First Lady of the Crown Prince

Chapter 778 Reunion

 Empress Dowager Zhuang paused as she picked up the banknotes.

 The rain was heavy and the wind was strong. If Empress Dowager Zhuang raised her head, she would not be able to open her eyes.

She just squatted stiffly on the rain-covered ground, like an old country lady picking vegetable seedlings on the edge of a field.

She only paused for a moment before continuing to pick up the banknotes.

I must have missed Jiaojiao too much and heard it wrong.

 With such heavy rain, how could Jiaojiao appear here?

 “Aunt?”

It was another familiar voice, this time it was directly above her head.

The young man wearing a raincoat and a bamboo hat knelt down on one knee beside her.

 Empress Dowager Zhuang still couldn't raise her eyes, but she caught a glimpse of the ugly red-tasseled gun, the little braids, and the big red flowers. She couldn't be more familiar.

However, Queen Mother Zhuang suddenly stopped looking up.

She lowered her head and brushed the hair that was hanging on her face in the rain, trying to straighten it out so that she would not look so embarrassed.

She also moved her squatting toes, as if she wanted to assume a less awkward squatting posture.

Gu Jiao tilted her head and looked at her: "Auntie, is it really you? Why are you here?"

This time, my aunt no longer had a questioning tone. She was truly sure that she had met the most unlikely person to appear in Dayan Kingdom, and he was also the person she had always been thinking about.

The old lady felt aggrieved all of a sudden. She was robbed on the street, suffocated into steamed shrimp in a carriage, beaten by wind and rain, and fell to the point where she couldn't get up again and again. She didn't feel a little aggrieved at all.

 But Gu Jiao’s words from her aunt suddenly broke all her strength.

 The circles under her eyes were red.

 Like a child who was bullied outside and was finally found by his parents.

Her little mouth tightened, her nose became sore, and she cried: "Why did you just come - I've been waiting for you all day -"

 Gu Jiao was at a loss for a moment and said blankly: "I, I... I was walking a little slower on the road. I will pay attention next time. I will not ride in a carriage. I will ride a horse, riding the Black Wind King."

The old lady didn't understand who the Black Wind King was. She grabbed the banknote and squatted on the ground, twitching in grievance.

 “The Aijia didn’t cry.”

 She said stubbornly.

"Uh, yes, my aunt didn't cry." Gu Jiao quickly took off her raincoat and put it on Queen Mother Zhuang.

"It's not necessary for the Ai family, you can wear it." Queen Mother Zhuang said, not only rejecting Gu Jiao's raincoat, but also taking off the bamboo hat on her head.

 Gu Jiao stopped her.

With Gu Jiao's strength, it was almost effortless to stop a little old lady.

 She tied her bamboo hat and coir raincoat tightly, making Empress Dowager Zhuang unable to take them off even if she wanted to.

Seeing this, Queen Mother Zhuang no longer struggled fearlessly. She sniffed, pointed to the banknote in front of her and said, "This is the last one. My feet are numb."

Gu Jiao went to pick up the banknote and handed it to Queen Mother Zhuang.

After Empress Dowager Zhuang took the banknote, she did not put it away immediately. Instead, she handed it to Gu Jiao along with the rest of the banknotes in her hand: "Here, it's for you."

Many years later, Gu Jiao could always recall this scene when she was galloping on the battlefield. On a heavy rainy day, her great-aunt, who had traveled thousands of miles in embarrassment, squatted on the ground and picked up the flying banknotes one by one, just to hand them over intact. give her.

　　When she lived on campus in her previous life, she never understood why her roommate’s mother could take several train rides from the countryside to the city, suffering from motion sickness, just to deliver a jar of pickles to her daughter who was living on campus.

 She thought she understood the feeling.

Gu Jiao carried her aunt to a restaurant near the alley, and then came back and carried Lao Jijiu on her back.

 “I want two wing rooms.” Gu Jiao said.

Old Jijiu was wandering around the entrance of Lingbo Academy, and he had already been noticed by nearby shops. The innkeeper originally wanted to check the identity of the two elders, but Gu Jiao directly showed the token of the National Master's Palace.

The shopkeeper immediately tensed up: "Please, old man, please, madam! Please, young master!"

 “Get two buckets of hot water.” Gu Jiao ordered.

The shopkeeper hurriedly responded: "Yes! Yes! Come right now!"

 Empress Dowager Zhuang glanced at the shopkeeper whose attitude changed suddenly: "What token did you get that is so useful?"

I am also worried that a few children will live a stretched life for various reasons, but it seems that it is not the same as what I think?

 “The token of the Imperial Master’s Palace.” Gu Jiao said truthfully.

 Empress Dowager Zhuang hummed calmly.

At this moment, I was a little immersed in the excitement of recognizing Gu Jiao, and I didn't realize what the National Master's Palace was.

　　Although the two elders brought their luggage, they were all soaked by the heavy rain.

Gu Jiao sent the two elders to their respective rooms and then went to a nearby clothing store to buy a few sets of dry clothes. She had spare clothes on the carriage.

Gu Jiao came to pick up Xiao Qingkong today, but unexpectedly the little guy went into the palace with the princess.

The corner of Queen Mother Zhuang's mouth twitched. Did the young monk get along so well? Can you even go to Dayan Palace to visit?

 “Then what are you doing with weapons?”

 As expected of the Queen Mother, her eyes are very vicious.

Gu Jiao scratched her little head: "There are a lot of enemies recently, so defend yourself."

 Empress Dowager Zhuang sat in the bathtub behind the screen and sighed calmly.

 As if to say, this is the correct way to open it, she knew it was not peaceful, she came at the right time.

 When Empress Dowager Zhuang and Lao Jijiu had finished packing, Xiao Heng also rushed over.

When Gu Jiao went downstairs to buy clothes, she asked the coachman to go back to the Imperial Master's Palace and asked Xiao Heng to come to this restaurant.

Xiao Heng didn't know that it was his aunt and the old man who came to offer wine. When he entered the side room, he saw the two old men sitting on the imperial chair. He was so shocked that he couldn't close his mouth.

There are not many opportunities to see Xiao Heng lose his composure like this.

Gu Jiao sat next to her aunt, looking at him at leisure, with the corners of her lips raised slightly.

 Obviously, he enjoyed the confused expression on his husband's face.

It took Xiao Heng a long time to wake up from the shock. He hurriedly entered the room, closed the door, and locked the door bolt.

 “Auntie, teacher.” He greeted in surprise.

 Lao Jijiu coughed lightly: "Calling me teacher or something like that can easily reveal my identity."

“Grandpa,” Xiao Heng changed his words.

 Lao Jijiu picked up the teacup at hand with some satisfaction and took a sip calmly.

  Xiao Heng was really shocked. He couldn't believe what he saw, but the two elders did indeed appear in the capital of Dayan.

Xiao Heng took a deep breath, suppressed the remaining shock in his heart, and asked the two elders: "Auntie, uncle, why did you come to Yan country?"

 Old Jijiu asked in a tone of voice: "Are you asking about the reason or the method?"

Xiao Heng said: "Don't pick out the words."

“Before I answer your question, tell me what’s going on with your face?” Old Jijiu asked, looking at the mole under his right eye.

 This tear mole was originally removed by Princess Xinyang.

Xiao Heng touched the mole under his eyes and said, "It was painted."

 Lao Jiejiu asked, "What are you doing drawing this for?"

Xiao Heng said: "I'll tell you in detail later. First, tell me why you and your aunt are here."

 Lao Jijiu straightened his expression: "Isn't it that I don't worry about you? You've been gone for so long, and you haven't even received a letter."

It has only been more than three months since we left Zhaoguo. You must have set off more than a month ago, and you have only been waiting for two months. Jiaojiao has been fighting for longer than this.

 “What’s the method?” Xiao Heng asked.

Old Jijiu dusted off his wide sleeves and said with some pride: "Your uncle, I forged an employment document from Lingbo Academy."

  Xiao Heng: “…”

 You don’t have to emphasize your great-uncle.

As for why Lao Jijiu knew what Lingbo Academy's employment documents looked like, it was because Feng Lao had received it before. Feng Lao's talent and learning were underestimated in Zhao State, and the major academies in Yan State were eager to compete for him, at least. Six academies of Yan Kingdom sent invitations to Chao Feng Lao, including Lingbo Academy in Shengdu.

 It’s a pity that they were all rejected by Feng Lao.

 Lao Jijiu saw those documents and forged a copy based on his memory.

Unfortunately, Lingbo Academy's anti-counterfeiting measures were so good that it took him more than a month to successfully imitate.

If it were anyone else, it would be impossible to imitate it.

Gu Jiao leaned against her aunt and listened quietly to the master and apprentice. She rarely got so close to others, and she seemed to be cuddling in her aunt's arms.

At this moment, she is not the commander of the Black Wind Cavalry who fights **** battles, nor is she a young miracle doctor who saves lives and heals the wounded. She is the Jiaojiao of her great aunt.

Empress Dowager Zhuang is not used to being close to others, but with Gu Jiao by her side, she can let go of all her guard.

Of course she did not hold Gu Jiao in her arms. That was not her temperament, and it was not in line with Gu Jiao's temperament.

 The relationship between two people goes beyond superficial intimacy and is a tacit understanding that can burn each other's lives.

This conversation was mainly between Xiao Heng and Lao Jijiu.

Grandma and Gu Jiao were the audience in the room, blowing their beards and staring as they watched the master and apprentice talking, enjoying the long-lost closeness and peace.

 They both thought it was great.

 It’s nice to have my great-aunt around.

 It’s great that I found Jiaojiao.

 …

"Okay, we've finished talking about our matters, it's time to talk about yours." Old Jijiu said.

He did not mention the hardships of the journey, but it was still difficult for Xiao Heng and Gu Jiao to travel, not to mention that the two of them were still old.

"Okay, okay, what's the situation here?" Old Jijiu was most afraid of sudden incitement, so he hurriedly urged Xiao Heng to exchange information about Shengdu.

 The situation on their side was a bit complicated. Xiao Heng had no way to start, so he had to start with his and Gu Jiao's current identities.

"What? You replaced Shangguan Qing and became the eldest grandson of the emperor?" Lao Jijiu was shocked. It wasn't the biggest shock that he and Zhuang Jinse came to Sheng together. Xiao Heng's life experience was!

Xiao Heng added: "I forgot to mention that Shangguan Qing is Xiao Qing, the son of my mother and my father."

Old Jijiu thought: "The son of Princess Xinyang and Marquis Xuanping? Is that child still alive?"

"Yes." Xiao Heng said, "I was brought to Yan State by my mother."

 Lao Jijiu was a little overwhelmed: "Your mother is-"

Xiao Heng replied seriously: "The former queen of Dayan, Shangguan Yan."

 So the woman who was brought back to the capital by Marquis Xuanping was not a female slave of the Yan Kingdom, but a royal princess.

 Is Marquis Xuanping so lucky?

 Empress Dowager Zhuang is a member of the palace, and her sensitivity and acceptance in this regard are higher than those of Lao Jijiu. Her reaction was quite calm.

 But when Xiao Heng talked about Gu Jiao next, she couldn't calm down.

 The adopted son of the Duke of Guo, the commander of the Black Wind Cavalry, the public enemy of the top ten aristocratic families—

 The corners of Queen Mother Zhuang's mouth twitched.

She said, how could this girl not cause trouble?

 Look at her, she has almost turned Shengdu upside down.

 —Still with one’s own strength.

Xiao Heng and Lao Jijiu talked for a full hour before finally exchanging all the information.

 The two elders immediately fell silent.

  A few little guys were doing things here and there, and there were so many tricks that they were shocked. They needed time to digest them.

Although Xiao Heng and Gu Jiao have achieved many victories at this stage, in the eyes of the experienced Empress Dowager Zhuang and Lao Jijiu, the playing methods of these few little guys are still not perfect. Organization and planning.

Think about how fiercely the Empress Dowager Zhuang fought with Lao Jijiu back then. It was from the court to the harem, from the harem to the officialdom, and even indirectly affected the battlefield.

 Just two little things, drizzle.

Empress Dowager Zhuang hummed: "If you had the skills like Ah Heng back then, the Ai family would have exiled you three thousand miles away, and you would not be able to return to the capital for the rest of your life!"

Old Jijiu made a sound: "If you were as aggressive as Jiaojiao back then, I would have made you sit in the cold palace long ago!"

 Xiao Heng, Gu Jiao: “…”

You two are just quarreling, can you please don't bring us along with you?

 We don’t want to lose face, right?

 Besides, you didn’t have to hide your identity back then, so of course you could fight as much as you wanted!

 Let you switch to Yan State and try to hide your name!

 So angry.

 The young couple exchanged glances.

 “Ahem.” Old Jijiu was defeated by the death gaze of Empress Dowager Zhuang, “Ah Heng, where do you live now?”

 …

 Half an hour later, a carriage drove into the Imperial Master's Palace.

Just after the heavy rain stopped, Yu He walked from the west corridor carrying the boiled soup and saw Xiao Heng and Gu Jiao leading a strange old couple into the Qilin Hall.

 He said doubtfully: "His Royal Highness Changsun, Mr. Xiao, they are—"

Xiao Heng said with a calm expression: "They are Mr. Xiao's patients. They came from the outer city because of their reputation. It was raining heavily and they had nowhere to go, so I took the initiative to bring them over first. I will tell the Imperial Master later."

Yu He said hurriedly: "No, it's a trivial matter. Master has told me to let His Highness Changsun treat the Imperial Master's Palace as his home. You don't have to be polite."

 After all, His Highness Changsun, you have never been polite to the Guoshidian.

It’s not just once or twice that you bring friends from all over the world to spend the night. This time you bring two normal patients, which is a surprise.

How did Xiao Heng know that Shangguan Qing was so unruly and that he was still being a civil servant just to be polite?

Recently, the inner city was tightly found that the aunt was left in the inn. Xiao Yan and Gu Jiao were not assured, so they temporarily brought the second old to the National Teacher Hall.

But the Imperial Master's Palace is not a place to stay for a long time. As soon as it gets bright tomorrow, Xiao Heng will set out to find a suitable house.

There are many wing rooms in Qilin Hall. In the more than ten rooms in the east corridor, only Xiao Heng, Gu Jiao, Shangguan Yan, Xiao Jingkong, and a few servants lived, leaving many rooms empty.

Since they were "two parents-in-law", it was too strange to live in two rooms, so Gu Jiao only asked her servants to clean up one room.

 Lao Jiejiu looked at the spacious room and said nervously: "That's what, I'm laying the floor tonight."

 “Haha.” Empress Dowager Zhuang rolled her eyes and went to Gu Jiao’s side.

 “Your Highness Changsun!”

　　Four palace servants who were sweeping the corridor all saluted Xiao Heng.

Xiao Heng nodded slightly: "You go and do your work."

 “Yes.” The four of them continued working.

 Empress Dowager Zhuang had just walked to the door of Gu Jiao's room.

 She looked at the two maids and two eunuchs who were doing the cleaning.

His eyes fell on one of them, and he frowned slightly.

 (End of this chapter)