Chapter 352

Gu Jiu Ling was on the run, and everyone around her was someone she trusted.

Only Tuo Ba Yu was a variable; earlier, when she fled Shang Jing, she had still overestimated Xiao Yin's power, almost being discovered by Xiao Yin's people at the Imperial River ford.

If not for Tuo Ba Yu stepping forward then, she would likely have fallen back into Xiao Yin's grasp.

At that moment Tuo Ba Yu appeared, opening another path and leading her instead upstream along the Imperial River.

They actually discovered a hidden river beneath the Taiye Pond near the palace, followed the cave beneath the underground river, and via its branch exited Jing Cheng.

Initially Tuo Ba Yu also learned of the entanglement between Gu Jiu Ling's maternal grandfather and Xiao Yin, realizing that this time Gu Jiu Ling would surely have to leave Xiao Yin.

He then, claiming to be the child's biological father, forcibly stayed by her side.

Having Tuo Ba Yu along actually saved them a lot of trouble; this Bei Di hostage prince was far stronger than people imagined.

He was very adept at the ways of the jianghu, so much so that even Xiao Yin's people could not find his trace.

After traveling and upon reaching her due date, Gu Jiu Ling finally went into labor when she arrived in Quanzhou.

Fortunately Zuo Feichen was by her side, personally helping her deliver.

This caused an unpleasantness between Tuo Ba Yu and Zuo Feichen, for in their era there was no reason for a man to deliver a baby.

But Gu Jiu Ling knew well that Zuo Feichen, the top Southern Qi surgeon she had trained, had previously been the young master of Baizhi Hall.

Skilled in both Chinese and Western medicine, he had accumulated rich clinical experience, having performed who knows how many surgeries in all of Shang Jing.

She was carrying twins; should she encounter a difficult birth, Zuo Feichen would be far stronger than any unfamiliar midwife.

Gu Jiu Ling even told Zuo Feichen that if she could not deliver naturally, they would prepare for a cesarean section.

She had Jiu Yue assist from the side, with him as the lead surgeon, and Gu Jiu Ling even brought the entire set of surgical equipment to Quanzhou through space.

They rented a large compound far from the crowd in the suburbs of Quanzhou, and dressed themselves as merchants.

Fortunately, Gu Jiu Ling had been attentive to prenatal management and checkups, so the birth basically went smoothly.

Thus they could not leave, and stayed in the Quanzhou area for over twenty days.

To avoid complications, they prepared to set out for Peach Blossom Island in the East Sea.

This island was a retreat Gu Jiu Ling had long prepared for herself; she had already ordered some trusted aides to develop it.

Later she also had Zuo Feichen send Princess Yalan here; the place is scenic and the island's freshwater resources are abundant.

Gu Jiu Ling had earlier had supplies hauled over; thus living on the island for decades would be no problem for their group.

Moreover, the nearby sea conditions are complex, with dark currents everywhere; unless guided by the island's fishermen, one could hardly find this place.

Gu Jiu Ling took all this into account and decided to go live on the island for now.

Between her and Xiao Yin there is no longer any possibility; a deep bloody feud cannot be brushed aside by mere romantic feelings.

That involves tens of thousands of lives, and moreover Xiao Yin has gradually drifted away from her; staying by his side is really unsuitable.

She needs to first give birth to the child, then wait until the child is older, and she must definitely clarify what happened at Qi Sha Gu back then.

Initially Gu Jiu Ling thought Qi Sha Gu was only Xiao Yin's affair, but it turned out to be just as significant for her.

She must find out exactly what her maternal grandfather intended to do back then.

She faintly feels her maternal grandfather is not such a vicious, cruel person; otherwise how could her father, Gu Shijie that old phoenix, have bullied him to that extent?

Gu Shijie that old phoenix had nearly exterminated the Du line; if her maternal grandfather were truly that formidable, manipulating everyone in the palm of his hand, he could even have turned and slaughtered the tens of thousands of troops under Xiao Yin.

Isn't that a joke?

If her maternal grandfather were ruthless, how could he have fared well against Gu Shijie?

Gu Shijie had even literally angered to death someone else's daughter; if she were the Du elder, she would have to spend her entire fortune hiring the world's top assassins to chop Gu Shijie into pieces to vent her hatred.

In the end, the Du elder merely hastily handled his daughter's funeral, gave her no justice, and instead fled with the family's wealth and lives to Xirong for no apparent reason, only to be intercepted and slaughtered by the Bei Di midway, wiping out the whole clan.

Gu Jiu Ling must uncover the truth.

But at this moment a greater change lies before her.

Gu Jiu Ling lowered her head to look at the baby in her arms, suckling hard, his upturned little nose sweating, and she tightly shut her eyes.

Truly, it's a sin!

Can you imagine it?

Gu Jiu Ling, the beloved first beauty of Shang Jing, whom everyone loves and flowers bloom for, is nursing a miniature version of Xiao Yin in her arms.

That feeling is simply like……

Moreover, after the boy grew a bit over twenty days, his eyebrows and eyes, even the way he looks when angry from not getting milk, that frown's charm, is exactly a living Ninth Imperial Uncle.

Truly, it's a sin!

Gu Jiu Ling trembled with anger, that bastard.

She just said it!

She had commissioned Xiao Yin to help find that scoundrel who violated her that day, got her pregnant out of wedlock, and ruined her reputation.

Clearly such a formidable person, yet he couldn't find even a clue.

Turns out that scoundrel is just scum through and through!

She never expected him to deceive her everywhere, while she defended him like a fool.

That grandson must be secretly laughing at her behind her back.

Gu Jiu Ling grew angrier the more she thought, and from outside came Li Qiao'er's voice.

This time she brought Li Qiao'er along; this maid, after some days of training outside, already had the aura of a jianghu heroine.

"Master, the Bei Di envoy wishes to see you."

Although all three layers are their people, Li Qiao'er still prudently did not announce Tuo Ba Yu's name, lest too many ears hear.

Thinking of that fellow made Gu Jiu Ling even more vexed; she truly could not comprehend Tuo Ba Yu's mindset.

In this world, only those who are made fathers by circumstance, and those who actively and eagerly, even resorting to little tricks, clamor to become fathers.

Although Tuo Ba Yu protected her all the way here, she now also wants to stab him twice.

"\"Don't see! \" Gu Jiu Ling's voice was deep and cold."

"Since she gave birth to her son, she finally realized that this brat Tuo Ba Yu had almost fooled her into being lame."

"Tuo Ba Yu had always wanted to talk alone with Gu Jiu Ling, but Gu Jiu Ling refused to see him and told him to get lost."

"If he doesn't explain clearly this time, he doesn't dare to leave; he also feels suffocated in his heart, wondering how that newborn brat almost inherited all of Xiao Yin's traits."

"He admits there's a gamble in it: what if both children end up looking like Gu Jiu Ling, and what if, along the way, Gu Jiu Ling feels grateful for his life-saving favor and might come to like him?"

"What if…"

"It's a pity there are so many 'what ifs' in the world, yet none of them is the one he wants."

"Gu Jiu Ling was completely Ren Ao Nu Xu, she drove him out the door, he wanted to barge in but didn't dare, worrying even more that it would stale their relationship."

"At this moment, a gentle male voice came from outside again."

"\"Gu Jiu Ling, let's talk! I didn't mean to deceive you…\""

"\"Clang! \" A vase smashed against the door, Tuo Ba Yu shut his mouth completely."

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