Chapter 122: with translation of chapter title

Xiao Yin shifted the conversation, looking at Old Madam Lin and said: "However… the Second Miss Gu is ultimately a concubine-born daughter; her status probably isn't fit to match the Heir Apparent Lin. It would be suitable to take her into the manor as a concubine for now; later, Old Madam Lin's grandchildren would have another woman to look after, which would also be a good thing."

As soon as Xiao Yin's words fell, Gu Nanxiang's face turned deathly pale instantly.

She is, after all, the Second Miss of the Gu Minister's residence; she used to be a talented beauty whom the young scions of Shang Jing's aristocratic families vied to marry.

Even on the side of Crown Prince Xiao Ting, she was supposed to become the crown princess; that is why she set a scheme to drag Gu Jiu Ling down from the crown princess's position.

Now Xiao Yin actually wants her to become a concubine in the Lin household—this is even worse than being an ordinary family's proper wife.

Although her mother had been unrivaled in glory within the Gu household, she had spent her whole life as a concubine; previously, merely because she had been caught lending money at interest by Gu Jiu Ling, her father instantly threw her out to the rear courtyard and ignored her.

If she were the primary wife, she would never encounter such treatment; what she hates most is her mother's status as a concubine, and now it's her turn to become a concubine—how could she possibly resign herself to that?

Gu Nanxiang burst into tears: "Elder brother Gu Cheng, I won't be a concubine—I am the Second Miss of the Minister's residence, I won't be a concubine!"

Gu Cheng's eyes also flashed with a hint of frost; he hadn't expected Xiao Yin to come up with such a nasty trick, making his sister become a concubine?

He was about to say something when the ever-silent Gu Jiu Ling gave a light laugh: "Yes, the Heir Apparent Lin is the legitimate son, while the younger sister is ultimately a concubine-born daughter; in aristocratic marriages, who would let a legitimate son marry such a lowly concubine-born girl as his wife?"

"Being a concubine is quite suitable! And very suitable!"

"If the younger sister insists on refusing, she can only be relegated to a life of solitude with an ancient Buddha and a blue lamp, spending her remaining days in the Plum Blossom Hermitage—what do you say, younger sister?"

Gu Nanxiang's face instantly sank to the depths; even though the surroundings were filled with guests, she forced herself to appear weak, yet facing Gu Jiu Ling she still wanted to bite a chunk of flesh from her—she hated this woman to death, it was this woman who ruined her.

Her gaze toward Gu Jiu Ling was as if laced with poison, resembling a venomous snake rearing its head and flicking its tongue.

Old Madam Lin's eyes flickered; she instantly had a calculation in mind—if only Gu Nanxiang became a concubine, she could still somewhat recover the losses.

Even though Gu Nanxiang is the Second Miss of the Minister's residence, once she becomes a concubine her status drops a rank; how to deal with her will be up to the Lin household.

Gu Cheng's thoughts turned slightly; Xiao Yin and Gu Jiu Ling actually set a trap using the distinction between legitimate and concubine-born, and he had no way to counter it.

This is not only the anguish of Gu Cheng's sister Gu Nanxiang, but also Gu Cheng and Gu Kang's anguish.

Although their father dotes on them, and although they, as a few, enjoy in the Gu household the treatment afforded to legitimate sons and daughters.

But no matter where they go, the Gu household's legitimate daughter is Gu Jiu Ling, and the legitimate son is that fool Gu Kang; this is the only embarrassing situation they cannot change—who let their mother be a concubine-born woman struck from the family register, unfit to appear in public, and moreover of poor reputation.

The Lin household cannot avoid Gu Cheng's sister, but Gu Cheng's sister cannot avoid the great obstacle of legitimacy versus concubinage.

"Elder brother!" Gu Nanxiang looked pleadingly at Gu Cheng.

In Gu Nanxiang's mind, her elder brother has always been a formidable person; no matter the situation, her elder brother can handle it.

Gu Nanxiang does not want to be a concubine, truly she does not want to be a concubine!

Gu Cheng did not glance at his own sister; in his view, everything is a tool for his advancement, even the dearly loved younger brother and sister in the household are no exception.

Gu Cheng needs Gu Kang to take the spring imperial examinations after the thaw; if Gu Kang can pass with honors, that will be a great aid to Gu Cheng.

Gu Cheng also needs his sister Gu Nanxiang as a rope to tightly bind the Lin household to himself; although it now appears not to have achieved the expected effect, after all there is a connection, there is an entanglement, so future matters can be discussed.

Lin Jingyuan is easily swayed; relying on his sister Gu Nanxiang's methods, he need not worry about failing to secure her, but the prerequisite is that he must send his sister inside first.

Gu Cheng said slowly: "Then we shall proceed as the Prince said; I will now inform my father."

Gu Nanxiang's face turned slightly pale; this time she really burst into tears.

Even if the Lin household is dissatisfied, they also understand that the proposal Xiao Yin put forward should be the best solution.

But just think— the daughter of that wicked Lin Qingxue is about to return to the Lin household to cause harm again; the faces of Old Madam Lin and the others are utterly grim.

The matter has been settled and concluded; the onlooking guests around, having had their fill of the spectacle, all turned and left.

Gu Nanxiang was sent to the rear courtyard to change clothes; Madam Li felt sorry for her son, so she had a servant bring her son back to the warm pavilion to change clothes, bathe and change attire, and she also brewed ginger soup—of course, this ginger soup did not include a portion for Gu Nanxiang.

Not long after, the Gu household sent people to fetch Gu Nanxiang back; Gu Cheng was then summoned to the Qian Ting to discuss with the returning Marquis of An Guo the specific date for Gu Nanxiang's entry into the manor.

Xiao Yin, being an important witness, was also summoned along.

Gu Jiu Ling sat in the flower hall drinking tea and resting; Old Madam Lin and Madam Li invited the married daughters of the Lin household back to discuss.

Princess Changping and the Yuan Qing Princess of Bei Di naturally need not participate in these; they left along with several princes.

The Lin household's eldest legitimate daughter, Lin Rujun, personally accompanied Gu Jiu Ling; after all, Gu Jiu Ling's status is not ordinary, and a legitimate daughter must personally keep her company.

Apparently Lin Rujun, the Lin household's eldest miss, was in a foul mood, her countenance grimly dark; nevertheless she forced herself to maintain composure while serving tea and presenting a fruit platter to Gu Jiu Ling, which was also thoughtful.

Gu Jiu Ling laughed: "Miss Lin, please sit down and rest; you need not keep holding it. I know you feel upset in your heart; since there are no outsiders watching here, let's do away with those customary formalities."

Lin Rujun's expression flickered with surprise; she hadn't expected Gu Jiu Ling to say such a thing, and she immediately slumped in her chair, the bearing of the aristocratic rich girl utterly gone.

Lin Rujun gently rubbed her temples, suffering a headache from the anger caused by that wicked Gu Nanxiang.

"Gu Jiu Ling, everyone used to laugh at you, but I feel these days you have lived with extraordinary clarity," Lin Rujun said, directly addressing Gu Jiu Ling by name, then she sighed: "Since you are so capable, why haven't you done away with those wicked people of the Gu household?"

"It's merely an empty reputation!"

Gu Jiu Ling blinked, then burst out laughing; this Lin household girl's frankness brings tears to one's eyes.

Gu Jiu Ling took a sip of tea: "It's difficult; Gu Nanxiang is no ordinary woman, her methods are endless, and she is too hard to deal with."

Lin Rujun gritted her teeth: "If my elder brother were to marry her, it would be nothing short of misfortune for the family; you don't know how her mother, while in the Lin household, drove my aunt to what state—now my aunt cannot hold her head up in her marital home, and that miserly mother-in-law constantly uses the matter of Lin Qingxue to squeeze my aunt."

Gu Jiu Ling gave a bitter laugh: "How could I not know the terror of Lin Qingxue? My mother lost her life because of her."

Gu Jiu Ling's younger brother Gu Kang has been raised into a good-for-nothing!

Lin Rujun was instantly struck speechless, turned her face away to look at Gu Jiu Ling; Gu Jiu Ling's birth mother, Lady Du (Du Qingning), died under unclear circumstances, and these young ladies of Shang Jing also occasionally whisper in private, not knowing exactly how she died.

Some say she died in difficult childbirth, some say she was angered to death by Minister Gu, and others even say she was poisoned to death by that concubine Lin.

Upon hearing Gu Jiu Ling's meaning, Lin Rujun sucked in a breath.

Back then, the Du household was the wealthiest family in Southern Qi; the Du household's eldest daughter, Du Qingning, also fell into the hands of Lin Qingxue, and now looking at Gu Nanxiang, she truly bears her mother's manner.

What should the elder brother do from now on?

"Truly, the good die young while evil leaves a thousand-year legacy!" Lin Rujun's eyes reddened with anger: "My elder brother is also a soft persimmon, mild-tempered; even if Gu Nanxiang becomes a concubine, my elder brother will still be miserably ruined by that wicked woman."

Gu Jiu Ling set down her teacup, lowered her brows and eyes slightly, and laughed softly: "She won't be able to enter your Lin household!"

Lin Rujun froze for a moment: "You… what are you saying?"

Gu Jiu Ling lifted her gaze and smiled at her: "It's merely a concubine, not a proper marriage; whether she can get into the Lin household's gate now depends not on the Gu household but on you."

A flicker of surprise and joy instantly crossed Lin Rujun's eyes: "Do you have a way?"

Gu Jiu Ling curled the corner of her mouth into a smile, and beckoned to the fiery little chili‑pepper‑like girl beside her with a crook of her finger.

"Come over, shout 'big sister', and I'll tell you!"