Chapter 618: Accompanying You to Hell

This Spring Sacrifice ultimately carried a heavy scent of blood and came to an end.

When dawn arrived, the surrounding fires had been mostly extinguished, and only lingering smoke obscured the first rays of sunrise.

Xiao Yin's Azure Dragon Army cleared those corpses, the nearby villages regained calm, yet with a faint eerie chill.

Bai Xiaosheng originally led the civil and military officials here for the Spring Sacrifice; they arrived in great numbers, but more than half were gone on the way back, leaving the honor guard looking rather desolate.

Xiao Yin did not accompany Bai Xiaosheng, but instead took Gu Jiu Ling out of the city for a spring outing.

The carriage swayed; Gu Jiu Ling looked at the Xiao Yin beside her, eyes closed in rest, who had fought all night, and even a person of iron will was beginning to falter.

Only when sitting beside her could Xiao Yin sleep so soundly.

The carriage curtain, swayed by the carriage's motion, lifted a slit, and the dazzling sunlight streamed through, bathing Xiao Yin's exceptionally handsome cheek.

Xiao Yin's eyelashes were long, half‑closed, trembling lightly with each breath.

Gu Jiu Ling didn't know why, but instinctively lifted a hand to stroke Xiao Yin's half‑closed eyes.

Xiao Yin suddenly opened the eyes, seized Gu Jiu Ling's hand, and, now more alert, asked with a smile, "What's wrong?"

Since returning from Qi Sha Gu, Xiao Yin seldom managed a full sleep, constantly tormented by that nightmare.

Only after marrying Gu Jiu Ling did he gradually become a normal person.

Now Xiao Yin clutched Gu Jiu Ling's small hand tightly, looking at her with suspicion.

Gu Jiu Ling inhaled, "It's nothing, it just seems a bit inappropriate for us to go out and play at this time, doesn't it?"

"You ordered the strangling of so many civil officials in the court. Now the court is in chaos; are you really not going back to straighten things out?"

"And you still want to take me out for a spring outing? I always feel like a demon concubine."

Xiao Yin let out a light laugh, his voice a bit hoarse and magnetic, and patted Gu Jiu Ling's slightly fluffy hair bun.

"Don't worry, even if we give them a thousand or even ten thousand guts, they won't dare cause any trouble."

"With the army under my control, I'm not afraid they'll rebel."

"This time I will show no mercy; for each rebel, I will strangle them, continuing until they are silenced."

Gu Jiu Ling was momentarily stunned.

Xiao Yin was already handsome, and now his face bore a few more wicked, lingering charms, making him look like a death god stepped out of hell.

But only Gu Jiu Ling didn't feel afraid of him; she even felt a pang of tenderness.

She dared not interfere much with the court; after Xiao Yin escaped from Qi Sha Gu, he had held his breath for so long and now needed to release some emotion.

"Master, we've arrived!" Ling Feng, who was hurrying the carriage, whispered.

"Follow me," Xiao Yin said, taking Gu Jiu Ling's hand and lifting the carriage curtain.

Gu Jiu Ling was about to step out of the carriage when Xiao Yin gently blocked her.

Xiao Yin somehow found a piece of white silk gauze and covered Gu Jiu Ling's eyes with it.

Gu Jiu Ling couldn't help but laugh, "We're old husband and wife, and you still put on such a romantic act?"

Xiao Yin teased, "Where's the old husband‑wife thing? Even though we live together in Wangfu, you never let me near you." As Xiao Yin finished his protest, Gu Jiu Ling's expression turned slightly awkward.

Fortunately the veil covered part of her face, otherwise her expression would have been fully exposed.

Thinking of that, Gu Jiu Ling felt a slight stir inside.

The case of Qi Sha Gu could finally be cleared, but how did her maternal grandfather die, and what secrets lie within the thousand‑mile Mang Shan?

These matters are like tangled yarn, offering no clue at all.

Before Gu Jiu Ling could think any further, Xiao Yin's gentle grip lifted her out of the carriage.

Gu Jiu Ling clutched Xiao Yin's arm tightly, stumbling forward.

Xiao Yin halted, bent down, and lifted her again.

Gu Jiu Ling simply let herself be led; after all she couldn't see, being pulled along the uneven dirt road was somewhat tiring.

She clutched Xiao Yin's neck tightly, the breath of a man in his prime washing over her, and Gu Jiu Ling's heart pounded fiercely.

Gu Jiu Ling was carried by Xiao Yin to a spot, and a small hope rose in her heart, wondering what surprise he had in store.

This outwardly cold, ruthless man, decisive in his methods, released his greatest kindness and tenderness toward her.

Even after last night's deadly clash, he still kept his promise to take her on a spring outing.

He could betray anyone, but he would never betray her.

At this moment Gu Jiu Ling inhaled deeply; the sweet floral fragrance hit her, causing a gentle smile to curl her lips, perhaps he brought her here just to see the flowers? Xiao Yin's slender fingers brushed her earlobe and lifted the gauze from her eyes.

"What do you see?"

Gu Jiu Ling slowly opened her eyes, looked at the scenery before her, and was instantly stunned.

In front of Gu Jiu Ling stretched an endless sea of flowers.

She had seen these flowers before: grain‑sized purple blossoms winding along orange‑yellow flower paths.

Even a single one, plucked alone, swayed gracefully, beauty beyond description.

Now a vast expanse resembled a lavender field, yet its scent was sweeter than lavender, instantly intoxicating anyone who entered.

Gu Jiu Ling subconsciously stepped into the flower sea, then quickened her pace.

She had traversed into this world, endured countless hardships and life‑and‑death tribulations, her body and mind constantly taut, never having relaxed for a moment.

Now she roamed the flower sea with childlike curiosity, laughing heartily.

Since childhood she had dreamed of visiting Provence to see the lavender, but after entering medical school she was constantly busy, with no time.

She never expected that in another world, a man would dote on her to the heavens.

Xiao Yin slowly sat on the ridge, watching Gu Jiu Ling dash joyfully through the flower field, his face full of indulgent affection.

In fact, this woman had accompanied him up to now, enduring countless life‑and‑death ordeals; thinking of that…

Like other young women in Shang Jing, she loved flowers, small animals, rouge and powder, and those brightly colored clothes.

Xiao Yin, many years older than Gu Jiu Ling, had drawn her into his grey life, and now felt a touch of guilt.

He will surely make another effort, quell the turmoil, let the rivers and mountains be clear and bright, and let his woman truly set down her burdens and live easily.

Gu Jiu Ling laughed as she sat back beside Xiao Yin, grabbed his hand and said with a laugh.

"Prince, thank you!"

Xiao Yin affectionately ruffled her hair, but his expression grew a bit more wary: "Do you think I am a very cruel, heartless villain?"

After all, yesterday he strangled to death so many civil officials right in front of Gu Jiu Ling.

Gu Jiu Ling was slightly startled, then slowly leaned into Xiao Yin's embrace and whispered: "Prince, if being a villain makes you happy, then I will accompany you down to hell."