The Prime Minister's Darling
Chapter 693 - 693 326 Likes (Second Update)_3

Chapter 693: 326 Likes (Second Update)_3 Chapter 693: 326 Likes (Second Update)_3 The Duke of Peaceful Province appeared absentminded for a moment.

Zhuang Yuexi cried out, “Brother, I was wrong… I won’t dare again… please don’t be unforgiving…”

“Leave.” The Duke of Peaceful Province lay down helplessly, not withdrawing his arm held by her. He had no strength, nor did he care anymore. “I don’t want to see you now.”

“Brother…” Zhuang Yuexi was completely panicked. She had never been so scared, and tears were dripping down her face like broken pearls.

“Get out.” The Duke of Peaceful Province turned his back to her, closed his eyes, and didn’t speak anymore.

Off topic, after Prime Minister Yuan left Qingfeng Building, he started looking for his granddaughter’s traces everywhere. Not finding her nearby, he thought she had gone back, so he hastily returned to his residence.

His servant said, “Master, someone came and left a letter for you.”

After reading the letter, Yuan’s brow knitted and he hurried to Bishui Alley.

Xiaojingkong had gone to tend to the chickens, Gu Yan and Gu Xiaoshun had gone to learn their crafts, Xiao Liulang was at Hanlin Academy explaining topics to a few scholars, and Gu Jiao was in the room giving acupuncture to a young nun.

The one to receive him was the Yao Family.

Being of the same generation as old Marquis, Madam Yao gave him a younger generation’s courtesy.

Seeing that she was pregnant, Prime Minister Yuan hurriedly told her there was no need for ceremony.

Madam Yao did not say she was from the Marquis Residence, only that her husband’s family name was Gu.

In the Capital City, there were many people named Gu. Prime Minister Yuan did not think of the Marquis Residence at the moment, so he cupped his hands: “Madam Gu.”

Madam Yao had him received in the hall. The tea was served by the maid. Madam Yao said warmly, “I was at Shunlai Cloth Shop near Qingfeng Building making clothes today and ran into Miss Yuan who was injured and fainted by the roadside. My daughter is a doctor, so I brought Miss Yuan back home for treatment. Miss Yuan has already woken up. She is being treated in the room right now. Please wait for a moment, Prime Minister Yuan.”

Even though Prime Minister Yuan was worried about his granddaughter’s safety, he didn’t behave rudely. Again, he cupped his hands in respect, “Thank you, Madam Gu, for your life-saving grace.”

Prime Minister Yuan had no idea that his granddaughter had known the people of Marquis Residence long before. He assumed they found out their granddaughter’s identity after she woke up and let them know.

“Madam, the books of the young master are dry!” Yu Yaya brought a large stack of books from the backyard.

Madam Yao said, “Let me see.”

“Eh!” Yu Yaya put the sun-dried books on the wooden table between Madam Yao and Prime Minister Yuan.

She too had just recently noticed that Xiao Liulang had too many books. Some of them that were not read often were getting damp, so she took them out to dry in the heat these days.

“This one needs more sun drying.” Madam Yao handed a book that was still slightly damp at the bottom to Yu Yaya.

“Ok, there’s still a bit of sun. I’ll go and dry it more!” Yu Yaya took the book back to the backyard.

Prime Minister Yuan wasn’t one to pry, but as he sat idly, he cast a casual glance at the books.

He didn’t expect the sight to be such a shock.

How could there be a historical book from the previous dynasty in such a modest family of scholars?

The book had the same appeal to Prime Minister Yuan as the weapon to the old Marquis. One look and he wouldn’t be able to look away.

Prime Minister Yuan’s eyes were glued to the book.

Seeing his gaze, Madam Yao asked, “Would Prime Minister Yuan like to take a look?”

“Would it be convenient?” Prime Minister Yuan asked.

“It’s only a few books, no inconvenience at all,” said Madam Yao.

Fen Lin and the others often came looking to borrow books from Xiao Liulang, and so did some of the scholars in the alleyway. Xiao Liulang was always quite generous.

Initially, Madam Yao would always give him notice. Later, he let Madam Yao handle it herself.

Xiao Liulang trusted and respected Madam Yao.

Of course, the respect was mutual. Madam Yao was also extremely careful with Xiao Liulang’s things.

Prime Minister Yuan was a person who cherished books.

Prime Minister Yuan picked up a book from the table and started to look at it.

At first glance, he was amazed. Upon a careful reading, he was even more astounded. Especially when he saw a book related to the second emperor of the previous dynasty, Wen Huizong, within this, there was a record of half of the “Yanbei Rhapsody”.

This book was missing a corner, and the missing part was filled by a letter note detailing the origins of the excerpt, painstakingly compiled from various old books, historical records, and other documents.

The handwriting looked quite new, probably no more than a year old.

In other words, indeed, part of “Yanbei Rhapsody” was lost, but someone had gathered countless documents to complete it.

Prime Minister Yuan honestly felt that he wouldn’t have been able to do this.

Wait, why is the source of “Yanbei Rhapsody” here?

He remembered that in the Book Pavilion someone had found a historical book with a mention of “Yanbei Rhapsody” that had been completed by the Duke of Peaceful Province.

Could this family have some relation to the Duke of Peaceful Province?

“May I ask where this book came from?”

Madam Yao smiled, “This is my son-in-law’s book, as to where it came from, I am not sure. Maybe it was given by his grandfather, or maybe it was bought from a bookstore.”

How could a bookstore have it?

This was clearly a unique copy.

“Who completed the latter half of ‘Yanbei Rhapsody’?” Prime Minister Yuan pointed to the book bookmark and asked.

Madam Yao took a look and said, “It is my son-in-law’s handwriting.”

“Has this book ever been lent to others?” Prime Minister Yuan asked.

“This one? No.” Madam Yao shook her head. If it had been lent out, it wouldn’t have ended up damp at the bottom of the box.

Just as Prime Minister Yuan was about to ask who Madam Gu’s son-in-law was, the little nun came out of the room.

She had jumped from the second floor and sprained her left foot. She was limping, supported by Gu Jiao.

Though Gu Jiao had a disfigured face, Prime Minister Yuan did not judge people by their appearances, and did not look down on Gu Jiao’s status as a physician’s daughter like others did.

He respectfully thanked Gu Jiao, paid five taels of silver for the medical fee, and then took his granddaughter home.

After they left, a tall and robust figure stepped out of the study.

He came to Madam Yao, cupped his hands and bowed, “Thank you, Madam.”

“I didn’t do anything.” She paused, “However, are you really not going to let Prime Minister Yuan know that you saved his granddaughter?” Madam Yao had not even left the house today, so how could she possibly have encountered the injured Miss Yuan?

The person brought back was Gu Changqing.

Looking at him, Madam Yao said, “What I mean to say is, you are not young anymore. You have rescued Miss Yuan twice. Even I think this is a rare connection. If you agree, I can personally go ask for her hand on your behalf.”

For Madam Yao to say such thing as proposing on behalf of Gu Changqing, clearly, her previous resentment towards him had significantly decreased.

She might still be unable to love him as a mother, but she could act the part of a dignified stepmother.

“What about Jiaojiao?” Madam Yao turned to her daughter, trying to get her on her side as well.

Gu Jiao: …How is it possible that matchmaking can be universally practiced?

Gu Jiao thought seriously, “Well, Miss Yuan is quite good. I like her. However, the most important thing is that you like her.”

She said so looking at Gu Changqing.

Gu Changqing took a deep breath and slowly said, “I… don’t want to get married.”

He had no intention of getting married.

His grandparents were in a loveless marriage, his father and mother shared no affection between them either. If getting married meant being like them, he would rather not marry for the rest of his life.

Gu Jiao stroked her chin, “I never realized, you are a non-marriage believer.”

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