Chapter 5

Xiao Yin, Gu Cheng, and the Prince himself (referring to himself as 'the Prince'). Dowry is not a name.

The residence of the Shangshu (minister); it's a generic term, not a proper name.

"You've also heard of this prince's reputation... it's not that good, right?"

Gu Cheng and Gu Shangshu (the minister Gu). 'Gu Shangshu' is a specific person, the father, and should be included as a named entity.

Lady Lin (Madam Lin); the title meaning Madam/Lady translates to 'Madam Lin'. Also appears later as the Lin clan.

Madam Lin hastily lowered her head, not daring to say anything else.

Gu Shangshu again.

Xiao Yin smiled: "Bullying people too much? You're bullying this prince's Princess Consort too much, aren't you?"

'Imperial Elder Brother' is a title, not a proper name; it likely refers to the emperor's older brother (Prince Rui's older brother the emperor). 'Old Master Du' means the surname Du with the title old master. 'Granddaughter' is not a name.

'Your son' is an honorific, likely referring to Gu Cheng; it's not a name.

The Lin clan again means Lady Lin (or Madam Lin). The Du clan means Lady Du (Madam Du). 'The Du lady has died' means Lady Du has died.

'Emperor' means Emperor; it's a title, not a proper name, so likely not included.

'Public funds' refers to money from the public treasury; not a name.

'Prince Rui's treasure sword' refers to a valuable sword belonging to Prince Rui; not a name.

Xiao Yin gave a light chuckle, then sat down heavily beside Gu Jiu Ling; now everyone around was stunned speechless.

'These two' refers to two people; not a name.

Gu Jiu Ling handed over a handkerchief; Xiao Yin took it and gently wiped the blade.

Gu Jiu Ling rested her chin on both hands, eyes full of admiration as she looked at Xiao Yin: "Prince, your sword-wiping motion looks so nice!"

Xiao Yin froze, glanced at the lovely woman beside him, the corner of his mouth twitching: "Hah! Your mouth is still pretty sweet!"

Gu Shangshu.

'Steward Hu' means the surname Hu with the title steward/housekeeper.

'Nan Xiang' is a personal name (pinyin). 'Gu family' refers to the Gu household, not a name.

'Gu Shijie' is already in the glossary. 'Lin clan' means Lady Lin (or Madam Lin).

"Hurry up and bring out the dowry!" Gu Shijie's gaze toward Lady Lin turned cold.

'Lin clan' means Lady Lin (or Madam Lin). 'Gu Nanxiang' is the surname Gu with the given name Nanxiang.

'Inner storehouse' refers to an internal storage room; not a name.

'Lin clan' means Lady Lin (or Madam Lin).

These things gradually filled those empty boxes at this time, stacked wall-to-wall along the outside of the Gu family's wall for a long distance, with no end in sight.

"Is this enough now?" Gu Shijie stared fixedly at Gu Jiu Ling, this daughter he was prepared to completely disown.

Gu Jiu Ling and Gu Cheng? Actually 'father' and 'mother' are not names.

Gu Shijie's eyes twitched as he gritted his teeth and said: "Move!"

"Master!" Lady Lin burst into tears with a wail.

Now it got lively; Gu Jiu Ling became somewhat satisfied, walked over to the tottering Gu Nanxiang, and yanked the coral hairpin from her hair.

"Ah!" Gu Nanxiang screamed, looking at Gu Jiu Ling in terror.

Gu Jiu Ling curled her lip in a cold smile: "No matter what you stick on, a mountain chicken can't become a phoenix; if it's not yours, don't delude yourself! Understand?"

She slowly inserted the pin into her own bun, then walked up to Xiao Yin and lifted her head to look at him.

Gu Jiu Ling.

Xiao Yin's eyes flickered slightly, then he leaned over and scooped her up in a horizontal hold.

Gu Jiu Ling startled, quickly clutched tightly around his neck.

Xiao Yin directly placed her into the bridal sedan behind him, then half of his body leaned into the sedan.

The veil was gripped in Xiao Yin's hand; Gu Jiu Ling had never feared the lunatics of the Gu family, but facing this man before her, her heart actually felt a little flutter.

Ling Feng (from glossary).

Xiao Yin chuckled, steadily gazing at Gu Jiu Ling's lovely, charming face: "Ling Feng, have all the people who should be invited in Jing Cheng been invited? Come drink this prince's wedding wine, but remember to bring the gift money."

Gu Jiu Ling's heart gave a sudden thump, and a bad thought suddenly rose from within.

This scoundrel has married six times; the nobles and officials of Jing Cheng must give him gift money six times—how shameless!

She even suspected at this point that Xiao Yin's motive for constantly marrying and burying wives wasn't pure; seeming to sense her doubt, Xiao Yin leaned to her ear and whispered softly: "This prince has seen through it—you are indeed very smart."

"But don't play petty tricks in front of this prince, understand?"

"Mm!" Gu Jiu Ling hurriedly nodded; her obedient appearance was still quite endearing.

Xiao Yin grabbed the veil and helped her cover her head with it, then raised his hand and gently touched her crown.

Xiao Yin and Gu Jiu Ling.

Goosebumps rose all over Gu Jiu Ling's body.

'Welcoming procession' refers to the group escorting the bride; not a name. 'Prince Rui's residence' is from the glossary.

She lowered her head to look at the carved blue bricks, stepped over the burning brazier, was guided to bow to heaven and earth with Xiao Yin, and then was sent to the rear courtyard of the Wangfu.

Just from the gaps in the veil she could feel that the Prince Rui's residence wasn't large; some roads were long neglected, full of potholes, a bit shabby.

'No way!' expresses disbelief; there is no named entity.

Prince Rui (from the glossary) and Southern Qi (from the glossary).

Isn't he the emperor's most beloved ninth brother? It feels like things aren't as simple as they appear on the surface.

'Wedding hall' refers to the place where the wedding ceremony is held; not a name. 'Side hall' refers to a secondary hall; not a name.

As evening approached, the red candles flickered; Gu Jiu Ling felt a bit hungry.

Xiao Yin was still drinking in Qian Ting; she waited a while, and the longer she waited, the hungrier she got.

Actually, their marriage was just for show; now that I'm pregnant, even conjugal relations are impossible.

Gu Jiu Ling had been busy all day; being heavily pregnant, she needs to eat enough for three people.

She could barely hold on, and in one motion she lifted her veil and looked around.

Upon seeing this, she couldn't help but be startled; although it was the wedding hall, only a pair of wedding candles were lit on the rosewood table, while the surrounding walls were hung with cold, grim swords.

The eight-compartment chest held military manuals, and the bed lacked a red cover—everything seemed as if no bride lived here.

It's too shabby.

Not even Gu Jiu Ling's boudoir is this poor—she's impoverished, sickly, weak; no wonder she harbors inner illness.

Gu Jiu Ling silently complained to herself, she stepped out of the wedding hall's door, and Jiu Yue didn't know where she had gone.

She discovered that the Prince Rui's residence didn't even have a servant girl to attend to her, and she felt the courtyard was gloomy and eerie.

Fortunately, Gu Jiu Ling found a side hall; on the table lay a plate of pastries. She pulled out the hidden silver needle she'd been carrying to test for poison—it showed none, so she ate a piece and felt a bit better.

After eating her fill, she drank half a pot of the warm tea on the table, then proceeded to another side hall.

As soon as she looked, she saw piles of dowry chests; Gu Jiu Ling hurriedly squatted before one, opened it, and her eyes lit up.

Good heavens, a whole chest full of silver ingots, neatly arranged.

She laughed out a pig-like squeal of joy, then simply sat atop the silver heap and began counting the pieces one by one.

"One hundred taels, one hundred twenty taels, one hundred thirty taels..."

"Does counting make you happy?"

"Mm, go…" Gu Jiu Ling blinked, then hastily turned her face to meet Xiao Yin's.

Xiao Yin had been drinking in the front hall; his handsome, fair face was flushed with a rosy glow, and his peach-blossom eyes were so deep‑feeling they seemed able to wring out water, making one's heart skip a beat at the sight.

At that moment he crouched beside Gu Jiu Ling, smiling at her, though his smile didn't reach the bottom.

"Prince… Prince?" Gu Jiu Ling said with an embarrassed smile.

Xiao Yin took the silver ingot from Gu Jiu Ling's hand, put it back in the chest, and fixing his affectionate, glistening peach‑blossom eyes on her, he said, "Consort, do you still remember the one‑nine split? I take nine… you take one?"

In that instant Gu Jiu Ling felt as if struck by lightning—first she stiffened, then a wave of grievance surged over her heart.

Xiao Yin laughed and said, "Come! Move everything out of here!"

Outside, Ling Feng hearing this felt somewhat unwilling, while Gu Jiu Ling lay atop the silver ingots, clutching the chest desperately.

Xiao Yin bent back each of her fingers that clung to the chest one by one, saying, "Gu Jiu Ling, we agreed earlier—you can't go back on your word."

"I'll be the father of your child, I saved your life, you give me money, and… detox?"

"Come! Let's have a good talk!"

Xiao Yin helped her to her feet; Gu Jiu Ling, looking at the man before her, suddenly felt the urge to whip him to death.

"Can't you be less cruel? At least let her finish counting the silver before her hands start to itch again!"

Gu Jiu Ling was brought back to the wedding hall by Xiao Yin; she glanced at the few stern‑looking guards outside, each with a grim expression—well, the atmosphere was somewhat different from what she had imagined for her wedding night.

The room's door closed behind them, and Xiao Yin thoughtfully helped her sit on the wedding bed.

He slowly leaned over to look at her; the soft candlelight illuminated his flawless, peerlessly handsome face, every inch perfect.

Gu Jiu Ling wondered how this guy could be trying to seduce her.

Instantly her breath grew unsteady, her ears flushed red as if they could bleed, and she hastily shifted back, not wanting to still be trapped in his embrace.

"Consort, I, the prince, have always been a reasonable person; you've brought me so much silver tonight, and I am deeply grateful."

"So…" Gu Jiu Ling drew a breath, gazing at his peach‑blossom eyes that seemed poisonous.

Xiao Yin leaned close to her ear and whispered with a light laugh, "I, the prince, offer myself to you… how about that?"