Chapter 106: Jump Straight Into the Fight

Gu Jiu Ling returned to Rui Wangfu with Yun Duo, and as soon as she arrived she was invited by Xiao Yin to the study in the Eastern Garden.

Her mind was full of gossip about Xiao Yin, and as she entered the study and looked at the man sitting at the table writing and drawing, she felt somewhat uneasy.

Xiao Yin kept his head down, writing something, looking very busy.

Gu Jiu Ling collapsed onto the chair opposite him; Xiao Yin did not look up, and pushed the already‑prepared fruits, pastries and other snacks in front of her.

"Eat something first to fill your stomach; there will be a palace banquet soon. The Bei Di guests have arrived, and officials above the fourth rank in Shang Jing must accompany them to the banquet."

"You won't get full at a gathering like that."

Gu Jiu Ling paused, holding the pastry, and hummed.

Xiao Yin continued to write feverishly with his head down, while Gu Jiu Ling ate and watched his face.

Seven years ago, Xiao Yin had just come of age, at the prime of a man's youthful brilliance.

Now Xiao Yin was twenty‑seven, an uncle‑age man, still very handsome, with a few more notes of composure and world‑worn aura.

"What? Does my face have gold on it or what?"

"Uncle! You look so good!" Gu Jiu Ling laughed.

With a snap, the pen in Xiao Yin's hand broke; he slowly lifted his eyes to Gu Jiu Ling: "You call me uncle? Have you gone rotten?"

Gu Jiu Ling hurried over, smoothing his hair, and gently massaged Xiao Yin's temples: "The word 'uncle' is charming! You're not old—at most ten years older than me!"

Xiao Yin knit his brows, lifted Gu Jiu Ling onto his lap with one hand, pinched her cheek hard and said, "When we enter the palace later, don't cause trouble; I've got everything covered."

"What if the trouble comes to me?" Gu Jiu Ling looped her arm around his neck, smiling like a little fox.

Xiao Yin steadied himself and said, "I won't cause trouble, but I'm not afraid of it either; whatever you do, I've got your back."

"What if…" Gu Jiu Ling began, but the words tangled in her throat and she swallowed them back; she didn't want to bring up Princess Yuanqing, feeling a pang of jealousy.

Xiao Yin found Gu Jiu Ling odd today; his sharp brows furrowed, and her clear peach‑colored eyes gained a deeper depth.

"Are you hiding something from me?"

Gu Jiu Ling shrugged, stepped out of his arms and laughed, "What could I possibly hide from you? Prince, you are wise and mighty, smarter than anyone; even if I tried, I couldn't conceal anything!"

"Hehe! I doubt you would dare!" Xiao Yin was convinced of this little woman.

He ordered servants to come in and dress Gu Jiu Ling, after all they were to enter the palace for a state banquet receiving foreign guests.

Gu Jiu Ling's attire was splendid, matching her temperament; she suited that flamboyant, dazzling look—rich, golden, the sort that others envy yet cannot outshine.

The hair‑dresser grandmother was about to fasten a heavy hair crown on Gu Jiu Ling's head, but Xiao Yin stopped her.

"No need to wear that; keep the hair accessory simple. She's pregnant, that heavy thing on her head would crush her neck."

Xiao Yin sat aside, watching Gu Jiu Ling get dressed, and this time halted the hairdresser's action.

Gu Jiu Ling gave Xiao Yin a grateful glance; when he wasn't angry, he was quite gentle.

Xiao Yin wore a dark‑purple everyday robe, a jade crown on his head, exuding a certain dignified aura.

A carriage outside the palace was already waiting at the main gate of Rui Wangfu; Xiao Yin led Gu Jiu Ling into it, and soon they arrived at the Eastern Sima Gate of the palace city.

Everyone disembarked and walked down the corridor inside.

The palace banquet was set in Ruihua Hall, right next to the Imperial Garden.

Xiao Yin was first taken by the Prince's steward to the Hall of Nurturing the Heart; it was said the emperor would meet him alone, and Gu Jiu Ling didn't know what it was about, likely matters concerning Bei Di.

Having fought Bei Di for so many years, Xiao Yin naturally had a say.

Before the official banquet began, the women strolled in the Imperial Garden, taking their seats when the banquet officially started.

Gu Jiu Ling had few friends nearby; she had planned to find a spot to rest and, when the banquet began, sit with Xiao Yin, but as soon as she entered the Imperial Garden, someone called her and blocked her path.

"Ha! So this is the famed Princess Consort of Rui?"

A woman's voice rang out; although she spoke Mandarin, the accent sounded odd, clearly not from the Central Plains.

The four words 'famed Princess Consort of Rui' came out of her mouth bite by bite, sounding oddly frantic.

Gu Jiu Ling slowly turned and saw a group of people walking in from the garden entrance behind her.

Princess Changping and Princess Fuching accompanied, surrounding a lady in red as they entered the Imperial Garden.

It was Princess Yuanqing of Bei Di, wearing Bei Di‑style attire, her hair tied in a small braid adorned with shining southern pearls.

Her appearance was exceptionally delicate and striking; the red dress clung to her lithe figure like a blazing flame, captivating.

The young widow looked rather flirtatious!

Gu Jiu Ling gave a faint smile, "Princess Yuanqing, blessings and safety."

Princess Yuanqing stared intently at Gu Jiu Ling; she had heard back when she was in Bei Di that Prince Rui's Xiao Yin favored his seventh consort exceptionally, unlike the previous six.

Now, seeing her composed demeanor and splendid makeup, she exuded aristocratic elegance.

Her heart sank instantly.

She had loved that young man to the point of tragedy, abandoning the dignity of a princess many times to seek him, only to hit a wall each time.

Later he was severely wounded and vanished without a sound; she could not endure her father's forced marriage, so she married the legitimate son of the Dugu family, the foremost clan of Bei Di.

It was assumed that someone like Xiao Yin would like a certain type of woman, but unexpectedly it was a fool despised by everyone in Southern Qi.

The Miss of Gu Xiangfu had previously tangled with Crown Prince Xiao Ting, even causing a huge scandal at a later palace banquet.

She didn't expect Xiao Yin to take over, even acknowledging the mysterious illegitimate child in her womb.

She knew Xiao Yin; if she didn't truly love him, she would never go that far with a woman. She couldn't believe Xiao Yin would marry such a stupid, wicked woman.

Now looking at it, it's just that; seeing Gu Jiu Ling's slightly plump waist, Princess Yuanqing felt her eyes sting.

She stared coldly at Gu Jiu Ling, and Gu Jiu Ling sensed the rival's hostility.

She let out a cold laugh inwardly, glared back without fear, as if saying, "I'm not scared at all!"

The women around, finally finding some amusement, couldn't let it go and whispered among themselves.

Princess Changping knew Princess Yuanqing's prowess; this woman thrived especially in Bei Di.

The emperor of Bei Di's most beloved daughter, the Prince Consort and also Bei Di's first son Dugu Hong, unfortunately a short‑lived soul.

Back when Yuan Qing had not yet left her chambers, she was still a female general of Bei Di, and when sparring with Xiao Yin she did not fall behind.

At this moment she couldn't help but think: if she could use Yuan Qing's hands to deal with Gu Jiu Ling, venting her anger wouldn't be bad.

Yuan Qing hadn't expected that when Gu Jiu Ling met her gaze, she would show no fear; instead her eyes were clear and calm, causing Yuan Qing's heart to sink.

"Hehe! Prince Rui is a hero unparalleled; the woman he favors must also be formidable in martial arts. How about we have a match today?"

Gu Jiu Ling froze on the spot, and the surrounding ladies were also dumbfounded.

What kind of customs do the Bei Di have? Do they want to fight as soon as they meet?

Gu Jiu Ling furrowed her brows sharply, silently sneering, "Don't you dare, big-faced one; I'm pregnant, you want to fight me?"

But the other party is a Bei Di noble, and she's even invoked Xiao Yin's name; if she refuses to fight, it would look like she's afraid.

Gu Jiu Ling slowly lifted her gaze and gave her a light smile.