The Prime Minister's Darling
Chapter 960 - 960 443 Jiaojiao Takes Action (Eleven More)

Chapter 960: 443 Jiaojiao Takes Action (Eleven More) Chapter 960: 443 Jiaojiao Takes Action (Eleven More) The Crown Princess Consort was ignored by Gu Jiao once, twice, thrice. Even a clay figurine would have a flash of anger, let alone when she all but waged war on her inside Princess Xinyang’s mansion. What infuriated her even more was that she had agreed to Princess Xinyang’s request to keep the matter private, only to realize afterwards that Princess Xinyang was so protective because she might have already known and accepted that Gu Jiao was her future daughter-in-law.

She even lied to her about being a doctor treating her!

Upon reflection, the Crown Princess Consort’s irritation stemmed not from anything Gu Jiao had done, but from the fact that without doing anything at all, Gu Jiao was gradually usurping her place in Princess Xinyang’s heart, snatching away what was rightfully hers.

—The favor of Princess Xinyang, the affection of Ahen.

The Crown Princess Consort put the scissors back into the basket slung over Chun Yin’s arm and walked over to stand beside Gu Jiao, asking indifferently, “Do you know the whereabouts of Xiao Liulang?”

Gu Jiao snipped a flower and said blandly, “What business is it of yours where my husband is? Are you addicted to pining for other people’s husbands?”

“You!” The Crown Princess Consort’s face changed abruptly!

Gu Jiao: “Move aside.”

“Do you even know who wants to harm Xiao Liulang? I’m the only one who can help him!” The Crown Princess Consort had never intended to take Xiao Liulang’s life; she couldn’t bear to watch him walk to his death.

Gu Jiao turned her head and gave her a sarcastic look: “Did you know? Late affection is worth less than grass.”

Why would she fret over Xiao Hen now? Wasn’t it too late?

Who, after all, had caused Xiao Hen’s tragedy?

There were two types of detestable people in this world: one was like Prince Ning, who committed great crimes with a clear purpose to harm others; the other was one whose crimes were not fatal, who never intended to take a life but managed to create a mess that implicated others, leaving everyone but themselves to suffer the consequences.

For the former, one could attain swift justice and satisfy the public’s ire; for the latter, neither death nor forbearance was an option; like a fishbone stuck in one’s throat.

However, Gu Jiao had heard that the laws of Zhan Country differed from those of her previous life. She wondered what crime it would be for the Crown Princess Consort to collude with Prince Ning.

The Crown Princess Consort was rendered speechless, unable to utter a word.

She seemed to understand, yet not completely.

Her bond to Xiao Liulang was devoid of any sentiment; her connection was with Xiao Hen.

So, was Gu Jiao acknowledging that Xiao Liulang was indeed Xiao Hen and bluntly revealing her lingering, improper thoughts for Xiao Hen?

How dare she make such a statement?

Was she not afraid of exposing Xiao Hen’s identity?

Or did she realize that she already knew Xiao Liulang was Xiao Hen?

Of course, the most heart-rending part was that phrase “late affection is worth less than grass.” Why, why did she have to humiliate her so?

Gu Jiao couldn’t care less about what the Crown Princess Consort thought and walked away after picking the flowers, not looking back.

After lunch at the Renshou Palace, Gu Jiao’s Fresh Flower Cakes were quickly snatched up.

That afternoon, the trio went bird’s nest hunting again, getting hoisted up by the guards with ropes.

Gu Jiao’s next plan was to expose the relationship between Prince Ning and the Crown Princess Consort. The attitude of Prince Ning’s wife was intriguing, seemingly informed yet uninformed. Regardless, Gu Jiao had no intention to start with Prince Ning’s wife.

The heir to the throne should be the first to experience a soul-shattering blow.

Prince Ning was healing from injuries these past few days, but that was of no concern; certain things could be fabricated out of thin air.

After the first afternoon class, Gu Chengfeng visited the privy.

Suddenly, a Hai Dongqing landed on his shoulder, one wing disdainfully covering its own bird head and the other wing patting the back of his head.

Then, it arrogantly extended a claw.

Gu Chengfeng: “…”

Honestly, this girl was worse than catching him herself; why always send a bird as the message bearer?

As usual, there was a note tied to Xiaojiu’s leg, and as usual, it was adorned with a bloody dagger drawn on it.

“East Palace, come at once.”

Gu Chengfeng’s mouth twitched.

He swore that if this was a heist of the Crown Prince’s treasury, he must have half of it!

Unfortunately for Gu Chengfeng, Gu Jiao wasn’t going to rob the Crown Prince.

Gu Jiao, “Have you ever seen the Crown Princess?”

Gu Chengfeng, “What do you want with that information?”

Gu Jiao, “Have you ever heard her speak?”

Gu Chengfeng, “You’re up to something.”

Gu Jiao, “Never mind whether you’ve heard her or not, you should listen to her again anyway.”

Then Gu Chengfeng was grabbed by a small hand and taken to the East Palace.

Gu Jiao entered with her head held high, while Gu Chengfeng was boldly thrown in by her.

Whether he was noticed by the masters of the East Palace depended on Gu Chengfeng’s own skill.

Gu Chengfeng, who nearly fell flat on his face, gritted his teeth in anger. That damn girl!

“What are you doing here?” The Crown Princess looked coldly at Gu Jiao, who was being ushered in, while she knelt in the Warm Pavilion arranging flowers, the table filled with scattered stems and petals.

Gu Jiao sat down cross-legged opposite her and said, “Came to have a chat with you.”

The Crown Princess clipped a Chinese Peony, “What is there to talk about between you and me?”

Gu Jiao hummed, “Not much, actually.”

The Crown Princess, “…”

The Crown Princess had never seen anyone so… She racked her brain and couldn’t find the right words to describe Gu Jiao. She clipped another flower and said, “No matter what you have heard outside, it wasn’t me who caused trouble for Xiao Liulang. I didn’t send anyone to capture him, and I hope he can be found as soon as possible. However, with the current turmoil, it’s not bad for him to hide for a while. But one can avoid the issues temporarily, not forever. You should think of a permanent solution.”

“Very well, continue,” Gu Jiao said.

The Crown Princess was taken aback.

She was somewhat doubtful whether Gu Jiao really understood the innuendo in her words.

She looked at Gu Jiao. Gu Jiao didn’t seem to be listening seriously, but she clearly indicated she wanted her to go on.

The Crown Princess frowned slightly, “If you do not want to listen…”

Gu Jiao said, “I do, say more.”

To let Gu Chengfeng hear more clearly.

Gu Chengfeng, up on the roof, rolled his eyes!

The Crown Princess continued speaking while Gu Jiao rarely responded, or, to be exact, her responses were quite strange.

“Your tone is wrong, say it again, with more sorrow. I want to hear your sorrowful voice.”

“The sentence just now should have been spoken with joy. Repeat it.”

The Crown Princess: …Why do I feel something is terribly wrong?

The Crown Princess was a very clever person, but even the most intelligent have their own domains of thought. Once something exceeds that domain, the subconscious will either automatically ignore or accept the thing it can’t understand, and may even concoct a reasonable explanation for it.

The Crown Princess said coldly, “Are you here to share happiness with me, or are you trying to waste time here doing something else? You’re not trying to see the Crown Prince, are you?”

Gu Jiao clapped her hands and stood up, “Alright, alright, since you’re so worried then I’ll just leave.”

After all, the Crown Princess’s little lesson was almost over.

It was time for Gu Chengfeng to graduate.