Chapter 360

Xiao Ting's brows furrowed tightly, his face changing dramatically.

He didn't expect that woman to die, as if he had grown accustomed to her presence; she had once been kind to him, and even after marrying into the Rui Wang Fu, she had been harsh toward him.

He had grown used to it, when suddenly he was told that the woman who had loved and hated him was dead, no longer existing.

His heart was fiercely stabbed with pain; these days everyone knows Xiao Yin has gone mad over Gu Jiu Ling, doing many unimaginable things.

But they didn't know that the noble Crown Prince of Southern Qi also came to the ruins of Chongwen Lou at midnight, paying his respects and weeping.

But before, she had followed behind him, still the foolish eldest daughter of the Gu family; when he finally woke and wanted to turn back, she transformed into his imperial aunt.

Even if he wanted to mourn, he could not do so as a lover.

He had also privately investigated, but a fire had burned everything to ashes; even Xiao Yin, that madman, could find nothing, gradually disappearing, fleeing the capital, claiming he was grieving his lost wife and wanted to go out to relax.

Where does he have even a fraction of Xiao Yin's ability?

At this moment, Gu Jiu Ling's younger brother, Gu Kang, approached him and said, Gu Jiu Ling was killed by arson.

His heart was suddenly stirred up in great waves, his whole mind dazed.

"Who is it?" Xiao Ting seized Gu Kang's arm, his fingers almost digging into Gu Kang's flesh.

Gu Kang stared at him, secretly amused.

The elder sister once liked him, followed him, but he discarded her like a worn-out shoe, becoming a laughingstock in Shang Jing.

Now the elder sister is "dead," yet he puts on this deep affection— is it pitiful or ridiculous?

Gu Kang's expression calm and composed, he lowered his voice: "Initially, I, your humble official, received the emperor's great grace, entered the Hanlin Academy as a compiler, and also joined the Council of State."

"My elder brother holds some dissatisfaction toward me, perhaps taking it out on my elder sister; I have found some clues, which I can later show to Your Highness."

"He is, after all, my elder brother; I cannot speak of it, and besides, the evidence is merely speculation, insufficient to imprison him."

Gu Kang paused: "Your Highness, please forgive me; I have said too much and taken up your time."

"I, your humble official, take my leave!"

Xiao Ting naturally understood whom Gu Kang referred to; his gaze gradually turned cold, and he suddenly sneered: "Since you have evidence, why not give it to that scoundrel Xiao Yin?"

A flicker of panic crossed Gu Kang's face: "Your Highness, earlier Xiao Yin came to my home and beat me severely; now he probably refuses to listen to anything I say."

"All we know now is that Prince Rui left the capital to relax, but his whereabouts are unknown."

Xiao Ting suddenly understood: that madman Xiao Yin is someone you'd fear no matter who you meet.

Gu Kang steadied himself, lowered his voice: "Just now I wanted to speak of this matter, but... the emperor hopes to close the case quickly; thereafter, the Chongwen Lou affair is to end, and if anything else arises, it would be improper."

"I say these to Your Highness not for any other reason, only feeling that you and my elder sister once had some affection; each of us knows it in our hearts."

Gu Kang understood that some words need not be said; the more said, the more mistakes. He slowly stepped back, bowed to Xiao Ting, then turned and left.

For a moment Xiao Ting felt at a loss, unsure what to do; yes, Gu Kang was right— even if he knew Gu Cheng had set the fire that killed Gu Jiu Ling, openly he could not overturn Chongwen Lou.

After all these events, Chongwen Lou has become a veritable ghost tower; whoever touches it meets misfortune.

He even came to resent Gu Jiu Ling; a wave of pain surged over his heart, he gritted his teeth, his voice already trembling slightly.

"Why did you marry that scoundrel Xiao Yin in the first place? Don't you know he is fated to kill his wives?"

"Why choose him? Could you not wait a little longer for me?"

After Gu Kang left, Gu Cheng looked at Xiao Ting, head lowered, unknown what he was thinking, yet his heart felt a hint of alarm.

He suddenly realized he might have fallen into Gu Kang's trap; yes, from the Chongwen Lou poetry selection to now, many matters have been drawn out.

Now Gu Cheng looked again at his younger brother Gu Kang; the former contempt and wariness were gone, replaced by a fear that struck deep into his heart and marrow.

At this moment he had become a scapegoat in the struggle between the Duan family and the emperor— how innocent!

But this is the court: serving a ruler is like serving a tiger; his future and fate lie entirely in the sovereign's single thought.

At this point, to escape with a single path of life is already the greatest favor bestowed upon him.

Now the only one he can rely on is the Crown Prince; he only hopes the Crown Prince will not heed Gu Kang's deceit and abandon him.

Then he would truly have no connection with the Southern Qi court; the sayings "morning a rustic, evening at the emperor's hall," "cultivate self, regulate family, govern state, bring peace to world" would all become jokes.

Gu Cheng panicked completely, hurriedly rushed to Crown Prince Xiao Ting's side, bowed, and said: "Your Highness, thank you for your care in prison; I, your humble subject, am deeply grateful..."

"Gu Cheng!" Xiao Ting fixed his stare on the young talent before him, who had only a good exterior, and suddenly felt waves of nausea.

The disgust in his eyes could no longer be suppressed; he slowly said: "Master Gu, you are overestimating yourself; in prison, did I, the Prince, patronize you? Do you even deserve it?"

Gu Cheng's face instantly turned pale; he stared at Xiao Ting in disbelief, opened his mouth, not knowing what to do.

Xiao Ting stepped forward, leaned to Gu Cheng's ear, and said: "Do you know that although Gu Jiu Ling is the Princess Consort of Rui, she is also my— my— favorite!"

As Xiao Ting's words fell, Gu Cheng startled, stepped back repeatedly, his heart sinking into icy water, causing him to tremble slightly.

Xiao Ting gave a cold snort and then ignored Gu Cheng.

Gu Cheng didn't even know how he had walked out of the palace; with difficulty he moved to the east Si Ma gate, seeing others' carriages already departed, only the Gu Xiang Fu's carriage still waiting there.

Perhaps he had been waiting anxiously, Gu Shijie flung open the carriage curtain and shouted at Gu Cheng.

"Quick!"

Only then did Gu Cheng, as if waking from a dream, hurry a few steps toward Gu Shijie.

Gu Shijie personally helped his proud eldest son onto the carriage, eagerly asking: "How did it go? What did the Crown Prince say? Can you continue as his aide?"

"Now, to save you, Father has utterly offended the Duan family; the Crown Prince's patronage is vital for us!"

Gu Cheng slowly lifted his gaze to his chattering father, suddenly feeling like laughing at all this.

He also laughed, a low laugh full of sorrow and indignation gradually growing into loud laughter, even hysterical laughter.

"Hahaha... the Crown Prince's patronage? Hahaha..."

Gu Shijie, seeing his eldest son laugh inexplicably, felt his heart tremble slightly.

He stared in terror at his eldest son and couldn't help but let out a low roar.

"Stop laughing! Are you mad?"