Chapter 113

Originally it was a palace banquet, but unexpectedly it turned out like this; the Longqing Emperor was forced to compromise, and the Bei Di crown prince never imagined that his own foolish sister would accomplish a formidable rival.

Seeing that the banquet's atmosphere was somewhat oppressive, Bei Di's crown prince Tuoba Heng slowly laughed and said, "I, the Prince, congratulate Prince Rui!"

Regarding the Bei Di crown prince's congratulations, the Southern Qi officials paid no heed—it was like a cat crying fake tears for a mouse, a weasel paying New Year's respects to a hen; what the hell are you congratulating for? What does it have to do with you, an outsider?

Xiao Yin raised his wine cup toward Tuoba Heng as a response.

Now the Emperor Longqing, saying this in front of so many people, has made the restoration of Xiao Yin's fief a settled matter.

He naturally has the grounds to be smug!

This also thanks to Tuoba Heng's foolish sister.

Tuoba Heng's gaze, however, fell upon Gu Jiu Ling; he slowly rose and smiled, saying, "I, the Prince, still have one matter to announce: back then, Elder Du passed through my Bei Di and encountered an incident, leaving much of his property behind in Bei Di; today I will return it all together."

As soon as Tuoba Heng finished speaking, everyone turned their gaze to Gu Jiu Ling, who lowered her head and remained silent.

Tuoba Heng raised his brows, unable to avoid looking at Gu Jiu Ling as he smiled and said, "I have heard that Elder Du's household had no other offspring, only a single daughter."

"It's a pity the Du clan died early, leaving behind a pair of children; the Princess Consort of Rui, I, the Prince, can now only entrust this fortune to……"

"Your Highness, that is mistaken!" Suddenly a youth whose face was like a crown of jade, dressed somewhat flamboyantly, hurriedly rose to his feet and looked toward Tuoba Heng.

Because his voice was too urgent, it instead came across as sharp and piercing.

"The Princess Consort of Rui previously said in the Gu household that she is a married‑out daughter and does not involve herself in the family's affairs; the silver left by my maternal grandfather naturally belongs to me, and she cannot take even half of it!"

The surrounding guests instantly flashed a hint of surprise in their eyes—does this still look like a brother's behavior?

That was Elder Du's property—how did it all become his? It is said that Elder Du doted on this granddaughter of his, yet now not even a scrap of silver is given to Gu Jiu Ling; the Gu family folks can't possibly accept that, can they?

Gu Jiu Ling lowered her head and said nothing, the corner of her mouth curling into a sneer.

Tuoba Heng hadn't expected this turn of events; his eyes flickered slightly—he had originally intended to exchange this batch of goods for a more important map, after all, following the previous poetry gathering, that prize had been taken by Gu Jiu Ling.

But now Gu Jiu Ling actually ignored this matter, and Tuoba Heng's gaze grew a few degrees more sinister.

Just as Tuoba Heng had not yet spoken, Minister Gu Gu Shijie slowly rose and said, "Your Highness, although my son is somewhat dull, my daughter Gu Jiu Ling had indeed previously said she would not contend with my son over this inheritance; please return what rightfully belongs to my son."

Since Gu Jiu Ling's previous wedding, due to the dowry issue the Gu family had a major fallout, and the Gu family's reputation in the capital plummeted sharply, almost becoming a laughingstock among the residents of Shang Jing.

How prosperous the Gu family once was—it all relied on the wife's dowry left for the daughter; now even the esteemed Prime Minister has risen to his feet, practically wishing to reach out his throat and snatch all of the Du family's property back, a truly unsightly display.

Tuoba Heng hadn't expected Gu Shijie also to rise and directly demand silver; his gaze gradually grew a few degrees colder.

"Good!" he laughed, looking at Gu Kang, "Elder Du's grandson truly appears a remarkable talent, bearing quite the demeanor of Elder Du himself!"

Gu Kang haughtily lifted his head and said, "That's only natural!"

"So I request that Your Highness promptly return my maternal grandfather's property!"

The surrounding guests, upon hearing Gu Kang's words, instantly broke into low laughter; everyone knows the Gu family's second young master is a complete fop, a wine‑bag and rice‑bag, and this time they feel even more contempt.

This brat probably doesn't know his own weight—how could the Bei Di crown prince be easy to get along with?

Looking at him, it's clear he harbors no good intentions, yet Gu Kang still thought they were really praising him—how can the Gu family's offspring keep getting less presentable?

Tuoba Heng gave a faint glance at the perpetually silent Gu Jiu Ling, a hint of malice flashing in his eyes as he lightly smiled and said, "Young Master Gu is naturally clever, but……"

He steadied himself, smiled, and said, "I have heard that the Du family hails from the Nine Pastures; folk there are naturally skilled in vocal arts, especially in imitating various dog barks, to the point of being nearly indistinguishable from the real thing."

"How about this: if Young Master Gu can learn a thing or two, I, the Prince, will naturally present this batch of treasures with both hands, without further ado."

Upon Tuoba Heng's saying this, the faces of everyone present darkened—who would force someone to learn to bark like a dog? No person would endure such humiliation.

Indeed, the so‑called return of Elder Du's treasure is nothing but a pretext; how could it be obtained so easily?

Anyone with a backbone would not learn to bark like a dog—after all, it's too embarrassing.

Gu Kang's face instantly showed a hint of bewilderment as he looked to his father and elder brother for help.

After all, his father is the Southern Qi Prime Minister, and his elder brother is an outstanding young talent in the Southern Qi court; as long as they step forward, the Bei Di crown prince would naturally not press the matter.

But now the Gu family has fallen into crisis—expenses for the whole household, the upbringing of several young masters, the father's official career—none of these come cheap; thus the Du family's sum of silver naturally serves to relieve the urgent need.

Compared to the financial distress, the issue of face seems also tolerable.

Gu Shijie lowered his head and said nothing; even Gu Cheng stared intently at the wine cup before him, as if only Gu Kang had been humiliated, not the Gu family as a whole.

Gu Jiu Ling's face darkened; the Bei Di crown prince is trying to force her to act, even at the cost of humiliating the Du family's descendants.

Xiao Yin beside her flicked his sleeve, about to rise, but Gu Jiu Ling seized his sleeve and pulled him back down to sit.

"Really not intervene?" Xiao Yin could not bear to see his wife in difficulty; although Gu Kang is worthless, this Bei Di scoundrel has gone so far as to drag the Du family into the humiliation as well, which he cannot tolerate.

Having married this woman, her grievance is his grievance; he will certainly not stand by and do nothing.

Unexpectedly, Gu Jiu Ling held him back, preventing him from stepping forward; he couldn't help but start slightly, knowing his own woman well—she is extraordinarily capable, absolutely not the type to swallow her anger.

Gu Jiu Ling gently shook her head at him: "This matter I will handle alone, Your Highness; if I need your help, I will certainly let you know."

Xiao Yin nodded; since she had other plans in mind, he likewise refrained from stepping forward.

At this moment Gu Kang was like a clown, abandoned all alone there, and he finally turned his gaze to Gu Jiu Ling.

But Gu Jiu Ling had no intention of helping at all; after all, back in the Gu household he had clearly drawn a line with Gu Jiu Ling, so this fortune was obtained entirely by him, with Gu Jiu Ling taking no part—yet he never imagined the Bei Di people would be so shameless, not a decent person.