Chapter 390

One month later, Princess Yuanqing of Bei Di arrived in Shang Jing of Southern Qi; this time Princess Yuanqing came with even greater pomp and momentum than before.

Before Princess Yuanqing's arrival, a rumor had already been circulating in Shang Jing of Southern Qi.

It meant that Bei Di and Southern Qi intended to form a marriage alliance, and Princess Yuanqing's visit this time made it highly likely that she would marry the Ninth Imperial Uncle, whose princess consort had just died.

No one knew where this rumor came from, but it caused quite a stir, creating an uproar in Shang Jing.

As a relative of the Southern Qi imperial family, Princess Yuanqing arrived at the Bei Di Yi Guan, and soon Emperor Longqing would host a banquet to welcome the distant guests.

As the Ninth Imperial Uncle, Xiao Yin naturally had to attend the palace banquet.

Just as Princess Yuanqing arrived at the Bei Di Yi Guan, preparing to rest before entering the palace to see the emperor.

Meanwhile, Xiao Yin hid at Gu Jiu Ling's place and refused to leave.

He held his daughter in his arms, and the little one had grown noticeably chubbier.

For infants under one year old, each month brings earth-shaking changes compared to the previous month.

Xiao Yin held his daughter and looked toward Gu Jiu Ling, who was sitting by the window.

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Gu Jiu Ling held her son in front of the snow-white paper, using his fingertip dipped in ink to play.

These days, whenever Xiao Yin had time he would come over to hang out with Gu Jiu Ling; she wasn't overly enthusiastic, but the Ninth Imperial Uncle, who cared nothing for face, didn't mind at all.

They claimed to live separate lives with no connection, but since they had a child, that child became the strongest bond between them.

Xiao Yin came every day under the pretense of visiting the child; Gu Jiu Ling couldn't object, after all the child was also his, and she couldn't very well stop a father from seeing his own child.

At that moment, Gu Jiu Ling pinched her son's chubby white fingertip, dipped it in thick ink, and pressed one black imprint after another onto the paper before her.

They formed blossom after blossom of plum flowers, also carrying the atmosphere of a landscape painting.

The little one's expression remained solemn; even as his mother held him and played this fun game, he merely gave a laugh and moved on.

On the contrary, the little girl held in Xiao Yin's arms stuck out her chubby buttocks, supported her body, and reached out her tiny hand toward her mother.

It seemed she also wanted to leave her own mark on the canvas.

Xiao Yin chuckled as he lifted his daughter, stood beside Gu Jiu Ling, deliberately bent down, gripped her chubby hand, pressed it into the thick ink, and with a slap flung it onto the artwork.

Gu Er the little girl let out a giggling 'heehee', her short legs kicking wildly, almost bouncing out of her father's arms.

Gu Jiu Ling was amused by her silly daughter's actions and couldn't help laughing.

Xiao Yin disliked his daughter's mischief, raised his hand and lightly patted her buttocks.

He looked at Gu Jiu Ling and noticed that when she laughed, she bore the gentle, graceful beauty unique to a married woman.

His heart stirred involuntarily.

Gu Jiu Ling noticed Xiao Yin staring at her intently, her smile gradually freezing; she coughed lightly, lowered her head, and continued painting while holding her son.

The maids outside watched this happy family, and in the glow of the setting sun outside the window, they felt an indescribable warmth.

Xiao Yin watched Gu Jiu Ling lower her head, avoiding his gaze, then paused and smiled: 'Earlier I had people bring over that silver; spend it as needed.'

'I had the palace seamstresses make some tiny clothes; I don't know if they'll fit the children.'

'By the way, you love sweets, don't you? Your place is small, the kitchen is tiny—you can't make much.'

'The cooks at Rui Wang Fu make pastries every day and send them over to you.'

'What else do you want to eat? Just name it.'

Gu Jiu Ling felt her ears warm up; these days she and her two children had been practically fattened like pigs by Xiao Yin.

All kinds of food, toys, clothing, and supplies were sent over in a rush.

Gu Jiu Ling couldn't possibly eat or use it all, so she distributed the excess to the people below.

Not to mention the two children; even the two hired wet nurses, and the pear-blossom cat kept in the courtyard, had all grown noticeably plump.

Gu Jiu Ling felt a stir in her heart; he took extra care of himself and the children, which made him look like a good father.

She understood just how busy Xiao Yin currently was.

Seeing that the Duan family was about to reveal its true colors, Xiao Yin prepared to crush them completely, avenging the past grudge from Qi Sha Gu.

No matter how busy Xiao Yin was, even at night he would come here to hug the two children or keep her company with conversation.

He didn't stay overnight; after speaking and hugging the children, he would turn and leave in the middle of the night—his boundaries were clear, but the warmth he offered was in no way lacking.

This left Gu Jiu Ling feeling quite conflicted; she truly didn't know how to face Xiao Yin now.

If it weren't for the old man of the Du family standing in the way, and the vengeful spirits of Qi Sha Gu, the two of them wouldn't have come to this point.

'Prince,' Ling Feng said, standing at the doorway, unable to hold back from interrupting this warm conversation.

Xiao Yin furrowed his brows and said, 'What is it?'

'May I report to Prince, Princess Yuanqing has already taken up residence at the relay station; the emperor invites you to attend the banquet at the palace tonight.'

As soon as the four words 'Princess Yuanqing' left Ling Feng's mouth, Gu Jiu Ling's arm holding her daughter tensed slightly.

Xiao Yin's complexion wasn't any better; he nodded and waved Ling Feng away.

Ling Feng, feeling a bit uneasy, steadied himself and then slowly retreated.

In fact, Emperor Longqing had already sent the third batch of workers to summon him.

The first two times they said the Prince had gone out hunting in the suburbs, but now the emperor urgently summons him; if he keeps refusing, he risks being charged with deceiving the sovereign.

Xiao Yin handed the child to Jiu Yue, who stood nearby, then glanced once more at Gu Jiu Ling sitting by the window, gathered his thoughts, and said, 'It was my oversight; I still wish to restore your status, and restore our children's status.'

'Now that I think about it, you were right. Shang Jing is already rife with turmoil; the imperial court and the aristocratic families have bared their fangs, each wanting to destroy the other. In such a situation, your hiding is actually for the best—at least it keeps you safe.'

'You and the children are both well.'

Gu Jiu Ling remained silent; Xiao Yin waited a moment, feeling bored, turned and had just reached the door when Gu Jiu Ling suddenly called out to stop him.

'Here! Take it!'

Gu Jiu Ling threw an embroidered sachet toward Xiao Yin, who turned and caught it in one hand.

These days he understood that Gu Jiu Ling held some resentment toward him because of the Du family affair and because of the earlier misunderstanding between them.

Talking with him was no longer as warm as before, and now he didn't expect Gu Jiu Ling to help him come up with any plans.

As for the marriage alliance, he actually already had some plans in mind; he didn't want Gu Jiu Ling, yet he threw this thing to him, and he hurriedly caught it in his hand and asked with a smile, "What is this?"