Chapter 68

During these few days Xiao Yin and Xiao Zheng were getting along very sweetly, when their relationship was at its peak, Third Prince Xiao Wei sent an invitation to Rui Wangfu.

They said there is a banquet at the Third Prince's residence today, inviting the imperial clan's descendants and all the aristocratic families to come for tea.

Gu Jiu Ling lifted her eyes to look at her own prince, saying, "This tea is damn strong—it might be a beheading tea."

"Prince, should we pretend to be sick and not go?"

Xiao Yin slowly shook his head: "Xiao Wei is a military man; if I don't go this time, they'll think I'm afraid of him."

He steadied his words, looked at Gu Jiu Ling, and said, "Military personnel despise cowards the most."

Gu Jiu Ling shrugged, "Alright, it seems we can't skip this one."

Xiao Yin has already taken command of the Imperial Guard; if he doesn't even dare attend the Third Prince's banquet, how could he ever command respect?

Those people are all stubborn old oil sticks; you can't make them yield just by force—you need a set of tactics and dignity to show.

Gu Jiu Ling tiptoed to adjust Xiao Yin's collar; this man is truly too tall, and each time she helps him, she has to strain to reach.

Xiao Yin slowly bent down, focusing his gaze on the woman before him whose brows and eyes were like a painting, the corners of his mouth slightly lifting.

A faint scent of Du Ruo drifted from her, light and delicate, making one feel intoxicated and enamored.

Gu Jiu Ling has finally mastered the ancient complex dressing technique these days, but Xiao Yin's collar knot still seems somewhat disobedient.

No matter how she tried, she couldn't get it right; suddenly Xiao Yin's large hand seized her delicate hand, pressed her fingers against the knot, and pushed the button straight in.

His hand didn't release, and Gu Jiu Ling's cheeks flushed red in an instant.

She didn't dare look at the old rascal before her, yet she heard his clear laughter from above, and he let go of her hand.

"Little girl, you still need to practice diligently from now on!"

"Prince, hurry up! Don't be late, or you'll give them ammunition."

Xiao Yin smiled, then took her hand and strode out of the prince's residence main gate, getting into the carriage.

Even after getting into the carriage, his hand remained tightly clasped around hers, not letting go, gripping so tightly that her palms began to sweat.

Xiao Yin whispered, "I've already found the list of those who entered the palace that day; take a look."

Only then did he release Gu Jiu Ling's hand and hand the list to her.

Gu Jiu Ling hurriedly lowered her eyes to look, while Xiao Yin explained, "According to the condition you mentioned, those eligible to attend the palace banquet and allowed to rest briefly in the palace total twenty-three people."

Gu Jiu Ling quickly scanned the names; after removing a few elderly distant royal relatives and seven or eight children under ten, there were actually few left.

She glanced quickly, and indeed the young prince of the Grand Princess's residence, Cheng Ming, was on the list, as were the Crown Prince, Third Prince, Sixth Prince, and several other adult princes, even Tuo Ba Yu, the prince consort? Seeing him on the list, she was somewhat surprised.

Her brows furrowed; did she have to strip the clothes of all these people?

The carriage soon arrived at the Third Prince's gate; Xiao Wei's Third Prince residence, located near the palace city, was built even more grandly than the Crown Prince's residence.

Among all the princes, Xiao Wei's momentum is the strongest—not only does his maternal clan, the Duan family, back him, but he also has personal military achievements, and about half of the court officials support him.

Gu Jiu Ling followed Xiao Yin into the Third Prince's residence; everywhere were pavilions, terraces, artificial hills, and lakes, the lake's scale nearly matching that of the palace's Taiye Pond.

The banquet was held in the flower hall on the lake island; when Gu Jiu Ling and Xiao Yin just arrived, the Crown Prince and Sixth Prince were already there.

Xiao Wei led a group of people to rise and salute Xiao Yin.

"Greetings, Imperial Uncle!" Xiao Wei wore today a dark blue robe embroidered with red cloud patterns, exuding a touch of suave nonchalance.

The Crown Prince wore a white robe embroidered with chi dragon patterns, understated yet luxurious.

The Sixth Prince consistently wore a pale blue robe, looking at Xiao Yin and smiling as he offered his salute.

The Crown Prince, Xiao Ting, let his gaze lightly rest on Gu Jiu Ling, paused, then slowly shifted away.

His injury from being beaten at the poetry gathering last time has healed; for some reason, after being beaten by Gu Jiu Ling, he instead finds her quite spirited and rather cute.

Xiao Wei invited the guests to sit; a banquet naturally includes music and dance.

Gu Jiu Ling ate while watching, noticing that the ladies' graceful dance moves were especially beautiful; every frown and smile exuded charm, simply delightful to behold.

"Is it nice to look at?" Xiao Yin asked with a low laugh.

"Mm, it's nice; no wonder men like them—I, a woman, even like these ladies…" Before Gu Jiu Ling could finish, Xiao Yin lifted her chin and turned it toward him.

He hid a smile in his brows and eyes; that smile was a bit cold, as if he had swallowed some unnamed jealousy.

"Am I not good-looking?"

Gu Jiu Ling widened her eyes in disbelief, the corners twitching helplessly as she nodded: "Nice! Really nice!"

Only then did Xiao Yin release her; opposite, Xiao Wei burst out laughing: "I've heard lately that the Imperial Uncle and his consort are deeply devoted—rumor truly isn't false!"

Xiao Yin leaned back against the chair, smiling faintly: "You haven't married, so you don't understand the flavor; even if I told you, you wouldn't get it."

Cough! The Crown Prince, Xiao Ting, coughed, then eased his breath, his gaze toward Gu Jiu Ling carrying a hint of melancholy as he lowered his head and took a sip of wine.

Xiao Wei glanced at Xiao Ting: "No wonder the Imperial Uncle favors his consort so much—after all, she was the crown princess the late emperor had chosen for the eldest son; the emperor's eye was naturally good."

Gu Jiu Ling's heart skipped a beat; Xiao Wei, this scoundrel, might be trying to make things difficult for the Crown Prince and her husband.

Sure enough, the Crown Prince's face darkened, his hand gripping the wine cup tightening slightly.

Xiao Yin let out a cold laugh: "Old Three, watch your words!"

"There is no crown princess, only the consort of Prince Rui; moreover, some people are blind, but my eyes work fine—I chose the right woman, which is also my fortune! Hahaha!"

Gu Jiu Ling wanted him to shut up; can we not keep a low profile?

Xiao Ting suddenly stood up, staring straight at Gu Jiu Ling; she silently thought trouble was coming, and indeed Xiao Ting gave a cold laugh: "Just a fickle woman—how could she bear the title of crown princess? It's mere sensationalism!"

Gu Jiu Ling's expression also turned ugly; everyone knows she once did many foolish things for Xiao Ting, yet saying this in front of so many people is truly spiteful.

She was about to speak when suddenly Xiao Yin seized Gu Jiu Ling's hand, gently rubbing it, and laughed.

"My consort is clever and lovely, quick-witted beyond compare."

"Her talent is as vast as eight dou; she is famed throughout the world for her three policy essays!"

"She possesses the medical art that can bring the dead back to life; the prescriptions she wrote this epidemic saved countless lives, her merit immeasurable!"

Gu Jiu Ling instantly felt her ears burning; being praised by her own husband before so many people made her quite embarrassed.

Xiao Yin gave a light smile: "My consort also cooks wonderfully; you haven't tried her tofu, have you? She can make it, and she simmers all kinds of soups to perfection."

"My family's Princess Consort, among all women under heaven none can match her; she is first-rate, fortunately she didn't enter some Tai Zi Fu, become some damned Princess Consort—how could the Tai Zi Fu be worthy of her? What a waste of heavenly treasure!"

Xiao Ting's expression changed instantly; they stared fixedly at Xiao Yin.