The Prime Minister’s Darling-Chapter 439 - : 222 Cozy (Update 2)

Chapter 439: 222 Cozy (Update 2)

Gu Jiao returned to the barracks, holding the baby rabbit.

Indeed, when she focused on her task, many things got done faster. The medical officer Lu had already examined all the golden wound medicines.

He looked up and saw Gu Jiao carrying a baby rabbit. He couldn’t help but ask in amazement, “Where did this rabbit come from?”

“I found it on the back mountain.” replied Gu Jiao.

“The back mountain?” Lu, the medical officer, wondered, “Could it be that she went to that place?”

“What’s the matter?” Gu Jiao found Lu’s stare a bit strange.

“You didn’t enter any caves, did you?” asked Lu cautiously.

“Um… Can I not go in?” Gu Jiao asked back, oddly.

Lu replied, “Of course you can’t.” If she had gone in, she could have been killed!

Gu Jiao petted the rabbit, calmly saying, “Oh, then I didn’t go in.”

Lu was silent: “…”

So, did you actually go in or not?

Nevermind, she probably didn’t, otherwise, such a formidable place, how could she have survived?

Lu cleared the balance for the golden wound medicine with Gu Jiao, and informed her that if the remedies received good feedback, there would be an order for another thousand bottles.

The demand for golden wound medicine in the military camp was huge – provided she could secure this order, Gu Jiao could soon cover the costs for the medicine factory.

Gu Jiao thanked him and left the military camp with the baby rabbit.

At the sight of the baby rabbit in her arms, Little Sanzi’s interest was piqued, “Miss Gu, where did this cute little rabbit come from?”

“It is indeed cute,” Gu Jiao nodded, “We’ll braise it for dinner tonight.”

Little Sanzi: “…”

The chubby rabbit: “…”

In the end, Gu Jiao didn’t get to eat the rabbit because Little Jiang Li took a liking to it.

Little Jiang Li was a quiet girl who rarely spoke, but she was industrious and able to endure hardships. Everyone at the medical hall liked her.

“Here you go.” Gu Jiao handed the baby rabbit to Little Jiang Li.

“Can… I really take care of a rabbit?” This is the first time Little Jiang Li had a pet. She and her brother could not afford to keep one.

“Yes,” Gu Jiao nodded, “You just have to clean up after it.”

“I can do that!” said Little Jiang Li, nodding enthusiastically, holding the chubby baby rabbit tightly in her arms.

This was her first pet and she really liked it: “Thank you, Sister Gu!”

Gu Jiao handed over the payment for the golden wound medicine to shopkeeper Wang before heading to Guozijian to pick up Xiao Liulang and Xiao Jingkong from school.

Xiao Jingkong was the first to come out.

Xiao Jingkong, walking seriously among a bunch of seven- or eight-year-olds with his little book bag, looked out of place and a bit comical.

He initially thought his bad brother-in-law was coming to pick him up, so he was moody. But when he saw that it was Gu Jiao, he instantly transformed into a cute little thing, and ran towards her excitedly.

“Jiaojiao!” He looked up, innocently at Gu Jiao.

Looking at his sweaty appearance, Gu Jiao asked, “Why are you sweating so much?”

Xiao Jingkong replied: “We had a running race today!”

Guozijian isn’t just a place for book-learning. They put great emphasis on a child’s all-round development. There is even talk of them teaching children music and archery as they grow older — a thoroughly aristocratic training camp.

Gu Jiao took out a handkerchief to wipe off Xiao Jingkong’s sweat.

Xiao Jingkong obediently tipped his head over to let her wipe the sweat.

His cropped hair was growing a bit longer and could probably be made into a small topknot by winter.

“I came first, they all couldn’t beat me!” said the little one proudly.

Gu Jiao was not surprised at this. He woke up early every day to practice, his constitution was very good.

After wiping Little Jingkong’s sweat, Liao Quan arrived.

Liao Quan came to pick up Jingkong, “… Guozijian invited a Grand Academician from the cabinet to explain the techniques for the palace examination. Liulang said he might come home very late.”

Previously, Xiao Liulang would never attend this kind of class.

But Liao Quan didn’t say this.

Liao Quan said, “I’ll drop you off first, and then I’ll go to Qinghe Academy.”

After school, Gu Yan and Gu Xiaoshun had to go to master Lu’s for training.

Gu Jiao said: “No need, we can walk back, it’s not far. Uncle Liu, go and pick up Ayan and Xiaoshun.”

“Alright.” Liao Quan agreed as he drove the carriage to Qinghe Academy.

Meanwhile, Gu Jiao and Little Jingkong headed back to Bishui Alley.

Xiao Liulang didn’t come back till very late. Everyone else was asleep, but an oil lamp was kept lit for him in the main room.

No need to guess who had left it on for him.

Xiao Liulang’s eyes flickered, just as he was about to go to his room, the door across opened.

Gu Jiao, in her plain nightgown, walked out: “Are you hungry? There’s some food left for you. I will heat it up.”

“I’m not hungry,” said Xiao Liulang. “I’ve eaten.”

He was about to go in, but paused and couldn’t help asking her, “Why haven’t you gone to bed yet, it’s so late?”

“Waiting for you.” Gu Jiao replied.

The sudden straightforwardness made Xiao Liulang’s heart feel as if something had rubbed against it.

Xiao Liulang glanced at her petite figure in her light nightgown, gathered his thoughts, and said, “It’s cold outside, you should go back to your room and sleep. I’m going to bed soon.”

“Are you still mad at me?” Gu Jiao asked, cocking her head.

“No,” he said, “I’m not mad.”

Gu Jiao responded with an understanding sound but didn’t go inside. Instead, she stood at the door, staring at him with innocent eyes.

Even though he was fully aware that she was taking advantage of him, his heart unexpectedly softened. He surrendered and said softly, “I think I’m kind of hungry.”

Gu Jiao lit up: “I’ll go heat up some food for you.”

Xiao Liulang, noticing her thin night dress, hesitated before saying, “Put on some more clothes.”

“Okay!” Gu Jiao put on a jacket and went to heat up the food. She warmed up what she had put aside for him from dinner, including sweet corn dragon bone soup, steamed bun, braised pork ribs, and several cold dishes.

Gu Jiao also boiled some green vegetables.

Xiao Liulang sat down to eat.

Gu Jiao sat across from him, propping her chin on her hands, and resting her elbows on the table.

She watched him.

He looked so good.

The scrutiny from her was not the first Xiao Liulang had experienced. Her staring was more unabashed than his own.

The room was tranquil.

Ever since their family expanded, he had fewer chances to dine privately with her. It felt like he was back to the good old days.

After Xiao Liulang finished his meal, his stomach was warm, and he felt comfortable.

After tidying up, they both retired to their rooms.

Before entering her room, Gu Jiao turned back and asked again, “Are you really not angry?”

Xiao Liulang took a deep breath, stubbornly responding, “No.”

Gu Jiao relaxed at his denial and believed him.

Gu Jiao hummed, saying, “I initially planned to make it up to you. But since you’re not mad, I guess I don’t need to.”

Xiao Liulang wondered, “Wait, wait, how were you planning on making it up to me? I have an uncanny feeling that I’ve missed something…”

“See you tomorrow,” Gu Jiao entered her room.

Xiao Liulang: “…”

—

Recently, the workload at Guozijian has indeed increased. Initially, Xiao Liulang had voluntarily kept up with his classes. However, later on, he wanted, but couldn’t even skip class.

The emperor placed great importance on this palace examination and sent many cabinet ministers to provide knowledge and guidance to the students.

Although the palace examination didn’t eliminate students, and all who entered were qualified, who would wish to be ranked second? Everyone was striving for the top spot.

As the palace examination drew near, the atmosphere in Guozijian became tense once again.

Meanwhile, at the Medical Hall, the last critically ill patient wearing a red tag had been discharged. Now, only Jiang Shi was left receiving treatment.

His illness was severe, so his treatment was expected to last for another two to three months.

Gu Jiao had just finished providing Jiang Shi his IV when she heard an unusual commotion outside the Medical Hall.

R𝑒ad latest chapt𝒆rs at freewebnovёl.ƈom Only.

Assuming it was a medical dispute, Gu Jiao went downstairs to check, only to discover otherwise.

“Why are there so many people?” Gu Jiao asked, looking at the dense crowd at the entrance.

The Shopkeeper sent a boy to find out.

The boy quickly returned and said, “Ah, I heard the Crown Princess is teaching a class at the ladies’ academy. Even those who are not students there can attend. These people have all come in admiration, they want to attend the Crown Princess’s class!”

Originally, the Crown Princess was grounded by the emperor due to the Suo Bridge incident. The grounding order was now lifted. To redeem the imperial family’s reputation and foster goodwill among the people, this class had been arranged.

The uproar over the Suo Bridge incident had subsided. Recently, rumors circulated that it wasn’t the Crown Princess but people from her family who blocked the bridge to worship under her name – she was, essentially, caught in the crossfire.

Public opinion suddenly swerved with praises and reprimands intertwined. Some sympathized with the Crown Princess, while others believed the rumors were untrustworthy.

In any case, the Crown Princess was conducting a class.

Most people did not want to miss this opportunity to meet her.

They might only have this one chance in their lifetime.

The classroom of the Crown Princess was bustling with people.

She was teaching the art of chess.

However, the Crown Princess was not the only one deployed to teach at the ladies’ academy. Along with her was Prince Rui’s wife, Du Qianqian.

Du Qianqian was recognized as one of the top three musicians in Zhan Country. However, overshadowed by the Crown Princess’s strong presence, hardly anyone noticed that she, too, was present.

Her classroom was deserted, with only two students.

One was Li Wanwan, who was genuinely interested in learning to play the instrument, while the other was Du Xiaoyun, who was forcibly retained in the classroom by her.