Chapter 79: Master Xiao is once again being pursued by someone

Chapter 79: Chapter 79: Master Xiao is once again being pursued by someone

Gu Qingli ate non-stop with her chopsticks; it was just too delicious, even more so than Wuyou’s cooking.

Gu Qingli somewhat regretted not taking over this restaurant herself.

In her life, she had three great hobbies. The first was delicious food. Growing up in a family with little to eat, she had always dreamed that once she became rich, she would enjoy great meals every day. Consequently, as soon as she could earn her own money, she began to taste all kinds of delicacies. Sometimes, when she treated patients, their families, knowing her preference, would often provide her with even more delicious food. Her second great hobby, of course, was silver, and the third was her medical skills.

Besides,

Gu Qingli thought,

what belonged to Xiao Yunjing was also hers, so there was no need to fret over whose restaurant it was.

When her chili peppers were grown, she could add a few new dishes to the restaurant’s menu, and, of course, those two fish dishes were a must.

The two of them took a break after eating and then went downstairs.

On the second floor, a young woman had just finished eating and was leaving with her maid. As she reached the stairway, she bumped right into Xiao Yunjing and Gu Qingli. Upon seeing Xiao Yunjing, the woman’s eyes widened, her gaze fixed on him, almost as if glued. She couldn’t help but swallow.

This man is not only tall and imposing but also strikingly handsome and brimming with masculine vigor—exactly her type!

She especially detested the frail, delicate appearance of scholars, who looked as if a gust of wind could blow them away. They were also insufferably pedantic; she couldn’t stand it whenever they opened their mouths. Even though her own family was a scholarly one, she couldn’t bear that pretentious air. Why couldn’t they just speak normally?

“Miss,” the maid Ping’er nudged her.

How could her lady stare at a man like that, especially a married one? Where is her dignity?

“Oh, let’s go,” Lin Ying’er withdrew her gaze, her eyes instantly clearing, and walked down the stairs with Ping’er.

Gu Qingli had observed the entire exchange.

It seems Master Xiao has caught someone’s eye again,

she mused.

However, the woman’s infatuated gaze vanished the moment she regained her composure.

Gu Qingli pursed her lips.

That woman is quite beautiful, and her bearing is remarkably crisp and efficient; you can tell just from the way she walks. She also carries the air of a well-bred, intelligent, and graceful young lady from a prominent family. This woman is definitely not simple.

She glanced at Xiao Yunjing, who wore an expression of utter cluelessness.

Yet, Gu Qingli felt a potential crisis looming.

With a frown, she followed Xiao Yunjing downstairs. They arrived at the carriage stop for Flavorful Feast Restaurant, boarded their carriage, and headed back to the inn.

As they were boarding, another pair of attractive eyes watched them leave from a different carriage.

“Ping’er, let’s go,” Lin Ying’er murmured, her red lips barely moving.

The carriage slowly moved away.

「Dongcheng Lin Mansion, residence of Dean Lin of Huaishan Academy.」

Lin Ying’er alighted from the carriage as it stopped at the entrance and entered the mansion.

“Miss,” the gatekeeper greeted her respectfully.

“Mm,” Lin Ying’er responded faintly, then hurried back to her own courtyard.

“Wait at the door.”

“Yes, Miss.” Ping’er stood guard at the door.

Lin Ying’er entered the room and called out, “Come out.”

Immediately, a shadowy figure emerged as if from nowhere, kneeling on one knee. “What are your orders, Miss?”

“Wait.”

Lin Ying’er quickly retrieved paper and a brush. With a few swift strokes, a portrait materialized on the paper. The man depicted was Xiao Yunjing. Though not a perfect likeness, it bore a strong resemblance, at least seventy to eighty percent accurate.

Lin Ying’er blew the ink dry and handed the portrait to the man in black. “Investigate this man’s origins.”

“Yes.”

The man in black took the portrait and glanced at it, his gaze pausing for a moment. A flicker in his eyes, and then he instantly vanished from the room.

After Gu Qingli and Xiao Yunjing returned to the inn and rested for a while, Wuyou arrived. She was there, of course, to report on the patient’s condition. Just as Gu Qingli had anticipated, the patient’s symptoms were gradually easing. It seemed her direct involvement was no longer necessary. Thus, she and Xiao Yunjing decided to return to Qinghe County, as Xiao Han’s examinations were likely nearing their end. They resolved to leave the next day. The night passed uneventfully.

「The next day」

Xiao Yunjing and Yun No. 2 packed while Gu Qingli watched, hugging Da Bai. Da Bai, too, stared with wide, round eyes, following their movements as they bustled about. They had arrived with an empty carriage, but now, for the return journey, it was laden with goods, so much so that even the seating area was cramped. Gu Qingli had to be held by Xiao Yunjing. Xiao Yunjing was more than happy to oblige; he loved holding his soft, sweet little wife in his arms every day.

Not long after leaving the city, Xiao Yunjing instructed Yun No. 2 to quicken their pace. Yun No. 2, though unsure of the reason, didn’t question the order and urged the horse into a faster run. Once the carriage had traveled about fifty miles out, to a sparsely populated area, Yun No. 2 brought it to a halt.

“Yun No. 2, take care of our pursuer.”

“Yes, Master.” With that, Yun No. 2 flew out like a large bird.

“Someone is following us?” Gu Qingli asked.

“Mm-hmm, their martial arts are quite good, not like an ordinary Secret Guard,” Xiao Yunjing said, his brow furrowed.

Could it be someone sent by that person in the palace? How did the Secret Sect not detect them?

“Is it her?”

“I’m not sure yet. Li’er, don’t worry. Your husband is no pushover.”

Gu Qingli rolled her eyes at him.

This guy’s getting cocky,

she thought. “Anyway, be careful in whatever you do. Do you know what often leads to the downfall of experts?”

“What?” Xiao Yunjing asked, a smile playing on his lips as he kissed the top of her head.

“Arrogance and underestimating the enemy,” she stated. “Never underestimate your opponent, no matter the circumstances.”

Xiao Yunjing was momentarily stunned; he was very surprised his wife could utter such words.

At this moment, he was absolutely certain that his wife was not the woman she used to be. Such words should not have come from a mere village girl. What could she have experienced to gain such profound insights? He had indeed become a bit complacent, thinking that after his rebirth, with his martial arts reaching an unparalleled level, no one could do anything to him.

His wife’s words were like a splash of cold water, sobering him up instantly.

After all, there’s always a higher mountain, someone better out there, and a heaven beyond heaven.

Xiao Yunjing kissed Gu Qingli’s lips. “Thank you, Li’er. You’re my mirror.”

Gu Qingli said softly, “Whether I’m a mirror or not isn’t important. What’s important is that you understand yourself clearly and don’t do anything you’ll regret endlessly. Anyway, if you don’t protect yourself and something happens to you, I certainly won’t remain a widow for your sake.”

“Hehe, don’t worry. You won’t get the chance, Li’er,” Xiao Yunjing chuckled, holding her tightly in his embrace.

“Master, the person has been dealt with.” Yun No. 2 returned just then, handing him a token.

“A Phoenix token?”

Xiao Yunjing saw a phoenix head on it.

Only the current Empress could possess such a token. How could it be the Empress?

he wondered.

What dealings could he possibly have with the Empress? The current Empress Lin… her maternal family was precisely that of Dean Lin of Huaishan Academy in Qiyang County, wasn’t it? It would be normal for her to dispatch Secret Guards to protect the Lin Family. Dean Lin has met the current Emperor, but not the former Emperor. He definitely wouldn’t recognize me.

Regardless, speculating here was useless. He immediately ordered Yun No. 2 to have the Secret Sect investigate the matter.

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