The Prime Minister's Darling novel Chapter 1098

Chapter 1098: 529 Triumphal Return to Court (Second Update)

She thus comforted herself: her daughter, Gu Jiao, marrying a more outstanding man might not necessarily mean a better life than currently. As long as her daughter was happy, she had no regrets. _{fɾeewebnoveℓ.co๓}

However, the surprise that this son-in-law brought her was truly staggering.

Not only had he topped the Youzhou region examination and entered the Guozijian, but he had also dominated the Imperial examination, becoming the youngest Zhuangyuan in the history of Zhan Country.

The only regret was his leg disability, which had now disappeared as well.

How could Mrs. Yao continue to be harsh enough to settle accounts with Xiao Hen?

As for the fact that her daughter had concealed several near-death experiences on the frontier, she felt more distressed than critical.

The young couple had no idea that their crisis of falling from favor had already quietly passed.

Gu Jiao came out from the east room and found little Jingkong sitting all alone on the threshold in the front yard. He was small, with his hair neatly cut; at first glance, he really looked like a lonely little mushroom growing in the snowfield.

Gu Jiao walked over, bent down to look at him, and said, "Jingkong, what are you doing here?"

The little Jingkong turned around, looked at Gu Jiao, and said, "I’m waiting for my master."

With that reminder, Gu Jiao remembered that Jingkong’s master came every year to celebrate his birthday with him. Last year he had come too, but he did not meet with anyone else, leaving a birthday gift—a property deed from Liang Country—for Jingkong before leaving.

Gu Jiao sat down beside Jingkong and asked, "Didn’t your master come last night?"

"Mm," Jingkong nodded, his mood somewhat downcast.

Gu Jiao patted his little head and said, "This year, Zhan Country has received heavy snowfall. Your master is old and might have difficulty going out, or he might have been delayed on the road."

Because Jingkong always referred to his master with great respect, Gu Jiao had always imagined him as an old, hunched, white-bearded little old man.

In such weather, not to mention an old man, even a strong man would have difficulty traveling.

Jingkong seriously considered this and felt it could be possible; compared to him, his master was indeed much older.

So his master might really have been delayed by the heavy snow.

"Do you miss your master a lot?" Gu Jiao asked.

"Mm... a little," Jingkong was an honest child.

Gu Jiao paused, then suggested, "Why don’t you write another letter to your master?"

Jingkong made a face of disdain, "No need, he didn’t reply to the last letter I wrote to him."

The more he acted petulant, the more it showed how much he cared about his master. He was a child deeply sentimental by nature. His master had picked him up and brought him up until he was three. In his heart, his master was like a father, wasn’t he?

Gu Jiao said to Jingkong, "How about this, when I write back to Ningxiang, I’ll ask her to help inquire at the temple to see if your master is well and whether he has left the temple?"

"... That works," Jingkong did not refuse.

Gu Jiao curved her lips into a smile, "What’s your master’s name?"

Jingkong replied, "Liao Chen."

Gu Jiao nodded thoughtfully, "With such a Dharma name, he must be a high monk who has attained enlightenment."

Jingkong reflected for a moment, then spread his hands, "I don’t know about enlightenment, but my master is indeed pretty tall."

Gu Jiao adjusted the image in her mind once more, from a white-bearded little old man to a white-bearded tall old man.

Gu Jiao finished writing the letter that afternoon. The post stations of Zhan Country were open all year round, but during the New Year period, the mail was slow. It wouldn’t be too late even if Gu Jiao waited a few more days before taking it to the post station.

On Lunar New Year’s seventh day, news finally arrived that the Gu Family army was returning to the Capital City.

The heavens smiled favorably; after three days of heavy snow, the seventh day brought clear skies, bathing the Imperial City in a radiant glow, a sign of good fortune.

Upon hearing of the army’s return, the people had gathered early along the major avenues and at the city gates, eagerly waiting. The crowd swelled, buzzing with excitement and anticipation.

The Imperial guards had to use their bodies to hold back these impassioned citizens. Unable to push through, the people simply stretched their necks as far as they could.

The harmonious sound of hoofbeats and clanking armor approached from the distance, thunderous under the clear heavens, as if in a moment, transporting onlookers to the battlefield with its clash of iron and steel.

"It’s the Gu Family army! The Gu Family army has returned!"

A tall and robust man shouted loudly.