Chapter 29: then translation of chapter title

Gu Jiu Ling's single stone stirred up a thousand waves; her first move was a killing strike. By the time she returned to the Peach Blossom Pavilion of Rui Wang Fu in her carriage, the outside was already in an uproar. When Jiu Yue had finished Gu Jiu Ling's errand and returned to the Peach Blossom Pavilion, it was already lamp-lighting time; she hurried in, excitement flickering in her eyes. She had never felt this relieved before; the young lady of the Gu family had often suffered silent losses, each time enduring them. This time she truly vented her spite. "Master!"

Jiu Yue bowed to Gu Jiu Ling. Gu Jiu Ling personally poured a cup of hot tea for Jiu Yue, seeing that the girl was a bit tired from running, she thought and decided she still needed to find some thoughtful people to keep by her side; otherwise everything would fall on this girl, too exhausting, but those she keeps nearby should be few but excellent, she would look for them slowly. "How is it?"

Jiu Yue hurriedly replied: "Answering, Master!"

The Jingzhao Magistrate, Lord Qiao, naturally paid more attention to our prince's jade pendant, and with the homicide case that came up, he became even more wary; he immediately sent constables to the jewelry shop to arrest Lin Wancai.

I have already sent those people to the yamen gate; the documents filed at the litigation office have been heard, the plaintiffs have left, but for now they are not allowed to leave the city, always ready to appear in court.

I spent some money to have a few little beggars go to the Gu household to gather information; I heard that this matter is too big for Lord Qiao to cover up, and he has already memorialized the throne.

The Shangshu was scolded bloody by the emperor, and even our eldest son was scolded; right now the Shangshu is in his manor examining Lady Lin.

Jiu Yue is the person sent from the Du family to the Gu household; earlier there was another batch that Lady Lin dealt with, and Gu Jiu Ling herself was too soft‑hearted to protect that batch. Only Jiu Yue stayed behind, living poorly, feeling stifled. Now Gu Jiu Ling has gotten back on her feet, and Jiu Yue has lifted her spirits a great deal; this girl handles affairs exceptionally reliably, every matter clear and well‑grasped. Gu Jiu Ling laughed and gave her a few silver ingots. The aristocratic families of Shang Jing secretly take out their surplus money to put into private lending; this has become a secret that cannot be made public, though not as extreme as what Lady Lin did. She is just too arrogant, which is why Gu Jiu Ling caught her braid. Moreover, Qiao Songyue has always been at odds with his father politically, belonging to different factions; now seeing an opening in the Lin family, how could he not take advantage? But Lord Qiao never imagined that this trap was sent to him by Gu Shijie's daughter; that is also interesting. Now the emperor knows, and this can no longer be covered up. After all, it involves many great clans; the emperor cannot possibly lift the lid completely, but whether Lady Lin fares well depends on her fate. "Has Li Qiaoer been brought?"

Gu Jiu Ling asked, "I have her waiting outside."

Jiu Yue replied, and following Gu Jiu Ling's instructions she turned and went out, bringing Li Qiaoer in. Li Qiaoer had never entered such a large residence; this time she was so nervous her face turned pale, she stepped in cautiously and with a thud knelt before Gu Jiu Ling: "This commoner kowtows to the Princess Consort, thank you for the Princess Consort's life‑saving grace!"

She was forced by Lin Wancai to lose her family and home, but fortunately the Princess Consort of Rui saved her. "Get up," Gu Jiu Ling looked at Li Qiaoer; indeed her appearance was fine, actually not inferior to those aristocratic young ladies, only she was too thin, seeming malnourished, with some bruise‑purple marks on her wrists. Even when appearing in court, plaintiffs also have to suffer a bit—this is the custom at the yamen gate. "How old are you?"

Gu Jiu Ling asked with a smile. Li Qiaoer hurriedly bowed and replied: "In reply to the Princess Consort, this commoner is sixteen years old."

Gu Jiu Ling silently cursed Lin Wancai as that old beast; a man over fifty still wants to eat tender grass and harm a young girl, causing the death of her father and brother. That beast deserves to die! "Is there anyone else at home? What are your plans for the future?"

Li Qiaoer's eyes instantly reddened, with a hint of a sobbing tone she said: "In reply to the Princess Consort, my family moved to Jing Cheng some years ago; my brother and father are florists who plant flowers for others, my mother died early, and these years I have just saved a little money to prepare for my brother's marriage, but……" She choked up, unable to speak: "……It is…… it is I who have implicated my father and brother; after this matter is settled, I will become a nun."

Gu Jiu Ling frowned, sighed, and said: "Young lady, remember this: being beautiful is not your fault; the fault lies with those bastard scoundrels!"

"Those people don't regard the poor as human; seeing you look good, they demand you submit, or they kill your whole family if you refuse—why should you bear the cost? The cost should be theirs!"

"What? In this world, a woman who is good‑looking still can't go out?"

Li Qiaoer and Jiu Yue stood there stunned; the Princess Consort of Rui's viewpoint was something they had never heard growing up. Parents constantly said, "Girls are trouble; they must behave properly, and even if men flirt or molest them, it's the girl's fault for not cherishing herself." It was unexpected that the Princess Consort's words differed so much from what their parents taught. Gu Jiu Ling took out the previously prepared contract and handed it to Li Qiaoer: "If you are the only one left in your family, you will work for me."

"You are not my home‑born servant or slave; there is no servitude contract, only this agreement. First look it over; if you think it's suitable, sign it and press your thumbprint."

"Those two shops will be returned to them; when that happens, you will help me oversee them first."

"Princess Consort?"

Li Qiaoer's eyes widened in disbelief as she stared at Gu Jiu Ling, as if she were hallucinating. Gu Jiu Ling smiled at her and said: "I see you are capable today, but your courage still needs practice; tomorrow I will find you a female tutor so you can start learning literacy and accounting, study well—I keep you to work for me, and I do not support idlers. Do you understand?"

"I understand, maid!"

Li Qiaoer knelt down and repeatedly kowtowed to Gu Jiu Ling. Gu Jiu Ling is her reborn benefactor; she would be willing to sacrifice herself for her. Gu Jiu Ling nodded: "I originally wanted to take you into my personal service, but then I thought keeping you outside to help me watch things is also a good choice."

"Go rest first; you don't need to return to your family's old residence, be careful of those people taking revenge on you."

"I bought a residence at the magpie‑bridge street corner; you will live there from now on, help me watch over the residence, and do not tell anyone that the residence is mine."

Li Qiaoer quickly agreed; this time she had no other thoughts, only wanting to serve her benefactor, doing whatever the benefactor asked. "Go!"

Gu Jiu Ling waved her hand; Li Qiaoer kowtowed again before rising and withdrawing. Jiu Yue gazed at her mistress's tranquil, pretty face, feeling immense admiration—treating Li Qiaoer this way meant gaining another capable confidante. Suddenly the sound of maidservants saluting came from outside; Jiu Yue hurriedly walked to the door and lifted the curtain, and Xiao Yin in a dark‑blue brocade robe entered. Gu Jiu Ling hadn't expected him to return so late; instead of resting, he came straight to the Peach Blossom Pavilion. She felt a shift in her thoughts, smiled, stepped forward, and helped him take off his outer cloak. He is tall, so Gu Jiu Ling had to tiptoe, which took some effort. Jiu Yue quickly withdrew and outside ordered the maidservants to prepare food, warm water, etc. "Has the Prince returned?"

Gu Jiu Ling draped his cloak over a rack to one side. Xiao Yin leaned back in the chair, his expression somewhat weary; these past few days he's been frantically busy, but no matter how busy he is, he always ends up wanting to sit a while in the Peach Blossom Pavilion. He isn't the type to be fond of women, yet he likes sitting here with Gu Jiu Ling, smelling the faint medicinal scent in her room, and his heart feels considerably calmer. Gu Jiu Ling brought tea and handed it to Xiao Yin, not expecting his wrist to be tightly gripped by him. Xiao Yin raised an eyebrow, a deep, meaningful smile in his peach-blossom eyes, staring steadily at her: "Princess Consort, did you take grandfather's jade token to the Governor of Jingzhao today?"

Gu Jiu Ling's heart skipped a beat; could it be that he's angry? Xiao Yin curled his lips in a smile: "Is grandfather's thing usable?"