Chapter 545: More Ideas, the Better

Lord Qiao led the already fainted Chen Yiyi and several other extremely wicked slaves away from the Zhao household.

Cases like this are sent by Lord Qiao to the Ministry of Justice; none of these people are expected to survive.

When the An family saw their own woman cause such a disaster, they all left, no longer shouting as before.

Only Aunt An Shi of the An family lay on the ground crying nonstop, and Zhao Lang ordered the guards to throw her out.

Among the household servants, Gu Jiu Ling kept those who had performed well and drove away the rest.

Those with petty theft habits were beaten on a plank and expelled. Those who sold themselves into slavery to join the Zhao household, the cunning and mean‑spirited, were all sold off; Zhao mansion filled with cries, and Zhao Lang grew increasingly irritated.

Zhao Lang stared intently at the fleeing Madam An, his eyes slowly narrowing.

Gu Jiu Ling rose and stood beside him, whispering, "You are a Pillar of the State Grand General; the An family is merely a declining clan. Dealing with them won't be done in a day or two."

Zhao Lang's expression relaxed slightly, and he bowed to Gu Jiu Ling, "Thank you, Princess Consort. I have no way to repay you. From now on, Rui Wang Fu faces east; I, Zhao Lang, will never turn west."

"If you break today's oath, chop off my head and use it as a ball for the Princess Consort to kick."

Gu Jiu Ling's body trembled; do military generals always swear so brutally?

Gu Jiu Ling smiled, waved, turned and walked forward, then halted and beckoned to Jiu Yue.

Jiu Yue stepped forward eagerly, and Gu Jiu Ling whispered, "Remember we once rescued a girl from the Yi Hong Courtyard; she's old now, but still clever."

Jiu Yue didn't understand what the Princess Consort meant; that poor woman, Gu Jiu Ling had cured her illness.

She was fiery and resourceful, but born in the wrong era.

Born poor, yet beautiful, she was bought by her grandparents into the Yi Hong Courtyard.

Her only virtue was loyalty; Gu Jiu Ling healed her for free, and she usually delivered messages for the Princess Consort, working diligently.

Gu Jiu Ling wondered why the Princess Consort brought this up now; she waved to Jiu Yue, who hurried to her side.

Gu Jiu Ling lowered her voice, "Send this girl to Lord An in the Prince's name."

"Say we noticed Lord An's years of hard work and give him a concubine to ease his loneliness."

As Gu Jiu Ling finished speaking, Jiu Yue was speechless, thinking silently that the Princess Consort's tactics were truly unmatched.

That woman clearly wasn't a proper lady; if she were sent into the An family, the An household would never know peace, and Madam An would likely die of anger.

Jiu Yue turned and hurried out.

In recent days Gu Jiu Ling has devoted herself to nursing Jinzhi, who this time emerged from the brink of death, looking far more haggard than before.

Even Zhao Lang dropped many military duties and official banquets to care for Jinzhi with Gu Jiu Ling; after half a month, Jinzhi could walk on the ground.

But the couple glanced at Gu Jiu Ling, wanting to speak yet holding back.

Gu Jiu Ling understood what they wanted to ask, but ignored the topic.

She couldn't bring herself to tell them she had sent their son into her own space; such a bizarre act would surely enrage Zhao Lang's volatile temper.

Finally, Zhao Lang could no longer contain himself and went straight to Xiao Yin, hoping Xiao Yin would discreetly inquire where Gu Jiu Ling had hidden their son; after all, he couldn't keep the biological parents from meeting.

Xiao Yin was also puzzled; Gu Jiu Ling's willingness to heal was fine, but why hide other people's child?

Are two children not enough? If not, having a few more with her would be acceptable.

Lately, Prince Bai Xiao Sheng in the palace has been at odds with the Crown Prince, while Xiao Ting has enjoyed a quiet respite.

During court sessions he's tasked with angering the Crown Prince; after court he's responsible for returning to the rear palace to coax his own wife.

Gu Jiu Ling sat on a small stool, head down, fiddling with a sand pot containing her freshly simmered beef meatballs.

Xiao Yin hadn't entered the warm chamber yet when waves of fragrance hit his face, instantly softening his expression.

The maids on both sides saw Xiao Yin approach, quickly bowed and lifted the curtains; Xiao Yin strode into the warm chamber.

It was early winter, the first snowfall arrived, flakes scattering abundantly.

Xiao Yin looked at the scene, and the void in his heart was instantly filled.

He smiled, slowly sat on the stool, Gu Jiu Ling dimmed the sand pot's fire, lifted her gaze to Xiao Yin, cheeks flushed.

After bearing children, she had become a bit fuller and more charming, making Xiao Yin's throat tighten.

"What's this? So fragrant?" Xiao Yin sat down.

"Your favorite sand pot, how about it? Today I added a new ingredient; try it later."

Xiao Yin glanced at Gu Jiu Ling's slightly lowered neck, the swan‑like white curve catching his eye, especially alluring.

His throat was a bit hoarse, "Indeed, I'll have to try it later."

Gu Jiu Ling felt Xiao Yin's voice was off; she instinctively shifted, wondering why his gaze seemed as if he wanted to devour her.

"Any new moves from the Crown Prince?"

Xiao Yin's lips curled into a bitter smile as he took the spoon from Gu Jiu Ling, "In such a warm moment, can we not bring up that spoilsport?"

Even so, Xiao Yin deliberately informed Gu Jiu Ling of the recent court changes.

Now he and Gu Qiulin are comrades who advance and retreat together, naturally sharing information.

Gu Jiu Ling, a woman of the inner quarters, knows little of current court affairs, so Xiao Yin tells her everything.

"Xiao Ting has clearly become impatient these days, even mimicking Bai Xiao Sheng in searching for the emperor's so‑called divine medicines; it's foolish."

"He's trying random cures, even believing a wandering charlatan; one pill almost sent the emperor away, and Emperor Longqing rarely summons him to the palace now."

"A cornered dog will jump walls; a frantic rabbit will bite. Though Xiao Ting keeps his cool better than the Third and Sixth Princes, you've forced Bai Xiao Sheng to push him into this corner—aren't you afraid of his thoughts toward you?"

Gu Jiu Ling lifted her gaze to Xiao Yin.

"Thoughts? Hmph!" Xiao Yin filled a bowl with broth and water, added two meatballs, placed it before Gu Jiu Ling, then served himself another bowl, and lightly smiled, "I'm only afraid he has no thoughts."

"For me, the more thoughts he has, the better!"

Gu Jiu Ling raised an eyebrow; it seemed Xiao Yin was ready to act.

"When will you act?" Gu Jiu Ling asked.

Xiao Yin replied calmly, "If the enemy doesn't move, I won't."