Chapter 291

The sky was already bright, and the case of Mr. Wen's murder, which had caused an uproar throughout Shang Jing, finally had all the witnesses and evidence gathered in the Hall of Justice.

No one knows who spread the rumor, but it said that the Gu family's Second Master, who had been expelled, had not changed his nature, repaid kindness with hatred, and over a few taels of silver had actually taken his benefactor's life.

Others claimed the killer was someone else, that it was a misunderstanding.

For a while, opinions ran wild, and with the noisy students returning from Nan Shan Shu Yuan, it happened to be the time of the spring examinations, making this topic especially sensitive.

Some even whispered in private that it was done by someone from the Gu family, because they saw Gu Kang rarely gaining Mr. Wen's favor, which aroused the jealousy of the two young masters of the Gu family and bred hatred.

This news also took root and sprouted like bamboo shoots after rain in Shang Jing's public opinion, and it grew rapidly.

The carriage headed toward the Ministry of Punishments, and inside came Gu Jiu Ling's faint breathing as she slept lightly.

Jiu Yue told the driver to go slower; she truly felt pity for her mistress, whose unborn child was already far along, yet she still had to run about.

A soft tapping came from the carriage wall; Jiu Yue hastily lifted the curtain, glanced back at the sleeping Gu Jiu Ling, and made a silent gesture to Yun Duo, who was riding outside and following.

Yun Duo quickly lowered her voice: 'Elder Sister Jiu Yue, following the mistress's earlier orders, I have already bribed the loafers in those teahouses and taverns.'

Now the news about Gu Huai has already spread.

Jiu Yue nodded: 'I understand; I will report back after the mistress wakes up a little later.'

Yun Duo nodded, about to urge the horse forward, but the voices of the two still woke the sleeping Gu Jiu Ling.

Hearing the two maidservants' voices, she could not sleep any longer and slowly sat up.

She had fallen asleep in the carriage on the way back because she had stayed up all night catching dark spirits, utterly exhausted.

Hearing the two maidservants' voices, she could not sleep any longer and slowly sat up.

Jiu Yue hurriedly supported Gu Jiu Ling, placed a pillow at her waist for her to lean on, then poured a cup of warm honey water and handed it to her.

Gu Jiu Ling drank it in one gulp and immediately felt much better.

Yun Duo also dismounted, lifted the carriage curtain, climbed inside, and related everything Gu Jiu Ling had instructed.

"Report to the mistress! This time, the Gu family's Third Master may not be able to stay seated!"

"The Gu family bribed students, while we have bribed silver-tongued storytellers, singers, and idlers."

"If we really compare, theirs surely can't match ours!"

Having followed Gu Jiu Ling, Yun Duo has also gained experience, and now handles affairs more steadily.

Gu Jiu Ling nodded, the corners of her mouth turning up with a hint of coldness: "You want to play public opinion games with me? I'll argue you to death!"

"Come on! Let's go to the Ministry of Punishments to find the Prince!"

Soon the carriage stopped in front of the Ministry of Punishments' office, where the Crown Prince's ceremonial guard had already been stationed.

Minister Qian and the others had already come out to greet and escort the Crown Prince inside.

But just as they had taken their seats, Princess Consort of Rui also entered.

Everyone looked at the pregnant woman, each feeling a bit of a headache.

Minister Qian and the others hastily rose; although Gu Jiu Ling was a troublemaker, her status as Princess Consort of Rui meant they had to give Prince Rui some face.

"Good health, Princess Consort!" Minister Qian, together with the Crown Prince and others, all rose and bowed to Gu Jiu Ling.

Gu Jiu Ling smiled, lightly supported the officials, then smiled and asked: "Minister Qian, I don't know how my lord the Prince..."

Minister Qian's eyes twitched; he still had the nerve to ask about her lord the Prince?

Having been fed and lodged well in the death cell for a whole night, even though they took turns begging for release, they couldn't get him out, forcing them to spend the night in the jail keeping Xiao Yin company.

That place, that stench—I don't know how the noble Prince Rui could endure it.

Although Minister Qian was immensely dissatisfied, he dared not speak, forcing a smile: "The Prince understands the people's sentiments; he and we... we discussed the case all night without rest."

"Someone! Go fetch Prince Rui! Tell him the Princess Consort summons him!"

The bailiff hurriedly walked toward the rear prison of the Ministry of Punishments; shortly afterward, Xiao Yin, reeking and spirited, slowly emerged.

Gu Jiu Ling saw Xiao Yin's eyes, slightly bluish from lack of rest, and felt a pang of guilt.

This time it was entirely because of her brother that he got dragged into this.

She hurried forward to meet him, but Xiao Yin beat her to it, grabbing her wrist, examining her up and down, seeing she was unharmed, and then relaxed.

He looked visibly exhausted, having worried about Gu Jiu Ling all night, nearly driven mad.

Several times he wanted to abandon Gu Kang and go to Nan Shan Shu Yuan to find Gu Jiu Ling, but feared disturbing her overall plan.

He truly understood what it felt like for days to seem like years; seeing his wife return safe and sound, the weight on his heart finally lifted.

"My brother..." Gu Jiu Ling asked in a low voice.

"He's alive! Let the man surnamed Zuo tell you the details!"

Gu Jiu Ling then noticed that behind Xiao Yin followed a timid Zuo Feichen.

Zuo Feichen had always given her the impression of a refined, otherworldly gentleman like flowing waters and lofty mountains, but now he had acquired a few degrees of timid awkwardness.

She furrowed her brows, suspiciously glancing at Xiao Yin.

Xiao Yin gave a soft snort: "I, the Prince, have done nothing; Xiao Zuo, what have I done to you?"

Xiao Yin slowly turned to look at Zuo Feichen, who instantly felt as if his soul had been sucked out.

He somewhat understood how vengeful Xiao Yin could be; last time, because of his expedient scheme and the Princess Consort's leaking of words that shouldn't have been spoken, he had nearly been flayed alive by Xiao Yin.

He waved his hands repeatedly: "The Prince is benevolent and looks after me especially; I am deeply grateful."

Gu Jiu Ling's eyes twitched; how could those words sound so hypocritical?

She couldn't bother with anything else and asked softly: "How is the Second Master?"

Zuo Feichen replied: "In response to the Princess Consort, the Second Master's leg injury is severe, but following the method you previously taught me, his bones have been set; he just needs time to recover."

Gu Jiu Ling nodded: "This time, can he participate in the interrogation hall trial?"

The Ministry of Punishments also has its own rules; Gu Jiu Ling will do her utmost to protect him, but the hall trial depends on him himself, and she doesn't know if he can endure it.

A hint of regret crossed Zuo Feichen's face: "The person is alive; for a while, participating in the interrogation as long as he isn't tortured, he can manage, but..."