Chapter 321: Underestimated Feelings

Gu Kang's smile at this moment carried a hint of nervousness as he looked at Gu Jiu Ling and said, "Elder sister, during this spring imperial exam I wrote a state policy essay."

"Elder sister gave me a reminder, letting me write on this aspect to make the essay more outstanding. After all, I've already walked many shortcuts in study; for this final step, I need to kick it brilliantly to make a name for myself in Southern Qi."

"Actually, it's not just elder sister's reminder; more importantly, the teacher told me to write like this!"

"Mr. Wen?" Gu Jiu Ling's eyes widened instantly; in her mind, Mr. Wen had always been a saint who stayed out of worldly affairs.

But Gu Kang's words clearly meant something else, and she didn't know why her heart kept fluttering with anxiety.

Gu Kang said slowly, "Elder sister, what merit or ability do you think I have, that just a few words on the street could get Mr. Wen to accept me as his disciple?"

"Mr. Wen deeply hates and resents the current state where the Eight Great Aristocratic Families control the government, leaving the people of Southern Qi unable to make a living; he is a scholar, but more so a swordsman."

"I have no foundation, I won't rely on any aristocratic family, and I'm not afraid of death—that's my capital!"

"What Mr. Wen values is this point of mine, not any of my so-called talent!"

"I am the first person in Southern Qi to be esteemed by a great scholar and the emperor for not fearing death."

"I can be the emperor's blade, and also Mr. Wen's blade; elder sister, Mr. Wen has already drawn me into the game, and I can't get out."

Gu Jiu Ling's hands clenched into fists; Gu Kang's path was increasingly slipping out of her control.

Her original intention was certainly not to let her own younger brother become a sacrifice in court struggles; Gu Kang's meager ability, if he really moved against the Eight Great Aristocratic Families, would surely die.

Just think, back then Xiao Yin's single land-reform move made the Eight Great Aristocratic Families turn completely against him, and a scheme almost had him wiped out.

Now what does Gu Kang rely on to wield that blade well in this upheaval, rather than be destroyed himself?

Moreover, Gu Kang in this way is still a double‑agent, serving Emperor Longqing on one side and being the sword in Mr. Wen's hand on the other.

Gu Jiu Ling stared fixedly at Gu Kang, feeling as if she had never truly understood him.

Suddenly a strange feeling welled up in her chest—could this kid also have been transmigrated?

"Gu Kang! Odd changes, even unchanged!"

Gu Kang felt a sudden bewilderment, not knowing why his elder sister had blurted out that line; obviously he didn't understand what she meant.

Gu Jiu Ling secretly sighed; it wasn't that she had transmigrated, but that she had truly undergone a metamorphic growth.

"Nothing, just idle talk."

"Elder sister, what's going on between you and your brother‑in‑law?"

Gu Jiu Ling froze at once; they were talking about Gu Kang's matter, so how did it get dragged onto her?

She didn't want outsiders meddling in her and Xiao Yin's relationship, especially her own younger brother.

"Nothing's wrong," Gu Jiu Ling said, her mood a bit tangled, not wanting Gu Kang to stare at her and ask, "Did you and your brother‑in‑law have a quarrel?"

"It's not just an ordinary quarrel; it feels like you two are outwardly together but inwardly apart."

"Why all this nonsense? Take good care of yourself! My affairs don't need you……"

"Elder sister," Gu Kang's face suddenly turned solemn, "I'm no longer a child."

"Now your natal family has only me left; the Gu family side regards everyone as dead, so if you're not doing well, I also bear responsibility."

"As your natal kin, letting you lack the confidence to turn back is my fault."

Gu Jiu Ling froze for a moment, at a loss for what to do; Gu Kang's words made her eyes slightly sore, and a warm feeling welled up from her heart.

She realized that if she didn't come clean with a quick explanation, Gu Kang would surely keep probing until the bottom.

She scratched her head in frustration and said, "I don't even know what kind of fit Xiao Yin threw—he suddenly ignored me, it's cold violence! You know? That kind of cold violence—ignoring you, treating you like a pile of shit."

"Hmph! I suspect he has someone else outside! He's transferred his affection! Found a new love and forgotten the old……"

"Love"—this word made Gu Jiu Ling's cheeks flush; she really felt embarrassed to say it out loud.

Did she and Xiao Yin have love between them?

In the end, it still began with calculation and ended with calculation.

Gu Jiu Ling felt utterly stifled and extremely disappointed, then gave a wry smile: "What else can I do? Your brother‑in‑law wants to take a concubine—can I stop him?"

Gu Kang let out a soft laugh, and Gu Jiu Ling instantly flared with shame and anger, looking at her younger brother and saying, "What are you laughing at? You men have not a single good thing!"

Gu Kang lowered his head, laughing as he shook his head: "Elder sister, you still don't understand your brother‑in‑law; would a man like him ever need to fawn over you?"

"He likes you—there's no need to doubt that!"

Gu Jiu Ling was left bewildered by Gu Kang—what on earth was this kid trying to say?

Gu Kang chuckled slowly: "Those involved are confused; observers see clearly. If the esteemed Prince Rui doesn't like a woman, you think you can trap him with the title of Princess Consort of Rui? He would have already tossed you out of the Wangfu."

Gu Kang suddenly furrowed his brows, staring fixedly at his elder sister: "Elder sister, I suspect there's another reason!"

Gu Jiu Ling blinked: "What other reason could there be? I've saved his life, helped him settle many messy affairs—though I may have no merit, I've certainly put in effort!"

"Does he just despise me that much?"

Gu Kang steadied himself and said: "Elder sister, perhaps your brother‑in‑law has unavoidable reasons to distance himself from you; you're greatly underestimating him."

"It's not that just any common pretty face could shake the standing of the esteemed Princess Consort of Rui; there must be a reason far greater than your lifesaving favor that makes your brother‑in‑law treat you so coldly."

"What do you mean?" Gu Jiu Ling's heart leapt up.

Gu Kang said slowly: "Let me help you investigate the cause, elder sister."

"Although my wings aren't fully fledged yet, I can still run errands for you, elder sister."

Gu Kang shouldn't linger here any longer; he turned and walked out of the room.

Gu Jiu Ling, on the contrary, stood there puzzled, wondering what had happened to Xiao Yin these past days—so mysterious, could there really be some hidden secret?

She sat there dazed for a while, replaying in her mind Xiao Yin's recent kindness toward her; her heart was a jumble of seven ups and eight downs, leaving her somewhat at a loss.

After spacing out for a bit, she still rose slowly and headed toward the doorway, not expecting to bump into Xiao Yin's tall figure as soon as she stepped out.

He seemed to have just walked over, his exhaled breath slightly agitated.

Just now Gu Jiu Ling had left the banquet saying she'd take a break, but this time her coming out had indeed taken a while, so he couldn't stay seated.

Having just arrived here, he saw Gu Jiu Ling open the door and step out.

The two of them barely managed to meet each other's eyes.