Chapter 287: Mr. Wen Is a Pawn

Xiao Ting looked at Gu Jiu Ling as if she were an idiot.

What medicine is Gu Jiu Ling selling from her gourd? She clearly saved Mr. Wen but won't let him in to see, instead detaining him here to talk about her brother Gu Kang's matter.

Xiao Ting's phoenix eyes slowly narrowed, his whole body exuded a dangerous aura, the majesty of the Southern Qi Crown Prince burst forth instantly, he wished to crush this woman who didn't know the immensity of heaven and earth into powder.

Gu Jiu Ling, having transmigrated here, has been frightened since childhood; every step is a shock, and she doesn't know how many storms and tempests their family's Prince has experienced.

Do you think the aura from this little chick can scare her back? Not a chance!

Gu Jiu Ling smiled and said, "Tonight I will keep Mr. Wen alive, but I also must keep my brother alive; this is not up for discussion."

"In other words, if my brother lives, Mr. Wen lives; Crown Prince, you should understand what I mean, right?"

Xiao Ting widened his eyes in disbelief, looked at the woman before him, her eyebrows slightly raised, and finally figured out what she intended to do.

Even after seeing what Gu Jiu Ling intended, Xiao Ting still found it unbelievable.

He never expected this woman to be so scheming, even the current grand imperial tutor, the pitiful Mr. Wen, would be used by her as a pawn in her calculations.

"You... you make way for this Prince!"

Xiao Ting seemed to have no other recourse but threats and coercion.

But the woman before him fears nothing more than threats and coercion; Gu Jiu Ling finally breathed a sigh of relief.

She was worried Xiao Ting wouldn't fall for her trap, but seeing him now take the bait like a cute fish, her hastily devised plan is already half-successful.

Gu Jiu Ling curled the corner of her lips into a bright smile; that smile made Xiao Ting's gaze flicker slightly.

Immediately his gaze darted away in panic; the woman's smile was too radiant and beautiful, reminding him of a winter afternoon.

He couldn't think further; she was no longer his.

"Speak! What are the conditions?"

"But Gu Jiu Ling, you're taking yourself too seriously; you hold a knife to your own throat, even if you kill yourself, what could that do to me, Xiao Ting?"

Gu Jiu Ling looked at the steaming sheep's head in the sand pot before her, her eyes turned blue, her mouth still stubborn, and she burst out laughing: "Crown Prince, if I really get hurt, bumped, or bruised in front of you today, do you think my family's Prince will let you off?"

"Now the succession struggle has reached a white-hot stage; if at this time you offend a madman, what chance do you think you have?"

"Now Xiao Wei has become a eunuch, the Sixth Prince is overly refined and not to be feared, the other princes are just brats, none can threaten your status as Crown Prince."

"This is precisely your prime, Xiao Ting; one misstep now means every step will be a mistake."

"Therefore you must not show any flaw on yourself; once that flaw is magnified by others, it becomes a sword aimed at your heart."

"Mr. Wen is your imperial tutor and also the emperor's teacher; such an important figure, if any mishap occurs to him in your hands today, do you think you can still keep your position as heir apparent?"

Xiao Ting's face changed slightly.

Gu Jiu Ling snorted coldly and laughed: "If I am injured, I certainly cannot continue to save Mr. Wen inside; Mr. Wen probably won't survive tonight."

"Weigh it: if this knife really pierces my neck, do you think you can bear the ensuing consequences?"

"Besides, do you like me or not? Do you regret it or not? This regret is somewhat heart-wrenching."

Xiao Ting's eyes widened instantly, feeling as if he had seen a ghost, he stared fixedly at Gu Jiu Ling's radiant smiling face, never expecting there to be such a shamelessly brazen person in the world.

"Actually, in front of an outsider man, questioning whether people like her, she really is……"

Xiao Ting's heart jolted violently, his face turning even more unsightly.

"Ha!" Gu Jiu Ling laughed, moving the dagger in her hand back and forth over her pure white neck, as if trying to find where to stab.

Gu Jiu Ling's state made Xiao Ting's heart race; he hastily raised his hand and said mysteriously, "Enough, let's discuss your terms—how can we peacefully get through tonight?"

Gu Jiu Ling finally put down the dagger in her hand, then stared steadily at the Crown Prince before her: "Crown Prince, it's simple—I want you to help me perform a play tonight; I guarantee you'll see a grand show."

"What do you mean? Explain further." Xiao Ting felt as if his vital point had been seized and manipulated, and this was by a woman he once looked down upon.

Gu Jiu Ling weighed the dagger in her hand, chuckled lightly, and said: "Please have the Crown Prince send out word that Mr. Wen has been rescued by me; these chambers are a bit damp, so he needs to be moved to the front courtyard's great hall where the air is fresher and less stuffy."

Xiao Ting's brows knotted tightly; what a lame excuse.

"Fine, I agree, but Mr. Wen really can't withstand this ordeal."

Gu Jiu Ling waved her hand: "No problem, I'll handle this matter."

"This news must be spread, and you, Your Highness, must personally guard in the front courtyard's Qian Ting, giving the impression that Mr. Weng is lying there in the Qian Ting."

Xiao Ting found her words absurd and didn't want to engage, but after glancing at the pen clenched in Gu Jiu Ling's hand, he still responded.

Gu Jiu Ling added softly: "However, after the Crown Prince has guarded Mr. Wen for a while, he will tell those around him he's tired and wants to rest in the back courtyard."

"Just let your people relax their defenses a bit, expose a few loopholes, and we'll wait to catch the mice."

Xiao Ting, capable of becoming Crown Prince, is no fool; hearing this, he instantly understood Gu Jiu Ling's meaning.

This is to seize the opportunity to catch the real murderer and arsonist, and this play must be supported by Xiao Ting himself.

Under heaven, if Gu Jiu Ling takes flight, I'm afraid no woman could move him.

But the woman before him is Gu Jiu Ling, and Xiao Ting actually cannot refute her idea.

As for Gu Kang, life or death makes no difference to him, but Xiao Ting truly wants to know which damned scoundrel dared to lay hands on his Mr. Wen.

"Fine, I agree, but I need to see Mr. Wen first—who knows what medicine you're selling from your gourd?"

Gu Jiu Ling laughed: "Tsk! Crown Prince, didn't we already agree on that?"

"Use Mr. Wen to exchange for my own younger brother."

"If I let you see Mr. Wen this time, and you then refuse my earlier demand, wouldn't I lose the wife and lose the troops? How could we renege on an agreement? Don't you agree?"

Xiao Ting coldly gazed at the woman before him with a blossoming smile, gritted his teeth, and still stepped back a pace.

Gu Jiu Ling, this woman, after marrying Xiao Yin, has become completely crazy.

This couple are just lunatics.

He also wouldn't dare risk his fate and future with this woman, but all around are Xiao Ting's people; if Mr. Wen really encounters any mishap, this woman won't be able to escape far.