Chapter 457: Beating the Drum

Gu Kang's face stiffened slightly, then he took a breath, picked up the medicine Gu Jiu Ling had handed him, and gave it to his aide beside him.

"Go to Miss Li's place and deliver the medicine."

"Yes!" the man in black robes hurriedly turned and walked out.

Gu Jiu Ling then relaxed her breath, staring fixedly at her younger brother.

In the dim yellow light, half of his face was alternately light and dark.

She slowly said, "Gu Kang, you... are you still assisting the Crown Prince?"

Gu Kang smiled: "Mr. Wen said that as a scholar, one should set one's heart for heaven and earth, set one's destiny for the people, but when doing good deeds, one does not ask about the future."

Gu Jiu Ling paused, realizing he didn't want to mention the people behind him, giving her a perfunctory answer.

She actually really didn't want to see Gu Kang and Xiao Yin on opposing sides, but still unwilling to give up, she said: "Actually your brother-in-law is also a decent person, though he's reckless in conduct, his general direction won't be wrong—are you willing..."

Gu Kang slowly raised his left hand; his little finger had been cut off halfway, revealing a hideous scar.

Gu Jiu Ling stared at the scar and was momentarily speechless.

Back then, Gu Kang had framed her, and Xiao Yin had punished him on her behalf, directly cutting off Gu Kang's little finger.

He looked at Gu Jiu Ling and smiled: "A militarist who misgoverns the state is not a wise ruler; Xiao Yin is by nature licentious, elder sister, you too must take care."

Having said all that in one sentence, Gu Jiu Ling could ask no more.

A hint of bitterness appeared at the corner of Gu Jiu Ling's mouth as she slowly rose and smiled: "Forget it, my brother has grown up and has his own pursuits; I'm happy for you as your sister."

Gu Kang hadn't expected Gu Jiu Ling not to be angry with him; after all, just now the siblings had expressed their meaning fully.

Gu Jiu Ling didn't want Gu Kang to stand opposed to Xiao Yin, but Gu Kang said each serves his own master, each plans his own affairs.

The two will eventually face each other.

Having come to this point, further talk is useless.

Gu Jiu Ling turned and walked toward the door, not expecting Gu Kang's voice to come from behind.

"Elder sister, rest assured; if the day truly comes when we face Prince Rui, I can guarantee you will have no worries about food and clothing, and I will preserve Xiao Yin's life!"

Gu Jiu Ling's steps halted, she turned her face to look at Gu Kang and smiled: "No, I'm worried that Xiao Yin's petty mind won't let you off."

She collected herself and said: "Elder sister will also protect your life!"

"Before Mother died, she certainly wouldn't want to see us siblings go our separate ways, but I will protect you, no matter how outrageous your actions, you are still my dear younger brother."

Gu Jiu Ling finished speaking, turned and walked out of Gu Kang's study; Gu Kang stood there, his brows slightly furrowed.

Gu Jiu Ling felt the conversation with Gu Kang had been rather oppressive; she walked out of Gu Kang's courtyard, only to see a person standing under the flower trees outside.

She momentarily froze, then hurried over.

"What did you say, talking for so long?" Xiao Yin's expression held a hint of grievance and petulance.

"You left me alone here, lonely and hard to bear," Xiao Yin raised his hand to help Gu Jiu Ling put on her hood, "You rushed off so quickly, your forehead is sweating; what if you catch a chill?"

Xiao Yin chattered on, but Gu Jiu Ling lifted her gaze, fixedly staring at him, then suddenly rose on her toes and wrapped her arms around his neck.

Xiao Yin was startled by her such intimate gesture.

Gu Jiu Ling lifted her eyes to Xiao Yin and smiled: "Promise me, take it easy, don't let the children lose their father at such a young age."

Xiao Yin froze there, his eyes gaining a touch of warmth; he raised his hand and roughly rubbed Gu Jiu Ling's hair bun, laughing softly: "No, I, the prince, would never be that foolish."

"I, the prince, have toiled all these years without enjoying a single day of blessing; your temperament might not be something I can keep."

"When the time comes, a stranger will spend my money, sleep with my woman, and still bully my little brats—how could I, the prince, accept that?"

"Jiu Ling," Xiao Yin drew a deep breath, lifted his hand to pull Gu Jiu Ling tightly into his embrace, and sighed softly: "After the matters of Qi Sha Gu are settled, I will take you and the children away from Shang Jing."

A flicker of surprise crossed Gu Jiu Ling's eyes; she then understood Xiao Yin's meaning, and her heart actually felt some liking.

Soon after, the joy on her face faded a bit; if Xiao Yin wanted to avenge Qi Sha Gu, he would have to sit in that position, but attaining that position is no easy feat.

Although the Duan family has collapsed, even a centipede, when dead, does not lose its stiffness.

The intertwined powers of the great clans have only managed to shift a single slab, not uproot them entirely; the road ahead will only grow harder, and the struggles will only intensify.

Even if he endured countless hardships and truly sat in that position, would he really be willing to give it up?

That is what countless men in the world dream of—beauty and power; Xiao Yin's words are unrealistic, and Gu Jiu Ling dare not be overly optimistic.

"Do one's best, and leave everything to fate."

Gu Jiu Ling looked at Xiao Yin, gave a careful nod, and, under the guidance of the steward ahead, walked out of the Gu residence.

After enduring the scorching heat, it is now early autumn, September.

It is precisely the time of clear, refreshing skies; outside the palace city, people come and go, making it the liveliest part of the day.

The Peace Drum standing on the small square east of the Si Ma Gate has already enjoyed over a hundred years of history here.

Because the conditions for striking the Peace Drum are extremely harsh, ordinary folk who want to file a lawsuit might at most receive a few beatings, but if they come here to strike the drum, their bodies might barely endure it.

After all, the conditions for drumming are extremely harsh; no matter what lawsuit one files, anyone who strikes the Peace Drum generally has to roll nails.

This is a leap‑level lawsuit: one must stand before the Peace Drum, roll once; if one survives, one may continue the suit, and if one does not, it is considered his bad luck.

At this moment, amidst the chaotic crowd, a sudden exclamation rang out—yet a woman in plain white robes appeared, holding some scrolls in her hands as she slowly walked toward the Peace Drum.

When she appeared among the crowd, the surroundings drew in a series of gasps, accompanied by low murmurs.

"Good heavens, who is that? Have you seen her? Could it not be Miss Ruoxi, the former top courtesan of the Honglou Pavilion?"

"Yes, Miss Ruoxi hasn't been seen in spirit for some days; I never expected..."

"Look, look, this opera actress is about to do what?"

"He—he wouldn't be going to strike that Peace Drum, would he? Quick, quick... hurry, people are coming, there's a good show to watch!"

Li Ruoxi today, wearing mourning attire, walked forward slowly; each step was a matter of life and death.

Merely the step from the Si Ma Gate toward the Peace Drum was probably the easiest few steps of her life.

She slowly arrived before Peace Valley and knelt there with a thud.

She raised her hand to pick up the drumstick, but the imperial guards on duty rushed out from the side, heading toward Li Ruoxi.