Chapter 316

A sudden change arose; Xiao Yin hastily raised his arm to shield Gu Jiu Ling before her, yet he didn't expect it to seem somewhat superfluous.

Yun Duo behind Gu Jiu Ling had already lunged forward, the cold light of the dagger in her hand flashing as she thrust straight at Ying Gu's face.

Ying Gu, who had also followed her father wandering the jianghu for many years, hastily turned aside; the dagger grazed past her ear.

Though it did not cut Ying Gu's cheek, her ear was pierced, and blood instantly seeped out.

At that moment, Li Shu beside Ying Gu also rose to his feet, in one motion blocking his son who was rising to draw his sword, then he lifted his hand and pressed lightly, directly dislocating Yun Duo's arm.

Yun Duo gave a muffled grunt, stepped back repeatedly, her arm dangling; the dagger she held fell to the ground with a crisp sound.

Several people stood there in a line, staring coldly at one another.

Ying Gu panted heavily, the blood from her ear dripping onto her moon‑white robes, staining a patch red—a shocking sight.

She stared in disbelief at the stern‑faced Yun Duo opposite her; though Yun Duo looked like a little girl, her martial arts were mysteriously profound.

Ying Gu's brother Li Fusheng felt his anger flare at that moment, wishing he could tear the dead girl before him into ten thousand pieces.

He was about to speak when Li Shu grabbed him.

"Father, my sister is injured like this…" Li Fusheng wanted to seize his sword to avenge his sister, but Li Shu gave him a fierce glare.

"You good‑for‑nothing, do you have the right to speak here? Get lost!"

Li Fusheng was scolded by his father until he was drenched in dog‑blood, and hastily shut his mouth.

Li Shu stared steadily at Yun Duo, whose arm had been dislocated opposite him: "Miss, I have offended you greatly."

"You are still young and just beginning martial arts; you should cultivate your body and nature. To strike so ruthlessly at such a tender age will not bode well for you."

Yun Duo coldly regarded Li Shu opposite her, feeling a flicker of panic; his light press earlier had felt like thousands of steel needles piercing her arm.

The pain made her breathing somewhat uneven; this is what a trained martial artist can do—just a palm, and internal energy surges forth endlessly.

Though she had learned a few moves, her internal strength was far lacking; this is probably the difference between a master and a novice.

Although Yun Duo's arm had been dislocated, she still stood in front of her master.

"Even if the heavenly king himself came today, she would risk her life and not let anyone harm her master."

Jiu Yue stepped forward beside Gu Jiu Ling, her face slightly flushed: "My mistress is the Princess Consort of Rui Wangfu—what are you? How dare you hurt my mistress!"

"Forget it; we'll go to the Jingzhao Yin to seek an explanation. A commoner daring to wound the Princess Consort of Rui Wangfu, endangering the imperial lineage—let's see how Southern Qi's law judges you."

Li Shu's expression shifted slightly; he hadn't expected the two maids beside Gu Jiu Ling—one versed in literature, the other in martial arts—to be so formidable and overbearing.

His brows knitted tightly; today his beloved daughter, spoiled by him to the point of lawlessness, had actually dared to raise her hand against the Princess Consort of Rui.

Although the Princess Consort of Rui's maternal grandfather was Old Master Du, their mortal enemy.

But the woman before them truly bore the identity of the Princess Consort of Rui, while his own maid was merely a commoner.

If Gu Jiu Ling were to press charges for today's clash, this girl would surely not get off lightly.

He hastily turned his gaze to Xiao Yin standing before Gu Jiu Ling—just now Xiao Yin had stepped forward instinctively to shield her, and he understood clearly.

No wonder Prince Rui Xiao Yin has hesitated to act toward Gu Jiu Ling; it turns out his feelings have deep roots.

He looked at Xiao Yin, bowed slightly, and said: "Your Highness, today's incident is my daughter's fault; she offended a noble. As a commoner, I kowtow to you in apology."

Li Shu fell to his knees with a thud, and Xiao Yin quickly stepped forward to help him up.

His brows furrowed tight; he gave a cold glance at Ying Gu standing behind Li Shu.

Ying Gu actually had no time to feel the pain; that glance from Xiao Yin sent a chill up her spine.

She couldn't help but panic; previously, when Xiao Yin stayed at their home to recuperate from his injuries, he had treated her like a little sister.

Now she saw in Xiao Yin's eyes a faint, barely perceptible disgust.

Xiao Yin had never looked at her that way before; she was instantly flustered.

Seeing her father kneeling on the ground, she didn't know what to do.

Back then, Li Shu led the Li family, shedding half the blood of the Li clan's villagers, to escort Xiao Yin to Shang Jing.

This man had done him a favor; over the years the Li family have been utterly loyal to him, and for any matter concerning Xiao Yin, Li Shu handles it properly.

This time Xiao Yin naturally could not let his benefactor kneel and kowtow to him; he said calmly: "Let today's affair end here. I still have a few words to say with the Princess Consort; please, everyone, withdraw."

Xiao Yin directly issued the order to evict guests; Li Shu realized the matter was now settled.

He hastily took his daughter and son and left.

Jiu Yue's expression changed; this woman, who has been domineering toward the Prince these days, actually dared, relying on the Prince's favor, to raise her hand against my mistress.

"What is she, anyway?"

"Mistress! Jiu Yue unwilling to let that Ying Gu just escape—my mistress is still pregnant."

"How dare this woman come at us—what nonsense!"

"Jiu Yue! The Prince is present—do not be rude!" Gu Jiu Ling's voice turned slightly cold.

Jiu Yue had no choice but to step back.

Gu Jiu Ling also paid no attention to the flustered Xiao Yin standing before her.

She turned, supported Yun Duo's arm, her voice filled with utmost tenderness: "Bear with it!"

Gu Jiu Ling pinched Yun Duo's arm, applied a bit of skillful force, and set the arm back in place.

Sweat beaded on Yun Duo's forehead; as her arm was realigned and blood flow restored, the whole limb felt like needles pricking—she hadn't expected the blow from Li Shu earlier to still cause such great pain.

Only then did Gu Jiu Ling turn to face Xiao Yin before her, and a boundless disappointment welled up in her heart.

Clearly it was Ying Gu who provoked first, and even Li Shu had dislocated her maid's arm.

At the very least Xiao Yin ought to give her an explanation, or at least reprimand Li Shu.

Yet he simply let them go offhandedly, and she couldn't help but give a wry smile.

"Fine then; since it's like this, let everyone disperse."

Xiao Yin saw the icy smile on Gu Jiu Ling's face, his heart fluttered, and he coughed: "What do you want from me?"

Gu Jiu Ling let out a light laugh: "Just now there was something; now…"

She slowly stepped back one step, the smile on her face tinged with mockery: "Now I won't trouble the Prince, Prince, please rest well; I will take my leave first."

Gu Jiu Ling turned and walked out; Xiao Yin hurried a few steps after her, standing in front of Gu Jiu Ling.