The Prime Minister’s Darling-Chapter 1501 - 731 Second Watch_3

Gu Jiao had only been to the first floor.

Ye Qing was arranging books in front of a row of bookshelves when he saw Gu Jiao enter, and he politely greeted her, "Young Master Xiao."

Gu Jiao nodded, "Ye Qing."

Ye Qing handed the books in his hands to a disciple assisting him, "You take these two books out to air them, they’re a bit damp. I’ll come back to arrange the rest later."

"Yes, eldest senior brother." The disciple received the books with both hands and respectfully walked out.

Ye Qing led Gu Jiao to the tea table set up for resting, stepped onto a higher platform, and sat down cross-legged across the desk.

Gu Jiao also sat down opposite him in the same manner.

He lifted a teapot from a small wooden bucket filled with ice, smiled slightly, and said, "It’s Flower Tea with honey."

He poured a cup for Gu Jiao first, and then poured one for himself.

Gu Jiao had just had a big bowl of noodles, and to be honest, her stomach was slightly stuffed; she only took a little sip.

The tea must have had some mint in it, creating a refreshingly pleasant aroma.

"Young Master Xiao, are you here for my master? My master and His Majesty are on the third floor, and the Royal Envoy also went up just now. I reckon they will be a while. If Young Master Xiao has an urgent matter, I could go and pass on the message."

The disciple from the National Master Hall, who was serving tea to the two, showed a flash of surprise at Ye Qing’s words.

The National Master never allowed anyone to disturb him during conversations, and there was certainly no such thing as being able to send a message just because there was an urgent matter.

What was so special about this Young Master Xiao?

Gu Jiao, not knowing the National Master was so prestigious, thought reporting to the National Master was a standard procedure. However, she did not insist on seeing the National Master.

Gu Jiao took a sip of tea and asked, "Did your master teach you those secret codes?"

Ye Qing looked puzzled, "What secret codes?"

Gu Jiao looked at Ye Qing and said seriously, "Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet."

Ye Qing automatically blurted out, "East, west, south, north, center, wealth, white!"

Gu Jiao raised an eyebrow, "It was indeed you."

Every year when Shangguan Qing visited the National Master Hall, he would stay for a few days, reportedly getting along well with the disciples there.

It was obvious that these secret codes were taught by the National Master.

Ye Qing gave an embarrassed smile, "It must have been the Royal Changsun who told Young Master Xiao... It’s just a few jokes, Young Master Xiao doesn’t need to take it seriously."

Gu Jiao snorted, "Irresponsible."

Ye Qing laughed awkwardly.

Speaking of which, it wasn’t his master who was irresponsible, but the Royal Changsun. Who knew that at his young age his mind was full of tricks? fɾēewebnσveℓ.com

He could fall asleep while studying, but when it came to learning these fringe arts, his memory was better than anyone’s.

"May I take a look at your second floor?" Gu Jiao asked.

Ye Qing replied, "For Young Master Xiao, you may."

Others not so much, they would need the National Master’s permission.

But his master seemed to give this Young Master Xiao special treatment, allowing almost free movement, except for a few particularly special places.

Gu Jiao went upstairs with Ye Qing to the second floor.

There were only two disciples guarding the second floor.

When they saw Ye Qing, they respectfully saluted, "Eldest senior brother."

Ye Qing nodded to them and said, "Go about your duties, I’m just showing Young Master Xiao around."

"Yes," the two said, making way for them.

Ye Qing said to Gu Jiao, "Please, Young Master Xiao."

Gu Jiao browsed casually, there were books on agriculture, law, and also some on specialized subjects like arithmetic, astronomy, and geography – deeper in knowledge and more comprehensive than those commonly found on the market.

"What’s that over there?" Gu Jiao placed a book on agriculture back on the shelf and asked, looking toward a row of shelves on the right.

Those shelves were not filled with books, but with scrolls.

Ye Qing looked and said, "Those are portraits, including those of all the major families."

Oh?

This was indeed a good opportunity to gather information.

"May I take a look?" Gu Jiao politely asked.

"Of course," Ye Qing replied with a smile.

His courtesies to Gu Jiao were one thing, but Gu Jiao’s respectful demeanor was another matter entirely.

This was far more comfortable than dealing with those nobles who smiled on the surface but whose actions carried an air of disdain.

Gu Jiao approached the shelves.

On the shelves, there were usually wooden plaques indicating the major families, but today, because of the pleasant weather, the disciple in charge of cleaning had taken the plaques down for washing.

Gu Jiao picked up a scroll at random.

Ye Qing opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something, hesitated for a moment, and then thought it no harm.

Gu Jiao unrolled the scroll.

The portrait depicted a man holding a Red-Tasseled Spear, wearing golden armor.

He had a robust facial structure, stern features, and a tear mole beneath his right eye.

Seeing the face on the portrait, Gu Jiao paused for a moment.

Her gaze moved downward.

Xuanyuan—

Her finger was inadvertently covering the last character of the name.

She slowly moved her finger away.