Chapter 104: with translation of chapter title

From the bed came creaking, chaotic noises, and Emperor Longqing actually got rough with Miss Ruoxi.

How could Miss Ruoxi submit to him? There were still four people listening under the bed.

Today, even if I had to fight to the death, I couldn't afford to lose face.

"Sir Huang, please slow down; I sell my art, not my body!"

"No problem! Follow me and you'll enjoy endless riches and glory!" Emperor Longqing laughed in a smarmy way.

Miss Ruoxi's face turned slightly pale as she pushed away the approaching Emperor Longqing, her eyes reddening as she said, "I'm feeling unwell today, my courses have come; how about I play a tune on the zither for you?"

Emperor Longqing stopped his hand, sighed, and said, "Really ill-omened! Come, let's have a cup of mutual-drink wine before playing the zither."

"Old lecher!" Xiao Yin muttered, almost a whisper.

Tuo Ba Yu at the side also wanted to curse, but after thinking it over, it seemed the more licentious the Southern Qi emperor was, the better for us Bei Di, so the words on his tip were swallowed back.

Xiao Ting, however, held it in until his cheeks flushed red; he wanted to curse but felt it was somewhat lese-majesty, his eyes turning red from strain.

Unexpectedly, Emperor Longqing's actions grew more and more excessive; the few people hidden below had already reached their limit, and just as Gu Jiu Ling could no longer restrain herself from rushing out, the palace eunuch outside poked his head to the door with a shrill voice, saying, "Sir Huang! Sir Huang! There's an urgent matter needing your attention!"

"Friends from the north have arrived!"

Gu Jiu Ling's heart skipped a beat; friends from the north have arrived—could it be the Bei Di crown prince?

What a fine bunch—no good birds, rushing to Shang Jing in the dead of night; who knows what scheme they're up to this time?

Thanks to the Bei Di crown prince entering the palace to request an audience, even though Emperor Longqing was in a playful mood, he had to let go of Miss Ruoxi, reluctantly rubbing her cheek and whispering, "Wait for me, old man; I'll come see you when I have time."

Had Miss Ruoxi's status not been too low, he would have dragged her into the imperial harem, but he still needed to keep a shred of dignity, not really summoning a woman from the Pleasure Red Chamber into the palace.

The ladies of the harem are too dull; occasionally coming out for a stroll isn't bad.

Emperor Longqing hurried away, and Miss Ruoxi also drove out Mother Mei and the others, bolted the door, then walked to the bedside.

By now, after such a long time, the four people below must have already exchanged friendly greetings; she was extremely nervous, carefully saying, "Everyone… you can come out now."

Xiao Yin crawled out first, then roughly pulled Gu Jiu Ling out; Tuo Ba Yu and Xiao Ting almost simultaneously popped out from under the bed.

All four were now grimy and disheveled; Tuo Ba Yu felt his leg a bit lame when walking, and the worst off was the Crown Prince, who had a palm print stamped on his forehead, having been struck pretty hard.

Prince Rui Xiao Yin's face was dark enough to wring water from, while Gu Jiu Ling kept her head down, anxiously picking at her fingernails.

The atmosphere was so eerie that for a moment none of the four knew what to say.

Still, Miss Ruoxi, accustomed to grand scenes, bowed to the four and said, "Since we've gathered here, it's a kind of fate; why don't I have someone reset the dishes, and we all sit together and enjoy a drink?"

"No need!" Xiao Yin now had murderous thoughts; still, a leisurely drink?

He stared fixedly at Ruoxi and said, "Please keep this matter confidential, Miss; it's best not to speak of it, after all you're still young and have plenty of time to live."

Ruoxi's face shifted slightly; she realized this was a warning from Prince Rui.

The others also said nothing, and all filed out of Miss Ruoxi's Wangyue Lou.

Before leaving, Gu Jiu Ling paused, smiled at Miss Ruoxi, and said, "Regarding the matter I mentioned to you earlier, I hope you'll give it some thought."

Ruoxi hardly needs to consider; with so many people watching her, if she can't find a backer, she'll meet a miserable end.

She decided to stake all her wealth and life on this round with the Prince Rui's mansion, hoping perhaps to gamble for a bright outcome.

The group exited the Pleasure Red Chamber through the side door; after all, they were all people of some standing, although their faces weren't much to begin with, but if they kept losing face like this, they'd truly have none left.

Gu Jiu Ling followed Xiao Yin into the carriage; Jiu Yue and Yun Duo never expected their master's visit to the Pleasure Red Chamber to be caught by the prince, and both turned pale with fright.

Xiao Ting and Tuo Ba Yu were about to mount their horses when Xiao Yin called out to stop them.

"Gentlemen, let's keep today's affair between us; after all, it's not honorable."

Xiao Ting and Tuo Ba Yu's faces stiffened slightly, then each mounted and rode off.

Xiao Yin sat in the carriage without uttering a word to Gu Jiu Ling; even after returning to the prince's mansion, he sat with a stern face in the side hall.

Gu Jiu Ling stood cautiously before him, knowing this matter wasn't over.

Xiao Yin coldly regarded her, his long fingers lightly tapping the rosewood armrest, grinding his back teeth.

"Princess Consort, you have quite the refined taste!"

Gu Jiu Ling's heart gave a jolt, and she gave an embarrassed laugh, saying, "Your Highness… I…"

"Hmph! Using my silver to wander the pleasure quarters—you've got quite the gall, huh?"

Gu Jiu Ling shrank her neck slightly, saying, "Not fat, not fat; I just feel that using the prince's gold leaves brings extra prestige."

"Today I mainly came for my brother's affair; I never expected to run into the prince in such a place."

As Gu Jiu Ling spoke those words, her teeth unconsciously clenched a bit tighter.

A flicker of discomfort crossed Xiao Yin's face as he drew a breath and said, "It's not what you think; I have my own discretion—I merely went to the Pleasure Red Chamber to investigate a matter."

Gu Jiu Ling blinked slightly; was this his way of explaining himself to her?

Xiao Yin drew a deep breath, slowly rose, stepped toward Gu Jiu Ling, slowly raised his hand to pinch her chin, and leaned in to lock eyes with her.

His aura was dangerous; Gu Jiu Ling instinctively wanted to flee.

Xiao Yin slowly said, "From now on, whatever you do, first let me know."

"That kind of place—a woman like you should seldom go, lest you learn bad habits; if I see you there again…"

He gritted his teeth, enunciating each word: "Be careful, or I'll deal with you!"

"Mm-hmm!" Gu Jiu Ling nodded quickly.

Xiao Yin's expression eased a bit, though he was still displeased: "I'll deduct three months of your stipend."

"Yes, yes, yes," Gu Jiu Ling exhaled in relief—it was only three months' stipend; she wasn't short of money these days.

"No meat for a month!"

"Huh?" Gu Jiu Ling's face instantly paled, wanting to argue further, but Xiao Yin had already strode out of the side hall, leaving her a cold, frost-like back.

The next day, Gu Jiu Ling took a carriage to the teahouse at the mouth of Zhu Que Jie, sitting in a private room on the second floor.

Just now, Ruoxi had sent her a letter, asking her to sit here and look.

She didn't know what Ruoxi wanted her to see; regardless, the matter discussed the previous night ought to give her some feedback and result.

Gu Jiu Ling sipped tea while gazing out the window; the street outside was unusually lively, and soon a carriage from the Red Fragrance Pavilion pulled up to the teahouse door, from which stepped a veiled woman of peerless beauty—Miss Ruoxi.

Another clatter of hooves rang out as a group of spoiled youths rode past; at that moment, Ruoxi was given a light push from behind and fell toward those horses.

The leading youth in pink robes hurriedly tightened his reins, dismounted, and in one motion caught Ruoxi; in her panic, her veil slipped off.

Gu Kang stared dumbfounded—could it really be Miss Ruoxi?

He had always only been able to admire this top courtesan from afar, but now she actually threw herself into his arms, making his bones go limp.

"Miss, be careful!" Gu Kang's voice trembled slightly, sweat beading on his forehead from excitement.

"Thank you, sir, for saving my life!" Ruoxi bowed gracefully to Gu Kang, then climbed into the carriage—but she dropped a handkerchief.

Gu Kang hurriedly bent to pick it up, sprinting a few steps after Ruoxi's carriage; she lifted the carriage curtain and gave him a sweet smile before lowering it and driving off.

Gu Kang felt that smile had stolen his very soul; he clung tightly to the handkerchief, gazing wistfully after the departing carriage.

"Splendid!" Gu Jiu Ling clapped lightly by the window, "Truly splendid!"

Her foolish younger brother is completely doomed!

Gu Jiu Ling understood what Ruoxi had wanted her to see; the deal they had discussed earlier was now in effect—this young lady truly is a clever one.

She was about to rise when, out of the corner of her eye, she caught a red figure hurrying past outside the private room; her gaze darkened, and she hurriedly gave chase.