Chapter 168 The Pitiful Couple (Second Update)
Gu Changqing arrived at the door, looked at the tightly closed door, and then looked at Gu Chenglin: "What's wrong?"
Gu Chenglin said, "Oh, I'm waiting for my second brother to go to Grandmother's for dinner. My second brother is changing his clothes."
Gu Changqing said calmly, "I'm going to the Ling family tomorrow morning, so you should all get ready."
"Understood," Gu Chenglin replied.
Gu Changqing looked at the closed door again: "Chengfeng, are you alright?"
Gu Chengfeng gritted his teeth and put on his clothes, saying, "I'm fine. Are you going to Grandmother's for dinner tonight, brother?"
Gu Changqing said, "I'm going to the military camp. I won't be back tonight."
"Will you come back for New Year's Eve?" Gu Chengfeng asked.
The day after tomorrow is Lunar New Year's Eve.
Gu Changqing paused for a moment, then said, "He should be back."
Gu Chengfeng waited quietly in the house. Once he was sure that Gu Changqing's footsteps had gone far away, he threw the blood-stained clothes into the charcoal brazier and burned them!
Bishui Hutong.
Gu Jiao also returned home.
She had multiple abrasions and bruises on her body, which couldn't be hidden, so she had no choice but to honestly confess what had happened to her.
"The music hall collapsed, and I was trapped underneath."
She didn't say she was in the underground storage room at the time, but even if she was on the ground, there was a possibility of falling through the crack and being crushed.
"Jiaojiao, why did you go to the music hall?" Xiao Jingkong asked, his eyes wide with worry and sadness.
Gu Jiao shifted his bald head: "Just browsing. It's a pity, the candied hawthorns I bought for you are all gone."
The baskets were all crushed.
Little Jingkong buried his face in Gu Jiao's arms and said pitifully, "I don't want candied hawthorns! I just want Jiaojiao!"
Gu Jiao leaned against the headboard, looking at the little guy in her arms who was still feeling scared, and wondered if this was what it felt like to be needed.
"I'm fine." She glanced at the worried looks in everyone's eyes, smiled, and said, "I really am fine."
This injury is nothing to her.
But in her family's eyes, she was seriously injured, to the point that she wasn't even allowed to get out of bed!
The old lady told Gu Jiao to rest in bed and not to worry about any of the housework.
It's just cooking—
The family sat in the main room, looking at each other.
Xiao Liulang cleared his throat and said, "I'll cook."
The whole family: "You're not allowed to go!"
Don't you have any idea how bad your own cooking is?!
The old lady never lifts a finger to cook, and neither Gu Yan nor Xiao Jingkong can cook. The only one left is Gu Xiaoshun, but his cooking skills are only slightly better than Xiao Liulang's.
At this moment, the old lady missed Xue Ningxiang terribly.
Xiangxiang's cooking is delicious.
Small clearance: Add one.
Gu Xiaoshun: Add one.
Gu Yan: Add one.
Xiao Liulang: "..."
Finally, the old lady sighed and went next door.
The old priest was writing couplets in the room when the door was kicked open with a bang.
The old chief priest trembled with fear: "I have no secret stash of money!"
The old lady placed the kitchen knife on his table: "Cook."
The old chief priest: "..."
Fifteen minutes later, the old chief priest appeared in the kitchen next door with a dark expression.
How could a high-ranking official like the Grand Master of Ceremonies have fallen so low as to become a cook for his former nemesis?
Never mind, he just couldn't bear to see his beloved disciple and his benefactor starve.
It's not about compromising with a wicked empress who brought ruin to the country!
But why are the vegetables so green today?
Garlic sprouts, celery, leafy greens, mung bean sprouts...
As the old chief minister chopped on the cutting board with a cleaver, he silently said in his heart: "Rest assured, Your Majesty, this old minister will never let you be cuckolded!"
"Grandpa!" Little Jingkong shouted in the courtyard.
The old priest put down his cleaver and exclaimed, "Here I am!"
The late emperor, who was about to turn to death, was speechless.
The old master chef prepared six dishes and a soup, a more luxurious culinary lineup than Gu Jiao's.
Little Jingkong couldn't eat meat, so he made special dishes for him: "Besieging Wei to Rescue Zhao" (tofu wrapped with vegetarian meat), "Taking Chencang by Strategy" (sesame and mung bean soup), "A Clever Plan in a Brocade Bag" (fried tofu buns), and "A Three-Legged Stand" (vegetable medley).
Not only are the names of the dishes well-chosen, but the taste is also truly excellent.
The old lady said thoughtfully, "Hmm, I probably liked your cooking skills back then."
The old chief priest panicked: No, we didn't do things the way we did back then!
The old priest also stewed a nourishing soup for Gu Jiao.
Xiao Liulang brought the nourishing soup and food to Gu Jiao.
Gu Jiao sat on the edge of the bed, looking at him with bright eyes.
Xiao Liulang was captivated by her undisguised gaze. He lowered his eyes, placed the food on the table, and then moved the small table he usually used to do his homework on his bed.
He placed the table in front of her and set out the bowls, chopsticks, and soup.
Because she needed to recover from her injury, her diet was very light.
Xiao Liulang looked at the colorless food on the table, paused, and said, "If you really can't get used to it, I'll go get you some pickles."
Gu Jiao didn't speak, but just stared at him with wide, sparkling eyes.
"What's wrong?" Xiao Liulang asked.
Gu Jiao asked, "Aren't you afraid?"
"What are you afraid of?" Xiao Liulang didn't understand.
Gu Jiao stared at him intently: "Aren't you afraid of being trapped underneath and never being able to get out?"
The situation was really dangerous at the time.
It wasn't the kind of danger where she would be sacrificed; it was the kind where the place could collapse at any moment.
But he jumped down without hesitation.
It crawled toward her again in the darkness and danger.
Xiao Liulang didn't think that much about it at the time.
After rescuing her, I didn't think too much about it.
It was as if this was something he was supposed to do all along; he himself didn't realize there was anything special about it.
But her question left him speechless.
Gu Jiao smiled and said, "You looked so cool when you jumped down."
I used to think he was good-looking; his face, his body, everything about him was good-looking.
But the moment he jumped, he was a truly brave man.
Her little husband has grown up.
Xiao Liulang blushed slightly at the praise and handed her the spoon and soup bowl: "Eat it while it's hot, or it will get cold."
"Mmm." Gu Jiao took the spoon and drank it in small sips.
Suddenly remembering something, Xiao Liulang said to Gu Jiao, "The scene was too chaotic, your basket was crushed, and some things were not found."
Gu Jiao didn't seem to care and said, "It's okay, we can just buy another candied hawthorn."
“It’s not candied hawthorn, it’s…” Xiao Liulang stopped mid-sentence, then noticed the small medicine box beside her. He grunted and frowned in confusion.
Perhaps he misremembered.
...
"My lord!" Chang Jing returned to the Marquis's residence.
"Why did it take so long? Is it difficult to save people?" Marquis Xuanping was having Steward Liu play chess with him.
Manager Liu was able to cook enough dishes for two people by himself.
Chang Jing said, "Saving people is not difficult, but finding out their identities is very difficult."
Those people left as soon as they were rescued, and the authorities couldn't even take their statements.
However, the government office is the government office, and Chang Jing is Chang Jing.
One of the onlookers happened to recognize Xiao Liulang; he was a tea egg vendor across from the Imperial College.
“He is a student of the Imperial Academy,” Chang Jing said.
"Name?" Marquis Xuanping.
"I couldn't find out." Chang Jing shook his head.
The man who sold tea eggs had only seen Xiao Liulang, but had never spoken to him.
Manager Liu frowned thoughtfully.
Students of the Imperial Academy?
Could it be our young master?
No, no, no, that's impossible! This is too outrageous!
It must be someone else!
Gu Jiao stayed at home to recuperate for the next two days.
As Lunar New Year's Eve approaches, not only are academies and the Imperial College closed for the holiday, but shops on the streets are also closing one after another. The day before Lunar New Year's Eve, all the major government offices and political departments also take a holiday.
Lord Gu went to his superior's study with great joy, waiting to receive his annual performance evaluation.
"Having given so many generous gifts, shouldn't he be considered outstanding?" Lord Gu walked with an air of superiority.
Minister Zhao coldly threw the document in front of him.
He picked it up, opened it, and looked at it. He wondered if he had misread it, so he looked at it carefully again and asked, puzzled, "Lord Zhao, are you sure you haven't made a mistake? Have you taken someone else's evaluation score as mine?"
He sent out such an expensive gift, but only got a bad review?
If this gets back to the emperor, he'll get a scolding again!
Minister Zhao's eyes were icy cold. If it weren't for the old Marquis's sake, he would have executed this guy on the spot!
How dare he instigate his daughter to beat up his son?
This is outrageous!
Lord Gu was completely bewildered: "How did I offend you, sir?"
Minister Zhao: Ha, you haven't offended anyone, it's just that your daughter almost beat my son to death!
Lord Gu was completely unaware that he had been tricked by Gu Jiao again, and thought that the gift he had given was not valuable enough: "Lord Zhao, we can discuss this slowly!"
"Discuss what?!" Minister Zhao cursed and kicked Marquis Gu out.
Lord Gu was heartbroken and aggrieved, receiving his first negative review in his official career!
Meanwhile, Marquis Xuanping also suffered his first blow after returning to the capital.
Everyone knows that salt transportation is a lucrative business, as is mining.
The Marquis of Xuanping's men finally managed to acquire a mine, but just before it was about to be opened for business, someone submitted a memorial accusing one of the Marquis's retainers of misconduct, exploiting the local people, and bullying respectable women.
With the evidence irrefutable, the emperor immediately dismissed the corrupt official.
The official was recommended by the Marquis of Xuanping. In this dynasty, a system of collective punishment is implemented, meaning that if the recommended official does something wrong, the recommender will also be punished.
What should be the punishment?
We can't just hurl insults like we used to.
The emperor then revoked the mining rights and transferred them to someone else.
Marquis Xuanping grinned, "Damn, that hurts!"
After the court session, Marquis Xuanping called out to the old man in front of him and said with a playful smile, "Grand Tutor Zhuang, did you do this?"
Grand Tutor Zhuang turned around, gave him a cold look, and said sarcastically, "If you don't want people to know, then don't do it in the first place. Besides, am I the only one in the world who doesn't like Lord Xiao? Lord Xiao has offended too many people. He should go back and reflect on his actions."
Marquis Xuanping tucked his hands into hand warmers: "If you did it, why are you afraid to admit it? I can't stand you bookish scholars who do things but don't admit it."
"Marquis Xuanping!" Grand Tutor Zhuang was so choked by the indescribable vulgarities that his hair stood on end. "This is the imperial palace, the Hall of Supreme Harmony! Please watch your words!"
Marquis Xuanping glanced at him indifferently, then walked away with a cold smile.
Marquis Xuanping boarded the carriage: "What's going on? I've only just returned, and he's already trying to cause me trouble?"
The guard said, "It seems... it's because of the matter of Zheng Siye not long ago. Zheng Siye was originally about to become the Chancellor of the Imperial Academy, but suddenly rumors spread that he was of bad character and disrespectful to his teachers at the Imperial Academy. In addition, a bribery ledger from several years ago was circulating wildly at the Imperial Academy and eventually fell into His Majesty's hands. His Majesty has temporarily put the appointment of the Chancellor of the Imperial Academy on hold."
Marquis Xuanping narrowed his eyes: "So he thinks it was me who did it?"
The guards remained silent.
"Does this Marquis need to deal with a mere Director of Studies?" Marquis Xuanping took his hands out of the hand warmer and picked up a pastry from the table: "Chang Jing, this Marquis has been tricked."
Outside the carriage, Chang Jing said, "I'm going to kill him!"
Marquis Xuanping tossed the pastry back onto the plate: "Boring!"
Chang Jing felt wronged.
Marquis Xuanping softened his tone, coaxing him like a child, "At least find out who that person is first? Who is plotting against me like this?"
"Oh." Chang Jing went to check.
The investigation revealed that the prime suspect was a student from the Imperial College.
Marquis Xuanping was puzzled: "Why is it the Imperial Academy again? Am I incompatible with the Imperial Academy?"
"Actually..." Manager Liu cleared his throat, "there's something I haven't told you yet."
"What is it?" asked Marquis Xuanping.
Steward Liu: "That young master who is unwilling to acknowledge you is also a student of the Imperial Academy."
Marquis Xuanping: "..."
...
On New Year's Eve, Gu Jiao got up early.
The medicine in the first-aid kit was very effective. In just two days, all the abrasions and bruises on her body disappeared, and she was able to go out and move around.
This was their first Lunar New Year's Eve in the capital, and also Xiao Liulang and Xiao Jingkong's birthday.
She takes it very seriously.
She first went to the front yard and selected two thick, sturdy bamboo stalks, then cut them down to make firecrackers.
Gunpowder didn't exist in this dynasty. The so-called firecrackers were simply bamboo thrown into a fire to burn, which made a crackling sound, which was very festive.
After making the firecrackers, she prepared to cook breakfast.
There were dumplings that the old master had made last night in the cupboard. There were mutton dumplings, cabbage and pork dumplings, and also chive and corn dumplings. She cooked a little of each. Xiao Jingkong also had some, which were preserved vegetable and vegetarian dumplings.
The family gradually got up.
Xiao Jingkong was the first to come to the kitchen to find Gu Jiao.
"Jiaojiao." Little Jingkong hugged her legs and rubbed his head against her soft belly. "Didn't Auntie say you needed to rest? You can't do any work!"
"I'm fine now, look if you don't believe me." Gu Jiao rolled up her sleeve to show him her injured wrist.
Xiao Jingkong looked very carefully, and only after confirming that he was really, really cured did he happily nod!
Gu Jiao smiled and said, "Go and call your great-uncle over to eat dumplings."
"Okay, Jiaojiao!"
Before long, Feng Lin and Lin Chengye also arrived.
This was their first New Year in the capital, and they weren't used to it. Luckily, Gu Jiao had called them over.
As soon as the two entered the house, they felt as comfortable as if they were back home.
Xiao Liulang heard their voices and was about to come out to greet them when Feng Lin darted past him, shouting, "Jiaoniang! I'm here—"
Lin Chengye: "Me too, I'm here!"
Xiao Liulang, who was blatantly ignored by the two, was speechless.
(End of this chapter)
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