Chapter 791 Daughter-Obsessed (Two Updates)
Now that Gu Jiao is living in the Imperial Preceptor's Palace, her first reaction is naturally to bring her family to live with her.
On second thought, I realized it wasn't a good idea.
She was staying at the Imperial Preceptor's Hall by imperial decree to treat the Crown Princess's injuries. It was somewhat understandable that she took in two "patients" who came from afar, but it seemed rather strange that she also brought in her "fellow townsman" who had come to Yan with her.
This could easily arouse suspicion in the ruler of the Great Yan Kingdom.
"I need to think about this carefully tonight," Gu Jiaoxin thought to herself.
The group settled into the inn.
Gu Jiao took out iodine and wound medicine from the first aid kit and carefully cleaned the wounds of Nan Shi Niang and Lu Shi Shi.
Both of them suffered minor injuries, but Master Lu, who had been protecting Master Nan, was slightly more seriously injured than her.
"I told you not to rush over here!" Madam Nan glared at him.
Master Lu chuckled: "I'm tough and can take a beating!"
—I learned it from fighting with the Horse King.
After treating all of Master Lu's injuries, Gu Jiao reminded him, "Don't get the wounds wet yet; they'll heal in a few days."
"Are you hurt?" Nan Shi Niang asked.
“I’m not hurt,” Gu Jiao said. “Neither are Ayan and Xiaoshun.”
Mrs. Nan breathed a sigh of relief. It didn't matter to the two adults; it was good that the children were alright.
Master Lu asked, "By the way, Jiaojiao, why did you leave the city in the middle of the night?"
Gu Jiao took out the Imperial Preceptor's Palace token hanging from her waist: "I have this."
Good heavens, she even got her hands on the Imperial Preceptor's Palace token. This girl is doing quite well in the inner city.
So much has happened lately that there's not enough space on this note to explain everything to Nan Shi Niang and the others.
Taking this opportunity, Gu Jiao told Nan Shi Niang and Master Lu about the recent events. Coincidentally, Gu Xiaoshun and Gu Yan also came over after changing their clothes and listened to a series of bombshell news from Gu Jiao.
Everyone has different focuses.
But the points of surprise were all the same.
Did Jiaojiao steal the Han family's Black Wind Riders?
Gu Changqing was injured?
The Empress Dowager and the old chief priest have come to the State of Yan?
In contrast, while the downfall of the Crown Prince and Consort Han was also surprising, it did not garner much attention.
They are more concerned about the situation of their own people.
"...That's how it is." Gu Jiao summarized in one sentence.
The parties involved remained calm, but in the hearts of Master Nan and Master Lu, a storm was raging.
The waters of Shengdu have been stirred up, and the situation has reached a tense point. The ten great families seem to be a united front, but in reality, each harbors its own selfish motives.
Currently, five families have been given leverage by Jiaojiao and her group, but if the Nangong family is included, there are still six families, among which the struggle with the Han family is the most intense.
"The Nangong family seems to have been quiet lately," said Madam Nan thoughtfully.
The Nangong family has indeed been unusually quiet lately. The only major event that made headlines was the selection of the Black Wind Cavalry commander. The Nangong family's eldest daughter fought on behalf of her relative, risking her reputation to force Han Ci to step down.
And because he failed, he immediately became the laughing stock of the entire audience.
Master Lu snorted, "Nangong Li's death was too much of a blow to them, and the Crown Prince also fell from power. The Nangong family might have to seriously consider whether they should find a new master to follow."
With 400,000 troops at their disposal, the Nangong family has become a highly sought-after family. Once the Han family falls, the Nangong family will join the ranks of the top ten aristocratic families.
It's unclear whether they'll actually get that chance.
"It's getting late, you should all go and rest." Madam Nan stopped the conversation in time, otherwise it would have gone on until dawn.
While the others had nothing to do, Jiaojiao was working non-stop.
The three children returned to their respective rooms.
Gu Xiaoshun and Gu Yan shared a room, Gu Jiao shared a room, and Mr. Meng also had a room to himself.
Gu Jiao had just lain down when Gu Yan came over.
He climbed into bed and lay down next to Gu Jiao.
Then he didn't say a word, but simply put his arm around Gu Jiao's waist, rested his chin gently on her shoulder, and breathed in the comforting air.
Gu Jiao lay flat on the bed, quietly gazing in the direction of the bed curtains.
He pleaded, "Don't be angry with me anymore, okay? I won't do it again."
"Mmm." Gu Jiao raised her hand, resting one arm behind her head and holding his hand with the other.
There are so many emotions in this world that I can't perceive. Only through you can I cross that black-and-white boundary.
"I'm very nervous right now, can you feel it?" Gu Yan asked.
"Yes, I can feel it, my pulse is beating very fast."
Gu Yan's face darkened.
Who told you to pinch my pulse?
"And excitement, joy, pride..." Gu Jiao felt it all.
—It's so good to be a normal person, it's so good to be a brother who protects his family, and how come I can run so fast, hahaha! I'm such an awesome Yan baby!
Gu Jiao looked at the top of the tent: "Hmm, he really is a cow."
-
Although she was up until midnight last night, Gu Jiao still got up before dawn.
The sky was overcast, with a pale, fish-belly white light seemingly about to burst forth.
Gu Jiao sat up and found two small boxes next to her pillow.
She was stunned for a moment before she remembered that Gu Yan seemed to have slipped something into her hand when he left. She was a little confused at the time and didn't pay much attention to it, so she just put it on her pillow.
As for why there are two—
After Gu Yan left, Gu Xiaoshun seemed to have come over as well.
He also slipped something into her hand.
"A mechanism box?" Gu Jiao took it in her hand and looked at it.
These two mechanical boxes were life-saving items that Master Lu gave to Gu Xiaoshun and Gu Yan. They hadn't used them even after the danger last night, but they gave them to Gu Jiao without hesitation.
"It's obviously Master Lu's work."
Gu Xiaoshun couldn't do something at this level.
Gu Jiao roughly understood the importance of the two mechanism boxes. She dressed neatly, washed up, and tiptoed to the next room.
Gu Yan and Gu Xiaoshun were fast asleep.
Gu Yan is a very good sleeping man; he can stay completely still all night.
Gu Xiaoshun was originally a terrible sleeper, but he forced himself to stay awake so as not to kick Gu Yan.
Gu Jiao put the mechanism box back into their pockets.
Gu Jiao left a note in her room saying that she was going out for a while and would come back in the afternoon.
She went there to solve her accommodation problem.
She returned to the Imperial Preceptor's Hall, where her aunt was still taking a nap. Gu Jiao didn't wake her and went directly to Xiao Heng's room.
Xiao Jingkong had no classes today, so he got up early and went to the yard to tend to the trees.
Xiao Heng had just changed his clothes and was about to go out when he saw Gu Jiao return. He quickly asked, "How did it go?"
Only he and the Imperial Advisor knew about Gu Jiao's rescue attempt last night.
Gu Jiao said, "The Han family made a move, but everyone is fine. They're staying at an inn tonight, and I'm thinking it's time to arrange a place for them to stay."
“Let’s move into the inner city,” Xiao Heng said. “We’ve already been targeted by the Han family, so there’s no difference between the inner and outer city to them. They probably wouldn’t expect us to have the guts to bring people into the inner city.”
Gu Jiao thought it was feasible.
Xiao Heng said, "I've been looking for a house these past few days. The guarantor said yesterday that there's a small courtyard that fits my needs perfectly. Would you like to go take a look together?"
Before Gu Jiao could answer, Xiao Jingkong tiptoed out of the window, peeking out half his little head: "I want to go too! I want to go too!"
The two, along with the little trumpet spirit, boarded the carriage for their journey.
When the group arrived at the agreed location, the guarantor politely cupped his hands in greeting. He didn't inquire about the identities of the two young masters, one big and one small, that Xiao Heng had brought with him. He simply said in a friendly tone, "Young Master Long has arrived. I've already spoken with the owner of the courtyard, so we can go see him now."
The guarantor led the way.
Gu Jiao whispered, "Are you still using Long Yi's name? What are you planning to do when you sign the lease agreement?"
Xiao Heng replied in a low voice, "My great-uncle made a fake travel permit; that's enough to fool one guarantor."
Gu Jiao secretly gave a thumbs up. "Uncle, you're awesome."
Little Jingkong was holding the hands of two adults, skipping and jumping around, very happy!
The family arrived at the house the guarantor had described.
This is on a relatively quiet old street. Most of the residents have moved away, and the location looks a bit old, but the furnishings inside the houses are new, and the lighting and ventilation are excellent.
Xiao Heng glanced at the guarantor who was negotiating with the owner of the courtyard ahead, and said to Gu Jiao, "It's very close to Lingbo Academy. Just go through that alley ahead and take a carriage east for a little over fifteen minutes."
Since Gu Yan and Nan Shi Niang were being hunted down, Gu Jiao from Canglan Women's Academy, who is related to Xiao Liu Lang, will likely soon become a target of the Han family as well.
Gu Chengfeng needs to disappear from the academy immediately, while Xiao Jingkong will continue to commute from school.
"Do you like it?" Gu Jiao asked Xiao Jingkong.
Xiao Jingkong didn't answer immediately, but looked at Gu Jiao and asked, "Liu Lang, did you choose this house?"
Gu Jiao blinked and nodded: "It was my choice, I let... Long Yi choose it."
Little Jingkong stretched out his little arm: "Then I like it!"
Xiao Heng's lips twitched.
However, Gu Jiao and Xiao Heng were not very satisfied.
There were many of them, and although the courtyard looked large, there were only three rooms for them to live in.
"Aren't there five rooms?" the guarantor discussed with the owner of the courtyard.
The master said, “I need to use two rooms as storerooms and put some things in them.”
Well, it's failed again.
The guarantor broke out in a cold sweat and said to Xiao Heng, "Then, Young Master Long, let me take you to see another place."
After looking at several places nearby, I was still not satisfied.
Xiao Jingkong tugged at Gu Jiao's hand: "Liulang, do we really have to rent a house on this street?"
Gu Jiao said, "No, it's mainly because this place is close to where you go to school."
Xiao Jingkong: "Oh, what if there's one that's even closer?"
“How could there be anything closer?” the guarantor said confidently. “I’ve been a guarantor for thirty years, and I own all the best properties in the brokerage. This street is the closest to Lingbo Academy. Any further ahead, you can’t rent anything!”
Before he could finish speaking, Xiao Jingkong silently took out a house deed from his purse.
Guarantor: "..."
Xiao Heng had a toothache: "Why didn't you say you had a property deed earlier?"
Xiao Jingkong crossed his arms, turned his face away, and snorted, "I won't give it to you if you ask! I'll only give it to you if Jiaojiao asks me!"
The guarantor had gone to a shady spot under a large tree to carefully check the authenticity of the property deed and didn't hear their conversation.
Xiao Heng said, "Back then, Jiaojiao lived in the outer city, in such a cramped house that she couldn't even fit in all the rooms. I didn't see you produce the deed to the house!"
Xiao Jingkong felt extremely wronged and spread his hands, saying, "Jiaojiao, Jiaojiao was looking for a house in the outer city, and I don't own any in the outer city!"
This sounds exactly like a country bumpkin going to a rich friend to confront them – why didn’t you lend me your car last night?
The rich guy said, "You said you could just borrow a Xiali, but I don't have a Xiali, I only have a Ferrari!"
Gu Versailles: I concede defeat!
Xiao Heng's toothache worsened.
They've moved from Zhao State to Great Yan, so surely his landlord is still this little monk in front of him?
How much debt did he owe the little monk in his past life?
The little landlord puffed out his chest and smugly shook one of his tiny feet: "I'll rent it to you cheaply, five hundred taels a month!"
Xiao Heng's body trembled.
Little monk, you're trying to raise the price on the spot!
Just as the two, one big and one small, were outwitting each other, a carriage slowly drove up and stopped beside Gu Jiao and the other two.
Immediately afterward, the car window was rolled down, and Master Jing's head popped out: "Huh? Qing'er, Liu Lang, what are you doing here? Hmm, who is this little brat?"
Xiao Jingkong, hands on hips, glared angrily: "You're the little brat!"
"Ah, I remember now, you are that... that..." During the three days that Gu Jiao was unconscious after the selection of the Black Wind Cavalry commander, Second Master Jing accompanied Duke Anguo to the Imperial Preceptor's Hall to visit Gu Jiao and encountered Xiao Jingkong.
However, back then, Xiao Jingkong was wearing the academy's uniform, looking like a young scholar. Now, he has changed into the clothes of an ordinary young master, making him almost unrecognizable.
“My name isn’t that! My name is Jingkong!” Little Jingkong corrected him seriously.
Master Jing laughed and said, "Yes, yes, that's the name! You also saved the little princess, you're a little hero!"
He talks too much nonsense and is blocking my view of my daughter.
Today is another day I want to beat up my stupid younger brother.
The Duke of Anguo's eyes were piercingly sharp.
Unfortunately, Second Master Jing and his elder brother had no tacit understanding. Gu Jiao, on the other hand, walked over and looked into the window.
When she saw Duke Anguo, her mood suddenly improved.
When Duke Anguo saw Gu Jiao, a smile he couldn't hide appeared in his eyes.
...
After learning that Gu Jiao was looking for a house, Duke Anguo suggested that she move into the Duke's Mansion.
“Hmm…” Gu Jiao hesitated.
Seeing her furrowed brows, Duke Anguo dipped his fingertips in water and continued writing on the armrest: "The Duke's mansion has guards, which is safer than you living outside."
He wrote about "you all," not "you."
As astute as Duke Anguo was, he had already guessed that Gu Jiao's search for a house at this critical juncture was definitely not for herself.
She's living comfortably in the Imperial Preceptor's Hall, and there are probably few places in Shengdu safer than the Imperial Preceptor's Hall.
Master Jing took Xiao Jingkong to catch cicadas in the big tree on the street, while Xiao Heng and Baoren discussed renting a house under the shade of the tree.
Only Gu Jiao and Duke Anguo were in the carriage.
Gu Jiao considered the possibility of moving into the Duke's mansion.
Duke Anguo continued, "It's also close to Lingbo Academy, making it convenient to pick up and drop off the child at school."
Gu Jiao stared in disbelief at the words on the armrest.
I clearly didn't mention Xiao Jingkong, how did you know he was going to stay there too?
You're just as shrewd as the Imperial Advisor!
Looking at Gu Jiao's adorable and innocent appearance, the Duke of Anguo's eyes were practically overflowing with laughter.
He can't make facial expressions, otherwise his lips would stretch to his ears.
He wrote: “Every day there is good food and drink, a lot of guards, and endless money.”
At this moment, the Duke is a wicked child who lures and coaxes others!
Gu Jiao opened her eyes wide and asked, "But didn't the Duke's mansion squander its entire fortune?"
“You made money again,” Duke Anguo wrote with a smile in his eyes.
His eyes seemed to say, "Your godfather is just an ordinary little business genius."
Gu Jiao raised an eyebrow and said seriously, "Money doesn't matter. The main thing is that I want to build a relationship with you, my godfather."
Duke Anguo was secretly laughing to himself.
Gu Jiao wasn't a pretentious person, and she didn't say anything like, "If we go, it might bring you danger."
She was the adopted son of the Duke of Anguo. The Duke of Anguo's mansion had long been involved in this dispute, or rather, it could be said that the Duke of Anguo's mansion had never come out of this dispute.
From the moment Duke Anguo spent all his wealth to collect the bodies of the sons of the Xuanyuan family, he had already declared his stance to the entire Great Yan.
Gu Jiao relayed Duke Anguo's proposal to Xiao Heng.
Xiao Heng always felt that the Duke of Anguo harbored a father-in-law-like hostility towards him. In the past, he might not have agreed so easily, but when he thought of the little monk's sullen face, he felt that the Duke of Anguo's mansion was not so unacceptable.
—I absolutely refuse to admit that I'm stingy and only spend 500 taels a month!
Xiao Heng paused for a moment: "And the inner city talismans of Master Nan and the others... I'll figure out a way to deal with that."
Gu Jiao said "Oh," and then added, "No need, Duke Anguo said he can get it."
Xiao Heng felt as if he had been struck on the head.
I didn't even get a chance to impress Jiaojiao.
Why do I suddenly feel such a strong sense of crisis?
Is it too late to change your mind and rent the young monk's house now?
Having settled on her accommodations, Gu Jiao decided to return to the inn. Xiao Jingkong wanted to go with her, but Xiao Heng dragged him back instead.
Xiao Heng said smugly, "You're my little follower now."
Xiao Jingkong is going crazy.
Ugh, bad brother-in-laws are just so unlovable!
...
Inn.
Mr. Meng finally woke up. He stood blankly in front of the washbasin stand with his messy hair, staring at his pig-faced reflection in the basin. A million black whirlwinds seemed to be galloping through his mind.
"Did someone beat up this chess master?"
I have absolutely no recollection of what happened last night!
When Gu Jiao arrived at the inn, everyone got up and gathered in Mr. Meng's room.
Master Lu didn't dare admit that he was the one who hit the old man and caused his injuries, shamelessly pushing the blame onto the Han family's guards and assassins.
Mr. Meng was successfully misled and held a deep grudge against the Han family!
Gu Jiao explained her moving plan: "...This afternoon, people from the Duke of Anguo's mansion will deliver the inner city insignia to the inn, and we'll move there tonight."
"So fast." Gu Yan was surprised. "I mean, it's very fast to get the inner city token in half a day."
The imperial tally in the inner city is no small matter. Ordinary government offices are not qualified to issue tallies to people from other countries, and even if they were, it would take several months.
Gu Jiao said, "The Duke said he has a solution."
After saying goodbye to Gu Jiao, Duke Anguo immediately set about handling the matter. Although the tokens were tricky, there was a powerful family that had the privilege of issuing them.
That was the Mu family.
Old Master Su was the Prefect of Shengdu and also had a close relationship with the Minister of the Court of State Ceremonies, who was in charge of foreign affairs.
The Duke asked Second Master Jing to invite Mu Qingchen over.
After Gu Jiao left Tianqiong Academy, Mu Qingchen rarely went there anymore. He had been staying at the Su family's house for the past few days, so he came over quite quickly.
"The Duke looks to be in good health," Mu Qingchen said.
“It’s much better than before,” Duke Anguo wrote on the armrest.
Mu Qingchen stood beside him, looking at the words on the armrest, and couldn't help but marvel. A living dead who had been in a coma for three years had actually recovered to such a surprising degree in less than three months.
Gu Jiao participated in the selection of the Black Wind Cavalry commander as the adopted son of the Duke of Anguo, and she actually won. In other words, this formidable opponent was sent to the competition by the Duke of Anguo.
However, Mu Qingchen did not develop any animosity towards Duke Anguo because of this.
He didn't even ask Duke Anguo why he adopted a young man from Zhaoguo as his godson.
They interacted as usual.
Duke Anguo continued writing: "Qingchen, to be honest, I have something to ask of you."
"Please speak."
Duke Anguo solemnly wrote his request on the armrest.
He knew this was abrupt and difficult to handle.
But given the urgency of the situation, Mu Qingchen's approach was the fastest solution he could think of.
"When do you need it?" Mu Qingchen asked.
This means they agreed.
Although he expected that Mu Qingchen would not refuse his request given her personality, he was still relieved.
He wrote: "Today, the sooner the better."
Locals need at least ten days to half a month to obtain the inner city talisman, while foreigners need a month just for the Honglu Temple's review. After going through all the other procedures, it's considered lucky if they can get it in the third month.
"Okay, I'll bring it to you before dinner."
Mu Qingchen agreed almost without hesitation, and did not ask who the Duke of Anguo was handling the matter for.
Duke Anguo wrote: "Thank you, Qingchen."
Mu Qingchen said, "I promised Yinyin that I would take good care of you."
Duke Anguo watched Mu Qingchen's departing figure and sighed inwardly.
-
Since Gu Jiao and her family were moving in, all the idlers in the mansion naturally had to be cleared out.
"What did you say?"
In Mu Ruxin's courtyard, her personal maid looked at Steward Zheng in disbelief, "My young lady is living comfortably in the Duke's mansion, why does she want to move out?"
Steward Zheng smiled and said politely, "Miss Mu has been in Yan for so long, she must be longing for home. The Duke's condition has improved, so we dare not force Miss Mu to stay at the manor any longer."
That's a nice way to put it, but it doesn't mean the same thing.
Please be well.
Steward Zheng took the brocade box from the servant behind him and handed it to Mu Ruxin: "This is a small token of my master's appreciation. Although the consultation fee has already been settled, since Miss Mu is going back, this travel money has also been prepared for you."
The maid was furious: "Who said my young lady was going back!"
My young lady hasn't become the daughter of your Duke's mansion yet!
Mu Ruxin's reaction was calmer than the maid's.
Actually, this wasn't the first time the Duke had hinted at wanting her to leave.
Long before the Duke was able to write freely, he had tactfully expressed his refusal to her, but at that time he did not do so in front of a third person, thus giving her enough face.
She herself did not want to leave, and coincidentally, the Second Madam twisted her back while picking flowers, so she stayed under the pretext of treating the Second Madam's back injury.
Mu Ruxin said, "There's no rush these next few days, the Second Madam's back injury hasn't healed yet..."
Steward Zheng said with a forced smile, "As for the Second Madam, the manor has already arranged for a doctor. We dare not force Miss Mu to stay and cause her to suffer from homesickness."
No matter how thick-skinned Mu Ruxin was, she couldn't possibly refuse to leave in front of a few servants.
She said, "Then I'll tidy up the things tonight..."
Steward Zheng smiled and said, "The carriage is ready for you, right at the door! The guards have also been chosen and will escort you all the way back to Chen! Of course, if you would like to experience the customs and culture of Great Yan, they will also accompany you and be at your service!"
Mu Ruxin's face burned.
This wasn't a way of saying goodbye; it was a blatant attempt to get rid of her!
Mu Ruxin said calmly, "I have some personal matters to attend to in the city these past few days. I will send you the address once I have settled in. If the Duke and the Second Madam need anything, they can come to me at any time."
No need for that!
Mu Ruxin took a deep breath, calmed herself down, and said, "Please wait a moment, I have something a little..."
Seventeen or eighteen capable maids and servants swarmed in, standing in neat rows, waiting for orders.
"many."
After blankly uttering the last word, Mu Ruxin never wanted to speak again in her life!
About half an hour later, Steward Zheng politely helped Mu Ruxin and her servant onto the carriage.
Looking at the Duke's Mansion where she had stayed for half a year, Mu Ruxin was still somewhat unwilling. Outsiders only knew that the Duke had given away his fortune for the Xuanyuan family, but only those who had lived in the Duke's Mansion knew how much wealth the Duke had accumulated over the years.
Scholars have always been noble and averse to the stench of money.
Duke Anguo, however, did not.
He was not a greedy person, but he understood the importance of money very well. As a scholar, he could take it and let it go.
The more time they spent together, the more Mu Ruxin admired Duke Anguo, and the more she wanted to become his precious daughter.
Unfortunately, all her hard work went to waste!
Mu Ruxin opened her mouth: "I haven't had a chance to tell the Second Madam yet—"
Manager Zheng waved decisively: "Goodbye! Farewell forever!"
I saw everyone's messages and I was really touched.
Many readers have messaged me privately, saying that Jiao Jiao's story brought them a lot of joy and excitement.
I want to say that you have also given me a lot of strength and inspiration.
A tribute to lines from "The Legend of the Demon Cat"—
With you all in the position of "Chief Secretary," things are truly remarkable.
(End of this chapter)
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