The Prime Minister’s Darling

Then he said to the generals who were observing the exercises with him, "Sorry, I need to excuse myself for a moment."

The generals looked at him curiously, exchanging sly glances. This is a grand military exercise held every three months. Could something serious have happened that made General Gu leave halfway?

He left in quite a hurry!

Gu Changqing quickly walked out of the Military Camp and indeed saw a slim figure pacing back and forth beside a carriage.

"Ayan."

He called to him.

Gu Yan turned around in surprise, "Why did you come out?"

Gu Changqing smiled slightly, "Someone told me you came to find me."

"I didn't..." Gu Yan instinctively denied it.

He was indeed there to see him, but he hadn't mentioned it to anyone. Knowing that the camp was busy, he didn't plan to disturb him and intended to wait until he was finished to meet him.

Gu Changqing didn't tell Gu Yan that his personal guard recognized him.

At the Military Camp, Gu Changqing is the cold-faced Yama, but in front of Gu Yan and Gu Jiao, he is always the indulgent elder brother.

Seeing Gu Yan's cheeks reddened by the sun, he quickly took him to his own barracks.

"Bring some ice over," he ordered the guard.

The guard was shocked.

You usually don't use such things, do you?

"Yes."

The guard glanced at the delicate young master, understood immediately, and brought over two large basins of ice, placing them beside Gu Yan.

Gu Yan felt the coolness enveloping him.

"You may leave," Gu Changqing instructed.

"Yes," the guard retreated.

Gu Changqing picked up a fan from the table and gently fanned Gu Yan.

Gu Yan comfortably tilted his little neck back, turning it 180 degrees.

Here, fan me.

Here, too.

Gu Changqing gave a doting smile and slightly increased the strength of his fanning, "Don't you have classes today?"

"It's a holiday today," Gu Yan said.

Gu Changqing asked, "What made you think of coming to the Military Camp to find me?"

"I..." Gu Yan hesitated for a moment, then took out a mask from his pocket and handed it to Gu Changqing.

"What's this?" Gu Changqing took the mask with the hand that wasn't fanning and examined it while continuing to fan Gu Yan.

Gu Yan said, "Didn't you get engaged? This is your engagement gift."

It was a silver half-mask, very lightweight and exquisite, with a novel design that Gu Changqing hadn't seen on the market before.

He looked at Gu Yan, "Did you have it specially made?"

"Yes," Gu Yan admitted somewhat sheepishly, scratching his little ear.

It seems a lot of thought went into this gift, and Gu Changqing's heart softened, "Why did you think of giving a mask?"

Gu Yan pouted, "Aren't you a master of the underground Martial Arts Arena? I heard everyone there wears masks. If you don't like it..."

"I love it," Gu Changqing said with a smile, "I'll wear it whenever I go to the underground Martial Arts Arena."

"And take you with me."

"That way, you can spot who I am at a glance."

Gu Yan's eyes twinkled, and he tried hard to suppress the joy in his heart, nodding coolly, "If you're insisting on taking me, then I suppose that's fine."

Gu Changqing gave a warm smile, his eyes filled with indulgence.

Xuanping Marquis Residence.

Xiao Hen attended court today to receive the appointment as the Assistant Minister; from now on, he will be the first Assistant Minister under the Emperor.

After court, he was surrounded by numerous civil and military officials, all offering their congratulations.

It all seemed sudden, yet on reflection, felt entirely justified.

At thirteen, he became a student sacrificial official at the Guozijian. Had it not been for unexpected events, he would have already been the Assistant Minister of Zhan Country.

He had shed some of his youthful nobility and accumulated more steady composure.

While the title of student sacrificial official was partly due to his background, his subsequent successive examinations as the number one scholar, parading as the top scholar, and becoming an Assistant Minister were all results of his own efforts.

"Congratulations to Grand Chancellor Yuan, for having a successor," some officials congratulated Grand Chancellor Yuan.

Grand Chancellor Yuan stroked his beard with a smile.

Another official said, "I see Grand Chancellor Yuan is having double happiness, not only a fine student but also a promising son-in-law, a grandson-in-law!"

Grand Chancellor Yuan's smile deepened.

Yes, two long-standing issues have been resolved, and next is Baolin and Gu Changqing's grand wedding. He must go ask the imperial astrologer if they have calculated an auspicious date yet.

...

Xiao Hen finally managed to break free from the crowd of ministers, drenched in sweat.

Returning to the Princess Residence, he saw Shangguan Qing was also there as soon as he stepped inside.

He spread out a dozen masks on the table, asking Gu Jiao, who was sitting nearby, "See if any of these are like the one in your dream?"