Chapter 308: Regretting the Cooperation

Ling Feng's deafening, ear‑splitting sound assaulted Xiao Yin's ears, Xiao Yin's complexion changed in an instant, he opened his mouth but still didn't utter a single word.

Ling Feng let out a thud and knelt before Xiao Yin, inhaled and said, "Prince, I have spoken out of turn; please punish me!"

Ling Feng crawled before Xiao Yin; Xiao Yin stayed silent for a long while, gritting his teeth and staring intently at the prostrate Ling Feng, and after a long moment a cold word finally slipped from his thin lips: "Get lost!"

Ling Feng's body trembled slightly, he rose slowly and retreated backward out of the Warm Pavilion.

Xiao Yin stood by the window, slapped the table hard, and the tea cup on the table toppled to the floor, shattering into pieces.

He let out a heavy sigh, and a hint of desolation flickered in his eyes.

Although he was unwilling to admit it, deep down he knew Ling Feng was right; he was not alone, he bore a sea of blood‑deep hatred.

He knew all the mistakes were caused by Du Laoyezi, yet his heart favored this woman; he wanted to protect her fully, but the brothers behind him might not be able to endure.

When the time came, he would be caught between the brothers and the woman—what should he do?

He would have to abandon either the brothers or the woman, because the mistake Du Laoyezi committed was too great, unforgivable, leaving no room for any compromise.

He felt a suffocating frustration, rose and left the Warm Pavilion; Ling Feng waited outside, and when he saw his master emerge, he hurried to follow, only to be shoved aside by Xiao Yin. He now just wanted to be alone in peace.

Xiao Yin kept walking and, subconsciously, passed through the woods to the outside of Peach Blossom Pavilion.

It was already deep night; in the courtyard of Peach Blossom Pavilion, all the lamps were out except those along the corridor.

Occasionally a light footstep echoed, along with the low murmurs of night‑duty maids and old women.

Xiao Yin found his feet could not take another step; his inner conflict had reached its peak.

He even regretted ever entertaining the idea of cooperating with Gu Jiu Ling; had those recent days not occurred, he might have completely eradicated the bloodline Du Laoyezi left behind.

Then he would use the blood of this brother‑sister pair to sacrifice for his dead brothers!

But now he cannot bring himself to act; not only could he not kill Gu Jiu Ling, even Gu Kang now fears Gu Jiu Ling and cannot act.

He cannot even drive Gu Jiu Ling out of Rui Wang Fu.

His mind roared wildly; he wanted to go in and see her, even if just for a glance.

To look at her bright face, eat the dishes she cooked, and squeeze onto a single bed with her.

She flips through her notebook, he studies his military treatise, and they occasionally spar with words, usually ending with his defeat.

This woman always spouts many twisted arguments; her unheard‑of rhetoric makes one feel both surprised and intrigued.

Xiao Yin sighed; he now needed to calm down, to think how to handle his relationship with Gu Jiu Ling.

How could he find a balance between the two, and how could those wronged souls find peace?

Xiao Yin decided to leave Jing Cheng for a few days; he had some matters to attend to.

During these days, he secretly set up a camp in the outskirts, training death soldiers and his own personal guard.

He had indeed found Du Family Patriarch as the leading big brother, but Emperor Longqing, Ning An Imperial Concubine, and the Eight Great Families were all inescapable.

Come to think of it, Du Laoyezi was merely a tool used by these people.

Xiao Yin turned and left Peach Blossom Pavilion; he had never been so passive since emerging alive from Qi Sha Gu, and now he even carried a hint of avoidance.

The nine‑day Spring Examination period passed quickly; the gates of the Tribute Academy opened, and aristocratic families from Shang Jing dispatched people to retrieve their scholars from the academy.

Gu Kang naturally sent someone on Gu Jiu Ling's behalf to fetch him; Yun Duo led a few attendants and brought Gu Kang to the Peach Blossom Pavilion of the Wangfu.

Midway, Gu Kang stubbornly refused to go directly to the Wangfu, insisting on detouring to Huichun Hall to cleanse himself and change clothes before coming to Rui Wang Fu to pay respects to his elder sister.

Gu Jiu Ling looked at his brother before him, whose cheeks were almost sunken, so thin he seemed to have lost his face, and his brows furrowed slightly.

The ancient imperial examinations differed from today's system; eating, drinking, relieving oneself all occurred within the Tribute Academy, coupled with an intense exam pace and harsh conditions.

Although it is now the beginning of spring, a lingering cold snap makes the weather chill, freezing the hand that holds the brush so it cannot open.

In such conditions, with wave after wave of exams over nine days, surviving is already a great fortune.

Moreover, Gu Kang's wounds had not healed cleanly, making his complexion appear extremely gaunt.

"Elder sister, this time's topic indeed concerns reforms of state affairs! Thank you earlier for the reminder!"

Gu Kang sincerely appreciated Gu Jiu Ling; last time he helped him analyze that this Spring Examination might test state governance, allowing him to play to his strengths in that area.

It turned out exactly as elder sister said; this Spring Examination's topic indeed revolved around that.

He was well prepared in this regard, so this Spring Examination felt very smooth.

He rose and respectfully bowed to Gu Jiu Ling; Gu Jiu Ling's face showed a slight embarrassment, and she couldn't help but smile inwardly, thinking, "What is this? Probably a blind cat stumbling onto a dead mouse."

"Get up, we're siblings after all; no need for such courtesy—what are you doing?"

Gu Jiu Ling's words 'siblings' made Gu Kang's expression flicker, and a few tears glistened in his eyes.

Gu Jiu Ling invited Gu Kang to a meal, but Gu Kang, still thinking of Mr. Wen from Nan Shan Shu Yuan, politely declined the invitation.

Mr. Wen had an accident last time; although elder sister saved him, his body remained somewhat weakened.

These days, while taking exams in the Tribute Academy, he kept worrying about Mr. Wen, unsure how his health was recovering; now that he left the academy, his heart was already racing home.

Gu Jiu Ling could see Mr. Wen's standing in her brother's eyes, so she didn't force him to stay; after all, she and Gu Kang had many past grievances, and the siblings were still somewhat distant.

"Alright, I won't keep you."

"Jiu Yue, wrap the autumn pear syrup and give it to the Second Lord to take."

"Mr. Wen's last fire incident damaged his throat; for his cough, use this more, and Gu Kang, you should drink some too."

"These are single‑layer garments I had made; both you and your master have them. In a few days the weather will warm, so you and your master can wear them."

"These are snacks made in the small kitchen; take them back for your master to taste."

"In a few days the results will be posted; regardless of whether you pass the high level, this time you can consider yourself clear‑conscious."

Gu Kang looked at the bundles of prepared items and felt a faint warmth in his heart.

He rose, exchanged bows with Gu Jiu Ling, and the waiting attendant outside came in to take the parcels.

Gu Kang finally looked around, then turned to Gu Jiu Ling: "These days, how is brother‑in‑law?"

Gu Jiu Ling's eyes darkened slightly, her expression turned a bit awkward, and she quickly brushed it off.

"You know your brother‑in‑law has been busy lately; I haven't seen him for some days either."

I thank you on behalf of your brother-in-law for your concern.

You're tired too, just finished the exam—take a good rest.

Having said that, Gu Jiu Ling also had a calculation in mind; she didn't hold much hope that Gu Kang would succeed in the imperial examination this time.

After all, he's always been a poor student; it's impossible for him to suddenly become the top scorer, right?

She had already secured a fallback for her younger brother; even if Gu Kang fails to pass the jinshi exam, she would give him a share of her shops.

So he could also have a stable livelihood; he can't forever drift at Nan Shan Shu Yuan.

Gu Kang, however, keenly caught that hint of disappointment on Gu Jiu Ling's face; his heart skipped a beat—could it be that Prince Rui and his elder sister have some disagreement?

He didn't think much, then bade farewell to Gu Jiu Ling; not wanting to, after just walking two steps he turned back, earnestly looking at Gu Jiu Ling and said: "Elder sister, if you're not comfortable staying at the Rui Wang Fu, you can simply leave this place."

I will find a way to support elder sister.

Gu Kang said that and strode away.

Gu Jiu Ling stood there stunned, feeling as if she were being protected by a little brat.