Tianqiong Academy was on holiday today, and it was while going to the Marketplace to buy vegetables that Gu Jiao heard travelers passing by talk about it. The National Master had returned to Shengdu in the middle of the night, and early in the morning, a long queue of people seeking an audience with the National Master had formed outside National Master Hall.
"So many people want to see the National Master?"
The vegetable vendor asked the merchant drinking soy milk at the stall next door, then turned to Gu Jiao and said, "Ten knife coins."
Gu Jiao handed over ten knife coins to the vegetable vendor and packed two fresh melons into the small backpack behind her.
The merchant guzzled down half a bowl and only then, with his head sweating profusely, said, "How could they not? The line stretched for three li! Carriages could hardly get through! If I wasn’t in a hurry to leave the city for business, I would have joined the queue myself!"
The last time Gu Jiao went to National Master Hall to inquire about the National Master’s whereabouts, the eldest disciple Ye Qing had told her that the National Master would return early in the month if possible, or at the latest by the end of the month.
It was naturally best not to wait until the end of the month, as Gu Yan’s illness grew more serious the longer it was delayed.
After buying the vegetables, Gu Jiao returned to the Mansion.
"You’re back." Nangong’s mother looked at the beads of sweat on her forehead and hurriedly took the small backpack from her, saying, "I didn’t expect Shengdu to be so hot this year, you must be feeling stuffy, right?"
She was referring to the issue of Gu Jiao binding her chest.
Gu Jiao had grown too well in these past two years, and to hide her feminine body, she had to wrap it tightly, making Nangong’s mother feel hot on her behalf.
Gu Jiao said, "It’s alright."
She could endure it.
Nangong’s mother said sympathetically, "You really have it tough. I’ve boiled some mint water, it will be ready soon."
"Nangong’s mother, I won’t drink it, I have to make a trip to the inner city," Gu Jiao said. "The National Master is back."
Nangong’s mother’s eyes lit up, "Really?"
Gu Jiao nodded, "Yes, I just heard the news in the Marketplace, so I want to try my luck and see if I can meet the National Master."
Nangong’s mother looked at Gu Yan, who was listlessly sunbathing in the corridor, and understood that they could no longer delay his illness, "Is it that the sooner the surgery, the greater the chance of recovery?"
"That’s right," Gu Jiao said. If they waited too long, the surgery might be of no use.
Nangong’s mother didn’t hold her back any further and had Master Lu prepare a horse carriage for Gu Jiao.
Gu Jiao was looking for the Token of the Chess Saint in the room. As she searched the table, she said, "Eh? Where’s the Token? I’m sure I left it here."
"Here."
Old Master Meng appeared at the door, holding a brocade pouch with the Token inside.
"Oh," Gu Jiao walked over and took the brocade pouch, "Oh, you took it."
Old Master Meng said seemingly casually, "Just, took it for a moment. Are you planning to go into the city alone?"
"Yes," Gu Jiao said.
Old Master Meng cleared his throat, "Not taking me with you?"
Gu Jiao looked at him with a weird expression, "Why should I take you?"
Old Master Meng then said, "To National Master Hall?"
Gu Jiao seriously said, "The National Master recognizes the Chess Saint. If you go, you’ll give us away."
The real Chess Saint, Old Master Meng: "..."
Remembering something, Gu Jiao said, "No, that’s not right, you still need to go, or else you won’t be able to enter the city later."
But Old Master Meng did indeed need to make a trip to the city today, he had to meet someone near National Master Hall, which was en route for Gu Jiao.
Master Lu had the horse carriage ready, and though he had intended to use a different horse, the Horse King ended up beating up both Master Lu and its companion and then came out proudly to pull the carriage!
It didn’t forget to carry Gu Jiao’s first aid kit and her small backpack onto the carriage, offering very attentive service indeed!
After Gu Jiao got on the carriage, Old Master Meng also climbed aboard.
Gu Jiao lowered the curtain and said to Horse King, "Okay, let’s go."
Horse King opened its big mouth, raised its forehoofs, and sped off with a swoosh!
Caught off guard, Old Master Meng leaned backward and thudded against the carriage wall!
Horse King was running swiftly!
The oncoming wind puffed up and lifted the carriage curtain, which flapped wildly against the walls, making a snapping sound.
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