Chapter 196: Gritting One's Teeth and Moving On

Gu Jiu Ling stepped out of the Warm Pavilion and stood at the gate of the East Garden, coldly looking at the intruding Xiao Wei.

She saw Xiao Wei in a dark, sleek outfit, hands clasped behind him, the dark robe's hem fluttering in the night wind with a dangerous curve.

He lifted his head toward Gu Jiu Ling standing on the steps and laughed loudly, "How is Imperial Aunt?"

"Very well indeed!" Gu Jiu Ling ground her back teeth and replied with a forced smile.

Xiao Yin's eyes flashed as he looked toward the East Garden gate blocked by Gu Jiu Ling and said, "I heard Imperial Uncle rescued General Zhao from the bandits in Wuzhou and was wounded in the process; I'll go in to see Imperial Uncle!"

Gu Jiu Ling's eyes flickered slightly, "Look at your mother!"

Who would bring so many guards to barge into someone's residence just to look around, ostensibly to check Xiao Yin's injuries, but probably to see if the person is dead?

This time, under Emperor Longqing's orders, Xiao Wei set a trap in Wuzhou; not only did he fail to kill Xiao Yin, but he also lost so many elite troops, which hurt him deeply.

He did not expect that Gu Jiu Ling, a mere woman, would remain calm in crisis and bring so many helpers to rescue Xiao Yin.

He has come now not to examine Xiao Yin's illness, but to strike a finishing blow.

Unexpectedly, Gu Jiu Ling puffed out her belly, blocking Xiao Wei's path, lifted her head and coldly said, "Apologies, your Imperial Uncle has just rested; no guests!"

Xiao Wei's brows knit fiercely, but he turned and waved to the imperial physician from the Imperial Medical Institute behind him, saying, "Imperial Grandmother worries about Imperial Uncle's health and has specially brought the royal physician to treat him; Imperial Aunt, please step aside, as Imperial Uncle's wound is serious."

"Ha! They're just mediocre doctors! Fit to treat the Prince?" Gu Jiu Ling coldly glanced at Zhang the Imperial Physician, merely a lapdog doctor beside Empress Dowager Ning An.

Zhang's face flushed slightly, and he loudly retorted, "Princess Consort, I no longer wish to hear such words! I am the chief of the Imperial Medical Institute… I…"

"The one who doesn't want to hear is still behind! Guards! Zhang the Imperial Physician has insulted this Princess Consort, intending to harm the Prince; punish him severely!"

"Yes!" Two guards stepped out from behind Master Nian Yuan, seized Zhang the Imperial Physician, slammed him to the ground, and within moments beat him with several slaps.

"Stop!" Xiao Wei finally dropped the pretense, stepped forward, coldly looked at Gu Jiu Ling, and said, "Gu Jiu Ling, this is someone close to Imperial Grandmother."

Gu Jiu Ling sneered, "Yes, he's a person beside the Empress Dowager; the Prince is the Empress Dowager's son, so what? Is the imperial physician closer than a son?"

"You…" Xiao Wei realized the woman was about to cause trouble again; his gaze turned cold, and looking around, he found the entire East Garden's defenses unusually tight.

Unlike the group that fought in the Wuzhou Gorge before, who, though tough, suffered countless casualties, these people also have strong martial arts, especially that odd "bull‑nosed" Taoist opposite, whose presence is particularly eye‑sore.

Yet that person's skill is not weak, far surpassing his; to kill Xiao Yin, he would first have to slay that old man before him, but the brief clash just now made him realize he is no match for him.

However, he came today with many guards; if he forced his way in, he might have some chance of success.

Although the new faces around Xiao Yin don't seem easy to provoke, they are numerous.

Gu Jiu Ling looked at the man's eyes and knew he had ill intentions tonight.

She looked at Master Nian Yuan, who shook his head at her, telling her to stay calm.

Xiao Wei is the Third Prince and a military commander, but here he holds no advantage; at worst, this group could kill the Prince together, and before dying he could still manage a last‑ditch effort.

Gu Jiu Ling understood Master Nian Yuan's meaning, gestured to the people around, and they slowly emerged from the shaded corridor, their weapons already drawn.

With a swish, the guards brought by Xiao Wei also drew their weapons, each wearing a tense expression.

Gu Jiu Ling instead smiled; she knew Xiao Wei wouldn't dare fight her to the death—after all, the barefoot fear not the shod. Now she has only the uncertain fate of Xiao Yin and nothing else; what is she afraid of?

Xiao Wei hadn't expected Gu Jiu Ling to confront him head‑on, and a flash of panic crossed his eyes.

He was like a beast lurking in a wasteland; now he calmed, waiting for the moment, and once it arrives, he'll pounce with the deadliest strike.

Just as both sides were tense, a rapid footstep sound suddenly came from outside the main courtyard.

Princess Ling He entered with her son Cheng Ming, followed by hundreds to thousands of guards from the Princess' residence, all veterans left by General Cheng; some old men even outrank Xiao Yin in seniority, truly senior military figures.

Xiao Wei was stunned, staring fixedly at his Imperial Aunt, his brows furrowed into a shape like the Chinese character for river.

He hadn't expected the Grand Princess to side with Xiao Yin, when she had previously been neutral.

He should know that using Su Wanrou as bait to hunt Xiao Yin was approved by the Father Emperor, who even gave him vague hints to carry it out.

Now this huge mishap has occurred, letting Xiao Yin return alive; he cannot tolerate that.

He didn't expect that at this critical moment, Princess Ling He would barge in with the Cheng family, essentially opposing the Father Emperor.

Princess Ling He coldly stared at Xiao Wei, her eyes full of anger.

Indeed, she initially didn't want to get involved in the struggle between Xiao Yin and Emperor Longqing, but couldn't stop her son from insisting.

That was fine, but didn't Xiao Wei know his son also went to Wuzhou? He dealt such a heavy hand that he almost killed her son.

In this world, no one may touch her son; harming her son is a threat to her life.

These bastards, beating her son so badly, must pay the price.

Gu Jiu Ling also hadn't expected Princess Ling He to arrive with people, and was stunned.

Princess Ling He brought Cheng Ming to stand before Gu Jiu Ling, her gaze toward her carrying a hint of complexity.

She hadn't expected Gu Jiu Ling to be so brave, personally leading people to Wuzhou to rescue someone—truly a heroic courage.

But on the other hand it also angered her, pulling her own son into this courtly dispute.

The Princess' residence originally sought neutrality, but now must side with Prince Rui's household, with no retreat; her son's future is entirely wagered on Xiao Yin's success—if Xiao Yin fails, the Princess' people will also suffer misfortune.

Cheng Ming is the sole heir of the Cheng family; Gu Jiu Ling lured him to her side, but now that things stand, further talk is useless—only gritting one's teeth and moving on.