Chapter 404

Gu Jiu Ling ordered the fake Xiao Yin to go out wandering over mountains and fields; naturally she had her plan.

But now that she has started the game, she doesn't want to just play a small round.

It's a game! It's only fun when you play big!

The people in the room withdrew one after another, and the originally cramped room became even more chaotic.

Not long after, Li Qiao'er came in carrying something, a box carved from golden-thread nanmu wood, palm-sized and looking very exquisite.

The box was brought before Gu Jiu Ling by Li Qiao'er, who opened it to reveal a jade pendant; however, the patterns carved on it were extraordinarily intricate, and at a glance they were the national flower and emblem of Fu Yu Guo.

"Master, this is Princess Ya Lan's jade pendant; she also said it is an external object, and if it can help you, then it has fulfilled its purpose."

Gu Jiu Ling picked up the jade pendant, feeling a twinge of guilt.

Since Xiao Yin went to the island and captured them—mother and her two children—back to the capital, and on top of that Zuo Feichen was also seized by Xiao Yin.

Princess Ya Lan could no longer sit still; Gu Jiu Ling could see her feelings for Zuo Feichen, not knowing when those two had developed a bit of affection.

But both bear a deep bloody feud; they clearly care for each other, yet never took that step.

Unexpectedly these past few days, Princess Ya Lan risked everything and chased to Shang Jing to inquire about her and Zuo Feichen's news.

After confirming they were safe and learning that Xiao Yin had not given them trouble, Princess Ya Lan finally breathed a sigh of relief.

But the capital is ultimately a place of right and wrong; the aftermath of her previous life-and-death struggle with Shuang Ting has not yet fully dissipated, and Gu Jiu Ling worries that Princess Ya Lan might come to harm, so she ordered someone to secretly send her out of the capital again.

Before leaving, she instructed Li Qiao'er, when seeing off Princess Ya Lan, to ask for a personal item of hers.

This jade pendant was originally given to Princess Ya Lan by her father the king, and only a princess of Fu Yu Guo could have such an ornament.

Gu Jiu Ling's fingers slowly rubbed the jade pendant in her hand, and the corner of her mouth curled into a clear, cold smile.

"Qiao'er, help me make another trip; have someone deliver this to the Third Prince's manor, say nothing, and after delivering it come to Qin Tuo Temple."

Li Qiao'er hurriedly nodded, took the jade pendant Gu Jiu Ling handed over, and hurried out.

Finally only Gu Jiu Ling, Jiu Yue, and Yun Duo—the master and her two servants—remained in the cramped room; with so many people gone, it became noticeably quieter.

But this quietness in the pitch‑black, unfathomable night still felt a bit chilling.

By now Yun Duo and Jiu Yue were completely bewildered by Gu Jiu Ling's wave after wave of maneuvers.

Having spoken and done so much, Gu Jiu Ling was indeed a little thirsty; she sat upright in her chair, lifted her teacup, and drank the tea in one gulp.

Yun Duo and Jiu Yue dared not speak, merely standing beside Gu Jiu Ling.

"Master, the tea has gone cold; I'll go boil another pot of hot tea."

"No need; we don't need to stay here, no need to trouble ourselves," Gu Jiu Ling called out to stop Jiu Yue's departure, then slowly rose to her feet.

"Yun Duo, can the two masters of this temple be relocated?"

"Master, our people have already sent the two masters to the estate ahead."

"Hmm," Gu Jiu Ling nodded and said, "Jiu Yue, Yun Duo, you two pack up; we'll go down the mountain tonight."

"Master? Are we going down the mountain now?" Jiu Yue blinked, wondering if after all that effort the master really intended to go down the mountain.

Moreover, going down the mountain overnight left both Jiu Yue and Yun Duo somewhat unable to fathom her intentions.

Gu Jiu Ling laughed, "Down the mountain to watch the show!"

Having said that, she had Jiu Yue help her put on her outer cloak, then walked out of this secluded zen courtyard; after just a few steps, Gu Jiu Ling gestured to Yun Duo, gave a few instructions, and strode forward.

The night grew deeper, and from the woods at the mountain's base came low murmurs of discussion.

"Have you seen the Prince?"

"Yes! Huh? The Prince isn't supposed to be resting in Rui Wang Fu, gravely poisoned—how is he appearing here?"

"Are you sure you're not seeing things?"

"There's no way to mistake it—the lantern light is shining on the Prince's face; what we see is real and clear."

"Since that's the case, hurry and report to the Eldest Miss; she's still waiting for news at the estate behind."

"Quick, quick!"

The black‑clad figures hidden in the thicket sprang up and ran off; the others couldn't fathom what the Eldest Miss had been up to these days, feeling it all rather strange and mysterious.

Moreover, they were everywhere targeting the Princess Consort; although they also thought she was the granddaughter of an enemy of the Azure Dragon Army, and that the Prince shouldn't keep that woman by his side.

But they only harbored these thoughts in their hearts; though dissatisfied, they could not really do anything to the Princess Consort.

However, the Eldest Miss, Ying Gu, was somewhat outrageous; these people also felt Ying Gu shouldn't behave like that.

Having long dwelled in the borderlands, perhaps she does not know how dearly the Prince cherishes the Princess Consort; such blatant provocation and framing of the Princess Consort would surely invite disaster.

Nevertheless, they dare not speak out, for in recent years the prosperity of the people of Li Family Manor has all relied on the Prince's favor.

But Ying Gu always gives the impression of overstepping the bounds, and they still dare not speak.

Not long after, the news reached the manor; Ying Gu was then sitting in the front hall awaiting word.

Her father and brothers went on duty a few days ago and have not yet returned.

Ying Gu sat alone at the Eight Immortals table; although her expression appeared calm, her tightly clenched hands revealed her inner turmoil and anxiety.

Outside came a sudden rush of footsteps; Ying Gu instinctively rose to her feet.

Seeing her trusted little attendant, her face involuntarily sank a little—it had taken so long for him to return with the news.

This time she has important business; she doesn't want to quibble, otherwise she would definitely make this person regret it.

"How is it? Any news from there?"

"Master, we've been lying in the grass hut for several hours straight and still haven't detected Gu Jiu Ling leaving the temple."

"And what about Princess Yuan Qing?" Ying Gu couldn't help but feel angry, silently blaming Princess Yuan Qing for being a fool.

"After all this time, how come we still haven't captured Gu Jiu Ling?"

"At this hour, there's probably even enough time to dismember a body."

"Master, I actually spotted someone over there."

"Who?" Ying Gu instantly became alert; she must not let any wind carry word of what she's done tonight.

Even a slight oversight, once Xiao Yin finds out, I'm afraid I won't even be able to live properly.

But she just looks down on Gu Jiu Ling, wishing she were dead.