Chapter 327

Night fell, Gu Jiu Ling had just finished eating at the Peach Blossom Pavilion and was about to tidy up and go to sleep.

Unexpectedly, Jiu Yue brought in an old woman wearing a dark blue dress.

Gu Jiu Ling knew this old woman; she herself had sent these people to her younger brother Gu Kang's side.

Seeing this woman walk in at this moment, she guessed her younger brother must have something to ask her.

The old woman respectfully kowtowed to Gu Jiu Ling, then rose and glanced at the other maids and old women in Gu Jiu Ling's warm chamber.

Gu Jiu Ling understood and had all the idle people withdraw, even sending Jiu Yue away.

The old woman respectfully bowed again to Gu Jiu Ling and said, "Princess Consort, my master has sent you some things."

Gu Jiu Ling's eyes flickered; Gu Kang had previously told her that he would not disturb her unless absolutely necessary.

After all, her status was Princess Consort of Rui, while Gu Kang was currently on Emperor Longqing's side; frequent contact would be disadvantageous for both.

But at this moment, the grandmother attending Gu Kang personally came to the Rui Wang Fu, saying she was delivering something; the importance was self-evident.

Gu Jiu Ling had everyone leave, and the grandmother handed her a box.

The box Gu Jiu Ling opened contained only a strip of silk, nothing else.

Gu Jiu Ling looked at the line of writing on the silk strip; at a glance she recognized it as Gu Kang's handwriting.

"Elder sister, may we meet? There is an important matter!"

Gu Jiu Ling frowned, her thoughts turning.

What important matter could Gu Kang have these days that would involve her, Gu Jiu Ling?

She couldn't help recalling what Gu Kang had previously told her.

Xiao Yin had suddenly become indifferent to her affection; it was unlikely merely a change of heart—there must be some hidden reason.

Gu Kang had promised Gu Jiu Ling to help her investigate this matter; could it be that he had found some leads?

Gu Jiu Ling could not sit still; anything involving Xiao Yin was surely a major affair.

She called Jiu Yue in, rewarded the errand-running grandmother, and told the grandmother to say that Gu Kang should wait for her at the medical clinic.

If anyone asked, they would say it was because his wound hurt and he also needed to get some medicine for Doctor Wen.

After thinking it over, Gu Jiu Ling realized the only place to meet without drawing too much attention was the medical clinic in Shang Jing.

Moreover, Gu Kang regularly went to the medical clinic to get medicine; Doctor Wen was elderly, his wounds healed slowly, and the ointment for his wounds could not be interrupted.

Gu Kang had already been to the medical clinic many times to get medicine, so his visits were frequent; this time meeting at the clinic would not raise suspicion among others.

Jiu Yue hurriedly helped Gu Jiu Ling dress, and Gu Jiu Ling came to the medical clinic by carriage.

The sky had completely darkened, and Gu Jiu Ling sat in the easternmost room of the medical clinic.

That room was the most mysterious place in the medical clinic; Gu Jiu Ling often performed surgeries there.

Today no new surgery had been scheduled, so the operating room was much quieter.

Gu Jiu Ling sat in the room waiting for Gu Kang; before long he arrived, bringing two attendants who hurried upstairs and found her room.

Gu Kang turned and sent the young attendant outside; Jiu Yue also came out with Yun Duo, clearly the Gu siblings had a confidential matter to discuss, and these servants became more cautious.

Gu Jiu Ling lifted her gaze and fixed it on her younger brother Gu Kang, brows furrowed; evidently the news was indeed important, important enough to make the atmosphere between the siblings tense.

Gu Jiu Ling spoke first: "Gu Kang, why did you have someone deliver a letter to me this late? What is it?"

We are already well acquainted; there's no need to beat around the bush.

Gu Kang looked at Gu Jiu Ling, apparently not knowing how to speak; Gu Jiu Ling glared at him: "Speak quickly; between us, what is there that we cannot say? Why hem and haw?"

Gu Kang said slowly: "It concerns our maternal grandfather."

Gu Jiu Ling frowned; she actually felt a slight annoyance and pang of pain, and whenever it involved her maternal grandfather she did not know how to face it.

Gu Kang paused, looked at his elder sister, and sighed: "Our maternal grandfather had a very good relationship with Emperor Longqing back then; do you know that, elder sister?"

Gu Jiu Ling nodded: "Back when the emperor was contending for the throne, some of the financial resources he needed were also provided by our maternal grandfather."

"Our maternal grandfather could be said to have aided the emperor in his dragon-like endeavors; naturally his ties to the emperor were not shallow, otherwise how could I have been granted marriage to the Crown Prince Xiao Ting?"

Gu Kang slowly shook his head: "Not only that……"

Gu Jiu Ling quickly lifted her head to look at her brother opposite her, for a moment not understanding what Gu Kang meant by those words.

Gu Kang's expression also showed a hint of pain, after all, that was his maternal grandfather.

He did not want to speak ill of those matters, yet what he had discovered forced him to confront his maternal grandfather anew.

"Elder sister, our maternal grandfather not only aided the emperor in his dragon-like deeds, but also served as the emperor's hound, helping him do many things that harmed heaven and reason."

"His greatest achievement was contacting the Bei Di and the eight great clans, together setting a trap for Xiao Yin, which led to Xiao Yin being trapped to death in Qi Sha Gu."

Before Gu Kang had finished speaking, Gu Jiu Ling sprang to her feet: "What are you saying? How does Qi Sha Gu come up again? What connection does our maternal grandfather have with Qi Sha Gu?"

If this had happened before, Gu Jiu Ling might not have cared at all.

But these days her feelings for Xiao Yin have rapidly intensified, and she knows most of Xiao Yin's secrets.

Back then, Xiao Yin was set up in Qi Sha Gu by Emperor Longqing, nearly getting killed there.

Later, Xiao Yin survived nine deaths and one life to escape; now Xiao Yin lies in wait, advancing step by step, secretly moving forces, his aim being revenge.

But at this moment Gu Kang told her that the mastermind behind the Qi Sha Gu that Xiao Yin was investigating turned out to also include their maternal grandfather.

This news, just spoken from Gu Kang's mouth, made Gu Jiu Ling hardly believe her own ears.

"Could you have made a mistake?"

"Absolutely impossible!"

"Our maternal grandfather was so wealthy back then, and a merchant besides—why would he offend the military circles, offend that living King of Hell Xiao Yin, and not fear retaliation?"

"Even if he was someone the emperor favored, he wouldn't have to take on such a great burden."

"What exactly was he trying to do? At that time our maternal grandfather's Du family wielded great power; even if he refused Emperor Longqing, the emperor could not do anything to him."

"How could he possibly do such things that harm heaven and reason?"

"Qi Sha Gu— that is Xiao Yin's Qi Sha Gu, a place where tens of thousands of innocent souls perished. I think our maternal grandfather is not that kind of person; how could he……"

Gu Jiu Ling's words trailed off, she grew a little weak, and blankly looked at Gu Kang opposite.

Gu Kang no longer wanted to say anything more; he simply stared fixedly at his older sister's shocked and panicked expression.

At that moment, Gu Kang bitterly smiled to himself; his older sister must have fallen deeply in love with Xiao Yin.

Concern leads to chaos; only when one truly loves someone will they panic so much over such a big matter.

This runs counter to her usual decisive and clever demeanor as the Princess Consort of Rui; his older sister is truly frightened.

Yeah, who wouldn't be afraid?

The man she deeply loves actually shares a blood-deep feud with her.

Moreover, it's an unsolvable knot; whoever it falls upon will be filled with fear and despair.

He hadn't wanted to tell his older sister this news before, but now he has no choice but to wake her from her sleep.

Otherwise, if Xiao Yin were to act against his older sister in the future, she would surely have nowhere to bury herself.