Chapter 209: He Got Hooked

The air froze instantly, and Gu Jiu Ling's heart raced wildly.

Back then, to save Xiao Yin, she acknowledged a father for the child in her womb; has Xiao Yin learned of this?

But at that time, without Tuo Ba Yu's Red Scorpion organization, she probably couldn't have rescued Xiao Yin in Wuzhou and escaped unscathed.

Gu Jiu Ling opened her mouth: "Um… who is that?"

"Bei Di hostage prince—Tuo Ba Yu!"

Xiao Yin focused his gaze on him, gave a faint smile, but the smile was cold.

"Oh? It's him!" Gu Jiu Ling suddenly realized.

Xiao Yin smiled helplessly: "Enough, stop pretending; you already knew, didn't you?"

Gu Jiu Ling's complexion turned slightly pale.

Xiao Yin said slowly: "Earlier you told this Prince that if you caught that adulterous husband, you'd kill him; I will help you keep that promise."

"Xiao Yin!" Gu Jiu Ling hurriedly shouted: "Hold back your actions!"

Xiao Yin knit his brows tightly; this time he was truly angry.

He was actually more angry at himself; back in Wuzhou he had a misstep and almost got injured there.

And Gu Jiu Ling had to send people to rescue him, and among those rescuers, the one who contributed the most was Tuo Ba Yu.

His relationship with the Bei Di has always been extremely hostile; even though Tuo Ba Yu hates the Bei Di royal family, he wouldn't recklessly die for this Bei Di public enemy.

Unless there were even more generous conditions awaiting that person.

Regarding the Wuzhou incident, so many nobles avoided Xiao Yin, the disaster star; even though Gu Jiu Ling is wealthy, those great families dared not help her confront the imperial clan.

So what Tuo Ba Yu coveted was Xiao Yin's most precious asset, namely his Princess Consort.

He could only discover that on that day Tuo Ba Yu indeed spent some time in the carriage with Gu Jiu Ling, and after they got out both looked displeased.

Even Tuo Ba Yu's shoulder bore a knife wound; even a guess would be eight or nine out of ten correct.

Moreover, in his recent investigation of this matter, he uncovered a huge secret, and the two pieces fit together.

Xiao Yin was instantly suffocated with anger, stared steadily at Gu Jiu Ling: "Rest assured, I won't kill him."

"After all, he's the biological father of the child in your womb; if you kill him, the children will grow up and be hard to explain."

"But…" Xiao Yin stared at Gu Jiu Ling, "You must remember one thing: your children are mine, Xiao Yin's, not of Bei Di blood."

"These two children bear the Xiao surname and have nothing to do with Tuo Ba Yu."

Gu Jiu Ling looked up in disbelief at Xiao Yin; he was willing to raise another's child, and even knew who the child's biological father was.

Gu Jiu Ling was suddenly at a loss for words.

She felt a flood of emotions, suddenly getting the impression of a homewrecker meeting true love.

Xiao Yin stared steadily at Gu Jiu Ling, his expression more serious than ever.

"I like you as a person, so I can like everything about you, except the child's biological father."

"I will compensate him, help him return to Bei Di, settle the feud; if he falls into my hands again, he must die! If he gets involved with you, he must die!"

Gu Jiu Ling inhaled, said cautiously: "Didn't you just say you could spare him, not kill him?"

Xiao Yin said slowly: "If you plead on his behalf, he will die!"

Gu Jiu Ling waved her hand, gritted her teeth and said: "This scoundrel, worthless bastard, if I weren't sparing him for the sake of the child, since he saved you this time, I would personally stab him a few times."

"Prince, rest assured, I was born as your person, in death I am your ghost; if you want to get rid of me, this burden, I won't refuse!"

"Think, because of your affairs, I have been dragged to this point; you must compensate me. If you don't give enough silver, I won't stop."

Xiao Yin's expression finally softened; he raised his hand and pinched Gu Jiu Ling's cheek, with a hint of affection, his gaze dangerous as he said slowly: "Gu Jiu Ling, don't fall in love with anyone except… this Prince!"

Suddenly, cheers rose from the tables outside; Gu Jiu Ling and Xiao Yin hurriedly ordered someone to pull back half of the private room's curtain, so they could see the outside scene, a view not easily seen from outside.

Those who came to Wanfu Hall for pleasure were not only ordinary wealthy families, but also some unsavory nobles; these private rooms were set up for such people.

Ling Feng entered, leaned close to Xiao Yin's ear and whispered, "Third Prince has arrived, in the adjacent private room."

A smile flickered across Xiao Yin's brows and eyes.

Xiao Wei loves beauty; if he doesn't come to such an occasion, then it's not Xiao Wei.

According to his own Princess Consort, Xiao Wei might have a disease; some men are naturally more voracious in that regard, it's a natural condition, unchangeable, a disease with no cure yet.

Nevertheless, he is now the scorching‑hot Third Prince in Shang Jing, possibly even the heir to the future Crown Prince.

The Duan family placed that many troops on Xiao Wei, staking all military authority on him; Xiao Wei naturally became the hope of their entire faction.

Thus not just any woman can catch Xiao Wei's eye; since he's so picky, what if the woman who first moved his heart appears tonight?

Outside, a burst of exclamations suddenly rang out; from those shouts one could hear the participants' excitement and thrill.

Gu Jiu Ling had already anticipated this outcome, no need to watch; she was already tired of seeing her personally teach Princess Yalan in the side courtyard, hand by hand.

But for those men outside, it was their first sight, undoubtedly stunning.

At this moment, the six alternate courtesans, including Ruo Xi, played the guqin, brewed tea, recited poetry, composed verses; their elegance was supreme, truly the top ladies of each venue, all multi‑talented young women.

At this time, Miss Qiushui was the last to take the stage; she walked up slowly, carrying no tools, and the guqin was especially unsuitable for her.

She rushed into the list of candidates; those performances of music, chess, calligraphy, painting were also impressive, yet this Qiushui brought nothing with her.

She stood slowly in the middle of the table, snapped her fingers toward a short distance; that finger snap was done with extreme flair, her beautiful eyes slightly lowered in disdain.

From beneath the Wanfu Hall table came a strange melody, a tune never heard before, unusually lively and even a bit rhythmic.

People around the table couldn't help swaying slightly to the rhythm; seeing this, Gu Jiu Ling's tea cup, which she had been holding, slowly set down, stabilizing the situation.

Suddenly, the Qiushui on the table removed the outer dress covering her skirt, revealing a stylish short dress that exposed all the right places; her skin was fair and extremely alluring.

She suddenly began to sing, matching the beat; her voice was exceptionally moving, and soon the atmosphere was fully driven by her rhythmically strong song.

Princess Yalan's voice is a mature‑lady tone, fitting the jazz style.

Like a queen of the night, stepping forth in the darkness.

Suddenly, a commotion came from the adjacent private room, followed by the sound of the curtain being fully drawn.

Gu Jiu Ling and Xiao Yin looked at each other simultaneously, revealing a meaningful smile.

Xiao Wei... took the bait.