Chapter 306

Gu Jiu Ling rose and walked toward the door of the warm pavilion; Jiu Yue and Yun Duo hurriedly followed.

It was already time to light the lamps; Yun Duo hurriedly lifted a palace lantern and walked ahead to lead the way, while Jiu Yue beside her supported Gu Jiu Ling's arm.

The three master and servant said nothing, the atmosphere slightly grew heavy.

These days, I don't even know what's wrong with the Prince.

Before, Jiu Yue and the others thought the Prince treated the mistress so well, certainly not like other men who grow cold and unfaithful over time.

Even if the Prince grew tired of the mistress and wanted to take a concubine, he should at least say something!

Acting like this is no solution, and it's utterly outrageous.

The mistress is pregnant now— isn't that blatantly bullying her?

Even if we concede ten thousand steps, the mistress once saved his life.

Which household in the capital has a woman with such mettle, carrying a child in her belly, summoning people to risk life and limb in the Wuzhou gorge to save a man?

If this happened to any other noble lady in the capital, she'd probably only be able to cry and do nothing else.

Even if the Prince now finds the mistress displeasing, that is still a life‑saving kindness— how can one treat one's benefactor like this?

Gu Jiu Ling's face darkened slightly, her brows knit; today she must get to the bottom of this fellow— what's been going on these days?

Or maybe some tendon's gone twitching— she won't let good days pass, insisting on finding fault.

Gu Jiu Ling quickly arrived at the front courtyard; as she passed through the moon gate, she suddenly stopped.

She lifted her eyes in disbelief toward the front courtyard— she hadn't never been here before; in fact, she came often.

The crucial point is that Xiao Yin wants her to move over; she's pregnant, and her feelings for Xiao Yin aren't officially established— what would it mean to move in and live with him?

Unexpectedly, outside Xiao Yin's Dongyuan in the front courtyard stood many guards, mostly unfamiliar faces; their aura made them seem like no good sorts.

Gu Jiu Ling thought she knew this man well, only to discover he was essentially a stranger.

His trump cards, all he concealed— she had only been shown the tip of the iceberg.

But seeing this posture, Gu Jiu Ling also felt perhaps something had happened on Xiao Yin's side lately; he really is busy, too busy to come see her.

If so, why would she come here to invite boredom upon herself?

Gu Jiu Ling drew a breath, slowly turned, and was about to head toward the Peach Blossom Pavilion when she faintly heard from the Dongyuan study a girl's hearty laugh, along with others' chortling.

That laugh was like a dagger, instantly stabbing into Gu Jiu Ling's heart; she suddenly felt a sharp pang deep inside.

A woman?

Gu Jiu Ling then shook her head— how could there be no woman?

What kind of person is Xiao Yin?

Once the spring‑chamber dream of nearly every woman in Southern Qi, Southern Qi's war god, handsome enough to rival a heavenly deity, the nation's top idol.

That is, seven years ago he fell from the divine altar, reportedly unable to procreate, losing that function; even so, Southern Qi still had many women admiring him, until word spread of his wife‑killing reputation, after which the capital's noble ladies regarded him as a flood and ferocious beast.

After all, no matter how looks‑obsessed, love‑addled a woman is, she still thinks preserving her life comes first.

So how could the now‑risen Xiao Yin possibly lack female admirers; must one really favor her, a pregnant woman carrying another's child?

Initially they were merely cooperating and using each other; now Xiao Yin's fief has been restored, and the parasite worm ovaries in his body have been removed by her— a little medicine to sustain life is absolutely fine.

His authority now is gradually returning, his power and influence are at their zenith; why should he still need this useless princess consort tagging along?

Even the child she carries isn't his— any ordinary man couldn't tolerate that.

Given that……

Gu Jiu Ling suddenly felt a hint of bitterness pass through her heart— when exactly had she lost herself in Xiao Yin's powerful tenderness offensive?

Even she had forgotten the plan she once held firm in her heart; she never belonged to this world, and even if she cannot return to her original world, she must not become utterly lost here.

Xiao Yin is a person who does great things; he would absolutely not accommodate himself to a woman.

He is now a Prince; if this trend continues, he may yet become emperor— who knows?

As a Prince taking concubines, she must watch and endure; as an emperor with three palaces, six courts, and seventy‑two consorts, what could she do?

A trace of bitter mockery flickered in Gu Jiu Ling's eyes.

Gu Jiu Ling, Gu Jiu Ling, you really have been bewitched by beauty, to the point you can't even see the rules of this world clearly?

Upon thinking this, a cold, clear radiance burst in her gaze, and her steps quickened a bit.

Yun Duo was baffled by Gu Jiu Ling's maneuver— wasn't she going to see the Prince? Why, just arriving at the front courtyard, did she turn back?

She hurried a few steps, caught up to Gu Jiu Ling's front, and held up the lantern to light her way.

"Mistress, aren't you going to see the Prince?"

"I'll give him a hammer!" Gu Jiu Ling said coldly through clenched teeth.

From the Dongyuan reception hall came several people in tight‑fitting garb, clearly bearing a jianghu air; leading them was a gaunt middle‑aged man, though dressed plainly, the knife at his waist gave off an air of ancient, heavy killing intent.

Behind them followed a young man and woman; the youth was thin‑built yet tall, with handsome features and a steady countenance.

The girl had a touch of playful charm, lacking the coquettishness of capital noble ladies; her brows and eyes held a hint of heroism, making her a pretty, neat lass.

"Prince, once we're settled, Ying Gu still wishes to ask for pointers on your swordsmanship."

The young man laughed loudly: "Sis, you must have given up that idea— when the Prince came out of Qi Sha Gu to recuperate at our place, a single finger could have left you defenseless!"

"Don't be rude!" the middle‑aged man said, seeing his son and daughter growing increasingly insolent, and he lowered his voice to rebuke them.

Xiao Yin laughed: "Uncle Li, no need to restrain them; we haven't seen each other in a while— if it weren't for the urgent matter requiring your help to investigate, we wouldn't have put you to such trouble."

"Your family will first stay in the suburbs; I'll assign guards to protect you there, and once the capital stabilizes we'll make a final decision."

"Prince, you're too kind; I will certainly go through fire and water for you, without hesitation."

Uncle Li bowed his body and paid his respects to the Prince.

"Take your time!" Xiao Yin, rarely so respectful, returned the salute to Uncle Li.

Ling Feng, off to the side, watching this family, felt immensely grateful.

One could say that without this family risking life and limb— old and young alike— to save Xiao Yin, the grass on his grave would now be three feet high.

Originally Xiao Yin was carried out of Qi Sha Gu by General An at the cost of his own life; later General An succumbed to his severe wounds and died.

Although Xiao Yin had escaped that hell of Qi Sha Gu, the people of the Imperial Court, Bei Di, and the eight great clans all came after him.

Everyone just watched, not daring to rescue him; after all, saving someone like Xiao Yin would still be useless, for saving him would also provoke the emperor's wrath— isn't that just courting death?

Under such circumstances, a small sect from the martial world took action.