The Prime Minister’s Darling

Chapter 126: 100 Fighting for Favor (First Update)_3

While Xiao Jingkong was always so talkative at home, he could be quite silent during class. However, when he did speak, the teachers would often wish they were dead!

It didn’t help that Xiao Jingkong had solid backing. His brother-in-law was the direct disciple of the head of the academy, and to expel him would be like forcing the head of the academy to punish his own son.

But looking at him, the teachers couldn’t help but cringe…

Xiao Jingkong held onto the Three Character Classic, seemingly reciting, yet frequently taking peeks outside.

“Jingkong, has your brother-in-law not arrived yet?” the teacher in charge asked.

“Hmm,” Xiao Jingkong murmured in response.

“Would you like me to take you to the entrance to check?” asked the teacher.

“I don’t care if he turns up or not!” gritted Xiao Jingkong.

Despite his words, it was clear he had increased the frequency of his peeks towards the entrance.

Could it be his wicked brother-in-law was going to abandon him?

Just like those others who had promised to take care of him, but ultimately deserted him?

“Jingkong,” caught the teacher’s attention, who had surreptitiously appeared by his side. “Your brother-in-law has arrived.”

He’s finally here! He’s finally here! The teacher’s nightmare for the day had concluded!

“Really?” Xiao Jingkong stood up, realising he had reacted too enthusiastically. He quickly calmed down and collected his belongings and bid his teacher goodbye, heading towards the gate to meet Xiao Liulang.

“You’re late today!”

Once inside the oxcart, Xiao Jingkong complained to Xiao Liulang. “Did you skip classes and get held back for detention by Teacher Zhang?”

Xiao Liulang glanced at him surprised, “You know my teacher’s surname is Zhang?”

“Brother Xiaoshun told me!” Xiao Jingkong noted confidently, “I know a lot of things. Not only do I know your teacher is surnamed Zhang, but I also know that Gu Dashun’s teacher is surnamed Chen, and the head of the academy is surnamed Li!”

Xiao Jingkong said seriously, “You didn’t answer my question. Were you held back for detention? Don’t get proud just because you’ve passed the Imperial Civil Service Examination. Don’t forget, you are still a student in Class Beta!”

Gosh, he even knows about Class Beta.

Xiao Liulang looked at him with both annoyance and amusement: “Where does a kid like you get so many words from?”

Xiao Jingkong placed his hands on his hips: “It’s clearly you who’s late, and yet you don’t let me speak. You adults are so unreasonable!”

Xiao Liulang pointed out, “So you are suggesting that you’re reasonable?”

Xiao Jingkong crossed his arms: “Of course, I am very reasonable!”

Xiao Liulang raised an eyebrow, “So who was it that talked back to the teacher and embarrassed him in class?”

Xiao Jingkong said earnestly, “He was the one who taught it wrong! I was just correcting him!”

Xiao Liulang chuckled, “So who was it that skipped classes halfway?”

Xiao Jingkong argued righteously, “He was going to hit me even though I did nothing wrong! He shouldn’t punish an innocent child!”

The teacher had a discipline ruler and all the kids who misbehaved got two strokes on the palm of their hands. Xiao Jingkong had openly questioned the teacher, argued with him till he turned red-faced, making the teacher so angry that he’d reached for the discipline ruler. Xiao Jingkong, however, had simply slung his schoolbag over his shoulder and run away!

Xiao Liulang suggested nonchalantly, “Since you believe you are in the right, why don’t we present these issues to Jiaojiao and let her decide on who’s right.”

Xiao Jingkong remained silent.

Although he steadfastly believed that he was on the side of justice, he instinctively felt that Jiaojiao would not agree with his actions.

Xiao Liulang chuckled, “Why so silent? Are you afraid you can’t defend your actions or do you fear that Jiaojiao would be unreasonable?”

Xiao Jingkong responded boldly, “Of course Jiaojiao is reasonable! And I am right too! It’s just that Jiaojiao’s logic and mine are not in agreement. It’s a matter of difference in perspective, not a matter between me and Jiaojiao!”

Xiao Liulang: “I don’t understand you fully and I am almost dizzy with your verbosity.”

The two of them kept bickering until they reached the village.

They got down from the oxcart and headed home, only to find an additional person in their house.

The man was welldressed and handsome—clearly not a local.

“Who are you?” Xiao Jingkong tilted his head to ask.

“I am Jiaojiao’s younger brother,” Gu Yan emphasized, “blood brother.”

Xiao Jingkong staggered!

He completely miscalculated that Jiaojiao had a blood brother – does that mean this guy ranks even above Gu Xiaoshun?

A strong sense of crisis began brewing in Xiao Jingkong’s heart!

Xiao Liulang, ever the troublemaker, grinned as he ruffled the little monk’s head: “Ah, who’s Jiaojiao’s most beloved little brother now?”

Xiao Jingkong swiftly removed Xiao Liulang’s treacherous hand.