Chapter 707: Variables

Bai Xiaosheng knew Gu Jiu Ling had been spoiled rotten by Xiao Yin, but he didn't expect this woman to start setting fires at the slightest disagreement.

"Gu Jiu Ling, what exactly do you mean?"

Gu Jiu Ling could hardly hide her anxiety at this moment.

It was agreed that she would see her two children in three days.

But a week has passed and her two children still haven't appeared before her.

If she keeps waiting in this remote courtyard, she's definitely a fool.

If she doesn't cause some trouble, Bai Xiaosheng will really treat her like a weak, bullyable lamb and keep her confined here.

"Bai Xiaosheng, shouldn't I be the one asking you that?"

"We agreed I'd see my children in three days, but seven days have passed—where are my children? What did you do with them?"

"If I don't set this fire today, I'm afraid I won't be able to move Your Highness."

Bai Xiaosheng's eyes turned slightly cold as he gritted his teeth and smiled: "Gu Jiu Ling, don't forget this is my turf."

"You're entirely in my hands; I could kill you easily—don't be shameless."

Bai Xiaosheng finally bared his fangs; he's no longer the good‑tempered, suave Crown Prince he once was.

Gu Jiu Ling gave a light laugh: "I'm not someone who scares easily."

"I think you need me alive more than ever to bring you greater benefits."

"You also know Xiao Yin's methods—he's just founded the new dynasty and has many things he can't attend to."

"If you bring me here now just to kill me, your fate will be a hundred times worse than mine!"

Bai Xiaosheng's eye twitched slightly; Gu Jiu Ling's words hit the mark.

Yes, Xiao Yin really isn't someone easy to get along with.

He slaughtered nearly the entire imperial clan to avenge the wronged souls of Qi Sha Gu from several years ago.

The remaining imperial bloodline is minuscule, and he even killed his own elder brother with his own hands—what kind of good person could he be?

After all, Bai Xiaosheng is also shrewd; he doesn't want to live forever in Xiao Yin's shadow.

He only wants to seize Xiao Yin's two children to force him to abdicate.

He also wants the whole world, and even his beloved woman.

But the two children haven't been sent over, and this woman before him is hard to handle, leaving Bai Xiaosheng utterly anxious.

He then snorted, stepped toward the Gu Jiu Ling seated in the chair, his eyes turning vicious and sinister.

"Gu Jiu Ling, yes, I won't let you die, but I'll make you wish you were dead—my torture methods are something you've never seen."

"Come here!" Bai Xiaosheng had lost all patience with Gu Jiu Ling.

He hates Xiao Yin intensely; if he can't act against Xiao Yin, torturing Gu Jiu Ling will give him some satisfaction.

Just as Bai Xiaosheng's men were about to move against Gu Jiu Ling, a sudden rush of footsteps came from outside.

A guard in dark, form‑fitting attire approached Bai Xiaosheng and bowed.

"Reporting, my lord, Miss Yun Duo may not make it."

"What? What did you say?" Bai Xiaosheng spun around, fixing the guard with a deadly stare, his body trembling slightly.

The guard, unnerved by Bai Xiaosheng's sinister gaze, lowered his head further and said, "My lord, Miss Yun Duo has been on a hunger strike; we few tried to pinch her nose and pour liquid in, but she accidentally broke free."

"Miss Yun Duo wanted to bite her tongue to kill herself; fortunately she hasn't eaten or drunk much these days, so her strength is low—only her mouth has swollen."

"This morning we brought food again, only to find Miss Yun Duo burning up with fever, apparently ill, and now she's unconscious."

Bai Xiaosheng panicked at once and hurried toward the outer courtyard.

He didn't even have time to decide what to do with Gu Jiu Ling behind him; as he lifted one foot over the threshold, Gu Jiu Ling behind him slowly smiled: "Bai Xiaosheng, Yun Duo is my maid; I don't want anything to happen to her either."

"You can just send her to my place; I'll take care of her."

Bai Xiaosheng's steps faltered slightly; he quickly turned and looked at Gu Jiu Ling in surprise.

Bai Xiaosheng was also flustered; the woman before him was not only a noble empress but also a renowned physician known throughout the world.

Who knows how many lives she has saved with her hands.

He, too, was desperate for a cure; if Yun Duo truly had an illness, only this woman could properly heal her.

He spun around, seized Gu Jiu Ling's arm, yanked her up from the chair, and said, "Come on, let's go save her."

Gu Jiu Ling gave a cold smile, having realized from their earlier conversation that Yun Duo was likely locked up.

She might even be held in a secret chamber; trying to rescue her from that heavily guarded place would be difficult.

Gu Jiu Ling wrenched free of Bai Xiaosheng's grip and coldly laughed: "After all, I'm your royal aunt—do you really have to drag me around like this?"

Bai Xiaosheng's face darkened: "Yun Duo is about to die, and you're still spouting nonsense here, deliberately stalling?"

Gu Jiu Ling gave a faint smile: "If I'm not mistaken, you've surely locked her in a cell—after all, you're wounded, probably by her hand."

Bai Xiaosheng stared, surprised that Gu Jiu Ling had already noticed his injury.

Indeed, Yun Duo's knife strike was aimed at his life.

Gu Jiu Ling coldly laughed: "If you've locked her in a place without sunlight, even if I go to rescue her, the terrible conditions would make it impossible."

"I've had two rooms cleaned out right beside me; I'll send Yun Duo there and rescue her myself."

"Look at you, this little beast—you actually show genuine feeling; you must be deeply devoted to Miss Yun Duo."

"In that case, I'll do you a favor and speak on your behalf before Yun Duo—after all, it's her good fortune that a low‑born woman like her could marry the Crown Prince, you."

"But having said that, if I persuade Yun Duo to marry you, you also need to bring the children to me as soon as possible."

Gu Jiu Ling's words left Bai Xiaosheng feeling somewhat incredulous.

Gu Jiu Ling actually went out of her way to speak up for him?

But her words were watertight, and he had no way to refute them.

Bai Xiaosheng's expression grew grim as he deeply considered Gu Jiu Ling's words, then released her arm and said, "Come here! Take Miss Yun Duo to the neighboring courtyard."

Gu Jiu Ling gave a light chuckle, then slowly sat down again.

Bai Xiaosheng stared coldly at him: "Everyone has their reverse scale; don't touch my bottom line, or I'll make you wish you were dead."

Gu Jiu Ling's gaze also turned cold; she must quickly break the deadly situation at hand.

Gu Jiu Ling needs to find a way to escape; she must create some trouble for Bai Xiaosheng, and Yun Duo is the biggest variable.