Chapter 204: 128 Show Off (First Update)_2

In fact, the Prince of An County was not unaware of the lapse in his story, but he did not have a better excuse at the time. He could only pray that Gu Jiao would not be sharp enough to notice it.

Gu Jiao always felt that the “assassination” that night had something to do with the Prince of An County.

This guy named Wuyang, the more she looked at him, the more he resembled the black-clothed man who had shot at the old lady that night.

Gu Jiao was unaware that Wuyang had missed his target. She assumed they were after the old lady’s life.

Therefore, Gu Jiao was very wary of Wuyang. When he went to visit the old lady, Gu Jiao was watching him the whole time, so much so that Wuyang couldn’t even have a private talk with the Empress Dowager!

Halfway through, Gu Jiao was called away once by Xiao Jingkong, but she quickly returned.

Wuyang sighed, and left in disappointment.

“Your Highness.” In another alley near the Imperial Academy, Wuyang got in a carriage and reported to the Prince of An County.

“Did she like the gift?” The Prince of An County asked.

Wuyang was unsure and asked, “Why didn’t Your Highness personally deliver the gift to Miss Gu?”

The Prince of An County sneered, “There are many people in the Capital City keeping a close eye on me. I need to be very careful. If they found out about this place, the Empress Dowager won’t be able to keep it a secret.”

The family had a fulfilling and happy day celebrating the birthday of the dragon and phoenix twins.

It was approaching midnight when Lady Yao returned to the residence.

The entire household had been busy all day, everyone was exhausted. The masters had retired early, and there were servants still working, yawning as they went about their chores.

When Lady Yao entered the courtyard, she was surprised to find Gu Jinyu waiting for her in the room.

She had spent the whole day celebrating the twins’ birthday and had neglected Jinyu. Lady Yao felt guilt in her heart.

She walked over, smoothing Gu Jinyu’s hair near her temple, and said, “Sorry, mother came back late.”

She had originally intended to return after lunch, but she couldn’t bear to leave Jiaojiao and Yanyan, so she stayed for several more hours. If it wasn’t for the constant reminders from room attendants, she wouldn’t have known how late it had gotten.

There was not a trace of grievance or anger on Gu Jinyu’s face. On the contrary, she was pleased. “Mother, do you know how many guests came today?”

“Hm?” Lady Yao stopped in her tracks. Her daughter has been waiting for her all night, not due to any feelings of neglect because of her late return, but because the banquet was so lively that her excitement lasted till now?

Lady Yao sat down beside her, holding back her exhaustion, smiled and said, “Were there many?”

“Yes!” Gu Jinyu meticulously recalled the names of the honored guests one by one, then she elaborated on certain guests in detail “… Mr. Zheng from the Imperial Academy was also present! He is the Chief Academic Officer, meaning he’ll be the next Principal of the Imperial Academy!”

“That’s nice.” Lady Yao nodded with a smile.

Gu Jinyu continued, “The Prince of An County didn’t personally come to our house, but he sent gifts for me! Look, mother, these are all from him! I have received so many gifts today that I can’t use them all for the rest of my life. Since sister refuses to return home, she must have had a very lackluster birthday. Tomorrow, I’ll pick out some of the valuable gifts for sister.”

Lady Yao thought to herself that it was unnecessary. Turning around, she saw that the gifts Prince of An County had given to her daughter were indeed valuable, though they paled in comparison with the presents he gave to Jiaojiao and her brother.

Now it really wasn’t necessary.

Gu Jinyu continued to boast, “The Crown Princess also sent me a birthday gift!”

This was Gu Jinyu’s proudest achievement, however, it reminded Lady Yao of something.

When Wuyang was chatting with the old lady, it seemed like he called her…Empress Dowager.

His voice was a bit soft, the old lady didn’t quite hear it. Lady Yao happened to pass by him and overheard it by accident.

Could it be… that she misheard?

How could Liulang’s great-aunt possibly be the current Empress Dowager?

The current Empress Dowager not only made up a sachet for her daughter personally, but also did her hair and coming-of-age ceremony? Even the imperial princesses didn’t receive this kind of treatment!

“I must be overthinking this.” Lady Yao shook her head.

“Mother, what did you say?” Gu Jinyu didn’t hear clearly.

Lady Yao came back to her senses, “Ah, nothing. I’m just saying that since these are gifts for you from the guests, you should keep them.”

Gu Jinyu insisted, “How can that be? I want to share them with my sister!”

Lady Yao was very tired and she patted her hand, “There’s no need, you keep them. She doesn’t have much room at her place to keep them.”

Gu Jinyu still wanted to send the gifts to Gu Jiao. She wanted Gu Jiao to acknowledge that despite being adopted, she was still living in the lap of luxury, and no one could look down upon her!

“Sigh.” Gu Jinyu sighed as something came to mind, “The only regret is that big brother was at the military camp the whole day and couldn’t return to attend my coming-of-age ceremony.”

Yao family couldn’t bear to tell her, your big brother just went to Jiaojiao’s house…

It’s not far from Guozijian to the Marquis Residence. If Gu Changqing was willing, he certainly could have made it back for Gu Jinyu’s adulthood ceremony.

It just shows that Gu Changqing still hasn’t truly accepted Gu Jinyu.

Yao Family’s impression of Gu Changqing was not very good. He was someone without feelings: “You should try not to visit your big brother when you have nothing to do.”

“What happened?” Gu Jinyu asked in confusion.

The lady of Yao Family held her hand tightly and said in a profound way: “Listening to your mother is right, your big brother will never accept us.”

“Oh.” Gu Jinyu quickly agreed with her.

She agreed nicely from the outside, but the moment she heard her big brother came back to the house the next morning, she rushed off to lurk around Gu Changqing’s courtyard.

When Gu Changqing finished his swordsmanship routine and saw her, he asked coldly: “What do you want?”

“That…” Gu Jinyu shyly and nervously took out a purse from behind her. “Thank you for the birthday present you sent, big brother. This is my thank-you gift! I made it myself!”

The birthday gift was prepared by Madame Ling, Gu Changqing had long since forgotten about it.

He didn’t stretch out his hand to receive it.

Gu Jinyu spoke softly: “I know, I’m not the legitimate son of my father, I’m not worthy to call you big brother. I’ve stolen the life that should have belonged to my sister. If I could choose, I would rather that I hadn’t been switched at birth. The wealth and glory of the Marquis Residence should be my sister’s, not mine!”

Gu Changqing had a certain amount of anger towards Gu Jinyu, but since she wasn’t the biological daughter of Lady Yao, his anger over the years was misplaced.

Gu Changqing took the purse: “It’s the thought that counts.”

Big brother actually accepted her gift!

Gu Jinyu could hardly believe it, she was so excited!

“Is there anything else?” Gu Changqing asked.

“No, there isn’t! I’m going to pay respects to grandmother!” Gu Jinyu suppressed her excitement, bowed respectfully to Gu Changqing, and then left jubilantly to find the old lady Gu.

—

Fen Lin arrived in the Capital City in time for the Guozijian exam on the 27th of October.

After reporting to Guozijian and getting assigned a dormitory, he quickly went to find Xiao Liulang.

He wasn’t alone, he brought a familiar face with him.

The door was opened by Xiao Jingkong.

Upon seeing the people outside, Xiao Jingkong exclaimed, “Brother Fen Lin! Brother Chengye!”

Yes, Lin Chengye had also come.

He too was a student of this year’s Guozijian.

However, Lin Chengye didn’t make it into Guozijian by passing the examination himself, nor was he recommended by a local county government. He got in because the Lin Family donated a building to Guozijian.

Fen Lin had bumped into him on the road and the two entered the Capital City together with the Lin family’s caravan.

When Lin Chengye heard that Fen Lin was going to visit Xiao Liulang, he expressed his desire to pay a visit to his little benefactor as well.

Both of them were delighted to see Xiao Jingkong.

Fen Lin ruffled Xiao Jingkong’s stubble head: “You’ve grown taller in a few days!”

Xiao Jingkong immediately frowned.

He definitely hadn’t! He measured himself every day!

Lin Chengye pinched his cheek: “You’ve gotten chubby.”

Xiao Jingkong’s face got even darker!

He was not chubby!

He was not fat!

He didn’t grow horizontally!

Xiao Jingkong was so annoyed that he was grinding his teeth, this generation of adults really drove children crazy!