Chapter 197: Adding Trouble for Imperial Uncle

Xiao Wei didn't expect such a sort of person to burst out halfway, his face instantly turned pale, yet he still kept an official smile, bowed to Princess Linghe and said, "It's so late, why did Imperial Aunt also come?"

Princess Linghe looked at Xiao Yin, politely smiled and said, "I heard your Imperial Uncle was injured, I specially came to see him and brought some medicinal herbs."

Gu Jiu Ling had just been worried that Xiao Wei, this scoundrel, would resort to brute force, a life‑or‑death fight, and bloodily sweep Rui Wangfu, but didn't expect Princess Linghe to arrive with her family army.

Heaven! This truly is like sweet rain after a long drought, sending good coal in the snow!

She instantly shed all her previous prejudice against Princess Linghe, wanting to rush over, hug her and plant several fierce kisses, as if she were a lifesaving relative.

Tonight, anyone whose combat power could match Xiao Wei's has already fallen; only Master Nian Yuan, an elderly man, remains. If a fight breaks out and something goes wrong, we would be too passive.

Now Princess Linghe arrives with her family army, the situation changes; if Xiao Wei and his men engage the family army, whether they win or lose, it would be denying the deceased General Wu Wei face.

General Wu Wei Cheng Kun's old subordinates, most now hold general‑rank positions in the army; if Xiao Wei wants to survive in the military later, he cannot burn all bridges.

Even if Emperor Longqing tries to cause trouble, he would have to bear the charge of bullying the Princess's orphaned widows, a serious accusation; not even Emperor Longqing, let alone Empress Dowager Ning An, would dare take it on.

Gu Jiu Ling briskly walked to Princess Linghe, bowed and smiled: "Thank you, Imperial Sister, for coming to see our Prince; our Prince is much better now."

Princess Linghe, at this moment, had her hand held by Gu Jiu Ling; her facial expression twitched a bit, uneasy.

She was grateful that she saved her son, yet resented that she dragged her son into this, now unable to retreat unscathed.

She faintly smiled: "You're being courteous, younger sister; after all, he is my younger brother, how could I sit by and do nothing?"

The four words "sit by and do nothing" were spat out by her, and Xiao Wei, on the side, heard them and his teeth ached with anger.

Xiao Wei watched the two dead women in front of him perform a show of kinship, friendship…

He knew the tide of today was gone; the final chance to slaughter Xiao Yin was literally buried by the two women, filling his heart with bitterness.

Xiao Wei's heart hardened; he coldly looked at Gu Jiu Ling and smiled, "By the way, since Imperial Uncle is resting, I won't disturb Imperial Uncle."

"But…" he said leisurely, "When I passed through Wuzhou, I rescued a woman halfway; she was a bride about to get married."

"She encountered bandits halfway, so I saved her. After spending a few days together, a lonely man and a lone woman, dry wood and fierce fire; I am not a chaste gentleman, so I took her body."

"I think she's fine, so I intend to take her as a side concubine in my Prince's residence; this is my first side‑concubine. In a few days there will be a grand banquet; I hope Imperial Uncle and Imperial Aunt can attend my humble home for the feast?"

Gu Jiu Ling's eyes grew cold; although she had already guessed that Su Wanrou, that bitch, this time had defected to Xiao Wei, betrayed Rui Wangfu, and even wanted to kill Xiao Yin who raised her.

Gu Jiu Ling had never imagined a person could be so heartless; today she finally witnessed it.

But Xiao Wei's actions made those in Shang Jing who were unaware think that Xiao Yin had completely abandoned the Zhao family, and instead sent people from his own household to Xiao Wei's residence, seeking wealth and honor.

The Zhao family thus completely bore a grudge against Rui Wangfu.

Zhao Lang was downright unlucky; he had previously betrothed with Rui Wangfu, but his wife was stabbed by bandits halfway, and she instantly entered the Third Prince's residence of Xiao Wei as a side concubine—clearly bullying him!

If Xiao Yin doesn't give Zhao Lang an explanation, this will not just be a grudge but a deep hatred!

Xiao Wei's move was indeed very vicious; although he couldn't kill Xiao Yin, at least he set a strong enemy for Xiao Yin, leaving Xiao Yin to deal with it himself.

Gu Jiu Ling stared at him coldly; Xiao Wei finally let out a vile breath in front of Gu Jiu Ling, looked up and burst into a laugh.

"Imperial Aunt, you must remember to go. The dowry that Imperial Uncle prepared for Miss Wan is indeed very generous; I will reluctantly keep it safe for you? Hahaha… ahahaha… ahahaha…"

Xiao Wei laughed exaggeratedly, turned and strode out, his swaggering silhouette reaching the extreme.

"Your uncle!" Gu Jiu Ling finally couldn't hold back, took off her shoes, threw them at Xiao Wei, and was about to strike again, but Princess Linghe hurriedly blocked her.

"Younger sister! Calm down! Don't let anger ruin your health!"

Gu Jiu Ling was truly infuriated by Xiao Wei; she didn't know why, even though she had suffered grievances, she seemed able to endure so far.

But Emperor Longqing, together with Xiao Wei and his partners, bullied her husband; she could no longer tolerate it, and now she was so angry that the two children in her womb began to move.

Gu Jiu Ling then dared not get angry, quickly raised her hand and gently patted her belly, soothing the two little ones inside.

Her heart grew even more uneasy, thinking of Tuo Ba Yu and these two children; she truly couldn't cope.

Princess Linghe, with her people, stayed with Gu Jiu Ling guarding Rui Wangfu throughout the night; the next morning she left after leaving her son and the family army at Rui Wangfu.

Cheng Ming, placed at Rui Wangfu to guard against the royal family's aggression, is the mascot of Rui Wangfu.

The people of Rui Wangfu treated the hot‑tempered young lord with fine food and drink; Cheng Ming still felt bored and meaningless. Just after stepping out of the Guest Hall into the Main Courtyard, he heard two maids whisper: "Has Miss Lin arrived?"

"Yes, Miss Lin truly is a heroine among women, skilled in martial arts and beautiful; I only met her today in the front courtyard near the Princess Consort."

"The Princess Consort is currently holding Miss Lin's hand, helping her with the match!"

Cheng Ming's steps halted instantly; match‑making?

He turned and returned to Rui Wangfu; this place he must guard.

Gu Jiu Ling saw off Lin Rujun and others who came to deliver medicine, and returned to the Warm Pavilion in the Eastern Garden.

Xiao Yin was still in a deep sleep; she checked his temperature, and all vital signs had basically stabilized, so she breathed a sigh of relief, though he was so weak that he remained unconscious.

Gu Jiu Ling couldn't do needlework, and the children's tiny clothes and such were all made by Jinzhi.

She took a storybook, leaned against the carved bedpost and lay beside Xiao Yin; however, the usual entertaining storybook couldn't get into her mind, and she ended up dozing off.

"If you're tired, go rest!" a gentle voice said.

Gu Jiu Ling, suddenly alert, looked at the slowly waking Xiao Yin on the bed, and her eyes immediately turned slightly red, feeling gritty.