The Prime Minister's Darling novel Chapter 796

Chapter 796: 369 Husband and Wife (First Update)

Gu Jiao and Gu Chengfeng parted ways on Vermilion Bird Avenue, Gu Chengfeng headed to Qinghe Academy via Chang’an Avenue, while Gu Jiao went to Hanlin Academy.

The Hanlin Academy had been busy lately, Xiao Liulang often worked late, so Gu Jiao decided to bring him some food.

Gu Jiao gathered a few boxes of snacks from the Imperial Kitchen in Renshou Palace, she left some for the Yao Family and retained a box for Xiao Liulang.

She arrived near Hanlin Academy with the snacks just as Xiao Liulang was leaving Hanlin Hall.

Hanlin Hall was the learning institution for the scholars, although it was technically affiliated with Hanlin Academy, it was not located within the Academy. It was situated on the same street as Hanlin Academy.

From a distance, Gu Jiao spotted that handsome, youthful figure. Although describing him as a youth did not seem quite apt as, other than his youthful face, the aura he exuded was exceptionally steady.

In Zhan Country, men are considered adults when they turn 20. Until then, they are referred to as Young Master.

The twilight highlighted his exquisite face, adding a soft warmth to his features.

With her arms crossed against her chest, Gu Jiao leaned against the wall at the mouth of the alley, gazing steadily at him. A beautiful smile unknowingly curved upon her lips.

"Xiao Xiuzhuan!"

A scholar ran out of Hanlin Hall, holding a dog-eared book in his hand.

Xiao Liulang halted, turning to face him: "What does Young Master Zhou require?"

The person called Young Master Zhou grinned sheepishly, scratching his head: "Xiao Xiuzhuan remembers me."

Xiao Liulang replied, "During the Palace Examination, you sat in front of me. I overheard Du Ruohan calling your name."

This reinstated Young Master Zhou’s belief that Xiao Liulang did remember him. He was stunned and flabbergasted, it took him a while to find his words: "Then...then...oh...I..."

He was so flustered he started to stammer.

Perhaps to some, Xiao Liulang was a top scholar who acquired his rank through unjust means. Yet, having attended many classes given by him, Young Master Zhou could perceive his profound knowledge. Xiao Liulang indeed deserved his title of dux.

"I...I’m friends with Du...not, I..." He was afraid Xiao Liulang would think he was trying to exploit Du Ruohan’s connection to get close to him, hence growing more nervous.

Xiao Liulang glanced at the book in his hand and asked, "Is there a topic you don’t understand?"

During the time when chief apprentice Yang was nursing his injuries, Xiao Liulang and Prince An joint-replaced him and taught a few lessons at Hanlin Hall. After the chief apprentice’s recovery, they ceased teaching at Hanlin Hall.

Today, chief lecturer Deng had an emergency and asked Xiao Liulang to take over his court’s jurisprudence class.

The book Young Master Zhou held was the "Laws of Zhao Country", the main subject of the class.

Young Master Zhou gave an embarrassed smile, "I understand everything you taught, really! You explain things particularly well, not at all dry! I usually don’t pay attention during jurisprudence classes, so ended up having a lot of gaps in my understanding..."

He was not sucking up to Xiao Liulang, he genuinely comprehended Xiao Liulang’s class and never knew jurisprudence could be taught this way.

When Xiao Liulang first came to class, he didn’t just start lecturing on the legal mandates. Instead, he narrated a case of organ-murder from the previous dynasty, instantly grabbing all the students’ attention including his.

The beauty of this class came from the engagement and excitement it instilled in the students, helping them realize they were not just attending a class but instead solving a sensational murder case. The heated debates about who the murderer could be even led to a slight brawl among the students.

Xiao Liulang stated that if the case were to be judged based on modern laws, the murderer would be acquitted, leaving the students in disbelief. They found it hard to comprehend how such a brutal murderer could walk free.

Disagreeing with Xiao Liulang’s statement, they accused him of lying.

Xiao Liulang didn’t appear upset, he glanced at the students and asked, "Do you have any evidence to prove I am making things up?"

"An eye for an eye!" A student retorted.

Xiao Liulang calmly responded, "’An eye for an eye’ is a principle and not a mandate of Zhan Country’s laws. Executioner’s killing, bandit eradication, self-defence killing, accidental killing, premeditated murder....every circumstance is unique and cannot be treated the same way."

The class concluded there.

The students were unsatisfied, it was not that they favored Xiao Liulang, but they felt they lost the argument. They believed they would perform better given another chance.

Ah, the regret of not comprehending laws.

"Usually, students would leave immediately after the class. But today...." Young Master Zhou chuckled and continued, "Everyone stayed back to discuss, claiming Xiao Xiuzhuan was incorrect and started flipping through books to find evidence."

The students, determined to disprove Xiao Xiuzhuan, were giving their best effort.

"I have never seen them so dedicated before." Young Master Zhou laughed as he stated.

Xiao Liulang maintained a serene and undisturbed expression as he turned towards Young Master Zhou, "Did you come here only to tell me this?"

"Ah...No! No! I..." Young Master Zhou scratched his head, his face red, unsuccessful in explaining himself.

"For that second issue..." Secretary Xing politely scratched his nose, "I have an unmarried daughter who happens to be around your age." _{freeweɓnovel.cѳm}

It all left Gu Jiao a little dizzy.

Surprised, Secretary Xing responded, "Oh... I apologize for the presumption, Xiao Xiuzhuan. Do not let my words bother you."

The two conversed a little longer before Secretary Xing departed in his carriage.

"He didn’t agree, did he?"

In the carriage, Zhou Xu asked his uncle.

Secretary Xing shook his head, "He refused, succinctly."

Zhou Xu wasn’t surprised, "I told you so. Xiao is a righteous gentleman. On the day he aced the Palace Examination, he didn’t even touch a drink, instead he hurried home to accompany his wife. His wife isn’t beautiful nor of notable origins, but he has never despised her. He truly embraces the saying ’one should never abandon his loyal wife.’ Uncle, he won’t be swayed to become our son-in-law!"

Secretary Xing rubbed his hands together, regretfully sighing.

Just as Secretary Xing left, Xiao Liulang spotted Gu Jiao.

She looked in high spirits, staring at him with twinkling, crescent-shaped eyes.

Xiao Liulang was surprised, he didn’t expect to run into her or see her smile like that.

For the last while, she had been giving him all sorts of smiles: obedient smiles, hearty laughs, gentle giggles while playing with Xiao Jing...but none had the sweetness the one she was wearing now had.

She seemed completely oblivious of it.

Her eyes shone like candles, she had always illuminated any room she stepped into.

Xiao Liulang felt like the darkest corners of his heart had suddenly been lit by a single lamp.

"Huh?" Gu Jiao tilted her head, as if asking why he wasn’t moving.

Xiao Liulang suspected that he was unwell; she looked so absurdly sweet and simple-minded, he actually found her quite endearing.

He wanted to hold.

To embrace.

And caress.