Chapter 19: Framed and Blamed

Xiao Yin, standing at the doorway, grabbed Gu Jiu Ling and steadied her, focusing his gaze on her.

Gu Jiu Ling nodded at him, all set—the person inside the tent is alive.

Imperial Physician Dong and the others hurried into the tent; one of the physicians came out holding an iron tray, presenting it to the Emperor. On it was an arrowhead stained with blood, the blood on the arrowhead turned black.

Everyone gasped, seeing clearly that it was poisoned, hoping Tuo Ba Yu would die.

No wonder the Princess Consort of Rui stayed in there for so long—she wasn't just treating the wound, she also had to detoxify.

At this moment, Gu Jiu Ling's fingers twitched slightly; after standing for so long, she was pregnant and remained highly tense throughout.

Xiao Yin drew her to his side, letting her lean against his body to rest, then stuffed a chocolate candy into her hand: "What I had left over—eat it. When we return to the city, I'll treat you to a good meal at Heavenly Fragrance Tower."

Gu Jiu Ling felt a faint warmth in her chest, popped it into her mouth—the bitter‑then‑sweet taste was quite nice.

Emperor Longqing and the others also walked over, and a crowd surged into the tent.

Jiu Yue, following Gu Jiu Ling's instructions, had just taken down those instruments and placed them in the box she had brought; Gu Jiu Ling didn't want to withdraw them, but she had no choice—some things she couldn't explain.

At this moment, Tuo Ba Yu lay quietly on the makeshift bed, his breathing much steadier, his cheeks regaining some color.

Imperial Physician Dong went back and forth feeling Tuo Ba Yu's pulse several times; his expression looked as if he had seen a ghost, and he turned to stare incredulously at Gu Jiu Ling.

Gu Jiu Ling smiled faintly, said nothing—facts spoke louder than words.

A flicker of surprise crossed Emperor Longqing's brows—he never expected this woman to actually have some skill; an arrowhead piercing the heart—could she really save him?

Gu Nanxiang followed behind Princess Changping; they couldn't enter that tent, but the news had already spread far and wide: the Princess Consort of Rui had saved the Prince of Bei Di.

She felt her hatred well up like blood—why was he saved?

Usually at the Prime Minister Guo's Residence, she knew what sort of person Gu Jiu Ling was—how could she have medical skill, let alone this kind of life‑and‑death healing? How could that be possible?

That slut has always been incredibly stupid—when did she become this capable?

A flash of resentful malice crossed Gu Nanxiang's brows—she wouldn't let that slut run rampant; she was the Heaven‑Chosen Daughter of the Guo family, what was Gu Jiu Ling anyway?

Princess Changping's face also turned grim.

At that moment inside the tent, after taking the medicine, Tuo Ba Yu slowly woke, seeing himself surrounded by so many people, he felt a bit panicked.

Upon seeing Emperor Longqing, he panicked even more, trying to rise and bow, but Gu Jiu Ling pressed down on his shoulder.

"Your Highness, lie down while you speak, or the wound might split open and cause trouble."

Tuo Ba Yu met Gu Jiu Ling's concerned gaze, nodded gratefully, and his clear purple eyes gained a touch of new trust.

He had just walked past the gates of hell; the woman's gentle voice kept echoing in his ears, urging him not to fear, to persevere.

In the cold relay station of Shang Jing in Southern Qi, he had endured seven years of spring and autumn, suffered endless scorn and humiliation, and even thought death would be the best option.

But just now, that gentle voice seemed to pour endless strength into his body; he resolved to persevere, perhaps things would turn around.

Emperor Longqing waved his hand at Tuo Ba Yu, indicating he need not perform the rites.

Today's hunting‑ground incident must be investigated thoroughly—he isn't dead yet, with people scheming right under his nose; does he really think this emperor is just a figurehead?

"I ask you, who wants to kill you?"

Tuo Ba Yu's face twitched slightly; his gaze fell on the several princes standing behind Emperor Longqing.

Instantly the surrounding air grew heavy—could it be that the one who tried to kill Tuo Ba Yu was a member of the imperial clan?

Tuo Ba Yu's forehead beaded with fine sweat; having just survived this ordeal, his voice hoarse, he could not speak.

Emperor Longqing furrowed his brows harshly, his voice icy: "Point it out to me!"

Tuo Ba Yu slowly raised his arm, pointing toward Xiao Yin's direction, and a low gasp went through the crowd.

Gu Jiu Ling's eyes flashed with anger—was this kid going to repay kindness with betrayal?

Xiao Yin may be ruthless, but he's not stupid; he wouldn't kill a Bei Di useless lingerer in Southern Qi for no reason—obviously someone is setting him up.

Gu Jiu Ling stared coldly at Tuo Ba Yu, wondering whether to stab him outright—when Tuo Ba Yu's trembling finger slowly slid across Xiao Yin's cheek, pointing at Xiao Wei, who stood behind Emperor Longqing.

Xiao Wei immediately snapped, "Tired of living?"

Emperor Longqing glanced sideways at the Third Prince; Xiao Wei promptly shut his mouth, but his stare at Tuo Ba Yu remained sharp as a blade.

He hurriedly knelt before Emperor Longqing: "Father Emperor, this Tatar is slandering your subject! The arrowhead on his body is from the Imperial Uncle's Prince Rui's Mansion."

"Even if the Princess Consort of Rui saved this Tatar's life, he must not be allowed to drag your subject into this nonsense! I beg you, Father Emperor, to decide!"

Gu Jiu Ling really wanted to spit at him—what nonsense!

Frankly, she saved Tuo Ba Yu and ended up with trouble—doesn't that mean she saved him, and he, grateful, is falsely implicating Xiao Wei?

Emperor Longqing lowered his eyes, fixed on the kneeling Third Prince, about to speak—when the frail Tuo Ba Yu on the bed gasped heavily, barely mustering his strength, his voice hoarse: "My… my hair."

He slowly lifted his hand and took something from his hair bun—a tassel the size of a thumb.

The tassel itself was nothing special; it merely had a bead attached to it.

In Shang Jing, the nobility customarily wear jade pendants, usually stringing silk cords into tassels to hang the pendant, and often adding an extra jade bead as decoration.

Tuo Ba Yu tightly gripped the bead hidden in his hair, painfully pulling it out—the bead was engraved with a mighty "Wei" character.

Xiao Wei's—Wei!

Seeing that bead, Xiao Wei's face underwent a drastic change, then he forcibly suppressed the panic welling up inside.

Xiao Yin chuckled softly: "My dear nephew, you've played the frame‑and‑blame trick quite well!" Hehe.

Emperor Longqing furrowed his brows, closed his eyes, and said: "Seize him!"

"Father Emperor!!" Xiao Wei's face changed dramatically; he had originally been consulting with the Embroidered Uniform Guard about how to give Xiao Yin a setback during the hunt, not expecting to be bumped into by this Tuo Ba Yu kid.

He then silenced himself, devising this frame‑up scheme—never imagining his jade pendant would fall in the woods, the bead being picked up by him.

"Lock him up in the Imperial Clan Office for me!" Emperor Longqing's face sank grimly.

A hint of mockery flickered in Xiao Yin's eyes—poisoning the Prince of Bei Di and framing his own Imperial Uncle, such a grave crime would merit only a few days' confinement in the Imperial Clan Office.

He inwardly sneered—after all, treatment differs between one's own son and one's own brother.

At last the matter settled, Xiao Yin ordered his guards to personally escort Tuo Ba Yu back to the city—he still had use for this man.

Emperor Longqing looked at Gu Jiu Ling, his expression complex: "Princess Consort of Rui, you have rendered great service—ask for any reward, and I will grant it."

Gu Jiu Ling froze, a flicker of joy crossing her eyes; she hurriedly knelt and thanked Emperor Longqing, saying: "Your Majesty, I… I, as a subject's wife… my wife's child, upon birth, has added two more mouths to the household that need feeding and drinking; my finances are really tight."

Emperor Longqing raised his brows; noble ladies from Shang Jing who ask for rewards usually seek a title or some other object, but she is straightforward—she wants money!

Emperor Longqing coughed once: 'Someone! Reward!'

Not long after, a eunuch walked over carrying a large tray of gold ingots and a small tray of jade bead strings, presenting them before Gu Jiu Ling.

Gu Jiu Ling instantly beamed with joy, she hurriedly bowed to Emperor Longqing to express her thanks.

After such a commotion, naturally the hunt could not continue, and the party dispersed.

Emperor Longqing personally retained Xiao Yin to placate him, while Gu Jiu Ling went ahead alone toward the separate residence; having taken just a few steps, she was suddenly blocked by a tall figure.

'Miss Gu, please wait!'