After leaving the Medical Hall, Gu Jiao took Xiao Sanzi's carriage and made a trip to Liu Yisheng's home.
Liu Yisheng's home was as impoverished as ever, but she did not see Liu Yisheng sitting in the courtyard splitting grain heads as he often had before.
Only the mute youth called Anu and another aged old maid were working in the front yard, one weaving baskets and the other splitting grain heads.
Both of them recognized Gu Jiao.
Gu Jiao asked, "I'm looking for Liu Yisheng. Is he here?"
The old maid was hard of hearing and did not respond, but Anu pointed towards a room inside.
"Thank you," Gu Jiao said her thanks and stepped into the main room. Then she turned and entered the small room Anu had indicated.
It was a study room and also Liu Yisheng's bedroom. Its size was similar to Xiao Liulang's and Xiao Jingkong's western room, furnished very plainly and antiquated, with a cabinet that had peeling paint and a table propped up with stones because one leg was shorter.
