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Yuan Tang lazily leaned against the cushion behind him, "I told you she would be fine. The expert who saved her was very cautious in his actions, just like the way I look after my cousin every time."
Liu Yisheng really wanted to kick this shameless guy off the carriage.
Yuan Tang tapped his palm with the folding fan, "But speaking of that expert, who could he be? When did the State of Zhao have such a formidable figure?"
Liu Yisheng coldly replied, "Instead of worrying about that, you should think about your own situation. You're being pursued, and you've also dragged others into it."
By "others," Liu Yisheng was referring to Gu Jiao.
Yuan Tang, however, said, "I know, it's because of me that my cousin lost his finger. I'll thoroughly investigate this matter and definitely find that scoundrel! I'll chop off his fingers to avenge cousin! Does it still hurt, cousin? Come on, I'll blow on it for you!"
As he spoke, he actually grabbed Liu Yisheng's right hand, intending to blow on it.
Liu Yisheng was thunderstruck and promptly moved away from him, creating a considerable distance inside the carriage!
……
Gu Jiao was the type to report her joys but not worries. Actually, no. She didn't share even her joys. She wasn't good at discussing her daily life and experiences with others.
Perhaps this was influenced by her childhood. She used to share her thoughts, and yet no one cared to listen. Gradually, she stopped talking about herself, as if this could create a kind of established illusion—— You don't know about my life not because you don't care, but because I refuse to tell.
This personality didn't change as she grew older.
Back then, it was Xiao Liulang who dug up the matter of Imperial Concubine Dowager Jing from her again and again. In addition, a variety of pig-like teammates took turns to expose her, leaving her without a choice but to confess everything in the end.
Xiao Liulang wouldn't inquire about Liu Yisheng. After all, Liu Yisheng was just one of her patients, and it would be petty to make an issue out of it.
Xiao Liulang went to the kitchen to boil water, planning to prepare hot water for Gu Jiao, making some noise in the process.
Gu Jiao followed him in and sat on a small stool beside him, looking at him and asking, "You seem unhappy."
Xiao Liulang replied, "I'm not."
Gu Jiao said, "Are you jealous?"
Xiao Liulang retorted, "I'm not that petty."
Gu Jiao responded with an "Oh."
Xiao Liulang asked, "Who is more good-looking between us?"
Gu Jiao: “...”
After taking a bath, Gu Jiao went to the backyard to fetch water. Surprisingly, Xiao Liulang was still awake.
He stood in the courtyard, under the moonlight and starry sky, looking as elegant as jade. He seemed to be waiting for her.
"Why aren't you asleep yet?" Gu Jiao put down the wooden basin and turned to ask.
Xiao Liulang walked over, raised his hand, and placed his warm palm on her head.
Gu Jiao was slightly taken aback, "Why..."
"I don't know." He said, removing his hand, "I just suddenly felt like touching your head."
As though he sensed she needed it, but he couldn't explain why she needed it.
Gu Jiao blinked her eyes and stared at him for a long time. Then, she shook her little head and leaned it towards him, saying, "Then, touch it again."
She looked like a well-behaved child waiting to be patted on the head.
Xiao Liulang chuckled softly, "Okay."
……
The next day, Gu Jiao had originally promised to accompany Second Owner to a gathering at the Chamber of Commerce. However, due to the unexpected incident, she had to first confirm something.
She asked Second Owner to go ahead first, saying that she would join him later.
"Sure, remember to arrive before dinner." Second Owner said before getting on the carriage and heading to the Four Seas Villa in the eastern suburbs of the capital.
Gu Jiao went to Rui Wang Residence.
Rui Wang was out handling official affairs, leaving only Rui Wangfei at home.
Upon hearing that Gu Jiao had come, Rui Wangfei was so excited that she grabbed her skirt up and personally rushed to greet her.
It was as if she worried that Gu Jiao would be upset; she ran... er, no, she walked very fast.
She arrived at the entrance of the residence, smiling and said, "You finally came! His Highness told me that when you escorted me back to the residence last time, he invited you to come and accompany me more often. But I've been waiting for so long, and you haven't visited once! What wind brought you here today?"
Gu Jiao's gaze passed over Rui Wangfei and landed on the corridor not far away, where two dark guards were standing discreetly.
She had never seen them by Rui Wangfei's side before.
Gu Jiao asked, "Are those two the people Ning Wang sent to protect you?"
Rui Wangfei was very candid and talked about everything with Gu Jiao, including the fact that Ning Wang had sent people to protect her.
"You saw them?" Rui Wangfei turned her head to look and said in surprise, "They are dark guards. They only met me once when they first came to the residence, and afterward, I couldn't detect their presence at all."
"I came to see you." Gu Jiao continued from where they left off.
"Come into the mansion and sit down!" Rui Wangfei held Gu Jiao's hand and led her inside.
Rui Wang wasn't a highly favored imperial prince, and the prince’s residence he was allocated was somewhat disappointing. It wasn’t even half the size of Ning Wang Residence, and they encountered fewer servants along the way.
Rui Wangfei didn't seem to mind. She happily brought Gu Jiao into her courtyard.
Inside her room, there were already many baby clothes, some of which she made herself during her free time, and some were gifts from her family.
"My younger sister stayed here for a few days, but she was too noisy, so I asked her to leave." Rui Wangfei and Gu Jiao sat down on chairs. Rui Wangfei ordered a servant girl to bring Gu Jiao tea while she had lukewarm water for herself.
Rui Wangfei's younger sister was Du Xiaoyun, the Crown Princess's number one fan. Du Xiaoyun had promoted the Crown Princess to Gu Jiao several times in the past.
But when it came to being noisy...
Gu Jiao glanced at Rui Wangfei. Weren't the two of you the same in that regard?
"Try this." Rui Wangfei pushed a plate of osmanthus cake towards Gu Jiao. "You have no idea how miserable I was when I was kept confined two months ago. I even learned to make desserts!"
Gu Jiao took a bite and surprisingly found it quite delicious.
"Is it good?" Rui Wangfei asked.
"It's delicious." Gu Jiao replied.
Rui Wangfei's eyes curved into two crescent moons.
Today, Gu Jiao came mainly to confirm a few things with her, "Who have you told about overhearing the Crown Princess’s private meeting behind the artificial rockery, as well as your suspicion that Yuan Tang is the man?"
Rui Wangfei answered frankly, "I've only talked about it with you, Rui Wang, and eldest brother-in-law! Well... Eldest sister-in-law was also in the carriage, so she might have overheard a little. Why are you suddenly asking about this?"
Gu Jiao said, "Yuan Tang encountered an assassination.”
"What? He... someone tried to assassinate him? How could this happen? Who wanted to kill him?" Rui Wangfei's expression turned solemn.
After a moment of silence, she suddenly slammed the table, "I know! It must be Wen Linlang! She must have been afraid of the truth coming out and implicating herself, so she decided to go all out and kill Yuan Tang!"
Gu Jiao: ...Your prejudice against the Crown Princess is really deep.
It had to be said that Rui Wangfei's speculation gave Gu Jiao another perspective—— from the motive's point of view, the Crown Princess was indeed a suspect.
Carefully recalling their conversation, the man was the one who approached the Crown Princess first, and the fact that she slapped him indicated that he most likely offended her with his words.
Whether it was due to anger or to eliminate future troubles, it was indeed possible for the Crown Princess to try to eliminate Yuan Tang.
However, Gu Jiao thought that the man was also a highly possible suspect.
After all, not everyone could come up with the idea of making Yuan Tang the scapegoat, and it wouldn't work under just any circumstances.
Blaming a random person would be futile.
But Yuan Tang was different.
Regardless of status, appearance, or talent, Yuan Tang was worthy of the Crown Princess. Imagine saying, "This is the man the Crown Princess had a private meeting with." Did it not sound convincing?
Moreover, Rui Wangfei had "concluded" that it was Yuan Tang.
Gu Jiao soon thought of another thing—— she was also present when Yuan Tang was assassinated, and she even took down so many assassins. How would the other party view her relationship with Yuan Tang?
Could they have already guessed that she knew Yuan Tang was wrongly framed as the man behind the fake rockery?
If it were her, she would have guessed it.
After all, Rui Wangfei went to the medical hall to find her after recognizing Yuan Tang, and considering Rui Wangfei's relationship with her, it was impossible not to tell her about Yuan Tang being the adulterer.
And that night, she was with Yuan Tang, making it difficult for people not to suspect that she went to verify the truth with him.
"Young Miss Gu, what's wrong? Did I say something wrong?" Rui Wangfei felt uneasy as Gu Jiao suddenly fell silent.
Actually, Rui Wangfei's character wasn't really unpleasant; it was just that she always clashed with Wen Linlang, and since there were too many people who liked Wen Linlang, it was inevitable for them not to get along with her.
"You wouldn't like Wen Linlang too, do you?" She asked weakly.
Gu Jiao shook her head, "I like you."
Rui Wangfei instantly became happy and held Gu Jiao's hand, affectionately saying, "I like you too!"
Rui Wang who heard such a confession as soon as he reached the door: "..."
He suddenly felt a green little thing over his head…
Raz P.'s Thoughts
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