Chapter 1011: 479 Handsome Man Scheme (Second Update) Chapter 1011: 479 Handsome Man Scheme (Second Update) “`
Grandfather would never allow himself to become a bargaining chip that hampers my elder brother and the Gu Family army.

If the remnants of the former dynasty took him to threaten my brother, Grandfather would definitely choose death over submission!

Gu Chengfeng returned to his own courtyard.

He put on his night travel clothes, donned a mask, and selected a few hidden weapons from Qianji Pavilion.

After completing these preparations, he went to the next room.

By this time, Gu Chenglin had already settled down for the night. Gu Chengfeng approached the bed, looked at the peacefully sleeping Gu Chenglin, tucked him in properly, and caressed the little bit of hair growing on his head. He then took out the banknotes from his pocket and stuffed them under his pillow.

“In the future, you’ll have to buy your own hair growth potion,” he said.

Having said that, he took one last reluctant look at his brother. At that moment, he found himself envying Gu Yan and the newly born little one, for at least those two had so many people doting on them, while Gu Chenglin had only him left.

But now, even he was about to leave.

This time, his mission was not a simple task. He was to travel to the distant frontier, infiltrate the enemy camp, with life and death uncertain. If he never returned–
“If I don’t come back, you’ll have to look after yourself from now on, understand?”

The sleeping Gu Chenglin had no idea of his brother’s departure, turning over in his sleep, his demeanor peaceful and stable.

In the end, Gu Chengfeng left.

He quietly closed the door for his brother and stealthily rode away on the prized horse of their father from the stable.

Bishui Alley.

A family had spent a busy day and now each returned to their rooms to rest.

Gu Jiao went to the east room to check on the little one. The newborn’s jaundice had receded, and the folds on the face were smoothing out, turning into a white and tender cutie.

“Jiaojiao,” Xiao Jingkong appeared behind her, holding a pillow.

“Haven’t you gone to bed yet?” Gu Jiao turned to look at him.

“Hmm, I missed you a little,” Xiao Jingkong said earnestly.

Gu Jiao bent her lips into a smile, ruffled his little head, “I’ll take you there.”

“Yeah!” Holding his small pillow in one hand and Gu Jiao’s hand in the other, Xiao Jingkong hopped and skipped to the next room.

He lay on the soft bed, with his round, wide eyes, and obediently said, “Jiaojiao.”

“Hmm?”

“I’ve covered myself with the blanket.”

“Good boy,” Gu Jiao touched his forehead, “Go to sleep.”

Xiao Jingkong obediently closed his eyes.

Soon he opened them again, “Jiaojiao?”

“I’m here.”

He closed his eyes again, comforted.

His little hand clung to Gu Jiao’s, not concealing his dependence and need.

Gu Jiao stayed with him until he entered dreamland, and began to snore gently. Only then did she get up and return to the backyard through the narrow corridor.

She went to the rooms of Gu Yan and Gu Xiaoshun. The two little men were also deep in slumber. Gu Yan slept very neatly, perhaps because he had been bullied so much in the womb by his sister that he had no room to spread out. Gu Xiaoshun’s sleeping position was less ideal, with one leg hanging off the bed.

Gu Jiao tucked Gu Xiaoshun’s leg back under the covers and touched both boys’ foreheads.

Among the children, Gu Xiaoshun was the most worry-free, while Gu Yan was of the greatest concern.

Gu Yan’s heart condition was a tough problem that Gu Jiao wanted to resolve, but unfortunately, the conditions for surgery in the small first aid kit were just not sufficient.

Gu Jiao pulled open the nightstand drawer and placed the medicine for heart failure inside.

After completing these tasks, she went back to the west room and picked out a few clean outfits.

“Eh?”

“`
She rummaged through boxes and drawers, revealing a puzzled expression.

“Looking for this?”

Xiao Hen’s voice suddenly appeared at the doorway.

Gu Jiao turned around and saw Xiao Hen walking toward her with a mask adorned with a peacock feather.

She blinked and deflected, “It’s Jingkong’s!”

Xiao Hen smiled, somewhat helpless but also trying not to laugh. He didn’t call her out, but instead opened the cabinet and took out a bundle.

“There’s dried meat inside, as well as some other provisions.”

In the past, it had always been her packing for him; this time, it was his turn to send her off on a long journey.

“You…” Gu Jiao opened her mouth and looked at him.

“Aren’t you leaving the capital?” Xiao Hen asked nonchalantly, adding a few more items for her.

Uh, she thought she had hidden it quite well.

“Planning to leave without saying goodbye?”

Gu Jiao shook her head like a rattle-drum, “I wrote you a letter, it’s in your study room.”

Xiao Hen’s expression brightened slightly as he handed her the bundle, staring deeply at her, “Will you come back?”

His question was somewhat intriguing.

If she were truly Gu Jiao, she would surely come back.

Gu Jiao had always thought that only Gu Chengfeng was convinced that she was not the real Gu Jiao.

And if Gu Chengfeng thought so, it was probably because he believed she had killed the real Gu Jiao and replaced her with someone else’s identity.

Yet Xiao Hen understood clearly that this body was indeed Gu Jiao’s.

So why would he ask such a question?

As if seeing the doubt in the depths of Gu Jiao’s eyes, and as if feeling that there were things he wouldn’t have the courage to say later, he spoke, “Ever since you fell into the water two years ago, you’ve become very different. I know you are Gu Jiao, but sometimes I feel you’re not Gu Jiao.”

Indeed, she was not, yet she truly was.

It was a very contradictory topic.

“Will you come back?”

He asked her again.

Gu Jiao paused and looked at him, “Even if I am not Gu Jiao?”

Xiao Hen nodded seriously, “Yes, even if you are not Gu Jiao.”

“Then, of course–”
Gu Jiao’s eyes rolled slyly, swallowing the words at the tip of her tongue, she raised an eyebrow and said, “If I come back, will you let me watch you bathe?”

Xiao Hen never expected that at the moment of farewell, this was what she’d be thinking about.

Stunned and amused, he couldn’t help but half laugh, half cry.

What sort of girl is she…?

He chuckled softly, taking a few steps closer to her. His strong arms lightly encircled her waist, seeming domineering, yet restrained.

He hadn’t even touched her, but Gu Jiao felt as if her waist, encircled by him, was on fire. The flame burned all the way to the bottom of her heart, making her head spin.

This feeling was unfamiliar.

Uh.

She wanted to do something.

How strange.

Xiao Hen watched her intently, taking in her bewildered and drooling appearance, tugged at the corner of his mouth, and with a hint of temptation and huskiness, said to her, “Alright, when you come back, you can watch. Remember, you must return safely, if even a single hair is missing… I’ll wear one more garment.”