Chapter 310: Master has arrived (Third watch of the night)

Lin Chengye and Fen Lin returned home to discover a new guest had joined their household.

Fen Lin was puzzled, wasn’t the old woman found fainting at the doorstep of Gu Jiao and Xiao Liulang merely a nondescript leper?

How did she turn out to be a relative?

He did not doubt the validity of her identity; instead, he assumed they were separated in the past.

“How did he find his way to the Capital City?” Fen Lin asked.

After all, the old woman was found in a county town miles away from the Capital City.

Gu Jiao fished the fried meatballs out of the pot: “Maybe he asked around in the next village.”

Fen Lin nodded: “That’s possible. No matter what, a reunion is always good!”

Last year’s celebration in the countryside had Xue Ningxiang and puppy, this year they had Lin Chengye, Gu Yan, and the old monk. Although it was just one additional person, the atmosphere felt much livelier.

Mainly because Fen Lin and Gu Jiao had grown to know each other well, becoming the second biggest chatterbox in the house after Xiaoshun.

Xiao Liulang was so annoyed that he deeply regretted easing the relationship between Fen Lin and Gu Jiao.

Today also happened to be the birthday of Xiao Liulang and Xiaoshun, the family had prepared presents for both of them.

Gu Yan’s gift was a clay figurine he made himself. Since the time when Gu Changqing mistook his wood carving for a monkey, his self-confidence took a hit and he stopped learning carving from Gu Xiaoshun.

Gu Xiaoshun’s gift was still a wood carving. He carved a Buddhist scripture for Xiaoshun, and a poetry book for Xiao Liulang.

His skills had improved since Gu Jiao’s birthday two months ago.

Gu Jiao deeply felt that her brother’s talent should not be wasted any longer.

Once the New Year is over, she will find him a reliable carpenter as a tutor for after-school lessons.

The old woman’s gift was still an embroidered pouch, and it was better made than last time.

“Grandma, you’re amazing,” praised Gu Xiaoshun.

The old woman lifted her chin pridedly.

Then Xiaoshun said: “Grandpa did the embroidery! I saw it!”

Grandma only cut the thread!

Old Woman: Monk, sometimes silence is golden!

Old Monk: Exactly! Don’t I deserve some dignity too!

For once in their lives, the lifelong arch-enemies agreed on something!

For Xiao Liulang, the old monk gave a set of writing supplies.

Gu Jiao did not understand their significance, but from Xiao Liulang’s surprised reaction, it was clear they were something special.

Although the old monk was an honest official and did not gather much fortune, he was favored by the Emperor and had many valuable imperial gifts.

“Grandpa! Grandpa!” Xiaoshun looked at him eagerly.

The sweet innocence of the boy nearly melted the old monk’s heart.

The old monk had also prepared a gift for Xiaoshun. Knowing that Xiaoshun was studying foreign languages, he translated several popular folk tales into six languages, one of which was Sanskrit.

The old monk was recognized as the most learned man in Zhan Country, a fact that even the past queen dowager could not deny.

Moreover, to make the reading experience more enjoyable, he even included illustrations.

Xiaoshun fell in love with the book at first sight!

Fen Lin and Lin Chengye also presented their respective gifts.

When it was Gu Jiao’s turn, she gave each of them a box.

Xiaoshun immediately opened his, revealing a checkers game custom-made by Gu Jiao. She replaced the traditional glass pieces with iron marbles in different colors.

She loved playing this game as a child, and she hoped Xiaoshun would enjoy it too.

Additionally, there were also paper cranes folded by Gu Jiao herself, primarily as decorations.

Xiaoshun loved everything!

While everyone else’s gifts were placed directly on the table, Gu Jiao’s was packaged in a box, so Xiao Liulang did not open his on-the-spot.

He also did not open his gift on Gu Yan’s birthday, which made Xiaoshun curious for a long time.

But today’s gifts were too many and too fascinating, Xiaoshun was far too distracted to worry about his future brother-in-law’s gift.

Not only that, he even took advantage of his birthday to demand a big kiss from Gu Jiao!

Tonight, Fen Lin and Lin Chengye stayed behind for the festivities.

Xiao Liulang and Xiaoshun left their room for the two men to spend the night. Xiaoshun nearly got dragged away by the old woman to her room but luckily, he managed to weasel his way into staying in Jiaojiao’s room by the virtue of his birthday privileges!

He would never know that the moment his little snores started, the old woman instantly dragged him back to her room to use as a pillow.

Keeping vigil during New Year’s Eve didn’t mean staying awake the whole night- people started to head back to their rooms around midnight.

Xiao Liulang and Gu Jiao also returned to the eastern room.

The room was warmed by silver charcoal, so it was not too cold. Gu Jiao laid out two blankets, one for each.

Xiao Liulang came in clutching his box.

Gu Jiao turned towards him and asked: “Ready to sleep?”

“Hmm.” He nodded.

Gu Jiao went out to check the door latch of the front and backyard. When she returned, he was unwrapping the gift she had given him.

The curious and careful look was something Gu Jiao had never seen on his face before.

It was not long ago that she thought he had grown up, becoming an adult, but now she felt as though deep inside, he was still a child.

“Do you like it?” Gu Jiao’s voice echoed from the doorway.

Xiao Liulang was startled, stabilized himself, and turned his head to look at her without a change in expression. “Why is there also a checkers game?”@@novelbin@@

That was an extra set.

The main gift Gu Jiao gave him was a piece of clothing she had sewn herself.

Gu Jiao blinked her eyes and said, “If Xiaojingkong has it, then of course so do you!”

Xiao Liulang made a sound of acknowledgment then suddenly became serious with the little fellow. “Why don’t I have that one?”

“Which one?” Gu Jiao tilted her head to ask.

“That one.” Xiao Liulang couldn’t name it.

Gu Jiao thought about it, gave a knowing grunt, and found it strange that he would make such a request. However, she still walked up to him, and under Xiao Liulang’s dumbfounded gaze, she bent down and left a kiss on his face.

Xiao Liulang was stunned, “….!!”

Ah!

He was talking about that paper-folded crane!

Xiao Liulang’s face flushed red, especially the place Gu Jiao had kissed, it was so red that blood seemed to drip out.

When they were going to sleep, Gu Jiao extinguished the charcoal fire, and the temperature in the room gradually dropped, but Xiao Liulang still felt his body burning.

He stiffly lay next to Gu Jiao.

The oil lamp was extinguished too, and a sliver of light reflected from the snowfield crept in through the window lattice.

He couldn’t sleep with his eyes wide open.

Because of that sudden kiss, his mind was all muddled, and even the suffocating fire didn’t burn in his mind.

He turned over, facing her, and fell deeply into a dreamland.

It was late at night, and the moon was dark and the wind high.

Everyone had fallen into a deep sleep.

However, an eerie figure stealthily snuck into their courtyard.

Gu Jiao had a high alertness, but she didn’t notice the other party walking around her bed.

He went through a few rooms and finally stopped in front of Xiaojingkong’s bed.

Xiaojingkong had already kicked off his blanket, sleeping spread-eagled, snoring lightly!

The man sat down by the bed, a smile flickering in his peach blossom eyes.

He first pinched his little face, then played with his little feet, and finally, prodded his chubby little stomach.

“You said you’ve grown tall, taller than the tree in the courtyard, I knew you were bluffing!”

“Your little arms and legs are sturdy indeed, and your face has flesh too.”

“It appears that this family is taking good care of you. Your master thought you might be returned by your adopted family within a month as before.”

“Heh, don’t you remember? When you were one, you were returned three times by people.”

The man kept mumbling while pinching the little fellow’s hand.

Very warm, he didn’t pull the blanket over him.

The man smirked evilly, “After living here for so long, you should be tired, right? Just call me master and I’ll take you away.”

Xiaojingkong: “Master….”

The man’s face changed and he flew up to the beam with a whoosh!

No one can match the speed of his hasty retreat!

Xiaojingkong turned over and continued to sleep.

“Oh, it’s sleep talking.” The man sighed and jumped back down gently.

This time he dared not say more, just left the birthday gift and planned to leave.

However, he unintentionally glanced and saw the old lady next to Xiaojingkong.

The man squinted his intoxicating peach blossom eyes, “The Grandma Regent of the Zhan Country? Hey girl, hey girl, it wasn’t enough to provoke the Marquis Xuanping residence and now you’ve brought the Grandma Regent to your house too? You’re playing with fire. My disciple can’t join you in playing with fire and burning oneself.”

Saying that, the man stooped to pick up Xiaojingkong.

In his sleep, Xiaojingkong suddenly raised a foot and smacked it right on the man’s mouth!

The man: “….”

The man rolled his eyes in disgust, sticking out his tongue as though he wanted to faint on the spot!

He used his outstanding light-body technique to escape through the window, but upon landing, he fell flat on his face!

Xiaojingkong can tumble so well, it’s all from learning with his master!

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