Chapter 241 - 241:241. Little Monk Leaves the Mountain (Part 2)
Chapter 241 - 241:241. Little Monk Leaves the Mountain (Part 2)
Until the painfully groaning Duanmu Qianqian, about to be approached by a group of people attracted by the noise, spoke again, resisting the pain, she said, “Bai Xiaohu … is in our hands! If your performance displeases me, huh …”
Su Liang’s eyes fiercely narrowed! She had even just envisaged how Duanmu Qianqian would slander her in front of Duanmu Yi, but she never expected, this woman had long been plotting and was prepared, not a rash act!
In the blink of an eye, Duanmu Qianqian was surrounded by a group of people.
Another group of imperial guards rushed over, brandishing weapons and surrounding Su Liang.
Although Su Liang was a favorite in front of Duanmu Yi, in terms of status, she simply could not compare with the princess of royal descent. The princess was attacked and Su Liang was the only one around, thus She was the first suspect.
But at the moment, Su Liang didn’t care about the imperial guards surrounding her, but just stared fixedly at Duanmu Qianqian. Seeing her face turned pale, but bearing it with gritted teeth as if to provoke, she glanced at Su Liang, and then continued to cry out in pain.
Su Liang realized that she had underestimated Duanmu Qianqian. This princess who grew up in the royal family possesses the ability that most royals have – resorting to any means to achieve her goal.
For a woman who could even stab herself, Su Liang would never underestimate her again. If there were any mishaps with Bai Xiaohu, she would personally ensure that Duanmu Qianqian would die a terrible death!
The reason why Su Liang didn’t think that Duanmu Qianqian was playing a trick was because if a princess of the inner palace hadn’t actually done something, there was no way that the three words “Bai Xiaohu” would come out of her mouth, let alone her firm belief that he is the one Su Liang cares about — a deduction only possible after a round of investigation. That being said, the faction of the Empress Dowager must have gone to the village of the Su family, and the possibility of someone going there and not taking Bai Xiaohu away was zero.
Su Liang had long left the village of the Su family, but she couldn’t stop someone from going there to find her “weakness”.
Before Duanmu Qianqian was taken away, she saw the sight of Su Liang surrendering, and had her wounds not been so painful, she would have laughed out loud.
The originally clear weather suddenly turned cloudy. Approaching noon, the skies above the palace seemed as dark as if some immortal was crossing a calamity.
When the elderly Imperial Physician Gao, who had been resting today, was urgently summoned to the palace, he already had a bad premonition, until he saw the bloodied Sixth Princess Duanmu Qianqian, and heard the Empress Wan’s crying and angrily blaming Su Liang.
Imperial Physician Gao absolutely did not believe that the cautious Su Liang would seriously injure the Sixth Princess in the palace, but he didn’t know the real situation, didn’t have time to think about it, and hastily treated Duanmu Qianqian.
Empress Dowager Wan, who hadn’t left her palace for some days, entered the Imperial Study with a somber face, supported by two eunuchs, her steps trembling. Also present in the room were Crown Prince Duanmu Chen and Fifth Prince Duanmu Che, the only two adult princes still alive, and some bewildered ministers, including the prime minister Xia, Duanmu Chen’s maternal grandfather, Duke Qin Kang, and the Minister of Ministry of Justice, among others.
Su Liang hadn’t been brought in yet, but the atmosphere was already tense.
As soon as Empress Dowager Wan entered and took her seat, she said angrily, “In broad daylight, in the palace, someone dared to assassinate my blood-related granddaughter. Is there still law in this world? Your Majesty, is this the kind of servant you favor?”
In the presence of his sons and ministers, Duanmu Yi appeared to be very filial and responded with a sigh, “Mother, please calm down and take care of your health. I will surely investigate this matter and give Qianqian justice!”
Duanmu Chen didn’t believe that Su Liang could harm Duanmu Qianqian. He intuitively thought Duanmu Qianqian was framing Su Liang. The Empress Dowager’s faction had always seen Su Liang as a thorn in their side and now, it seemed, they had finally found an opportunity.
However, Duanmu Chen was not worried at this moment. He knew that Duanmu Yi wouldn’t truly listen to the Empress Dowager, and didn’t care much about his daughter Duanmu Qianqian; otherwise, he wouldn’t have chosen her to marry into Liang country. Also, was Su Liang someone easy to bully?
Qin Kang had a serious look on his face. Having not seen Su Liang yet, he didn’t say anything, but he suddenly remembered something. Back when Su Liang saved Xing Yusheng and provided information that saved the entire Xing family, she mentioned that if one day she needed it, she could use the Qin family’s token of immunity from death…
Qin Kang quietly inhaled, hoping that the situation would not be so serious.
Soon, Su Liang was brought in, her hands and feet had been shackled in heavy chains, she walked slowly forward, the sound of the chains seemed to hit everyone’s hearts.
Duanmu Chen subtly furrowed his brow and hung his head low. Seeing Su Liang, he suddenly began to doubt his previous judgement. If she could clear herself, the situation wouldn’t be like this, she could have directly told the truth.
As soon as Empress Dowager Wan saw Su Liang, she became agitated, pointed at her and scolded, “You poisonous woman, ever since you returned to the capital city, I have lost two grandsons consecutively and now you won’t even let off my granddaughter! What is your motive?”
This was actually a distortion of the facts. Indeed, Duanmu Cheng and Duanmu Ao encountered problems after Su Liang returned to the capital city, but it couldn’t be said that Su Liang was to blame.
However, Empress Dowager Wan had obviously prepared for this confrontation, and though she didn’t explicitly accuse Su Liang, that’s what it sounded like.
Su Liang didn’t say a word. Actually, the imperial guards hadn’t done anything to her, since she didn’t resist. Earlier, when the chains were put on her, she was thinking, if she told the truth, that the Empress Dowager’s faction had kidnapped a child from the village of the Su family, would anyone believe her?
Of course, he would. Duanmu Chen would certainly believe, even Duanmu Yi would believe.
But what would the outcome be? If the Empress Dowager’s faction does not achieve their goal, they would surely kill Bai Xiaohu immediately, obliterate every trace of him. and then claim that she was Iving and slandering- Even if
White Tiger disappears, there probably would be no evidence to tie them to it.
Moreover, that’s just the son of a commoner from a remote village, these important figures wouldn’t care.
For the sake of his reputation, Duanmu Yi wouldn’t truly do anything about his mother, wife and daughter.
But, if something happens to Bai Xiaohu, Su Liang would never forgive herself in this lifetime.
This time, the Empress Dowager’s faction was well-prepared. If she opposed them, Bai Xiaohu would surely die. The Empress Dowager has many eyes and ears in the palace. Su Liang did not trust Duanmu Yi, and with Duanmu Chen’s identity, what he could do in the palace was limited. If she were to compromise for the time being, allowing them to think that they could achieve their goal, let their guard down, this kid would have a chance to live .
Thinking about this, Su Liang did not refute the Empress Dowager’s accusations.
Seeing this, Lady Wan seemed to have caught hold of Su Liang’s weakness. She loudly said to Duanmu Yi, “Your Majesty, do you see this? There is solid evidence of her guilt, she even admits it herself! She has harmed the crown prince, she must be executed!”
Duanmu Yi frowned, “Su Liang, do you have anything to say?”
Su Liang lowered her head, her voice deep, “I, your humble servant, have nothing to say.”
Duanmu Yi raised an eyebrow, as Lady Wan displayed a look of wanting to tear Su Liang apart immediately.
Duanmu Chen’s eyes narrowed slightly in surprise, realizing that Su Liang should be under someone’s control or something. Could it be, the Empress Dowager’s faction has threatened her with someone? Otherwise, it wouldn’t have been like this.
Duanmu Chen subconsciously glanced at Duanmu Che, only to see him sitting quietly, playing with a string of prayer beads in his hand, behaving as if nothing had to do with him, a stark contrast to his previous insistence on marrying Su Liang.
“Your Majesty, do not be deceived by this poison woman any longer!” Lady Wan was in deep anguish, “If anything happens to Qianqian, what happens to the marriage alliance with Liang Country? What’s the face of the royal family? This poison woman must be a spy sent by someone, an accursed person!”
Seeing Su Liang still not saying a word, Duanmu Yi said sternly, “The criminal,
Su Liang, plotted to assassinate the princess. Arrest her and place her in the
Heavenly Prison. The execution will take place at a decided date! Guards!”
Upon hearing this, Duanmu Chen’s heart skipped a beat before regaining calmness. Deciding a date? There’s still room for negotiation .
Old Master Qin almost stood up to use the life-saving gold medal, but he saw Su Liang’s hand, which was hanging by her side, trembling slightly, indicating him to refrain.
Old Master Qin had no choice but to sit back down, thinking that there was something fishy about today’s matter, there may be room for turnaround, and decided to wait some more.
The Forbidden Army came in, and Su Liang was taken away.
Lady Wan was not satisfied, “Why choose a date to execute her? Who knows if she has an accomplice among spies, to prevent things from happening during the night, concubine mother wants to grant her a cup of poison wine and let her go on her way tonight!”
“Mother, please go and see Qianqian.” Duanmu Yi said with a stern face, “As for this matter, I will handle it!”
Seeing the serious expression on Duanmu Yi’s face, Lady Wan did not say more and left with the help of her servants.
“Everyone, leave.” Duanmu Yi waved his hand and got up and left.
Duanmu Chen was taken aback for a moment, thinking that he, Duanmu Chen, would be called by Duanmu Yi to talk. But when he remembered that Duanmu Yi had more than once doubted Su Liang before, Duanmu Chen had a bad feeling. Could it be that Duanmu Yi, taking advantage of this opportunity, really wanted to send Su Liang on her way? Coupled with the fact that Duanmu Yi, who had previously wanted Su Liang to be the crown princess, suddenly changed his mind, Duanmu Chen thought more and more, it was troublesome.
But when Duanmu Yi left, Duanmu Chen did not dare to rashly go to him and ask anything, for he had to leave the Imperial Palace with Duanmu Che.
On the way, Duanmu Chen asked Duanmu Che why he didn’t speak up for Su Liang.
Duanmu Che scoffed, “I should be the one asking you. Based on your close relationship, why didn’t you speak up for her?”
Duanmu Chen remained silent, quickened his pace, and separated from Duanmu Che.
When the news spread outside the palace, the whole city was shocked. Martial Arts Champion Su Liang actually attempted to assassinate the princess in the palace? She had been put in the Heavenly Prison, and will be executed at a decided date?
Xing Yusheng was dumbfounded when he heard the news, “She must have been framed!”
Qi Jun was anxious, “More certainly, Sister Su was framed, but how could the Emperor not believe her? In that short half day since entering the palace, she’s already to be beheaded!”
Lin Xueqing was close to fainting, “What to do? What to do… Who can save Miss Su! She must be innocently accused! ”
“Uncle! Uncle must know, I will go find him! Grandpa said that Qin family’s death-exempting golden ticket is reserved for Su Liang!” Xing Yusheng thought of Qin Kang and immediately ran out.
The whole capital city was discussing Su Liang.
Consequently, numerous conspiracy theories emerged.
Some people thought, since the Sixth Princess is about to become allies by marriage with the Liang Country, Su Liang’s assassination attempt on the Sixth Princess is to sabotage the alliance between Liang Country and Qian Country. She must be a spy sent by the Yan Country!
This kind of reasoning was far-fetched, but it quickly spread.
Lin Shuzhi requested an audience with the emperor, but was not allowed. The same went for the Lin family brothers.
Qin Kang told them not to panic just yet. If there were no turn of events on the day of the execution, the Qin family still had the death-exempting golden ticket to save Su Liang.
But the words Xing Yusheng hastily blurted out sank everyone’s hearts, “The Empress Dowager is going to poison Su Liang, it’s hard to say whether she wouldn’t poison her food! She might even have someone kill her in the Heavenly Prison! We can’t wait!”
While Su Liang’s friends were worried about her, she met an unexpected person in the Heavenly Prison.
The prison Su Liang was in indeed entered from the main gate of the Heavenly Prison, but it was not connected to where other prisoners were held; rather, it resembled a secret chamber within the Heavenly Prison. She suspected it was meant for the interrogation of special prisoners, given the many torture tools hanging on the wall.
Su Liang was not worried that those things would be used on her, she was just thinking about what to do next.
Under the current circumstances, she needs someone’s help, or at least, she needs to send a message out, asking people to rescue Bai Xiaohu first. That’s the most important thing.
Given their long-standing friendly cooperation, Su Liang was certain that Duanmu Chen would definitely try to contact her. Because he was not yet on the throne, he should understand that if the Wan family succeeds, it would not be in his favor. He needs Su Liang’s help.
Therefore, once she entered the secret chamber in the Heavenly Prison, Su Liang had been waiting for some movement from Duanmu Chen’s side.
What she waited for was Duanmu Chen’s father…
Seeing Duanmu Yi in his ordinary attire, walking in alone, Su Liang, who was sitting cross-legged on the ground, was stunned and quickly stood up. She wanted to salute but was stopped by Duanmu Yi, “No need. I know you didn’t stab Qianqian, but I do not understand why you pleaded guilty. I want to hear the truth.”
Su Liang sighed and honestly told him the situation at the time and the reasons why she did not defend herself.
When Duanmu Yi learned that Su Liang compromised for a child from Su
Village, he frowned, “So that’s how it is!”
Because of the previous letter sent to the Wan family, Duanmu Yi believed that Duanmu Cheng was still alive, hiding somewhere and waiting to come back to seize the throne. And the instructions Duanmu Cheng gave to the Wan family were to get rid of Su Liang and to get rid of Duanmu Yi and Duanmu Chen.
In Duanmu Yi’s view, today’s incident is a means for the Wan family to get rid of Su Liang. He did not expect that Duanmu Qianqian, who was recently accepted for marriage and behaved docilely, would also participate in it.
“What do you want to do?” Duanmu Yi asked coldly.
“I just want to save that child,” Su Liang said.
“Alright, I’ll let you out. Whether you can save him or not, it’s up to you.” As soon as Duanmu Yi finished speaking, he clapped his hands. A girl with a similar figure to Su Liang walked in from outside, carrying a bundle in her hand and handed it to Su Liang.
“Finish packing and leave here. I’ve arranged everything, no one will stop you.” Duanmu Yi walked to the door and turned back, looking deeply at Su Liang, “As for the people of the Wan family, you can deal with them as you wish.
Empresses and princesses can not be touched, do you understand?”
Su Liang closed and opened her eyes, “Understood.” She’ll first save Little Tiger, then she’ll settle accounts with those people!
The bundle the girl brought contained a set of men’s clothes and a set of prison officer uniforms. She unlocked the iron chains binding Su Liang’s hands and feet.
Su Liang first changed into the men’s clothes, then put the prison officer’s clothes on top. The girl stayed behind in the secret chamber wearing her clothes.
“What’s your name?” Su Liang asked.
Stunned at her statement, the young girl respectfully replied, “In response to
Miss, this slave servant is called Silver Flower.”
“Thank you.” Without further questions, Su Liang, her head lowered, walked out of the secret chamber. The prison officers along the way all seemed to have gone blind, all craning their necks 45 degrees upward as if looking at the sky, not a single one stared at her face, letting her freely follow two “off-duty” prison officers out of the Heavenly Prison.
Turning into a dark alley, Su Liang took off the prison officer’s uniform and threw it into a hidden water channel, then returned home after making several turns.
Qi Jun was not around, and Su Liang quickly found her Disguise Medicine and applied a disguise to herself.
She quickly decided where to find Bai Xiaohu—the Wan family.
Pitter-patter heavy rain started outside, Su Liang put on Gu Ling’s bamboo hat and rushed into the rain.
Instead of going directly to the Wan family, she went to find help first. Since it concerned Bai Xiaohu’s safety, she couldn’t act rashly. As Gu Ling was not there, she needed a Martial Arts expert to ensure that nothing happens to Bai Xiaohu. The only person that came to her mind was the Little Monk, Cheng Yun, from the Huguo Temple.
Gu Ling once mentioned that Cheng Yun’s skills were not to be underestimated. Along the way, Su Liang found a horse and rode towards Huguo Temple at full
The weather was bad, and there were hardly any people on the roads.
Cheng Yun was chanting scriptures in the Buddha hall. When he heard that someone was looking for him, he hurried over, guessing that it was either Su Liang or the Wan family.
When Su Liang took off the bamboo hat, Cheng Yun was still puzzled, “This benefactor…”
“Cheng Yun, it’s me.” Su Liang spoke.
Cheng Yun was taken aback, “Benefactor Su, how did you…”
“You’re skilled in Martial Arts, help me with something.” Su Liang said. Cheng Yun frowned, “This… as a monk, I cannot…”
Su Liang interrupted him, “It’s about rescuing a child. Come with me immediately, no more words!”
During the time Cheng Yun was stunned, Su Liang had already left with her bamboo hat on. He hastily followed her.
Su Liang threw a cloth to Cheng Yun, asking him to cover his head, and handed him a set of Gu Ling’s night-wear to change into.
Seeing Su Liang’s serious expression, Cheng Yun dared not ask more questions. Gu Ling’s clothes were somewhat long on him.
The two descended the mountain, and without riding the horse again, Su Liang led him to the vicinity of the Wan family.
The night was dark, and no one was around.
Seeing that Su Liang found a position, intending to enter, Cheng Yun subconsciously reached out to hold her back, hastily pulling his hand back, he blurted out, “Amit…
“Stop chanting for now, don’t you want to go?” Su Liang frowned.
Cheng Yun shook his head, “This little monk will enter to save someone,
Benefactor Su should stay outside to facilitate the escape.”
Su Liang was slightly taken aback, “You?”
“Actually, I know little tiger as well. The previous time when I escorted
Benefactor Yan to Su family’s village, Little Tiger gave this little monk two Steamed Buns, they were really delicious.” Cheng Yun explained with a serious expression.
Su Liang held her forehead, “Stop talking nonsense. It’s fine if you go. You have excellent lightness skills, don’t tip anyone off, after entering, first find the person, always remember your purpose and don’t get distracted! If you are discovered, say that the Eldest Prince sent you to find Wan Shan! If you can’t find Little Tiger, go find Wan Shan! Once you see Wan Shan, immediately capture him and force them to give up Little Tiger! Understand?” Cheng Yun listened in a daze, “This plan is very comprehensive, but…”
“There are no ‘buts’!” Su Liang placed the bamboo hat on Cheng Yun, followed by Gu Ling’s mask, gave him a push, “Go! After the task is accomplished, I will treat you to steamed buns!”
“Oh.” By the time Cheng Yun reacted, he was already inside the Wan family’s residence. He took a deep breath, recalled Su Liang’s instructions, silently mumbled to himself, “Saving Little Tiger is the most important,” then disappeared from the spot..