Chapter 10

The air froze, only the bleak autumn wind blew past, and nobody dared to speak.

Although Xiao Yin has now become a good-for-nothing, no matter how useless he is, nobody can erase his past glorious military achievements.

At thirteen he first led troops, at fifteen he pacified the Western Rong, at seventeen he destroyed the Eastern Isles, at nineteen he fought three months of bloody battle against the fiercest Bei Di cavalry, marching straight to Bei Di Wang Du, causing the entire Bei Di nation to migrate north a thousand li, not daring to move south.

At twenty, just having come of age, he was already a renowned great general king across the world, the Invincible War God.

That year Xiao Yin returned to the capital in triumph, the streets emptied as crowds gathered; it is said that the flowers thrown by women on both sides piled up around him into a sea of blossoms.

That same year, Bei Di stirred up trouble, Xiao Yin went to battle again, but he was trapped in Qi Sha Gu, and the brothers who followed him remained forever in that valley's great pit.

Secret spies, internal traitors, allied forces on all sides strangely indifferent, no one came to rescue; raging fire, poisoned arrows, prepared stone pits, endless slaughter—he fled back in disarray, unconscious for a full seven days, nearly dead.

From then on he became a waste, his former glory gone, yet now it seems people are beginning to recall a little of it.

Xiao Ting's heart jolted, and he silently cursed Princess Changping as a fool.

Their father emperor, taking into account the Ninth Imperial Uncle's past military achievements, indulges him greatly; if we juniors are rude, it would not be good.

As the crown prince, seeing him ignore things, the next day the censors' spit could drown him.

If he were not standing here today, and Princess Changping caused this scene, he would be pleased to see it happen, after all Changping is Xiao Wei's biological sister, not his.

But now, as the crown prince, he cannot ignore it.

Xiao Ting hurriedly stepped forward, bowed to Xiao Yin and said, "Imperial Uncle, Princess Changping is still young and unaware."

"Ah, she's only a year older than me, not that young," Gu Jiu Ling suddenly laughed softly.

Xiao Ting's face darkened, he drew a breath and said, "As the elder brother, the imperial nephew has not fulfilled his duty,..."

"Exactly, you should also reflect; you ought to do better as the elder brother—if the beam is not straight, the rafters will be crooked!"

Xiao Ting pressed his lips, lifted his gaze to Gu Jiu Ling, and suddenly realized this fool had changed into another person—before, seeing him only made her blush, but now she blushes while using words to prick him.

Yet he could not well lose his temper; the matter would just pass like this, and later there will be plenty of chances to deal with that woman.

He suppressed his anger: "Imperial Uncle, please, for the sake of us juniors being unaware, spare Princess Changping this once."

"Changping! Come over and pay respects to the Imperial Uncle!"

Princess Changping was also a little afraid; her fierceness in the capital stems from her princess status, allowing her to bluster before women who have never seen grand scenes.

Before General Xiao Yin, who has seen life and death, she amounts to nothing!

She ultimately dared not make a big scene, after all the father emperor must yield to this Imperial Uncle; she glared fiercely at Gu Jiu Ling, "This lowly person, just you wait!"

Princess Changping walked up to Xiao Yin, bowed reluctantly, and said, "Changping offers her apologies to the Imperial Uncle!"

Xiao Yin gave a cold chuckle, then grabbed Gu Jiu Ling; she was off-balance and stumbled straight into his embrace, making the scene quite alluring.

Xiao Yin looked at the crown prince and the princess before him and said, "This is my newly wedded consort, the princess-aunt; you too come over and pay respects!"

Xiao Ting and Changping froze there at the same time.

Gu Jiu Ling's reputation is truly bad, just a worthless trifle; now they demand that these most proud people of Southern Qi bow to a worthless person.

Even Xiao Ting, the most patient, is unwilling.

Xiao Yin gave a light smile: "Never mind, the children have grown up and no longer regard this Imperial Uncle; beloved, let's go find the elder brother to have a chat."

Gu Jiu Ling, seeing those peach-blossom eyes tinged with a wicked air, instantly understood and hurriedly laughed: "Your Highness is right; we'll just chat about the Bei Di, about the marriage alliance, and about how you, Your Highness, fought so hard in the past, your health is not good either—how pitiful, no one loves you..."

The smile on Xiao Yin's face gradually faded, a dangerous glint flashed in his eyes as he whispered lowly: "Beloved, you've acted enough!"

How could Xiao Ting behind dare let Xiao Yin go see the father emperor? These days he's been driven to distraction by his two younger brothers; if another troublemaker were to arise, wouldn't that make the father emperor disgusted?

Changping, on the other hand, was frightened half to death by Xiao Yin's repeated mentions of the marriage alliance, hearing that the Bei Di people are barbaric and that such an alliance means death.

Now Southern Qi lacks a figure like Xiao Yin, while Bei Di begins to stir; if the father emperor is really persuaded by the Imperial Uncle to pursue the alliance, she would be finished.

This time, the two of them almost simultaneously stepped forward and bowed to Gu Jiu Ling.

"Greetings, princess-aunt!"

Gu Jiu Ling looked at the fiancé who had once framed her before her, forced herself to bow her head in salute, and instantly felt that marrying Xiao Yin was simply the only choice.

She hastily took a few silver pieces from her purse and shoved them into Changping's and Xiao Ting's hands; Xiao Ting's eye corner twitched fiercely.

Gu Jiu Ling smiled affectionately: "Look at these two well-behaved children; the princess-aunt takes a liking to them at first sight—take the silver and buy something to eat or use."

Those around couldn't help but chuckle softly; indeed they were being treated like children.

Princess Changping picked up the silver pieces intending to throw them away, but Xiao Yin coughed beside her; she swallowed her anger, her face paling from Gu Jiu Ling's provocation, yet she still put the silver pieces away.

Xiao Ting, however, kept his head down, unable to see his brows clearly; only his hand clenched tightly around the silver pieces, his knuckles turning white joint by joint.

"Your Highness!" a palace eunuch stepped out and bowed to Xiao Yin, saying, "The Empress Dowager summons you!"

Only then did Xiao Yin turn, taking Gu Jiu Ling with him into the imperial villa.

This royal hunt was on a grand scale; Emperor Longqing had always been in poor health, but after some recent recuperation he felt a little better, and it was rare for his spirits to be so high, so many people were brought out from the palace.

Even the Empress Dowager, who usually dislikes bustle, came along; Xiao Yin had been raised beside her, and his feelings for Emperor Longqing were deep—now that he had just married, naturally the Empress Dowager would request a visit to inquire.

They walked along the path to a large bamboo grove, then proceeded to the elegant pavilion within the bamboo.

Don't be fooled by it being a bamboo pavilion; just the exterior decoration is already valuable, the auspicious beasts on the corners are all carved from red coral.

A group of palace attendants served inside, and even the retinue of Consort Duan could be seen stopped not far away.

Gu Jiu Ling was about to follow Xiao Yin up when a delighted cry came from behind; she hurriedly turned and saw Su Wanrou also approaching—her carriage earlier could only stop at the side gate, lacking the rank to enter the main door, so she had taken a long detour.

Having finally caught up, she walked too hastily and twisted her ankle.

"Your Highness!" Su Wanrou looked at Xiao Yin timidly, her eyes slightly reddened.

Gu Jiu Ling secretly amused, thinking, "Is this meant to have Xiao Yin carry her?"

"She must have rust in her brains, right?"

"In front of all these people, her principal consort is still standing there—let alone holding her, even supporting her would be improper!"

Xiao Yin furrowed his brows and casually pointed to two palace attendants not far away.

The two hurried over, saying, "Prince Rui, blessings and peace!"

Xiao Yin looked at Su Wanrou and said, "The lady of my manor has injured her foot; you arrange someone to send her back."

"No! No need!" Su Wanrou's voice sharp, she hurriedly took a few quick steps, catching up to Xiao Yin's footsteps.

Gu Jiu Ling was simply speechless; she followed Xiao Yin into the bamboo pavilion.

Facing them were twelve panels of glazed screens; going around the screen, they saw the Empress Dowager Ning'an seated in the place of honor, wearing indigo-purple robes, her blue sapphire forehead ornament glowing with a faint blue light in the reflection of the four corner night-shining pearls.

Seated at the lower position was a middle-aged beautiful woman, her appearance charming, utterly unaffected by the years, wearing a main palace red phoenix robe that was especially striking.

After Empress Li's death, the central palace's phoenix seat lay vacant; although Noble Consort Duan already managed the six palaces, the red of the main palace was still improper.

Xiao Yin brought Gu Jiu Ling and Su Wanrou forward a step, kneeling before Empress Dowager Ning'an to pay respects.

"Your child pays homage to Mother Empress! I offer greetings to Mother Empress!"

Empress Dowager Ning'an smiled: "Please rise quickly; I told your imperial elder brother that as long as Xiao Jiu doesn't cause trouble, that is my greatest comfort."

Having said that, she turned her gaze to Gu Jiu Ling standing to the side, her expression suddenly sinking: "Yin'er, is this the bride you have taken?"

Gu Jiu Ling could not miss the coldness in Empress Dowager Ning'an's words; her heart gave a sudden jolt.

Empress Dowager Ning'an's expression suddenly changed as she glared at Gu Jiu Ling: "You have gall! Seize her!"