Chapter 168: My Pet

Chapter 168

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.

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.