Translator: 549690339
Yin Country’s Imperial Palace.
Duanmu Chen was tasting the soup that Imperial Concubine Xiao had made when Duanmu Yi suddenly arrived.
Mother and son quickly got up to greet him. Duanmu Yi smiled warmly, helped Imperial Concubine Xiao up, and took her hand to sit down together, “What kind of soup am I missing out on today? Are you making it just for Chen’er and not for ?”
Imperial Concubine Xiao hastily explained that she had just received the recipe and wanted Duanmu Chen to try it out first, fearing it might not turn out well.
Duanmu Chen pretended to be hurt, “So, the soup my mother made for was just for to taste it first before giving it to my father.”
Imperial Concubine Xiao chided Duanmu Chen with a glare, “Don’t talk nonsense.”
Duanmu Yi burst out laughing.
The atmosphere was harmonious, and they really looked like a happy family of three.
However, after a while, Duanmu Yi made an excuse to send Imperial Concubine Xiao away, apparently having sothing to talk to Duanmu Chen alone about.
“Su Liang should have already dealt with her family’s funeral. I’ve been having headaches these past few days for so reason, and even the senior Imperial Physician couldn’t find anything wrong.” Duanmu Yi said, rubbing his forehead.
Duanmu Chen looked concerned, “Father, please take care of yourself. Is there anything I can do to help you?”
Duanmu Yi shook his head and sighed, “I’m fine. I’ll probably be better in a couple of days. I’m just wondering whether or not to send soone to summon Su Liang back to the capital. Your great-grandmother hasn’t been in good health recently!”
Duanmu Chen nodded, “Su Liang is indeed a brilliant physician. It would be more reliable to have her in the capital city. However, I’ve been thinking; since there have been so misunderstandings between her and my great-grandmother, having her treat her could make the situation worse.”
Duanmu Yi picked up his teacup, “It sounds like you don’t want Su Liang to co back anyti soon.”
Duanmu Chen’s heart leaped, but he didn’t show it on his face. He quickly shook his head, “I absolutely do not an that. It’s just that another physician might be more suitable to treat my great-grandmother. As a citizen of Qian Country, Su Liang would naturally comply with my father’s wishes.”
It seed as if Duanmu Yi finally heard what he wanted to hear, so he nodded and said, “In that case, I’ll leave this matter to you.”
Duanmu Chen lowered his gaze and obediently accepted the order, but he was not entirely happy about it. He had always wanted to be the crown prince, as the other princes were not as smart or capable as him, so he thought the position should be his. However, he was not in a hurry to ascend to the throne.
Currently, the three kingdoms were in a fragile peace, and war would inevitably break out sooner or later. In this situation, becoming the emperor too soon would be too risky. It was better to slowly accumulate strength and power as the crown prince, step by step.
It was only because of Su Liang that Duanmu Chen began to worry. If Duanmu Yi were to truly lose his senses and do sothing irreversible, his plans might take an unexpected turn…
Imperial Concubine Xiao returned, and the three resud their pleasant conversation, as if Duanmu Yi had only co to see his beloved concubine out of idle boredom.
Adult princes had to live outside the palace, and the Crown Prince’s residence was also located outside. Only Duanmu Che had been an exception, having been allowed to live in the palace for a while by Duanmu Yi.
Upon returning to his residence, Duanmu Chen wrote a letter and sent soone to deliver it to Bei’an County, asking Su Liang to co back to the capital city.
Seeing Duanmu Chen’s uneasy expression, Chang’an couldn’t help but ask,
“Master, wouldn’t it be a good thing if Miss Su cos back sooner?”
Duanmu Chen didn’t nod, only saying two words, “Good thing.”
The tone seed like he was affirming Chang’an’s question, but also seed like a rhetorical question. He then changed the subject, “Have there been any movents concerning Duanmu Che lately?”
Chang’an shook his head, “None. Prince Number Five has stayed here, just like before.”
Duanmu Chen’s eyes narrowed slightly, “I almost forgot sothing. The next ti I go to the palace, I’ll remind my father to arrange a marriage for the Fifth Prince.”
Chang’an blurted out, “Prince Number Five has feelings for Miss Su, so he might not agree.”
Duanmu Chen sneered coldly, “But Father Emperor’s attitude towards him is not as good as before, so if he acts recklessly again… it may not be a bad thing. We’ll just wait and see.”
The next day, Duanmu Chen went to the palace to attend court. After the court session, he was summoned by Duanmu Yi and reported that he had already sent soone to Bei’an County to order Su Liang to return to the capital as soon as possible.
Duanmu Yi appeared calm and brought up Gu Ling and Nian Jincheng.
“If they are far away from the capital and haven’t made it back yet, it’s possible.” Duanmu Chen pondered, “But I think they might not co back and instead choose to continue living in anonymity.”
Duanmu Yi shook his head, “I believe they will definitely return.” “Father Emperor’s intention is…” Duanmu Chen respectfully asked.
“Even if they settle down themselves, and get married and have children in the future, will any woman be willing to hide with them and not be able to face anyone? Are they going to let their children continue hiding for a lifeti?” Duanmu Yi snorted lightly.
Duanmu Chen’s expression beca serious, “Father Emperor is right, I was not considerate enough. If Nian Jincheng returns, will Father Emperor use him again?”
Duanmu Yi nodded, “Why not? He is straightforward, and the matter in the past was not a slander against him. I also want to find out who the woman was
who saved him.”
Duanmu Chen’s eyes flashed faintly, “It’s essential to find out about this matter. That woman caused my fifth younger brother to be seriously injured at the ti.”
“Mmm. Che’er’s health is much better now, you brothers should interact more.” Duanmu Yi said.
After Duanmu Chen agreed, he smiled and said, “Father Emperor had selected consorts for and my fifth brother before, but it was put on hold due to so issues. Now that my marriage has been settled, my fifth brother is still alone.”
Duanmu Yi chuckled, “I have been too busy recently and forgot about this matter. Since Che’er’s mother is no longer with us, let’s entrust this matter to your mother. I trust her the most to handle this matter, and take the opportunity to select you another imperial concubine.”
Duanmu Chen first expressed his gratitude, then hesitated for a mont and sighed softly, “I don’t know if my fifth brother will be unhappy about this.”
Duanmu Yi’s expression darkened slightly, “It’s a good thing, what does he have to be unhappy about? Let your mother take care of it, it’s all according to my wishes!”
“Yes, Father Emperor.” Having achieved his goal, Duanmu Chen went to find Imperial Concubine Xiao.
Now in charge of the Imperial Harem, Imperial Concubine Xiao took Duanmu Yi’s instructions very seriously and imdiately ordered the Ministry of Rites to send a list of imperial consorts and their portraits as soon as possible.
The next day, Duanmu Chen visited Duanmu Che in accordance with Duanmu Yi’s instructions.
Duanmu Che’s attitude was cold, and when he heard that Duanmu Chen was going to select a consort for him, he didn’t show any displeasure, saying only that he would listen to Father Emperor’s decision.
This surprised Duanmu Chen.
Upon returning to his mansion, the more Duanmu Chen thought about it, the more he felt that sothing was off with Duanmu Che. He instructed Chang’an to dispatch more people to watch the movents of the Fifth Prince’s Mansion and report any abnormality to him imdiately.
Su Family Village.
Su Liang had returned to the village for half a month. In addition to practicing martial arts and reading daily, she also treated patients who ca to her door. Her days were fulfilling.
Her plan with Gu Ling was to not return to the capital unless soone ca for her, and she hoped to stay in the village until after the New Year.
Because Gu Ling couldn’t be seen by others, Su Liang kept the door locked during the day and night, only opening it when soone knocked.
That evening, as Gu Ling was tending to the fire, and Su Liang was preparing to fry vegetarian atballs, they suddenly heard soone knocking on the door.
Su Liang told Gu Ling to go back to his room first, and without even taking off her apron, she went to open the door.
“Who is it?” Su Liang asked first. It didn’t sound like soone from the Bai Family or Qi Jun, otherwise, they would have called her directly. Su Liang thought it might be a patient.
“Master.” A female voice, not very familiar to Su Liang, ca from outside the door.
Su Liang was stunned. To be honest, since she sent Ren Dong away before setting off from the capital city, she had forgotten about this girl, and never expected her to find her way here…
Su Liang opened the door and saw Ren Dong standing outside, tired and travel-worn, with two bundles on her back, one of which was round and bulging.
“Did you bring back Mu Ya’s head?” Su Liang asked.
Ren Dong shook her head, “Please forgive , Master, I did not complete my mission.”
“What’s in there?” Su Liang frowned.
“It’s the head of Mu Ya’s lackey, Qiu Jianren.” Ren Dong replied.
Su Liang’s expression changed slightly, she made way, “Co in and let’s talk.”
Ren Dong entered the door without looking around. She followed Su Liang’s guidance and went to the small room in the corner.
Su Liang went to the kitchen first, seeing that the oil was already hot, she did not imdiately go to ask Ren Dong what had happened, but continued to fry the atballs.
The porridge and other dishes were prepared beforehand. When Su Liang finished frying the atballs, Bai Xiaohu ca over to deliver the stead buns and took away a large bowl of vegetarian atballs.
Su Liang served the food and let Gu Ling eat first. The two did not talk, Gu Ling already knew that Ren Dong had arrived and signaled Su Liang to send her away as soon as possible.
Su Liang had the sa intention, but she had to find out what Ren Dong had done in Yin Country first.
Seeing that Su Liang had brought in the food, Ren Dong quickly got up, only to hear Su Liang say, “You go to the kitchen and wash your hands first, then co over and eat sothing.”
“I’m not hungry, I don’t want to bother you.” Ren Dong’s expression was sowhat uneasy.
“That’s an order from .” Su Liang said indifferently.
Without a word, Ren Dong went out to the kitchen and ca back after a simple wash, she took the chopsticks that Su Liang handed her.
“Eat and talk.” Su Liang sat down opposite Ren Dong, “Why didn’t you kill Mu Ya? Was it because you couldn’t, or was it for so other reason?”
Ren Dong replied respectfully, “When I reached Yin country and found Mu Ya, I found out that she was pregnant.”
Su Liang was taken aback; this was sothing she hadn’t expected. After Mu Ya had stirred up trouble in Qian Country’s military exams, she returned to Yin Country and beca a concubine of the Crown Prince. It was normal for her to be pregnant now.
Su Liang asked coldly, “So you didn’t kill her because she was pregnant?”
Ren Dong’s face stiffened, she put down the chopsticks and knelt down in front of Su Liang, “Please forgive , Master. I thought of your kindness and only intended to kill Mu Ya, not the child in her womb.”
Su Liang’s eyes narrowed, she stared at Ren Dong intently, “Then why did you kill Qiu Jianren? This was not my command either.”
“It’s my own decision, thinking that… Master…” Ren Dong tried to explain in a panic but couldn’t finish her sentence.
“What did you think?” Su Liang snorted coldly, “I thought that you didn’t have your own ideas and would only obey others’ orders. What if I order you to go and kill the pregnant Mu Ya now, would you do it?”
Ren Dong looked up at Su Liang with a startled expression, then quickly bowed her head again, “I will follow your orders.”
“So, you didn’t try to kill Mu Ya in Yin Country, not because you had a tender heart, but because you thought I should have a tender heart?” Su Liang asked coldly.
“Please forgive , Master… I… I just couldn’t bring myself to kill a pregnant woman…” Ren Dong said solemnly.
“You’ve seen the emperor before coming to find , haven’t you?” Su Liang asked.
Ren Dong lowered her head and did not speak, which ant she had admitted it.
“I am not your master, you may leave. You can either leave now or finish your al before you go. This is my thank you for bringing back the head.” With that, Su Liang got up and left.
Just as she reached the door, she heard a heavy thud, as Ren Dong’s head hit
tne grouna. ‘Ylease snow rcy, master! 1 am loyal to tne emperor, ana 1 was forced to do this!”
Su Liang’s eyes narrowed, she turned back and sat down, “If I understand correctly, you intend to betray the emperor and truly pledge your allegiance to ? Is that what you an?”
With tears in her eyes, Ren Dong looked at Su Liang, “Please take in, Master! No matter what you want to know, I will tell you everything I know without reservation!”
“Why?” Su Liang asked, “Do you trust ? But we don’t seem to know each other very well.”
“Yes, I trust you, Master, because I know you are a good person.” Ren Dong said seriously.
Su Liang sneered lightly, “A good person? What do you an by a good person?
Are you implying that the emperor is a bad person?”
“That’s not what I ant…” Ren Dong’s face turned pale.
“Then what do you an?” Su Liang’s tone was rather aggressive. She was surprised by Ren Dong’s sudden change in attitude and couldn’t easily trust her.
“I… I don’t know how to say it… ” Ren Dong fell silent for a mont, then raised her head again and looked at Su Liang, “Master treats as a person. In the emperor’s eyes, I am not even a human being!”
“I am a subject of Qian Country. You are talking about the Emperor like this, aren’t you afraid that I will betray you?” Su Liang said coldly.
Ren Dong shook her head, “I’m not afraid!”
“Get up.” Su Liang said, “Eat the food I made while it’s still hot, don’t waste it. While you eat, think carefully about what you want to tell . Once you’ve thought it through, I’ll co back and find you.”
“Yes, Master.” Ren Dong looked respectful, watching Su Liang get up and leave, she let out a small sigh of relief.
Su Liang returned to her room, closed the door, and sat down opposite Gu Ling.
She picked up her chopsticks, ate two atballs, and then softly said, “She wants to pledge her loyalty to . Can I trust her?”
Gu Ling nodded, “I told you to win her over.”
Su Liang frowned slightly, “The key is, I didn’t do anything to win her over, what if she’s deceiving ?”
“You did win her over.” Gu Ling said. Su Liang was startled, “What did I do?”
“You invited her to dinner.” Gu Ling replied.
Su Liang held her forehead, “Who would change their loyalty just for a al?”
Gu Ling drank pumpkin porridge elegantly and nodded slightly, “I would. It’s delicious.” Moreover, they had just cut open a large pumpkin today, so there would be delicious fried pumpkin seeds to eat tomorrow.
Su Liang rolled her eyes at Gu Ling, “Great God, I’m talking about serious matters here, can you stop joking?”
Gu Ling shook his head, “I’m not joking. If I were a spy, and you invited to dinner with your own cooking, I would choose to follow you.”
Su Liang was speechless, “That’s because you’re a strange person. Forget it, I’ll let you enjoy your al. I need to think carefully about Ren Dong’s situation.”
Gu Ling silently continued to drink his porridge, thinking that Su Liang had ntioned in her previous life, a widespread saying, “To grasp a man’s heart, you must first grasp his stomach.” He wanted to express that Su Liang had grasped his stomach, but was he being too subtle? She was so smart; how could
she not understand….
Reviews
All reviews (0)