Chapter 571

As night fell, the entire Rui Wangfu had reached lamp‑lighting time.

Today Bai Xiaosheng staged something in the rear garden of Rui Wangfu; Gu Jiu Ling thought it best to tell Xiao Yin about it.

After all, Bai Xiaosheng is the Regent Prince; I, because of Yun Duo's matter, have offended the Regent Prince, and later there may be some impropriety.

She understood Bai Xiaosheng well; at a glance he was the sort of overly obsessive person, and given his childhood experiences, if he wants something in this world he will pursue it to the end, never giving up.

At this moment the Imperial Court is in flux; although Xiao Yin won a complete victory over Crown Prince Xiao Ting in that battle, the road ahead may not be smooth.

Especially, the civil officials have been causing more and more trouble lately; if Bai Xiaosheng's side stirs up any further trouble, Xiao Yin's days will not be easy.

But Gu Jiu Ling still has no regrets; since she took in Yun Duo and Jinzhi, these two maidservants, she could never cast them out for her own selfish gain.

Jinzhi has already found her own happiness; as a personal attendant of Zhao Lang, she is the wife of the Pillar‑of‑State Grand General.

She does not worry about Jinzhi, but Yun Duo's status remains that of her maidservant; if Bai Xiaosheng sets his sights on her, there will be further trouble.

Gu Jiu Ling prepared the hot pot that Xiao Yin loves, waiting only for his return to tell him these matters.

Today she waited a little longer than usual, then heard footsteps outside; the steps were overly familiar, and a flicker of joy crossed Gu Jiu Ling's heart.

She had just risen when Xiao Yin walked in.

The black‑fox fur cloak on her person brought the night's chill.

Xiao Yin took off the cloak; Jiu Yue hurriedly received it and withdrew.

Xiao Yin paused at the doorway, his body warming a little, then walked over to Gu Jiu Ling so as not to give her the chill.

His complexion was not good, bearing a hint of displeasure.

Gu Jiu Ling composed herself, laid out the bowls and chopsticks before Xiao Yin, lifted the lid of the steaming pot, and the aroma wafted out; Xiao Yin's brows relaxed a bit.

"Prince, is something troubling you?" Gu Jiu Ling slipped a few dumplings into his bowl.

Xiao Yin ate the dumplings; amid the steam, his complexion eased a little, and he said slowly, "That bastard Bai Xiaosheng is playing tricks with me."

Gu Jiu Ling startled; she had also just been about to speak of Bai Xiaosheng.

"The secret guards I placed beside him were shaken off by him, disappearing for about two hours, and then reappeared in the Eastern Palace."

"During those two hours, who did he meet and what did he do? It cannot be ascertained in a short time."

Gu Jiu Ling frowned slightly: "Today he spoke to me of a matter in the rear garden."

Xiao Yin abruptly set down his chopsticks, looked at Gu Jiu Ling, and said, "That bastard dares to cause havoc in the rear garden of my Rui Wangfu? Just watch me break his leg!"

Gu Jiu Ling hurriedly said, "Prince, please calm your anger."

"He today clashed with Yun Duo in the rear garden and told me he wishes to take Yun Duo as his concubine."

Xiao Yin's face flickered with surprise; he had not expected this matter.

He did not pay much attention to the maidservants around Gu Jiu Ling, for they were her people, and Xiao Yin never interfered.

"Hmm, go on."

Gu Jiu Ling said, "Yun Duo likely lacks the fortune to enjoy the Eastern Palace Tai Zi Fu's immense wealth; she is unwilling."

"I see that Bai Xiaosheng is somewhat annoyed; I will first tell the Prince, and if any trouble arises later, I ask the Prince to bear it."

"Yun Duo is after all my maidservant; today she acted impulsively and accidentally collided with Bai Xiaosheng, swelling his forehead…"

"Well done!" Xiao Yin set down his chopsticks, looked at Gu Jiu Ling, and said, "No need to worry; I, Xiao Yin, can raise him to high office or cast him down."

"Someone from my Rui Wangfu dares to harbor such an idea; his wings are not yet hardened, yet he wants to fly—I would like to see just how far he can go."

"You need not fear; you are my woman, Xiao Yin's, the most noble woman under heaven—do as you wish."

"If anyone dares to slight you, strike his face—show no mercy!"

Gu Jiu Ling's lips curled into a smile; she felt secretly moved, liking this man's overbearing manner.

"By the way, there is another matter," Xiao Yin looked at Gu Jiu Ling, "today Zhao Lang again mentioned his son to me; it has already been over a month."

Speaking of this, Xiao Yin does not know how to say it; his own Princess Consort has hidden the son of the Pillar‑of‑State Grand General for over a month, not allowing the child to see his parents—this is awkward for him to mention.

Gu Jiu Ling smiled and said, "Prince, rest assured; tomorrow I will go find Jinzhi and return the child to them."

Xiao Yin immediately let out a sigh of relief.

Xiao Yin pondered, then looked at Gu Jiu Ling and said, "There is still another matter you need to discuss with Jinzhi; after all, I am an outsider male, and Jinzhi trusts you more."

Gu Jiu Ling hurriedly replied, "Prince, if there is anything you need me to tell Jinzhi, please speak freely."

Xiao Yin mused, "I want to investigate the Qi Sha Gu case; we need someone who can rewrite the indictment and submit it to the Ministry of Justice. Only then will we have grounds to redress the wrongful deaths of the soldiers of Qi Sha Gu."

Gu Jiu Ling was momentarily speechless; she suddenly realized what Xiao Yin wanted Jinzhi to do.

"Prince means to have Jinzhi, as the orphan of General An Cheng‑hu, petition the Imperial Court for a thorough investigation of the Qi Sha Gu case, is that correct?"

"Although many soldiers died unjustly, leaving many orphans, the only one whose status can draw the nation's attention to this matter is Jinzhi."

"Jinzhi is the daughter of General An, and now the wife of the Pillar‑of‑State Grand General; if she brings the petition, its impact will be greatest."

Xiao Yin nodded: "That is right, but if Jinzhi is to step forward, she must go beat the Pacification Drum."

"Impossible!" Gu Jiu Ling sprang up, "She has just given birth to her second child not long ago; her health is poor—letting her beat the Pacification Drum is absolutely out of the question."

"Zhao Lang would not agree either; we would risk turning against him, and even tens of thousands of wronged souls cannot outweigh Zhao Lang's feelings."

"You girl, sit down first and listen to me," Xiao Yin seized Gu Jiu Ling's hand.

This woman is most protective of her offspring; whenever anyone involves those around her, this girl can turn against him as well.

Xiao Yin could not help but wryly smile, feeling that in Gu Jiu Ling's eyes even Jinzhi and Yun Duo rank lower.

As he held Gu Jiu Ling tightly, he laughed, "Just hear me out to the end."

"Previously, Miss Ruoxi beat the Pacification Drum to topple the Third Imperial Prince; that was when the ruling power was not me."

"Now, throughout the Imperial Court, I, Xiao Yin, have the final say; how could I let Jinzhi roll over iron nails? I merely want her case to be reopened."

"I want to give the Azure Dragon Army an explanation, rather than let them bear an infamous name for all ages!"

Gu Jiu Ling then relaxed her tension, but she was frightened to death.