"Who's there?" Xiao Jinfeng frowned, signaling Er Longzi to go and check.
Although the accumulated snow in the courtyard had been cleared, a thin layer of snowflakes still remained, causing a slight crunching sound with every step...
Er Longzi responded with a sound, rushed to the door in two strides, pushed open the door, and looked outside.
The desolate courtyard was empty. Only the cold wind whistled past the top of the wall, making eerie noises.
"Strange, why is no one there?" Er Longzi muttered, closed the door casually, and returned to attend to Xiao Jinfeng.
At the same time, in the guest room where Gu Mingyan was, Qinglan walked in, panting, her small face flushed red from the cold...
"Did you find out anything?" Gu Mingyan squatted on the ground, holding a spittoon in his hands, his handsome face pale from vomiting.
Qinglan patted her chest, then took out a handkerchief and wiped the thin sweat from Gu Mingyan's forehead. "My Lord, it seems the Prince of Ming is unwilling to return to the palace. I was eavesdropping for a while just now, and he doesn't seem very interested in the position of Crown Prince!"
Gu Mingyan: "..."
He didn't believe Xiao Jinfeng would turn over a new leaf and become a good person.
At least, his identity, background, and the forces supporting him would not allow him to be a good person.
"Have you investigated the identity of that Physician Guan?" Gu Mingyan asked.
Qinglan nodded. "I've learned a little. Physician Guan's real name is Guan Zhongbo, and he is from Beijiang. Because of his superb medical skills and countless lives saved, he is respected by many as a divine physician..."
Gu Mingyan nodded gently after hearing this. It was truly thoughtful of Xiao Jinfeng to try so hard to please the old Yun family.
Being able to invite a renowned physician like Guan Zhongbo to Dashui Village was not something an ordinary person could achieve.
"Is there any news from the palace?" Gu Mingyan put down the spittoon and sat on the edge of the heated brick bed, clutching his stomach.
Qinglan shook her head. "No news, but I'm a little worried about the situation at Beijiang. My Lord's rash arrival at Dashui Village means you cannot oversee the capital. What if Qingfeng captures Khan Han Cheer? You can't just be a hands-off manager..."
Only by controlling Han Cheer could the unfavorable situation at Beijiang be reversed. Moreover, with Qingfeng's skills, capturing Han Cheer alive was not a problem.
"This Marquis will return as soon as possible!" Gu Mingyan waved his hand and looked at Qinglan. "You may leave now!"
He couldn't return to the capital until Xiao Jinfeng was driven away...
This was related to the safety of his nephew and the old Yun family.
Qinglan blinked her beautiful eyes, her face full of pity. "My Lord, your stomach is uncomfortable. May I stay and take care of you?"
Gu Mingyan's eyes suddenly turned cold. "No need. Get out!"
Qinglan: "..."
Alas, my Lord is like this. So young, yet he avoids women and hasn't married or had children yet.
Well, one day he would understand.
In Little Xi Tian's room.
Shangguan Fang'er lay on the heated brick bed, hugging Chen Xiaoran, drooling in her sleep...
It was too cold outside in winter. If one ran out completely naked, they could be frozen into an ice stick in minutes.
However, the room was as warm as spring. Lying on the warm heated brick bed, covered with a quilt, and sleeping soundly was incredibly comfortable.
Especially for those with rheumatism or joint pain, sleeping on a heated brick bed often could alleviate symptoms of sore waist and legs...
A kerosene lamp was lit on the table. Little Xi Tian sat beside it, her head bent over designing renovation blueprints.
If Sun Laohan's attic was to be transformed into a shop that could operate, it would need to be renovated inside and out.
It would also be necessary to hire workers and carpenters in advance, make a budget, and purchase tables, chairs, benches, and various furniture. Every task would take a lot of time, so Little Xi Tian had put aside her playful nature and prioritized her career...
"Uh... this should have a long hanging screen, with a 'Fu' character carved in the middle, and corner flowers for the edges!" Little Xi Tian mumbled, sketching a stroke on the blueprint. httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
Shangguan Fang'er smacked her lips and grumbled, "No talking, go to sleep quickly!"
Little Xi Tian: "..."
This is my bedroom, okay.
Alas, I wonder when my third brother will return and quickly marry Sister Fang'er.
Her room was almost becoming a hotel.
Chen Xiaoran, feeling warm, softly pushed Shangguan Fang'er away and kicked off the quilt with her foot, muttering, "Little Xi Tian, Little Xi Tian!"
Little Xi Tian: "..."
If she got into bed now, Chen Xiaoran would definitely treat her like a stuffed doll, holding her tightly until morning when she woke up.
Just then, a song suddenly came from outside the door, like someone humming a tune.
Little Xi Tian paused, put down her charcoal pencil, put on her little padded jacket, and walked out.
She saw an old man with a white beard strolling in the courtyard, a pipe in his mouth, smoking and humming opera tunes...
"Oh dear, this weather is too cold. It feels colder than Beijiang!" Guan Zhongbo muttered.
Little Xi Tian was stunned for a moment, then walked over and called out, "Old Sir, are you that divine physician?"
Guan Zhongbo heard this, turned his head to look at Little Xi Tian, and chuckled, "Heh, this little girl, she looks like a bear cub, so chubby and cute!"
Little Xi Tian: "..."
Old Sir, describing a child like a bear cub, isn't that inappropriate?
"Old Sir, it's cold outside, why aren't you coming inside?" Little Xi Tian asked.
Guan Zhongbo took two puffs of his pipe, then exhaled a smoke ring with a look of intoxication. "I'm old, my sleep is light, and I can't sleep even when I'm tired..."
Little Xi Tian rolled her eyes upon hearing this.
It's because you slept too much during the day, that's why you're not sleepy at night.
And what's with the smell of alcohol on you? Did you get yourself drunk?
"Little girl, I'm free right now. How about I help you with a fortune-telling for free?" Guan Zhongbo threw away his pipe and asked with a smile.
Little Xi Tian: "???"
Aren't you a doctor? Why have you suddenly become a fortune teller?
"No need, I'm not superstitious!" Little Xi Tian refused.
Guan Zhongbo was slightly stunned and said incredulously, "Wow, you little kid, do you know how many people are eager to have me tell their fortunes, and I don't even bother with them? Come, come, stretch out your hand..."
Saying this, Guan Zhongbo reached out to grab Little Xi Tian's hand. "I'll look at your love line first, then your career line. Don't worry, my fortune-telling is very accurate!"
Little Xi Tian, forced to cooperate, looked speechless...
Can we go to a warmer room to chat slowly? It's freezing outside. Even if you're not cold, I'm afraid of catching a cold.
And so, under Little Xi Tian's mournful gaze, Guan Zhongbo began to babble his fortune-telling.