Chapter 145

The next morning, news that the Gu family's legitimate son, Gu Second Young Master, had killed someone in the Cuihong Pavilion instantly caused a huge uproar in Shang Jing.

These days, the people of Shang Jing have been gorging on gossip, and all of it is courtesy of the Gu family, guaranteed fresh.

The Ministry of Justice is preparing a triple hearing, after all it involves the Bei Di Princess Yuanqing, so the matter has blown up.

If it were merely the killing of an ordinary singer, the Gu family might still have a chance to settle it with money, after all he is the legitimate son of the Prime Minister's residence.

But this time the victim is a maidservant of Princess Yuanqing, making the matter far from ordinary—how could Bei Di possibly let it go?

Emperor Longqing also finds it awkward, after all Gu Kang's killing was witnessed by everyone in the Cuihong Pavilion—he came rushing out of that room covered in blood, his eyes vacant, his expression chaotic, and he kept insisting it was his third brother who did it—who would believe that?

People are discussing this matter everywhere in the street teahouses.

"I heard that Gu Second has gone mad, constantly claiming his third brother framed him, using a knockout drug to drug him and move him to the murder scene."

"Heh! He really is crazy!"

"Gu Third Young Master has always had a good reputation in Shang Jing, his conduct being a model for scholars—how could he commit murder?"

"On the contrary, Gu Second Young Master often goes out to the pleasure quarters, bullying men and women, causing trouble—just how many messes has Gu Third Young Master had to clean up for him?"

"One must have a conscience in life!"

"To say that the Gu family's eldest and third sons are truly unlucky—how did they end up with such a legitimate son? It would be better if the eldest son himself were the heir; at least the Gu family would lose less face."

"Yes, yes! When framing someone, don't you look at whose head you're putting the blame on?"

"I heard Gu Third Young Master was exchanging poetry with Master Yao at the Chongwen Literary Society all night—he never set foot in the Cuihong Pavilion; how could he be so despicable?"

"How could Gu Third Young Master kill someone?"

"Exactly, in my view the Gu family has been overly indulgent toward Gu Kang; even now Gu Third Young Master still speaks up for him, I heard he personally wrote a petition to seek justice for his second brother."

"Tch! Good intentions fed to the dogs!"

Gu Jiu Ling sat in the corner of the teahouse; she and Jiu Yue were dressed in men's clothing, and after the previous painful experience, Gu Jiu Ling's cross-dressing has become more practiced each time.

When the idle chatter reached this point, she also found it boring, stood up, and took Jiu Yue into the carriage.

Jiu Yue hurriedly said, "Master! Could Second Young Master not have been framed?"

"Didn't the Zhou Fu family earlier send word that Second Young Master was locked up and beaten in the courtyard? How could he then go out and kill someone last night?"

"He didn't do the killing," Gu Jiu Ling's eyes turned slightly cold, a hint of mockery appearing on her face, "with that pig‑brained fool, killing someone? That's giving him too much credit."

"Master, if Second Young Master is indeed framed, what should we do?"

Jiu Yue was genuinely afraid; the late lady had left only these two bloodlines—master and Second Young Master—and if Second Young Master were executed, how could they face the late lady in heaven?

The late lady was so kind; if she saw Second Young Master in this state, even her soul would not rest!

Gu Jiu Ling coldly said, "Gu Kang, that idiot, has been made a scapegoat by someone; I just can't see what this scheme is aiming for."

"No… isn't it someone from the Gu family?" Jiu Yue thought the Gu family had set a trap to harm Second Young Master.

Gu Jiu Ling gave a cold laugh: "No, in the eyes of the Gu family, Gu Kang is already a waste; the Gu family would certainly not set a trap to harm this waste themselves, and besides dragging Bei Di into it clearly shows they want Gu Kang dead."

"If the Gu family wanted to kill Gu Kang, it would be too simple—just a cup of poisoned wine; there's no need to go to such lengths, after all Gu Kang's value has already diminished."

Moreover, dragging Bei Di into it is bad for the Gu family's reputation; these days the Gu family's reputation is already foul, and causing such a big incident, I suspect Prime Minister Gu no longer wants to be premier.

Jiu Yue grew more confused: "If it wasn't the Gu family, then who dealt such a heavy blow to Second Young Master?"

Gu Jiu Ling furrowed her brow, her fingers lightly pinching the tassel beneath her fan: "Whether it's a ghost or a monster, it will eventually show its tail; let's wait and see."

"Should we go to the Ministry of Justice's great prison to plead? Can we save Second Young Master?"

Gu Jiu Ling closed her fan: "Don't rescue him for now; wait for the Gu family to act."

Jiu Yue opened her mouth, anxious but dared not say anything more.

Gu Jiu Ling returned to the Rui Wang Fu; she had just taken off her male attire, wearing only a single layer, when Xiao Yin returned.

He had not yet had time to change out of his regular prince's robes; apparently he had just come back from court and hurried straight to her Peach Blossom Pavilion.

"Your Highness," Gu Jiu Ling, at this moment somewhat clumsy in her movements, walked up to Xiao Yin, tiptoed, and tried to help him take off his court robes.

Xiao Yin's tall frame almost bent like a shrimp, so as not to burden Gu Jiu Ling.

He gazed intently at the woman before him; Gu Jiu Ling raised an eyebrow and smiled, "My lady, is there something on my face that you stare at so intently?"

Xiao Yin raised his hand as if dealing with a child, pinched her cheek, took her hand and sat down, personally handing her a cloak to drape over herself.

"If there's anything, I'll help you inquire; you're feeling heavy these days, so avoid crowded places."

Gu Jiu Ling secretly clicked her tongue—this person had found out about her going to the teahouse to gather information.

She also wanted to learn about Gu Kang's condition, after all she owed the Du family a great deal and could not simply stand by.

Jinzhi brought a warm handkerchief; Xiao Yin picked it up to wipe his hands, lifted the hot tea and took a light sip, lowering his handsome, cold brows: "Do you need me to intervene?"

"Your Highness, no need," Gu Jiu Ling hurriedly said, "I'll wait and see, first check how deep the Gu family's waters run—I'll handle this matter myself."

Xiao Yin's brows slightly furrowed—this woman always being so self‑reliant and strong‑willed didn't seem quite right?

He actually grew a little angry, slamming the teacup onto the table: "What is a woman marrying for?"

"Ah?" Gu Jiu Ling didn't expect Xiao Yin's words to shift so quickly; just moments ago they were discussing her brother's affair, and now he suddenly jumped to such a lofty philosophical question.

She twitched the corner of her eye and laughed, "Marry a man, marry a man—just for clothes and food!"

"Hah!" Xiao Yin snorted, pointing at his own chest, "If a man can't shield his woman from wind and rain, can't stand up for her, what kind of man is he? He might as well be castrated!"

Gu Jiu Ling burst out laughing with a puff, her heart nonetheless somewhat moved.

Since marrying Xiao Yin, he has repeatedly stood before her—truly a person worthy of trust.

"Your Highness, rest assured—when the time comes for me to need you, I will certainly not hold back!"

Gu Jiu Ling raised her pink fist and waved it.

Xiao Yin stared, slightly stunned, then raised his hand to rub her head, laughing and scolding, "Little fool!"

His expression turned cold: "It's a scheme cooked up by Bei Di—be careful."

"Bei Di?" Gu Jiu Ling hadn't expected that this time Gu Kang's predicament would be connected to her, yet Bei Di clearly knows she and Gu Kang have fallen out—using Gu Kang to threaten her? Isn't that laughable?

Gu Jiu Ling couldn't help but let out a cold laugh: "I'm afraid this time I'll make them disappointed! I, Gu Jiu Ling, am now ruthless and merciless—family ties are to me like floating clouds!"

Xiao Yin smiled watching her say nothing, but his heart softened into a puddle.

She really is a silly girl—clearly her heart is softer and kinder than anyone's, yet she hides it like this!

Princess Consort, looking like this, she seems so endearing, what should we do?