Chapter 226

Blood seeped from Xiao Yin's forehead, his expression unchanged, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth as he slowly lifted his gaze to Emperor Longqing.

"Why must Your Imperial Brother be so angry? I, your younger brother, have done nothing wrong."

"The Phoenix Pavilion is the property of the third prince; he's accustomed to bullying men and women, perhaps he offended someone."

"This time the injury may be too severe, but it can be considered a lesson learned."

"Xiao Yin's words were somewhat impolite, blatantly rubbing salt into Emperor Longqing's wound."

"Yet Emperor Longqing could do nothing about Xiao Yin, clearly knowing this person was up to no good, merely seeking revenge for his son."

"Back in that valley in Wuzhou, his son had schemed to trap Xiao Yin there forever, never expecting this brat to escape."

"In just a few short days, his son became what he is now—disgraced and ruined, and moreover turned into a……"

"Emperor Longqing trembled with rage, yet at this moment he could not kill him."

"Although he is an emperor, he cannot just kill indiscriminately, especially not someone like Xiao Yin, a hero of remarkable military achievement."

"He composed himself and gave a faint smile."

"Good! Ninth Brother truly is my good younger brother!"

"Xiao Yin's face remained unchanged as he prostrated himself and kowtowed to Emperor Longqing, saying, 'Imperial Brother is also my good elder brother! Though the third prince's mishap grieves me, Your Majesty does not lack an heir in him, for the third prince cannot father children, has no offspring, and so…'"

"Xiao Yin did not continue; even without his words, Emperor Longqing guessed what would follow."

"His throne, his realm of ten thousand li, absolutely cannot be inherited by a eunuch."

"Even if Xiao Wei adopts a child from the clan, that is not the legitimate bloodline of his line."

"Xiao Yin had a point: he does not have only Xiao Wei as a son; he has many sons."

"But this son suits his temperament—decisive in slaughter—and could certainly address the corrupt governance of Southern Qi; it's a pity, ultimately a pity."

"I am weary; you may withdraw."

"Emperor Longqing slowly sat back upon the Dragon Throne, waving his hand at Xiao Yin."

"After kowtowing and paying his respects, Xiao Yin rose and retreated step by step from the Hall of Mental Cultivation, then turned and walked out."

"By then the sky was fully bright; sunlight poured through the clouds outside, falling upon Xiao Yin."

"Yet the sky remained thick with clouds, making this sunlight especially precious as it shone through the gaps."

"Emperor Longqing lifted his eyes, fixing a fierce stare on Xiao Yin's back; suddenly a chill rose in his heart, his gaze turning icily cold."

"Xiao Yin emerged from the Hall of Mental Cultivation and returned to the Prince Rui's residence; upon entering, Gu Jiu Ling and her entourage were already waiting in the eastern garden."

"Seeing Xiao Yin enter in official robes, his forehead already swollen and even bleeding, Gu Jiu Ling hurried forward to meet him."

"What happened? Did you get beaten at the morning audience?"

"Xiao Yin smiled helplessly, taking Gu Jiu Ling's hand: 'Let's go inside to talk.'"

"Ling Feng and Jiu Yue stood guard outside the eastern garden's warm pavilion, while Gu Jiu Ling ordered Yun Duo to fetch her medicine box."

"Xiao Yin sat upright in a chair as Gu Jiu Ling opened her medicine box to treat his forehead wound."

"Gu Jiu Ling couldn't help cursing: 'What a wretch, needing stitches— that old bastard struck with real viciousness.'"

"Upon hearing Gu Jiu Ling's rebuke, Xiao Yin felt his pent-up resentment dissipate; he smiled and said, 'Princess Consort, mind your language— be a bit more refined.'"

"'Refined my ass!' Gu Jiu Ling fumed, 'You've smashed someone into this state and you still laugh— does it hurt?'"

"Xiao Yin raised his brows slightly; a hint of warmth touched his peerless handsome face— finally someone had brought him in to show concern, and finally someone asked if it hurt."

"'Jiu Ling, if you could kiss this prince, the wound would cease to hurt.'"

"Gu Jiu Ling's hand hovered in midair, then she gave Xiao Yin a cold look, pressing a little harder— Xiao Yin truly felt the pain."

"He dared not utter another frivolous remark about her, suppressing his smile and sitting obediently while Gu Jiu Ling tended to his forehead wound."

"Gu Jiu Ling's face darkened slightly: 'Yun Duo inquired; Zuo Feichen never received the Princess Yanlan.'"

"'We don't know where this woman is now; I fear the worst.'"

"Xiao Yin's smile gradually faded, his long fingers lightly tapping the table."

"'What a pity— no clean kill. Whether this woman lives or dies, we must find her.'"

"Gu Jiu Ling's expression flickered; Xiao Yin seems rather callous, purely using Princess Yanlan as a tool to assassinate Xiao Wei."

"Yet her own heart admires Princess Yanlan deeply; perhaps she and Xiao Yin belong to different eras."

"She did not regard that living girl as a mere tool; she was a pitiful maiden who, expending her last breath, dealt Xiao Wei a heavy blow— truly a heroine among women, a female warrior."

"'Your Highness, I have already sent Zuo Feichen with men to search.'"

"'Your people had better stay out of sight these days; the emperor will surely be watching you, so I'll handle this.'"

"Xiao Yin turned his face toward the woman beside him, his heart giving a slight jolt."

"From the very start she clung to his thigh among thousands, seeking his protection; who would have thought that in just half a year she would become his strongest right and left hand."

"Xiao Yin himself felt an inexplicable reliance on Gu Jiu Ling, thinking he could hardly do without this woman now."

"Xiao Yin raised his hand to grasp Gu Jiu Ling's: 'Thank you, Princess Consort.'"

"As the night deepened, news of Xiao Wei spread through Shang Jing, with many of its citizens whispering about it."

"The officers of the Five City Military Command went house to house searching and arresting, leaving all of Shang Jing somewhat restless."

"All kinds of emotions flooded the streets; no one knows how many must die to quell this chaos after the third prince's incident."

"Especially the brothels along the Imperial River have all been shut down."

"Even the grandest Ping Red House could not escape; its patrons who came for flower wine have vanished, each waiting anxiously."

"The scandal-ridden Yunciang Pavilion seemed to have vanished from Shang Jing entirely— only an old procuress was caught, the rest having fled."

"That old procuress, sniffling, said she had merely bought a woman, never expecting to bring home an assassin."

"The woman's origins are unknown; when the trafficker brought her here, she found the price quoted by that trafficker relatively cheap."

"This old procuress is no stranger to such wicked deeds; the other madams still retain some scruples, refusing to buy girls of unknown background."

"After all, some kidnappers specialize in abducting children from good families, spiriting them from hundreds of li away to sell in the capital, having committed untold heinous acts that plunge countless families into disaster."

The madam of Fragrant Herb Pavilion had harmed not a few girls under her; this time she was completely ruined in the hands of Miss Qiu Shui.

On the first day after entering prison, she was beaten until she no longer looked human, and she couldn't even speak of Miss Qiu Shui's background; it was clear she would be executed after autumn, becoming a scapegoat.