Chapter 303: with translation of chapter title

Gu Cheng tightly bound Gu Huai's waist belt to the prison bars, then dragged over the corpse he had just strangled, which had not yet softened.

He then slipped a rope around Gu Huai's neck, staging it to look like Gu Huai had committed suicide out of fear of punishment, and only then slowly walked out of the prison.

Not far away, the two night watchmen looked somewhat flustered.

They were two loners, insignificant nails that Gu Cheng had planted in the Ministry of Justice's great prison, yet they played a crucial role at this critical point.

Gu Sheng raised his hand and lightly patted the two old men's shoulders; the two old men trembled slightly all over, and the faint aura of evil emanating from the head of the Gu family made them feel afraid.

This time you two did well.

Gu Cheng pulled out a large handful of banknotes from his bosom, divided them into two portions, and handed them to the two jailers.

The two jailers thanked him profusely, hid the silver Gu Cheng had given them, and then headed toward Gu Huai's cell.

Not long after, when the shift changed here, a shocking piece of news arrived.

The news of Gu Huai's suicide out of fear of punishment spread instantly, and even those outside felt a twinge of guilt, after all he was a scholar.

He still cared about saving face; he would rather hang himself than stand on the execution ground, have his clothes stripped, and be sliced with three thousand six hundred cuts.

Gu Cheng walked out of the Ministry of Justice's great prison, exited through the east side gate, and got into an inconspicuous carriage.

The two guards stood respectfully outside the carriage, but they heard Gu Cheng's icy voice slowly emanating from inside.

Go find people, like those two jailers...

Gu Sheng's carriage quickly sped into the night.

At the Rui Wang Fu's Peach Blossom Pavilion, Gu Jiu Ling hurried in, wrapped in a cloak.

Jiu Yue had just lifted the curtain of the warm pavilion when Gu Jiu Ling's steps faltered slightly, only to discover that Xiao Yin had already been waiting in the warm pavilion for some time.

'Your Highness, aren't you asleep yet?' Gu Jiu Ling said as she entered, taking off the cloak that had gathered the cold outside.

Xiao Yin pulled her to sit beside the bed, raised his hand, and tightly gripped her hand.

Gu Jiu Ling's hand was instantly enveloped in his warm large hand; a warmth rose in her heart, and she lifted her head to smile at Xiao Yin.

But she noticed Xiao Yin's face looked somewhat wan, perhaps something had happened these days that taxed him greatly.

Xiao Yin's complexion was not good; he glared at Gu Jiu Ling and said, 'Hmph! If you don't come back again, I would have thought you were going to live at the clinic.'

Gu Jiu Ling quickly laughed and said, 'Let me tell you the good news: Doctor Wen has awakened.'

Xiao Yin furrowed his brows slightly, inwardly feeling a bit proud; his consort's medical skill was indeed impressive.

You know, Doctor Wen is so old, falling from that high a building, yet he could still be saved?

'I don't like hearing these things; you should also see whether your current body can withstand it.'

Xiao Yin said in a low voice.

'If something were to happen to you from overwork, how would I then deal with it?'

Gu Jiu Ling realized Xiao Yin was truly angry; she had been staying at the clinic these past few days.

Doctor Wen's surgery went smoothly, but given his age, postoperative care is somewhat difficult.

He also dared not be careless, constantly holding Zuo Feichen's hand in the clinic.

Today Doctor Wen finally woke up, and with the aid of the medicine slave he could even slowly sit up, which means this surgery was a complete success.

She was in a good mood and didn't mind Xiao Yin's reproach; she lifted her head and smiled, saying, 'I understand, I know you're doing this for my own good.'

'I have this under control; in fact, Zuo Feichen has been the lead surgeon all along, I merely stood aside and gave guidance.'

Xiao Yin suddenly raised his brows: 'What? Have you been spending these days with that damned Zuo fellow?'

Gu Jiu Ling froze on the spot, never expecting Xiao Yin's perspective on issues to always be so peculiar.

Zuo Feichen is Gu Kang's attending physician; although his medical skill is superb, he cannot both treat Gu Kang and help Doctor Wen recover.

She is human, not a deity; she herself must stay to observe for a few days, waiting until Doctor Wen's vital signs stabilize before leaving—could there be any problem during this period?

Gu Jiu Ling always sensed a strong vinegar smell from Xiao Yin; she quickly chuckled, grabbed his arm, leaned her whole body into his embrace, lifted her head to look at him, and asked, 'How come? Are you jealous?'

'Your Highness, what sort of nameless flying vinegar are you eating?'

Gu Jiu Ling hastily amended: 'Zuo Feichen may be excellent, but compared to Your Highness, he falls far short.'

'Your Highness is wealthy and handsome, has an interesting soul, beautiful appearance… formidable martial arts, a peerless hero of the ages.'

With a word of praise from Gu Jiu Ling, Xiao Yin's expression softened a bit, then gradually he lost himself in her compliments.

Soon the spring imperial examinations began.

After more than a month of recuperation, although the spots on Gu Kang's face could not be quickly removed, after some medicinal conditioning the scars on his face were no longer so hideous.

His leg had also mostly healed; although he still limped slightly when walking, if one didn't look closely, it would hardly be noticeable.

As Gu Jiu Ling had guessed, Doctor Wen, upon waking, related everything that had happened.

Gu Kang went from being mistakenly regarded as a lunatic who murdered Enshi, to Doctor Wen personally vindicating him and even sending a letter to Emperor Longqing.

He became the Grand Tutor to Emperor Longqing and the Crown Prince; as the imperial teacher, he nevertheless chose to live in seclusion at the foot of the mountains, leading a tranquil, carefree rural life.

He never once asked anything of His Majesty the Emperor or the Crown Prince.

This time he argued forcefully, wishing to give his newly accepted disciple Gu Kang a chance to strive for advancement at the risk of his life.

Soon, at noon, the gates of the Shang Jing examination hall slowly opened.

The Imperial Guard personally guarded the perimeter of the examination hall, and the students who had earlier rushed to the capital for the exams also brought their servants and streamed into this courtyard that decided their futures.

Gu Jiu Ling's belly was already quite large, and her due date was this month.

Since she could not personally escort Gu Kang to the examination, she sent Jiu Yue and Yun Duo, carrying the things she had bought, to take Gu Kang to the examination hall.

At the entrance of the examination hall, carriages were packed tightly together everywhere.

The spring imperial examinations were a top-tier event in Shang Jing of Southern Qi, and the great clans also placed great importance on them, vying to send their sons into the examination hall.

The scene was especially lively, yet there were also those who came alone from the localities to take the exams, making that situation appear rather shabby.

Gu Kang had long been expelled from the Gu family, and now, because of the Gu Huai affair, he and the Gu family were mortal enemies sharing an irreconcilable hatred.

He previously had only a single servant named Li Quan by his side; now Li Quan has been executed, leaving him utterly alone.

He didn't want to just arrive at the examination hall's gate and be teased by Jiu Yue and Yun Duo, who would then hand over the things Gu Jiu Ling had prepared to Gu Kang.

Gu Kang also had a green-clad boy beside him, someone Gu Jiu Ling had found for him; the boy was steady and honest.

"Second Master, these are the knee guards my master prepared for you. Also a full set of brush, ink, paper, and inkstone."

"Also there's a hand warmer; take it with you, it's cold inside the examination hall, and you can use it to keep warm in the middle of the night."

Yun Duo chattered on and on, handing over all the things the master had prepared to Gu Er Yan; the preparation was so thorough that even passing Guo Er Yan was quite surprised. He knew this was something Sister Zhang had sent him sincerely. He took the things and carefully wild beast rose up. Just as he was about to say a few words to Yun Duo and Jiu Ye, suddenly Wan Ye Chang suddenly rushed in from the side, and a crazy woman lunged at Gu Kang.