made him look up.
Then he saw Gu Jiao leaning calmly against the door, watching him with an air of nonchalance.
Generally speaking, it's very embarrassing to see someone being caught red-handed, and you'll subconsciously look away.
Gu Jiao, however, did not.
She was completely open about it. She raised an eyebrow and asked, "Did I disturb you?"
"No...it wasn't you." Liu Yisheng concealed the surprise in her eyes, opened the window beside her and looked outside. Only after confirming that the old nanny was alright did she feel relieved.
"Why are you here?" He closed the book and looked around his room with a hint of unease, perhaps checking if there was any unsightly mess inside.
Fortunately, no.
The nanny and Anu just finished tidying up this morning.
“You…” He hesitated for a moment, wanting to invite the other person in, but then felt it was inappropriate, so he stood up and said, “Let’s go sit in the main room.”
Gu Jiao nodded.
Guests should follow the host's lead and sit wherever they like.
Although Liu Yisheng's household had two servants, one was old and hard of hearing, and the other was unable to speak, so Liu Yisheng personally entertained the guests.
Of course, there were never any other guests in his house; Gu Jiao was the only one.
Yuan Tang cannot be considered a guest.
"Sit down," Liu Yisheng said, pointing to a chair.
Gu Jiao sat down.
A white shadow darted over and jumped onto Gu Jiao's lap. Its chubby body curled up into a fluffy ball, obediently letting Gu Jiao pet it.
Gu Jiao poked its soft little belly with her fingertip and said with a smile, "You still remember me?"
This white cat was the same cat that almost frightened Xiao Liulang and bumped into Princess Ning. Yuan Tang caught it in time. Seeing that Gu Jiao liked it and the white cat also liked Gu Jiao, Yuan Tang lied and said that it was an ownerless cat, so that Gu Jiao could take it home and raise it.
Gu Jiao didn't take it with her.
Of course, Gu Jiao had already guessed that it was Yuan Tang's cat afterward, and she clearly revealed it to Yuan Tang.
She thought Yuan Tang would take her cat back.
"You're still here." Gu Jiao smiled, thoroughly enjoying petting the cat.
Seeing how happily she was playing with the white cat, Liu Yisheng couldn't help but ask, "Since you like it so much, why don't you take it home?"
Her husband is afraid of cats.
This man is fearless, even in the face of death, but he's terrified of cats.
Gu Jiao didn't answer his question, but said, "No need, you're taking good care of it." After a pause, she turned to look at him, "Don't you like cats?"
Liu Yisheng lowered her eyes and said, "No, I like it very much. It can also catch mice. Since it came, there have been no mice in the house."
Gu Jiao tapped its little belly: "Are you really that capable?"
The white cat meowed smugly.
"Does it have a name?" Gu Jiao suddenly asked.
Liu Yisheng was asked the question.
It's just a cat, why does it need a name?
Gu Jiao didn't actually have any experience raising pets, but since Xiao Jingkong named all seven of his chickens, she subconsciously thought that this white cat should also have a name.
Liu Yisheng looked somewhat embarrassed.
Just now they said they liked raising cats, but they didn't even give the cat a name.
Liu Yisheng's eyes flashed, and she said, "I've thought of a few, but I don't know which one to call."
Gu Jiao looked at him: "Tell me about it."
Naming it "Wasteful Willow Yisheng": "..."
Liu Yisheng had a sudden inspiration and said, "Why don't you get one for me? After all, it's your cat, it's just temporarily being fostered here."
"That works too." Gu Jiao nodded, thought for a moment, and said, "Let's call him Xiao Shi."
There are nine mythical creatures in the family now, and this one is the tenth.
“Okay, let’s call him Xiao Shi.” Liu Yisheng had no objections at all.
"Did you come to see Xiao Shi today?" he asked, standing up to pour water for Gu Jiao.
"I'm here to see you too," Gu Jiao said.
Liu Yisheng's hand trembled as he poured water, spilling a drop on the table. He took a handkerchief and wiped it away discreetly, then placed the tea he had poured next to Gu Jiao: "You really have too much free time."
Gu Jiao took the small basket off her back and took out several thick books from it: "Here you go."
Last time, Liu Yisheng was given the Four Books; this time, he brought the Five Classics and two arithmetic books.
They all come with annotations, making them perfect for self-taught readers.
“You…” Liu Yisheng hesitated, unable to finish her sentence.
Gu Jiao could almost imagine what he was going to say: "I know you can't afford it. This isn't a free gift; these books are for Xiao Shi's food expenses. Xiao Shi is so fat; he can definitely eat a lot."
The white cat let out a mournful meow.
Liu Yisheng sighed, "You'll regret it if you lose the bet."
He could never be granted a title or high office in his lifetime.
Liu Yisheng hesitated for a moment, but ultimately accepted the books. However, he secretly remembered the value of these books, knowing that he would return them to her someday.
Liu Yisheng stroked the book covers and said, "These books are borrowed from you. I'll pay you back when I make money."
"Whatever you want," Gu Jiao said nonchalantly. It was just a few books; she wasn't short of money. She only refrained from refusing on the spot to protect his incredibly strong sense of pride.
At this moment, Gu Jiao had no idea that many years later, Liu Yisheng would indeed repay the money for these books, but not with silver.
A book, a city.
Eleven in total, giving her back half the country.
"If you have any questions, you can ask me," Gu Jiao said confidently as she saw Liu Yisheng flipping through the two arithmetic books.
"Ah, okay." Liu Yisheng humbly asked for guidance and took out a pile of drafts of traditional Chinese essays from the house.
Gu Jiao said without changing her expression, "...Or, you don't have to ask me."
Liu Yisheng: "..."
Gu Jiao petted the cat for a while longer, and by the end she really wanted to cuddle it, but she resisted.
"There's actually another thing I wanted to discuss with you today."
I was so engrossed in petting the cat that I almost forgot what I was doing. Cat lovers have ruined my plans!
"What is it?" Liu Yisheng asked.
“It’s about Yuan Tang,” Gu Jiao said.
Before she could finish speaking, Yuan Tang's voice rang out from another room, "About this prince or something?"
Gu Jiao frowned strangely.
Liu Yisheng explained, "He arrived just now and is sleeping in the woodshed."
Gu Jiao looked at Yuan Tang with a puzzled expression: "Why are you sleeping in the woodshed instead of the palace? What's wrong with you?"
Yuan Tang covered his face with his folding fan and yawned. He strode over and sat down opposite Gu Jiao: "As long as I'm close to my cousin, what does it matter if I sleep in the woodshed?"
Liu Yisheng said to Gu Jiao, "I thought he wouldn't wake up, so I didn't tell you."
He hadn't expected Gu Jiao to suddenly mention Yuan Tang. If he had known, he would have definitely reminded her, since it's quite embarrassing to be caught talking about someone behind their back.
Liu Yisheng was overthinking things. Gu Jiao wasn't embarrassed at all. Gu Jiao hummed in agreement and said to Yuan Tang, "You've come at the perfect time."
Yuan Tang smiled and said, "What? Missing me?"
Liu Yisheng's eyes turned cold.
Yuan Tang quickly said to him, "Don't be angry, it was just a joke. My heart only belongs to my cousin, there's no room for anyone else."
Liu Yisheng was clearly used to his shamelessness and glibness, and coldly turned away, ignoring him.
Yuan Tang smiled and said, "Doctor Gu, what were you trying to say about me just now?"
Gu Jiao didn't say anything, but directly reached out a hand and pinched Yuan Tang's chin, turning his face to the left. Sure enough, she could see the scratches and swelling hidden under his hair.
However, since some medicine had been applied, it wasn't as obvious as Princess Rui had described, but the marks were still visible.
Yuan Tang did not resist, and looked at Liu Yisheng with amusement: "Cousin, she was the one teasing me, not me seducing her."
"Shut your mouth!" Liu Yisheng said irritably.
Gu Jiao asked, "How did you get the injury on your face?"
Yuan Tang raised an eyebrow and said, "So concerned about me?"
Liu Yisheng said coldly, "Stop talking nonsense."
Yuan Tang shrugged helplessly and pointed with his folding fan at the big white cat on Gu Jiao's lap, saying, "What else could it be? It scratched me!"
Gu Jiao looked at the white cat on her lap: "Did you scratch that?"
The white cat closed its eyes and pretended to be dead.
Liu Yisheng said, "It was it that scratched me, I saw it."
Gu Jiao asked, "When did you scratch it?"
Liu Yisheng said, "Last night, he climbed over the wall into the house, and the white cat thought a thief had entered, so it scratched him with its claws."
This little thing is surprisingly fierce.
Yuan Tang looked at the white cat with a resentful expression: "It's only been a few days, and you've already forgotten who used to take care of you!"
Liu Yisheng wouldn't lie to her, and according to Gu Jiao's observation just now, the marks on Yuan Tang's face didn't look like finger marks, but more like scratches and claw marks caused by sharp claws.
Of course, another possibility cannot be ruled out—that the slap didn't leave a big mark, and the swelling would go down immediately after applying ice.
Yuan Tang looked at Gu Jiao, who was deep in thought, and said, "Hey, why are you looking at me like that? Are all the people of Zhao Kingdom so strange today? First, Princess Rui was so frightened by my injured face that she screamed, and then you held my face and started touching me."
Liu Yisheng was annoyed with him: "Who laid a hand on you? If you keep talking so recklessly, don't come again next time."
Yuan Tang immediately backed down: "Okay, okay, I won't say, I won't say!"
If it weren't for Yuan Tang, things would have taken a strange turn.
Although it was none of her business who Wen Linlang was having an affair with, she had stumbled upon the other person's secret. If the other person found out about this, it could very well be detrimental to her and Princess Rui.
Therefore, it's best to find that person as soon as possible.
Gu Jiao stared intently at Yuan Tang and asked, "Do you know the Crown Princess?"
Yuan Tang asked, "Which country's crown princess are you referring to?"
Gu Jiao said, "The Crown Princess of Zhao Kingdom."
Yuan Tang raised an eyebrow meaningfully: "Oh, that young Marquis Zhao Du's fiancée? I know her. What's wrong?"
“She’s my ex-fiancée; they’re no longer together,” Gu Jiao corrected Yuan Tang, then asked, “Did you see her yesterday?”
Because she had been asked the question, Yuan Tang didn't immediately notice why she was being corrected. Yuan Tang shrugged and said, "Why would I go see her? I'm not even familiar with her! Wait, why are you asking this? You don't suspect that I have some kind of ambiguous relationship with her, do you?"
This Yuan Tang isn't stupid.
Yuan Tang laughed, then raised a finger and solemnly said, "Since my cousin is here, I'll be frank. I did attempt to assassinate your Zhao Kingdom's emperor, but I have absolutely no relationship with your Zhao Kingdom's crown princess! I swear to God! If I've uttered even a single lie, may I never be able to bring my cousin back to Chen Kingdom for the rest of my life!"
What kind of oath is this?
Liu Yisheng said calmly, "If you lie, I'll make sure you can't become the crown prince of Chen."
Yuan Tang looked hurt: "That's too cruel! Are you even still my cousin?"
Yuan Tang doesn't seem to be lying.
However, considering factors such as motive, martial arts skills, criminal record, etc., Yuan Tang is the most suspicious.
Just as Gu Jiao was about to ask him for his alibi from yesterday morning, a strange noise suddenly came from outside.
Gu Jiao's ears twitched, and she grabbed the teacup in her hand and threw it out the door!
With a sharp clang, an arrow was knocked to the ground by a teacup.
The mute servant in the courtyard stood up abruptly, grabbed the old nanny who hadn't heard a sound, and carried her into the house.
The moment the two entered the room, Yuan Tang got up and closed the door to the main room, also locking the door bolt!
Almost at the same moment, a series of arrows rang out from the door, one of which even broke through halfway into the door and nearly pierced Yuan Tang's stomach.
Yuan Tang looked at the arrow that had almost ripped him open, and his lips twitched violently.
"No way, cousin, what have you been up to lately? Before, those Zhao people only came to your house and smashed things up, but now they're trying to kill you?"
As soon as Yuan Tang finished speaking, another arrow came flying through the air.
This time it was through the back door.
The back door won't close because there isn't one...
However, the arrow was not aimed at Liu Yisheng.
For a moment, Gu Jiao thought the other party was coming for her, until—the arrow pierced Yuan Tang's folding fan with perfect accuracy.
If it weren't for the fan blocking it quickly, he would have been split open!
Yuan Tang stared in disbelief: "...What's going on? Are they coming for me?"
Several more arrows were shot from behind, all aimed at Yuan Tang.
Gu Jiao glanced intently at the back door, her eyes flashing: "Alright, your suspicion has been cleared."
Yuan Tang, dodging arrows, ran frantically all over the room: "What does this mean?"
Clearly, someone wants Yuan Tang to take the blame and leave him with no way to prove anything!
Jiaojiao is so smart, does she have any monthly passes?
(End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
