Chapter 23: The Apprenticeship Banquet

After Gu Jiaojiao got the pill, she immediately wanted to eat it. Hong’er tried to persuade her: “Miss, maybe this is a play acted out by the eldest miss and the second master.”

Gu Jiaojiao snorted: “You fool, what do you know? Gu Yunlan wants to cheat behind my back, so I’ll take her opportunity first!”

Then, she swallowed the pill without hesitation.

She didn’t see the smile on Hong’er’s face as she lowered her head.

As the eldest miss expected, Gu Jiaojiao believed this play wholeheartedly.

If she spoke up now, she could avoid being punished by Gu Jiaojiao when things went wrong. After all, Cui’er was already useless, and Gu Jiaojiao only had her as a personal maid.

After taking the pill, Gu Jiaojiao went to put on makeup with a happy heart.

According to what Master said that day, today’s test was just a formality. She had to dress up well and appear in front of everyone in the most perfect way.

…

Yao Yue Tower.

The place was packed with distinguished guests, bustling with activity.

Gu Xiude had a smug smile on his face as he ushered in one distinguished guest after another.

“How did you know my precious daughter was going to be the Divine Physician’s disciple? Oh, be discreet, be discreet.”

“Oh, it must be my intelligent and charming second daughter. The eldest is a useless person, not worth mentioning.”

A court official flattered him: “Minister Gu, your eldest daughter married the son of the emperor’s favorite, and your second daughter is about to become the Divine Physician’s disciple. Your future is limitless. You, as a father, will surely soar to new heights!”

Gu Xiude was humble in words, but his face was about to split with joy.

It was still his Jiaojiao!

She was intelligent and beautiful since she was a child, and now she was going to be the Divine Physician’s disciple. She really brought him honor!

“The Third Prince has arrived!”

With a cry, Gu Xiude quickly stepped forward to greet him: “Your servant greets Your Highness.”

Murong Jinyu smiled and held Gu Xiude’s hand: “Minister Gu, you really know how to raise your daughters.”

“Your Highness is too kind.” Gu Xiude bowed even lower.

“After the Divine Physician’s disciple-taking banquet today, I will also mention the matter of marrying the princess to my mother.” Murong Jinyu hinted.

Gu Xiude was so excited that his beard trembled: “Then I’ll thank Your Highness in advance.”

The princess!

Gu Xiude was a country bumpkin, his ancestors were all farmers who toiled the land. He was smart and studied hard since he was a child, but his family was poor, and his studies were bumpy.

If it hadn’t been for marrying Yun’niang, who worked day and night to earn money for him to focus on his studies, he wouldn’t have had his current fortune. That’s why, even after marrying Wu Huanmei, he insisted on bringing Yun’niang back from the countryside.

He considered himself to be grateful. If he hadn’t brought Yun’niang to the capital, she wouldn’t have seen this prosperous imperial city in her life, and she wouldn’t have lived in such a good mansion.

And now, his biological daughter was going to become a princess! The Third Prince was the emperor’s favorite and the most likely to ascend the throne in the future. How could he not be excited?

He was going to be the father-in-law of the future emperor!

In the future, everyone would call him the father-in-law of the country!

Gu Xiude was getting more and more excited. He looked at Murong Jinyu as if he were staring at a piece of fat meat.

“She’s here! She’s here! The second miss of the Gu family has arrived!”

Someone shouted first, and everyone turned to look at the door.

Gu Jiaojiao was wearing a light pink dress. At her flowery age, she was charming even without makeup. Besides, Gu Xiude had been favored by Wu Huanmei, a first-rank official’s daughter, just because of his handsome face. Gu Jiaojiao inherited his good looks completely. It was no exaggeration to say that she was stunning.

She wore a gold-inlaid butterfly hairpin in her hair. She bowed to everyone lively: “Jiaojiao greets all the distinguished guests.”

The butterfly trembled slightly in her hair, looking very lively and cute.

Murong Jinyu’s face also showed a hint of amazement, and his smile couldn’t help but soften.

He looked at Gu Jiaojiao with affection, and Gu Jiaojiao lowered her head shyly, acting like a little girl.

Everyone present was a shrewd person. They all knew at a glance that the Gu family was about to have another good thing happen.

After Gu Xiude ushered all the guests into their seats, Gu Yunlan still hadn’t appeared.

“Why hasn’t the eldest miss of the Gu family arrived yet?” The speaker was Qiao Mingyue, the daughter of the Minister of War.

She had always been at odds with Gu Jiaojiao. She didn’t want to come today, but she loved the crab roe buns at the Yao Yue Tower. She came with the mentality of “why not eat for free.”

Li Wei, the daughter of the Minister of Rites, snorted: “She must be afraid to come and embarrass herself because she knows she’s not as good as our Jiaojiao! I’ve seen her before. She’s not even as good as the foot-washing maid in our residence. She still wants to be the Divine Physician’s disciple? She’s dreaming! Don’t you think so, Princess?”

Murong Xiaoxiao coughed twice and rolled her eyes: “You have something in your teeth.”

Li Wei quickly covered her mouth. A moment later, she realized that the food hadn’t been served yet. How could she have something in her teeth? But the Princess of Nan Kang was chronically ill and had a very strange personality. She didn’t dare to offend her easily, so she just smiled and sat down.

“The Divine Physician has arrived!”

Dugu Yue strode in, and everyone excitedly stood up. Most of them had never met him. It was a good opportunity to curry favor with the Divine Physician!

“Master!” Gu Jiaojiao greeted him first, calling him sweetly.

Dugu Yue looked around coldly, not paying any attention to Gu Jiaojiao.

The crowd was in an uproar. Many people whispered: “Who is the Divine Physician looking for? Could it be Gu Yunlan? But isn’t he taking Gu Jiaojiao as his disciple?”

“Didn’t you see that Gu Jiaojiao called the Divine Physician Master, and he didn’t even acknowledge her? I think the Divine Physician really wants to take Gu Yunlan as his disciple, not Gu Jiaojiao!”

“No way?”

Gu Jiaojiao’s face grew darker and darker as she listened to the people around her.

Wu Huanmei stepped forward and patted her hand, giving her a reassuring look.

“Don’t worry. She won’t appear today. No one can steal my daughter’s moment of glory!”

With Wu Huanmei’s words, Gu Jiaojiao’s heart finally settled.

Dugu Yue searched for a long time but couldn’t find his beloved disciple. He couldn’t help but frown: “Where’s Lan’er? Why hasn’t Lan’er arrived yet?”

“See, I told you the Divine Physician wants to take Gu Yunlan as his disciple, not your Jiaojiao.” Qiao Mingyue mocked.

Li Wei stood up loudly and retorted: “Are you crazy? Don’t you know what Gu Yunlan is? How could the Divine Physician possibly want her as his disciple? Our Jiaojiao has been learning medicine from a famous teacher since she was a child!”

She sneered: “If we’re talking about Gu Yunlan, I’m afraid the best things she’s good at are being a footstool, a foot-washing maid, and emptying chamber pots!”

“Not so, not so. When it comes to money, I’m inferior to my second sister.” A cold voice rang out.

Everyone turned to look at the door, and they were all amazed.