Chapter 71: 71 Kisses
The Prime Minister's Darling
In the end, Gu Jinyu was unable to outdo Gu Yan.
Even though she was the only daughter of the family, after all, Gu Yan was the youngest, and after all, Gu Yanâs health was indeed frail.
Seeing Gu Jinyu reluctantly letting people take away her pet bunny, Gu Yan raised a triumphant brow, and a mix of emotions welled up in the heart of their lordly father.
Gu Yan was a loner since childhood, he didnât get close to anyone, including anyone from the Yao family, yet he allowed them to be close to him.
He kept a distance from anyone who were kind to Gu Jinyu and there was hardly anyone in the house who was not kind to Gu Jinyu.
Their lordly father always thought it was his sonâs fault, he never thought that after losing the most important person in his life, the son would be the one most hurt.
However, even though he considered his son at fault, he never reprimanded him harshly. Instead, he would quietly compensate doubly for the grievances Jin Yu suffered.
But the grievances Jinyu suffered could be compensated; what about those suffered by his son?
They couldnât give what their son wants: would that child be able to provide it?
After Gu Jiao descended the mountain, she didnât rush home, but first took the wolf to the market, where it was sold for eighteen tael of silver.
After that, Gu Jiao went to the academy to pick up Xiao Liulang and Gu Xiaoshun when school finished, and the three of them headed back to the village together.
The old lady, who had been bothered by little monk Jing Kong all day, was finally liberated.
She lay limp on the rattan chair like a salted fish, completely devoid of energy, feeling like she would drop dead on the spot if they didnât return soon!
Lilâ Jing Kong had been looking forward to Gu Jiaoâs arrival all day, but as soon as she came home, he ran away.
He closed himself away, sitting in a corner, his little face against the wall. He looked as pitiful as could be.
Gu Jiao was puzzled about what had happened and was surprised not to see Jing Kong, âHuh? Whereâs Jing Kong?â
The old lady weakly pointed in the direction of the west room, âHeâs upset and is hiding from you.â
âUpset?â Gu Jiao was confused. âWho upset him?â
The old lady glanced at Gu Jiao and Xiao Liulang and grumbled, âYou two! Who told you to take him over in the middle of the night? Who told you to leave before dawn?â
The first sentence was aimed at Liulang and the latter at Gu Jiao.
âIâm worn out!â The old lady announced that she was through dealing with these two!
Gu Jiao initially didnât understand, but once the old lady explained, Gu Jiao got it.
Gu Jiao then went to the west room.
Upon hearing someone was approaching, Lilâ Jing Kongâs ears perked up, although he still refused to turn around.
Coming behind him, Gu Jiao bent down to his level, looking at his side profile, âYouâre upset with me?â
Jing Kong turned his body away, continuing to show his back to Gu Jiao.
Gu Jiao whispered, âI didnât mean to, I didnât know youâd be scared.â
Unable to hold back, Jing Kong blurted out, âI wasnât scared! Iâm not that timid!â
Gu Jiao feigned surprise, âReally? Then why are you upset?â
âI⦠I⦠I⦠I was justâ¦.â Jing Kong stammered, but couldnât bring himself to say âI missed youâ.
Gu Jiao moved to face him, even though he kept his gaze lowered and didnât look at her, Gu Jiao stared intently at him, âAlright, I was wrong today. I apologize to you, can you forgive me?â
Jing Kong quickly glanced up at Gu Jiao, then instantly dropped his gaze, fiddling with the corner of his robe, he said softly, âI can forgive you, but only if I get a kiss.â
Gu Jiao felt her heart melting, what utterly adorable little creature was this? And a single kiss? Let alone one, sheâd even give him ten!
Gu Jiao didnât hesitate and planted a kiss on his little face!
Jing Kong was stunned!
With his big eyes wide open, like black grapes, he stared blankly at Gu Jiao for a few seconds, and then all at once, he let out a shout!
âAh!â
You really kissed him after what he said in jest!
Jing Kong covered his face with his little hand, ran away in shy embarrassment!
After receiving the kiss, Little Clean Sky blushed like a drunk all night.
At mealtime, he sat next to Gu Jiao, shy as a violet.
Xiao Liulang gave him a bath in the evening, as usual. He sat in the small tub and pushed his left cheek towards Xiao Liulang: âJust wash this side, donât wash the other side, the kiss is there!â
Xiao Liulang expressionlessly grabbed the washcloth from the tub, and with a smack, slammed it onto his right cheek.
Little Clean Sky: ââ¦â
Little Clean Sky: â!!!â
âWaaaaaâââ
The old lady, who was sneaking a cardamom in the kitchen, was startled by Little Clean Skyâs heartbreaking cry and almost lost her breath.
The old lady growled angrily, âLiulang! What did you do to him again!â
Xiao Liulang didnât do anything but wash all traces of the kiss off the little monkâs face.
Little Clean Sky cried pitifully.
In the end, it was Gu Jiao who came over and gave him another peck to stop his tears.
After that, Little Clean Sky became extra cautious, always guarding his face with his little hand to prevent sneak attacks from his wicked brother-in-law.
He was bald and could go to sleep immediately after his bath.
Holding his little pillow, he first bid the old lady goodnight, then went over to Gu Jiaoâs room: âJiaojiao, I am going to sleep, see you tomorrow.â
Gu Jiao stroked his small bare head, âGo to sleep, Iâll wake you up tomorrow.â
âUm!â Little Clean Sky bounced back to the west room.
He took off his shoes and climbed into bed.
Xiao Liulang was copying books at his desk.
Little Clean Sky, cautiously, cast an alert glance at his wicked brother-in-law and moved his pillow to put some distance from Xiao Liulangâs pillow!
Xiao Liulang didnât even lift his eyelids and snorted softly.
Little Clean Sky, with hands on hips, said, âYou better not touch my kiss!â
Xiao Liulang raised an eyebrow, âYour kiss?â
Little Clean Sky, triumphantly said, âThe one from Jiaojiao! The one you donât have!â
Xiao Liulang slowly turned his gaze on him, resting them on his chubby baby face, and leisurely stated, âI wonât have to. When youâre asleep, theyâll fly away on their own.â
Little Clean Skyâs face changed drastically!
He could already envision the heartbreak when the two little kisses would abandon him while he was not paying attention. He was shattered!
The two little traitors!
After the shock of three seconds, Little Clean Sky sprang out of the bed, ran to Gu Jiaoâs room, and got a veil to wrap around his face and head.
He was wrapped up snugly, looking like a little peasant woman ready to work in the fields.
Then, with a standard farmerâs pose, he strode back into the room.
Little Clean Sky lifted his chin to his wicked brother-in-law and said, âIâve covered them! They canât fly away now!â
Little Clean Sky was a very intelligent child. Though he was just over three years old, he could recognize more characters than his older brothers. When the other monks were still trying to figure out the sutras, he had them memorized upside down and inside out.
So when he once told Xiao Liulang âI always come first, itâs a habit,â it wasnât a boast, but a plain statement of the fact.
He had his own logic, unaffected by anyone. His elder monks couldnât out-argue him, even the abbot couldnât beat him. In the temple, he was a headache for all.
Only when dealing with Xiao Liulang did he occasionally get sidetracked.
However, his logic was still unbeatable. So, no matter how Xiao Liulang tried to mislead him, he always found his own solution.
Xiao Liulang asked, âWhatâs the use of covering them? Once you take off your veil tomorrow, theyâll still fly away.â
Little Clean Sky said, âNo, Iâve planted them! In the morning theyâll sprout! And from now on they canât leave me anymore!â