Gu Ning nodded and turned to look at Cui Ling, who was kneeling on the ground.
"Raise your head," he said.
Cui Ling's eyebrows tightened as she raised her head to look at this handsome and imposing young man, even as he sat in a wheelchair. A trace of fear arose in her heart.
She steadied her mind and summoned her courage. "Young Master, you wouldn't go back on your word, would you?"
Gu Ning said, "Why would I go back on something I haven't done?"
Cui Ling placed a hand on her belly as tears flowed down her cheeks. "I have only ever given myself to you, Young Master. If this child isn't yours, whose could it be?"
Gu Ning's eyebrows and eyes were as faint as clouds and smoke. "Have you forgotten that I'm only ten years old this year?"
Cui Ling froze for a moment.
Gu Ning looked down at her, his gaze cool. "You and Steward Wu put on quite the show every day right in front of me. Although I've watched my fair share, given my current age, I'm afraid impregnating you would be premature."
Cui Ling's complexion stiffened for an instant, but she gritted her teeth and argued, "What does ten years old matter? You're already grown down there. Of course I would get pregnant!"
Gu Ning scoffed.
But the low tone of the young man's voice emanated a chilling intent that made people fearful. "Sister, send someone to bring Steward Wu here."
Gu Ying watched for a while, then softly lowered her eyes and set down the teacup in her hand. "Yin Zhu, go to the Earl Manor."
Yin Lan didn't say much before heading straight for the door.
How could Lady Cheng allow Gu Ying to order her around so arrogantly right in front of her?
Cheng's slender eyebrows tightened as a sharp look flashed through her eyes. She had Yin Zhu stopped and her voice turned cold. "This matter now concerns the reputation of the Duke's Residence. We can't let it get any bigger and give others more gossip about the Duke's Residence." In my opinion, the best solution would be for Young Master Gu to take this girl as his concubine."
Gu Ning's face darkened as he looked at Gu Ying with concern.
Gu Ying gave him a reassuring look. Frowning, she said, "Mother, Ning is still just a child. That would be inappropriate."
Any person with a brain would know a ten-year-old child couldn't possibly impregnate a grown woman.
Cheng was clearly deliberately provoking her.
Cheng said disdainfully, "As the Duke's Residence's Lady, you will listen to what I say."
"This is the Duke's Residence, not your Dongping Earl Manor!"
Her voice grew shrill. "Who exactly raised you to be so disrespectful to your elders? How dare you be so insolent in front of me!"
Gu Ying's face paled, not from fear, but from irritation at Cheng's vulgarity welling up within her.
Just as she was about to retort, a clear, lazy male voice sounded from outside Zhengde Pavilion.
"That would be me who raised her."
Immediately after, the curtain was lifted by a broad hand with prominent knuckles. A tall figure strode in, bringing with him the wind and snow.
His hands were casually tucked into his sleeves. He wore a red court robe with a round, open collar that emphasized his sturdy, eye-catching physique. At his waist was a black leather belt.
His refined, noble attire did nothing to diminish his intimidating aura.
When those piercing eyes like cold abyss glanced over, a chilling murderous aura slowly permeated Zhengde Pavilion.
Cheng froze, her face turning from green to white. She had wanted to take this chance to punish Gu Ying, but didn't expect this nemesis to return so early today.
Gu Ying's eyes brightened the moment she saw him. "Changdu, you're back."
Zhao Changdu walked to her side and stretched out his arm to pull her into his embrace, resting his chin on the top of her head and nuzzling her. "Did you get hurt?"
Gu Ying shook her head. The irritation in her heart mysteriously settled down.
Cheng watched the intimate pair silently, a trace of malice flashing through her eyes.
Zhao Changdu had already heard about Cui Ling's matter on his way back. Looking directly at Cheng now, he said, "Since you're so fond of this girl, why not have Zhao Changxing take her as a concubine?"
Cheng's face turned purple from suppressed anger, but she forced a smile. "Changdu, the child is Brother Ning's. It has nothing to do with Xing'er."
Zhao Changdu's eyes were as cold as knives. Impatiently he said, "If it's unrelated to him, what business is it of yours?"
He had no time to bother with Cheng. His only thought was to return and be affectionate with his little wife. Cheng had disrupted his mood and was sticking her neck out.
Not knowing how to respond, Cheng could only force an awkward laugh.
No one in this room full of servants dared offend this Crown Prince of Hell.
Zhao Changdu was accustomed to being unbridled and defiant. As a military man, he was crude and rude. Given his temperament, if Cheng really provoked him, he might disregard even the Duke's face to make her suffer.
Cheng didn't dare tear all pretenses with Zhao Changdu. And Zhao Changdu still gave her some thin face to maintain the appearance of harmony in this household.
Gu Ying naturally understood the current situation in the Duke's Residence. She grasped the man's large hand in her small one and said with a smile, "Changdu, I want to have Yin Zhu go to the Earl Manor and invite Steward Wu over."
Zhao Changdu's cold expression softened slightly. "Don't worry, I already sent Huai An."
Gu Ying blinked. The Crown Prince really did plan for everything.
Seeing the worshipful look in the little girl's eyes, Zhao Changdu's lips curved up slightly. He simply pulled her to sit down. "Ying, just take care of things today. I will oversee matters here. Whoever dares speak out of turn, I'll cut out her tongue."
Gu Ying laughed softly, her cheeks flushing slightly as she watched the man's overbearing posture.
This was Gu Ning's first time interacting closely with his brother-in-law. The man's bearing was magnificent and his aura powerful. Gu Ning's gaze flickered.
He pressed his lips together, cursing internally at his current weakness that left him unable to protect his sister.
But if this man was willing to protect his sister on his behalf, perhaps he could begrudgingly accept him as a brother-in-law.
...
The awkward tension in Zhengde Pavilion didn't last long.
Cui Ling also didn't dare cry anymore. She knelt stiffly like a wooden pole.
Steward Wu was quickly dragged over by Huai An, trussed up and sporting a bruised, swollen face after a beating.
Cui Ling had already been frightened by the Crown Prince's chilliness. Now seeing Steward Wu's miserable state, anxiety arose in her heart.
Gu Ying was about to force Cui Ling to admit who the father of her child was.
But Gu Ning spoke up. "Sister, let me question her."
Gu Ying smiled. "Alright."
Her brother was growing up, with ideas of his own. She would need to indulge him. She simply lifted her skirt and sat down beside the Crown Prince.
Zhao Changdu's gaze had been fixed on the little girl the entire time. Seeing her sit back down beside him, his broad palm reached over.
