The Grand Secretary's Pampered Wife

Chapter 621.1: As Close As Possible

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Gu Jiao didn't say anything about him guessing wrong. She wasn't one to argue with people, especially about something she didn't care about.

Apart from the dormitory allocation issue, Zhong Ding also told the two of them their class schedule and locations, reminding them to remember to come to class tomorrow morning and not be late.

"Being late will result in demerits. Tianqiong Academy has strict rules, and being disciplined three times or more will result in expulsion."

After listening to him ramble for so long, they finally got to the important information.

She must avoid getting disciplined and must not get expelled, after all, Tianqiong Academy was Gu Jiao's only way to stay in the State of Yan.

Coming out of the eastern courtyard, Gu Xiaoshun still wanted to go see the southern courtyard, but Gu Jiao wasn't very interested.

She said, "It's probably all the same, there's nothing much more to see."

Gu Xiaoshun thought about it and seemed to agree. He and his sister were both from the State of Zhao. Could their assigned dormitories really be that different?

"Then let's hurry to meet with my Master and Madame."

Gu Xiaoshun called them Master and Madame in front of others; only when he was alone with Nan Xiang and Master Lu did he call them mother and father.

The two retraced their steps to the back gate of Tianqiong Academy.

Honestly, setting aside the purpose of helping Gu Yan with surgery, Gu Jiao was indeed very interested in the capital of the State of Yan. It was just that before resolving Gu Yan's matter, she had no inclination to go sightseeing.

Lady Nan and Master Lu's carriage had already stopped nearby.

Gu Xiaoshun fetched their carriage with the token and then complained, "Big sis, it’s just a short stop, and they charged me one knife coin. The State of Yan is too expensive; it seems like everywhere you go, you need so much money!"

Gu Jiao reached out and brushed off a leaf from his shoulder, saying, "It's okay, it’s just one knife coin."

Gu Xiaoshun responded, "We still need to be frugal. We need to save money for Gu Yan's treatment."

They hadn't known before setting off that the prices in the State of Yan were so high, especially in Shengdu, the capital. One steamed bun cost two knife coins, a large pork bun cost three knife coins, and a mutton bun cost four knife coins...

Lady Nan had lived in Shengdu over ten years ago, and back then, wasn't it one knife coin for three buns?

How did the prices increase so much?

"It's okay, I have some silver stored in the bank." Lady Nan told Gu Jiao and Gu Xiaoshun.

Gu Jiao didn't feel uncomfortable about Lady Nan's offer, but even with Lady Nan's help, it probably wouldn't be enough for them to spend a long time. It seemed they had to figure out a way to earn some money.

This, however, was a story for later. First, they needed to deal with the matter at hand.

Ever since entering the territory of the State of Yan, Gu Jiao had been inquiring about the whereabouts of the operating room along the way, but no medical hall had the operating room she needed.

Either the operating room hadn't been constructed yet, or the equipment and facilities were too extraordinary to be known to the outside world.

Gu Jiao hoped it was the latter.

At least then there would still be hope for Gu Yan.

Lady Nan said, "I have already found a house. It's not far from the academy. From the back entrance, just walk forward for about a mile."

It was a barely two-courtyard house, with front and back yards. The backyard was connected to the kitchen and woodshed. The area was not large, but it was enough for the few of them to live in.

There were three bedrooms and a small study.

Lady Nan and Master Lu were in one room, Gu Xiaoshun and Gu Yan in another, and the remaining room was for Gu Jiao.

"Madame, how much is the monthly rent for this house?" Gu Xiaoshun asked.

Lady Nan smiled, "Not much, a hundred taels a month."

"What? A hundred taels!" Gu Xiaoshun was dumbfounded!

Lady Nan couldn't help but chuckle at his dumbfounded expression, "Houses near the academy are rented by room. A room costs at least twenty taels a month. We have a total of four rooms, plus the kitchen, woodshed, and front and back yards. A hundred taels isn't expensive."

Gu Xiaoshun was speechless, "Bishui Alley is so much bigger than here, and Jing Kong only charges thirty taels. Moreover, it's also near the Imperial Academy but much better."

In just one day, Gu Xiaoshun had begun to understand the concept of comparing locations.

If there was a division between inner and outer cities in the State of Zhao, then the Bishui Alley they lived in definitely belonged to the inner city, while Princess Xinyang's residence on Zhuque Street was extremely close to the imperial palace, which should be the innermost part of the inner city.

Gu Jiao said, "It's okay, we can earn more silver. Let's unpack first."

"Alright!" Gu Xiaoshun readily agreed.

"We'll handle the unpacking. You guys are probably starting classes tomorrow, so go prepare what you need for class."

"There's nothing to prepare. We'll get our books when we go to the classroom tomorrow."

"Then take a rest." Lady Nan felt sorry for the two children who were tired from the whole journey and insisted they shouldn't do anything else.

Gu Jiao had to give up. After a pause, she said, "Then I'll go inquire about nearby medical halls again."

"Big sis, I'll go with you."

"Alright."

The siblings spent the whole day wandering the streets, asking locals about the largest medical halls outside the capital.

However, they found no operating room there, and no physician had seen or heard of the equipment described in the drawings.

By evening, the two returned to the courtyard drenched in sweat.

The meal was ready, prepared in flavors liked by several children, except Gu Yan, who had a separate dish prepared for him.

Gu Yan looked at the steamed meat in front of him, wishing he could gobble it up in one go, his lips twitching.

Lady Nan served soup to Gu Jiao and Gu Xiaoshun, asking, "Did you find out anything today?"

"Thank you, Lady Nan." Gu Jiao replied, taking the soup bowl. "Same as usual, we didn't find anything at all."

Lady Nan wasn't too surprised, "Are you really sure what you need is in the State of Yan?"

"I have seen its drawings. I am certain that there are people in the State of Yan who know about those things. As for whether they've been built or not, I can't say."

Lady Nan thought for a moment, "How about... going to the inner city? After all, the outer city is for ordinary people. The best medical halls and most skilled physicians are all in the inner city."

"It's hard to get into the inner city." Master Lu chimed in, offering Lady Nan a piece of braised pork.

"That's true." Lady Nan frowned.

Gu Jiao drank some soup and said, "I'll go near the inner city wall later and see if there's a chance to sneak in."

Lady Nan thought it was risky, but considering Gu Yan's condition, she understood they didn't have time to wait indefinitely.

She nodded and said, "I'll go with you."

Gu Jiao shook her head, "No, it's easier for one person to hide. Lady Nan, you stay at home and take care of Ah Yan."

Lady Nan's presence in the State of Yan was already a great favor; how could she let Lady Nan take such a risk with her?

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In the suspenseful supernatural novel “Records of Mortals,” Jiang Baiyan, once a solitary and impoverished youth, finds refuge in the Shi family of Chang’an due to his extraordinary bloodline. With his clear and captivating peach blossom eyes, this seemingly innocent young man conceals a fanatical and malevolent lunatic within. Destined to succumb to darkness amidst hardship and degradation, he becomes a harbinger of chaos.

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From what she knew of the plot, Jiang Baiyan was just a silent, timid, and often bullied pitiable character.

***

Jiang Baiyan had never encountered someone like Shi Dai.

After he had slaughtered all the evil creatures in the garden, the blood-stained young man, exuding a murderous aura, approached her step by step, his lips curling into a malicious smile, "Scared?"

Shi Dai responded, “You’re really amazing! I applaud you until I spin like a spiral and fly around the moon three hundred times! And also——you have dimples when you smile!"

Jiang Baiyan: ...?

—

After seeing her at a lantern festival with another man, Jiang Baiyan lowered his eyes, his fingers twirling her hair. He said in a mocking and sinister tone, "The mansion in the western suburbs...if I hide you there, no one will find you, right?"

Shi Dai replied, "Does it come with meals and lodging? Can I sleep in everyday? Oh, and your cooking is the best!"

Jiang Baiyan: ...?

—

Jiang Baiyan was supposed to dislike her, even hate her, but as their separation drew near, his eyes turned red and he grabbed her sleeve, pleading, "Don't abandon me, alri—”

Shi Dai responded, "Alright, alright, I’ll only have you. Mwah."

Jiang Baiyan: ...?

He hasn't finished his lines yet though…