The Prime Minister's Darling
Chapter 933 - 933 426 Taking Action (2 updates)_2

Chapter 933: 426 Taking Action (2 updates)_2 Chapter 933: 426 Taking Action (2 updates)_2 And now, upon reflection, it truly was full of loopholes.

If Xiao Hen were still alive, all of Huo Jijiu’s actions and reactions would make sense.

Ning Zhiyuan caressed his jade ring, his eyes deep: “Xiao Hen, the young Jijiu, young lord hou!”

…

Hanlin Academy.

“Liulang, Liulang, Liulang!”

Xiao Liulang suddenly woke up from his sleep, opened his eyes, and looked up to see Ning Zhiyuan standing in front of his desk with a shocked expression, his hand that poked Xiao Liulang’s shoulder hadn’t even been withdrawn yet.

“Are you okay?” Ning Zhiyuan asked, looking at Xiao Liulang oddly. “You’re all sweaty; do you feel uncomfortable? Did you not rest well last night?”

Xiao Liulang mumbled an acknowledgment: “Went to bed late.”

Ning Zhiyuan suddenly realized: “No wonder. I was thinking why you hadn’t come out for so long after your shift ended. You shouldn’t do this next time; if Han Xueshi catches you, you’ll have some serious consequences to face.”

Xiao Liulang hadn’t nodded off during his duty hours; it was only after his shift had ended that he dozed off on the desk for a while.

It was just that he had not expected to dream about the great fire on New Year’s Eve.

He hadn’t dreamt of that fire in a long time and thought he had nearly forgotten it. Nevertheless, the fire and despair in his dream were so vivid they were suffocating.

“Did you come to see me because you have something for me?” Xiao Liulang asked.

“Can’t I come to see you if there’s nothing up?” Ning Zhiyuan raised an eyebrow with a smile. “Actually, there is something. There’s a drinking event tonight; are you coming?”

“I’m not going,” Xiao Liulang refused without hesitation.

Ning Zhiyuan clicked his tongue and said, “Aiya, you young lad! I’m thinking of your best interest. Han Daren will also be there; it’s a dignified gathering, and aren’t you aiming for the position of court reader? You should forge good relations with Han Dafu.”

“I’m not going,” Xiao Liulang still refused.

“Alright, alright, if you won’t go, then you won’t. You’re so young and already more henpecked than me,” Ning Zhiyuan muttered to himself and then left alone for the banquet.

Meanwhile, at the Medical Hall, Gu Jiao also had a dream.

She hadn’t dreamt in a long while either. Unsurprisingly, she dreamt of Xiao Liulang again.

After Xiao Liulang finished his duty, he left the Hanlin Academy as snowflakes slowly descended from the sky.

Xiao Liulang went to the cookie store selling Plum Dried Vegetable Cakes and bought a few raw ones, wrapped them nicely in a food box to take home, but on his way, he got ambushed by a group of assassins.

Xiao Liulang was not a martial artist; he couldn’t fight them off. However, he managed to shake off the assassins with his sharp wits. Unfortunately, during his escape, he tripped and fell unconscious, also injuring his hand.

Because of the delay in receiving timely treatment, by the time he was sent to the Medical Hall, his right hand was beyond healing.

The composed Gu Jiao after waking up said, “Worthy of being my husband, enemies can never harm you, but you’re born under an unlucky star.”

A snowy day.

That should be some time away.

It’s only August now.

However, she remembered the appearance of the assassins well; each of their blades bore a mark, like that of a Jianghu organization.

Gu Jiao questioned herself; Xiao Liulang had never offended any Jianghu figures, so there was only one possibility—someone hired killers.

Gu Jiao decided to find Gu Chengfeng, to inquire about the organization that the mark belonged to. It would be good to keep watch and see who would attempt to harm Xiao Liulang several months later.

…

Xiao Liulang left the Hanlin Academy and went to the nearby cookie store.

“I want a few Plum Dried Vegetable Cakes, give me the raw ones.” The hot ones would soften by the time he got them home, losing their crispy texture.

“Sure! There are only six left; how many do you want?”

“All of them,” he replied.

The owner wrapped the dough in bamboo leaves and placed them into Xiao Liulang’s food box.

Xiao Liulang paid the owner and carried the food box home.

When he reached halfway, Xiao Liulang felt he was being followed. He hesitated in his step and turned to look at the street behind him.

The bustling crowd seemed normal, but the sensation of being watched grew stronger.

Xiao Liulang entered the same Ready-Made Clothes Shop he had visited before.

About the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, Xiao Liulang came out.

Several sneaky figures quietly followed him and, as they went through a secluded alley, suddenly pounced on him, pulling him to the ground!

“What are you doing!”

He shouted!

The assailants looked closely and frowned.

This man leaning on a cane and dressed in Hanlin Academy Official’s clothing was not the one they had been tailing!

The target had given them the slip!

“You—” an infuriated assassin drew his blade.

Another one stopped him, “We don’t want any unnecessary complications!”

If someone were to die here suddenly, the arrival of the authorities would make their actions even more difficult.

Xiao Liulang had given the shop assistant some silver to impersonate him and leave first; he then changed into a set of clothes from the shop and exited through the back door.