The Prime Minister's Darling
Chapter 1694: 825 The Overbearing Beauty Has Arrived! (2 taels)

Chapter 1694: 825 The Overbearing Beauty Has Arrived! (2 taels)

Besides, it was indeed his oversight back then that allowed a spy from the Jin Country to infiltrate the National Master Hall and even become his most trusted disciple.

The National Master did not ask her how she came to know the truth. After dropping a piece, he said calmly, “Tianshan Pass and Yanmen Pass are not far apart. On this journey, the armies of both the Jin Country and the Liang Country might have the chance to encounter each other. Be wary of Gongsun Yu from Jin Country, and Chu Feipeng from Liang Country. Both are godlike generals with remarkable battle achievements.”

In the dream, Xuanyuan’s Seven Sons, along with Qingfeng Taoist priest and Mu Qingchen, all perished at the hands of Gongsun Yu!

As for Chu Feipeng, he is also a tough opponent. It was he who led the army to besiege the Hei Fengqi trapped in Liang Mountain. Hei Fengqi fought to the last man and finally perished under the rain of arrows from the Chu family army.

Even if the National Master had not mentioned it, she would have been especially vigilant regarding them.

Since the National Master mentioned it, it proves that he is genuinely considering her interests.

“I will be careful,” Gu Jiao said.

The National Master was used to her always having a streak of sarcasm that could choke half a person. Her sudden compliance took him by surprise and left him unsure of how to react.

“You’ve lost,” Gu Jiao said, looking at the chessboard.

Ye Qing was slightly stunned, stretching his neck to glance at their chessboard.

The National Master had indeed lost.

Ye Qing was even more surprised.

The master’s chess skills were exquisite, unrivaled except by the old man Meng, yet he lost to Xiao Liulang.

Judging by the fierce competition on the chessboard, it did not seem like the master had conceded any pieces.

Thus, Xiao Liulang’s chess skills must be genuinely exquisite.

Ye Qing looked again at his master. There was no trace of surprise in his master’s eyes, as if it was an expected outcome.

Had master played chess with Xiao Liulang before? Or had master learned about Xiao Liulang’s chess skills from Meng old gentleman?

Ye Qing found it increasingly difficult to understand the relationship between his master and Xiao Liulang.

At times, he had the illusion that they had known each other for a long time.

Gu Jiao stood up: “Alright, the chess game is over. I should go now. As for the safety of Shengdu—I’ll rely on the National Master Hall.”

The National Master spoke calmly: “Alright.”

This was the third purpose of her visit to the National Master Hall, to have the National Master promise to safeguard the overall situation in Shengdu.

Everyone had left, leaving Shengdu an empty shell.

The National Master and Xuanyuan Li were friends. The National Master Hall was founded by the shadow leader of the Xuanyuan family. No one could say for sure how loyal the National Master was to the monarch.

So Gu Jiao sought his assurance personally.

The National Master stared at Gu Jiao unblinkingly: “I will guard Shengdu and wait for your return.”

Gu Jiao waved her hand casually and strode into the endless night.

The autumn wind rose abruptly, blowing into the purple bamboo forest. The glazed lanterns under the gallery gently rotated and swayed.

In the study room, the portrait of a general, dressed in Black Armor and holding a Red-Tasseled Spear, was blown open with a clatter.

Only this time, the person in the portrait had a face.

…

After leaving the National Master Hall, Gu Jiao returned to the Duke Residence. After packing her things, she needed to head to the Military Camp, as she would set off with the army tomorrow morning.

Duke An was waiting for her at the gate of the Feng Courtyard, while Gu Yan and Gu Xiaoshun were inside the house sneaking glances at her.

Duke An was here to bid farewell to Gu Jiao; she was heading to the battlefield, and he needed to leave as well. Officially, he was going for peace talks, but in reality, he was covering for Aunt and Uncle and incidentally meeting Xiao Hen’s biological father.

He had to see what kind of person his future in-law was.

——He had heard from Gu Chengfeng that Xiao Hen had married her under someone else’s identity, so strictly speaking, this marriage couldn’t be counted.

Their marriage still needed to be thoroughly discussed between the two families.

The two of them did not say much about the sadness of parting; Gu Jiao gave him some reminders about his rehabilitation on the road, and he advised Gu Jiao to be sure to take care on her journey.

Gu Jiao said, “I will, I’m still waiting to see you stand up.”

The Duke Residence’s eyes flashed with a hint of laughter. He wrote on the armrest: “Certainly.”

I will definitely stand up and grandly send you off to marry.

So you must come back safely too.

…

Gu Yan and Gu Xiaoshun refused to leave.

The two young men stated they would stay in Shengdu and wait to return to Zhan Country together after Gu Jiao won the battle.

Gu Jiao disagreed: “I’ve left, your brother-in-law has left, Aunt and Uncle have left too, who will take care of you? Don’t mention the Lady Nan and Master Lu, them being able to come here once is already very difficult; we cannot trouble them further.”

Gu Yan said, “We can take care of ourselves!”

For the first time, Gu Xiaoshun did not listen to his sister: “Exactly! We are adults now!”