Chapter 125: line with translation of chapter title

Landscape Atlas?

In the arena, a deathly silence fell instantly, and everyone looked toward Gu Jiu Ling, who had risen to her feet.

Gu Jiu Ling's eyes flashed slightly, as expected…

Finally, those Bei Di beasts can't keep up the act any longer—this is clearly aimed at something!

When the poetry gathering was held, Gu Jiu Ling won first place and took the Landscape Atlas, but only she and Xiao Yin knew it wasn't the Atlas at all but a ledger recorded in utter chaos.

At this point, Bei Di's Crown Prince Tuobaheng actually proposed a wager with her over the Landscape Atlas—could the map really be that important? She had no map, only the ledger; could it be…

Gu Jiu Ling's heart gave a sudden jolt, and the tangled mess seemed to gradually become clear.

That was when her maternal grandfather led the entire clan westward to the Xirong, but something happened along the way, they strayed into Bei Di, and Tuobaheng intercepted and slaughtered them.

Even though Tuobaheng had robbed and killed the Du family's caravan, slain Du the Elder, he still hadn't obtained what he wanted.

That thing must be extremely important—even more important than her maternal grandfather's life.

On the surface, it seemed her maternal grandfather was sending the Du family's wealth beyond the pass, but that was merely a pretense; the Du family's myriad riches paled in comparison to that thing.

And to find the Du family's hidden treasure, the key clue was not the Landscape Atlas at all, but the ledger Gu Jiu Ling had won at the poetry gathering.

Gu Jiu Ling always felt someone was secretly pushing this forward, the fog thick, and she couldn't see who was pulling the strings behind the scenes.

Looking at Tuobaheng now, it was clear he didn't realize the so-called Landscape Atlas the Du family kept was just a dummy; the real thing had already been taken by Gu Jiu Ling and Xiao Yin.

Gu Jiu Ling could never hand over that ledger to him, but she now had to produce the Landscape Atlas for the wager—yet where could she find one?

That idiot Lin Jingyuan probably doesn't know either; the Landscape Atlas from the last poetry gathering had long been swapped with different contents.

She also asked Lin Jingyuan who the mysterious figure providing the stake prize was, but he said he didn't know either, though the atlas's outer casing appeared genuine.

They didn't think much of it, after all such stakes were just casually sent over, and he simply handed it over to her, Gu Jiu Ling.

Emperor Longqing also sat up straight, his eyes gradually narrowing.

Landscape Atlas?

A chill crept into his brow and eyes; just how much had Du Yushan that old coot hidden from him? Initially he had planned to move against the Du family, not wanting him to escape, but fortunately Bei Di stepped in and wiped out the Du clan.

Otherwise…

Emperor Longqing furrowed his brows.

Du Yushan knows too many of his secrets.

Tuobaheng stared fixedly at Gu Jiu Ling, raising the Du family patriarch's token in his hand a notch higher: 'Princess Consort of Rui, shall we have this round?'

Gu Jiu Ling was about to speak when Xiao Yin beside her gave a light laugh: 'Of course! After all, that is my lady's maternal grandfather's personal item—it ought to be returned to its rightful owner!'

Tuobaheng burst out laughing, his gaze growing ever colder: 'Fine! But I've heard the Prince of Rui hasn't touched a polo mallet in seven whole years—can he even still wield one?'

Xiao Yin gave a wicked smile: 'Want to know if I can? Just try and see—anyway, my lady says I'm more than capable!'

Around them rose a burst of laughter, and Tuobaheng's face darkened.

Gu Jiu Ling couldn't help but press her forehead, thinking, 'Big brother, is now really the time for ribald jokes?'

Tuobaheng slowly lowered the Du family patriarch's token in his hand, gently stroked it, and curled his lips into a smile: 'Princess Consort of Rui, the Du family patriarch's token is here; produce your Landscape Atlas so we can all see—let's begin! How about it?'

Gu Jiu Ling furrowed her brows, thinking, 'Old lady, where am I supposed to get you a Landscape Atlas? Want a chicken-pecking-grain picture instead?'

Gu Jiu Ling understood Tuobaheng had come to Southern Qi this time solely for that map; any random copy wouldn't do—this Bei Di fellow had probably seen the original before.

But where could she find it?

Tuobaheng's expression clearly showed impatience: 'Princess Consort of Rui, are we playing or not? If we are, bring out the map first so everyone can see!'

Xiao Yin laughed loudly: 'What are you looking at? You're not worthy—compete first, look later!'

Xiao Yin didn't have a map either; he just wanted to win the match quickly, then twist Tuobaheng's head off and kick it like a ball.

Seeing the deadlock, the Emperor Longqing seated on high spoke up, saying slowly: 'Princess Consort of Rui, produce the map; I'm also quite interested. Seeing as it's getting late, let's finish quickly so everyone can be happy.'

Happy my ass! Gu Jiu Ling cursed silently, 'Where am I supposed to find you a map? It was originally just a chaotic ledger.'

Even Xiao Yin's face darkened; he hadn't expected the emperor to intervene, making things difficult.

Should we have Ling Feng fetch a fake map? But Tuobaheng has been scheming this long, coming to Southern Qi and setting up all these traps—surely just for that map; he might have seen the real one.

If we try to deceive him with a fake map, that would be a crime of deceiving the sovereign.

But if we simply refuse to compete, would we be throwing away the Du family's honor and the consort's dignity? The emperor has stepped in; the arrow is nocked and must be loosed.

Xiao Yin furrowed his brows grimly: 'Fine, let's use a fake map—what can they do to us for deceiving the sovereign?'

Let him accuse me of deceiving the sovereign—if he's got the guts, let him cut me down!

At worst, I'll unleash all the power I've accumulated over these years and go all out!

Xiao Yin gave a light smile: 'Ling Feng!'

Ling Feng's forehead was already beading with cold sweat as he hurried forward.

Xiao Yin was about to speak when a commotion erupted among the onlookers: a person on horseback came galloping up, waving Gu Jiu Ling's token and shouting, pushing through the crowd toward the Rui Wang Fu's flower arbor.

'Princess Consort! Your subordinate arrived late—please punish me!'

A tall, slender man lifted the token Gu Jiu Ling had given him, pushed his way forward, and held a box in his hand.

Even though he wore a simple gray cloth robe, his face was handsome and proper, his bearing like a clear breeze and bright moon—utterly charming.

'Zuo Feichen?' Gu Jiu Ling's eyes widened—he wasn't supposed to be staying at the clinic; why did he come to join the fun?

She had merely hired Zuo Feichen as a consulting physician for her clinic; she certainly wouldn't dare treat him as a subordinate to order around—has he gone mad?

And what is he holding in his hand?

Zuo Feichen walked up to Gu Jiu Ling, having run hard, his forehead slick with sweat, and in the sunlight even glinting with a faint golden glow.

'Master Zuo?' Gu Jiu Ling blinked.

Zuo Feichen lifted the box in his hand to Gu Jiu Ling's face and smiled: 'You ordered me to fetch the Landscape Atlas, subordinate; I've brought it for you—did I delay your affairs, Princess Consort?'

Gu Jiu Ling opened her mouth but didn't know what to say—she had never asked him to get the map; clearly he, too, had a story.

She instinctively took it, while Xiao Yin beside her furrowed his brows fiercely, snatched the box Zuo Feichen had brought, flung it open, and stared dumbfounded at what lay inside.

The thing inside the box is exactly the landscape painting; the only regret is that it lacks the outer shell.

He stared intently at Zuo Feichen; this rascal is hanging around his own Princess Consort—his motives aren't pure!