The Prime Minister's Darling novel Chapter 1407

Chapter 1407: 684 first watch

At nightfall, Master Lu and Gu Xiaoshun returned to the mansion with a cart full of firewood.

"Why did it take you so long?" Madam Nan went up to the door, helping the two men with the firewood.

Master Lu hurriedly stopped her, saying, "You leave it, I can handle it!"

"It’s just a few bundles of firewood," Madam Nan said nonchalantly.

"Even so, we can’t let you carry them, right, Xiaoshun?" Master Lu, knowing he couldn’t win over Madam Nan, drew Gu Xiaoshun as reinforcement.

"That’s right, Madam," Gu Xiaoshun jumped off the horse cart and took the firewood from Madam Nan’s hands.

Madam Nan gave Master Lu a glare.

As Gu Xiaoshun moved the firewood, he caught a glimpse of the Red-Tasseled Spear and a small backpack in the main hall, his eyes lighting up, "Eh? Is my sister back?"

Madam Nan smiled, "She’s back, playing chess with Old Master Meng in the backyard."

Everyone in the family was aware of Old Meng’s surname, but no one associated him with the Chess Saint of the Six States, because how could such a figure who was revered even at the National Master Hall be in a position where he was reliant on the kindness of strangers?

Overwhelmed with excitement as if he wished he could stick a couple of feathers in his hair, Gu Xiaoshun hurried to the backyard carrying a bundle of firewood, "Sis!"

Gu Jiao had already washed up and changed into clean clothing, her hair half wet, draped loosely over her shoulders.

Hearing Gu Xiaoshun’s voice, she raised a hand to brush her unruly hair behind her ear and turned to look at Gu Xiaoshun, "Xiaoshun."

Gu Xiaoshun put down the firewood, and gave her a thorough once-over, "Sis, why were you out for so long? We were worried sick about you!"

Gu Jiao curved her lips slightly, "I was delayed by some matters. You’ve been away from the Academy for so many days. I hope no trouble came up?"

Gu Xiaoshun shook his head, "Oh, no trouble. I said you were sick, they wanted to visit you, but I stopped them."

"They?" Gu Jiao was confused.

"Master Wu, Mu Qingchen, Mu Chuan..." Gu Xiaoshun rattled off over twenty names in one breath, since those were the only people he recognized, there were many more he couldn’t name.

Gu Jiao: "Hmm."

Was she really that popular?

"Alright, alright, kiddo, wait for a bit, I need to finish this game of chess with your sister," Old Master Meng couldn’t wait any longer. He had a scorebook in his hand—he had already played over twenty rounds with Gu Yan, and the kid would have to play them all back with him.

Since there was still firewood left to move, Gu Xiaoshun scratched his head and said, "Sis, I’ll come find you later."

Gu Jiao: "Alright."

...

Gu Jiao came back safely, and the rock in everyone’s heart settled to the ground. Madam Nan decided to make something delicious the next morning.

But they had run out of star anise and fennel, so Madam Nan made up her mind to buy some from the shop.

There was a spice shop right in the alley, just a few steps away.

However, it was closed today, so Madam Nan had to go to the street to buy them.

Master Lu was fixing the horse cart at home. Midway through the repairs, he frowned, "Why isn’t Nanxiang back yet? Xiaoshun, take over for me. I will go and check."

"Alright!" Gu Xiaoshun took the tools from Master Lu’s hands, and Master Lu quickly walked out.

Meanwhile, Madam Nan had indeed run into a bit of trouble. She had been ambushed in another alley and had been injured, her veil covered in bloodstains.

Clutching her painful chest, she raised her hand to wipe the blood from the corner of her mouth and quickly shot out three Begonia Needles.

The person sneered coldly, catching her hidden weapons effortlessly in his hand.

Madam Nan’s face paled.

Glancing at the Begonia Needles in his hand, the person sneered, "So they are coated with poison, you’ve become much more ruthless than before. Sadly, today’s you and your dad are still no match for me!"

As he reached the last word, his smile turned sharp, and with a flick of his fingers, he shot the three Begonia Needles back at Madam Nan.

Madam Nan’s pupils contracted!

They were too fast!

She couldn’t dodge in time!