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"Baby girl?" Gu Jiao thought of Imperial Concubine Dowager Jing's Princess Ning'an. However, this time she didn't speculate whether she was Grandaunt's deceased child. After all, Princess Ning'an was several years younger than His Majesty, and the timelines didn’t match.
This time, Eunuch Qin himself mentioned Princess Ning'an. "Empress Dowager dotes on Princess Ning'an. I suppose Young Miss Gu has heard about it."
"En." Gu Jiao nodded.
Eunuch Wei said, "Actually, there's a reason behind it. Princess Ning'an's birthday happens to be the same day as the little miss's birthday. Perhaps… Empress Dowager feels like her own child has come back, reincarnated as Princess Ning'an."
Eunuch Qin smiled awkwardly when he said this, "It's just this old servant's speculation. This servant naturally doesn't know the thoughts of Empress Dowager. This servant only remembers that the night Princess Ning'an was born, Empress Dowager sat in the Kunning Palace for a long time."
Thinking of something, Eunuch Qin continued, "Speaking of which, Empress Dowager and Imperial Concubine Dowager Jing grew closer after the birth of Princess Ning'an. Imperial Concubine Dowager Jing often carried Princess Ning'an to visit the Empress Dowager, but what truly opened the Empress Dowager's heart to Princess Ning'an was when she celebrated her first birthday. She grabbed the Empress Dowager's hand."
At that moment, Grandaunt couldn't help but be moved, right?
The pain in her heart was healed by the one-year-old princess, as if... her child had truly come back.
Gu Jiao didn't ask if it was Imperial Concubine Dowager Jing's plan, because whether she asked or not, what was meant to happen had already happened, and the emotions and sincerity that were given could not be taken back.
"The princess sincerely cares for the Empress Dowager." That's also something Eunuch Qin was grateful for. Sometimes, even he felt that perhaps people really did have reincarnations, and the little miss had reunited with the Empress Dowager by entering Imperial Concubine Dowager Jing's womb again.
Gu Jiao didn't find it strange. Blood ties weren't the only bonds in the world. She had parents who abandoned her like an old shoe, but she also met Grandaunt who cherished her greatly.
Grandaunt's experience was truly lamentable. If everything was orchestrated by Imperial Concubine Dowager Jing back then, then this woman deserved a thousand deaths.
…..
At the end of the month, the Hanlin Academy had a break, and Xiao Liulang promised to take his family to Ning Zhiyuan’s home.
Old Chief looked at Xiao Liulang suspiciously, "You two... are going out alone?"
He had a feeling that the two of them were planning to do something behind their family's back!
They were in their youthful years, and one couldn’t help but worry that this young lad wouldn’t be able to control himself.
It so happened that Little Jing Kong had no classes today as well, so Old Chief decisively squeezed him into the carriage.
Little Jing Kong who wore a bewildered look: "..."
Old Chief: The best way to ruin a couple's private life is to give them a child!
Xiao Liulang and Gu Jiao took Little Jing Kong with them and made their way to Ning Zhiyuan’s house.
Ning Zhiyuan's home was a bit remote, almost belonging to the outer city. It took half an hour by carriage from Bishui Alley. On normal days, Ning Zhiyuan would ride a horse to make it more convenient, but even then, it would still take almost half an hour.
Ning Zhiyuan's home was a single-gate residence which wasn’t large in size, approximately less than half the size of Xiao Liulang and Gu Jiao's home. It consisted of two rooms and a small study separated from the rest.
Ning Zhiyuan's family was poor. It was said that after he achieved the top rankings in the imperial examination, there were quite a few local gentry who wanted to befriend him, and the methods to make friends were nothing more than giving gifts or offering their daughters.
Ning Zhiyuan, being a principled person despite his poverty, didn't accept gifts or take concubines. He sent people from afar to bring his wife and children from his hometown.
His parents stayed with the eldest son in their hometown, and he sent them some money.
Relying solely on the salary from the Hanlin Academy couldn't support such a big family. Fortunately, the top three scholars in the imperial examination received a reward from the court—— 500 taels of silver for the Zhuangyuan, and 300 taels each for the Bangyan and Tanhua.
Ning Zhiyuan gave 100 taels to his parents, used 50 taels to repay household debts, and with the remaining money, he barely had anything left after renting this house, buying a horse, and paying for his wife and children's travel expenses to the capital.
So, he was indeed quite poor now.
Ning Zhiyuan got married early. In his early thirties, his eldest son was already thirteen, the second son was ten, and he had a daughter who was one year younger than Jing Kong.
Ning Zhiyuan's wife, surnamed Wen, was a quiet and virtuous wife. She didn't speak much and was slightly shy and introverted, although it could also be because she wasn't very familiar with Gu Jiao and Xiao Liulang.
Ning Zhiyuan's two sons attended a nearby private school and didn't come home for lunch.
There was only the three-year-old little daughter at home.
Perhaps because the other party was a girl, Little Jing Kong wasn't as mischievous as usual. He was quite well-behaved, not making a fuss, not running around. He also had the demeanor of a little gentleman who let his little sister have her way.
Wen shi praised Jing Kong for being sensible and smart, saying, "He's much better than my two boys at home."
Gu Jiao hadn't met them, so she couldn't compare, but the little guy did make her proud unexpectedly. He was well-behaved, unlike the noisy little trumpet spirit he was in their courtyard.
In the inner room, Wen shi and Gu Jiao were having a conversation. "I heard that he was the Zhuangyuan in the new imperial examination. At that time, I wondered how old must he be if he did better than Zhiyuan? I never expected Zhuangyuan Xiao to be so accomplished at such a young age."
Gu Jiao looked at Xiao Liulang conversing with Ning Zhiyuan in the main room and nodded. "Yes, I feel the same way."
Wen shi: ...Even though what I said is true, couldn't you be a little more modest?
Ning Zhiyuan and Xiao Liulang were sitting in the main room. Ning Zhiyuan was facing 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 on her hands and thought, Ah, my husband probably doesn't even know I'm watching him. All I can see is his back.
"Ah, I heard that the State of Chen's borders are restless again. I wonder if there will be war..."
Ning Zhiyuan was interrupted as Xiao Liulang suddenly stood up and walked over to him. "Let's switch seats."
"Huh? What's the matter?" Ning Zhiyuan asked.
Xiao Liulang remained calm, his expression unchanged. "It's cooler where you're sitting."
Ning Zhiyuan: ...No, the seat you were in just now was the coolest. I specifically reserved it for you.
But since Xiao Liulang was a guest, if he wanted to sit in this seat that was being roasted by the sun, so be it.
Xiao Liulang took a seat where the sunlight was coming in.
Dressed in white, the young man exuded a radiant glow. His face was as fair as jade, with a cool and aloof expression. A bead of sweat trickled down the back of his glossy black hair.
Ning Zhiyuan found it strange, "Is it really cooler there?"
Sipping his tea quietly, Xiao Liulang lowered his long eyelashes and said, "Yes, it's cooler here."
In the afternoon, Ning Zhiyuan's two sons returned from the private school. Their appearance resembled Wen shi more, making them more handsome than their father.
The elder son had inherited Ning Zhiyuan's outgoing personality, while the younger son took after Wen shi and was more introverted.
Overall, they were both excellent children.
Ning Zhiyuan had also asked Xiao Liulang to assess their academic progress.
As the third-ranking scholar overall, Ning Zhiyuan had a solid foundation of knowledge. Checking his two sons' assignments was well within his capabilities. The reason he had Xiao Liulang evaluate them was mostly to provide motivation.
Gu Jiao could tell that the two young boys looked at Xiao Liulang with a mixture of admiration and nervousness.
As for Gu Jiao's birthmark and Xiao Liulang's limping, no one paid any attention to them. Gu Jiao had a very enjoyable day.
After dinner, the family got up to bid farewell.
Ning Zhiyuan, his wife and their children saw them off to the door.
Wen shi had been quite anxious, worried about her husband's career and his difficult days in the capital. But seeing her husband make such a good friend, her heart finally settled.
Little Jing Kong had played with Ning Xiaoya all afternoon, and when it was time to part, Ning Xiaoya was reluctant to let go, hugging Jing Kong as she burst into tears.
Little Jing Kong gently comforted her, saying, "It's okay, you can come to my house to play next time."
Wen shi brought her daughter over and smiled as she watched the family of three get into the carriage.
Little Jing Kong sat between them.
Gu Jiao rubbed his small head, intending to say, ‘So, you like little girls, huh? You get along so well with the little sister.’ However, the next moment, he dejectedly slumped onto Gu Jiao's lap.
With a sigh, he weakly said, "Ah, taking care of children is so tiring!"
Gu Jiao: "..."
Seemingly exhausted, Little Jing Kong fell asleep on Gu Jiao's lap within a short while, drooling in his sleep.
Gu Jiao worried that this position might hinder his breathing, so she turned him over, intending to hold him in her arms. Suddenly, a slender hand, as graceful as jade, reached out and gently lifted the chubby little guy away.
Xiao Liulang's expression remained indifferent, making it hard to tell whether he liked it or not. He cradled Little Jing Kong in his arms, his strong arms bracing against the jolting of the carriage.
His hand casually hung down by his side and landed on the seat, lightly brushing against Gu Jiao's sleeve.
Gu Jiao didn't move.
Xiao Liulang suddenly spoke, "It's not good for a young lady to get too tanned."
"Huh?" Gu Jiao was startled.
"It's very hot on that side." Xiao Liulang said without looking at her.
His tone was calm, as if he was commenting on the weather.
Gu Jiao glanced at her other side.
Indeed.
The setting sun cast large patches of light on her, illuminating her figure.
Although Gu Jiao didn't think she was getting tan, so what if she was?
Thinking of her husband's comment about a young lady not looking good with a tan, she decisively shifted towards Xiao Liulang's side.
They were sitting in an old carriage, which was already cramped.
With this movement, their shoulders unavoidably pressed tightly against each other.
Raz P.'s Thoughts
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