After reading through everything completely, Gu Zuo still couldn’t be sure.
When all was said and done, he had only looked at Hu Chang’an superficially — Swollen facial features, overweight figure, dull color and luster of the pupils, waxen skin… This was but a small number of indicators.
In addition, there was an indeterminate symptom. Hu Chang’an’s strength increased very slowly.
One needed to know that he was the rightful, eldest son of an iron-ranked aristocratic family, and the place he lived in was the Central Continent, whose resources were incomparably abundant. It didn’t have to be mentioned that the grade of medicinal pills and body cultivation methods would be excellent. In that case, under such good conditions, no matter how poor his aptitudes, he should’ve been able to reach the Immoral Realm by now. But this Hu Chang’an was actually only Xiantian stage eight. Wasn’t this a bit too low?
To be honest, this kind of situation could be an illness, but it could also be some kind of special constitution. For the specific circumstances, Gu Zuo still needed Hu Chang’an to trust him in order to treat it. Through several types of examinations, he could make a determination.
However, without a good cause, he couldn’t just walk up to Hu Chang’an and say: “Hey, how about letting me treat you? Brother, you’re ill!”
…Something like that.
After thinking it over, Gu Zuo shook his head. He felt that he would need to consider this at length.
Just when he lifted his head, he saw a little boy who was probably five or six years old running over in small steps. This kind of young boy wasn’t something that Gu Zuo had never seen before. Previously, there was the Gongyi Clan’s Gongyi Tianteng, who was a robust and adorable little boy. Tianteng had been even younger at the time.
Gu Zuo didn’t know if Tianteng was currently soaking in the decoctions based on the prescriptions he had left behind. He didn’t know if his big brother had come to the Central Continent yet. Did Tianheng miss them? Did Tianheng miss him… Stop it.
Gu Zuo hurriedly recollected his train of thought, which had drifted far away. His gaze fell onto the young boy.
This little guy was a little thin, and his tiny eyebrows were pinched. When such a little kid had this kind of bitter and resentful impression, he looked very interesting.
Based on his exterior appearance and bearing, and that he shared some resemblance with Hu Chang’an, this ought to be Hu Chang’an’s younger brother. Reportedly, Hu Changfeng possessed pretty good talents in medicine refinement.
But, what did this little guy plan to do after coming to the outer courtyard?
Gu Zuo was somewhat puzzled as he locked gazes with the tiny Hu Changfeng: “What brings the little young master here?”
Hu Changfeng pursed his lips: “Are you the new one big brother picked up?”
A wisp of disappointment and frustration flickered through Gu Zuo’s eyes. After collecting his thoughts, he smiled at the boy and said: “That’s right. I have no home to return to, but fortunately, Brother Chang’an has a kind heart, and he gave me a helping hand. If not, I’m afraid I would be wandering the streets. Maybe I would’ve eventually been killed by a bad guy passing through.”
The expression on Hu Changfeng’s little face was anxious: “Aiya, big brother is always like this.” He looked at Gu Zuo, and promptly said, “I’m not saying that you’re no good.”
Gu Zuo put on a broken-hearted look.
Hu Changfeng pursed his lips again.
He felt as if he was in the wrong for coming over for “interrogating”…
After this reply, Gu Zuo, who was playing with the child, felt his state of mind relaxing somewhat. He blinked his eyes: “Little Young Master Hu, can I be in your care?”
Hu Changfeng heaved a long sigh: “Okay, you can just stay here. But in the future, you can’t do anything bad.”
Gu Zuo naturally agreed: “Little young master, rest assured. I certainly know my place!”
The two conversed, and Hu Changfeng seemed to slightly ease his worries towards Gu Zuo. However, the boy hesitated to say something. It was like there were some things that he still wanted to ask Gu Zuo.
At this time, a young girl wearing a jade-green cheongsam walked out from the inner courtyard. As cardamoms blossomed during maidenhood, she still had yet to fully grow up. However, her countenance was lucid and elegant, and she already presented the makings of a remarkable beauty. She should be Hu Chang’an’s only sister, Hu Changbi.
Following behind Hu Changbi was Hu Chang’an.
Originally, after Gu Zuo was settled down, Hu Chang’an still had some household matters he had to manage. Thus, he only said that he would hold a small feast in the evening out of hospitality. But after a busy period of going back, he noticed that Hu Changbi was looking for Hu Changfeng. Then, he realized that Hu Changfeng had intentionally gone to look for Gu Zuo because he had picked Gu Zuo up.
After Hu Chang’an walked over, he first gave an apologetic smile to Gu Zuo. He said: “Brother Ah Zuo, has Changfeng given you any trouble?”
Gu Zuo hastily shook his head: “Not once. Changfeng is only concerned about Brother Chang’an. He’s also allowing me to stay here. He’s very attentive.”
Hu Chang’an naturally understood as well. It was because his temperament was problematic. This brother and sister pair were constantly worried that he would be deceived by someone. And previously, it wasn’t like he had never encountered others with poor moral standing. Therefore, amid this unstable situation where Hu Chang’an was tossed about by the wind and rain, Hu Changfeng was worried in his heart. Thus, it was to be expected that he would want to personally take a look.
Speaking of which, Hu Chang’an, who acted as the eldest brother, felt ashamed. He would often make his younger brother and sister anxious… It was just that, in the past, he didn’t have a good grasp of the human heart, and he was only happy to be of service to others. However, he intuitively knew that this Brother Ah Zuo definitely wasn’t a person who harbored treacherous thoughts.
Hu Chang’an would know Hu Changfeng’s way of thinking. Seeing that Gu Zuo was speaking on his younger brother’s behalf like this and that Hu Changfeng wasn’t opposing it, he promptly knew that Gu Zuo wasn’t lying. Indeed, Hu Changfeng wasn’t excluding Gu Zuo. Hu Chang’an couldn’t help but feel happy.
Following this, Hu Changbi capably went to prepare a small-scale feast. However, because Hu Changbi was a young girl, the feast’s location wasn’t inside the inner courtyard. Rather, it was simply arranged in the outer courtyard where Gu Zuo was located. Those small appetizers weren’t cooked by the kitchens but through the skilled hands of the three siblings’ loyal and devoted maidservants under Hu Changbi’s guidance. It was very delicious.
Gu Zuo faintly detected that these pieces of food carried the feeling of medicinal cuisine… He suddenly felt that this aristocratic family of pharmacists was really out of the ordinary. Moreover, the inheritance of pharmacists seemed intact on the Central Continent. There probably weren’t any issues with the medicinal cuisines, decoctions, and pills.
During the feast, Hu Chang’an asked with deep concern: “Brother Ah Zuo, you previously mentioned that you lost contact with your elder brother. Now that we’ve returned to our household, this one can take out some manpower to make inquiries on your behalf. Could Brother Ah Zuo tell me your elder brother’s full name, his appearance and age, and if he has any distinctive features?”
When Gu Zuo heard this, he put down his bowl. He gratefully said: “Many thanks, Brother Chang’an.”
Hu Changfeng and Hu Changbi had also heard that Gu Zuo had been separated from his family, and unconsciously became worried.
Gu Zuo sensed this, and inwardly praised them in his heart.
They appeared to be a little stubborn and mistrustful, but in fact, they were the same as their elder brother. The three siblings were very good and honest people.
After considering things, Gu Zuo replied: “That big brother of mine is called Gongyi Tianheng. He’s three meters tall, and his appearance is extremely handsome. Like the bright moon in the night sky, he’s hard to forget once people see him. When we separated, big brother’s realm was the same as mine — Peak Xiantian. However, big brother and I have been suppressing our realms for a long time. Once there’s an opportunity, he’ll probably break through to the Immortal Realm very quickly. Thus, it’s hard to say much about his realm. As for his age… Big brother is three years older than me. Right now, I’m almost nineteen years old, so big brother is twenty-two. If we’re talking about distinctive features, big brother’s appearance is his distinctive feature. In this world, there probably aren’t but a few people who posses his looks. Even if their appearances are equal, their temperament can’t compare to big brother’s.”
Hearing Gu Zuo’s comments, Hu Chang’an and the two siblings were a little dumbstruck.
Such a method of introduction… Just how handsome was this new friend’s big brother? In addition, this praise was just too unbelievable! Wasn’t this exaggerated somewhat?
The present Gu Zuo wasn’t pure and simple like in the beginning. Seeing the expressions of the three siblings, he could guess what they were thinking. Hence, he pursed his lips and said: “Once we finish eating, I’ll paint a small portrait of my big brother. At that time, I’ll have to inconvenience Brother Chang’an. Sorry for the trouble.”
Naturally, when Hu Chang’an heard this, he repeatedly agreed.
Hu Changbi and Hu Changfeng were skeptical, but they were also curious about Tianheng’s appearance.
When all was said and done… Just how handsome could he be?
Sure enough, after the meal, Gu Zuo squeezed into the study, and made use of the currently available paper and writing brush. He waved his hand, and swiftly painted out the Tianheng in his memories. Although he hadn’t studied how to paint, so long as he had gone to elementary school, he would’ve had a bit of a foundation in the fine arts. On top of that, his psychic power was mighty, and his hand-eye coordination was excellent. When he decided to conscientiously paint, he automatically drew out a complete, full-body portrait — Most of all was that face, whose facial features were especially distinct. Even the smiling expression at the margin of the lips was exactly the same as the real person.
Hu Chang’an had been watching on the side for a little while. At this moment, he noticed that Gu Zuo had finished painting, so he went over to take a look. He was startled with just one glance.
Hu Changbi, as a girl, was naturally the one who had the greatest say in judging the male appearance. She also got a clear view, and silently nodded her head: “Indeed… He’s very good-looking.”
Hu Chang’an reached out a hand to take the painting. He properly appreciated it for a moment before he finally lauded: “Today, I have seen a man so handsome that he makes all those heroic and great men I’ve seen in the past seem like common rubble. Brother Ah Zuo, your family’s elder brother is seriously handsome and extraordinary!”
Gu Zuo gave a hollow laugh: “Ah. Yes, he is.”
To be honest, he didn’t know how he ought to have responded. He didn’t think about it when he personally praised how gallant and handsome his big brother was, but when he heard other people speak such praises, he realized just how sappy and maudlin it sounded.
It would make a person break-out in goosebumps all over…
Fortunately, despite Hu Chang’an’s appreciation of beautiful men, this was only on the basis of an ordinary person’s aesthetics. After looking at this painting, Hu Chang’an properly put it away, and pledged: “Brother Ah Zuo, rest assured. I’ll take this painting, and I’ll immediately instruct those below me to make dozens of wood-print copies. Then, I’ll send people out to ask around. Once there’s news, I’ll promptly inform Brother Ah Zuo!”
Although Gu Zuo didn’t know if this move would truly be of any use, he was still happy inside: “In that case, many thanks, Brother Chang’an!”
After the two settled things, the color of the sky had turned dark.
Hu Chang’an soon bade farewell to Gu Zuo, and was about to take his younger siblings back to the inner courtyard.
Because Hu Chang’an had been meticulously handling his matter, Gu Zuo increasingly felt like he should be treating Hu Chang’an a bit better. He hesitated for a moment, then haltingly raised the issue: “Brother Chang’an, when you have some free time, how about coming over here so that I can take your pulse?”
Hu Chang’an and his two siblings were originally going to depart, but upon hearing these words, they couldn’t help stopping their footsteps, turning their heads, and looking over.
Hu Changbi asked in a flabbergasted tone: “Big Brother Ah Zuo, have you noticed something?”
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