Chapter 533: Choices

Lin Ru Jun's words had just fallen, Gu Jiu Ling stared blankly for a moment; she also didn't know how to answer.

This world is completely different from hers; after all, it's a struggle in a patriarchal society, and the womenfolk behind are at most mere decoration.

She cannot interfere with Xiao Yin's actions, nor can she influence the sudden shifts in the court; all she can do is wait and protect.

The answer was already written on Gu Jiu Ling's face; Lin Ru Jun is also smart, so she naturally understands the gravity of it.

A hint of dimness crossed her face; the result she feared most still came.

She gets along well with the Prince Rui and his consort; she is independent-minded, dislikes the pretentious airs of the Shang Jing nobility, and looks down on their scheming.

On the contrary, the Princess Consort of Rui, though she acts differently from ordinary people, is also genuine and someone worth befriending.

Everyone is someone who struggles in the court's turmoil; sometimes what happens is utterly beyond their control.

Gu Jiu Ling gently took her hand and whispered: "The Crown Prince has always looked down on military officers, and his close aides are all civil officials; even if we say he secures the state and brings peace, once he sits in that position he will surely suppress the military."

"You can't think only of the Lin family; your husband is also a first-rate military achiever—what will you do then?"

"After all, he is the father of your child! Now the court's factional struggle is as hostile as fire and water—it's either you die or I die."

"You can't have both fish and bear's paw; you must make a choice."

Lin Ru Jun's complexion gradually darkened; how could she not feel it?

The close relationship between her husband and her brother is nothing more than exchanging a few words and laughs when the Lin family hosts a banquet.

They look down on each other—her elder brother loves poetry and song, Cheng Ming loves wielding a heavy hammer, yet both dote on her.

One is her own brother, the other is her lover; if one day they truly stand on opposite sides, what should she do?

On the contrary, her husband has grown closer to Prince Rui; although he curses Prince Rui eight hundred times a day, three days ago he received sword pointers from Prince Rui, returned delighted, and practiced all night in the training hall, forgetting to eat.

If she truly faces off against the Crown Prince, her husband will definitely stand on Prince Rui's side.

The more she thought, the more anguished she felt; Gu Jiu Ling sighed and said to her: "However, I promise you that if that day ever comes, and your elder brother falls into the Prince's hands, I will step forward to protect your Lin family and your brother's lives—but..."

Gu Jiu Ling changed tack: "Perhaps I cannot give you a life of great abundance, but choosing to settle in a quiet corner can also bring contentment—provided you let go of the court."

Lin Jun ru stared steadily at the lovely, charming girl before her; in fact the girl is her own age, yet for some reason she always seems to see through her like an elder.

Lin Ru Jun nodded slowly, rose, and bowed to Gu Jiu Ling: "Ru Jun understands, thank you, Princess Consort."

Gu Jiu Ling felt a slight block in her heart; that address of "Princess Consort" made them feel distant. She nodded and saw her off.

Just as Lin Ru Jun had stepped forward, the Young Marquis Cheng approached, grabbed her arm, looked her up and down, and glared fiercely at Gu Jiu Ling.

Gu Jiu Ling shrugged: "I didn't do anything to her; what's with that look of yours?"

"Hmph! Best if there's nothing!" Cheng Ming gave Gu Jiu Ling a cold stare.

Earlier, Cheng Ming, Xiao Yin, and Zhao Lang were drinking in the front hall; as they drank, they remembered that his wife was pregnant, so he went to find her.

After all, she was pregnant; Cheng Ming was extremely worried, and when he inquired he found she had been taken by Gu Jiu Ling, which made him instantly anxious.

In Cheng Ming's eyes, Gu Jiu Ling is a trouble‑maker; anyone associated with her is bound to suffer misfortune.

Upon hearing this news, Cheng Ming burst straight into the rear guest quarters to look for Gu Jiu Ling; but just after turning the corner of the corridor he saw his wife emerging from Gu Jiu Ling's room, the corners of her eyes slightly red.

Cheng Ming exploded, grabbed Lin Ru Jun in an embrace, and coldly stared at Gu Jiu Ling: "What did you do to her?"

Gu Jiu Ling truly felt wronged; she hadn't done anything at all!

"I didn't do anything either; we sisters were just chatting."

"Then why are her eyes red? Are you bullying her?"

"I——" Gu Jiu Ling was about to speak when Lin Ru Jun hurriedly stopped her husband's unreasonable quarrel.

"The Princess Consort was just catching up with me; don't ask any more!"

"But!" Cheng Ming had just brought his wife to the banquet, still feeling happy, yet in a short while his wife was unhappy—surely Gu Jiu Ling said something.

He was about to press further when suddenly a military officer rushed in from the front courtyard, hurried over to Gu Jiu Ling, and seized her wrist.

"Let go of my hand!" Xiao Yin also came over, not expecting that Zhao Lang, that madman, would dare grab his woman's hand.

Zhao Lang's eyes were already red with anxiety; he tightly gripped Gu Jiu Ling's wrist and hurried outward.

Cheng Ming, watching the spectacle on the side, couldn't help but let out a cold snort.

"Haha! What a great show!"

"What nonsense! General Zhao is this anxious—it must be Miss Jinzhi who's had something happen!" Lin Ru Jun was the first to react. xiumь. com

"What happened? Speak quickly!"

Gu Jiu Ling was jerked off balance by Zhao Lang; Xiao Yin was truly enraged, about to strike when Gu Jiu Ling stopped him.

"Jinzhi's stomach hurts! She's about to give birth!"

Zhao Lang let out a low roar; Gu Jiu Ling froze on the spot.

According to the months, she should still have a month until her due date; I had even been calculating her dates for her!

When the time comes, I will personally help her deliver; I have everything ready, and I even planned to help her prepare treatment for her facial scars and her mute voice after she gives birth, weans the child, and so on.

Who would have thought Jinzhi would go into labor early; this time she doesn't need Zhao Lang to pull her—she is the one pulling Zhao Lang forward.

"Support the person to lie down, do not move them again!"

"Go to my clinic and find Zuo Feichen; he just returned recently, have him bring people first to the mansion, take our clinic's special carriage straight to the clinic, I'm now going to the clinic to prepare."

Gu Jiu Ling was clear‑headed and composed; beside her, Zhao Lang was no longer as panicked as before.

Gu Jiu Ling thought to herself, fearing that Jinzhi had endured so many inhuman ordeals in the past, her body drained, and now she shows signs of premature labor.

Her body is weak; facing this premature birth, she fears the odds are more against her than for her.

Gu Jiu Ling then returned to the clinic.

When she arrived at the clinic, Zuo Feichen had already set out to fetch Jinzhi.

Gu Jiu Ling hurriedly put on a white coat, personally preparing the surgical supplies; the worst‑case plan was a cesarean section.

This time she is even more nervous than when she herself gave birth.