Chapter 346

Xiao Yin's eyes flickered with fatigue as he rubbed his brow, saying, "Please come in!"

Translation: Xiao Yin's eyes flashed with fatigue as he rubbed his brow, saying, "Please come in!"

Xiao Yin's eyes flashed with fatigue as he rubbed his brow, saying, "Please come in!"

If it were anyone else, he wouldn't even see them, but after all, she is Jinzhi, the daughter of General An, his sworn sister, and the deceased woman's close boudoir confidante.

Translation: If it were anyone else, he wouldn't even see them, but after all, it's Jinzhi—General An's daughter, his adopted sister, and the close female confidante of that deceased woman.

... and the close female confidante of that deceased woman.

Perhaps there is something he needs help with; Xiao Yin suppressed his impatience and reluctantly agreed to meet.

Translation: Perhaps she had something she needed his help with, so Xiao Yin suppressed his inner impatience and reluctantly agreed to meet.

Not long after, Jinzhi arrived at the East Garden study with two maidservants, while the maids waited outside.

Translation: Soon after, Jinzhi arrived at the East Garden study with two maidservants, who waited outside the study.

Jinzhi stepped into the study and bowed deeply to Xiao Yin, who sat in the place of honor.

Translation: Jinzhi stepped into the study and bowed to Xiao Yin, who sat in the place of honor.

Xiao Yin waved her to sit and speak; Jinzhi carefully perched on the edge of the chair.

Translation: Xiao Yin waved her to sit and speak; Jinzhi perched carefully on the edge of the chair.

Xiao Yin had gone several days without proper rest, enduring a sharp headache, he looked at Jinzhi and said, "What's the matter? If anyone bullies you, just give my name. If they won't listen, the Zhao family won't stand up for you—I'll take care of it myself."

Translation: Xiao Yin hadn't rested properly for days, enduring a sharp headache as he looked at Jinzhi and said, "What's the matter? If anyone bullies you, give my name. If they won't listen, the Zhao family can't decide for you—I'll take care of it."

"If the Zhao family dares to bully you, I'll skin Zhao Lang!"

Translation: "If the Zhao family dares to bully you, I'll skin Zhao Lang!"

Jinzhi waved her hands repeatedly, quickly pulling a piece of jade from her sleeve and placing it before Xiao Yin.

Translation: Jinzhi waved her hands repeatedly, quickly taking out a jade tablet from her sleeve and placing it before Xiao Yin.

She came today not for her own matter, but because Physician Song gave her this piece of jade and instructed her to pass it on to Xiao Yin.

Translation: She didn't come today for her own sake, but because Doctor Song had given her this jade tablet and instructed her to pass it to Xiao Yin.

She dared not delay; upon hearing that Xiao Yin had returned, she rushed over to return the item to its rightful owner as soon as possible.

Translation: She dared not delay; upon hearing Xiao Yin had returned, she hurried over to return the item to its rightful owner as soon as possible.

Upon seeing the jade Jinzhi handed over, Xiao Yin froze in place.

Translation: Seeing the jade tablet Jinzhi handed over, Xiao Yin froze in place.

This piece of jade was something he used to carry with him; when he was young, on the first day the princes entered the imperial academy to begin their education.

Translation: This jade tablet was something he used to carry with him; when he was young, on the first day he and the other princes entered the Imperial Academy for their elementary education,

The former emperor bestowed a jade piece upon each of the young princes, but only Xiao Yin's jade bears the name personally carved by the former emperor.

Translation: the former emperor gave each young prince a jade tablet, but only his had the emperor's own name carved into it.

Over the years, though he has endured many trials, the former emperor's affection for him has been carefully kept in his heart, always treasured.

Translation: Over the years, though he had endured many trials, the former emperor's affection for him remained carefully hidden in his heart, always treasured.

Just like this jade, which he has always worn at his side, until that time he fell ill with poison on the road back to the capital, collapsing in a grass hut on the outskirts, unconscious.

Translation: Just like this jade tablet, which he had always worn at his side, until that time when he fell ill with poison on his way back to the capital, collapsing in a grass hut on the outskirts and losing consciousness.

That particularly dangerous occasion, he took Ling Feng and a dozen or so lightly equipped guards to the southern borders, hoping to dispel the gu poison in his body.

During that especially dangerous time, he brought Ling Feng and a dozen or so guards, traveling light, to Nanjiang in hopes of dispelling the poison in his body.

Translation: That time was especially perilous; he took Ling Feng and a dozen or so guards, traveling light to the Southern Frontier, hoping to dispel the gu poison in his body.

Before meeting Gu Jiu Ling, he had always fought poison with poison, nurturing gu to suppress poison, resulting in a vicious cycle.

Translation: Before meeting Gu Jiu Ling, he had always fought poison with poison, nurturing gu to suppress poison, resulting in a vicious cycle.

He never expected that word would leak out midway, and he ended up being hunted.

Translation: He never expected the news to leak midway, and indeed he was pursued by assassins.

At that moment he suffered a poison outbreak, his whole mind descended into madness, with only Master Nian Yuan beside him.

Translation: At that moment he suffered a poison outbreak, his whole mind descending into madness, with only Master Nian Yuan beside him.

Ling Feng led people to draw away the pursuers, while Master Nian Yuan brought Xiao Yin to hide in an abandoned grass hut where a forest ranger lived on the outskirts of the capital.

Translation: Ling Feng led the pursuers away, while Master Nian Yuan brought Xiao Yin to hide in an abandoned grass hut where forest keepers lived on the outskirts of the capital.

This particularly perilous occasion, he had long lost control of his consciousness; he was no longer himself but had become like a wild beast.

Translation: This time, the danger was such that he could no longer control his consciousness; he was no longer truly himself, but had become a wild beast.

When he finally regained consciousness, he discovered that Master Nian Yuan had retrieved him from outside the southern wall of the palace city, having nearly lost half his life.

Translation: When he finally regained consciousness, he discovered that Master Nian Yuan had pulled him back from outside the southern wall of the palace city, having nearly lost half his life.

Master Nian Yuan initially found it strange, having hidden him in a grove beside the palace walls, for the most dangerous place is also the safest.

Translation: Master Nian Yuan initially found it strange, for he had hidden Xiao Yin in a grove beside the palace city—after all, the most dangerous place is also the safest.

The two wolf-hearted, dog-lunged villains inside the palace never imagined that the person they wanted to kill was hiding right under their noses.

Translation: Those two wolf-hearted, dog-gutted scoundrels in the palace never imagined that the person they wanted to kill was hiding right under their noses.

Master Nian Yuan, while helping Xiao Yin look for medicine, saw this person disappear for several hours, eventually found lying disheveled in a narrow alley south of the palace city after having traversed the entire palace.

Translation: While Master Nian Yuan was helping Xiao Yin look for medicine, this person disappeared for several hours, and ended up lying, disheveled, in a narrow alley south of the palace city after passing through the entire palace.

When Master Nian Yuan first saw Xiao Yin with a flushed face and disheveled clothes, he felt as if someone had done something to him, but he dared not mention it to Xiao Yin.

Translation: When Master Nian Yuan first saw Xiao Yin with a flushed face and disheveled clothes, he felt as if someone had done something to him, and dared not mention it to Xiao Yin.

After all, this involved Xiao Yin's dignity as a man; he didn't even dare to bring it up, merely hid Xiao Yin, gave him medicine, and thus settled the mad prince.

Translation: After all, it involved Xiao Yin's dignity as a man; he didn't dare bring it up, merely hid Xiao Yin, gave him medicine, and thus settled the mad prince.

But for Xiao Yin, it was utterly bewildering; the gu poison in his body tormented his nerves, causing a gap in his memories of that period.

But for Xiao Yin, it was utterly bewildering; the gu poison in his body tormented his nerves, causing a gap in his memories of that period.

He only knew his jade was lost, so he ordered a search, even sending people all the way from the southern borders to the outskirts of the capital, but to no avail.

Translation: He only knew his jade tablet was lost, ordered a search, even sending people all the way from the Southern Frontier to the outskirts of the capital, but to no avail.

Xiao Yin stared fixedly at the jade placed in his hand; the familiar sensation surged through him, making him shudder involuntarily.

Translation: Xiao Yin stared fixedly at the jade tablet placed in his hand; the familiar sensation returned, making him shudder involuntarily.

"Where did you get this?" Xiao Yin stared at Jinzhi.

Translation: "Where did you get this?" Xiao Yin stared at Jinzhi.

Jinzhi quickly took out her notebook and pen, writing down exactly what Physician Song had told her.

Translation: Jinzhi quickly wrote a few lines with the notebook and pen she carried, recording Doctor Song's words verbatim.

Xiao Yin took the notebook and glanced at it, then his face suddenly changed dramatically.

Translation: Xiao Yin took the notebook and glanced at it, and his face suddenly changed dramatically.

He sprang up so violently that his dark sleeve swept the teacup off the table, sending it crashing to the floor in shards.

Translation: He sprang up so violently that his dark sleeve swept the teacup off the table, sending it crashing to the floor in shards.

Jinzhi also jumped up in fright.

Translation: Jinzhi also jumped up in fright.

Xiao Yin clenched the jade tightly in his hand, fixing his gaze on the pallid Jinzhi.

Translation: Xiao Yin clenched the jade tablet in his hand, staring fixedly at the pallid Jinzhi.

Jinzhi had never seen such a cold, grim look in Xiao Yin's eyes; she stepped back in fear.

Translation: Jinzhi had never seen such a cold, grim look in Xiao Yin's eyes, and she stepped back in fear.

"You..." Xiao Yin gritted his teeth, "Did Physician Song tell you that this jade was picked up outside the room where Gu Jiu Ling was staying?"

Translation: "You……" Xiao Yin gritted his teeth, "Did Doctor Song tell you that this jade tablet was found outside the room where Gu Jiu Ling was staying?"

Jinzhi nervously nodded, wondering why Xiao Yin gave off the feeling that he wanted to devour someone.

Translation: Jinzhi nodded fearfully, wondering why Xiao Yin gave the impression of wanting to devour someone.

Xiao Yin's head buzzed; could it be that the one who violated Gu Jiu Ling and got her pregnant was actually himself?

Translation: Xiao Yin's head buzzed; could it be that the one who violated Gu Jiu Ling and got her pregnant was actually himself?

And what about Tuo Ba Yu?

Translation: And what about Tuo Ba Yu?

When Ling Feng initially went into the palace to investigate, many said they had seen Tuo Ba Yu coming and going from the imperial garden during that banquet.

Translation: When Ling Feng initially went into the palace to investigate, many said they had seen Tuo Ba Yu coming and going from the Imperial Garden during that banquet.

If everything is just the smoke screen thrown up by that bastard Tuo Ba Yu...

Translation: If it all was that bastard Tuo Ba Yu's smokescreen……

Xiao Yin sucked in a breath; now he fears that Tuo Ba Yu may have abducted both his wife and son together.

Translation: Xiao Yin sucked in a breath; now he feared that Tuo Ba Yu had abducted both his wife and son.

Xiao Yin's face darkened completely, his teeth grinding as he wished he could bite off a piece of Tuo Ba Yu's flesh.

Translation: Xiao Yin's face sank to the depths, his teeth grinding audibly, as if he wanted to bite off Tuo Ba Yu's flesh.

That child is his—could it really be his?

Translation: That child is his—could it really be his?

Jinzhi was frightened by Xiao Yin's nearly contorted expression, standing there stiff-bodied.

Translation: Jinzhi was frightened by Xiao Yin's near‑distorted expression, standing there stiff‑bodied.

"Ling Feng!"

Translation: "Ling Feng!"

The Ling Feng standing outside hurriedly stepped inside.

Translation: The Ling Feng standing outside hurriedly strode in.

"Your Highness?"

Translation: "Your Highness?"

Xiao Yin glanced at Jinzhi standing to the side, drew a deep breath, and said, "First, send someone to take the young lady back to her residence."

Translation: Xiao Yin glanced at Jinzhi standing to the side, drew a deep breath, and said, "First, send the young lady back to her residence."

Jinzhi felt as if she had been pardoned; previously, while staying beside her sister-in-law Gu Jiu Ling, she had often seen the Prince of Rui, who seemed quite amiable and pleasant.

Translation: Jinzhi felt as if she had been pardoned; previously, while staying beside her sister‑in‑law Gu Jiu Ling, she had often seen Prince Rui, who seemed a mild‑tempered person.

Regardless of whether her sister-in-law was present or not, the Prince of Rui turned out to have two faces; far from being kind and approachable, he was utterly devoid of any warmth—nothing short of a fiendish demon.

Translation: Regardless of whether her sister‑in‑law was present or not, Prince Rui turned out to have two faces—far from being affable, he was practically a demon.

A veritable killing god!

Translation: An outright killing god!

She hastily nodded and walked toward the study's door.

Translation: She quickly nodded and headed toward the study's door.

"Jinzhi!" Xiao Yin suddenly called out to stop her departure.

Translation: "Jinzhi!" Xiao Yin suddenly called out to stop her departure.

Jinzhi froze for a moment, then carefully turned to look at Xiao Yin.

Translation: Jinzhi stared for a moment, then cautiously turned to face Xiao Yin.

Xiao Yin gazed at her and said slowly, "Gu Jiu Ling is still alive."

Translation: Xiao Yin looked at her and said slowly, "Gu Jiu Ling is still alive."

Jinzhi was first stunned for a moment, then her eyes suddenly lit up; her face showed extreme excitement, and she was about to gesture something when Xiao Yin waved her away.

Ling Feng hurriedly ordered someone to send the young lady of the Zhao family out of the residence, then immediately came before Xiao Yin.

"Prince, any other orders?"

Xiao Yin slowly sat down in the chair, and again assumed the demeanor of the alluring Ninth Imperial Uncle of Shang Jing.

At that moment, the palace lamp on the table cast a hazy yellow glow, shrouding Xiao Yin's face and making his handsome, alluring features shift between light and dark.

His hand clenched the armrest of the rosewood chair, and the armrest split open a crack under his powerful internal force.

Ling Feng stood there warily, not daring to speak, and the atmosphere instantly grew oppressive to the extreme.

"Ling Feng!"

"Prince?" Ling Feng stepped forward.

Xiao Yin's glistening peach-blossom eyes slowly narrowed: "Tomorrow at noon, prepare a feast at the mountain villa in the outskirts of the capital; I will host guests."

Ling Feng hurriedly asked: "Prince, whom do you wish to invite?"

Xiao Yin said, word by word: "Imperial Physician Song, Eunuch Feng, and everyone who was on duty in the imperial garden the day Gu Jiu Ling had her accident."

His slender fingers lifted a token: "In my name, enter the palace, bring everyone out, I will certainly… treat them well!"