Chapter 92: Beloved Consort, Listen to Me

Gu Jiu Ling was completely stunned, looking in disbelief at Xiao Yin seated on the horseback.

Fighting is fighting, but you brought back two beauties? Look again at those two beauties, they are heavenly fragrant and nationally beautiful, delicate as a willow in the wind, soft and tender, seeming as if they might collapse there.

Xiao Yin's gaze toward Gu Jiu Ling was slightly uneasy; he dismounted, and the armor on his body clinked against the horse's spur, producing a monotonous sound.

"Prince, you've worked hard on the way!" Gu Jiu Ling's eyes, initially warm, gradually took on a layer of mockery.

Such a smart person as Xiao Yin could hardly fail to notice Gu Jiu Ling's off mood; not only was he not annoyed, but his eyes even faintly brightened.

What expression is that? It feels like she's jealous!

Her smile was cold, her eyes fierce, her cute little hands clenched tightly into fists; if Xiao Yin weren't wearing armor, she'd probably land a hard punch.

He coughed once, tossed the whip to Ling Feng's side, and walked over to Gu Jiu Ling with a smile.

Gu Jiu Ling frowned fiercely, "Damn it, you're smiling so brightly!"

Honestly, this scene is just like those rebirth novels where the senior wife works hard planting trees while the junior wives come over to enjoy the shade.

Earlier, in the Imperial Clan Office, she almost lost her life; now the situation is great, yet they've brought back another woman?

"Princess Consort," Xiao Yin hadn't finished speaking when the two beauties behind him, swaying like delicate willows, came over and bowed in unison to Gu Jiu Ling.

"We come to pay respects to elder sister!"

Gu Jiu Ling almost choked, "Who are you calling elder sister?"

Each face is caked with three inches of powder; who knows how old these old demons are, playing at strange tales?

"Oh dear! I dare not accept being called elder sister!"

Although Gu Jiu Ling was speaking to the two beauties, her eyes were locked on Xiao Yin's face as she said, word by word, "Prince, you've worked hard on this trip; I failed to keep you company, I won't disturb your leisure."

"Prince, stay here with the beauties first; I'll go prepare your welcome banquet."

Gu Jiu Ling turned and left decisively.

Xiao Yin had originally wanted to tease her a bit longer, but seeing her truly change expression, he panicked instantly.

"Princess Consort, wait……"

"Jiu Ling! Wait for me!"

"Gu Jiu Ling! Stop!" Xiao Yin chased after her.

The two beauties, who had just been wearing gentle smiles, were instantly at a loss by this scene.

Gu Jiu Ling turned and walked into the flower grove connecting the front and rear courtyards; she even considered where to take her confidants to stay for a while.

"Jiu Ling!" Xiao Yin finally caught up, grabbing her wrist and pressing it against a tree trunk.

Gu Jiu Ling lifted her eyes, staring fixedly at him; Xiao Yin loosened his grip a little, but still dared not release completely.

He scolded with a smile: "How can a pregnant woman be more stubborn than a mule hauling supplies on the battlefield? You run so fast! I, the Prince, can't even catch you!"

"Who are you scolding?" Gu Jiu Ling spat at him fiercely, then sneered, "I'm an old woman with faded charms, I can't compare to those soft and tender beauties you brought back."

"Xiao Yin, we were originally just a temporary alliance, but we've only been newlyweds for a little over a month, and you, right out in public before everyone's eyes, forcibly took a concubine! Heh heh! Don't blame me for not showing you any mercy!"

"From now on, I'll take my belongings and leave; however, considering the Prince saved me several times from water and fire, I'll also pay you silver for this—"

"Are you jealous?" Xiao Yin slowly raised his brow, staring at her steadily, though his eyes held a hint of amusement.

"What jealousy am I feeling? The Prince is handsome as a jade tree in the wind, his family illustrious, so naturally there are women who like him..."

"Then what about the poison in my body—are you not going to care?" Xiao Yin gripped her hand tightly.

"Ha! One should learn to fulfill others' destinies! The Prince is full of vigor; if he brings back a few more beauties, he might just manage to clear the Ren and Du meridians..."

Gu Jiu Ling was about to continue speaking when the hateful man in front lifted her chin, leaned in, and sealed her mouth with a kiss, swallowing her words.

Gu Jiu Ling's eyes widened instantly, a hint of killing intent in her gaze; she shoved him away, her eyes red with anger.

"Xiao Yin!"

"Don't be angry, don't be angry!" Seeing she was truly furious, Xiao Yin hurriedly held her tightly in his arms.

The familiar warmth and breath returned to his embrace; he cherished it immensely, daring not to tease her again.

"Listen to me! Those two women were just given to me by the Crown Prince; I didn't rescue him, that scoundrel, in front of so many people, awarded me two beauties, saying that since you're pregnant it's inconvenient to serve me, he gave me two."

"In front of all those people, if I didn't accept them I'd worry about arousing the emperor's suspicion, so I had no choice but to bring them back against my will."

As Xiao Yin spoke, he laughed, gazed intently at the slightly dazed Gu Jiu Ling, leaned forward to touch her forehead, and whispered with a smile: "Jiu Ling, don't deny it—your jealous look is adorable!"

"I……" Gu Jiu Ling hadn't expected him to be testing her; her cheeks flushed red, and she turned and walked away.

"Beloved Consort! Don't go! Please hear me out……"

"Say that to a hammer!" Gu Jiu Ling wished she could kill him.

"Beloved Consort, help me think of a way—how can we get rid of these two women? And it must be permanent, to eliminate future trouble."

"When the Crown Prince gave me those beauties just now, the imperial elder brother sat nearby, silently consenting."

"Although it's in the Crown Prince's name, it's actually the emperor's approval; if we just killed them outright……"

"We can't kill them either!" Xiao Yin caught up to Gu Jiu Ling's steps, took her hand, and said, "Even if we killed them, others would keep sending women my way; help me think of a solution."

Gu Jiu Ling stopped, lifted her head to look at Xiao Yin, and said, word by word, "We need to add money!"

Xiao Yin's eye twitched sharply; he smiled cautiously and said, "Beloved Consort... how much money will settle it?"

Gu Jiu Ling extended a single finger.

"Ten thousand taels?" Xiao Yin probed.

"Plus a whip."

She lifted her gaze, steady on Xiao Yin, and said, "Prince, can you endure a self‑inflicted stratagem?"

Xiao Yin raised his brow, but looking into this woman's eyes, he actually felt a bit nervous.

"Beloved Consort, you want to……"

Gu Jiu Ling approached Xiao Yin slowly, lowering her voice: "Prince, do you want to put an end once and for all to those people's idea of sending women to you?"

"Then it depends on how much sacrifice the Prince can make."

Xiao Yin snickered, "My dear consort, that look of yours is rather frightening, you know?"

"Is that so?" Gu Jiu Ling sneered.

Before long, Xiao Yin's cries of pain echoed from the back courtyard of Rui Wang Fu, along with the wailing and sobbing of the beauties the Crown Prince had just sent over.

Immediately, Princess Consort of Rui led two delicate beauties, bound like rice dumplings, with a rope, and they did not ride a carriage.

She rode a sedan chair, while two barefoot beauties with tangled hair and disheveled clothing staggered clumsily beside her.

The three women walked toward Tai Zi Fu.