Chapter 118: then translation of title

When Princess Yuanqing had just walked to this side of the chrysanthemum garden, she saw from afar Xiao Yin leaning in to whisper and laugh near Gu Jiu Ling's ear, their intimacy stabbing painfully into her eyes.

She couldn't understand how such a radiantly outstanding man as Xiao Yin could take a fancy to the notorious good-for-nothing Gu Jiu Ling of Shang Jing.

In what way is she inferior to Gu Jiu Ling? She simply refuses to accept it.

But having offended Xiao Yin gravely at the palace banquet before, she now dared not go too far; instead, she walked up to him and made a deep, respectful bow.

As a Bei Di princess, she now used Han Chinese ladies' etiquette toward Xiao Yin; one must say her fawning intention is all too obvious, rather awkward.

Gu Jiu Ling was shoved aside by Princess Yuanqing, she stared coldly at her without changing expression, then stepped back a few steps and gestured to Jiu Yue, who was attending nearby.

Jiu Yue hurried over, Gu Jiu Ling whispered a few words to her; Jiu Yue's face flickered with surprise, yet she rushed off, returning shortly with a few items wrapped up, which she handed to Gu Jiu Ling.

At this moment, Xiao Yin coldly regarded the bashful Princess Yuanqing before him, his brows knitting tightly.

I don't know why she behaves like this; is it amusing? It only makes him feel nauseated.

Previously on the battlefield, he still respected her as a female commander, giving her some face, never expecting it would give rise to her unrealistic notions.

Afterward he avoided her everywhere, yet if she had fought him openly on the battlefield, that would have been fine; but it was utterly wrong for her to collude with the Southern Qi nobles and set up such a disgusting trap for him.

Xiao Yin understood what Princess Yuanqing wanted—she was a lunatic who would stop at nothing to achieve her goal.

She had initially wanted to trap Xiao Yin in Qi Sha Gu, thinking that would make him submit to her, become her captive plaything; that was a grave mistake.

At this moment Xiao Yin's gaze turned icy cold beyond his control, and Princess Yuanqing, seeing it, felt her heart leap, slowly stepping back.

"Jiu Ling, let's go!" Xiao Yin turned, extending his arm toward Gu Jiu Ling; she blinked, quickly hid whatever was in her sleeve, and followed behind him.

The party was first invited by Lin Jingyuan to the pavilion, where viewing the chrysanthemum garden was quite convenient.

Prince Rui and Gu Jiu Ling had just entered when they discovered several princes were already present; the nobles led by the Crown Prince leaned on the railing, sipping tea and admiring the flowers, looking especially relaxed.

Xiao Yin glanced lightly at Lin Jingyuan: "Is this the private banquet you spoke of, just ordinary drinking and flower‑gazing?"

Did you invite all the top nobles and trouble‑makers of Southern Qi?

Lin Jingyuan dared not look at Xiao Yin's face; he also hadn't expected the Crown Prince, Third Prince Xiao Wei, and the Sixth Prince to show up uninvited.

He thought it wasn't because Xiao Yin was coming that these people followed along; today really is fraught with danger.

Outside there is another troublesome group; Lin Jingyuan cannot afford to offend even a single one of them.

He is merely an idle heir apparent living off ancestral favor; anyone here could easily crush him!

Previously, the Duke of An Guo had kept relations with Xiao Yin cool; this time, too, he acted on his grandfather's advice, inviting Xiao Yin under the pretense of a private flower‑viewing gathering.

Moreover, Xiao Yin is commander of the Imperial Guard, and Shang Jing is about to hold a polo match, requiring the Guard's involvement.

After all, when it comes to eating, drinking and entertainment, those Imperial Guard fellows are quite adept; the Emperor Longqing will also come to watch, so he needed to consult Xiao Yin privately beforehand—yet he never imagined it would stir up so much trouble.

Seeing Xiao Yin enter, Crown Prince Xiao Ting and the others all rose to salute him.

In the viewing pavilion rose a chorus of "Imperial Uncle! Imperial Uncle!", like tadpoles calling for their mother.

Gu Jiu Ling found it amusing; no matter how formidable the Crown Prince, Third Prince, and Sixth Prince might be, in terms of seniority they are still a notch lower.

Especially Xiao Wei, whose face was ashen; he hadn't expected that Xiao Yin, after merely shedding a few tears at the last palace banquet, could recover his fief, and that those old generals would rise one after another before Xiao Yin to pledge loyalty and speak on his behalf.

Xiao Wei had spent these years managing the frontier, yet still failed to gain the old-timers' approval.

His cold, deep eyes narrowed slowly; someday, when he gets the chance, he'll leave not a single one of those old fogies alive—he'll kill them all!

If they cannot be used by him, they might as well die.

Xiao Yin could not fail to notice Xiao Wei's expression; after all, he had already made his great‑nephew so angry his face was distorted. He gave a light smile, took Gu Jiu Ling's hand, and sat together on a chair to the side.

Xiao Ting from time to time glanced at Gu Jiu Ling's protruding belly; this woman had grown even rounder, apparently living at ease and well‑fed—hm!

Lin Jingyuan was busy as a spinning top, constantly ordering the mansion's maidservants to bring tea and water, and various pastries for these nobles whom he dared not offend.

But before he had finished, Princess Yuanqing walked alone into the pavilion.

Princess Changping and Gu Cheng went to the flower bushes to admire the blossoms; Gu Cheng now dare not offend Princess Changping, so he can only go through the motions.

Gu Nanxiang, on the other hand, wanted to come over to see the Crown Prince she favored, but after that incident her reputation was ruined, and she now lacks the courage to stand before Xiao Ting.

Initially, her elder brother had blocked the news in a timely manner; those gossips who had taken advantage of her in the brothels were all killed on his orders, so thereafter no one in the southern part of the city spoke of the Gu family ladies.

Yet the nobles of Shang Jing all have eyes and ears; they long ago learned that Gu Nanxiang's purity had been destroyed, and indeed it was destroyed under such disgraceful circumstances.

Not to mention Crown Prince Xiao Ting—how could he possibly be unaware?

Now Gu Nanxiang only hopes her elder brother can gain influence before the Crown Prince; will the Crown Prince, out of respect for her brother, give her another hope and opportunity?

But Gu Nanxiang herself feels it is slim.

All she has left now is a breath of resentment: she wants to watch Gu Jiu Ling die, to see this good‑for‑nothing perish!

She naturally dared not come to the pavilion, so she hid in another pavilion to admire the flowers.

But no one expected Princess Yuanqing to actually follow them up to the pavilion; at once, the newly seated Crown Prince and others rose again to pay respects to the Bei Di princess.

Princess Yuanqing hadn't imagined there would be so many people in the pavilion; for a moment she stood there stunned, actually just wanting to speak privately with Xiao Yin.

"What is Gu Jiu Ling anyway?" she thought; she naturally had ways to make her leave the pavilion, but faced with so many Southern Qi royal scions, Princess Yuanqing felt a bit at a loss.

She had no choice but to steel herself and salute Crown Prince Xiao Ting and the others, then turned her gaze to Xiao Yin, who remained seated calmly, pursed her lips and said, "Prince, we have not seen each other for seven years; may we have a word aside?"

The others' gossipy hearts instantly perked up; they glanced meaningfully at the Ninth Imperial Uncle, hehe, there's a show to watch.

Princess Yuanqing only hoped Xiao Yin would follow her away from these people, as she had some things she wanted to say to him alone.

But Xiao Yin sat firmly in his chair, gave a light smile and looked at her: "Princess, just speak plainly; after all, they are our own nephews and nieces—letting them hear is no problem."

Princess Yuanqing's cheeks flushed slightly as she glanced at Crown Prince Xiao Ting and the others.

But Crown Prince Xiao Ting and the others sat down laughing, showing no intention to avoid the matter.

Xiao Ting curled the corner of his lip in a sneer, triumphantly gazing at Gu Jiu Ling: "Is this the old man you've been longing for?"

Besides, you've stirred up a rotten peach blossom; let's see how you defend him.

Gu Jiu Ling, however, was cracking a handful of melon seeds with gusto, even eagerly staring at Princess Yuanqing, as if also wanting to hear what she had to say about her own man.

Come on, speak quickly! So many people are waiting!