Chapter 434: Perish Together

Just as Gu Jiu Ling and Xiao Yin's family were sitting around the table eating hot pot, the guards outside hurried in.

The guard, his face showing some panic, bowed and said, "Report to the Prince, Princess Yuan Qing of Bei Di is leading a group toward the Prince's residence, intending to break in; how should the Prince decide?"

The entire Prince Rui's residence was heavily guarded, as tight as an iron bucket.

Guards inside and out formed layer upon layer; at this moment, the people accompanying Princess Yuan Qing had already been blocked outside the residence's gate, yet that Princess Yuan Qing, leading those Bei Di people, directly tried to charge in.

Hostilities were about to erupt, and the guards on duty outside did not know how to respond.

If it were as usual, anyone daring to break into Prince Rui's residence would be killed outright.

But the other party is Princess Yuan Qing, and this time they are marrying into Southern Qi; a misstep could provoke a dispute between the two states.

Even the captain of the guards didn't know what to do, so he had to rush to the rear courtyard to report to Xiao Yin.

As the reporting guard finished speaking, the atmosphere inside the room instantly turned cold; just moments ago it had been harmonious, but now it was somewhat spoiled.

Gu Jiu Ling slowly set down her chopsticks, her brows and eyes slightly lowered.

Whether it's Princess Yuan Qing or the earlier Ying Gu, they are all romantic debts Xiao Yin stirred up; each should settle their own debts, and she has no right to clear theirs.

Xiao Yin, however, instinctively glanced at Gu Jiu Ling sitting beside him; seeing her face darken, he immediately felt something was wrong.

Now, in front of Gu Jiu Ling, whatever he says or does, he is careful, afraid of driving this girl away again after finally tricking her back.

Xiao Yin slapped the table and sprang up: "I'll go see him."

Gu Jiu Ling's thoughts shifted as she looked at Xiao Yin; after holding back, she still couldn't help but say softly, "Your Highness, don't forget you've been pretending to be ill."

"If you go out to meet those people, your act of illness won't hold up."

"Even now, I have returned to the residence and still bear the title of divine doctor who heals and saves lives. But it's not that quick to cure you in a single night; if you go out jumping about, your ruse will be exposed."

A flicker of joy crossed Xiao Yin's face as he leaned close to Gu Jiu Ling and whispered with a smile, "Princess Consort, you truly consider things thoroughly for your husband."

"Princess Consort, do you still care about me, after all?"

Gu Jiu Ling froze for a moment, lifted her head to look at the shameless Prince before her, then turned her face away, unwilling to acknowledge him.

Since Xiao Yin intended to see Princess Yuan Qing, there must be a reason; she need not interfere, and she rose, intending to see him out.

But Xiao Yin seized her, pulling her into his embrace and hugging her tightly before releasing her with a laugh: "Wait here for me; I, your husband, know my limits—I'll go meet that woman."

Xiao Yin strode out of the warm pavilion, taking Ling Feng directly toward the gate of Prince Rui's residence.

From afar, he saw the swords at the waists of his own secret guards flashing out, their cold light growing ever more gloomy beneath the night sky studded with stars.

From outside the gate came a woman's loud shouting, even somewhat hysterical.

Xiao Yin's brows furrowed tightly, a flash of impatience crossing his eyes, then he led the people over.

Seeing Xiao Yin approach, the guards made way, and he stood directly before Princess Yuan Qing.

Princess Yuan Qing felt a surge of anger in her chest; she had originally come to Southern Qi to marry Xiao Yin.

His imperial brother had once promised her he would certainly help her fulfill her dream.

She loved Xiao Yin to the extreme, swearing she would accompany him for life; yet, having arrived in Southern Qi with joy, she ended up with this outcome—not only failing to marry Xiao Yin, but marrying a eunuch instead.

Today Gu Jiu Ling dared to reappear in Shang Jing of Southern Qi, and even returned to the Prince Rui's residence.

Princess Yuan Qing felt she had been played; the pent-up frustration in her chest could no longer be contained, and she rushed straight toward Xiao Yin.

Just as she shouted, wanting to charge into Prince Rui's residence, she met Xiao Yin's grim face.

Princess Yuan Qing was momentarily speechless, her voice trembling slightly, as she stared fixedly at Xiao Yin and suddenly burst out laughing.

Her laughter grew louder and louder, audible sorrow evident in every peal.

"Xiao Yin, I never thought you were this sort of person—you actually set a trap to frame me?"

"You knew Gu Jiu Ling wasn't dead, didn't you? You knew she would return, and you were certain, posing as a lonely widower, to deceive me into coming to Southern Qi to marry you."

"Xiao Yin, do you have any heart at all? Do you have any heart?"

Faced with Princess Yuan Qing's accusations, Xiao Yin said nothing, but gestured to the dark guards to bring her before him.

Princess Yuan Qing stared fixedly at Xiao Yin: "At the palace banquet, you schemed against me, claiming I had poisoned you to kill you."

"Later, Gu Jiu Ling tricked me to the outskirts' Qiantuo Temple, locking me together with Xiao Wei—you know that, right?"

Xiao Yin inwardly smiled bitterly; that girl had set up these interlocking schemes, of which he knew nothing.

He lifted his gaze to the shattered-looking Princess Yuan Qing before him and coldly laughed: "Yes, all the schemes were my designs—how does it feel?"

Xiao Yin's expression was a half-smile; as he uttered the four words 'how does it feel,' Princess Yuan Qing froze in place.

She looked at Xiao Yin in disbelief, never expecting him to be so heartless.

"Xiao Yin, I know you don't like me, but we are actually the most suitable match."

"Gu Jiu Ling is merely an inner-chamber lady who can't lift or bear weight; you are Southern Qi's war god—how could a weak woman like her accompany you on the battlefield?"

"Xiao Yin, in this world the woman most worthy of you is still me. Now that you've come to your senses, I won't hold past matters against you."

"I only ask that you join me to complete the marriage alliance between Bei Di and Southern Qi."

"I am invincible on the battlefield; if we became husband and wife, we would be the most formidable couple in this world……"

Xiao Yin's brows knotted tightly; he hadn't expected this woman to become increasingly fervent, spouting so much nonsense that he couldn't help but sneer.

"Princess Yuan Qing, have you said enough? Now that you've had your say, it's my turn."

"I have never liked you; don't be self‑indulgent in liking me."

"Your affection I cannot bear; all the schemes against you are this king's wish for you to die, after all you are a trouble."

"But you are still useful now, so this king can let you live until today."

"And what you did to Jiu Ling in Qiantuo Temple—you know it yourself; don't commit evil deeds then come running to me crying, what are you even?"

Princess Yuan Qing's face paled somewhat, despair growing denser; she suddenly raised the sword in her hand and thrust it toward Xiao Yin's chest, gritting her teeth: "If this is how it is, let us perish together."

Princess Yuan Qing's face turned a shade paler, her despair deepening. Suddenly she lifted the sword in her hand and thrust it at Xiao Yin's chest, biting her teeth hard: "If so, let us die together."