The Prime Minister's Darling

Chapter 23: Husband and Wife

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

Gu Jiao and Xiao Liulang both woke up early.

Xiao Liulang went to the village entrance to get water.

Gu Jiao first went to the hut to check the old lady’s condition. The red blotches on her face were so faint that they could barely be seen, and the skin damage on the back of her hand had basically disappeared.

Although it was still far from a complete cure, she was no longer infectious.

Gu Jiao rubbed her chin in satisfaction and turned to the kitchen to brew medicine for her.

Seeing the bitter medicine in front of her, the old lady rolled her eyes in disdain.

In order to better let her drink the medicine, Gu Jiao asked Xiao Liulang to bring some candied fruits from town. The old lady liked to eat candied fruits; however, if she did not drink the medicine, they would not give her any candied plums.

Gu Jiao placed a bowl of medicine and a small plate of candied fruits on the table at the same time.

“So little!? Only three of them?!” The old lady was evidently dissatisfied with the amount of candied fruits.

“Candied fruits are very expensive. If you don’t want them, then it’s fine,” Gu Jiao said as she reached for the plate of candied fruits.

The old lady glared at Gu Jiao resentfully and snatched the candied fruits, cradling them in her arms as she drank the bowl of medicine bitterly.

Because Xiao Liulang was going to the medical hall for treatment today, Gu Jiao had to go too, but she could not leave the old lady alone at home.

Gu Jiao had considered bringing the old lady along, but there were checkpoints on the roads. If the constables recognized the old lady, all their previous efforts would be in vain.

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Although she was not sure if the old lady was the leper they were looking for, it was better to be safe than sorry.

After some thought, Gu Jiao called Gu Xiaoshun over.

“Sister! You’re finally willing to let me in!” Gu Xiaoshun said excitedly.

Gu Jiao said, “I’m going to town with your brother-in-law today. Stay at home and help me take care of the old lady, her illness is no longer contagious and I’ve disinfected the house.”

Gu Xiaoshun did not understand what disinfecting meant, nor did he ask his sister how she knew that the illness was no longer contagious. He agreed without any hesitation. “Okay! Sister, don’t worry! I’ll keep an eye on her!”

“Lunch is in the pot. Just bring her a portion,” Gu Jiao continued.

Gu Xiaoshun patted his chest and said, “Sister, I’ve got this, don’t worry!”

Thinking of something, Gu Jiao reminded him, “If anyone asks, just say that she’s your brother-in-law’s relative and is here to seek refuge with him.”

Gu Xiaoshun obediently said, “Okay!”

As soon as Gu Jiao and Xiao Liulang left, the riff-raff under Gu Xiaoshun came knocking.

“Boss! We’ve finally found you! I heard that you went to study. Why are you messing around with Dashun? Let’s go and find ourselves a scuffle or two!” “Scram, scram, scram! I’ve got business to attend to!” Gu Xiaoshun chased them away without thinking.

Although he felt itchy after holding it in for too long, he had to do what his sister had instructed him to do.

When Gu Jiao and Xiao Liulang arrived at the Spring Rejuvenation Hall, Feng Lin had already been lingering at the entrance for a long time. He had agreed to meet at Spring Rejuvenation Hall at nine o’clock; however, he was worried that too many people would look for Doctor Zhang for treatment, so he came at seven.

Unexpectedly, after waiting here for more than an hour, there was no sign of a queue.

Just as he was wondering, he spotted Xiao Liulang and Gu Jiao.

His expression went glum in an instant. “Why are you here?”

Gu Jiao smiled faintly. “I’m just here to take a look.”

Feng Lin did not understand. Aren’t they saying that this evil woman has someone else she admires? Then why is she pestering Brother Xiao recently? Now she’s even following Brother Xiao to his treatment!

Brother Xiao’s really too much. Why bring this troublesome woman with him for something as important as treating his leg? What if she messed something up?

Feng Lin said coldly, “I’m warning you, when we enter the medical hall later, you’re not allowed to speak nonsense or touch anything. Don’t cause trouble for Brother Xiao, lest you delay his treatment!”

“Right,” Gu Jiao replied. She was neither annoyed nor angry.

On the other hand, Xiao Liulang frowned and cast a glance at Feng Lin, before heading in on his walking stick.

Shopkeeper Wang was the one who received them.

Shopkeeper Wang had also been waiting for a long time. He welcomed them with a smile, glancing at Gu Jiao surreptitiously. Then, he said to Feng Lin, “Young Master Feng, you’re here. You must be Young Master Feng’s friend, Young Master Xiao, right? I’m Shopkeeper Wang of Spring Rejuvenation Hall.” Xiao Liulang nodded mildly.

Shopkeeper Wang secretly drew a breath of amazement. This Young Master Xiao is so handsome; he might be wearing rags, but he’s more refined and noble than any other young master I’ve seen.

“And this is…” Shopkeeper Wang looked at Gu Jiao as if he did not know her at all.

Xiao Liulang paused. “My wife, from the Gu family.”

Gu Jiao: ‘My wife, from the Gu family.’ That has a nice ring to it.

Shopkeeper Wang cupped his hands and smiled. “So it’s Madam Xiao. Forgive my poor manners.”

Gu Jiao: It doesn’t sound half as good coming from you.

“Mister Wang, is Doctor Zhang really here? Why isn’t there a single patient in line here?” Feng Lin asked.

“Sigh, that’s because Doctor Zhang’s injuries have yet to recover and he can’t receive a large number of patients. I didn’t release the news, and only informed a handful of patients whose conditions are indeed very anxious. Yours is the only appointment in the morning, the rest are in the afternoon!” Shopkeeper Wang had long known that Feng Lin would question him, and already prepared a script in advance.

“I see.” Feng Lin did not doubt him.

Shopkeeper Wang smiled and said, “Young Master Feng, please take a seat in the hall. I’ll bring Young Master Xiao inside to sec Doctor Zhang.”

“Can’t I go in too?” Feng Lin asked.

Shopkeeper Wang smiled and said, “I’m afraid that is against our regulations.”

Feng Lin thought for a moment and nodded. “Alright, I’ll pass Brother Xiao over to you. Shopkeeper Wang, please, you must have Doctor Zhang cure him!”

Shopkeeper Wang glanced at Gu Jiao from the corner of his eye and smiled. “We’ll do our best.”

After Xiao Liulang and Shopkeeper Wang entered the back room, Gu Jiao stood up.

“What are you doing?” Feng Lin asked warily.

“Toilet,” Gu Jiao said.

Feng Lin’s face turned red. “Sheesh, go quickly and come back quickly. Don’t wander around!”

Gu Jiao carried her small basket and went to the courtyard in the back.

When she walked into the treatment room, Xiao Liulang was already asleep on the rattan chair.

Shopkeeper Wang and the branch manager were both there.

“Miss Gu.” The branch manager cupped his hands in greeting.

Gu Jiao’s gaze swept across the incense stove on the table and landed on Xiao Liulang’s handsome sleeping face. She asked, “Is this incense safe?”

The branch manager replied amiably, “It’s just a calming incense, made here in our Spring Rejuvenation Hall. It’s not harmful to the body. Will Miss Gu be giving him treatment now?”

“Yes.” Gu Jiao walked over and placed the small basket on the table. It contained her medicine box, but she did not intend to take it out in front of them.

The branch manager actually wanted to ask Gu Jiao, If Young Master Xiao is your husband, why won’t you tell him directly? Or are they actually not husband and wife?

However, the branch manager was a shrewd businessman. In order to conduct business well, one ought to speak less and listen more.

He definitely would not pry into things he had no business knowing..