The Prime Minister's Darling
Chapter 734 - 734 340 Slapping the face (Fifth update)

Chapter 734: 340 Slapping the face (Fifth update) Chapter 734: 340 Slapping the face (Fifth update) In mid-June, a torrential rainstorm struck the Capital City, which lasted for five days. Numerous farmland and houses were drowned, and the Ministry of Works was busy dredging the drains in the city. Even the construction of Empress Dowager Zhuang’s residence was temporarily halted. Lord Gu was recalled to help deal with the crisis.

The Ministry of Revenue was occupied with helping civilians regain their agriculture.

A group of Hanlin officials who were knowledgeable in agriculture was dispatched to the countryside. Astonishingly, Xiao Liulang was amongst them.

The day before his departure, he paid a visit to the Renshou Palace to bid farewell to Empress Dowager Zhuang.

In the study room, Empress Dowager Zhuang grumbled while reading her letters, “It’s not like you are going very far away. It’s just a day’s journey by carriage. There’s no need for a formal farewell!”

As soon as her voice faded, Eunuch Qin walked in with a bundle, “Xiao Xiuzhuan, please accept these. They were personally selected by the Dowager herself. We were about to deliver to your place in Bishui Alley, and conveniently, you came by yourself!”

Xiao Liulang glanced at the two large bundles of items, then looked at his great-aunt.

Oh, what happened to not saying goodbye?

Empress Dowager Zhuang glared at Eunuch Qin furiously!

Eunuch Qin awkwardly touched his nose, “Ah, I just remembered there are still several accounts I haven’t checked. I’ll leave now!”

With that, he ran off as fast as he could!

“When do you leave?” Empress Dowager Zhuang asked.

“Early tomorrow morning,” replied Xiao Liulang.

Empress Dowager Zhuang inquired, “Who else is going with you?”

Xiao Liulang replied, “Wang Xiuzhuan, Li Xiuzhuan, and Yang, the imperial reader.”

Empress Dowager Zhuang indifferently ordered, “Guards!”

Eunuch Qin stepped in, “Your Highness, what are your orders?”

Empress Dowager Zhuang commanded, “There are several scriptures here that need to be copied. You, go to the Hanlin Academy and ask for Yang, the imperial reader to transcribe these scriptures.”

“That won’t be necessary, Great-aunt,” Xiao Liulang stated, “Using a butcher’s cleaver to kill a chicken. I can handle it.”

Empress Dowager Zhuang thought for a moment, indeed one shouldn’t overprotect. Such small fry could serve as a good practice for the boy, that would be their fate.

“Is dinner ready yet?” Empress Dowager Zhuang asked Eunuch Qin.

Eunuch Qin hurriedly replied with a smile, “We’ve been waiting for your order to serve, Your Highness!”

Xiao Liulang accompanied Empress Dowager Zhuang to have dinner in Renshou Palace, and afterwards, he planned to leave.

Empress Dowager Zhuang casually remarked, “I’ve been sitting all day. I should go out for a walk.”

In his mind, Eunuch Qin thought, why didn’t you just say you wish to accompany Master Xiao!

Xiao Liulang’s lips curled up slightly, “Okay.”

The two, grandmother and grandson, stepped out of Renshou Palace.

The heavy rain not only flooded half of the Capital City, but also many areas of the Imperial Palace. Fortunately, Renshou Palace was the most powerful among them, all of the accumulated water was drained, the road was filled up, paving the way to the palace gates, ensuring unhampered travel.

The same was true for Huaqing Palace.

Today, the sunset was beautiful, the weather was cool. Imperial Concubine Jing, dressed in nun’s clothing and wearing a nun’s hat, sat in a palanquin with an extravagant canopy, which seemed out of place.

Ever since Imperial Concubine Jing was injured, she had been recuperating in Huaqing Palace. The torrential rain had been falling for several days. The imperial physician advised that she should not always be in the Sleeping Palace. She needed to get some fresh air.

Therefore, the emperor ordered her to be carried out in a palanquin.

In order to walk with Xiao Liulang, Empress Dowager Zhuang did not ride in her own phoenix-carrying sedan.

Their parties unexpectedly bumped into each other, putting Imperial Concubine Jing in a somewhat superior position.

“Ma–”

Eunuch Qin was about to loudly admonish the concubine for not descending from the palanquin upon seeing the empress when–

Xiao Liulang beat him to it. He made a greeting gesture commonly seen among religious people and said, “Reverend Jing’an.”

The face of the palace maid beside Imperial Concubine Jing instantly changed.

What Reverend Jing’an? This is Imperial Concubine Jing!

Even the emperor himself addresses her as mother!

Imperial Concubine Jing remained composed.

Xiao Liulang introduced, “Imperial Concubine Jing has been away from the palace for a long time. Having become a nun, she must have forgotten her past. This is the Empress Dowager.”

Upon hearing this, anyone would feel obliged to salute Empress Dowager Zhuang.

“Descend the palanquin.” Imperial Concubine Jing raised her hand and looked at Empress Dowager Zhuang.

Empress Dowager Zhuang looked back at her.

Their gazes were extremely tranquil. Nobody could guess what they were thinking.

Ms. Cai reached out her hand to assist Imperial Concubine Jing.

Imperial Concubine Jing was still in pain. Her injuries were in a delicate spot, and her recovery was awkward yet slow.

Imperial Concubine Jing, leaning on Ms. Cai’s hand, slowly approached Empress Dowager Zhuang and gave her a Buddhist salute, “This humble nun…”

Before she could finish, Empress Dowager Zhuang turned around and left without even looking back.

Imperial Concubine Jing, stuck in her salute, appeared embarrassed and clumsy. Everyone saw this moment of her distress and awkwardness.

Empress Dowager Zhuang’s aura was undoubtedly strong and striking. She naturally conveyed a sense of being the Alpha without intending to belittle anyone.

“Your Royal Highness, the Imperial Concubine…” the young palace maid stepped forward to support her.

Concubine Jing’s eyelashes quivered: “I’m fine.”

Empress Dowager Zhuang accompanied Xiao Liulang all the way to the Imperial Garden. Xiao Liulang halted, telling her, “Grandmother, please go back. It’s getting late.”

“Alright.” Empress Dowager Zhuang casually acknowledged, gazing into his eyes as she advised, “Be cautious in all things.”

“I understand.” Xiao Liulang nodded, glanced in the direction of Huaqing Palace, and said, “Please look after Jiaojiao.”

Empress Dowager Zhuang rolled her eyes: “She is mine to care for. Do I need you to tell me that?”

Xiao Liulang laughed lightly, “Then I’ll be off now.”

“Alright.” Empress Dowager Zhuang watched Xiao Liulang vanish down the pathway before she turned to head back to Renshou Palace. She noticed that Eunuch Qin was in a daze and scolded him, “What’s the matter with you? Let’s go!”

Eunuch Qin sighed, “Xiao Xiuzhuan’s smile… it’s so charming…”

Of course, it’s charming, Empress Dowager Zhuang thought to herself. After all, how could the young crown prince, who had surpassed all others in Zhaodu at the age of thirteen, not be attractive?

The only issue was the boy rarely smiled.

That didn’t seem entirely accurate. He used to smile, as a child, his laughter filling the Imperial Garden.

It was the great fire at Guozijian that had stolen his laughter away.

Was that fire truly an accident?

If Xiao Hen had survived, then who was the charred corpse that died in the fire?

–

The following day as Xiao Liulang got out of bed, Gu Jiao had already packed his luggage. This wasn’t his first trip away; previously it was for examinations, this time it was for official travels.

“The mosquito repellent is in this bundle. The medicine for mosquitoes, diarrhea and car sickness is in this sachet, along with some fruits and dry rations for the journey.”

Gu Jiao knew that he didn’t have much money on him. Most of what he earned went towards paying rent or maintaining the household.

Gu Jiao had hidden one hundred tael banknotes, some fragmented silver, and copper coins in the innermost part.

Xiao Liulang took the bundle, “I should be back in half a month at the earliest and by the end of next month at the latest.”

“Take care.” Gu Jiao saw him off to the carriage.

Liao Quan first took him to the Hanlin Academy, from where all the academy officials would travel together in the carriage to the countryside.

Young Jingkong had left for school and missed this farewell.

After Xiao Liulang left, Gu Jiao went to the Medical Hall. She was there the entire morning, after which she changed into men’s clothes, put on a mask, and went to the Tai’an Martial Arts Academy.

She had been quite busy recently and hadn’t visited for a long time.

She needed to regain her strength as quickly as possible. She didn’t want to flee in panic the next time she encountered that assassin!

She planned to stall him!

Today she didn’t encounter any challenging opponents. After a few fights, Gu Jiao disinterestedly left.

She rubbed her wrists on her way back home.

Because parts of the city streets were still flooded, she had to take a detour from her usual route. On the way back, she unexpectedly encountered the beggar who had been playing chess by the roadsides.

The beggar still covered his face with a book, as though he was asleep.

In front of him was a different chess setup from last time.

Gu Jiao curiously glanced at it. This time the chess setup was obviously more difficult and she couldn’t solve it as quickly as before.

She began to reason the game in her mind. There were more than ten different methods to play, and each one would result in tens of different possible games. Ordinary people wouldn’t be able to simulate such an extensive amount of data in their minds.

About half an hour later, Gu Jiao opened her eyes, picked up a game piece, and placed it on the board.

Right when she was about to leave, a bony, old hand suddenly grabbed her wrist.

It was the old beggar.

She had been so focused on the chess game that she didn’t notice the old beggar had woken up.

The old beggar held her wrist and questioned, “Eh? You think you can just play my game and leave? Didn’t you see what’s written on this sign?”

It was the broken wooden sign that Gu Jiao had seen before which read: ten taels per game.

“Oh.” Gu Jiao reached out her hand.

The old beggar looked at her empty hand, puzzled. “What are you doing?”

“Aren’t you supposed to give me money?” Gu Jiao pointed to the sign, “Ten taels.”

The old beggar gasped in surprise, “You’re supposed to give me ten taels!”

Wait, based on the voice… is this kid a girl?

Oh, so he wasn’t asking people to solve the chess game.

Gu Jiao misunderstood. She thought for a moment, then oddly asked, “But is this kind of crappy chess game really worth ten taels?”

The old beggar nearly choked to death, pointing at the chess game on the ground, “You… you… what did you just say? Crappy chess game? You called this… a crappy chess game?”

Gu Jiao innocently replied, “Ten taels of silver is enough for a family of ten living in the countryside to survive for two years. If you’re charging this much, shouldn’t the game at least be challenging somewhat?”

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