Chapter 504: with translation of chapter title

Xiao Yin saw the made-up face of the undercover agent, couldn't help grinding his back teeth, and said word by word: "Gu Jiu Ling, what do you mean?"

Gu Jiu Ling smiled nervously, took the arm of the Imperial Secret Guard and walked a few steps forward, looking at Xiao Yin she said: "How about that? Exactly like the Crown Prince."

"Look at the Crown Prince's bearing!"

"This delicate, handsome face, and this figure—it's just too similar."

Xiao Yin's face gradually darkened.

Although now he and Gu Jiu Ling have expressed their feelings to each other, both understand their standing in the other's heart.

But back then Gu Jiu Ling followed behind Xiao Ting, chasing him for years, and later, because Xiao Ting suffered defeat and disgrace.

If in the eyes of the people of Shang Jing, Gu Jiu Ling must have loved the Crown Prince dearly, which is why she ended up in this situation.

Although Gu Jiu Ling had repeatedly told him that her heart held no more ripples for Xiao Ting, Xiao Yin also knew that this woman finally no longer had her heart tied to Xiao Ting.

But at this critical juncture, Gu Jiu Ling had her undercover agent made up to look like the Crown Prince, and he still felt a bit uneasy in his chest—was this man still hanging on her heartstrings?

Seeing Xiao Yin's expression change, Gu Jiu Ling realized this person was probably jealous again, and had developed a habit of it.

But now, aside from Xiao Ting, she really has no way to lure Nanxiang Chen out.

Gu Jiu Ling had the two makeup artists and the undercover agent before her withdraw from the main hall; as Ling Feng looked on in surprise, he also understood the meaning of the Princess Consort.

This time, their lord again became unreasonable, and Ling Feng also left the main hall, closing the door from outside.

Gu Jiu Ling looked at Xiao Yin's awkward expression, couldn't help laughing, walked up to him, grabbed his wrist, tiptoed, and kissed the corner of his mouth.

Like a dragonfly touching water, Xiao Yin's expression eased at once, and he gritted his teeth, saying: "Speak, how is this act to be performed?"

Gu Jiu Ling couldn't help but secretly amused; every time it's this trick that manages to placate him.

Gu Jiu Ling smiled faintly, leaned close to Xiao Yin's ear, whispered a few words, and Xiao Yin then nodded.

At nightfall, Yangzhou City no longer had its former bustle, but fell into a desolate stillness.

The townspeople whispered cautiously to one another, only hearing that an Imperial Envoy had come to Yangzhou to investigate the salt merchants.

The eldest son of the Cao clan was bold enough to plot the murder of the Yangzhou prefect, attempting to destroy evidence and even preparing fire oil to burn the Imperial Envoy to death, whereupon Prince Rui cut him down on the spot.

One must know that the Cao clan had held sway over Yangzhou for years, oppressing the common people severely.

Now the lower-class townspeople clapped and cheered, feeling that Prince Rui was nothing less than a heaven‑sented magistrate, truly having brought justice to the people.

But even after killing the Cao heir, the atmosphere in Yangzhou is tenser than before.

Inside and out, there are some men in dark, tight‑fitting clothes whose identities are unknown, moving back and forth; their speech carries the accent of the capital, clearly not locals of Yangzhou.

Such people appear day after day in waves, one shift replacing another, and their numbers are large.

At a glance they look well‑trained, not like ordinary constables but rather like the capital's Feathered Forest Guard, imposing and mighty.

Not until the next morning did the city gate suddenly swing open.

One must know that previously Prince Rui had issued an order forbidding the people of Yangzhou from freely entering or leaving the city, and the gate guards had been especially strict.

Yet now the gate stands open, and another wave of people slowly walks in.

This entourage arrives in grand style: first a mighty honor guard, followed immediately by the carriage that only the Crown Prince uses when traveling.

Then come large numbers of the Feathered Forest Guard, with the Imperial Secret Guard closely following.

The Crown Prince, dressed in deep‑purple robes, rode the carriage and slowly proceeded into Yangzhou City.

Wherever the Crown Prince passed, the townspeople of Yangzhou were astonished beyond belief—who could have imagined that the Crown Prince would also come to Yangzhou, as if the city were about to be stirred by a great wind and towering waves.

Along the route, some townspeople had never seen what the Crown Prince looks like, while others who had done business in the capital had once met him face to face.

Indeed, the Crown Prince's majesty inspires awe, and the people on both sides fell to their knees to pay homage.

In an instant, tens of thousands of Yangzhou's residents poured into the streets, flocking to catch a glimpse of the Crown Prince's bearing.

The Crown Prince's honor guard proceeded all the way to the front of the Yangzhou prefect's office.

Xiao Ting slowly stepped down from the carriage and stood firm at the gate of the office.

Xiao Yin, Gu Jiu Ling, and Gu Kang, who had already received the news, also came out one after another.

Xiao Yin stood there with Gu Jiu Ling, and Xiao Ting stepped forward a pace, bowed, and said: "Imperial Uncle, you have worked hard on this journey."

Aside from Xiao Yin, Gu Jiu Ling, and Ling Feng, the rest were kept in the dark.

This time, everyone stared at the composed Crown Prince before them, each feeling profound astonishment.

"What on earth is the imperial court up to? This time wasn't it said that our lord was the Imperial Envoy?"

"How could they then send the Crown Prince to Yangzhou right after—could it be that they don't trust our lord?"

Xiao Yin, to keep things secret, didn't tell anyone else about this twist, instead posing as that youth made up to look like Xiao Ting; Gu Jiu Ling couldn't help but give his acting a thumbs‑up.

"That demeanor, that little proud‑and‑lovely look—simply superb; this youngster is promising, and we should cultivate him further."

Gu Jiu Ling hurriedly stepped forward, in front of the crowd she supported Xiao Ting's arm, completely bypassing Xiao Yin, and said to Xiao Ting: "Your Highness needs no extra ceremony; your travels have been arduous, and you have worked hard as well."

Although they knew it was an act, seeing the princess consort supporting the arm of the fake Xiao Ting before him made him want to drag that person out and cut him down.

Still he held back, but his expression fit the scene perfectly, matching the scenario Gu Jiu Ling had imagined earlier.

Xiao Yin's face darkened slightly, and during this interval he threw a few sarcastic remarks at Xiao Ting, making the atmosphere a bit awkward for a moment.

Yet the onlookers took note: originally, the capital had circulated the story that the eldest Miss Gu and the Crown Prince were childhood sweethearts, even having arranged a childhood engagement, and this tale had already spread throughout the realm.

Now the folk of Yangzhou have chewed over this gossip to their fill—could it really be that the Princess Consort of Rui and the Crown Prince have something improper going on?

Take a look at Prince Rui's face—it's practically been pulled into a donkey's mug.

This little drama at the gate was just right; when Xiao Ting followed Xiao Yin into the office, the news spread without legs, quickly reaching every corner of Yangzhou.

In a black‑covered boat on the southern river of Yangzhou, Gu Nanxiang, dressed in coarse cloth and made up to look like a boy scholar, clutched his book bundle and huddled in a corner.

He stared fixedly at the river, hearing the voices of the other passengers on the ferry.

One woman gently rocking a child in her arms, together with two elderly women who had taken the black‑covered boat across the river to buy goods, were murmuring, chewing the ends of their tongues.

"No wonder—you didn't see the Princess Consort of Rui openly pulling and tugging at the Crown Prince."

"Prince Rui's expression has changed."

"Really?"

"That's nothing; my late husband just happened to come over and take a look that day."

"The Crown Prince's appearance is truly extraordinarily beautiful, but that Princess Consort of Rui is also extremely fortunate— the two most formidable men in the world are both devoted to her."

"You see, the Princess Consort of Rui hasn't even done anything in Yangzhou Prefecture, and yet the Crown Prince himself came over to take a look."

"Gu Nanxiang's brows furrowed tightly, the fingers clutching her book bag clenched, and her nails almost dug into her flesh."