Chapter 565: True Blood Rain and Foul Wind

Gu Jiu Ling couldn't help but bitterly smile, realizing that relationships between people can truly become unrecognizable.

She lifted her eyes and stared steadily at Lin Rujun before her: "Do you really want me to say it in front of so many people?"

"If I were to speak in front of so many, it could endanger the lives of your Lin family members; you still want me to say it?"

A flash of panic crossed Lin Rujun's eyes, then she sneered coldly: "Gu Jiu Ling, I will no longer be confused by your flowery words; how did you originally promise me?"

"You said you wouldn't move the Lin family; where have the Lin family members gone now, and where did all those people go?"

Gu Jiu Ling couldn't help but bitterly smile: "I'm not speaking now for their sake. I once asked you whether you believed me; if you do, I will definitely see these matters settled!"

Lin Rujun sneered: "Gu Jiu Ling, how am I supposed to trust you? You used to be a man of integrity, but now your actions with Prince Rui are disgraceful; what right do you have to be worthy of my belief? Speak!"

"What happened in the palace last night? Don't assume everyone is blind and can't see."

"Your tricks with Xiao Yin might fool ordinary folk, but they can't deceive us aristocratic families!"

"How did Crown Prince die, and what exactly did you do to the Li and Lin families? What cannot be brought to the table?"

Gu Jiu Ling smiled bitterly inwardly; when Xiao Yin was about to strike the Lin family last night, she intervened and saved both families.

Especially the Lin family members, who unexpectedly received Lin Rujun's complaints.

She had once told Lin Rujun that if the two sides ever reached a point of direct confrontation, she would definitely protect the Lin family and make Lin Rujun absolutely trust her.

But at this moment, Lin Rujun was clearly flustered and did not trust her.

Friendship is nothing but mutual trust; if Gu Jiu Ling claimed she was unhurt now, it would be false, and her mood instantly grew heavy.

Gu Jiu Ling gave a light laugh, then lifted her head and stared steadily at Lin Rujun, saying slowly: "Fine, even if I was previously self‑indulgently planning for the Lin family, now that you ask this way, I cannot keep it from you any longer."

Gu Jiu Ling thought for a moment but still walked toward Lin Rujun; some words truly cannot be spoken in front of so many people, otherwise the aftermath would be difficult.

Unexpectedly, before she reached Lin Rujun, Lin Rujun sidestepped with a cold expression.

"Princess Consort of Rui, stop. I am not yet familiar enough with you to whisper privately."

"Princess Consort of Rui, say whatever you wish in front of so many; I, Lin Rujun, walk and sit upright, unafraid of gossip."

Gu Jiu Ling furrowed her brows sharply, feeling that Lin Rujun's temper was being stubborn now, refusing counsel.

She stared steadily at her: "Are you sure you want me to speak here?"

"You're really nagging!" Lin Rujun's eyes flashed with disdain.

Gu Jiu Ling, irritated, looked at her and said: "Fine! Miss Lin truly is a forthright person; since that's the case, I'll put the ugly words out front—if I speak this in front of so many, then the future course of the Lin family, life or death, will be for you to decide yourself."

"If you wish to live, flee Shang Jing, this trouble‑making place; if you stay, then whether you live or die, the bond between me and Miss Lin will be severed, and I will no longer intervene."

Lin Rujun, hearing her become more absurd, said impatiently: "Is there something you don't want exposed? Stop dithering now?"

Gu Jiu Ling was truly angered by Lin Rujun, inhaled deeply and said: "If you now wish to catch up with your grandmother, your elder brother, and your mother and others…"

"Hire a swift boat to travel down the Imperial River; about two hundred li away lies a remote town where they should have arrived, and it's still in time to pursue them."

Gu Jiu Ling steadied herself and added: "The people of that town are decent; a plague once broke out there, which I later cured."

"I have left my people there; if you take my token to find them, the townspeople will send the Lin family members out, head and tail."

"However, the Lin family's roots are in Jiangnan; I have persuaded the Prince to build an academy in Gusu City, Jiangnan, and asked your brother to go there as head instructor. Since you are unwilling to let your Lin family go to Jiangnan, then…"

"The ugly truth is, if the Lin family returns, your elder brother will never again serve at court. Should he cause any more trouble, the Prince will certainly strike down mercilessly."

"When that time comes, please do not beg me again; I have already pleaded before my own Prince, you rescued him, he let you go, and we are settled."

Lin Rujun was instantly stunned; she hadn't expected Gu Jiu Ling to intend to send her family to Jiangnan.

In fact, she also wanted her family to go to Jiangnan, since her brother's temperament truly isn't suited for court life.

Going to Jiangnan to teach at the academy, with students flourishing everywhere, is indeed a fine destination.

But having just let those words out, now talking with this woman again just brings shame.

Lin Rujun reluctantly said thank you, turned and walked toward Cheng Ming not far away.

"Madam!" Cheng Ming had just been watching the madam and Gu Jiu Ling speak, and he couldn't interject at that moment.

He is a military officer; whatever the madam asks, he will do.

Lin Rujun looked at him with a hint of guilt and whispered: "Husband, you first follow mother back to the residence; I still have one more matter to attend to."

Cheng Ming grasped Lin Rujun's arm for a while before carefully saying: "I think that woman Gu Jiu Ling has some point; the Lin family truly cannot stay in Shang Jing now, and Prince Rui is not one to offend."

This is the Lin family's affair; I will not further trouble you. Should there ever be trouble caused by the Lin family, please give me a divorce decree; that will be enough.

"You… you… what are you saying? I, Cheng Ming, am not the type to abandon my wife and child! Rujun! Stop!"

"Ming'er, let her go!" Princess Ling He Chang's gaze grew dim.

When she first married the Lin family's eldest daughter, she was very reluctant.

In Shang Jing there are so many gentle and graceful women; why would my son not marry them, but insist on marrying a Lin family woman?

That woman's reputation in Shang Jing was already poor, and now she appears even more hot‑tempered.

Princess Ling He Chang knows all too well that this time the Lin family's return to Shang Jing spells more misfortune than luck.

Although she doesn't admit it aloud, she has realized in her heart that Xiao Yin's recent palace upheaval was extremely mild.

Only the Crown Prince was killed; what kind of palace upheaval is that?

She couldn't help recalling her brothers of old, who dyed the Imperial River red for that position—that was the true blood‑rain, foul wind!