Chapter 575: The Jealousy Is Strong

Gu Jiu Ling was momentarily surprised, then her brows involuntarily knit, and her eyes grew a bit distant.

She lifted her gaze toward Tuo Ba Yu and gave a faint smile: "Staying by the Prince's side does have its risks, but the Prince has always taken good care of me."

"Thank you, Your Highness, for your concern; you should also pay more attention to the injuries you have."

"These days, if I'm not at the medical hall, you may see Doctor Zuo for treatment."

"If there's anything else you lack, just send someone to Rui Wangfu; I will arrange it for you."

This speech laid all her thoughts bare, saying it plainly.

Tuo Ba Yu heard no ambiguity; what she said was that you are my patient, that's the relationship.

A deeper level—don't even think about it—people's marital bond is deep; you just come and go as you wish.

Tuo Ba Yu had already anticipated Gu Jiu Ling's answer, yet still found it a bit harsh, then gave a faint smile: "Disturbing the Princess Consort!" 7k

Gu Jiu Ling chatted with Tuo Ba Yu for a while longer, then took her leave, bringing Zuo Feichen to the third‑floor operating room.

She prepared once more the items needed for the surgery on Jinzhi the next day.

Then she settled a few reliable medicine slaves to guard the room; with everything ready, she finally returned to Rui Wangfu.

She didn't expect to return so late; as a result, Xiao Yin arrived even later, almost at midnight, braving the cold wind outside as he entered her warm chamber.

Xiao Yin hadn't intended to disturb her, but hearing the servants say she had just returned from an outing at such a late hour, he naturally couldn't stay calm.

On his way over, Ling Feng had already reported Gu Jiu Ling's matter to him.

The news that Gu Jiu Ling was treating Tuo Ba Yu's injuries was, of course, known to Xiao Yin.

He was a petty man; now that he heard Tuo Ba Yu had just returned to Shang Jing and found his Princess Consort, how could that be acceptable?

He was busy tidying up Emperor Longqing and Crown Prince Xiao Ting's affairs, never thinking to leave a gap for this kid.

It seems some people can't stand not being dealt with, so let him have his way.

Gu Jiu Ling had just stepped through the door, turned, and met Xiao Yin coming right behind her.

She hurriedly ordered someone to the small kitchen to make a steaming night snack, naturally the braised casserole she and Xiao Yin both liked.

Soon the small kitchen, following Gu Jiu Ling's instructions, brought up a special little casserole containing tofu, vermicelli, some vegetables, fatty beef, and a serving of noodles.

This was originally Xiao Yin's favorite night snack; today he seemed to have little appetite, and Gu Jiu Ling lifted her eyes and smiled at him: "Prince, why don't you like it anymore? Shall we try something else?"

Xiao Yin set down his chopsticks and looked at Gu Jiu Ling: "Has Tuo Ba Yu returned to Shang Jing?"

Gu Jiu Ling was stunned for a moment, finally understanding why Xiao Yin was angry.

She replied openly: "Tuo Ba Yu just told me he had gone to Bei Di earlier, and I don't know what happened; he was beaten badly."

"This time I guess he's hiding in our Southern Qi's Shang Jing; he helped me before, and I can't ignore his wounds. I prepared a few medicines for him, took his pulse, and that's all."

Gu Jiu Ling's frankness made Xiao Yin's face a bit awkward; he coughed and said: "Jiu Ling, that's not what I meant. It's just that after that grandson came back and went straight to your medical hall, I felt uneasy; I think I gave him too much freedom."

Gu Jiu Ling chuckled inwardly; Xiao Yin liked to be jealous, and now if she were evasive, it would only make him more uncomfortable, so she smiled and said: "Prince, you needn't overthink; you know I understand your feelings for me."

"If I didn't like the Prince and liked Tuo Ba Yu, I'd have long ago gone with him to the frontier to eat lamb; why stay here stirring a pot of soup with you? You see both sides."

"But…" Gu Jiu Ling's expression grew solemn as she stared at Xiao Yin: "You also must place absolute trust in me. You know what kind of person I am; I don't want suspicion to create any rift between us as a couple, that would be bad."

Xiao Yin was startled; previously he and Gu Jiu Ling had been guessing each other, almost leading them to part ways.

He had exhausted tremendous effort to find this woman on an island in the Eastern Sea.

She could take their child far away; after escaping the first time, this girl could do it a second time.

Xiao Yin hurriedly grabbed Gu Jiu Ling's hand, pulling tightly; his grip was so strong that Gu Jiu Ling felt her hand bones almost crushed, a bit painful.

Xiao Yin looked steadily at her: "Don't leave me, okay?"

When he said this, a faint red hue appeared at the corner of his eye, giving an impression of extreme beauty and fragility.

This man had lost his mother‑consort when he was young, schemed against by his elder brother and Empress Dowager Ning An.

He originally had many friends and brothers in the army, but all of them drifted away in Qi Sha Gu.

Gu Jiu Ling suddenly felt a pang of sympathy, turned, grasped his hand again and laughed: "Prince, aside from earthquakes, floods, plagues, and any uncertain factors that might separate us, no one can part us."

"Rest assured, I, Gu Jiu Ling, am like a dog‑skin plaster; back then I clung to your thigh, begged you to protect me, and once stuck to you I won't come off."

Xiao Yin finally breathed a sigh of relief, then slowly thought of something else and said: "Tuo Ba Yu's status as a hostage within our Southern Qi was originally that of a prince; now he can come when he wishes, leave when he wishes."

"No, tomorrow have Bai Xiao issue an edict, dispatch the Imperial Secret Guard to guard Bei Di Yi Guan; after all, the nation is in turbulent times, we cannot ignore the people of Bei Di and Xirong."

Gu Jiu Ling was at a loss for words; that fellow was still petty.

After the meal Gu Jiu Ling sent Xiao Yin away and rested early herself.

The next day she pushed all the patients aside, devoting the whole day to operating on Jinzhi.

Gu Jiu Ling first went to the medical hall; Zuo Feichen brought a few medicine slaves to tidy up, even Jiu Yue entered the operating room.

Soon Zhao Lang walked up with Jinzhi; Jinzhi's face was calm, though she was a girl yearning for beauty.

Yet she had already become indifferent to the past calamities.

Zhao Lang, however, was somewhat fearful, constantly asking Gu Jiu Ling about the surgery details.

Gu Jiu Ling patiently explained them to him.

Zhao Lang kept babbling: "You assure me this will be absolutely flawless; if the appearance can't be restored and it harms her body, that won't do."

"What's the name of that anesthetic you use? Is it Ma Fei San? We must use plenty of it; Jinzhi fears pain."

"And also …"

Gu Jiu Ling had already washed her hands, put on the surgical gown, and looked at Zuo Feichen beside her: "Send a few people to throw him out!"