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The “target” was referring to Gu Jiao.
Xiao Heng's gaze cooled, "It's not me. Is there anything else?"
Little Jiang Li said, "She also said, ‘The Young Owner told me to tell you, the plan has changed. Within three days, lure the target out of the capital!’"
Within three days, lure the target out of the capital?
The simpler the words, the more information they conveyed.
Why did the Young Owner of the Heavenly Music House suddenly give up killing Gu Jiao? Did they think Mo Qianxue couldn't handle it, or did they feel that Gu Jiao still had value to be utilized?
Killing Gu Jiao and luring Gu Jiao out of the capital might seem different in difficulty, but when viewed in the context of the entire event, they were essentially the same——both require gaining Gu Jiao's absolute trust.
If Mo Qianxue had achieved it, whether she killed Gu Jiao or lured Gu Jiao out of the capital was feasible.
From this inference, it should be the latter——utilizing Gu Jiao's value.
What did they want to achieve by using Gu Jiao?
Xiao Heng closed his eyes, connecting all events related to the Heavenly Music House in his mind. Suddenly, a bold speculation emerged——they wanted to capture Gu Jiao outside the city and use her to lure him out.
It was that group of people!
He could almost conclude that once he fell into the hands of that group, the Young Owner of the Heavenly Music House would immediately order Gu Jiao's execution.
......
After leaving the imperial study, Gu Jiao went to Renshou Palace.
Little Jing Kong was swinging on the swing in the front yard, while Little Nine was dismantling a birdcage made by the palace maids on the nearby snowy ground.
Recently, it seemed to have developed a liking for dismantling things.
"JiaoJiao!"
Little Jing Kong saw Gu Jiao at a glance and stopped the swing, rushing towards her.
In the snowy weather, he played until he was sweating profusely.
Gu Jiao wiped his sweat with a handkerchief and touched his neck, also finding it soaked with sweat.
"Let’s go inside and change your clothes." Gu Jiao said.
"Okay, JiaoJiao!" Little Jing Kong obediently agreed, holding Gu Jiao's hand as they bounced into the inner hall.
Empress Dowager Zhuang was secretly enjoying some candied fruits in the bedchamber. Upon hearing Little Jing Kong's approaching voice, she quickly hid the candied fruits.
"Grandaunt." Gu Jiao greeted Empress Dowager Zhuang as she entered the room.
"Mm." Empress Dowager Zhuang pretended to be serious, flipping through the documents on the desk.
Although she no longer held political power, some documents were still sent to her. However, the documents sent recently had decreased, indicating a growing estrangement between her and Grand Preceptor Zhuang.
Little Jing Kong had stayed in Renshou Palace before, and some of his clothes had been kept here.
Gu Jiao found a set of clothes for him to change into.
While changing, Little Jing Kong asked Gu Jiao, "JiaoJiao, little big brother agreed. When are you going to meet him?"
Gu Jiao replied, "Anytime. Is he in the Bìxia Palace now?"
"Yes, he is!" Little Jing Kong said, then suddenly became puzzled, "Huh? How does JiaoJiao know it’s the big brother in Bìxia Palace?"
Gu Jiao curved her lips, pointing at his bright forehead with her fingertip, "Because I have a spell that can read your thoughts."
Little Jing Kong hugged his small head, "I didn't think of skipping school! No, no, no!"
Gu Jiao couldn't help but burst into laughter!
Gu Jiao rarely laughed, and when she did, she rarely made a sound.
Her sense of humor was always peculiar.
Empress Dowager Zhuang didn't laugh when she heard Little Jing Kong's words, but seeing Gu Jiao laughing heartily, she couldn't help but let out a chuckle.
After Gu Jiao had enough laughter, Little Jing Kong's face turned red.
"I really didn't think of skipping school." He said defensively.
Learning that Gu Jiao intended to treat Huangfu Xian's leg, Empress Dowager Zhuang did not object. She sent Eunuch Qin to the Bìxia Palace.
Not long after, Eunuch Qin returned, wearing an awkward expression as he reported, "Young Master Xian'er is not coming. He said... he refuses to be treated."
Empress Dowager Zhuang asked, "Did he say it in person?"
The question implied, ‘could it be that Princess Ning'an was speaking on his behalf?’
Eunuch Qin replied, "Yes, he said it in person, and his attitude was very firm."
Empress Dowager Zhuang let out a sigh, "Let it be then."
If he was unwilling, they couldn't force him. This wasn't a minor ailment that could be resolved with a bowl of medicine forcibly administered.
Without his cooperation, the physician couldn't treat him.
Not to mention using Empress Dowager Zhuang's decree to pressurize him. That child looked like someone who would resist an imperial decree.
"Serve the meal." Empress Dowager Zhuang told Eunuch Qin.
Little Jing Kong felt disappointed.
In the carriage on the way back, Little Jing Kong remained silent.
He was in low spirits.
Gu Jiao, who didn't know how to comfort him, simply patted his little mushroom head and softly said, "Do you want a hug?"
Little Jing Kong turned around and threw himself into Gu Jiao's arms.
Gu Jiao held his soft little body, gently stroking his small back.
"Why doesn't little big brother want to treat his leg?"
"Maybe..."
Because he felt desperate about life?
If one was unable to find the motivation to live, whether they had a leg or not, whether they stood, sat, or even crawled on their knees, it didn’t matter.
As Little Jing Kong felt sad, he gradually fell asleep in Gu Jiao's embrace.
Gu Jiao took him back to Bishui Alley.
When she was about to carry Little Jing Kong down from the carriage, Xiao Heng had already walked out of the courtyard, extending his hand, "I'll take care of it."
"Okay." Gu Jiao handed the sleeping Little Jing Kong to Xiao Heng.
When leaving Gu Jiao, Little Jing Kong struggled a bit, but once he settled into Xiao Heng's embrace, he peacefully nestled into the crook of his arm, continuing to sleep soundly.
Xiao Heng put the little guy back in the west room, took off his coat and shoes, and covered him with a quilt.
Gu Jiao planned to go to the medical hall, and as she stepped out, Xiao Heng called her, "JiaoJiao, I have something to tell you."
The two of them went to the east room.
Gu Jiao lit an oil lamp.
Xiao Heng adjusted the lamp wick to the brightest, then lit another oil lamp.
In fact, Gu Jiao preferred a brighter room, but she hadn't told anyone.
Gu Jiao sat on a chair, propping her chin with one hand, watching Xiao Heng intently adjusting the lamp wick. She suddenly felt her heart warm.
Raz P.'s Thoughts
contemporary romance
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