The Prime Minister’s Darling

Gu Changqing took a deep breath.

He might be under a hex...

Once at home, Gu Changqing first dismounted his horse, then he lifted Gu Yan down, and took the objects in Gu Yan's hold to place them on a stone table in the front courtyard.

"I am leaving," he declared as he walked out.

Gu Yan looked at him hopefully, "Would you like to stay for dinner? My sister is an excellent cook."

That girl who's even colder than an assassin?

It's hard for Gu Changqing to imagine what her cooking would be like.

He glanced at the kitchen through the passageway, a faint sense of longing swept through his eyes, but ultimately, he resisted, "No, I should get home."

"Oh," Gu Yan felt disappointed.

Gu Changqing mounted his horse and glanced at Gu Yan, "Go inside."

"Hm." Gu Yan nodded, yet didn't move. She continued to watch him ride away until he disappeared at the end of the alley, only then did she turn around - hopping on the spot, she cheerfully entered the house.

Exactly.

What sprained ankle?

Never had one!

--

"All right now, your foot's fine. Stay in bed and rest for a few days. I'll come in a week to remove your stitches." In a mansion on Vermilion Bird Avenue, Gu Jiao had just thoroughly stitched a young girl's wound, marking her first house call since arriving in the Capital City.

The sky started to snow again.

The snowflakes, as light as goose feathers, fell sporadically, creating congestion on the city avenue in no time.

Since Bishui Alley wasn't too far from here, Gu Jiao decided to walk back.

She had not been off her carriage long before she started to sense someone following her.

She didn't go into Bishui Alley but passed it by, ducking into another alley instead.

She inconspicuously gripped a silver needle in her hand.

Finally, the stalker made his move.

Two masked men, armed with blades, descended from the sky, blocking her path.

However, before they could make a move, Gu Jiao had already shot a silver needle into each of their chests.

Both men collapsed in a faint.

Almost at the same moment, a cold arrow was shot from behind.

She took a step forward, hoisted herself off the wall, flipped mid-air, and forcefully kicked the arrow flying!

Just as it appeared it wasn't the only trick up their sleeves, a massive net was suddenly cast down from above. Gu Jiao pulled out the dagger from her belt and slashed through the net in midair.

But then, out of nowhere, a grappling hook came flying, caught her small backpack, and swiftly pulled it away!

"My first aid kit!"

Gu Jiao's eyes turned cold as she looked up at the rooftops.

A man dressed in black with a black mask was holding her backpack, looking down upon her from above.

A disdainful chuckle, and he disappeared to the other side of the rooftop.

Gu Jiao swiftly followed in pursuit.

Chasing him, Gu Jiao felt as if she had returned to her former life, when she was in the organization, the time when the blood within her body would boil with the thrill of hunting down enemies.

She could tell that the man's skills were extraordinary as he tried to set numerous traps for her, but she evaded all of them.

Finally, Gu Jiao followed him to a seemingly long-abandoned courtyard.

The man had already hidden himself inside.

The moment Gu Jiao crossed the threshold, a barrage of sharp arrows was fired at her.

She had dodged bullets in her previous life; these arrows were no challenge to her.

What seemed like rapidly firing arrows were like watching a slow-motion scene in Gu Jiao's eyes. She easily dodged them.

A sneering, ghost-like scoff echoed in the courtyard, "I didn't expect you would be able to follow me all the way here. Quite formidable indeed."

The voice came from behind the mask, slightly distorted.

Listening to his tone, Gu Jiao got the impression that he had specifically targeted her.

Walking into the courtyard, Gu Jiao saw the man on the steps, "Who are you?"

The man in black chuckled. "I should ask you the same question. Who are you?"

Gu Jiao gave an affected 'oh,' "You don't even know who I am, and you dare to rob me?"

The man in black spoke, "So, I hear, you're a provincial girl from a small county township, grew up in that village, fell ill with an imbecile disease, and only recovered a year ago. But the way you move doesn't look like some rustic lass."

Without a trace of guilt, Gu Jiao retorted, "So? Is that a problem?"

The man slowly descended the steps. His mask was securely strapped, covering his face and exposing only a pair of sinister-looking eyes.

He stared coldly at Gu Jiao, "Where is the real Miss Gu?"

Looks like they aren't rivals from the Medical Hall, but they have something to do with her.

Gu Jiao maintained her composed demeanor, looking at the basket in his hands, "Hand over my stuff."

The man walked a step forward, arrogant in his tone, "You tell me where you've hid the real Miss Gu, and maybe I will consider returning your belongings."

Gu Jiao frowned irritably, "Spare me the useless talk. If you want to fight, let's fight. Enough with the whimpering."