Chapter 55: with translation of chapter title

All the manuscripts from various places were collected by the blue‑clad child scribes, and the great scholars still needed some time to review and evaluate them.

At this moment the items on the desk before them were changed again; after the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone were put away, the maidservants of the Guo State Duke's residence brought over various snacks from Tianxiang Lou, as well as the aged wine that the Guo State Duke's residence had set out on the outdoor wine tables.

After the competition ended, although waiting for the final news was a bit anxious, most people realized they lacked that ability, so they relaxed instead, gathering together to drink wine, compose poetry, and exchange couplets—truly extraordinarily lively.

Gu Jiu Ling need not say more; just based on the delicious plum blossom cake, chestnut pastries, and pearl‑sized dim sum before her, she would give the Guo State Duke's residence a thumbs‑up—this banquet was indeed well organized, truly thoughtful.

Suddenly a blue‑clad child approached, bowed to Xiao Yin and whispered a few words after paying his respects; Xiao Yin rose, looked at Gu Jiu Ling, and said, "Take your time eating, I'll be right back."

Gu Jiu Ling had risen early today; at this moment she was indeed somewhat hungry, with a pearl dumpling stuffed in her mouth, and she hastily nodded at Xiao Yin.

Xiao Yin looked at her and said softly, "Do you like the things from Tianxiang Lou? If you do, another day I'll take you there to eat."

Gu Jiu Ling nodded more happily, and waved at Xiao Yin.

This poetry gathering became even livelier, more like a large garden party; after eating and drinking their fill, people invited their close friends in twos and threes to tour the garden and enjoy the scenery, and if they saw a fine view they would improvise a poem.

Gu Jiu Ling basically had no playmates in Shang Jing; previously, the original host always followed behind her younger sister Gu Nanxiang.

Gu Nanxiang claimed to be taking her elder sister into the noble ladies' circles of Southern Qi, not wanting to use her everywhere as a raft; over time everyone knew that the Gu family's second miss was well‑educated and reasonable, exceptionally talented, which made the eldest legitimate daughter look all the more like a fool.

Consequently, no one in Shang Jing was willing to associate with Gu Jiu Ling, and she herself was aware of this, standing alone by the lake to enjoy the view.

Without those meaningless social engagements, she actually felt considerably more relaxed.

The Guo State Duke's residence held the poetry gathering, choosing this place precisely because the scenery is beautiful; even a corner by the lake can make one stand here and become immersed.

The July wind was somewhat hot; already past noon, it was still scorching hot.

Gu Jiu Ling hid beneath a flowering tree, sitting on a stone by the lake to cool off, when footsteps sounded behind her.

Her heart gave a slight pause, fearing someone else had also come here to cool off.

Those attending the poetry gathering looked down on her to some extent; she did not want to go over and join that bustle, so she rose and intended to follow a side path to find a secluded spot to rest.

After a while it would be time to announce the results; then she could go back and wait.

But just as Gu Jiu Ling turned to leave, a cold, firm voice came from behind her.

"Stop! This prince has something to say!"

Gu Jiu Ling's steps froze instantly; she incredulously turned slowly to face the Crown Prince approaching from behind.

She hastily glanced to the Crown Prince's left and right—no one else, only him; she herself had no one beside her—could it be that Xiao Ting was speaking to her?

Xiao Ting looked at her dazed, helpless expression and furrowed his brows tightly—was this woman trying to avoid him?

Before, no matter the occasion or place, as long as he was present, Gu Jiu Ling would inevitably be there too.

She often regarded herself as the future Crown Princess, yet her actions were ridiculous; already at the age of completing her coming‑of‑age ceremony, she still followed him around, which truly vexed him.

Now, seeing him made her feel as if she had seen a ghost, frightened into that state—what was this?

"Gu Jiu Ling! In front of this prince, there's no need to play that push‑and‑pull game; this prince is thoroughly annoyed!"

"Ah?" Gu Jiu Ling stared dumbfounded; she had done nothing at all, just sitting properly here to cool off—could this also violate Southern Qi's law?

Xiao Ting gave Gu Jiu Ling no chance to explain, striding straight to her front, his eyes full of anger.

"This prince knows you have debased yourself, spending so much silver to marry the Ninth Imperial Uncle, just to draw this palace's attention—well, you succeeded."

"I……" Gu Jiu Ling's eyes widened; this must be some kind of lunatic, right?

With such emotional intelligence, how could he become the master of the Eastern Palace?

"You're not speaking, but this prince knows you feel wronged and have angered me," Xiao Ting sighed, "you're also stupid and foolish; previously you shamelessly followed me everywhere, which is really hateful; you gave me so much silver, truly vulgar and crude, and spending heavily to boost me at the poetry gathering is utterly foolish!"

"By the way, you even built roads for this prince? Tell me what foolish things you've done! From now on, you're not allowed to do that!"

"I……" Gu Jiu Ling really couldn't hold back, and blurted out a vulgar oath.

But Xiao Ting raised his hand and covered her mouth.

"Mmm!" Gu Jiu Ling's cursing was completely blocked by Xiao Ting.

Xiao Ting looked at Gu Jiu Ling's aggrieved expression, her cheeks slightly flushed, and he couldn't help chuckling softly, then raised his chin and said slowly, "Marrying the Ninth Imperial Uncle has wronged you!"

"Actually, when you had that incident back then, didn't the Ninth Imperial Uncle fail to return to the palace banquet? The child in your womb……"

Xiao Ting's eyes flashed with a hint of killing intent, then he said lightly, "The child isn't even that far along; here, I have some fine safflower—take it!"

Xiao Ting released Gu Jiu Ling, took out a box hidden in his sleeve, and shoved it into her hand.

"You must have miscarried the child!"

"Then leave Xiao Yin and come to my Eastern Palace as a concubine."

"This really is……" Gu Jiu Ling couldn't even curse at this point; truly, to live long enough to see such an oddity—across the world, throughout five thousand years of history, nothing so miraculous could be produced.

Xiao Ting looked at Gu Jiu Ling's face flushed red, a flicker of smile in his eyes: "You still like me, don't you, Jiu Ling?"

"As long as you obediently become my concubine in the Eastern Palace, then if I ascend to the throne, I will grant you the title of Zhaoyi."

"If you divorce the Ninth Imperial Uncle, your dowry can also be sent to the Eastern Palace!"

"Hahaha……" Gu Jiu Ling couldn't help laughing.

Xiao Ting's brows furrowed, then he suddenly understood and gently stroked Gu Jiu Ling's chubby cheeks: "Look at how happy you are, following me makes you this happy? This……"

"What the hell!" Suddenly Gu Jiu Ling stabbed the anesthetic needle in her hand into Xiao Ting's arm.

Xiao Ting's arm instantly went numb and sore, truly startling him, and then another needle was plunged into his neck.

Gu Jiu Ling didn't know where she got such strength, she shoved the stiff Xiao Ting to the ground in one shove, and her foot didn't idle either, kicking him hard.

"Your Highness, trouble you to open your twenty‑four‑karat titanium alloy dog eyes and look at this old lady—do I like you now?"

"Even if I liked a street beggar, I would never like you!"

"And Ninth Imperial Uncle, you dare to fetch shoes for my Prince; my Prince finds you utterly disgusting!"