Chapter 492

Gu Kang never expected Gu Nanxiang to block his way.

Seeing Gu Nanxiang again, Gu Kang's heart still felt a slight stir.

Back then in the Gu household, he was actually raised beside Madam Lin; although he had an older sister, Madam Lin stirred him to be not close to Gu Jiu Ling, but instead he was very close to the second sister, Gu Nanxiang.

Only later did Gu Kang realize that it was not closeness but a killing with kindness.

Madam Lin, with three children, kept sucking his and his elder sister's blood; when they had been drained almost dry, Gu Kang finally came to his senses.

But the price he paid was truly too high.

"Second brother, long time no see, how have you been lately?"

Gu Nanxiang's eyes reddened slightly; she hastily took out a handkerchief, covered her mouth, and burst into tears.

Gu Kang furrowed his brows: "Second sister, what's wrong? Logically, when we siblings meet we should be happy, why are you crying instead?"

Gu Kang's voice was icy cold, without a trace of warmth.

Gu Nanxiang's face slightly froze, her brows knitting.

She hurried forward a step, raised her hand and grabbed Gu Kang's arm, with a hint of sobbing: "Initially, what the eldest brother and third brother did to you, I also heard about; those two really went too far."

"No matter how you say it, we're all family; why must we do such fratricide?"

"Second sister still remembers you like sweets; coincidentally, Yangzhou has many pastry shops, and the cook in the Cao Clan mansion makes decent pastries—second sister, hearing you were coming, has already prepared some."

"In a moment, second sister will send them to your Ke Yuan."

"Gu Kang, I've grown up with you since childhood, so I naturally feel for you; look how thin you've become—did the eldest sister not take good care of you?"

Gu Kang furrowed his brows, without changing expression he pulled his arm from Gu Nanxiang's hand, and lightly said: "We're adults now; each must take responsibility for oneself."

"My thinness has nothing to do with the eldest sister; it's getting late, I'll go rest—take care, second sister."

Gu Kang said nothing more, turned and followed Gu Jiu Ling's group.

Gu Nanxiang was left behind; she stared fixedly at Gu Kang's retreating back.

In her eyes, the former warmth of the sibling reunion was gone, replaced by a frosty sheen.

He silently ground his back teeth, then whispered: "Well done, Gu Jiu Ling—I never thought even a clueless worm like Gu Kang could be manipulated by you."

Gu Nanxiang originally thought she could still play the emotion card to get Gu Kang to side with her.

After all, Gu Kang is now a powerful minister of the court; if she could cling to that thigh, even after losing influence in the Cao Clan she would remain safe.

Unexpectedly, Gu Kang refused to buy it, and her heart instantly panicked.

"Fine, truly no familial affection left."

"Since you insist on following that lowly Gu Jiu Ling to your death, I'll grant your wish!"

"This is Yangzhou..."

Gu Kang moved into the Ke Yuan with some attendants, and Xiao Yin sent people to protect his safety.

Unexpectedly, just as Gu Kang settled, a maid outside tried to enter with a food box, but was blocked at the door by Xiao Yin's guards.

The maid urgently said: "These pastries were sent by Madam Gu for Master Gu."

Gu Kang waved at the servant attending him and said softly: "Throw them out!"

He is no longer the former Gu Kang.

Once he regarded Gu Nanxiang as his real sister, and Gu Cheng and Gu Huai as his real brothers; yet those people cast him into hell and even prevented his rebirth forever.

The second sister who constantly claimed to be on good terms with him placed dead rats in the town.

At that time, did she ever consider that this younger brother of hers was also in the town, and physically frail?

If he contracted the plague, he'd likely die without a burial place; Gu Kang gave a soft, cold chuckle—did he really think himself a fool?

Gu Jiu Ling and Xiao Yin took over Cao Mao Lin's luxurious residence; Cao Mao Lin was furious, but unable to resist, he had to pack up his valuables overnight and move out, vacating the house.

Everyone says the Prince Rui of Shang Jing is overbearing, shameless, and arrogant; today we've seen it.

At that moment, Ling Feng led people to surround Cao Mao Lin's residence inside and out, while some were sent to lurk in the dark.

This time, only Gu Jiu Ling and Xiao Yin remained in the splendid hall.

Gu Jiu Ling gave Xiao Yin a thumbs-up: "Prince is mighty!"

Xiao Yin laughed: "Not at all, not at all—it's also thanks to the Princess Consort's cooperation."

Both rose at once, one to the left, one to the right, slipping into the side rooms and began rummaging through chests and cabinets.

Outside, Ling Feng watched, his eye twitching—these two really are a perfect match!

Gu Jiu Ling felt every box in the room, the warm niche under the bed, even the painting of Tao Zhu Gong hanging on the wall—she examined everything thoroughly, yet found nothing unusual.

Unexpectedly, a loud boom came from the room where Xiao Yin was; Gu Jiu Ling hurriedly turned and rushed to the east wing, only to see that in Xiao Yin's room, beside the Eight Immortals table, he had actually opened a pitch-black opening.

The entrance was set under the table, a dark hole leading straight down.

Gu Jiu Ling's expression slightly froze; she was about to dart into the hole, but Xiao Yin grabbed her arm from behind and pulled her back behind him.

"I'll go first."

Gu Jiu Ling nodded, followed behind Xiao Yin, and slowly descended the steps.

Unexpectedly, the further they went, the larger the space became, only growing more damp and stuffy.

It was like being placed in a steamer and slow‑roasted over a low fire.

Gu Jiu Ling followed Xiao Yin; after just a few steps, she was already drenched in sweat, her clothes soaked through.

Moreover, waves of foul odor came from ahead; Gu Jiu Ling couldn't help but frown fiercely, and grabbed the bending Xiao Yin.

Xiao Yin tightly held Gu Jiu Ling's hand; her heart immediately felt more at ease, and she let out a breath.

After walking just a few steps to the end, there turned out to be an iron door.

As soon as his hand touched the iron door, Xiao Yin felt a surge of joy.

He had long wanted to find the secrets of the Cao Clan and the Qi Sha Gu; unexpectedly, he actually discovered this secret room in Cao Mao Lin's chambers.

A clan like the Cao Clan would certainly have one or two secret chambers, and this one would surely be placed where Cao Mao Lin and the others could easily come and go.

So that night Xiao Yin caught the Cao Clan off guard, gave them no chance to turn things around, drove him out, and actually they discovered something.

Gu Jiu Ling nervously clenched her fists.

Gu Jiu Ling wondered what it could be.

Jewelry was impossible, after all this secret room looked very shabby.

What secrets could it be hiding?

Gu Jiu Ling grew more excited the more she thought, almost walking ahead of Xiao Yin, but Xiao Yin carefully lifted her up behind him like holding a small cat.

"Be careful!" Xiao Yin said with a hint of laughter in his voice, then kicked open the door of the secret room.

Xiao Yin liked this simple and brutal approach, but then a rustling sound came from the darkness, along with the sound of iron chains scraping the ground, and Xiao Yin froze for a moment.

How could it be a living