The Prime Minister's Darling
Chapter 1485: 725 Knowing One's Origins_3

Chapter 1485: 725 Knowing One’s Origins_3

He didn’t know she would become like this, he didn’t know…

Gu Jiao gently took hold of Xiao Hen’s icy fingers, “She will get better.”

Xiao Hen grasped Gu Jiao’s hand as if he had caught the last ray of light and sanity in the darkness.

His emotions gradually calmed down.

“Yes, she will get better.”

He placed the medicine basket on the table.

Neither of them let go of each other’s hands, looking at one another, they both said at the same time, “Your foot—”

One was sprained, the other was cut. It hadn’t seemed too apparent at first, but after standing for a long time, both their feet had swollen considerably, almost bursting their shoes.

“Let me see.”

“Let me see.”

The two said in unison again.

Gu Jiao curved her lips slightly, “It’s alright, I’ve already applied medicine.”

“I did as well,” said Xiao Hen.

Despite their words, they both insisted on checking each other’s injuries.

Gu Jiao’s foot was shockingly swollen but not severe, while Xiao Hen’s cut was deeper. Gu Jiao reapplied his medicine and bandaged it again.

Gu Jiao put away the gauze and scissors.

Xiao Hen watched her busy figure and asked, “How did you get away from Han Ye?”

Gu Jiao told him about Gu Changqing’s arrival, “…unfortunately, Qi Xuan suddenly appeared and rescued Han Ye.”

Otherwise, he would have definitely died under Gu Changqing’s sword.

Of course, Han Ye shouldn’t be too happy too soon. Gu Changqing had cut off two of his tendons; even if he didn’t die, he would be half-disabled.

“By the way, what is this?” Gu Jiao sat down beside Xiao Hen on a stool by the table, pointing at the medicine basket and asking.

Xiao Hen said, “The eldest disciple from National Master Hall, Ye Qing, came by earlier, said it was medicine prepared for you by the National Master.”

“Hm? I didn’t ask him for any herbal medicine.” Gu Jiao placed the medicine basket on her lap and casually flipped through it, “These are not very necessary herbs, I won’t need them.”

It seemed Ye Qing’s delivery of medicine was a pretext, the real purpose was to pass on a message.

Was it his own idea, or was it by the National Master’s instruction?

If it was by the National Master’s instruction, why would he do such a thing?

He even made sure that Xiao Hen saw the portrait of Changsun.

If Xiao Hen were truly just an ordinary medicine boy, the National Master would not have done so.

But she had disguised herself, how did the National Master recognize her?

Could it be true as the rumors among the common folks say, that the National Master of Dayan knows astronomy and geography, can divine and calculate destiny?

Knock, knock, knock.

Knocking sounds came from outside the door.

“I am a disciple from National Master Hall, Ya He. Is Young Master Xiao here? I asked the kitchen to prepare some food and have brought it for you.”

Gu Jiao yawned, “Come in.”

Ya He stepped inside and placed the food box on the table, “I’ll be next door, call me if Young Master Xiao needs anything.”

“Okay,” said Gu Jiao.

Ya He looked at the two men holding hands tightly, opened his mouth but said nothing, and turned to walk out.

Although they were men, they were… oddly well-matched.

Xiao Hen had no appetite.

But thinking that Gu Jiao hadn’t eaten all day either, he asked, “Are you hungry?”

Gu Jiao yawned again, a small one this time, “Mmm… it’s ok.”

Xiao Hen asked in a soft voice, “Are you tired?”

Gu Jiao sat up straight, her eyes wide open like bell clappers, “I’m not tired!”

Xiao Hen said, “Then eat something before you sleep.”

Gu Jiao replied, “Okay.”

The next second, Xiao Hen’s shoulder sank as Gu Jiao’s small head leaned against it and she fell asleep with a soft snore.

Xiao Hen felt a surge of pity and sorrow.

He put down the lid of the food box, supported Gu Jiao’s head with his hand, and slowly stood up. Wrapping his arms around her back and knees, he gently carried her to the small companion bed.

Her energy was usually as robust as a small clear sky, and she rarely got this tired. She had nonchalantly brushed off her tiredness, but the fight with Han Ye must have been anything but simple.

Xiao Hen gently rolled up her sleeve and indeed saw the fierce wounds.

One slash, two slashes, three.

She had stood by the surgery table on her swollen foot and lifted the scalpel with her scar-covered arms.

Xiao Hen’s eyes grew warm, and a swelling erupted in his chest.

Perhaps only at such times would he dare reveal his unguarded emotions at the bottom of his eyes.

He didn’t want to stand behind anymore, watching people by his side get hurt one after another.

If he couldn’t stay out of the whirlpool, then let the Han Family, the Crown Prince… everyone… be swept into it together!

“How old is the Imperial Grandson?”

“Nineteen.”

“Do you know his exact birthday?”

“It seems to be in the twelfth lunar month.”

“What a coincidence, my birthday is also in the twelfth lunar month, on New Year’s Eve.”

Xiao Hen sat quietly at the table, looking at the portrait brought from the Book Pavilion.

Afterward, he ground some ink and silently picked up the brush beside him, dipping it into a drop of ink.

…

“Your Majesty!”

A carriage stopped in front of the National Master Hall, and disciples of the hall hurried forward to pay their respects.

The monarch led a four-year-old little Princess down from the carriage.

Zhang Dequan was in attendance by his side.

The monarch pointed to the towering gate ahead and said, “This is the National Master Hall you’re visiting.”

Little Princess: “Wow!”

The monarch snorted, “Wow what, it’s not even as big as the Imperial Palace.”

“Still, it deserves a wow!”

She was a little girl who appreciated ceremony.

The monarch let go of the Little Princess’s hand after getting off the carriage, allowing the little one to walk by herself.

He took larger strides than usual, and the little one struggled to keep up.

The monarch headed straight for the Qilin Hall.

Upon reaching the entrance, he encountered the Crown Prince and his entourage.

The entourage meant there were the Crown Prince, his personal guards, and several servants carrying brocade boxes.

The Lord of Ming was not there because the monarch had confined him.

Upon seeing the monarch, the Crown Prince hurriedly paid respects with a bow. “Father Emperor!”

The Little Princess greeted politely, “Cousin Crown Prince.”

The Crown Prince smiled with a pleasant expression, “Xiaoxue is here too.”

The Little Princess nodded, “Yes, I’ve come to play!”

“What are you here for?” the monarch asked the Crown Prince.

The Crown Prince replied, “To answer Father Emperor, I came to visit the Third Sister.”

The monarch’s face darkened, speaking to the Crown Prince, “Who told you she is still your sister?”

The Crown Prince quickly bowed, “Father Emperor, please calm your anger! Your son misspoke, I hope Father Emperor will forgive me.”

“Hmph,” the monarch coldly entered the main hall of Qilin Hall, walking towards the corridor on the right.

The Crown Prince followed respectfully at the monarch’s side, half a step behind, casually speaking as they walked, “I just received news that Han Ye… he… had an accident.”

The monarch responded indifferently, “What could have happened to him? He was still in the palace this morning.”

The Crown Prince calmly said, “It happened after he left the palace, on his way home. He was ambushed and suffered severe injuries to both legs, and the assassin’s whereabouts are still—”

Before he could finish, the monarch pushed open the door of Shangguan Yun’s recuperating chamber.

The several people saw a slender and elegant figure sitting at the side of the bed.

Dressed in plain white robes, with hair as dark as ink, he had chosen a pin and used a white hairband to secure it at the back of his head.

A breeze blew through, lifting his hairband and dark hair, spreading a bookish charm akin to an ink painting, yet subtly revealing a trace of imperial nobility.

“Who are you?” the Crown Prince asked with a frown.

The other party stood up, turning around slowly and deliberately.

A foreboding feeling suddenly surged in the Crown Prince’s heart.

He can’t turn around! He mustn’t!

No—

Alas, it was too late.

Not only did he turn around, but he also revealed a face almost identical to the young man in the portrait.

Phoenix eyes, tear mole.

The nineteen-year-old handsome face bore a trace of youthful cleanliness.

The Crown Prince’s expression shifted violently!

The monarch stared dazedly at Xiao Hen, step by step walking towards him.