The Prime Minister’s Darling-Chapter 496 - 252 Palace Examination (two updates combined)_2

Chapter 496: 252 Palace Examination (two updates combined)_2

Chapter 496: 252 Palace Examination (two updates combined)_2

The Crown Prince would not deploy his secret guards unless it was absolutely necessary. However, he had no choice, fearing the Crown Princess might encounter some mishap inside.

He ordered his secret guards to reveal themselves.

Both guards were top-tier fighters from the palace. They were not obstructed by a simple door. In no time, they dismantled the door and moved the first cabinet blocking the entrance.

The Crown Prince promptly reached out to assist the Crown Princess.

With his help, the Crown Princess emerged from the shards of broken ink ingots on the floor.

The Crown Prince inspected her from top to bottom, anxiously asking, “Are you alright?”

The Crown Princess slightly shook her head, “I’m fine. I was just choosing some ink ingots for Xiaoqi while waiting for the sesame cakes.”

Qin Chuyu could not use the palace’s ink ingots as that would potentially reveal his identity.

The Crown Prince was not suspicious and said, “You should leave this kind of work to the servants. Don’t do things personally, I would be upset if something happened to you.”

Feeling guilty, the Crown Princess smiled apologetically, “I’m sorry for worrying you, it was my fault.”

The Crown Prince said, “As long as you’re alright, let’s go.”

The Crown Prince was unaware that there was still someone in the room. The Crown Princess glanced at him but remained silent.

Walking out of the bookstore with the Crown Princess, the Crown Prince tossed an ingot to the shopkeeper.

Holding the ingot, the shopkeeper was not too upset about the ruined door and the damaged bookshelves and ink ingots and thanked them cheerfully, “Safe travels, young master and madam!”

After they left, he scratched his head, looking at the mess in the room, saying, “Huh? I remember that a scholar came in earlier… eh? How did this bookshelf fall over? That shouldn’t have happened….”

He had secured the bookshelf properly and it wasn’t loaded with heavy items, how could it have fallen over?

As he pondered, Xiao Liulang emerged from beneath another collapsed bookshelf.

Seeing him, the shopkeeper was startled, “Oh, there really was someone…”

Xiao Liulang didn’t say anything. He settled his bill for the ink ingots, leaving a bit of extra silver. As the shopkeeper began to inquire, he answered, “For the damages.”

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The damages for the second shelf.

The shopkeeper was dumbstruck.

After meeting with his small relative, Xiao Jingkong returned to the sesame cake shop with Xu Zhuzhu and the Xu family’s servant to reconnect with Xiao Liulang.

Xiao Jingkong was a thoughtful child, and he quickly noticed that something seemed off with his brother-in-law’s hand.

He stopped in his tracks, looked somberly at Xiao Liulang’s drooping right hand concealed under his wide sleeve, and asked, “What happened to your hand?”

“It’s nothing.” Xiao Liulang responded indifferently.

Xiao Jingkong didn’t buy it. He grabbed Xiao Liulang’s sleeve and saw a red, swollen hand, causing his eyes to widen in shock, “It’s so swollen! How did you hurt it? Does it hurt?”

Xiao Liulang chuckled, pinching his little face, “You’re so concerned about me?”

Xiao Jingkong swatted away his frivolous hand, and said earnestly, “Isn’t it because I’m worried that you might not pass the examination? Jiaojiao has wagered all her savings on you becoming the top scholar!”

Xiao Liulang: “…”

Upon arriving at the medical hall, Xiao Jingkong went straight to find Gu Jiao, who was drying medicinal herbs in the backyard, and told her about his misbehaving brother-in-law, “…I took my eyes off him for just a moment and he injured himself!”

Gu Jiao set down the herbs in her hand and looked at the approaching Xiao Liulang, “Where are you injured? Let me take a look.” Then she turned to Xiao Jingkong, “Go and play with Sister Jiang Li.”

“Okay.” Xiao Jingkong obediently went to find Little Jiang Li.

Gu Jiao led Xiao Liulang back to her courtyard.

The medical hall did have consulting rooms, but those were for the public. He was different.

Xiao Liulang had visited the medical hall several times, but he had never entered this room of Gu Jiao’s. It wasn’t quite a study room. There were simple pieces of furniture, and behind a screen, there was a small bed for her to rest.

Both of them sat down outside the screen.

The screen was not elaborately decorated with landscapes or flowers and birds, like those most girls fancy. It was simply a plain blue color, devoid of any other decorative patterns.

Her preferences were always a bit different from others.

Despite living under the same roof, somehow, this room — Gu Jiao’s room — made Xiao Liulang feel like he had just intruded into her boudoir.

Xiao Liulang seemed slightly embarrassed.

Gu Jiao rolled up his sleeve. Instead of using a wrist cushion, she held his wrist directly with her hand.

His wrist was badly swollen. She gently felt for the bone. The bone was fine.

She pinched the back of his hand. There was slight swelling here as well, probably due to bruising in the wrist.

“Does it hurt?” she asked.

“No,” he replied.

Gu Jiao also checked his fingers.

His hand was very attractive, thin, with long and slender fingers, distinct joints, and neatly trimmed nails. Even the non-injured wrist was as exquisite as jade.