Gu Xiao was dumped halfway.
A Da and A Er clearly showed a bit of disdain for Gu Xiao's lack of sense.
As for A Si, he was eager to act, holding a smelly sock in his right hand.
If A Wu hadn't stopped him, he might really have attacked.
"A Si, how dare you!" Gu Xiao gritted his teeth. Seeing A Si was fearless, his complexion changed.
In an instant, he begged humbly, "I was wrong."
A Da and the others used to be Yan Lin's disciples.
Later, when Yan Zhao went to Xiao Mountain to practice martial arts, they also learned from Gu Wu for several years.
Except for A Wu, they were kind of from the same martial - arts lineage as Gu Xiao.
"If there's nothing important, don't bother the heir."
The group had long noticed Gu Xiao's bad attitude towards Ning Yuwang.
It was a big face for Gu Xiao that they only erupted today.
"I just want to catch up with my cousin!" Gu Xiao tried to refute, but saw A San calmly wiping his sword. "Young Heir Gu, get married soon. Don't always meddle in the relationship between the heir and his wife."
Those who have no love in their hearts naturally don't understand the beauty of having a loved one by their side.
Gu Xiao thought to himself: Is that broken sword your loved one?
But the sword's glint was so cold and terrifying that he didn't dare to blurt out his thought.
Seeing that he was being sensible, A Da led the other four away.
Gu Xiao felt aggrieved and harbored more resentment towards Ning Yuwang in his heart.
Previously, he had never suffered such a miserable treatment from Yan Zhao and A Da.
But after Yan Zhao married Ning Yuwang, his cousin didn't care about him, and his fellow disciples disliked him.
Kicking a pebble on the ground, Gu Xiao was in no good mood.
"Gu Xiao?"
The hunting activity was almost over. The news that Yan Zhao and Gu Xiao had fallen into the water also reached the ladies.
Pei Yunlu was worried about her brother and walked in a hurry.
But by chance, she bumped into her stupid cousin on the way. She still kindly asked, "I heard you also fell into the water. Are you okay?"
There were still a few shallow scratches on Gu Xiao's forehead, probably cut by gravel when he fell into the lake.
But he himself was unaware.
What a fool!
Pei Yunlu disdainfully threw a small porcelain bottle over. It was "Jade Scar - Free" given to her by Ning Yuwang.
She had planned to keep it for herself, but now she gave it to Gu Xiao without any hesitation. "Why don't you treat the wound on your forehead?"
"Such a minor injury. It's nothing serious."
After years of martial - arts practice, Gu Xiao had been injured countless times.
He was always carefree and didn't care about a little pain at all.
But when Pei Yunlu mentioned it, he frowned slightly. The small wound on his forehead actually ached a bit.
Although he wasn't very familiar with Pei Yunlu and she seemed to dislike him,
Gu Xiao unconsciously had an inexplicable trust in Pei Yunlu.
The children of noble families were always cautious about foreign items and wouldn't use things of unknown origin casually.
But he didn't mind at all. He scooped up a bit of the ointment and smeared it on his forehead, showing his big white teeth. "Thank you, Miss Pei. You're so kind - hearted."
He didn't praise Pei Yunlu's appearance after all.
Pei Yunlu didn't mind either. She glanced at his forehead casually. "Don't let the wound touch water these days."
She was worried about Yan Zhao and left in a hurry.
After walking a few steps, she still turned back. "You're not a child anymore. You should think twice before you act. Don't cause trouble for... the people around you."
Gu Xiao took it to heart, but on the surface he was perfunctory. "Got it, got it."
He thought Pei Yunlu was on good terms with Ning Yuwang and was standing up for her at the moment.
But he didn't know that Pei Yunlu really hoped that he could be more sensible.
Gu Xiao stared at her back, and a sudden warmth flashed through his heart.
If he hadn't already fallen for the gentle and lovely An Xingzhi, he would definitely be attracted to Pei Yunlu's kind and proud nature.
It was a pity that his heart already belonged to someone, and Pei Yunlu also had someone in her heart.
He could only wish that all four of them could find their partners and live happily ever after.
Just as Gu Xiao thought of An Xingzhi, he heard her voice the next moment.
"Young Heir Gu."
Chu Nian'an and An Xingzhi came together to visit.
It was actually Chu Nian'an who saw Gu Xiao first, but it was An Xingzhi who spoke first.
"The princess and Xingzhi were just about to go and see you."
The north wind blew gently on her face. Chu Nian'an rubbed her face impatiently, feeling a bit strange in her heart.
She glanced at An Xingzhi. The latter's over - joyed look in her pupils was a bit of an eyesore.
Gu Xiao raised his eyebrows. "Thank you, little Nian'an, for your kindness."
Then his bright eyes looked at An Xingzhi. "Thank you, Miss An, for making this trip."
The deep affection in his eyes was so obvious that even Chu Nian'an noticed it.
Chu Nian'an bit her lip and snorted softly.
But those two completely ignored her.
"I heard that both Heir Yan and Young Heir Gu fell into the water." An Xingzhi's eyes were full of worry. "Xingzhi is very worried."
Gu Xiao scratched his head shyly. "Thank you, Miss An, for your concern. I'm fine, and so is my cousin."
After taking the pill given by the national master, he felt refreshed.
Accidentally touching the wound on his forehead while moving, he frowned slightly in pain.
"That's good."
But An Xingzhi didn't notice his expression. She sighed and hesitated to speak.
"It's a pity that Young Heir Gu can't continue to show his talent in the hunting activity. Originally, Young Heir Gu should have been the first."
This remark of hers was actually quite appropriate, containing both praise and regret, hinting for Gu Xiao to continue participating in the competition.
After all, she had bet on Gu Xiao to win the first place. If Gu Xiao lost due to an accident,
the bet she made would be lost too.
She would lose both face and profit again.
Gu Xiao only had eyes for the girl he had been longing for and didn't detect her intention at all.
But Chu Nian'an's complexion changed. She seemed to have caught on to An Xingzhi's intention.
She stared at An Xingzhi in disbelief, and her good impression of her dropped instantly.
Gu Xiao continued to echo An Xingzhi's words. "It is really a pity."
If there had really been a flock of pheasants, he was sure to win the first place.
It was a pity about his arrow - bamboo jade pendant. He had to find an opportunity to buy it back from the first - place winner.
An Xingzhi wrung her embroidered handkerchief. "Xingzhi also feels sad for Young Heir Gu. All your efforts have gone in vain. It's such a pity."
She mentioned the ranking several times, and the joy in Gu Xiao's heart when he saw her seemed to be doused with a basin of cold water.
He gradually figured out An Xingzhi's meaning, and the smile on his lips gradually faded. "I'll work harder next time."
An Xingzhi clearly didn't expect him to say "next time". Her pupils suddenly shrank. "Yes... indeed."
Gu Xiao took a few steps back, and his eyes became a bit more distant.
Previously, he thought An Xingzhi was dignified, gentle, and considerate.
But after experiencing Pei Yunlu's kindness, Gu Xiao detected some meanings that he had never noticed before.
Why did An Xingzhi only care about his ranking?
Why didn't she notice the wound on his forehead?
It was so obvious. Unless she had never really cared about him.
Thinking of the suggestive words An Xingzhi had said a few days ago,
the young heir's heart sank little by little. He stared at An Xingzhi absent - mindedly.
Looking closely at her delicate and gentle face now, he could no longer see the amazing beauty that had made her famous in the capital back then.
It seemed that that glance back then was only a memory of that moment.