Chapter 510: Troubles Arise Again

Gu Jiu Ling froze in place, realizing that this time Gu Kang had not obeyed Emperor Longqing's order to kill Xiao Yin.

Emperor Longqing would certainly move against Gu Kang, but who would have thought that the Imperial Envoy, who had made outstanding achievements in investigating the Jiangnan salt merchants case, would be thrown into a death prison before even lasting a few days?

Emperor Longqing, in order to take revenge, would stop at nothing.

Gu Jiu Ling now also clearly saw what kind of person Emperor Longqing was: narrow-minded, repaying every grudge.

"No way, I have to go see him—what way is there to visit him in the death prison?"

Xiao Yin stood up, grabbed the somewhat anxious Gu Jiu Ling, looked at her and said: "Do you think that little fox Gu Kang could be taken down so easily?"

Xiao Yin's words made Gu Jiu Ling blink slightly.

Gu Kang really is a little fox; after she gave him a thorough beating, he turned over a new leaf, became a new person, and his life thereafter was like having a cheat activated, rising steadily.

How could he possibly be on the losing side this time? But that's a death prison, and moreover it was Emperor Longqing who ordered him thrown in.

Xiao Yin looked at Gu Jiu Ling and said slowly: "Don't forget that little bastard extorted five million taels of silver from me—five million taels, that's no small sum."

"Back then he said that after taking those five million taels, our grudges would be settled, and I really want to know how this brat managed to get away this time."

"Think again—if Emperor Longqing truly meant to kill him, why imprison him in a death prison? Just drag him out and behead him!"

"Now, throwing him into a death prison likely serves some other purpose; that reason isn't enough to kill him, merely to lock him up for a few days."

"Don't worry for now; I'll go out and inquire for you."

"Court affairs these days are hard to read; remember not to startle the snake by beating the grass."

Gu Jiu Ling nodded; she realized she had been rash.

Although Gu Kang had not been a good sort earlier, these days he had developed a subtle sibling affection with her, so she was unwilling to see him die.

After all, it is the bloodline her mother left in this world; originally the bloodline was thin, and if another died, it would be unacceptable.

Just as Xiao Yin was about to go out, hurried footsteps sounded outside, and immediately the Feather Forest Guard rushed in through the gate of the Rui Wangfu.

Ling Feng's expression changed drastically; he hurried to bring his men forward to block them, but Xiao Yin shouted him down.

Xiao Yin's face grew grim as he looked at the approaching Feather Forest Guard Commander Xiao.

Commander Xiao wore a haughty expression, clasped his hands, and gave Xiao Yin a faint smile: "The Emperor has an order; please, Prince, enter the palace."

Gu Jiu Ling's heart skipped a beat; seeing the Imperial Secret Guard filling the courtyard, this formation certainly didn't look like a peaceful invitation, but rather like they were coming to arrest someone.

Xiao Yin let out a soft laugh: "Commander Xiao, have you come to my manor to arrest me?"

As Xiao Yin's words fell, his aura suddenly erupted.

That Commander Xiao, however, was somewhat awed by Xiao Yin's aura, his expression easing a little as he hastily bowed and said: "This concerns the Jiangnan salt merchants case; the Emperor invites the Prince to the palace to investigate further."

"What nonsense investigation—who summons someone to the palace like that?"

"It's clearly just to seize people."

In the past, Emperor Longqing also invited Xiao Yin to the palace, always sending a palace eunuch in a royal carriage to fetch him.

This time, so many Feather Forest Guard came up and immediately wanted to take people—this is clearly to punish, not to discuss in the palace.

The situation changed abruptly, catching Xiao Yin completely off guard.

It seems Emperor Longqing can't wait any longer; this time he'll likely fabricate a charge at random and convict Xiao Yin.

Gu Jiu Ling grabbed Xiao Yin's arm and whispered: "Prince, should we call the Imperial Guard..."

This time Xiao Yin is in a bind; if he doesn't go with these people to the palace, that would be defying the imperial order.

But if he goes along, it's likely to be more ominous than auspicious.

Xiao Yin drew a breath; although he had made a fortune in Yangzhou this time, the follow-up work he had done was clean and efficient, leaving no handles.

He trusted his own methods, and also believed that Emperor Longqing's side had nothing that could prove he had engaged in corruption this time.

Why Gu Kang was thrown into the death prison is probably also related to this matter.

This might be a case of "setting a trap for the rat and damaging the vessel"—pushing Gu Kang toward death and then bringing him into the palace merely to exert pressure on him, forcing him to yield.

Humph, still the same old tricks—his imperial brother truly hasn't improved at all.

Xiao Yin lightly patted the back of Gu Jiu Ling's hand: "Don't worry, I have my own arrangements."

"Wait for me in the manor for an hour; if I don't return after an hour..."

Xiao Yin leaned close to Gu Jiu Ling's ear and whispered: "Just go to the Grand Princess's Manor and have Cheng Ming and Zhao Lang, those two fellows, send you out."

As soon as Xiao Yin's words fell, Gu Jiu Ling's thoughts shifted—she hadn't expected that Cheng Ming and Zhao Lang had already been taken into Xiao Yin's service.

He knew that the influence of those two in Shang Jing was now rising rapidly; with them protecting her, she would naturally encounter no mishap—but what about Xiao Yin?

"Prince, what will you do?"

Xiao Yin chuckled softly: "Don't worry, I have my own plan."

Gu Jiu Ling saw Xiao Yin's confident demeanor and found it hard to say anything more.

"Prince, I'll wait for you an hour; if you don't come back, I might end up doing something else."

"But I will certainly not flee; now the children have safely reached the island, you and I as husband and wife are grasshoppers on the same rope—even if great calamity looms, I will not lightly depart."

A warm feeling passed through Xiao Yin's heart; he raised his hand and roughly ruffled Gu Jiu Ling's soft hair bun, then turned and strode out toward the door.

Xiao Yin's straightforwardness left Commander Xiao somewhat at a loss, following behind him as they exited the Rui Wangfu.

Outside, an even larger group of Feather Forest Guard stood by, while the common folk hid in the distance, whispering among themselves.

Xiao Yin got into the carriage, and afterward the carriage, escorted by the Feather Forest Guard, arrived outside the East Si Ma Gate.

After alighting, Commander Xiao personally led a detachment to follow Xiao Yin toward the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Finally standing at the entrance of the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Eunuch Wang saw Xiao Yin's composed demeanor and his eyes flickered slightly.

He went in to report, and shortly afterward came out again, inviting Xiao Yin to enter.

Xiao Yin stepped over the threshold and entered the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Just as he entered, his expression shifted slightly, and he realized there were other people in the Hall of Mental Cultivation besides himself.

Duke of Cao Cao Shuang was seated in a chair to one side.

In earlier years they endured the pain of losing a child; not long ago, their only grandson was again cut down by Xiao Yin.

At this moment the Duke of Cao's aged face was extremely gaunt; locking eyes with Xiao Yin, his stare was grim and icy, as if he wished to bite Xiao Yin to death.

Standing on the other side was Imperial Concubine Cao, who had knelt for three days and three nights earlier; her complexion still looked somewhat unsightly.

The Cao clan was overthrown; the second‑largest family vanished from Southern Qi, and from then on Imperial Concubine Cao had no family to rely on, naturally she hated Xiao Yin to the extreme.

Seated on the throne, Emperor Longqing slightly lowered his brows, his face icy and grim.

Xiao Yin stepped forward, lifted the corner of his robe, and knelt.

"Your Majesty, long live, long live, long live forever!"