The Prime Minister’s Darling

Chapter 40: Learning to Write
Editor: Atlas Studios

Xiao Liulang did not bring this up because he was close to him.

If he doesn’t believe me, then forget it..

Gu Jiao originally admired that painting, but when she heard that it was a fake, she lost interest and returned it to Young Master Qin..

Young Master Qin looked at her disdainful expression and tried to defend it. “Don’t listen to him! This painting is real!”.

Gu Jiao said firmly, “If my husband says it’s fake, it’s fake!”.

“You…”.

Young Master Qin was really furious..

If it was the past, he would not care how an ugly little girl looked at his painting. However, today, for some reason, he did not want to embarrass himself in front of her..

Young Master Qin straightened his back. “It’s real! He hasn’t seen the world and doesn’t know anything about art!”.

“You’re the one who hasn’t seen the world!” Gu Jiao refused to allow anyone to degrade her hubby like this!.

Previously, when Young Master Qin came to look for Gu Jiao to get the letter, Xiao Liulang only heard about what happened after the incident. Now, he really experienced Gu Jiao’s coldness towards Young Master Qin for himself..

She actually quarreled with Young Master Qin for his sake..

Xiao Liulang looked at Gu Jiao thoughtfully, then suddenly reminded Young Master Qin, “If you intend to gift this painting, I advise you not to make a fool of yourself.”.

With that, Xiao Liulang said to Second Uncle Luo, “Let’s go back, Second Uncle Luo.”.

“Alright!” Second Uncle Luo did not get involved in young people’s affairs, and rode the ox cart away with a grin..

Young Master Qin looked at the backs of the two, eating scallion pancakes in the cold wind. He was so angry that he really wanted to curse them!.

However, this matter still left a thorn in his heart. When he brought the painting back to the Qin household, his father could not wait to welcome him. “How did it go? Did you find the painting?”.

“I did find it…” Young Master Qin wanted to say something, but hesitated..

His father panicked. “What happened? It’s not torn, is it?”.

“It’s not torn…” With a sigh, Young Master Qin eventually told his father what Xiao Liulang had said..

His father was even more unyielding than him. “And you believe the words of a damn cripple?.

“He’s a student of the Divine Academy.” Young Master Qin had seen Xiao Liulang when he went to look for Gu Jiao to get the letter. At that time, Xiao Liulang was wearing the uniform of the Divine Academy..

“So what if he’s a student of the Divine Academy?” His father said disdainfully..

“They’re all very amazing,” Young Master Qin said..

His father said nonchalantly, “Aren’t you amazing too? I spent a lot to hire a teacher for you from the capital, there’s no way you’re inferior to them. Besides, they’re all bookworms who only know how to study and have never experienced the world.”.

Young Master Qin thought to himself, That’s what I said back then as well!.

Young Master Qin was actually a very prideful person; if it was someone else who had reminded him like that, he would not have listened at all. However, Xiao Liulang’s gaze and presence at that time were inexplicably convincing..

In the end, Young Master Qin could not convince his father. He watched helplessly as his father wrapped up the painting and got someone to send it to the nobles in the capital..

—.

It snowed for three days in a row; the roads in the village were closed, and the ox cart could not move. Many of the villagers originally wanted to go to the market to do some business before the new year, but due to the heavy snow they could only put it aside..

For the past few days, everyone had been cooped up at home, and no one had come to look for the old lady to listen to her opera. The old lady was bored, so she asked Gu Jiao to call Xue Ningxiang over..

The old lady did not know that Xue Ningxiang and Gu Jiao had argued with each other in the past; when she arrived, their relationship had already improved. Moreover, ever since Xue Ningxiang encountered the lechers she had been avoiding men..

She did not have a good impression of Xiao Liulang at all..

On the other hand, she clung to Gu Jiao from time to time, making the old lady wonder if this young widow had taken a fancy to her granddaughter-in-law!.

However, Xue Ningxiang’s needlework was good and she was well-groomed, so the old lady still welcomed her..

Before New Year’s, her brother-in-law at the border sent a letter to her family..

Xue Ningxiang could not read, so she went to look for Gu Jiao..

Uh… Of course, Gu Jiao can’t read either, but what gave you the impression that I suddenly can read? You actually brought the letter to me?.

Gu Jiao was at a loss!.

“I… I…” Seeing Gu Jiao frown, Xue Ningxiang said in a panic, “You… you’re not stupid anymore, so I thought you could read too.”.

Gu Jiao: Just because I’m no longer stupid, doesn’t mean I can suddenly read!.

However, Xue Ningxiang did not want to trouble Xiao Liulang. Firstly, the shadow in her heart had not completely healed. Secondly… she knew that she was wrong in the past, so she wanted to avoid being close with Xiao Liulang now..

Xue Ningxiang lowered her head, not knowing what to do..

Gu Jiao scratched her head woefully. If Xue Ningxiang had been unreasonable with her she would definitely refuse her outright; however, Xue Ningxiang was being meek, so she could not find it in herself to reject her..

Gu Jiao told herself that it was not because she was soft—it was only because Xue Ningxiang had helped her with a lot of needlework. She was a very useful neighbor..

She also wanted to be a useful neighbor for Xue Ningxiang as well, in exchange for her helping with all the needlework at home in the future!.

Gu Jiao took the letter to Xiao Liulang’s room. She no longer needed to knock when she entered his room..

Xiao Liulang had been recuperating in bed for the past few days. Knowing that he had to study, Gu Jiao personally made a small table that could be placed on the bed, and he was practicing calligraphy on it..

A seventeen-year-old young man, with a slim figure, cool eyes, petite wrists, and an elegant presence..

How could there be such a good-looking person in this world?.

Gu Jiao rubbed her chin..

“What’s the matter?” Xiao Liulang noticed and turned to look at her..

Gu Jiao had stared at him a few times and was caught red-handed every time; however, she had never once been embarrassed for it. She walked over casually and sat down on the other side of the small table. Handing the letter to him, she said, “Can you read this letter for me?”.

As she spoke, Gu Jiao saw some red paper on the small table. “Eh? What’s this?”.

“It’s red paper. Feng Lin gave it to me,” Xiao Liulang said, as if he was explaining that he did not buy it..

Gu Jiao did not care where it came from, and asked curiously, “What’s it for?”.

Xiao Liulang thought for a moment and said, “For papercuts to decorate the windows, and for writing couplets.”.

Gu Jiao’s eyes instantly lit up. She had never done papercuts or put up couplets..

In her previous life, she had seen others putting them up. She had always been envious, but in her understanding, those were things that a family would do when they had their annual reunion..

She did not have a family, so she had never done such a thing..

“Do you want to write some?” Xiao Liulang asked..

“I don’t know how to.” Gu Jiao lowered her head, touching her fingers..

Xiao Liulang remembered how she had pointed at the words on a prescription and asked him how to read them. He also remembered how she had grabbed the pen without a word to sign his surgery consent form..

So she wanted to learn how to write..

Gu Jiao: No! I don’t want to!.

Xiao Liulang moved his books and the letter to the bed, and spread out a piece of red paper. “I’ll teach you.”.

Gu Jiao: “…”