Chapter 386: Your Man Was Snatched Away

Gu Jiu Ling didn't expect that an unremarkable old chest would, the more she rummaged, contain more.

She saw that the inner layer of the chest still held something, hurriedly ordered Jiu Yue to fetch a small shovel, and then scraped off the lacquered skin from the chest's inner wall.

Jiu Yue didn't know what the mistress intended to do with it, so she cautiously stayed at the doorway, waiting for orders.

Gu Jiu Ling then scraped off all the lacquered skin from the chest's interior, and unexpectedly uncovered a picture.

She slowly lifted the picture in the candlelight, then carefully brought it under the palace lantern for close inspection; her complexion instantly changed slightly, for it turned out to be a map.

Mountains, rivers, official roads, even the tiny trails drawn with fine lines were marked clearly.

Gu Jiu Ling found the more she looked, the more familiar it seemed, as if she had seen this map somewhere before.

She almost held her breath, her gaze following those official roads upward.

"How could this be?" Gu Jiu Ling gasped, looking in disbelief toward a mountain range in the northwest.

The mountain range resembled a snake's tail, slightly coiled, winding in the northwest region.

"Mang Shan! It's Mang Shan!" Gu Jiu Ling whispered excitedly, then quickly covered her mouth.

She finally recalled that, long ago, Zuo Feichen, to avenge his biological father, had given the authentic Du family's landscape map to Xiao Yin.

Back then she had also seen that map, which depicted Mang Shan at the junction of Bei Di, Western Rong, and Southern Qi.

That Mang Shan looked like an azure dragon coiled between heaven and earth; the map was only half, showing the front half of the Mang Shan range, while the latter half was lost.

Now the map she held was the latter half; if the two halves were combined, they could reveal her maternal grandfather's true whereabouts back then.

Her maternal grandfather had poured all his family assets into a journey to Mang Shan, and after that he disappeared for many years.

When news of him resurfaced, he had already died at the hands of the Bei Di.

Gu Jiu Ling's heart raced; many matters concerning her maternal grandfather, Lord Du, had become mysteries, and it seemed she must go to Mang Shan.

But the other half of the map was with Xiao Yin; she stood, clutching the map, and headed toward the doorway, intending to go to Rui Wang Fu to see Xiao Yin.

Yet recalling how Xiao Yin had constantly guarded against her and how unfriendly those around Xiao Yin were, she suddenly found her steps frozen.

This matter needed to be discussed slowly again; after all, it involved many parties and required caution.

Sometimes Xiao Yin's decisions could not represent the thoughts of his close aides; people, after all, need a bit of scheming.

After Gu Jiu Ling hid the map, she called Jiu Yue in, asking her to fetch the two children from the wet nurse.

Although there were two wet nurses, Gu Jiu Ling slept with the infants each night, which eased her mind.

She had just become a mother, and indeed cherished the two children dearly.

Gu Jiu Ling rested for a moment, but at Rui Wang Fu the atmosphere was solemn.

Xiao Yin wore a gloomy expression, sitting upright in his chair.

Ling Feng, on the side, cautiously looked at his own master and after a long pause said, "Prince, have you thought of a strategy? The people from Bei Di coming this time are unlikely to be playing around."

"The reports I just gathered indicate that Bei Di and our Southern Qi have established friendly ties and marriage alliances; this cannot be changed,"

"I've heard that Princess Fucheng in the palace has been bedridden, her condition worsening lately, and her whole face is covered with bumps, looking like leprosy."

"Not only in the palace, but even in the sleeping quarters of Concubine Ling, the maids serving Princess Fucheng dare not approach."

"Both Princess Fucheng and her trusted matron live alone in a room; I've heard the illness is severe and she may not survive this winter."

Xiao Yin's two fingers clenched tightly around the mahogany chair's armrest.

Because of the force, his knuckles were turning white.

Ling Feng began to speak but dared not continue; Xiao Yin said in a deep voice, "Speak!"

"Regarding the Prince's question, previously the Bei Di Crown Prince and our Princess Changping had a marriage contract," Ling Feng hurriedly continued.

"But Gu Cheng, the eldest son of the Gu family, ruined Princess Changping's reputation, leading to the current awkward situation."

"Tuoba Heng, after all, is the Bei Di Crown Prince; after the incident with Princess Changping, how could he still be allied with him?"

"Within the palace, the ages are suitable, and only Princess Fucheng and Princess Changping are eligible—one has leprosy, the other has already lost her virginity."

"I don't know what the Bei Di think, but they sent Princess Yuanqing to our royal family for an alliance."

"Although the emperor hasn't issued an order yet, rumors have already spread among the people, saying, 'Prince, your Princess Consort has recently died, and Princess Yuanqing of Bei Di is also a widow; it would be fitting to marry Princess Yuanqing to you as your Princess Consort, thereby cementing the goodwill between Bei Di and Southern Qi.'"

Whoosh!

Xiao Yin raised his hand and violently slapped the tea cup on the table onto the floor.

The precious white jade tea cup shattered instantly into shards; Ling Feng closed his mouth, unwilling to continue.

Now, although our Prince has retrieved a Princess Consort, her status has not yet been publicly revealed.

Thus the current dilemma, everyone assumes that our Prince's wife has died; since she is dead, remarriage seems irrelevant—what's the issue with taking another wife?

Moreover, for the sake of the royal interest and the harmony between the two nations, sacrificing Prince Rui is acceptable.

His beastly elder brother could certainly devise such a harmful scheme; once Princess Yuanqing enters Southern Qi and the imperial decree is issued, he cannot refuse to marry.

Fortunately, the current situation hasn't frightened his Rui Wang Fu; Xiao Yin now must devise a way to alleviate this imminent crisis.

The best solution is to reveal Gu Jiu Ling's identity, and, as previously suggested, bring her into his own Wangfu; but that maid is very stubborn, leaving him at a loss.

Xiao Yin could no longer sit still; he sprang up and shoved Ling Feng aside.

Ling Feng took large strides and followed behind.

"Prince."

"Prepare the horses!" Xiao Yin shouted loudly.

Ling Feng dared not slacken; Xiao Yin vaulted onto his horse, gave the reins a sharp whip, and sped into the heavy night.

Gu Jiu Ling, having just soothed the two babies to sleep, was also extremely exhausted.

The journey involved climbing mountains and crossing waters; although Xiao Yin's convoy moved slowly, they were hurrying, and it was indeed very tiring.

She had just gently placed the child into the cradle.

Suddenly, a rapid footstep sound came from outside, along with the low salutes of Jiu Yue, Yun Duo, and others.

Gu Jiu Ling frowned; it was so late, and she didn't know who had arrived.

After a moment's thought, she realized that in this place, aside from her own trusted aides, only Xiao Yin and Gu Kang were present.

Gu Kang had just met her today, so that person must be Xiao Yin.

What are you stirring up, not sleeping at this hour?

The complaint had just turned over in her mind, not yet spoken, when the door was pushed open and Xiao Yin's tall figure walked in.

Xiao Yin saw the two sleeping children in the cradle, his steps lightened a bit, but his expression was very grim.

He took a few steps to Gu Jiu Ling's face, grabbed her wrist, and looking at her anxiously said, "Gu Jiu Ling, come back with me to the Wangfu!"

Gu Jiu Ling stared for a moment: "Return to what manor?"

Xiao Yin said angrily: "Naturally it's to return to the Wangfu; if you don't go back, your man will be snatched away by someone else."