The petty man prospers

Ji Lin's back slammed against the wall. When she saw the other person's face clearly, it was indeed exactly the same as hers, and the voice was exactly the same as hers as well. A trace of fear flashed through her instinctively.

"Let me take a look." She steadied her fear and tried to speak in an employer's tone. "Several days have passed, and it's time for you to fulfill your promise."

Gu Jinning pulled off her veil, twirled it in her hand and played with it. "You want to complete the transaction ahead of schedule? No problem, but the reward can't be less."

She stared at the face that was exactly the same as hers, a playful look in her eyes. "It really is real. She's so young."

Ji Lin lowered her eyes to avoid her gaze and replied, "Understood."

Gu Jinning nodded. "Alright, I'll come to collect my payment in three days. Take off your clothes."

"ah?"

Ji Lin instinctively covered her body, but Gu Jinning had already put a veil over her face and tossed her her coat.

Do you want me to help you?

"Ah, no, no need." Ji Lin hurriedly turned her back and changed her clothes.

Gu Jinning put on Ji Lin's clothes and deliberately raised her voice, saying in Ji Lin's voice, "Don't worry, the wet nurse is doing well, so you can go back in peace. These things were given to you by the wet nurse."

After saying that, she slung her bag over her shoulder and walked gracefully away. Ji Lin was left standing there stunned, only recovering her senses after a long while.

Once she reached the corner, Gu Jinning removed her mask, reverted to her true self, and flew towards the Ministry of Justice prison.

Fortunately, Xiao Heng'an was traveling by carriage today, so Gu Jinning rushed ahead and slipped into the prison first, ordering Qinglian to delay him outside for a while.

The ice bucket in the prison had melted and hadn't been replaced yet, so the stuffy heat pressed in and filled the entire cell.

After changing her clothes, Gu Jinning felt sticky and uncomfortable, covered in sweat. She washed her face with ice water and then pretended to sleep.

A moment later, the sound of footsteps rustling could be heard.

Qinglian called out from behind the screen, "Princess, His Highness Prince Jin has arrived."

"ah--"

A lazy yawn came from behind the screen. The person inside turned over and said, half-awake, "So early? This isn't a breakfast shop."

Xiao Heng'an walked around the screen and looked at the sleepy person on the bed. He raised his eyebrows slightly and said, "It's getting late. It's time for lunch."

Gu Jinning rubbed her eyes, recognized Xiao Heng'an, lazily got up, and unabashedly put on her coat in front of him, jokingly saying:

"Really? The jailer hasn't brought the food yet. Does Your Highness also wish to try the prison lunch?"

Xiao Heng'an smiled, his eyes falling on the beads of sweat on her forehead. "It's really hot here. Let's go out and eat."

Gu Jinning said self-deprecatingly, "Isn't that a bit inappropriate? I'm reflecting on my actions right now."

Xiao Heng'an stepped forward, took a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from her forehead, and gently brushed the withered leaves off her head, saying affectionately, "His Majesty has granted you early release from prison."

"real?"

Gu Jinning's eyes lit up instantly. She stared at Xiao Heng'an for a while, and after confirming that she could really be released from prison, she immediately jumped off the bed and strode out of the cell. She then urged Xiao Heng'an, "Then what are we waiting for? Let's go. I've been so stifled these past few days."

If a hero hadn't fallen on hard times, who would willingly settle in a prison cell?

Gu Jinning walked out of the Ministry of Justice gate like the wind, and without looking back, she got into Xiao Heng'an's carriage.

"Your Highness, Your Highness, please wait!"

Wang Shouxin, the Minister of Justice, jogged after him, carrying his heavy official robes, saying, "Your Highness, please wait a moment."

"Your Highness Prince Jin, Your Highness Princess, congratulations on Your Highness's release from prison."

He smiled and cupped his hands in congratulations to Gu Jinning, then turned to Xiao Heng'an and asked, "Your Highness Prince Jin, may I stay for a moment? I have something to ask you."

Gu Jinning understood and said to Xiao Heng'an, "I'll wait for you at the teahouse on North Street." Then she lowered the carriage curtain and ordered the carriage to leave first.

"Princess, please wait!"

Wang Shouxin waved goodbye, tucked his hands into his sleeves, and his old face was full of satisfaction.

"Isn't this a good thing? Why do you have to make a fuss about breaking off the engagement?"

Before she could finish speaking, she realized Xiao Heng'an was there and quickly changed her words, "Young lady, you're still young and a bit willful. Don't take it to heart. You'll be fine in a few days."

The streets are always bustling in the evenings of summer. During the day, only hurried pedestrians and people struggling to make a living rush by. Those with nothing to do like to while away the time in teahouses and small restaurants.

The North Street Teahouse is built along the water, with an elegant interior, where one can enjoy music and scenery at the same time, making it the perfect place for the young noblemen of the capital to escape the summer heat and have fun.

As soon as Gu Jinning stepped across the threshold, the cool air from the lake rushed towards her, instantly dispelling the heat she had just arrived in.

Aunt Hong, the teahouse owner who was greeting customers in the lobby, vaguely saw a familiar face. She paused for a moment, then hurriedly swayed her hips to greet Gu Jinning, gently flicking a handkerchief at her face and saying warmly, "Princess, it's been so long! I've missed you so much!"

Gu Jinning is a regular here and loves to come here to listen to music.

When the guests in the hall saw that it really was Gu Jinning, they began to whisper among themselves, mostly talking about things like "She's actually out of prison" and "Who knows what she'll do next."

Gu Jinning chose a seat and sat down, joking with Aunt Hong as if no one else was around, "Yeah, I just got out of jail. Look at my face, I've gotten so thin. My butt still hurts."

Aunt Hong leaned closer to examine Gu Jinning's face and exclaimed, "Oh dear, she's suffered quite a bit! This is terrible. Danniang, quickly bring out more good food to nourish the princess."

She whispered, "The King of Qin is upstairs."

Out of the corner of her eye, Gu Jinning saw Prince Qin, Xiao Liao, and Prince Wei, Xiao Jun, sitting together in the Tianzi Pavilion.

Gu Jinning pretended not to see it, picked up a peanut from the table, threw it into her mouth, turned her head and waved to her mother, saying, "Come on, come on, I'm not looking for trouble today."

Dan Niang brought over food and tea, chatting and laughing with Gu Jin Ning. Soon after, a guard came downstairs and went straight to invite her.

Gu Jinning leaned back in her chair, raised an eyebrow, and said arrogantly, "Whoever invites me can come. I can't just ask anyone to leave."

That arrogant voice, impartial and clear, was loud enough for the people upstairs to hear.

The guard glanced awkwardly upstairs, then slunk away.

Before long, Xiao Liao indeed came downstairs in person.

"Cousin Jin Ning."

As soon as Xiao Liao arrived at Gu Jinning's table, he smiled and explained with a hint of apology, "I was really heartbroken when Father Emperor punished you by sending you to prison to reflect on your actions. If Father Emperor hadn't ordered that no one was allowed to visit you, I would have gone to see you long ago."

Gu Jinning rolled her eyes at him, thinking to herself, "Hypocrite."

Xiao Liao was fairly handsome, with thick eyebrows and big eyes. After all, his birth mother was the Virtuous Consort, who had enjoyed the emperor's favor for decades because of her beauty, so he couldn't be bad either. However, when he smiled with his eyes narrowed, he gave people the feeling that he was full of calculation; it was too fake.

"Your Highness, Prince Qin." Gu Jinning didn't even get up to return the greeting. She just sat there casually, one leg propped up on the bench, and said in a flippant manner, "My cousin is only the Crown Prince. I wouldn't dare to presume to be your cousin."

Xiao Liao smiled indifferently.

"Cousin, you're being too polite. I know you're having a hard time in prison, so I've prepared some light wine upstairs to welcome you back. How about it?"

There were an unusually large number of people in the hall today. Gu Jinning's appearance had already caused quite a stir, and with Xiao Liao's arrival, everyone started whispering even more.

Gu Jinning found the noise annoying and wanted to see what Xiao Liao was up to, so she clapped her hands and reluctantly got up, "Fine, you came to invite me yourself. If I don't go, it would seem like I'm being unreasonable."

She tossed her head, flicked her ponytail, and strode upstairs with her chest held high. Her arrogant demeanor made her look like a complete little tyrant.

Prince Xiao Jun of Wei greeted her in the corridor, addressing her awkwardly as "Cousin Princess."

He was always slow-paced, didn't like to talk, and wasn't particularly good-looking. He often followed Xiao Liao around, killing time. He was a quiet, reserved person.

Gu Jinning walked past him and teased, "What a wonderful day it is that you all came today?"

Xiao Jun replied matter-of-factly, "The teahouse auction was an invitation from Brother Sun to come and have some fun, so I just joined in the fun."

Brother Sun refers to Sun Xianzhu, Xiao Liao's maternal cousin.

Auctioning items is a favorite pastime for young men in the capital during the summer, and it is held every three or seven days.

Tianzi Pavilion faces the high platform below, offering an excellent view.

Just as Gu Jinning sat down, a burst of unrestrained laughter came from outside the main entrance of the teahouse. A group of wealthy young men swaggered in, surrounded by Hua Lingteng and Sun Xianzhu.

Gu Jinning narrowed her eyes.

"Boss lady."

As soon as Hua Lingteng stepped into the lobby, he beckoned to Aunt Hong and asked arrogantly, "Are you ready? I have some good stuff to sell today."

He clapped his hands, then smugly swept the long wooden box that the two servants were carrying around him, turned his head to look up at the pavilion, and gave Gu Jin Ning a provocative smirk.

Xiao Jun stood up and said to Xiao Liao, "I'll go and say hello to them."

Downstairs, Aunt Hong laboriously took the wooden box, smiling apologetically, "Everything was prepared early this morning, just waiting for your arrival. Please, everyone, have a seat."

Hua Lingteng, the head of the Hua family, and Sun Xianzhu sat down in the middle of the first row directly in front of the platform. Hua Lingteng waved his hand and said, "Now that everyone is here, let's begin."

The others then sat down, gathering in twos and threes to chat and laugh.

Upstairs, Gu Jinning drank her tea, seemingly oblivious to the group of people downstairs.

Xiao Liao secretly observed Gu Jinning's expression and said, "I heard that Uncle Wang has been looking for you."

Gu Jinning replied, "Yes, I had a fight with him and kicked him out."

Xiao Liao shook his head and smiled.

“My cousin is still so genuine. Uncle Wang really shouldn’t have done that. Knowing that you were engaged, he still openly favored Miss Ji.”

Gu Jinning understood; this was Xiao Heng'an behind it all.

"You mean his cousin?" Gu Jinning said indifferently. "Miss Cousin is all alone and helpless. It's only natural for him to feel pity for her. What does it have to do with me?"

Xiao Liao complained, "That's true, but he can't disrespect you."

Downstairs, the items brought by Hua Lingteng were placed in the center of the high platform.

Aunt Hong announced, "Ladies and gentlemen, today's auction is now beginning. As usual, the starting bid is thirty taels, and the highest bidder wins."

Gu Jinning rested her chin on her hand, waiting boredly for the box to be opened.

Xiao Liao said, "Cousin, I know you are unhappy with the marriage arranged by Father and have suffered a lot because of it. Why don't I help you think of a way?"

Gu Jinning glanced at him. "What method?"

Xiao Liao said, "You will marry me."

Gu Jinning burst out laughing, "Are you alright?"

Xiao Liao was not annoyed and analyzed the situation with her seriously.

"Father bestowed this marriage on you so that you wouldn't marry into the Crown Prince's household. If you only mention breaking off the engagement, Father will naturally disagree. But remarrying is different. Marrying your uncle or me is the same; the important thing is the marriage itself."

Gu Jinning couldn't help but laugh, "Your Highness, have you ever looked in a mirror?"

"What's the meaning?"

"Since it doesn't matter who I marry, why shouldn't I marry the handsome, promising, and senior Prince Jin, instead of a thirty-one-year-old prince like you who has accomplished nothing?"

Xiao Liao hated it most when people joked about his age, and he felt a little embarrassed.

“Yes, Uncle Wang is younger than me,” he said with great patience. “But don’t forget Uncle Wang’s background. He comes from a commoner family and is the son of a servant. How can he compare to us?”

Gu Jinning snorted and said sarcastically, "Yes, you are noble, so you are more cunning than others."

"you!"

Xiao Liao's face turned pale for a moment, and he was about to explode when he saw Xiao Jun turn back. He then flung his sleeve to compose himself and asked Xiao Jun, "What were we filming today?"

Xiao Jun replied, "Young Master Hua carries a sword."

Gu Jinning was stunned. "What?"

Xiao Jun replied again: "The sword of Hua Lingchen, the eldest son of the Hua family."

On the stage, Aunt Hong opened the sword box, revealing a long sword to everyone.

Its entire body is gilded and adorned with white jade, just like its owner, which is noble and elegant.

It was indeed Hua Lingchen's sword.

"On what grounds are they auctioning off Hua Lingchen's sword?" Gu Jinning's bright eyes darkened, her expression clearly displeased.

Xiao Jun said, "Young Master Hua has been out of martial arts for three years and has long since abandoned his sword. Young Master Hua thought it was in the way, so he put it up for auction."

"Oh!"

Gu Jinning snorted coldly, her icy gaze fixed on Hua Lingteng.

"If you think it's in the way, just gouge out your eyes. What kind of person are you to touch other people's old things?"

Hua Lingteng noticed the sharp object behind his head, turned around, and gave Gu Jinning a mischievous smile.

"Ladies and gentlemen," he said, rising to his feet, "this sword is the treasured sword of my famous brother, used when he rose to fame. It's priceless. Today I'm selling it at a bargain price. If any of you are interested, don't miss out."

He emphasized the word "sell off cheaply," which infuriated Gu Jinning, who secretly clenched her fists.

Sun Xianzhu said, "Brother Hua, the eldest young master became famous early, but he also became crippled early. How could we dare to use his sword?"

Another person chimed in, "Exactly. The eldest young master's hands are both useless, and he stays indoors all the time. We are not fortunate enough to enjoy the things he has used."

Hua Lingteng laughed even more smugly, "That's why I'm selling it cheap. People's bad luck has nothing to do with things. Look at this scabbard and hilt, they're made of real gold and fine jade. They could be worth a lot of money if you pawned them."

At this moment, a man in the hall shouted, "I'll pay fifty taels."

Another person chimed in, "I'll offer sixty; anything more isn't worth it."

Everyone burst into laughter.

Gu Jinning spat and cursed under her breath: "A petty person who has gained power."