Chapter 98

Gu Jiu Ling returned to the Peach Blossom Pavilion with a heavy heart; Xiao Yin seemed to be waiting for her, then half‑reclined against the bedpost, looking at the storybooks she had collected.

Gu Jiu Ling broke into a sweat, unable to lead this guy astray.

"Your Highness?" Gu Jiu Ling walked to the bedside.

"Lie down and speak!" Xiao Yin shifted his body, making space for her.

Gu Jiu Ling simply lay down as well, crossing her arms behind her head as a pillow.

Xiao Yin put away the storybooks: "What happened?"

In front of him, Gu Jiu Ling could never hide the emotion she kept buried; he saw it at a glance.

Gu Jiu Ling composed herself and said: "It's nothing much; the elder princess came to ask for a tonic prescription for her son, and… she also told me something."

"What is it?" Xiao Yin raised his brows slightly.

Gu Jiu Ling decided to tell Xiao Yin, since she couldn't control the future and had to rely on this powerful figure beside her; perhaps Xiao Yin's seasoned cunning could help her see a clue.

"The Bei Di crown prince is coming to Southern Qi."

Upon hearing the words "Bei Di crown prince," Xiao Yin's face instantly darkened.

He then chuckled lightly: "Just a defeated subordinate."

Gu Jiu Ling looked at Xiao Yin and said: "Moreover, he intends to return part of the treasure my maternal grandfather Du's family had swallowed, and explicitly wants my maternal grandfather's descendants to take this batch of treasure."

"Your Highness, you fought the Bei Di crown prince seven years ago—did you ever see him in person? Is he especially stupid, especially dense? I've never heard of an envoy bringing gifts instead of demanding them; and this isn't being given to the Southern Qi royal family, perhaps it's meant for me and my brother—I just can't figure it out, really can't."

"Your Highness, could you help me analyze this?"

Xiao Yin furrowed his brows deeply, slowly sat upright, his long arms resting on his slightly bent knees as he sank into thought.

Gu Jiu Ling felt this guy had entered a state like Yixiu Ge; she sat obediently to the side, not daring to speak, until Xiao Yin lifted his head.

Gu Jiu Ling hurriedly looked at him and said: "Your Highness? Did you think of something?"

Xiao Yin whispered: "I'm hungry, I want hot pot."

Gu Jiu Ling gritted her teeth, thinking, "I wish I could eat you to death," but Xiao Yin raised his hand, rubbed her head, and laughed: "Don't be angry; if there's something you can't figure out, don't dwell on it—thinking won't help; what's meant to come will come."

"In any case, it's a good thing—after all, he's giving you money; I find my life not bad, having married a money‑shaking tree—why not shake one for me first?"

Xiao Yin raised his hand to embrace Gu Jiu Ling, but she dodged.

"Your Highness, rest now; the money‑shaking tree is tired!"

Gu Jiu Ling lay down with her back to Xiao Yin; he opened his mouth and sighed inwardly—she had indeed annoyed him, but some things he couldn't say, involving too many people and matters.

He liked this woman, yet behind him were many living and deceased brothers, whom he could not fail.

The more this girl knows, the worse it is for her.

It seems the Bei Di side can't hold back either—what a grand spectacle!

Everyone, come out and sing!

The next morning, Gu Jiu Ling rose early; Xiao Yin had already vanished without a trace, and she felt a slight headache, unsure whether it was due to poor sleep the night before.

She washed, dressed, had breakfast, and was about to leave the manor to visit the clinic when she received a summons from the Gu Minister's residence, inviting her to a gathering there.

Gu Jiu Ling held the invitation, stunned; her relationship with the Gu family had reached the point of permanent estrangement, yet she hadn't expected the Gu Minister's residence to take the initiative and send her a note.

Originally, Gu Shijie had solemnly declared he would not acknowledge her as his daughter, forbidding her from ever returning to the Gu household; Gu Jiu Ling had been obedient, and even on her return visits she never went back to the Gu home.

Yet this time they are letting her return?

Gu Jiu Ling suddenly recalled what the elder princess had told her the previous night—could the Gu family have received news as well?

This concerns her maternal grandfather; besides, although Gu Kang is a scoundrel, he is still the original host's biological brother.

Because of the blood ties, she could not simply leave Gu Kang to his own devices.

That boy had once framed her; Xiao Yin had chopped off a finger of his directly, and when he came yesterday to the clinic bearing congratulatory gifts, he was much more obedient.

Gu Jiu Ling composed herself, boarded a carriage, and went straight to the Gu Minister's residence.

She specially brought Yun Duo along; Yun Duo indeed had a talent for martial arts—she had hired a martial instructor for her, and after just a few days of practice the master praised her repeatedly.

She brought this girl, who could protect her in critical moments.

Not long after, Gu Jiu Ling's carriage stopped at the Gu Minister's gate, and the steward Hu hurried out to greet her.

The Gu household servants lifted the curtain of the Rui Wangfu carriage, and the household attendants hurried to help their young lady alight; this time, looking at Gu Jiu Ling, they secretly marveled.

Before, when the eldest daughter resided in the manor, she always followed the second daughter in everything, meek and lacking any initiative.

Furthermore, for the Crown Prince's sake she had made too many mistakes, losing all face for the Gu family.

Unexpectedly, after marrying into the Rui Wangfu, her bearing and conduct became ever more grand and dignified, her attire top‑notch, and even the southern pearls set in her hairpin were priceless.

At this moment, the eldest daughter's every gesture exuded nobility; her belly showed she was pregnant, her complexion had improved considerably—compared to before, she was like heaven and earth apart.

Gu Jiu Ling ordered Jiu Yue to bestow a reward; today would count as her return visit.

The Gu household servants served even more diligently, rushing to support the Gu family's eldest daughter as they walked toward the main hall.

Gu Jiu Ling entered the main hall with dignified grace; the several people seated inside had varied expressions.

Gu Shijie sat in the seat of honor, his eyes grim and cold, as if hiding some thought.

Lin Qingxue sat beside Gu Shijie; Gu Jiu Ling thought to herself, "Formidable."

Previously, because of the private‑lending affair, Lin Qingxue had been demoted by Gu Shangshu to the rank of concubine; now she could sit beside her father again—her tactics are formidable! Truly formidable!

Gu Cheng sat in the junior position; upon seeing Gu Jiu Ling, Gu Kang actually wanted to flee, but noticing that she was not followed by her elder brother‑in‑law Xiao Yin, he nervously sat down.

Even Gu Nanxiang sat in the main hall, her complexion pallid, a gloom shadowing her brows; seeing Gu Jiu Ling enter, she wished to rise and devour her, but Lin Qingxue coughed, and she lowered her head slowly.

Only Gu Shuai, the third uncle, rose first to greet Gu Jiu Ling respectfully, saying: "Elder sister, have you returned?"

"You must be tired—someone, bring tea! Does Elder Sister prefer snow‑mountain silver needle tea or flower tea?"

Gu Jiu Ling froze for a moment; in the original host's mind, this third brother had little presence, and they hardly interacted.

Gu Huai usually studied at the academy, rarely returning; moreover, he was an excellent scholar, his talent even surpassing that of the former Gu family eldest son—if he takes this spring examination, he might very well place first.

Really infuriating!

Gu Shijie, this scumbag, has decent learning genes—both his sons are talented types, but his own younger brother clearly didn't inherit their father's good genes, or maybe he's just been ruined by indulgence; right now, seeing him sitting between the two young masters of the Gu family, he looks like a complete idiot.

She gave Gu Huai a deep look, having inherited the Gu family's fine looks; dressed in an indigo‑blue brocade robe, she exuded a graceful, unrestrained elegance.

"Third brother, no need to be polite—I've returned to my maiden home, I can drink whatever I want!"

Gu Huai was stung by a remark, his expression slightly unnatural; he ordered the tea served and then sat down.

Gu Shijie, however, gave Gu Jiu Ling a cold stare and said, "Do you even realize this is your maiden home? You haven't come back to visit—do you think I'm dead?"

"Oh, it's not that Father doesn't want to see me in this lifetime—I'm naturally filial, I'm just obeying his words by not coming back!" Gu Jiu Ling chuckled, took the seat of honor beside Gu Shijie, slumped there, and let out a comfortable sigh.

Gu Shijie flew into a rage, about to scold something, but Lin Qingxue stopped him with a smile, saying, "Don't get angry, sir—young lady has always been like this; today we aren't asking the young lady back to discuss that treasure of the Du family, are we?"

Gu Jiu Ling raised her brow, a flicker of frost crossing her eyes, and let out a cold laugh.