The Prime Minister's Darling
Chapter 903 - 903 416 lines of poetry (second watch of the night)_2

Chapter 903: 416 lines of poetry (second watch of the night)_2 Chapter 903: 416 lines of poetry (second watch of the night)_2 Liu Yisheng’s eyes flickered and he said, “I thought of a few names, but I’m not sure which one to pick.”

Gu Jiao looked at him, “Let’s hear them.”

Naming-challenged Liu Yisheng: “…”

Struck by inspiration, Liu Yisheng said, “How about you name it? After all, it’s your cat. It’s just temporarily being fostered at my place.”

“That’s fine.” Gu Jiao nodded, pondered for a moment, and said, “Let’s call it Xiaoshi.”

There were already nine divine animals at home, and this one would be the tenth in rank.

“Alright, Xiaoshi it is.” Liu Yisheng had no objections.

“Did you come today to see Xiaoshi?” he asked as he stood up to pour water for Gu Jiao.

“I came to see you as well.” Gu Jiao said.

Liu Yisheng’s hand, pouring the water, shook, spilling a drop on the table. He took a cloth and discreetly wiped it away, placing the poured tea beside Gu Jiao, “You really must have a lot of free time on your hands.”

Gu Jiao took off her small backpack and pulled out a few thick books, “Here.”

Last time, she had given Liu Yisheng the Four Books, and this time, she brought the Five Classics and two volumes of Arithmetic.

All annotated editions, perfect for self-taught scholars.

“You…” Liu Yisheng hesitated.

Gu Jiao could almost guess what he was about to say, “I know, you can’t afford them. I’m not giving you the books for free. This is Xiaoshi’s board fee. Xiaoshi is so plump, just look at how much it must eat.”

The white cat meowed sorrowfully.

Liu Yisheng sighed, “You’ll regret betting on me.”

Becoming a marquis or a prime minister was impossible for him in this lifetime.

Liu Yisheng was conflicted for a moment but eventually accepted the books. However, he made a mental note of their value, as he intended to pay her back someday.

Caressing the covers of the books, Liu Yisheng said, “Consider these books borrowed from you. I’ll pay you back once I’ve made some money.”

“Whatever you say,” Gu Jiao replied indifferently. It was just a few books; she wasn’t lacking Silver. She just accommodated his fierce pride by not refusing on the spot.

At that time, Gu Jiao had no idea that one day, years later, Liu Yisheng would indeed repay her for the books but not with Silver.

One book for one city.

He repaid her with half a kingdom, a total of eleven cities.

“If there’s anything you don’t understand, you can ask me.” Gu Jiao saw Liu Yisheng browsing through the Arithmetic books and said with confidence and generosity.

“Ah, okay.” Liu Yisheng humbly sought instruction, bringing out a pile of draft eight-legged essays from inside the house.

Gu Jiao said without changing her expression, “…or, you can choose not to ask me.”

Liu Yisheng: “…”

Gu Jiao continued to pet the cat for a while, almost wanting to snuggle into it, but she resisted the urge.

“Actually, I came today for another reason too.”

She was petting the cat so engrossedly that she almost forgot her real business—distracted by the cat’s charm!

“What is it?” Liu Yisheng asked.

“It’s about Yuan Tang,” said Gu Jiao.

No sooner had she spoken than Yuan Tang’s voice rang out from another room, “What about this prince?”

Gu Jiao frowned peculiarly.

Liu Yisheng explained, “He arrived earlier and was sleeping in the Firewood Room.”

Gu Jiao looked at Yuan Tang incredulously, “With the Imperial Palace at your disposal, you choose to sleep in the Firewood Room. What’s wrong with you?”

Yuan Tang yawned behind his folding fan and strode over, taking a seat opposite Gu Jiao, “What does it matter if I sleep in the Firewood Room as long as I’m close to my cousin?”

Liu Yisheng told Gu Jiao, “I thought he wouldn’t wake up, so I didn’t mention it to you.”

He hadn’t expected Gu Jiao to suddenly bring up Yuan Tang. If he knew beforehand, he definitely would have warned her. After all, being caught talking about someone behind their back was quite awkward.

Liu Yisheng was overthinking it. Gu Jiao wasn’t embarrassed at all. She hummed and said to Yuan Tang, “You came at the right time.”

Yuan Tang smiled slyly, “Oh? Did you miss this prince?”

Liu Yisheng’s eyes went cold.

Yuan Tang quickly said to him, “Don’t get angry, it was just a joke. You’re the only one in my heart; there’s no room for anyone else.”

Liu Yisheng, evidently accustomed to his shameless impudence and slick talk, coldly turned away, ignoring him.

Yuan Tang laughed, “Doctor Gu, what were you about to say about me?”

Gu Jiao didn’t speak; she simply reached out her hand to grasp Yuan Tang’s chin, turning his face to one side. Sure enough, she saw the scratch marks and swelling hidden beneath the hair, not as prominent as described by the Princess Royal, thanks to some ointment, but still noticeably there.

Yuan Tang did not resist, casting an amused glance at Liu Yisheng, “Cousin, she’s flirting with me, not the other way around.”