Chapter 628: Striking the Mountain to Shock the Tiger

Gu Kang glanced up, startled, turned to see his elder sister, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.

The elder sister, who understands priorities, now that their army is about to march, what important matter could there be to discuss with him at this time?

Gu Kang had no choice but to approach Gu Jiu Ling again, lowering his voice: "Elder sister, any further orders?"

Gu Jiu Ling spoke in a voice only Gu Kang could hear: "I have always believed our maternal grandfather is not an arrogant, evil man, nor would he disregard so many lives and commit a grave mistake; there must be some reason behind this."

Gu Kang's eyebrows rose slightly; he hadn't expected Gu Jiu Ling to bring up their maternal grandfather.

Gu Jiu Ling gathered her thoughts: "I don't know what secrets the Du family hid back then, but I realize I underestimated their strength; I think you now know more than I do."

"Elder sister, what do you want to say?" Gu Kang's eyes flickered; he didn't want his elder sister to know too many of the Du family's secrets, after all some secrets must not be spoken.

Gu Jiu Ling stared coldly at him: "Back then, the Eight Great Families framed the Du family, each and every one; this time you go to Yingzhou and kill them all, I won't say anything."

"But if you move against your brother-in-law, how did I hand over the Du family's belongings to you back then? I will also take them back; you know I'm not joking."

Gu Kang furrowed his brows deeply; Gu Jiu Ling's unprecedented solemnity made his frivolous demeanor finally change a bit.

Gu Jiu Ling laughed softly: "Last time Emperor Longqing had you poisoned with gu toxin, I helped you detox, but it still harmed your body."

"But completely removing that gu toxin isn't suitable either; it has fused with your body, forcibly extracting it would cause greater harm, fearing you might die young, so I placed something in your body to slowly consume those toxins."

"This process is very long, perhaps lifelong, but it poses no great harm to your body and may even prolong life."

"But..." Gu Jiu Ling paused, staring firmly at Gu Kang: "This campaign against the Eight Great Families, we are all risking our lives; if you dare to play tricks behind Xiao Yin's back, I need only one dose of medicine to make you bleed from the seven orifices and die!"

Gu Kang's usually stern expression finally changed a bit, then he gave a wry smile: "Elder sister, you really love him! Even your only relative must be guarded against?"

Gu Jiu Ling raised her hand to adjust Gu Kang's collar and sleeves, like an elder sister helping her younger brother pack, showing great affection.

At this moment, her eyes looking at Gu Kang were as calm as still water.

"I have never trusted anyone; I only trust myself, even my younger brother must be guarded against."

"Elder sister, I'm sorry, but he is the first man you ever loved, the person you would fiercely protect; take care, don't cause trouble, let's live well, elder sister awaits your return!"

Gu Kang nodded, then turned and walked toward Xiao Yin.

Xiao Yin watched Gu Jiu Ling adjust Gu Kang's clothes, his brows slightly furrowed; really, she hadn't even tidied him up.

"Brother-in-law!" Gu Kang rode up to Xiao Yin's side.

"Address me as General! Don't mess up ranks on the march!" Xiao Yin said coldly.

Gu Kang staggered; even with deep composure he wanted to curse, to curse the mother of that shameless couple.

Upon reflection, Gu Jiu Ling's mother is also his mother; he forcibly swallowed the curse rising to his throat, gripped the reins, and followed behind Xiao Yin.

Gu Jiu Ling rode her horse up the slope, following the Azure Dragon Army's troops until they were out of sight.

She reined in her horse and stopped, gazing at the Azure Dragon Army's detachment fading on the official road, like a green dragon gliding across the vast highway, gradually disappearing.

The last expedition to Qi Sha Gu was nine years ago; now another campaign begins after a full nine years.

Xiao Yin's road back has taken nine full years, from youthful vigor to mature steadiness, yet now burdened with too much.

For Xiao Yin, this battle must be won, not lost; it is his only chance.

"Princess Consort!" The fierce one left behind by Xiao Yin stood behind Gu Jiu Ling, his expression not pleased.

He had been cultivated by the Prince to be the strongest fighter at his side, but now he must follow the Princess Consort, the Prince saying protecting her is also vital.

But he truly wants to go into battle to kill enemies, even just to see the battlefield would be nice!

They are all orphans of the fallen soldiers from Qi Sha Gu retrieved by the Prince, raised for nine full years, awaiting this day.

As a result, all his comrades departed, only he was left beside the Princess Consort, even having to escort her to the manor.

Seeing Gu Jiu Ling gazing into the distance, Meng raised his voice somewhat: "Princess Consort, we should also go to the manor in the suburbs, the Prince had arranged this before his departure."

Only then did Gu Jiu Ling turn to look at Meng standing behind her, smiling faintly: "Yes, it's time to go, let's go."

Gu Jiu Ling rode her horse down the slope, yet saw a low-key blue-curtained carriage still parked below, while all other see‑off personnel had already left, making this carriage all the more conspicuous.

Upon hearing Gu Jiu Ling's hoofbeats, the carriage curtain lifted, revealing a face of stunning beauty; even a martial fanatic like Meng stared, momentarily dazed.

Indeed, the General's Manor's young lady, Jinzhi; after facial reconstruction surgery she recovered eighty‑nine percent of her former looks, and even without full recovery she remains breathtakingly beautiful.

Upon seeing Gu Jiu Ling, she hurriedly waved; Gu Jiu Ling rode over, dismounted, and walked toward Jinzhi.

Jinzhi grasped her hand and laughed: "Princess Consort!"

Jinzhi said with a smile: "Hurry into the carriage; you're frail, today is a bit chilly, I heard you just caught a chill? You haven't recovered yet, why come out? The wind outside is strong, be careful it doesn't get you."

Gu Jiu Ling laughed as she slipped into Jinzhi's carriage.

Meng behind her moved his lips to try to stop her, but ultimately failed to do so.

Originally the Prince had ordered: as soon as the Azure Dragon Army leaves the city, he must directly take the Princess Consort to the suburban manor, no need to return to the Prince's residence.

The Prince's orders, he naturally took to heart, but midway he encountered the young lady of the General's Manor.

The young lady and the Princess Consort share an extraordinary bond; he naturally couldn't stop them, but the Princess Consort and the young lady would likely just exchange a few words, greet each other, and part, so he'd only have to wait a moment.

Jinzhi lifted a cup of hot tea and some pastries to Gu Jiu Ling's lips; after a sip, Gu Jiu Ling felt a little better.

She noticed Jinzhi's slightly reddened eyes, realizing she too had wept after seeing off the Azure Dragon Army's soldiers.

Jinzhi lifted the curtain again, personally brought a cup of tea to Meng, smiling: "Sir, have a cup of hot tea to warm yourself."

Meng hastily took it with both hands, after all, refusing tea from Zhao Lang's wife would make the people of the Prince Rui's residence appear arrogant.

"Thank you, young madam!" He snatched it up, raised his head and drank it down, then suddenly his expression froze, he looked at Jinzhi in disbelief, and then his vision went black and he collapsed.