Chapter 258: with translation of chapter title

The news quickly reached Gu Jiu Ling at Rui Wangfu.

Gu Jiu Ling was leaning on the soft couch, holding a storybook to read, while Jiu Yue gently pounded her leg beside her.

As the pregnancy progressed, Gu Jiu Ling's legs became severely swollen; aside from strolling in the rear garden, breathing fresh air, and basking in the sun to supplement calcium, she hardly went out at all.

Just yesterday, Zuo Feichen also returned to Shang Jing, but he only had someone deliver a letter and did not come to Rui Wangfu to see Gu Jiu Ling, as if he were avoiding something.

The scandal that erupted last time by the banks of the Imperial River made Zuo Feichen somewhat fearful of Prince Rui, dreading that a careless mistake might get him killed by Prince Rui.

At this moment, Yun Duo hurried into the warm pavilion, with Jinzhi following behind her.

Except for when she returned to her natal home, Jinzhi had eaten the return-home banquet separately at Rui Wangfu and the An family, and after that she never came back.

Seeing Jinzhi's face look somewhat wan, Gu Jiu Ling hastily sat up.

She actually knew that Jinzhi had come to see her this time because of Zhao Lang's matter.

She never expected that Zhao Lang would actually cut down all the persimmon trees belonging to the Qin family in Shang Jing, and even move those persimmons to the general's residence.

Even now, Gu Jiu Ling finds it somewhat unbelievable; this is not the mindset a normal adult should have, it carries a touch of childishness.

However, after hearing Jiu Yue recount the whole story, she felt both angry and amused, and at the same time felt relieved for Jinzhi.

For a man to go to such lengths for Jinzhi, it must be true love.

Jinzhi stepped forward and paid her respects to Gu Jiu Ling; Gu Jiu Ling quickly took hold of her arm, then ordered Jiu Yue to bring over a stool.

Jinzhi gestured to Gu Jiu Ling, then took out a notebook and hastily wrote something on it, after which she presented it with both hands before Gu Jiu Ling.

It turned out that, in his fury, the Emperor had sent Zhao Lang to the Ministry of Justice prison; the Zhao family had already fallen into utter chaos.

Madame Zhao had just recovered from a serious illness, but this fright knocked her down again.

Jinzhi knew she should not trouble Gu Jiu Ling, but for Zhao Lang she had no choice but to come begging, face flushed.

After reading what Jinzhi had written, Gu Jiu Ling lifted her hand and tightly gripped Jinzhi's hand, smiling reassuringly: 'Don't be afraid; I will go find your sworn brother shortly.'

"Zhao Lang, after all, has military merits; now is a tumultuous autumn, and the Emperor's decision was merely made in anger—he will not really drag your husband out to be executed. So please return home and wait for my news."

"My body is not feeling well now; I will wait until I have delivered the child in my belly."

"Doctor Zuo has already found several medicines to treat your face and voice; only the most crucial medicinal guide is missing. Once everything is settled, I will help you heal your facial injury and then your voice; in short, your days will improve, so you need not be too sorrowful."

Gu Jiu Ling spoke a few more comforting words, then ordered Jiu Yue to pack some medicinal herbs and tonics for Jinzhi to take back to her mother-in-law.

Furthermore, she instructed Jinzhi to tell Madame Zhao that the people of the general's residence have this time offended the Duan family, and even more so the Qin family.

She told the Zhao family members to stay inside the residence for these few days if they have nothing to do, avoid causing any further trouble, and wait for her news.

Gu Jiu Ling tires easily, so Jinzhi did not dare take up too much of her time; after chatting a while longer, she then rose to leave.

Yet with a thud, she knelt before Gu Jiu Ling.

"What are you doing? Get up quickly!" Gu Jiu Ling exclaimed, a little flustered.

Jinzhi lifted her eyes and stared steadily at Gu Jiu Ling, then knocked her head three times with a dong-dong-dong sound.

This is her plea to Gu Jiu Ling on behalf of Zhao Lang; she simply cannot speak, and she feels she owes Gu Jiu Ling layer upon layer of kindness.

If she cannot repay in this life, she can only wait for the next life to serve as an ox or horse to repay the debt.

Gu Jiu Ling ordered someone to send Jinzhi away.

Having dressed herself, she headed toward the front courtyard to Xiao Yin's study.

These past few days Xiao Yin has been very busy, though I do not know what he is busy with.

Gu Jiu Ling never interferes in Xiao Yin's affairs; these days she has rarely seen him come to see her.

Supported by Jiu Yue, she hurried to Xiao Yin's study, only to find that Xiao Yin had not yet returned.

Gu Jiu Ling sat in the study for a while; not long after, Xiao Yin entered, saw Gu Jiu Ling sitting in his chair with her head lowered, flipping through the military texts he had stored.

Xiao Yin's face twitched slightly; he hurried over, took the military book from Gu Jiu Ling's hand, ruffled her hair, and softly laughed: 'What made you decide to come sit here?'

"If you want to see me, just send someone to say so; the walk from your Peach Blossom Pavilion to my eastern estate is already some distance, tiring you out."

"Or else, simply move over here."

Gu Jiu Ling's heart jumped; Xiao Yin had more than once suggested she move to Dongye.

Gu Jiu Ling always had a hurdle in her heart that she could not get past.

She always felt that living together with Xiao Yin in complete harmony was not yet the right time; although she also liked this man, the child in her womb was unclear and ambiguous, and she had some matters to sort out first.

She gave a light smile and let the matter pass.

"Jinzhi came to see me today."

Xiao Yin slightly raised his neck; Gu Jiu Ling lifted her hand to help him undo the knot at his collar.

As usual, Xiao Yin bowed his body, almost squatting before Gu Jiu Ling, so she could reach out easily without tiring herself.

Gu Jiu Ling helped Xiao Yin unfasten the knot, then took off his cloak and placed it aside.

Xiao Yin sat beside Gu Jiu Ling, and a maidservant brought up hot tea.

Xiao Yin had just returned from the government office, his body still wrapped in a severe chill; after sipping tea he felt much more comfortable, and then he softly laughed: 'That girl is probably here because of Zhao Lang.'

"As expected, a married woman cannot stay at her natal home; she has only been married a few days and already speaks up for Zhao Lang's side—truly unpromising."

Gu Jiu Ling hurriedly said: 'I do not know what the Emperor means by detaining Zhao Lang.'

Xiao Yin gave a cold laugh: 'There is no particular meaning; it is merely to give the Qin family some face.'

"Zhao Lang's actions are excessive; he directly ruined those many persimmon groves, and even used troops from the Southern Great Camp—all for a private matter, which he admits without shame."

"However, the Duan family side has rallied many people to submit petitions claiming Zhao Lang used soldiers for personal profit, contending with the people for gain, and that without a heavy punishment the public anger cannot be appeased."

Gu Jiu Ling's face changed slightly: 'Aren't those orchards all planted by the Qin family?'

"Furthermore, if it were not for the Second Qin Lady's insolent words toward Jinzhi, constantly provoking her, how could Zhao Lang have become so furious?"

"This Duan family is clearly repaying private grievances with public action; originally it was just a quarrel between young lovers, but now it has been blown up to a matter of national interest—perhaps this cannot be settled peacefully; what do you think we should do?"

Xiao Yin pondered for a moment, then said slowly: 'If I were to handle it, I would also submit a memorial tomorrow.'

"This matter must absolutely not be lenient; not only should he be severely punished, but he should be punished even more severely—best to drag Zhao Lang out and execute him, to avenge those cut-down persimmon trees."

Gu Jiu Ling was momentarily speechless, and she lifted her head to look at Xiao Yin in disbelief.

"Prince, are you trying to add fuel to the fire?"

Xiao Yin put down his teacup, seized Gu Jiu Ling's hand, and laughed softly: "If the Duan family were to do this adding-fuel-to-the-fire thing, then it would truly be adding fuel to the fire."

"If I, Xiao Yin, were to do it, then it would be pouring water."

"Nowadays, Zhao Lang's influence in the military is growing ever greater; if at this critical juncture I propose to kill Zhao Lan, what do you think the emperor would think?"