Chapter 491: with translation of chapter title

I didn't expect that the Cao Clan's hidden guards surrounding them had just placed poisoned sword blades at Xiao Yin's neck, when outside came a series of thunder-like explosive sounds, followed by more footsteps rushing in.

Cao Maolin and the others were startled in an instant, just as they were dazed.

Xiao Yin suddenly hurled the teacup he was holding at the face of a guard in front of him; the teacup, infused with his strong inner force, became a sharp weapon, directly embedding itself into that person's eye socket.

That person's sword fell from his hand to the ground, his face covered in blood, he clutched the gouged eye socket and let out a miserable howl.

Immediately, Xiao Yin pinched the fan in his hand; the fan closed, its rib turning into a weapon, and he successively poked out the eye of another hidden guard.

Ling Feng then struck, a flurry of dodging and thrusting, and the circle of Cao Clan guards surrounding them all collapsed at once.

A drop of blood splattered onto Gu Jiu Ling's hand back; Xiao Yin took out a handkerchief and gently wiped her hand clean, his brows furrowed as he coldly said, 'I'm so sorry, I've dirtied my beloved consort's little hands.'

As soon as his words fell, he lifted his long leg and kicked the stool in front of him flying, directly striking the guard who was still trying to lunge forward.

That guard clutched his belly, retreated several steps, fell to the ground, and was in so much pain he couldn't get up.

Then a large group of sturdy-clad men rushed in, reeking of sulfur, and they tightly surrounded the Cao Clan's front hall.

Not far away, the Cao Clan's treasure storehouse was ablaze with firelight, filled with wails, and from time to time fireworks exploded outward.

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The change happened in an instant; Cao Maolin felt as if his acupuncture points had been struck, staring blankly outside, his whole person dumbfounded.

He had been following Xiao Yin's official boat all along, never expecting Xiao Yin to bring so many personal troops to Yangzhou; this time, outside there were actually dense footsteps.

He looked at Xiao Yin in terror, and in just a few moves Xiao Yin had his well-trained guards killed or wounded countless times; the reputation of the Southern Qi War God was indeed not undeserved.

Xiao Yin seemed to pay no heed to the blatant change before him, merely smiling at his own princess consort and saying, 'Girl, how do you like the fireworks I set off tonight?'

Cao Maolin almost vomited a mouthful of blood; that direction was the treasure pavilion he had built.

Usually he brought beauties and confidants there to indulge in pleasure, and even the floor tiles of that treasure pavilion were carved jade stone; yet this time Xiao Yin set it ablaze with a single fire.

No, not only was it burned, it felt more like it had been blown up!

I don't know where Xiao Yin got this stuff, but it's like a thunderstorm, with such tremendous power?

That was a treasury he had built over many years, filled with countless treasures, yet Xiao Yin blew it sky-high in an instant, and Cao Maolin nearly fainted.

Xiao Yin coldly stared at Cao Maolin before him; if it weren't for the need to audit the accounts of the Jiangnan salt merchants, this man would still have to be kept alive, otherwise Xiao Yin would have already killed him.

He really has grown bold, daring to break ground on Xiao Yin's head.

Previously, Xiao Yin had almost died in a small town, and adding to that were the Cao Clan's misdeeds at Qi Sha Gu.

Now the new and old grievances have piled up together, and Xiao Yin intends to settle them all at once.

Xiao Yin coldly gazed at Cao Maolin before him, taking Gu Jiu Ling's hand and slowly sitting down in the seat.

"Cao Maolin, tell me now, upon seeing this prince, should you kneel or not?"

At this moment Cao Maolin's heart was filled with shock and anger, and seeing that Xiao Yin's people filled the courtyard inside and out, he wanted to summon reinforcements from elsewhere, but there was probably no time.

Cao Maolin, who was always proud, now slowly lowered his head before Xiao Yin and fell to his knees with a thud.

"May the prince enjoy ten thousand blessings!"

Cao Maolin kowtowed heavily to Xiao Yin.

Gu Nanxiang's heart almost bled with hatred, yet she gritted her teeth and had to kneel before Gu Jiu Ling.

Gu Jiu Ling's lips curled into a sneer, and she let out a light laugh.

That laugh pierced Gu Nanxiang's ears, making her feel as if she were sitting on pins and needles, unbearably agonized.

Xiao Yin slowly rose, stretched lazily, glanced around the splendid front hall, and lightly said, 'The inn arranged by the Yangzhou prefecture is not to my liking; this courtyard is fine, I will stay here.'

Hearing this, Cao Maolin was greatly shocked and dismayed, wondering where an imperial envoy could be allowed to reside.

The Cao Clan hides secrets both inside and out; if Xiao Yin were allowed to stay here, future troubles would be endless.

He had previously known Xiao Yin was not dead, so he prepared an elegant hall in Yangzhou City, intending to lodge Xiao Yin and Gu Kang and other imperial envoys there.

If one picked a windy day and set fire to that hall, burning it to the ground would also be a method.

I never expected Xiao Yin would not stay in the hall but instead want to reside directly in his home; how could one then set fire? How could one kill?

If he stayed in his home, any harm to the imperial envoy would be blamed on the Cao Clan, thereby giving the imperial court an excuse to deploy troops.

Cao Maolin hastily shouted in protest: 'Prince, I have prepared a hall for you, and also a dozen or so Yangzhou slender horses, each of heavenly beauty and fragrance, to sing for you and keep you entertained—how about that?'

Xiao Yin was taken aback, glanced at Gu Jiu Ling sitting beside him, and Gu Jiu Ling coughed.

Xiao Yin quickly looked at Cao Maolin and said, 'What nonsense are you spouting, boy? Haven't you heard that I fear my wife?'

"My princess consort is of heavenly beauty and national grace; how could those Yangzhou slender horses compare? This is sheer nonsense—no going to the hall!"

Cao Maolin's face darkened as he looked at Xiao Yin and said, 'Prince, this is ultimately my private residence, still housing womenfolk; it would be inconvenient for you to stay here.'

Xiao Yin was taken aback: 'After all, we are still relatives.'

"I have traveled a thousand miles from the capital to Yangzhou to visit relatives; how could I stay outside?"

"My princess consort and your beloved concubine are sisters; sisters who haven't seen each other in a long while, gathering together to chat is quite nice."

Gu Kang, who had been silent, gave a slight smile, looking at Gu Nanxiang and said, 'Second sister, I also haven't been close to you for some days; now staying here is perfect, being able to see you anytime is also good.'

You big-headed devil!

Cao Maolin realized that this time the imperial envoy sent by the court was so shameless, so complacently taking up residence in his Cao household.

But just as he was about to speak, Gu Jiu Ling on the side also stood up and waved at the guards outside.

"Hey, you lot, what are you standing around for? Bring the princess consort's luggage trunks inside."

"Exactly, those—move them to the main courtyard where Master Cao resides."

"That courtyard is spacious; our prince likes to practice swordplay, perfect for a demonstration!"

Cao Maolin was instantly shocked and dismayed; letting them stay in his inner residence was bad enough, but now they want to stay in his warm pavilion as well?

He still wanted to resist, but Xiao Yin raised his hand and firmly gripped his arm to help him up.

Although it was meant as support, Xiao Yin's hand clamped onto his arm like an iron vise, causing sharp pain.

Xiao Yin smiled and said, 'Master Cao, I have just moved into this courtyard and am not yet familiar with it; come, come, you show me around first.'

「Jiu Ling, you come along too; we husband and wife will also enjoy this splendid Jiangnan scenery. 」

Gu Jiu Ling hurriedly laughed and caught up with Xiao Yin, together they supported Cao Mao Lin as they walked toward the rear courtyard.

Gu Kang's eyes flickered with a smile; speaking of Shang Jing, if we talk about being unreasonable and shameless, none other than this couple.

He was about to follow up, but unexpectedly, Gu Nan Xiang hurried over from behind and blocked his way.