283 283. Desired return gift
"A Poison Master? What do you want with that?" Old man Mu furrowed his brows.
Su Liang sighed, "As you know, I'm a doctor, and my dical skills are pretty decent, but I don't know anything about poison. I had an enemy who wanted to harm and had poisoned food, but I accidentally gave it to a friend..."
Old man Mu widened his eyes, "Your friend was poisoned and died?"
Su Liang shook her head, "Almost. I sought help for an antidote, but now I owe a huge favor that's hard to repay. It's better to rely on oneself. I want to learn, but I can't find a master."
Upon hearing this, Old man Mu scratched his withered beard and said uncertainly, "I think I know soone."
"What do you an you 'think' you know soone?" Su Liang was puzzled.
Old man Mu explained that he was once a heavy drinker, living a dreamy life for several years, waking up every day not knowing where he was. During that ti, he made a friend, or more accurately, a drinking buddy. The two first t when they fought over the last jug of alcohol in a small shop, and since then, they beca friends and drank together whenever they t, chatting away.
"One ti, we talked about each other's abilities. I was not that drunk, so I just said I was a carpenter. He drunkenly said he was the Poison King and that the poison he made was unrivaled in the world. At first, I thought he was boasting, but during our last encounter, he revealed a golden snakehead from his sleeve, which sobered up imdiately. Afterward, I suffered a severe illness and barely pulled through. I decided to quit drinking and never saw him again."
Upon hearing this, Su Liang imdiately thought this person must be a master. She hurriedly asked, "What's his na, and where did you et him?"
Old man Mu shook his head, "I don't know his na. He just called himself Mr. Bai. I called him Old Bai, and he called Old Jin."
Su Liang facepald. Old man Mu's surna was fake, and Old Bai might be fake too.
"It was in Qian Country." Old man Mu said, "If you really want to learn poison techniques, I'll go find Old Bai for you! Maybe he's still drinking sowhere."
Su Liang smiled slightly, "Wouldn't that be too much trouble for Master?"
Finally hearing Su Liang call him Master, and seeing her obedient face, Old man Mu's heart softened, but he still glared at her, "I don't want you to get poisoned and die soday. Without you, I would definitely be annoyed to death by that youngster!"
"When does Master plan to leave?" Su Liang maintained her smile.
Old man Mu said grumpily, "Today! I don't want to stay in this lousy place either!"
Su Liang could see that old man Mu was feeling conflicted, yet it wasn't about them, but rather about Mu Yu. Although they had decided not to interfere with the apprentice, they could predict that once Mu Yu joined Situ Xie's side, and when he couldn't give Situ Xie what he wanted, his fate would be sealed.
After all, old man Mu did raise him, and he was sowhat reluctant to part with his disciple. However, as Su Liang said, even if old man Mu forcibly took Mu Yu away now, Mu Yu wouldn't understand him, nor could he watch over Mu Yu for the rest of his life. Their master-disciple bond had co to an end, and it was ti to let go.
"We should et again in Qian Country next ti. I'll cook sothing delicious for Master then," Su Liang smiled and asked.
"You? Can cook?" Old man Mu looked doubtful.
"If you don't believe , ask him." Su Liang pointed at Gu Ling.
Gu Ling nodded slightly, "It's decent."
Su Liang rolled her eyes at Gu Ling, and old man Mu chuckled, "I'll just follow you from now on! I'll find Old Bai and ask him to take you as his disciple. Consider that as your welco gift!"
"Master is so kind." Su Liang was in a joyful mood. This was indeed an unexpected gain. She hadn't asked the specific location for soone to go and search, thinking that if he were truly a master, only old man Mu would be able to find him and have a conversation.
"What about mine?" Gu Ling asked.
Old man Mu stood up and slapped Gu Ling on the back of his head, "What about you? There's no welco gift for you! Take good care of your junior sister! Or else I'll expel you from the sect!" With that, he disappeared.
Su Liang looked at Gu Ling's deflated expression with glee, "Great God, so you have your bad days too."
Gu Ling smoothed his hair and said calmly, "Are you very happy?"
Su Liang nodded, "It's fine. I'll cook 'decent' late-night snacks for you every day. It's a pity to bother you like this. From today on, there won't be any more snacks! Besides, we're already engaged. I don't need to please you anymore."
Gu Ling shook his head, "That won't do. When I said that, it was for your sake. Old man Mu is obviously a glutton, and he'll want you to cook three als a day personally. You'll be tired."
Su Liang smiled slightly, "Thank you, Great God, for your consideration. Then I won't cook starting today."
Gu Ling was silent for a while, then nodded gently, "Alright. Although I have been looking forward to the late-night snacks every day, I won't die of hunger if I don't eat."
Su Liang looked at him speechless, "Great God, are you trying to act pitiful?"
"It's because of you that I have beco picky about food." Gu Ling said quite justifiably.
Su Liang looked helpless, "Alright, alright. It was agreed from the beginning that you'd protect with your strength, and I'd cook for you. It seems that the only way to turn the tables is to beat you soday."
...
14:50
He sent people across Yao City to publicly praise the skills of "Zhao Yu," the craftsman from the King Yue's Mansion, but after several days, Mu Yu's master still hadn't shown up.
He had initially suspected that Su Liang was responsible for the hidden weapon fan, but her various actions did not match this speculation. She didn't seem to care about hidden weapons at all and even appeared quite naive at tis.
Situ Xie did not believe that Su Liang was a simple girl, but since she ca to Yao City, aside from demanding that Situ Min be punished for nearly killing Lian Shun, at other tis, she really seed like she was just here to treat Situ Han's illness and chased after n in her spare ti.
Situ Xie's thoughts were too chaotic, so he told his most trusted grandson, Situ Jing, about the matter.
"Grandfather, perhaps the fan was not made by Mu Yu's master, nor was it a sche set by Su Liang. Maybe soone truly wanted to sell the fan and claid it was made by a descendant of the Mu family to fetch a high price?" Situ Jing thought that Situ Xie was overcomplicating the matter.
"What you said may be possible, but if we think of things too simply, we may fall into other people's traps." Situ Xie said coldly.
Situ Jing's expression darkened slightly, "Or maybe, soone from the royal family of Yin Country found out about the Mu family's descendants in Yao City and they intervened?"
Situ Xie's face changed, "You are right in thinking about this layer. But where did the fan co from? It's still a mystery. As long as we figure this out, many doubts will be resolved."
"Grandfather, I have an idea," Situ Jing said thoughtfully, "If we want to know if Su Liang has co for the Mu family's chanism Map, why not set a trap and see if she makes a move. All the spies in Yao City might be lured out and caught in one fell swoop!"
After pondering for a long ti, Situ Xie nodded slightly.
…
That day, Situ Yao invited Su Liang to go to the tea house with her to listen to music, and Su Liang happily accepted the invitation.
"In a few days, I will call you sister-in-law." Situ Yao said with a sweet smile.
However, Su Liang sighed slightly, "I hope your cousin doesn't suddenly change his mind."
Situ Yao hurriedly comforted her, "How could he? Although my cousin does not like to socialize, he will not go back on his word once he has promised sothing. Besides, this is what he promised to the Emperor, and the Imperial Decree for the marriage is not a joke."
Upon hearing this, Su Liang nodded, "I know, I should trust Gu Ling's character. But I am still worried. When our Emperor finds out that he and I are getting married in Liang Country, he might send soone over to stop us."
Situ Yao was stunned, "Why? Does Emperor Qian not want you two to be together?"
Su Liang shook her head, "That's not it. It's just that since we are both from Qian Country and on official business in Liang Country, things like the conferring of titles and granting marriages should be reported to our Emperor. However, with such haste, I am afraid that our Emperor will beco suspicious of us."
Situ Yao furrowed her brows, "Will he? When I go back, I'll ask my grandfather whether we should send soone to Qian County to explain. After all, our Emperor's intentions are good. Besides, once you two get married, as long as our Emperor's health is not an issue, you can return to your country at any ti."
Su Liang's expression was full of gratitude, "That's great. Hearing you say this, I feel much more at ease."
Situ Yao laughed, then lowered her head to pour tea.
The window was open, and across from the tea house was the Treasure Pavilion. After an old man with white hair entered, all the guests left, and the Treasure Pavilion closed its doors in broad daylight.
"Go and see what happened?" Situ Yao instructed her maid.
Su Liang also told Ren Dong to go and check on the situation.
Soon, the Treasure Pavilion opened its doors again. The old man with white hair did not co out, but an astonishing piece of news spread quickly.
The head of the Mu Family's current generation had gone to the Treasure Pavilion and said that he would like to auction off a valuable item from the Mu Family in the Treasure Pavilion in three days. The highest bidder would get the item.
Soon, news about the Mu family having a chanism Map also spread throughout Yao City.
Learning about this, Situ Yao laughed, "Then the hidden weapon fan that Divine Doctor Su obtained earlier must be a genuine item of the Mu family."
A faint smile appeared on Su Liang's lips, "Auction? I like it. No matter what kind of treasure, I will take it."
Situ Yao nodded, "What Divine Doctor Su doesn't lack is money. When you buy the treasure, you must let have a look."
"No problem." Su Liang readily agreed.
…
At night, in Situ Xie's study.
"Grandfather, why not let the person posing as the head of the Mu family stay openly at the inn and see who goes to him?" Situ Jing asked.
Situ Xie shook his head, "If so, I should invite him to stay at our mansion. Anyone could go to him."
Situ Jing paused for a mont, "Grandfather is right. But in that case, what will be sold at the auction in three days? Given Su Liang's financial resources, if she openly bids for the auctioned items, it wouldn't prove anything."
Situ Xie was holding half of the chanism Map in his hand, his eyes deep, "We'll sell this."
Situ Jing's expression changed, "We cannot let Qian Country and Yin Country get this!"
Situ Xie shook his head slightly, "By now, I'm afraid both Qian Country and Yin Country already know about the Mu family's descendants in Yao City and are watching . But I still haven't got the complete chanism Map. Only half of it, which is useless. In that case, why not sell it openly?"
Situ Jing's eyes lit up, "Whoever buys it will get a hot potato!" It's useless, and it will bring great trouble.
With the secret scroll in hand, Situ Xie could easily make a copy for himself, sell the real one, and shift the focus. Situ Han's mistrust of him deepened, and if he knew that Situ had concealed the matter of Mu Family descendants, he would doubt him even more. The upcoming auction, if successful, could help Situ Xie sever ties with the Mu Family.
...
It was already the 25th of December.
On this day, after giving Situ Han an acupuncture treatnt, Su Liang left the palace and it began to snow halfway through her journey.
Ren Dong drove the carriage, taking them directly to the Treasure Pavilion, where the auction would take place today.
For the past three days, the Treasure Pavilion had been selling expensive entrance tickets, beyond the reach of ordinary people.
Su Liang had Ren Dong book one of the most expensive private rooms.
Even though it was snowing, there were still many common people gathered outside the Treasure Pavilion, unable to go in but still wanting to watch the excitent.
As Su Liang entered with Ren Dong, she saw that many of the Liang Country's most distinguished nobles were present. She had previously attended banquets with most of them, including several princes.
Everyone from King Yue's mansion was there, except for Situ Min, who was under house arrest.
On the top floor of the Treasure Pavilion, the three best private rooms held Prince Situ Chao and his younger brothers, Situ Xie with his children and grandchildren, and the one purchased by Su Liang.
Upon her arrival, Su Liang noticed Gu Ling was not there yet.
She went to greet Situ Xie and asked about Gu Ling.
Situ Xie replied with a smile, "Ling'er said he would co today, he might still be on his way."
"Ren Dong, you go pick up Marquis Gu." Su Liang instructed.
Ren Dong left upon the order, and Su Liang looked down at the hall, "What if that person doesn't show up today?"
Situ Xie smiled, "Let's wait a little longer. I just don't know what treasures we might see today?"
"I hope it's sothing even more powerful than that fan from the last ti." Su Liang said, returning to her private room.
After a short wait, Ren Dong appeared with Gu Ling, entering the Treasure Pavilion together.
Su Liang looked on as everyone's eyes imdiately focused on Gu Ling. The mont he removed his cloak and hood, he seed like a beautiful Snow Lotus born from a snow-covered mountain, stunningly beautiful.
Gu Ling's dark eyes lifted slightly, eting Su Liang's gaze.
Su Liang smiled and waved at him, calling out sweetly, "Brother Ling."
Situ Xie almost spit out the tea in his mouth, feeling sothing strange about it. Was Su Liang really the type to turn sweet and silly when in love?
Gu Ling's steps slowed montarily before looking away.
Ren Dong: ...To be honest, she was not used to her master's current appearance...
The doors and windows were open, so people outside could see Su Liang attentively helping Gu Ling remove his cloak, pouring tea for him, and offering him dessert while chatting and laughing with him. But Gu Ling spoke very little.
Overall, the impression Su Liang left on people was of soone highly skilled, open, and straightforward, with great courage in love and hate. Gu Ling, on the other hand, appeared sowhat aloof and unapproachable.
After Gu Ling's arrival, no other guests ca in. After waiting for another two quarters of an hour, many people grew impatient, thinking they had been deceived. Then, the door of the Treasure Pavilion opened once again, and a man wearing a bamboo hat entered, bringing in a gust of wind and snow.
The manager of the Treasure Pavilion greeted him, taking a cloth wrapped package from the man, who then turned and left.
People quickly began watching the man who had left, following him as he disappeared into the snowstorm.
The manager announced that he was the disciple of the Mu Family's master, and brought the auction item for today - half of the legendary Mu Family's chanism Map!
The audience was in an uproar. Of course, everyone present knew what a treasure the chanism Map was.
With a determined look on his face, Crown Prince Situ Chao said, "Let's get started now!"
Su Liang smiled, "Brother Ling, I'm afraid I can't compete with the Crown Prince of Liang Country and King Yue. What should I do? I want to buy it for you."
Gu Ling's exquisite eyebrows furrowed slightly, speaking softly, "Just speak properly." The lovely Su Liang today made Gu Ling want to hide her away, not because of the pet na, but he didn't want others to see her smile.
Su Liang looked serious, and hearing the bidding begin outside, she instructed Ren Dong, "Raise the bid. Double it, no matter the amount."
Although it was an auction with many spectators, once they knew what the item was, and that the first bid ca from Crown Prince Situ Chao's room, only Su Liang's subordinate Ren Dong joined in the bidding.
Regardless of how much Situ Chao bid, Su Liang would double it
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