Chapter 164: with translation of chapter title

As soon as Gu Jiu Ling's words fell, Su Wanrou's expression could no longer be maintained, carrying a few points of frost‑like cold stiffness.

Xiao Yin raised his eyebrows slightly, wondering why his wife seemed off tonight—what on earth had happened?

These days he had been busy with court affairs, and seeing that Gu Jiu Ling was a steady, mature person, he felt confident letting her manage the household's internal affairs without mishap, so he devoted all his energy to the court.

Now that his fief had been restored, hiding behind the scenes as before was clearly inappropriate; the Duan and Cao clans wielded great power, other aristocratic families in Shang Jing were intertwined, and the court was rife with internal and external contradictions.

He wanted to give those deceased brothers of Qi Sha Gu justice, which required careful management, with no room for error at any step.

Now he saw that something was amiss in the inner quarters, yet in front of Su Wanrou it was not proper to ask about it.

Su Wanrou had merely sent a little maid to help with embroidery at the Spring Exploration Pavilion; why did Gu Jiu Ling's look feel so gloomy and embarrassing—could there be something unspeakable behind it?

Since Gu Jiu Ling did not want Su Wanrou to dispatch her personal attendants, he let it be; earlier he had also thought of smoothly marrying Su Wanrou off, thereby fulfilling General An's wish.

He was rather pleased about this.

So many deceased brothers never got to tell him what their wishes were before they miserably died in the mire of Qi Sha Gu's valley floor.

Only General An left a very clear dying wish; sometimes a dead person's debt must not be owed, for it feels like a pursuit from beyond.

Now it's fine; finally it can be settled, and for a moment he felt quite happy.

Xiao Yin collected himself, then turned to Su Wanrou and spoke gently: 'Wanrou, tomorrow I will certainly invite the best embroiderer from Shang Jing for you; if that's impossible, I'll go to Jiangnan to fetch one.'

'Only you are not a royal clan registered in the imperial records; otherwise the palace's weaving bureau could send a few over, so you can make do for now—especially since the embroiderers at several shops in Shang Jing once served the palace's masters.'

'What's‑her‑name… Jin… Jinzhi… this little maid, how good could she be? How could she compare to the skills of the veteran embroiderers in Shang Jing?'

As Xiao Yin's words fell, Su Wanrou's heart felt as if it had been ruthlessly torn apart.

Not only is Gu Jiu Ling's standing in Xiao Yin's eyes higher than hers, but even the maid beside Gu Jiu Ling is beyond her—can she not be used?

She has lived in the Prince Rui's residence for so long, yet she ends up inferior to a mute who has only been in the mansion a few days?

Obviously Xiao Yin did not regard her highly; over these years she has become a laughingstock in his household.

Su Wanrou slowly lowered her head; this time her expression showed a hint of genuine sorrow. She rose slowly, bowed to Xiao Yin, and gave a bitter smile: 'Brother Prince, it is Wanrou who has been presumptuous.'

'Wanrou should not entertain such fantasies; she merely happened to see the embroidery Jinzhi made today, liked the style, and wanted to ask Jinzhi to help with the pattern on her wedding dress.'

'Forget it; if Wanrou cannot use this person, then Wanrou will not use her either.'

'Wanrou's mother died early, her father…' Su Wanrou couldn't continue; tears welled up in her eyes, slowly fell, and she lowered her head and let out a soft sigh.

'Forget it; Wanrou is grateful for the Prince's care over these years, but a lifetime cannot fulfill all wishes.'

'Wanrou had hoped to wear a beautiful wedding dress, and her father in heaven would surely feel relieved seeing me like this…'

As Su Wanrou spoke on, her voice carried a hint of sobbing, trembled slightly, and her body shook a little.

Xiao Yin's brows knotted tightly as he recalled the bloody carnage of Qi Sha Gu and the subordinate General An who had loyally carried him out of that valley.

His dying state overlapped with Su Wanrou's present aggrieved, sorrowful expression, causing Xiao Yin to feel an unwarranted surge of guilt.

Beside her, Gu Jiu Ling gripped her teacup tightly; the warmth of the tea slipped through her fingers, and a flicker of mockery crossed her eyes.

Su Wanrou is truly a pity; in her era she could have been a ruthless, big‑killing entertainment‑circle queen, or at least an award‑winner who collects trophies effortlessly.

After saying all that, she never mentioned Jinzhi, instead using her deceased father to morally and conscientiously pressure Xiao Yin.

This is probably meant to force Xiao Yin to state his position, right?

Gu Jiu Ling grew increasingly wary in her heart; Su Wanrou felt she did not want Jinzhi to live even a moment—could it be that she and Jiu Yue had guessed something correctly earlier?

But this is baseless, and it is not her Gu or Du family's affair; it is something Xiao Yin handled before, so she ought not to meddle too much in his private matters.

However, Su Wanrou's reach was too long, extending even to her side, so she could not yield.

If it weren't for Jinzhi's poisoning today, she would have long ago, out of respect for Xiao Yin's face, sent Jinzhi to the Spring Exploration Pavilion.

But now… heh…

Xiao Yin, however, found it especially hard to hear; he drew a breath and said, 'Someone! Go summon Jinzhi!'

Jiu Yue, who was waiting at the door to attend, was suddenly startled and anxiously looked toward her mistress, Gu Jiu Ling.

Xiao Yin instantly flared up, thinking, 'Am I still the master of the Prince Rui's residence? A mere servant girl actually outweighs my dignity?'

'How? You won't obey me, is that it or not?' Xiao Yin slapped the table and flew into a rage.

Gu Jiu Ling's heart gave a slight tremor as she set her teacup gently on the table; for the first time she looked at Xiao Yin with calm composure.

Xiao Yin was actually made a little nervous by Gu Jiu Ling's gaze, and then felt he ought to display the authority of a Prince Rui.

Yet when that gaze met Gu Jiu Ling's solemn, stern face, he felt a twinge of guilt, unsure when he had started to become timid before her.

Gu Jiu Ling smoothed her sleeves, not looking at the weeping Su Wanrou, and simply gazed coolly at Xiao Yin.

She bowed to Xiao Yin, but because her belly was somewhat large, the salute was performed perfunctorily.

'Your Highness, it is not that I lack human feeling and refuse to lend Jinzhi to my sister for her wedding dress; it is simply that Jinzhi feels unwell, she is ill, and now her condition is so severe she cannot even get out of bed.'

'With the maid in this state, I truly could not do something beastly, yet still force her to embroider a wedding dress?'

Xiao Yin's face stiffened slightly; he inwardly muttered, 'How could anyone scold this prince as a beast for no reason?'

Gu Jiu Ling added, 'Moreover, although Jinzhi resides in the Prince Rui's residence, she is not a servant of the manor and has not been registered as its bondservant.'

'Jinzhi, Yun Duo, and even my personal attendant Jiu Yue—all receive their monthly stipends from the silver I set aside from my own dowry; the Prince Rui's manor truly cannot compel them to work! I cannot, and neither can Your Highness!'

Xiao Yin's face showed an embarrassed hue; he was about to persuade again, even if out of respect for him—after all, General An had saved him, an indisputable fact.

Before he could finish his persuasion, Gu Jiu Ling suddenly began to take off her own clothes.

Xiao Yin stared dumbfounded—does she take off her clothes when angry? This woman really…

'Jiu Ling…'