The Prime Minister's Darling
Chapter 856 - 856 392 Take the Initiative (Second Update)

Chapter 856: 392 Take the Initiative (Second Update) Chapter 856: 392 Take the Initiative (Second Update) “A baby girl?” Gu Jiao thought of the Empress Dowager’s Princess Ning An, but this time she didn’t speculate whether the child was her grandaunt or not, since Princess Ning An was younger than His Majesty by a few years, and the timelines did not match.

This time, it was Eunuch Qin himself who mentioned Princess Ning An, “The Empress Dowager is very fond of Princess Ning An, Gu Miss must have heard about it.”

“Yes,” Gu Jiao nodded.

Eunuch Wei said, “Actually, there is a reason for it. Princess Ning An’s birthday just happens to fall on the same day as the young master’s birthday. The Empress Dowager… The Empress Dowager might feel as if her own child has returned, reincarnated as Ning An.”

At this point, Eunuch Qin laughed awkwardly, “This is just this old servant’s guess. What exactly the Empress Dowager thinks, this servant does not know. All this servant remembers is that on the night Princess Ning An was born, the Empress stayed in the Kunning Palace for a long time.”

Remembering something, Eunuch Qin added, “Speaking of which, the relationship between the Empress and Noble Consort Jing became close after the birth of Princess Ning An. Noble Consort Jing often carried Princess Ning An to visit the Empress, but what truly opened the Empress’s heart to Princess Ning An was when she had her first birthday grab. She grabbed the Empress’s hand.”

In that instant, my grandaunt couldn’t help but be moved, right?

The pain in her heart healed by a one-year-old little princess, as if… her own child had truly returned.

Gu Jiao did not ask whether it was Noble Consort Jing’s scheme, because whether she asked or not, what was destined to happen had already taken place, and the feelings and sincere affection spent could not be taken back.

“The Princess genuinely cares for the Empress Dowager.” This was also something Eunuch Qin was grateful for. Sometimes even he felt that perhaps people do reincarnate, and the young master had indeed entered Noble Consort Jing’s womb to be reborn and reunite with the Empress Dowager.

To Gu Jiao, this was no surprise. Blood was not the only bond in this world. She had parents who discarded her like a worn-out shoe, and she had met a grandaunt who cherished her.

My grandaunt’s experiences are too sigh-inducing. If everything back then was plotted by Noble Consort Jing, then this woman was indeed deserving of death.

…

At the end of the month, Hanlin Academy had a day off, and Xiao Liulang promised to take his family to visit Ning Zhiyuan.

The old Libationer looked at Xiao Liulang suspiciously, “You two… going out alone?”

It always felt as if the pair were sneaking out to do something naughty behind their family’s back!

At such a fiery age, I really worry that this young lad can’t control himself.

By coincidence, Little Jingkong had no classes today, so the old Libationer decisively stuffed Little Jingkong into the carriage.

A confused Little Jingkong, “…”

Old Libationer: The best way to sabotage a couple’s private life is to give them a child!

Xiao Liulang and Gu Jiao took Little Jingkong to Ning Zhiyuan’s house.

Ning Zhiyuan’s residence was somewhat remote, almost belonging to the outer city. It took half an hour by carriage from Bishui Alley, and even if Ning Zhiyuan rode a horse for convenience, it still took nearly half an hour.

Ning Zhiyuan’s house was a simple one-entrance mansion, not large, less than half the size of Xiao Liulang and Gu Jiao’s, consisting of only two rooms and a small study room partitioned off.

Ning Zhiyuan’s family was poor. It was said that after he achieved a high ranking in the imperial examination, there were quite a few local gentry who wanted to befriend him, either through offering gifts or their daughters.

Ning Zhiyuan was a man of integrity even in poverty, accepting neither the gifts nor the concubines, choosing instead to bring his wife and children over from his hometown.

His parents stayed in his hometown, living with his elder brother, and he sent some silver home.

Relying solely on the salary from Hanlin Academy was not enough to support such a big family. Thankfully, as one of the top three scholars, there was a reward from the imperial court—500 taels for the top scholar, and 300 taels each for the second and third.

Ning Zhiyuan offered 100 taels to his parents, spent 50 taels to pay off family debts, and nearly nothing remained after leasing the mansion, buying a horse, and the cost of bringing his wife and children to the Capital City.

So he was indeed quite poor now.

Ning Zhiyuan married early; at barely over thirty, his eldest son was already thirteen, and his second son was ten, along with a daughter a year younger than Jingkong.

Ning Zhiyuan’s wife, Mrs. Wen, was a virtuous and devoted partner, not very talkative, and somewhat shy and introverted, but that might also be because she was not very familiar with Gu Jiao, Xiao Liulang, and the others.

Ning Zhiyuan’s two sons attended a private school nearby and did not come home for lunch.

There was only the three-year-old daughter at home.

Perhaps because the other was a girl, Little Jingkong wasn’t as wild as he usually was. He was well-behaved, not noisy, not fussy, and not running around, displaying the manners of a little gentleman, always yielding to his little sister.

Mrs. Wen praised Jingkong for being sensible and smart: “He’s far better than my two little boys.”

Gu Jiao hadn’t met them, so she couldn’t compare, but it was true that the little fellow unexpectedly made her proud outside, unlike his usual raucous self running around the courtyard.

In the inner room, Mrs. Wen spoke to Gu Jiao, “… I heard from Ayuan that the new top scholar was coming, and I thought to myself, someone who performed better than Ayuan in the exam, how old could he be? I did not expect the top scholar Xiao to be so young and accomplished.”

Gu Jiao looked at Xiao Liulang, who was talking in the main room with Ning Zhiyuan, and nodded, “Yes, I also think so.”

Mrs. Wen: …Although I’m telling the truth, couldn’t you be a little modest?

Ning Zhiyuan and Xiao Liulang were sitting in the main room. Ning Zhiyuan faced the inner room, while Xiao Liulang sat opposite him with his back to the inner room—Gu Jiao could only see Xiao Liulang’s back.

Gu Jiao rested her chin in her hands, thinking, alas, my husband probably doesn’t even know I’m watching him, and I can only see his back.

“Alas, I heard that the Chen Kingdom on the border is getting restless again. I wonder if there might be a war…”

Ning Zhiyuan was halfway through his speech when Xiao Liulang suddenly stood up, walked over to Ning Zhiyuan, and said, “Let’s switch places.”

“Eh? What happened?” Ning Zhiyuan asked.

Xiao Liulang’s expression remained calm, his gaze unchanged: “It’s cooler here.”

Ning Zhiyuan: …No, the spot you were sitting at before was the coolest. It was specially reserved for you.

But a guest calls the shots, and if Xiao Liulang chose to sit in the spot baking under the sun, then so be it.

Xiao Liulang sat in a place where the sunlight streamed in.

The youth, clad in white, bathed in light, had a complexion like jade and a cool demeanor, while a trace of sweat seeped out from the pale nape of his neck, underneath his black hair.

Ning Zhiyuan asked curiously, “Is it really cooler?”

Xiao Liulang quietly sipped his tea, his long lashes casting down, and replied, “Hmm, cooler.”

In the afternoon, Ning Zhiyuan’s two sons returned from their private school. They took after the Wen Family in looks, more handsome than Ning Zhiyuan, their father.

In terms of personality, the older son inherited Ning Zhiyuan’s traits, graceful and sociable; the younger son was more like the Wen Family, comparatively introverted.

Overall, they were very good children.

Ning Zhiyuan also requested Xiao Liulang to test his sons’ studies.

Ning Zhiyuan was a zhuangyuan, and his scholarship was solid. He had no problem checking his sons’ work, but asking Xiao Liulang to test them appeared to be more of a motivation.

Gu Jiao could tell that the two young boys looked up to Xiao Liulang with admiration and nervousness.

As for Gu Jiao’s birthmark and the fact that Xiao Liulang was hindered in his movements, no one paid any mind. Gu Jiao enjoyed a very comfortable day.

After the family had dinner, they got up to say goodbye.

Ning Zhiyuan and his wife and children escorted the three to the door.

Wen Family’s heart had been very uneasy, worried about her husband’s career and the difficult life in the Capital City; seeing that her husband had made such a good friend, her heart finally settled down.

Little Jingkong and Ning Xiaoya had played together all afternoon. When it was time to say goodbye, Ning Xiaoya couldn’t bear to leave, hugging Jingkong… no, hugging Uncle Jingkong and bursting into loud sobs.

Little Jingkong gently comforted her, “It’s okay, next time you can come to my house to play.”

Wen Family picked up her daughter, smiling as she watched the family of three board the carriage.

Little Jingkong sat between them.

Gu Jiao touched his cropped hair, intending to tell him “So you like little sisters, you played so well with her,” but the next second he lay listlessly across Gu Jiao’s lap.

He sighed wearily, “Sigh, taking care of kids is really exhausting!”

Gu Jiao: “…”

Perhaps truly worn out, Little Jingkong soon fell asleep on Gu Jiao’s lap, drooling in his sleep.

Concerned that this position might impede his breathing, Gu Jiao turned him over, intending to hold him in her arms. Suddenly, a slender hand like jade reached out and scooped up the plump little fellow.

The look in Xiao Liulang’s eyes was indifferent, revealing neither like nor dislike. He settled Little Jingkong comfortably in his arms, his strong arm embracing the boy to cushion him against the jolts of the carriage.

His hand appeared to drop casually by his side, resting on the bench, lightly touching Gu Jiao’s sleeve.

Gu Jiao didn’t move.

Xiao Liulang suddenly spoke, “It’s not good for a young lady to get tanned.”

“Hm?” Gu Jiao blinked in surprise.

“Your side is very sunny,” said Xiao Liulang without looking at her.

He spoke in a tranquil tone, as if commenting on the pleasant weather of the day.

Gu Jiao glanced to her other side.

Indeed.

The setting sun cast its rays in great swathes upon her.

Even though Gu Jiao felt that she couldn’t possibly tan, but… what if?

Recalling her husband’s words that it wasn’t good for a young lady to get tanned, she decisively shuffled closer to Xiao Liulang’s side.

The carriage they were riding in was old and cramped.

With this move, their shoulders inevitably ended up pressed closely together.