Chapter 166: 114 Rural Examination (Two Updates Combined)_3

The arrow was too fast for even a top-notch martial artist like Wuyang to dodge.

He grunted in pain as an arrow hit his right shoulder and ordered the man in black on the ground, “Retreat!”

Once they had left, the village returned to tranquil.

The old lady noticed the blood on the back of Gu Jiao’s hand and exclaimed, “Jiaojiao, you’re injured!”

Gu Jiao responded nonchalantly, “It’s nothing, just a minor scrape.”

The old lady grumbled in annoyance, “Now that our family is doing well, we have become the target of thieves!”

Thieves?

The petty thieves who had visited us before didn’t have such skills or equipment.

Looking out into the vast night, Gu Jiao felt that the group was not after the silver. They had headed straight for the small east room, where his aunt lived.

Wuyang, injured, returned to the villa and went to see Prince An in the study without taking the time to have his wounds treated first.

Prince An looked at him, puzzled, “What happened?”

Wuyang knelt with one knee on the ground in shame, “My lord, I failed… I wasn’t able to bring the Empress Dowager back… and almost injured her…”

He didn’t dare to hide anything, and reported everything that had happened to Prince An.

A hint of surprise flashed in Prince An’s eyes, “Unexpected indeed…”

Wuyang agreed solemnly, “Yes, my lord, I never expected that Miss Gu, who grew up among commoners, would have such martial skills.”

Prince An’s lips curled slightly, “No, what I didn’t expect was that she would risk her life to save an old woman who has nothing to do with her.”

She was only trying to protect herself at the beginning, but now that the woman was healed, she could have simply sent her away, or at the very least, not risked her life to save her.

According to Wuyang, if she had moved even a little bit, she probably would have been killed by the arrow.

He was increasingly unable to understand Miss Gu.

Looking up at the full moon in the horizon, he muttered lowly, “Miss Gu, what more don’t I know about you?”

Wuyang asked for orders, “My lord, can I try again tomorrow night…”

Prince An interrupted him gently, “No need. Since she is so protective of the Empress Dowager, let her stay by her side.”

Wuyang was astounded, “My lord!”

Prince An looked into the distance, “Now is not the best time to bring the Empress Dowager back to the capital. Once I report this to my grandfather and make all preparations, we can bring her home safely. Miss Gu, we will meet again soon.”

The next day, Prince An bid farewell to Mr. Gu and Yao Family, “The rural examinations are imminent, and I can’t afford to stay here any longer, I need to rush back to the capital. I am deeply grateful for your hospitality over the past few days.”

For the first time, he used the term “junior”, which left Mr. Gu tongue-tied!

Prince An’s gentle gaze rested on Mrs. Yao’s face, “Madam, your daughter is excellent, far superior to many ladies in the capital. If you have the opportunity, please bring your daughter to my mansion to get acquainted with Mengdie.”

Mrs. Yao bowed to express her gratitude.

From behind, Jin Yu couldn’t help but blush.

Was the prince complimenting her?

Zhuang Mengdie thought that her brother was praising Jin Yu too. She pouted, she knew there were no such triplets, and that Jin Yu was wrongly embraced by the Gu family. The real daughter was that girl!

Both of them were not good, she didn’t like anyone!

The siblings set off on their journey back to the capital.

Even after the carriage had gone far away, Jin Yu was still lost in Prince An’s praise.

A young heir like Prince An is someone that no girl would dislike, but most of them are just wishful thinking.

But what if… Prince An had feelings for a girl first?

As far as she knew, Prince An had not yet discussed marriage plans. Did his statement just now… hint at something to her parents?

Jin Yu sneaked a glance at Marquis Gu and Mrs. Yao, their expressions remained calm, clearly they hadn’t caught onto the hint.

She couldn’t help but feel anxious.

Dad was a blockhead in this aspect, she couldn’t rely on him; and mom only cared about her biological daughter now and didn’t pay attention to her.

What if…what if mom knew that Prince An was interested in Marquis’s daughter? Would she let Gu Jiao marry him?

In just a split second, Jin Yu had imagined quite a lot of scenarios.

She was upset, on one hand, Prince An’s compliment had aroused her unrealistic fantasies; on the other hand, she had a desperate desire to return to the capital and ask the Empress for advice.

On this end, Gu Jiao received the farming tools from the iron shop. There were quite a few, and an employee from Huichun Hall went to retrieve them.

Before leaving, the old blacksmith stopped her, “Little brother, what is your lady’s family name?”

The shop assistant replied, “You mean Miss Gu? She isn’t my lady.”