Chapter 7

"Yes!" Ling Feng's heart jumped; well, he took back his previous thought, the Prince's attitude toward Miss Gu was just like that.

Gu Jiu Ling slept particularly restlessly that night, nightmare after nightmare, she returned to the scene of that palace banquet, she was schemed against and left dazed, a man lifted her onto the bed.

In the dream she desperately drew out a dagger and stabbed at the person on her, only to meet Xiao Yin's half-smiling face streaked with blood.

His voice hoarse and low, he gripped her chin tightly, smiling wickedly: "Gu Jiu Ling, in this lifetime you will never escape my palm."

Having said that, Xiao Yin lunged to bite her neck.

Ah! Gu Jiu Ling screamed.

She jolted awake, gasping heavily, panic rising, she turned her face aside— the spot beside her was already empty.

"Miss!" Jiu Yue hurried in from outside and paid respects to Gu Jiu Ling.

"Jiu Yue!" Gu Jiu Ling hastily grabbed her hand, her body already drenched in cold sweat.

"Are you all right, Miss?" Jiu Yue examined Gu Jiu Ling from head to toe, after all Xiao Yin's reputation in Southern Qi was not good; she worried that last night someone might have done something to her master.

Upon seeing that her master bore no wounds, she immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

"Master, yesterday the Prince ordered another courtyard prepared for you, but since the wedding night the couple shouldn't be apart, fearing gossip from outsiders, he had you stay in the bridal hall."

"He also said he had matters to discuss with the Miss, so the servants need not attend."

Gu Jiu Ling's eyes flickered with joy; this person Xiao Yin was reasonable, even giving her a separate courtyard.

That was excellent; she did not want to face that killing god day and night.

Starting today is the imperial hunt at the royal grounds; the emperor and the imperial consorts will attend in person.

Imperial relatives and the great clans of the capital all must go; it is no longer merely a hunt but a political event.

Xiao Yin must go; fortunately he has just taken a new princess consort, so he must bring her to pay respects to the emperor and Empress Dowager Ning'an.

Gu Jiu Ling also dared not linger in bed; she hurriedly rose to wash and dress.

Because she was attending a palace banquet, the occasion was formal; the attire and headdress of the Wangfu's principal wife required careful attention.

Several palace-attired matrons walked in from outside and paid respects to Gu Jiu Ling.

"Her Highness, peace!"

"The Prince requests that we attend to the Princess Consort's hair and attire."

Gu Jiu Ling couldn't help but startle; she hadn't expected Xiao Yin to be so thoughtful, she felt he was actually quite gentle!

After finishing her makeup and attire, Gu Jiu Ling looked at the mirror at the bright-eyed, white-toothed woman in a gorgeous dress, unable to look away— she was beautiful.

In fact, the original owner's face was better suited to bright, vivid makeup.

Having finished dressing, she brought Jiu Yue along the flower‑strewn corridor to the main hall.

Just as she stepped over the threshold of the main hall, her footsteps halted there.

Xiao Yin leaned against the upper seat, wearing a deep‑purple prince's regular robe, its collar and cuffs embroidered with the imperial chi pattern; the deep purple only made his face look even paler.

Beside him stood a young woman in a pink dress, overlaid with a light‑green outer garment, her raven‑black hair simply gathered into a bun and pinned with a single white‑jade hairpin, lending her an air of fresh elegance.

Her features were exquisitely formed, her skin fair and supple enough to be broken by a blow, yet she was so thin that a slight breeze could snap her willow‑like waist.

Such a woman most easily stirs a man's protective instinct, harmless and fragile as a dream.

It is said that this woman was brought back from the common folk six years ago by Xiao Yin to the manor; her origins unknown, her status awkward, and Xiao Yin even raised her according to the standard for an adopted daughter.

Yet no matter how kindly Xiao Yin treated her, he would not take her as a concubine nor ask his imperial brother to name her a side consort; the household servants called her Miss Wan, and she usually assisted Xiao Yin with domestic affairs.

Two years ago Xiao Yin began helping her find a husband; though not a noble heir, he was still an outstanding young talent.

But Su Wanrou simply did not take a liking to him, and Xiao Yin could not force the marriage, so he had to give up.

Gu Jiu Ling walked over to Xiao Yin, bowed slightly, and said: "Your Highness, peace!"

Xiao Yin focused his gaze on Gu Jiu Ling, his eyes showing a hint of surprise.

He had not expected that beneath her splendid attire lay such a gorgeous, charming woman.

He chuckled softly: "Did you sleep well last night?"

Gu Jiu Ling hurriedly replied: "Thanks to the Prince's favor, I slept very well; I didn't even notice when you rose."

Standing nearby, Su Wanrou lifted her eyes and glanced at Gu Jiu Ling; her pupils flickered, a thread of hatred flashing across.

She had endured six years in the Rui Wang Fu, loving Xiao Yin for six years, yet she could not even become a concubine at his side.

This lowly woman, carrying a bastard in her belly, with honeyed words, clung relentlessly— and that got the Prince to marry her?

Su Wanrou wrung her handkerchief fiercely, her knuckles whitening.

She turned and bowed to Gu Jiu Ling, the courtesy somewhat perfunctory.

"The Princess Consort has just entered the Rui Wang Fu; she still needs to learn the rules. From now on, when the Prince attends court, as the mistress of the household she ought to rise early to serve him."

"How can it be right that the Prince rises first while the Princess Consort is still sound asleep in bed?"

"Those who know understand this is the Prince's favor; those who don't will think the Princess Consort ignores propriety and become a laughingstock."

Although Su Wanrou spoke with a gentle smile, each sentence was a blatant slap to Gu Jiu Ling's face.

Gu Jiu Ling's expression also faltered; yes, rising late this morning was her fault, but the Prince could say that while Su Wanrou could not— what status does she have? She isn't even her in‑laws!

She believed she had never offended this woman before, so why did she feel such hatred from her?

Gu Jiu Ling's face dimmed a little, she slowly sat beside Xiao Yin and smiled: "Your Highness, this must be Miss Wan, truly lovely as ice and snow; I don't know whether I should call her sister or …"

Xiao Yin's expression flickered slightly; seven years ago, Su Wanrou's father had carried him out of blazing fire and mountains of corpses.

He saved Xiao Yin, yet himself remained forever in the Valley of Seven Killings.

Xiao Yin owed Su Wanrou's father an immense debt, but the matter involved too much; he dared not speak to Su Wanrou about it, so he could only shelter her under his wings.

Xiao Yin drew a breath: "From now on you shall regard her as …"

Xiao Yin himself did not know what to regard her as.

To be his sister— he is the Ninth Imperial Uncle of Southern Qi, recognizing Su Wanrou as an adopted sister; she fears she cannot live up to that seniority, and what of future marriage talks?

Moreover, he could hardly elevate that girl to concubine— that would invite retribution, and besides he harbors no feelings for her.

Xiao Yin was really stumped by Gu Jiu Ling's question, they waved their hand and said: "Do as you like."

Gu Jiu Ling suddenly realized, quickly showing a motherly smile: "Wanrou, the Prince adopted you, that's also a fate with you; from now on I will be your mother."

"If you call me mother, I naturally won't mistreat you; I will love and care for you just like the Prince, be concerned for you, and treat you well."

Su Wanrou's face instantly turned pale, the resentment in her eyes could no longer be suppressed.

Xiao Yin beside her spat out a mouthful of tea, then thought, well, that's fine; just treat it as acknowledging a daughter, making it easier to discuss marriage.

Su Wanrou trembled with anger, having foolishly recognized a mother out of nowhere, what a shameless wretch! Who is she supposed to be a mother for?

This wretch in Shang Jing is notorious, stupid and base; she looks down on her even more, yet actually wants to take advantage of her?

She gazed hopefully at Xiao Yin, but discovered Xiao Yin said nothing, and her heart sank instantly.

Su Wanrou's expression shifted several times, she walked to the side and picked up a cup of tea, bowed to Gu Jiu Ling, but ultimately did not call out 'mother'.

"Princess Consort, you're joking; just call me Miss Wan."

"After all, making Miss Wan a daughter to the Princess Consort based on her age would be inappropriate."

"Miss Wan, offer tea to the Princess Consort!"

Gu Jiu Ling smiled, took the teacup, she still didn't want to completely fall out with the people of Rui Wang Fu.

Originally, her association with Xiao Yin was just a makeshift plan; later she must find a way to leave.

"Miss Wan, you're being too polite!"

Gu Jiu Ling took the teacup, suddenly stared fixedly at the fragrant tea before her, her brows furrowed.