Chapter 328: Barred at the Gate

Gu Jiu Ling didn't know how she had walked out of the clinic; her whole body felt light and airy, and her steps felt somewhat unsteady.

It felt as if each step landed on cotton, making her walk staggeringly.

Jiu Yue and Yun Duo rushed forward to steady her, not understanding why their mistress and Second Master had become so dazed after meeting.

"Mistress, watch your step," Jiu Yue said, quickly grabbing Gu Jiu Ling to steady her.

She lifted her head to look at her mistress and saw that the mistress's face was deathly pale, like a blank sheet of paper.

Her heart leapt in alarm, and she hurriedly whispered, "Mistress, what's wrong? Are you unwell? Should I summon Doctor Zuo?"

"Nothing… nothing, let's go back to the manor."

Gu Jiu Ling waved at Jiu Yue and slowly got into the carriage.

The carriage headed toward the Prince Rui's manor, and Gu Jiu Ling leaned her whole body against the cold carriage wall.

Yet her mind felt like a tangled paste; the things Gu Kang had just told her swirled in confusion, leaving Gu Jiu Ling momentarily at a loss.

She never imagined that her maternal grandfather, Old Master Du, was actually the person who set up the scheme at Qi Sha Gu.

The methods were cruel, the results shocking—everything Gu Jiu Ling had not anticipated.

If this is true, then everything she has eaten, worn, and used over the years—even the dowry she brought to the Prince Rui's manor—was obtained on the foundation of the tens of thousands of soldiers who died unjustly at Qi Sha Gu years ago.

Gu Jiu Ling suddenly felt that even the clothes she wore seemed faintly permeated with a bloody odor.

At first she didn't believe it, thinking Gu Kang might have investigated incorrectly.

After all, he is still young; how could he have such profound ability to uncover these things?

But Gu Kang said one sentence that was most deadly.

Gu Kang said he was able to investigate these matters by borrowing the influence left to him by Mr. Wen.

Moreover, if these aren't true, what reason could explain the change in Xiao Yin's attitude toward her these past days?

Thinking of Xiao Yin, Gu Jiu Ling felt as if all her strength had been drained, and she thought of that ruthless, cruel man.

No wonder Xiao Yin hasn't come to her Peach Blossom Pavilion these days; if she stood in his position, she too would find it impossible to let go of someone like her.

After all, that's tens of thousands of lives!

Although everyone says that was Old Master Du's doing and has nothing to do with her, Gu Jiu Ling,

but in this world there are always familial ties that cannot be crossed.

Moreover, the silver her mother spent—all of it came from Old Master Du.

Since she has enjoyed her grandfather's kindness, she naturally must also bear the backlash from his wrongdoings.

Gu Jiu Ling suddenly understood Xiao Yin; the fact that he has endured until now without striking her, even killing her, would already be a great favor.

The carriage had just moved forward a few steps when suddenly a hurried hoofbeat sounded from the side.

Gu Jiu Ling lifted the carriage curtain and saw her own younger brother, Gu Kang.

He said nothing, directly flicked a paper ball into her bosom, then spurred his horse and rode off into the night.

Gu Jiu Ling clenched the paper ball Gu Kang had given her; a hint of bitterness seeped from the corner of her mouth—this kid is becoming ever more cautious in his actions.

Gu Jiu Ling slowly unfolded the paper ball in her hand, looking at it by the carriage's candlelight, and her heart stirred slightly.

Gu Kang had written very simply, only two lines.

"If Elder Sister wishes to leave Shang Jing, to leave the Prince Rui's manor, I have an idea……"

Gu Jiu Ling brought the wrinkled paper slip to the candle flame, and it instantly turned to ash.

The carriage interior filled with a choking smell of smoke and fire; Gu Jiu Ling wearily leaned against the wall.

Leaving is inevitable; things have already come to this point.

If she does not leave Xiao Yin, she would instead cause him great confusion.

She suddenly understood why Xiao Yin had not come, and why he had delayed acting against her.

She and Xiao Yin had developed feelings for each other, but now, with a maternal grandfather between them, that affection was tainted with a bloody scent.

She also cannot simply stay in the Prince Rui's manor and refuse to leave; even if Xiao Yin could let her go, his subordinates……

Xiao Yin, preparing for revenge for who knows how long—how could those people tolerate having someone like her, such a special presence, by his side?

Gu Jiu Ling let out a deep sigh, slowly closed her eyes, and felt only that her body and mind were somewhat weary.

Having followed Xiao Yin through so much bloodshed, she had never felt as weary as she does now.

Yet Gu Jiu Ling still wanted to see Xiao Yin's attitude.

She returned to the Prince Rui's manor, but did not go back to the Peach Blossom Pavilion; instead she went straight to the Eastern Garden.

Before she could reach the study where Xiao Yin was, she was stopped by the guards at the gate of the Eastern Garden.

Seeing the situation before her, Gu Jiu Ling's heart sank even further.

Xiao Yin had previously spoiled her into a headstrong nature; this time Gu Jiu Ling clung like a child, insisting on entering.

The guards carefully barred Gu Jiu Ling and whispered, "The Prince has already left the city; Princess Consort, if you have any matter, please wait until he returns."

"The Prince has left the city?"

Gu Jiu Ling felt a hidden pang in her heart; nowadays Xiao Yin leaves the manor without even greeting her.

"It's fine; I just want to take a look in the Prince's study—I left some patterns there before."

The study in the Eastern Garden is the place Xiao Yin values most, where he hides many of his secrets.

Previously Gu Jiu Ling could come and go freely; Xiao Yin never stopped her, and sometimes he would hold her on his long legs while reading those dull military texts, making her laugh and cry at once.

Now Gu Jiu Ling insisted on going in again, insisting on regaining that precious trust and warmth.

Unwilling to have the gate guards block her firmly; without Xiao Yin's order, not even giving them ten thousand courages would they dare to stop the Princess Consort outside Xiao Yin's study.

This shows Xiao Yin also harbors some wariness toward her.

"Get out of my way, I'm going in!" Gu Jiu Ling's words were forceful and overbearing, yet already tinged with a slight tremor, and tears lingered in her eyes.

Yet those guards still stood before Gu Jiu Ling, their faces showing some embarrassment: "Princess Consort, we are also following the Prince's orders; please do not make things difficult for us."

If the princess consort wishes to go into the study to look for something, she should also wait until the prince returns before speaking; please go back, princess consort.

What? Is this guarding against thieves? Are you treating me, Gu Jiu Ling, as a thief?

Princess consort.

A tall figure walked over from the side; it was Ling Feng.

Ling Feng has also found it hard being caught in the middle these days.

Jiu Yue felt as if she had cut ties with him, and even refused to listen to his explanations.

This time, Ling Feng cautiously approached Gu Jiu Ling, but still had no intention of letting her enter the study.

He bowed to Gu Jiu Ling and said, "Princess consort, if you have any trinkets lost in the study,"

"Please tell me where the trinkets fell; I will go into the prince's study to look for them later—what do you think?"

Gu Jiu Ling's face paled a little; even Ling Feng could come and go freely in the study, yet she was barred at the door.

She even suspected that Xiao Yin was hiding in the study, merely not wanting to see her.

Gu Jiu Ling felt extremely upset, slowly shook her head, and gave a bitter laugh: "It's nothing, no need; I suddenly remembered I left the trinkets in the Peach Blossom Pavilion—sorry for the disturbance, farewell!"