The Prime Minister's Darling novel Chapter 310

Chapter 310: Master has arrived (Third watch of the night)

Lin Chengye and Fen Lin returned home to discover a new guest had joined their household.

Fen Lin was puzzled, wasn’t the old woman found fainting at the doorstep of Gu Jiao and Xiao Liulang merely a nondescript leper?

How did she turn out to be a relative?

He did not doubt the validity of her identity; instead, he assumed they were separated in the past.

“How did he find his way to the Capital City?” Fen Lin asked.

After all, the old woman was found in a county town miles away from the Capital City.

Gu Jiao fished the fried meatballs out of the pot: “Maybe he asked around in the next village.”

Fen Lin nodded: “That’s possible. No matter what, a reunion is always good!”

Last year’s celebration in the countryside had Xue Ningxiang and puppy, this year they had Lin Chengye, Gu Yan, and the old monk. Although it was just one additional person, the atmosphere felt much livelier.

Mainly because Fen Lin and Gu Jiao had grown to know each other well, becoming the second biggest chatterbox in the house after Xiaoshun.

Xiao Liulang was so annoyed that he deeply regretted easing the relationship between Fen Lin and Gu Jiao.

Today also happened to be the birthday of Xiao Liulang and Xiaoshun, the family had prepared presents for both of them.

Gu Yan’s gift was a clay figurine he made himself. Since the time when Gu Changqing mistook his wood carving for a monkey, his self-confidence took a hit and he stopped learning carving from Gu Xiaoshun.

Gu Xiaoshun’s gift was still a wood carving. He carved a Buddhist scripture for Xiaoshun, and a poetry book for Xiao Liulang.

His skills had improved since Gu Jiao’s birthday two months ago.

Gu Jiao deeply felt that her brother’s talent should not be wasted any longer.

Once the New Year is over, she will find him a reliable carpenter as a tutor for after-school lessons.

The old woman’s gift was still an embroidered pouch, and it was better made than last time.

“Grandma, you’re amazing,” praised Gu Xiaoshun.

The old woman lifted her chin pridedly.

Then Xiaoshun said: “Grandpa did the embroidery! I saw it!”

Grandma only cut the thread!

Old Woman: Monk, sometimes silence is golden!

Old Monk: Exactly! Don’t I deserve some dignity too!

For once in their lives, the lifelong arch-enemies agreed on something!

For Xiao Liulang, the old monk gave a set of writing supplies.

Gu Jiao did not understand their significance, but from Xiao Liulang’s surprised reaction, it was clear they were something special.

Although the old monk was an honest official and did not gather much fortune, he was favored by the Emperor and had many valuable imperial gifts.

“Grandpa! Grandpa!” Xiaoshun looked at him eagerly.

The sweet innocence of the boy nearly melted the old monk’s heart.

The old monk had also prepared a gift for Xiaoshun. Knowing that Xiaoshun was studying foreign languages, he translated several popular folk tales into six languages, one of which was Sanskrit.

The old monk was recognized as the most learned man in Zhan Country, a fact that even the past queen dowager could not deny.

Moreover, to make the reading experience more enjoyable, he even included illustrations.

Xiaoshun fell in love with the book at first sight!

Fen Lin and Lin Chengye also presented their respective gifts.

When it was Gu Jiao’s turn, she gave each of them a box.

Xiaoshun immediately opened his, revealing a checkers game custom-made by Gu Jiao. She replaced the traditional glass pieces with iron marbles in different colors.

She loved playing this game as a child, and she hoped Xiaoshun would enjoy it too.

Additionally, there were also paper cranes folded by Gu Jiao herself, primarily as decorations.

Xiaoshun loved everything!

While everyone else’s gifts were placed directly on the table, Gu Jiao’s was packaged in a box, so Xiao Liulang did not open his on-the-spot.

He also did not open his gift on Gu Yan’s birthday, which made Xiaoshun curious for a long time.

But today’s gifts were too many and too fascinating, Xiaoshun was far too distracted to worry about his future brother-in-law’s gift.

Not only that, he even took advantage of his birthday to demand a big kiss from Gu Jiao!

Tonight, Fen Lin and Lin Chengye stayed behind for the festivities.

Xiao Liulang and Xiaoshun left their room for the two men to spend the night. Xiaoshun nearly got dragged away by the old woman to her room but luckily, he managed to weasel his way into staying in Jiaojiao’s room by the virtue of his birthday privileges!

He would never know that the moment his little snores started, the old woman instantly dragged him back to her room to use as a pillow.

Keeping vigil during New Year’s Eve didn’t mean staying awake the whole night- people started to head back to their rooms around midnight.

Xiao Liulang and Gu Jiao also returned to the eastern room.

The room was warmed by silver charcoal, so it was not too cold. Gu Jiao laid out two blankets, one for each.

Xiao Liulang came in clutching his box.

Xiao Liulang was stunned, “….!!” _{freeωebnovēl.c૦m}