BXBX NOVEL Chapter 213 - 213: 213. I don’t believe it.
Chapter 213 - 213: 213. I don’t believe it.
Lin Bojun offered to escort Su Liang and her party back to Xunyang City and said that he could immediately ask the emperor for a leave of absence.
Su Liang still refused, saying that she would take care of Ning Jing’s funeral.
“Sister Su, don’t be too sad.” Lin Xueqing’s voice choked, and her eyes were swollen like peaches.
Su Liang’s face was calm, “Don’t worry, I will be back in a few days. But I may not be back in time to drink the wedding wine for you and Young Master Xing.”
Lin Xueqing shook her head with tears in her eyes, not minding this at all. She originally wanted to postpone her wedding because she was upset, but Lin Shuzhi did not agree.
“Miss Su, Master Cheng Yun is here.” Qi Jun reported.
Cheng Yun was his usual self, and when he saw Su Liang, he clasped his hands together and recited a Buddhist chant, “Miss Su, please take care.”
Su Liang let the others sit down, and she went to the courtyard to talk to Cheng
Yun.
“Your master is in good health, and he misses you very much. Your second master is still away on his journey.” Su Liang knew the purpose of Cheng Yun’s visit.
Cheng Yun hurriedly thanked her, “Thank you, Miss Su, for informing me. I am relieved now.”
“Will you always stay in Huguo Temple?” Su Liang asked.
Cheng Yun shook his head, “I will return to Ping’an Temple, but the timing will depend on my master’s arrangements.”
“That’s good.” Su Liang said, “I’ll be back in a few days, and I’ll visit you at the temple then.”
Cheng Yun’s eyes were filled with warmth as he sighed, “Miss Ning was a kind and compassionate person, but her fate has come to an end. Miss Su, you must take care of yourself.”
“I will.” Su Liang put her hands together and gently nodded her head.
Cheng Yun took out a Bodhi bracelet and handed it to Su Liang, “These safety beads were given to me by Master Huiming. I hope Miss Su will accept it.” Su Liang took it, put it on her wrist, and thanked him.
Cheng Yun asked to see “Ning Jing” one more time, and Su Liang accompanied him to the mourning hall set up in the front hall of the Su Mansion.
The coffin would be taken away shortly after. It had already been moved from the ice cellar this morning and placed in the mourning hall with ice blocks.
Standing beside the coffin, Cheng Yun recited the scriptures devoutly, praying for “Ning Jing” to pass on peacefully.
Listening quietly, Su Liang stayed until he finished reciting and left.
The Ning Family’s steward and servants came, all dressed in mourning clothes.
The coffin was lifted onto a large carriage and secured with ropes.
The carriage Su Liang would ride in was also covered with black cloth, and the luggage had been put in.
Without being officially married, Su Liang would send “Ning Jing” off as siblings.
As she was preparing to get into the carriage, the Ning Xinxin couple who came yesterday came again, but only stood at a distance. Ning Xinxin was wiping her tears and did not dare to talk to her.
Duanmu Chen and Chang’an came to see her off, but they only exchanged a few pleasantries before leaving.
There were also “Ning Jing’s” colleagues from the Ministry of Revenue, whom Su Liang thanked one by one.
The gate of the Su Mansion was locked from the outside, and Su Liang, dressed in plain clothes, stood beside the carriage and waved to the Lin siblings, “Go back.”
“Sister Su, come back soon.” Lin Xueqing said with red eyes.
Su Liang nodded, got into the carriage, and ordered to set off.
Xing Yusheng originally planned to let Qi Jun go with Su Liang to help with “Ning Jing’s” funeral but was also refused by her.
Other than Su Liang, the rest were all stewards and servants from the Ning Family.
People stood outside the Su Mansion, watching the procession go further and further away. Even when it disappeared from sight, Lin Xueqing continued to wave silently.
Fifth Prince’s Mansion.
Duanmu Che stood in the garden feeding a falcon, and Huang Bo rushed over,
“Master, Miss Su has left the capital with Young Master Ning’s coffin.”
Duanmu Che’s complexion was much better than before, but still pale. He remained silent upon hearing the news.
Huang Bo hesitated for a moment before saying, “Master, you mentioned before that you would send Huang Rui to deliver a message to Master Lin. It’s been some time, and he should be back soon.”
A gloomy light flashed in Duanmu Che’s eyes, “Perhaps he is delayed by something. He has always been reliable. There’s no need to worry too much.” Huang Bo let out a deep sigh, “I hope nothing goes wrong.”
The falcon flew away, and Duanmu Che turned around, “Prepare a carriage. I’m going to the palace to play chess with Father Emperor.”
Huang Bo answered and hurriedly went to prepare the carriage.
When Duanmu Chen received the news that Duanmu Che was playing chess with Emperor Duanmu Yi again, he snorted, “Is he trying to please Father Emperor and compete for the title of crown prince?”
Chang’an nodded, “It seems so. Recently, the Fifth Prince has been visiting the palace frequently. The message from the Imperial Concubine says that the master should also pay more attention and visit the palace more. After all, the emperor once favored the Fifth Prince, and now that he is regaining his health and not causing trouble, what if…”
Duanmu Chen’s eyes narrowed slightly, “I originally thought that after Duanmu Cheng and Duanmu Ao were abolished, there was no other possibility for the position of Crown Prince besides me. But the emperor has not yet established a new crown prince, making it difficult to guess what he is thinking.”
“Now that the Wan Family has been completely abolished and Eldest Prince cannot pose a threat, Master should be careful of the Fifth Prince,” Chang’an said with a serious expression.
Duanmu Chen was silent for a moment, and then picked up the book he had been reading, “No, the more it is like this, the more I have to stay calm. I cannot be impatient or chaotic. As long as the emperor is truly choosing the most suitable heir for Qian Country, I will not lose to the sickly Duanmu Che.”
Seeing that Duanmu Chen had made up his mind not to deliberately please
Duanmu Yi, Chang’an no longer persuades him and mentions another matter,
“Previously, the emperor wanted to select concubines for the Master and the Fifth Prince, but there was a lot of trouble and it was put on hold. It is still unknown what will happen.”
Duanmu Chen shook his head indifferently, “When the emperor remembers, he will arrange it.”
Seeing Chang’an hesitating, Duanmu Chen snorted softly, “Just say what you want to say.”
Chang’an unconsciously lowered his voice, “Although it’s not appropriate to talk about this at this time, I was wondering if Ning Jing is gone, would the emperor grant Su Liang to the Master?”
Duanmu Chen was stunned for a moment, “This…
“If the emperor really has such a plan, it would be a great blessing for the Master,” Chang’an said.
Duanmu Chen’s face suddenly changed, and he threw the book in his hand at
Chang’an’s face, “Shut up!”
Chang’an was somewhat confused, “Doesn’t Master like Miss Su?”
Duanmu Chen’s eyes narrowed slightly, “1 like her, but that doesn’t mean I want to marry her, or that I can marry her. Now that you mention it, I also feel that the emperor might pay attention to her marriage, but I have put so much effort into getting along with her and don’t want to lose it all in the end. She is a predictable and righteous person, so as long as I don’t do anything to provoke her or commit evil, I can trust her character and support for me.”
Chang’an frowned, “So Master means that if Master wants to marry her, he will offend her?”
“I don’t want to,” Duanmu Chen shook his head, “She is very outstanding, even more capable than me. It is best to cooperate with such a person as it is now, but if I marry her, I will have to be cautious of her feelings for the rest of my life. Moreover, she doesn’t even like me.”
Chang’an asked weakly, “Doesn’t Master feel hurt in self-esteem?”
Duanmu Chen looked at him coldly, “No. It’s not because Su Liang looks down on me that she doesn’t like me, but simply because she doesn’t like men like me. There’s no need to think too much about it. I don’t take matters of the heart too seriously, and I don’t want to conquer her. That’s the premise of our cooperation. ”
Chang’an nodded, “But what if the emperor insists? After all, Miss Su is so capable, and the emperor may think she is suitable to be the Crown Princess.”
Duanmu Chen motioned for Chang’an to give him the book back, smiling ambiguously, “Don’t worry. Su Liang is a reasonable person. If the emperor does something wrong and I don’t, she won’t do anything to me.”
Seeing the meaningful smile on Duanmu Chen’s face, Chang’an shuddered and dared not ask any more questions.
Ever since Gu Ling fell into the water last night, Su Liang had not seen him again and did not know where he had gone.
Watching the towering city walls of the capital gradually shrink in the view, Su Liang lowered the carriage curtain and let out a sigh of relief.
Being constantly in mourning for the past two days has been more tiring than fighting with people. At last, it’s over. She would stay in Xunyang City for a while before returning to the capital, and the name “Ning Jing” could disappear from her life. Everyone hopes that she can move forward, and she will do it well.
Regardless of where Gu Ling was at the moment, Su Liang found a comfortable position to sit, and opened an unfinished book.
There would be people replacing the ice cubes along the way. After all, money could turn most problems into minor issues.
During the break, the Ning Family’s steward had carefully prepared food and water for Su Liang so she didn’t have to worry.
On the first night, they stayed in an inn that had been booked in advance. Su Liang had a separate courtyard.
After the servants left when dinner was served and arranged, Su Liang had just picked up her chopsticks when she saw Gu Ling walk out from the inner room. Apparently, he had arrived earlier than her.
He took off his mask, revealing not his true face, nor “Wen Gu,” but another appearance created by the Disguise Technique.
Gu Ling sat down opposite Su Liang, who stared at his face and felt a strange familiarity, but couldn’t put her finger on it.
“Who does it look like?” Su Liang unconsciously asked.
Gu Ling replied indifferently with one word, “You.”
Su Liang was stunned for a moment, then suddenly realized that it resembled her eyebrows, but not her current appearance, but the appearance of her previous life.
Gu Ling had seen it, because when Su Liang first learned the Disguise
Technique, she had disguised herself as her previous life’s appearance.
Su Liang looked carefully again, smiled and nodded, “Like my brother.”
It was similar to her previous life’s appearance, like blood siblings, and the more she looked, the more intimate it seemed.
Of course, it was not feminine, only some similarity in the features, but the face shape and temperament still had quite a cold and majestic male character.
“Do you have a brother?” Gu Ling asked.
Su Liang shook her head, “No biological brother.” Cousins and the like didn’t count, and they didn’t look alike.
Su Liang picked up her chopsticks again, “There are no bowls and chopsticks for you.”
Gu Ling took out a long wooden box from his pocket, and from it, he took a pair of chopsticks and a spoon. He then claimed the only bowl of soup, along with the bowl itself.
Su Liang was used to this. When it came to eating, Ning Jing always prioritized himself, at most sharing equally, and occasionally putting himself first.
“Where did you sleep last night?” Su Liang asked.
Gu Ling answered with one word, “Home.”
Su Liang nodded, “Oh, then I didn’t notice. How are you going to sleep tonight?”
Gu Ling shook his head.
“Not sleeping?” Su Liang asked.
Gu Ling shook her head again, “You don’t need to worry about it.”
Su Liang coughed lightly, “Then suit yourself. I just wanted to say that if you are going to sleep on the floor in my room, I can fetch the bedding from the carriage.”
She had brought a set of bedding from home, of course for herself, and the extra could be given to Gu Ling.
“That’s fine,” Gu Ling nodded.
“You should restore your identity as soon as possible. Otherwise, it’ll always be inconvenient,” Su Liang said.
Though he was asked to act as a secret guard, he was not a real one after all, so eating and sleeping were always problems.
After dinner, Su Liang had someone fetch her bedding from the carriage. They laid the original bedding from the inn on the floor for Gu Ling to use.
That night, just as Su Liang was about to sleep, she heard Gu Ling’s voice, “You said last time that you’d tell me the story of Water Margin.”
Su Liang had already told Gu Ling, intermittently, the stories of Journey to the West and Romance of the Three Kingdoms, and he had even created two illustrated books based on her descriptions. Su Liang had seen them, and they were beautifully made, with lifelike drawings.
“I’m sleepy,” Su Liang yawned.
Gu Ling’s voice came from the outer room, “Tomorrow.”
“Alright then,” Su Liang replied. The room went quiet, and she soon fell asleep.
In the following days, Su Liang traveled during the day and stayed in inns at night where Gu Ling would appear and have dinner with her. He would sleep on the floor in her room, and before going to sleep, she would tell him the story of Water Margin, two chapters at a time as agreed upon.
After six days like this, they arrived at Xunyang City.
The news of Ning Jing’s death had already reached here, and over a hundred members of the Ning Family were waiting at the city gate.
Su Liang sat in the carriage and heard the sound of crying from outside. She lifted the curtain and saw an old man with white hair, supported by someone else, crying with tears streaming down his face on the coffin.
Su Liang had heard from Gu Ling about his trip to Xunyang City to avenge the real Ning Jing. After turning the previous housekeeper’s accomplices into ashes, he sent the wicked housekeeper to jail and promoted the old steward who had taken care of the garden to the new housekeeper. The old man was loyal to the Ning Family and had served the old Master personally.
Su Liang thought it must be him.
The old housekeeper was pulled away as the procession slowly entered the city and stopped at the Ning Family mansion.
Su Liang got out of the carriage and saw a group of people in mourning clothes kneeling down. The old housekeeper wanted to kneel, but she held him up. “Before his death, the young master told me that if he was not around, everything in this family would be up to Miss,” the old housekeeper said, wiping away tears.
Su Liang nodded without saying anything and was surrounded by people as she entered the Ning Family mansion.
The Ning Mansion was full of grief. The memorial hall had already been set up, the coffin was carried in, and the funeral would be held the next day.
“This spirit tablet was made by the young master himself when he came back last time. He said that the previous young master had passed away…” The old housekeeper watched as Su Liang offered incense to Ning Jing’s spirit tablet.
This spirit tablet had been personally carved by Gu Ling for Ning Jing and had been placed in the Ning Family’s memorial hall previously. Now it had been taken out.
The old housekeeper led Su Liang to the living quarters prepared for her. The furnishings were luxurious. She put down her luggage and said she wanted to visit the place where Ning Jing had stayed.
Upon arrival, she asked everyone else to leave, saying that she wanted to sit for a while in the room.
As she closed the door and just sat down, she was not at all surprised to see someone emerge from the inner room.
“What if I resign from my position and stay in Xunyang City to plant and sell tea?” Su Liang suddenly asked.
Gu Ling shook his head, “You can’t resign.”
Su Liang’s medical skills were irreplaceable, and the royal family needed her as the Imperial Physician. As the only female general of Qian Country, she had established great achievements despite her short term. Unless she hid herself, the court would not allow her to leave as she pleased.
Su Liang didn’t want to hide because she still had friends, and she wanted to live a normal life. Just like Gu Ling, once she hid, and her identity became suspicious, it would be difficult to live an open and honest life.
Su Liang sighed, “Such a hassle. Let’s stick to the original plan, get rid of Duanmu Cheng first, and then consider how to break away. Is Uncle Liang coming soon? Should I let him know that I know who you are?”
“You don’t need to worry about him,” Gu Ling said.
Su Liang immediately understood, “You’ll intercept him so that he won’t come directly to me? That’s even better.”
At dinner time, Su Liang returned to her living quarters.
The dishes were abundant, and the old housekeeper explained that he didn’t know her taste, so he prepared a variety.
Su Liang thanked the old housekeeper and, after the servants left, glanced into the inner room but didn’t see Gu Ling come out.
“Hey,” Su Liang called out to the inner room.
There was no response. She turned to look out the window, and the sky was already dark.
“Has Uncle Liang arrived?” Su Liang frowned, picked up her chopsticks, and decided to eat first.
In a grove on the outskirts of Xunyang City.
The night was deep, and the insects and birds in the forest made lonely sounds.
“Young Master, I knew you wouldn’t be in any danger!” Uncle Liang looked excitedly at Gu Ling.
Gu Ling wore a mask and didn’t look at him. He tilted his head slightly upwards and looked at the full moon through the gaps in the leaves, “Uncle Liang, you should know why I’m doing this.”
Uncle Liang’s face stiffened, “Yes…it’s all this old servant’s fault for not protecting Master’s identity. Now that things have come to this, Master can no longer use Ning Jing’s identity. Just go back to Liang Country with this old servant! When King Yue sees you again, he will definitely be very happy!”
Gu Ling shook his head, “I will meet him, but not now.”
Uncle Liang furrowed his brows in confusion, “Has Master fallen for Su Liang?
Does she know Master’s true identity? Why is Master still around her?”
“If I weren’t here, how would you have found me?” Gu Ling asked coldly.
Uncle Liang was taken aback, “Master purposely waited here for this old servant? Then, Su Liang doesn’t know Master’s secret?”
“Hmm.” Gu Ling nodded, “The identity of Ning Jing involves many people.
Sooner or later, I will have to abandon it. I don’t want to harm others.”
Uncle Liang nodded repeatedly, “This old servant understands. Master is always kind-hearted. After all, it’s a fake identity. Abandoning it earlier is better anyway.”
“I still have things to do. Go back and tell my grandfather to help me get Qian Country’s royal family to cancel the manhunt for me and pardon my crimes,” Gu Ling said indifferently.
Uncle Liang’s face was filled with surprise, “This…”
Gu Ling took out his mother’s hairpin and jade token with the characters
‘Chang Ning’ engraved on it from his bosom, “These are my mother’s relics. Bring them to my grandfather.”
Uncle Liang took them and sighed deeply, “Master doesn’t trust King Yue?”
“I only met him once when I was young, so there’s no basis for trust or distrust.” Gu Ling shook his head. “If he wants me to go to Liang Country, let him do that thing first.”
“Alright, this old servant will tell the King. He will definitely help the Master. Once the royal family of Qian Country stops the manhunt for Master, Master can live a free and aboveboard life!” Uncle Liang put away the hairpin and jade token, “Now that Master has nothing to do with Su Liang, where should this old servant find Master next time?”
Gu Ling shook his head slightly, “Once the matter is settled, I will come and find you. If it doesn’t work out, there’s no need to meet again.” His figure disappeared as soon as his words fell.
Uncle Liang chased after him for a few steps but couldn’t catch up. After a moment of musing, he also left quickly.
Su Liang heard a movement at the back window and soon saw Gu Ling coming out of the inner room.
“Did Uncle Liang come?” Su Liang asked.
Gu Ling nodded, “He left.”
“You didn’t eat, how will you have dinner?” Su Liang asked.
“I want to eat small wontons.” Gu Ling said.
Su Liang nodded, “Oh, you can make them yourself, no need to make my share.”
Gu Ling didn’t speak but stood there, watching Su Liang quietly.
Su Liang rubbed her forehead, “Even if you keep looking at me, I won’t make it for you. It’s not like I didn’t let you have dinner.”
“Why don’t you go to a restaurant? I’ve already had dinner, and suddenly making a late-night snack requires getting ingredients, which seems very strange. ”
“Great God, don’t act like I owe you,”
“Fine, fine, you win. We did agree that I would be responsible for cooking, so
I’ll do it!”
Su Liang got up and went out in annoyance, called a servant from the yard, and ordered the necessary ingredients.
“I want to make some late-night snacks that Ning Jing likes, so I can offer them to him,” Su Liang whispered.
The servant hurried to prepare the ingredients.
It wasn’t long before the old housekeeper personally brought a lot of ingredients and asked Su Liang if she needed a servant to help.
Su Liang politely declined.
As the old housekeeper left, he kept sighing, what a nice girl, pity his young master isn’t so lucky…
The kitchen was filled with an enticing aroma, and Su Liang filled a bowl with steaming hot small wontons, “This is for Ning Jing.”
The rest were for Gu Ling.
When Su Liang took the bowl of wontons to the Memorial Hall and offered them, burned some paper money, and came back, Gu Ling had already finished his late-night snack, and was cleaning up the tableware. “Great God, I have an idea.” Su Liang looked serious.
Gu Ling nodded, “Go ahead.”
“It’s really inconvenient now, with me in the open and you hidden. I still have to worry about you eating and sleeping, but it’s easy for you to arouse suspicion if you appear in my life with a different identity. I just thought of a great solution.” Su Liang’s eyes were bright, “You can disguise yourself as a girl! Nobody would suspect Ning Jing is alive, let alone suspect you are Gu Ling. ”
As Gu Ling said nothing, Su Liang smiled, “Great God, don’t you always like to experience things you haven’t done before? You want to be a woman in your next life, right? You don’t have to wait for the next life, you can try it now.”
Gu Ling shook his head and said one word, “No.”
Su Liang tried to persuade him again, “Don’t worry, I won’t laugh at you. I swear I’ll keep your secret and won’t tell your future daughter-in-law and children! I swear!”
Gu Ling got up, “I don’t believe you.” The words fell as he entered the inner room.
Su Liang followed in, only to see the back window open and Gu Ling’s figure was gone.
With a regretful expression, Su Liang said, “It’s a pity not to wear a skirt when you’re so beautiful..”