Chapter 82

Gu Jiu Ling stared fixedly at Duan Guifei, the situation was on the verge of erupting.

As expected, Duan Guifei's ultimate goal was not her, but Xiao Yin.

Just a simple question—"Is the Rui Wangfu rebelling?"—was enough to pin such a huge hat on Xiao Yin.

It had to be said that Gu Jiu Ling wavered at that moment—was it more important to flee for her life or to protect the Rui Wangfu?

Xiao Yin had originally placed so many dark guards by her side; these individuals were all top-notch masters, still capable of getting her out of the princess's residence.

But if she simply left the princess's residence like that, it would cement the charges against her; thinking of this, Gu Jiu Ling felt especially unwilling.

Now Gu Jiu Ling had only one path forward: to hope that Cheng Ming would recover, thereby proving her innocence.

To prove that Gu Jiu Ling had the ability to heal and save lives, and was not merely seeking fame.

But the biggest trouble now is that even Princess Changping doesn't trust her, which makes Gu Jiu Ling inexplicably uneasy.

Seeing Gu Jiu Ling pushed to this point, Duan Guifei coldly said, "Seize her!"

The dark guards beside Gu Jiu Ling drew their swords and charged at the imperial guards, but Gu Jiu Ling shouted them to stop.

"Step back!"

Gu Jiu Ling ultimately chose the Rui Wangfu, ordering her people to quickly send a message to Xiao Yin, asking him to think of a solution.

"Master!" The dark guards panicked at once, obviously Duan Guifei harbored ill intent today; once the princess consort entered the Imperial Clan Office, there would surely be big trouble.

The Imperial Clan Office was heavily guarded; they couldn't get in.

"Princess Consort, think twice!"

When the prince left, he had instructed them: no matter the time or circumstances, they must protect the princess consort's safety.

Gu Jiu Ling's voice sank: "What nonsense? Hurry up and leave—do you really want the Rui Wangfu to bear the crime of defying imperial orders?"

Several dark guards turned and leapt into the darkness; Duan Guifei gestured to the imperial guards, and some of them pursued.

Gu Jiu Ling was directly brought into the carriage; shortly after, the carriage stopped at the gate of the Imperial Clan Office.

The Imperial Clan Office is near the palace; Gu Jiu Ling walked through the gloomy passageway, faintly hearing occasional cries and whip lashes.

Her body involuntarily shuddered.

Xiao Yin went to Chen Prefecture to suppress bandits, about five or six hundred li from the capital; I don't know if he can make it back in time.

I also don't know how the bandit suppression there is going; Gu Jiu Ling felt a bit lost for the first time.

She actually should have been mentally prepared; marrying Xiao Yin meant facing countless risks, and even if she wanted to withdraw completely, how could that be possible?

Gu Jiu Ling was taken to a cell at the far east; the chains clanged, and the cell door slammed shut.

The cell smelled of mildew, with a rotten aura all around.

A pile of dry grass was placed against the wall; there wasn't even a bed.

The dry grass was stained with unknown blood; Gu Jiu Ling didn't sit on it, instead picking a relatively clean spot by the wall to sit.

The cell was cold and damp, with occasional rats scurrying by; Gu Jiu Ling didn't wail but leaned against the wall, closed her eyes, and rested a while.

She knew that in such moments she must not panic.

The jailer outside sent in food, but Gu Jiu Ling didn't touch a bite.

She merely tested the water with a silver needle for poison, then dared to drink it.

Thus Gu Jiu Ling was locked in the Imperial Clan Office for a day and night; oddly, no one came to interrogate her, and she didn't even see any officials from the Ministry of Punishment.

The situation looked bad; if she could see the Ministry of Punishment officials she could invoke Xiao Yin's name to negotiate, but now what is this?

Accusing her of wanton slaughter of innocents and intending to harm the little marquis of the princess's residence would require officials to come interrogate; yet no one appears.

Suddenly the sound of a door opening startled Gu Jiu Ling, who had been resting against the wall.

Gu Jiu Ling hurriedly rose, only to see a woman in a black robe, her face hidden by a hood, slowly walking in.

The woman stood before Gu Jiu Ling, slowly lowered her hood, revealing the sharp, spiteful face of Princess Changping.

Gu Jiu Ling's eyes narrowed slightly, she coldly regarded her.

I never expected the Duan family to even control the Imperial Clan Office—what ambition.

Princess Changping coldly regarded Gu Jiu Ling, feeling quite pleased. She gave a light chuckle: "Are you accustomed to staying here?"

Gu Jiu Ling lightly smiled: "Not bad, it's like a one-day tour of the Imperial Clan Office."

Princess Changping originally wanted to see Gu Jiu Ling make a fool of herself, but Gu Jiu Ling remained composed and unflustered, which left the princess secretly displeased.

Her expression finally shifted: "Gu Jiu Ling, you've always been arrogant! In the Gu family you forced your elder brother and second sister to lose face; now I want to see how long you can stay arrogant."

Gu Jiu Ling laughed: "Your Highness cherishes my elder brother deeply! To vent for him, you didn't hesitate to mobilize the Duan family's connections to detain me here."

"But have you considered? My elder brother is extraordinarily talented and suave; how could he take a liking to a woman as arrogant and domineering as you?"

"He likes you only for the Duan family's influence, right? You really think you're somebody."

Gu Jiu Ling harbored a calculation; even if she suffered humiliation this time, she would make that woman choke on her anger.

She smiled: "You say my elder brother is fond of you, yet he refuses to become your consort, just stringing you along casually."

"Apart from your title as Princess Changping, you have nothing. Looks? None. Talent? None. Who would tolerate your foul temper? Men are smart too—who would marry a useless good-for-nothing?"

"Gu Jiu Ling, you're courting death!" Princess Changping lunged at Gu Jiu Ling, but Gu Jiu Ling fiercely stabbed her with a needle in the arm.

Princess Changping gasped in shock, only then realizing Gu Jiu Ling's earlier words were meant to provoke her; soon half her arm went numb, and she looked up at Gu Jiu Ling in terror.

"What did you give me?"

Gu Jiu Ling slowly smiled: "Of course it's a youth-preserving health supplement; you should be thanking me!"

Princess Changping didn't believe Gu Jiu Ling's nonsense; she must have poisoned her.

This woman gives off an ominous vibe; Princess Changping dare not take her lightly.

She had intended to deal with this woman, but instead fell into her trap, inevitably feeling regret.

"Give me the antidote, and I'll let you keep a whole corpse; otherwise..."

Gu Jiu Ling laughed: "Or what? You'll bite me?"

Gu Jiu Ling looked at her and said, "Do you feel your arm going numb now? In a moment, the skin on your body will ulcerate inch by inch, and that numb feeling will spread from your arm to your face. Do you feel your face uncomfortable as well?"

Princess Changping gritted her teeth, and indeed found her face also numb and tingly, uncontrollable, and she panicked at once.

"Give me the antidote, or I'll kill you!"

Gu Jiu Ling smiled and said, "Anyway, we've come to this point; I, a lowly person, will accompany the noble princess to perish together—quite nice."

Princess Changping could no longer hold out: "What do you want then?"

Gu Jiu Ling's eyes flashed: "Take me out, to the princess's residence!"