BXBX NOVEL Chapter 263 - 263: 263. Let’s change positions.
Chapter 263 - 263: 263. Let’s change positions.
Su Liang laughed lightly, “How about I arrange a heroic rescue of the beauty?”
Yang Yu was stunned for a moment, “Are you going to save Miss Gu? Her strength seems to be stronger than yours!”
Su Liang shook her head, “What are you thinking about? I’m talking about you and your lady.”
Yang Yu’s face turned red, and she laughed again, nodding slightly, “Oh.” “What are your thoughts?” Su Liang asked.
Yang Yu looked serious, “My thoughts are, I’ll listen to whatever you say.”
“You’re acting like I’m the elder here,” Su Liang commented, “Your lady must have her own thoughts and be quite anxious.”
At this moment, in the room next door, Nian Jincheng was discussing with Gu Ling several ways for her to meet Yang Yu, with a heroic rescue of beauty being one of them.
When Nian Jincheng finished, Gu Ling had just finished her dumplings and put down her chopsticks.
“Aling, what do you think?” Nian Jincheng asked.
Gu Ling immediately rejected Nian Jincheng’s ideas, which had a strong sense of design, “There’s no need to make it so complicated. After you meet, just send a matchmaker to propose a marriage.”
Nian Jincheng furrowed his brows, “Xiaoyu is next door, we’ll meet in a while, and propose marriage tomorrow?”
Gu Ling shook her head, “What’s the rush? Wait a few days.”
Nian Jincheng sighed, “Of course I’m anxious, you wouldn’t understand. Tell me honestly, do you still only treat Su Liang as a friend and sister?”
Gu Ling replied coldly, “Mind your own business.”
Nian Jincheng: …her ability to annoy people has improved again, he missed the gentle and cute Yang Yu even more…
When Gu Ling and Nian Jincheng left, they were stopped by Su Liang again. Nian Jincheng couldn’t help but glance at the room behind Su Liang, but he only saw a piece of light purple fabric, feeling disappointed.
“Lady Gu, did you enjoy the dumplings I made?” Su Liang asked with a smile. Gu Ling showed no expression, “You can ask Nian Jincheng.”
Nian Jincheng, who was suddenly called out, coughed lightly and said, “Miss Su’s cooking skills are really good, very delicious. But Aling didn’t like it, so I ate them all.”
Onlookers: …as expected!
Yang Yu: …It must be fake, they must have shared them.
There’s no justice!
“What does Lady Gu like? I’ll make your favorite next time.” Su Liang maintained her smile.
Gu Ling walked past her and said indifferently, “I would prefer for Miss Su to stay away from me.”
Su Liang “sadly” turned around and went back into her room and closed the door.
Nian Jincheng followed Gu Ling away.
The phrase “I’d like you to stay away from me” quickly spread throughout the capital city of Qian Country. It became a famous scene on the path of Su, the Top Scholar, pursuing the beautiful Gu. It was talked about for years.
Seeing Su Liang return, Yang Yu frowned, “Weren’t his words a bit too much?”
As she finished speaking, Su Liang couldn’t help laughing, “I taught him that line before, and told him to find an opportunity to use it! Isn’t it classic?” Yang Yu: …What’s the point of this? What’s the point?
Su Liang laughed lightly, “Our goal isn’t marriage, it’s to establish a connection and avoid being involved in marriage arrangements.”
Yang Yu furrowed her brows, “Will it continue like this?”
Su Liang nodded, “For the time being. As I publicly pursue Gu Ling, if the emperor wants me to marry someone else, I can fully justify my refusal to comply by choosing death. The initiative is on my side. If the emperor forces the issue, he will be criticized.”
Yang Yu pondered and nodded, “Indeed, that’s the case.”
“There is no sign that the emperor will interfere in Gu Ling’s marriage for now, but it doesn’t mean he won’t in the future. His identity is special—being a Qian Country servant and also Liang Country’s King Yue’s grandson—and he is unparalleled in beauty,” Su Liang said, “If he does not interfere, so be it. But if the emperor wants to arrange a marriage for him, all he has to say is that he has been moved by me. And the emperor would have no reason not to indulge us.”
Yang Yu’s eyes brightened as she clapped her hands, “Well said! This plan is brilliant!”
However, after a moment, Yang Yu furrowed her brows again, “Why not just get married sooner?”
Su Liang laughed and shook her head, “Our relationship is not like yours with Nian Jincheng, so why should we get married? That fake marriage in the village didn’t mean much. If we were to announce it to the world, it would not end well. Moreover, there’s a woman who is in love with him and is a Poison
Master; if I were to marry him, I might be poisoned on our wedding day.” Yang Yu held her head, “How can there be such a thing?”
“It’s true.” Su Liang stated that she only wanted the process of pursuing Gu Ling, and all he needed to do was keep rejecting her before Duanmu Yi made any further moves.
“So, be honest with me. Do you really not like Gu the Beauty?” Yang Yu asked earnestly.
Su Liang nodded, “I like him!”
Yang Yu’s expression brightened, only to see Su Liang’s frank gaze, then said,
“He’s my favorite friend; beautiful, strong, and very secure.”
“With him being so good, haven’t you ever been moved?” Yang Yu said she didn’t quite understand.
Su Liang thought about it, “In my eyes, he is a brother, master, friend, and family member, but I’ve never been moved. Maybe it’s because we’re too familiar?”
Yang Yu sighed softly, “I think you just haven’t had your epiphany yet. I really don’t understand you two, just take your time and play.”
Su Liang then asked Yang Yu, “What does being moved feel like?”
Yang Yu thought for a moment, “It’s like… seeing him makes you happy, and thinking of him makes vou can’t help but smile.”
Su Liang immediately shook her head, “I’m sure I haven’t. I feel very calm when
I see him, and he probably feels the same when he sees me.”
Duanmu Yi believed Nian Jincheng’s words, at least on the surface, as there were no gaps in his story. Indeed, Yan Shiba never appeared again, and now Yan Shiqi ran Yanyun Building. Nian Jincheng’s claim of “internal strife within Yanyun Building” was quite credible.
Duanmu Yi said that Nian Jincheng’s position would be restored. He would rest for three days and then go to the army. The originally sealed Nian Mansion now belonged to him alone.
Nian Jincheng did not refuse, but did not return to the Nian Mansion either. Instead, he planned to live with Gu Ling at Marquis Chang Xin’s Mansion.
Upon arriving at the Marquis Chang Xin’s Mansion, they found that the place was vast, but only one courtyard could accommodate people. The other dilapidated buildings had been demolished, and Gu Ling hadn’t allowed any more construction.
There were large open spaces where flowers and trees had been planted. After the fire, they were destroyed and removed, leaving only a few scattered ancient trees.
“Where will I stay?” Nian Jincheng asked.
“You’re getting married, aren’t you? I don’t have a place for you two to live.” Gu Ling said.
Nian Jincheng nodded, “I’m only staying for a few days. Once we’re married, I’ll naturally move in with Xiaoyu. She has a house in the capital city!” Gu Ling’s expression was indifferent, “Aren’t you afraid of being called an inverted husband?”
After the previous events, Nian Jincheng had long since abandoned his earlier seriousness. He replied nonchalantly, “I don’t mind.”
Gu Ling told Nian Jincheng to clean up a junk room in the courtyard himself.
Nian Jincheng held his head, “How can I be considered a guest in your place? Won’t you help me?”
“I didn’t invite you.” Gu Ling picked up a book, implying he could love it or leave it.
Nian Jincheng had no choice but to roll up his sleeves and clean up by himself.
“Do you believe Nian Jincheng’s words?” Duanmu Yi asked Duanmu Chen.
After some thought, Duanmu Chen nodded, “This minister’s son thinks there is nothing wrong with it. Given Gu Ling’s temperament, he is unlikely to collude with an assassin leader like Yan Shiba. If he wanted to save Nian Jincheng back then, he might have been able to steal into Heavenly Prison himself. If there’s as much inside information as Nian Jincheng said, it all makes sense.”
Yan Shiba admired Gu Ling and kidnapped Nian Jincheng. After that, there was turmoil in Yanyun Building, Yan Shiqi usurped the throne, pursued Yan Shiba, and Nian Jincheng escaped during the chaos. Nian Ruting had been in Yan Shiqi’s hands and was not killed.
Nian Ruting had woken up and claimed she did not know what had happened back then. That night, after being thrown off the cliff at Wangxiang Mountain, she fell into Yan Shiqi’s hands. Yan Shiqi originally wanted to kill her, but because of her infatuation with Gu Ling, Yan Shiqi felt she was like his own feelings for Yan Shiba, so he spared her life and made her a maid.
Nian Ruting’s words indirectly confirmed some of the things Nian Jincheng had said.
As for Nian Ruting’s earlier claim that Nian Jincheng knew Gu Ling’s whereabouts and had secret dealings with her, she could not produce any evidence and had to admit that it might have been fabricated lies that Nian Ruxue told her to deceive her.
Duanmu Chen had wanted to win over Nian Jincheng a long time ago. After getting to know Su Liang, he grew to like this kind of reliable partner even more. Unconsciously, his original self-interest-first mentality had undergone some changes, at least in terms of achieving his goals, he was not as unscrupulous as before.
“What do you think should be done with Nian Ruting?” Duanmu Yi asked
Duanmu Chen.
Duanmu Chen respectfully replied, “This woman’s family not only has a treasonous heart, but she has also cheated in the military exam, committed the great crime of deceiving the emperor, and has been with the bandits in Yanyun Building for several months. In my opinion, she deserves to be sentenced to death. ”
However, Duanmu Yi said, “Her face is even more beautiful than Nian Ruxue’s.’
Duanmu Chen intuitively knew that Duanmu Yi wanted to give Nian Ruting to Gu Ling, but he didn’t know that Duanmu Yi had already tried to do this, only to be reasonably rejected by Gu Ling.
“Let it be, just as you said, send her to her death.” Duanmu Yi made a decision.
Duanmu Chen was slightly surprised but didn’t dare to ask more.
“You have a good relationship with Su Liang. When you have a chance, persuade her not to always chase after Gu Ling, it’s making her a laughingstock. I value her greatly, so let her pay attention to her words and deeds.” Duanmu Yi frowned and said.
Duanmu Chen respectfully agreed.
After leaving the palace, Chang’an then took Duanmu Chen to Su Mansion by car.
“Father Emperor told you to be mindful of your influence and not to always chase after Gu Ling.” Duanmu Chen got straight to the point.
Su Liang countered, “Whose influence am I affecting?”
Duanmu Chen rubbed his forehead, “As a court-appointed official, your behavior makes people laugh.”
“Now I’m just a doctor.” Su Liang said, “Who is laughing at me? Does Crown Prince find it funny?”
Duanmu Chen’s mouth twitched slightly, “I don’t find it funny, but Father
Emperor dislikes seeing it.”
Su Liang nodded, “Alright, I will continue.”
Upon exchanging glances, Duanmu Chen smirked, “Actually, I feel the same way. Anyway, I’ve told you the message, but if you don’t listen, there’s nothing I can do. Let’s see if Father Emperor does anything to stop you.”
Last time Duanmu Chen came, he didn’t quite understand why Su Liang would chase men. After hearing Chang’an’s explanation, although he was speechless, he later thought it made sense. Su Liang was already different from others, and her pursuit of Gu Ling had no downside for Duanmu Chen. If Gu Ling could be won over, Duanmu Chen thought it would be a good thing.
While talking, Duanmu Chen mentioned Nian Jincheng again and told Su Liang about his experiences, exclaiming, “He is quite lucky. I thought he would be hard-pressed to return safely since he was controlled by Yanyun Building, but he had already escaped.”
“General Nian is very upright, and I don’t think his loyalty needs to be doubted.” Su Liang said.
Duanmu Chen was not surprised that Su Liang said this, because they had dealt with Nian Jincheng in Bei’an County before, “Father Emperor asked me to host a banquet at my mansion the day after tomorrow to welcome Marquis Chang Xin and General Nian. You won’t find an excuse not to go, right?” Su Liang smiled, “If Miss Gu is going, I will definitely be there on time.” Duanmu Chen stood up to leave, “I don’t need to ask more then.”
“Crown Prince, be sure to arrange for me to sit next to Miss Gu at the banquet!” Su Liang called out to Duanmu Chen’s retreating figure.
Duanmu Chen grumbled, “Dream on! According to Father Emperor’s intention, I have to arrange for you to sit far away from each other. You figure it out yourself! ”
“Then, I’ll just swap seats with General Nian at that time!” Su Liang said.
Duanmu Chen shook his head and left with a wave, really speechless.
Then Su Liang went upstairs and said to Yang Yu with a smile, “A great opportunity.”
Yang Yu showed a puzzled look, “What’s a great opportunity?”
“Wait for the banquet in two days, I will take you with me. At that time, I will ask Nian Jincheng to swap seats with me, so I can sit next to Miss Gu, and you will have a chance to get to know him.” Su Liang winked at Yang Yu.
Yang Yu couldn’t help but laugh, “That’s right! It makes perfect sense!”
“Dress up nicely. If all goes well, shortly after the day after tomorrow, Nian Jincheng will be able to send a matchmaker to propose marriage,” Su Liang said, feeling as if she was about to marry off her own daughter.
Yang Yu was, of course, very happy, and immediately went to choose her clothes.
The next day, Su Liang went to the Wan Family Restaurant on time as usual, bringing a dish she had made herself. Still, Nian Jincheng accepted it while Gu Ling claimed that he didn’t eat. When Nian Jincheng didn’t get a bite, he admitted he ate it and praised it as delicious…
Su Liang didn’t let Yang Yu show her face and meet Nian Jincheng. After Gu Ling left, she found the medical book he had repaired for her in a vase.
On the day of the banquet at the Crown Prince’s Mansion, Xing Yusheng and
Lin Xueqing came looking for Su Liang to go together. When they saw her and Yang Yu, Lin Xueqing couldn’t help but praise, “Su sister and Xiaoyu look so beautiful today!”
Su Liang, who usually had no makeup on, had carefully applied makeup today, and the appropriate makeup made her delicate little face even more brilliant and charming.
Xing Yusheng laughed loudly, “This is called ‘dressing to please a lover’! I didn’t think that you, Su Liang, would have a day like this!”
Su Liang thought to herself that on the surface, she was chasing Gu Ling, but in reality, she was working hard to help bring Yang Yu and Nian Jincheng together.
“Xiaoyu, you’re dressed up so nicely, be careful not to attract unwanted attention,” Lin Xueqing joked.
With a helpless look, Yang Yu replied, “With my identity, I’m not qualified to go. But Su Liang insisted that I accompany her.”
“What do you mean, not qualified? You’re the richest girl in Qian Country! If you were a man, I would definitely want to marry you,” Lin Xueqing said, hugging Yang Yu’s arm.
Xing Yusheng: …His family’s Qingqing always liked to get close to her sisters, and now there was another Yang Yu who sent her beautiful dresses every day. Fortunately, they were girls…
The banquet at the Crown Prince’s Mansion invited all the young people from the capital city’s influential families.
Su Liang and Yang Yu arrived riding horses, and as soon as they entered, they heard people say that the Marquis Chang Xin and General Nian had already arrived.
The guests were all sitting in the lakeside pavilions in the back garden of the Crown Prince’s Mansion. A beautiful young maid led Su Liang and Yang Yu to their seats.
As a result, Su Liang and Yang Yu had just sat down when Su Liang got up again and went toward the table where Gu Ling was sitting.
The onlookers wore playful expressions, and they saw Su Liang walk to Nian Jincheng’s side, “General Nian, can you switch seats with me?”
Duanmu Chen: …I can’t even bear to watch…
Onlookers: …So bold, so exciting, so fierce!
Gu Ling’s beautiful eyebrows furrowed slightly, “No.”
“Marquis Chang Xin, I’m asking General Nian.” Su Liang gave Gu Ling a sweet
smile. He glanced at her then lowered his head to pour tea.
Nian Jincheng stood up, “Since Miss Su likes my seat, let’s switch.” He also patted Gu Ling’s shoulder as he spoke.
In the eyes of the onlookers, Nian Jincheng seemed to be concerned about his friend’s lifetime affairs, intentionally trying to bring Gu Ling and Su Liang together.
Then, Nian Jincheng strode towards Su Liang’s original seat.
And Su Liang elegantly sat down next to Gu Ling, “This is the most beautiful view.”
“I am Nian Jincheng, may I ask for the lady’s name?” Nian Jincheng asked seriously as he looked at Yang Yu.
Yang Yu blushed slightly, “My last name is Yan, and my single name is Yu.” “Miss Yan, nice to meet you.” Nian Jincheng’s eyes were burning.
Yang Yu’s face turned shy, “General Nian, I have long admired you.”
On the other side, Gu Ling stood up to leave, “Your Highness the Crown Prince, I’m feeling unwell and would like to leave early.”
Duanmu Chen hurriedly tried to keep him from leaving.
Su Liang reached out and grabbed Gu Ling’s arm, “As a humble doctor, I should examine your pulse, Marquis Gu. Please sit down and let me check it for you..”