The Prime Minister’s Darling

Chapter 127: 100 Fighting for Favor (first update)_4

He quietly reassured himself, don’t panic, don’t panic, so what if it’s his own younger brother? He was here first! Besides, he had his own strengths too, didn’t he?

First of all, he was small, adorable, and charming!

At this very moment, Xue Ningxiang brought over a few roasted sweet potatoes, and she also noticed a new handsome young boy in the house.

Comparing to her past self, Xue Ningxiang showed more calmness now.

After all, this family was rather odd. An aristocratic lady from the Marquis Residence acted as if nothing was unusual, so she wouldn’t be taken aback even if an empress dowager suddenly appeared.

Gu Yan observed her for a while, then took the initiative to greet her, “You must be the Sister Xue from next door, my sister has mentioned you. I am Gu Yan, Jiaojiao’s biological brother.”

His voice was as pure as his temperament, and his tone was incredibly gentle. He smiled warmly, reflecting traces of youthful innocence and vibrancy.

Xue Ningxiang was utterly smitten by his charm.

Xiaobao punched his fists into his little chest in frustration: Ah! He cursed, he’s already this old and still acting cute! And he’s even better at it than me! Shameless!

The shadows on the roof could not bear to look anymore, was he really this shameless? Did he even know the situation in the Marquis Residence? Painting himself in green, could he really act innocent?

Xiaobao was fuming, even dinner had lost its appeal.

After taking a bath, Xiaobao suddenly remembered another huge advantage.

He’s a monk! A monk who recites scriptures!

He could recite chants for Jiaojiao!

The master claimed that he was the best scripture-reciting monk in the world. Jiaojiao would definitely love to hear him recite the chants!

Xiaobao rummaged through his little box and took out his small wooden fish. Holding his religious instrument and wearing his Buddha Bead, he confidently went to find Gu Jiao!

However, arriving in the backyard, he heard the melancholy sound of a flute that was as touching as a weep. Though Xiaobao was ignorant of music, even he could sense the trace of sorrow in it.

Xiaobao clutched his heart.

As the tune ended, tears welled up in Xiaobao’s eyes.

Boo hoo, this was the most beautiful melody in the world! His scripture recitation couldn’t hold a candle to it, not even after a hundred tries, or even a thousand!

In the second round, Xiaobao had lost again!

Nevertheless, Xiaobao was still hopeful. He had one last ace up his sleeve – he could raise chickens!

He was Xiaobao, a super monk who could raise seven chicks! He refused to believe that Gu Yan was even better than him!

“Young Master, your dog has been delivered.” The guard handed over the little puppy from the villa into Gu Yan’s arms, then disappeared in a flash!

Gu Yan and Gu Jiao began playing with the puppy in the backyard.

Having lived in the mountains all year round, Xiaobao was used to not seeing dogs. He’d seen a few in the village, but those were fierce and large stray dogs, unlike the soft and cute little puppy in front of him.

“Woof!”

Xiaobao stumbled backwards, it can bark too!

Gu Jiao threw a small bone into the vegetable garden.

The little puppy ran off huffing and puffing, fetched the small bone, and placed it before Gu Jiao.

Xiaobao knew that raising chicks was already hard enough, but he didn’t expect Gu Yan to be able to raise a dog too!

How did he manage to accomplish such a difficult task?

Xiaobao had a very basic understanding of the world: smaller things were easier to take care of than bigger ones. For example, he was easy to care for since he only needed to be fed, whereas his brother-in-law was harder to care for given the worries about his examinations and even his walking.

“I am really in trouble…”

Xiaobao finally resigned himself to be a little fish washed ashore, lying lifeless on the bed in the west room.

After cleaning up the firewood room, Xiao Liulang returned to the room to find Xiaobao fast asleep on his back, snoring softly.

Xiao Liulang covered him with a blanket, putting away his little wooden fish, Buddha Bead, and Buddhist scriptures, all back in his box. After doing all this, he went to the living room.

Gu Jiao had also just entered the living room. Seeing him, she asked in a quiet voice, “Is he asleep?”

Xiao Liulang nodded and kept his voice down, “Yes, he’s asleep. Where is Gu Yan?”

Gu Jiao replied, “He’s asleep as well.”

Both of them sat on chairs and simultaneously let out a sigh of relief.

This felt somewhat like a pair of parents asking, “Is Xiaobao asleep?” “Yes, he is. How about Dabao?” “Dabao is also asleep.”

Then the parents could finally begin to do their own things.

Gu Jiao suggested to him, “Go for your rehabilitation.”

In the backyard, they had specially laid a cobblestone path for his rehab. Even though she knew his condition was psychological, she would not give up any chances at helping.

Xiao Liulang mocked himself, “No matter how much I practice, I still won’t be able to walk.”

Gu Jiao pointed at his legs and said seriously, “At least your muscles won’t atrophy. The day you decide to walk, they’ll be ready to support your dreams and take you wherever you want.”

Something in Xiao Liulang’s heart was touched.

But in the next second, he started mocking himself again.

Dreams?

He had no dreams.

But her words, “when you want to walk,” seemed to have a deeper meaning when pondered upon.

Did she mean “him walking” or “him departing”?

Xiao Liulang looked at her with deep, questioning eyes.

Gu Jiao, however, didn’t explain further. She smiled slightly and said, “Let’s go.”

She took his crutches and helped him to the backyard.

The night deepened, and the whole village fell into a deep sleep.

The moonlight was serene, and she held his arm as they moved step by step on the cobblestone path in the backyard.

The path seemed long, but they probably reached their destination sooner than expected. He wondered if the same was true for their relationship.

The next day, Xiao Liulang got up early to go to the Academy, and since Xiaobao’s private school was on holiday, Gu Jiao sent him off alone in the bullock cart.

It was early in the day, and since Xiaobao didn’t have school, Gu Jiao thought he would sleep in. As soon as Xiao Liulang left, Xiaobao woke up.

First, he did some squats in the backyard, then he practiced a few splits, even managed to lift his leg above his head. He made Gu Jiao place a bowl of water on his foot.

The little monk practicing was both serious and adorable.

After his practice, Gu Jiao had just cleaned up the kitchen and was about to go up the mountain to pick some mushrooms.

As Gu Yan was still fast asleep, Xiaobao, having the opportunity to be alone with Jiaojiao, naturally didn’t pass up the chance, and proposed to go up the mountain with Jiaojiao!

Gu Jiao agreed.

The two of them each carried their little baskets, and as they opened the front door, they saw a horse-drawn carriage parked in front of their house.

A kind-faced young man jumped off the carriage, clasped his hands in greeting to Gu Jiao, and asked, “Excuse me, is this Xiao Liulang’s house?”

“Who are you?” Gu Jiao asked.

The young man replied amicably, “You must be Mrs. Xiao, right? My family’s steward asked me to invite Mrs. Xiao to the town for a chat.”