嫩草影院地址一二三

Chapter 416: 416. I’m going for a trip

Half of them were for Su Liang. Initially, Ji Xiaoshu was sent to Qian Country due to the overall situation, but more importantly for Ji Xiaoshu’s own sake. Ji Yuebai knew his son was unhappy and he didn’t have much time to accompany Xiaoshu, but he trusted Gu Ling a lot, so he decided to let Ji Xiaoshu experience a different environment. In Ji Yuebai’s expectations, the most important aspect of Ji Xiaoshu coming to Su Mansion was not just to learn, but also to find a master.

Previously, Ji Xiaoshu would write to Ji Yuebai every once in a while, and Gu Ling would arrange for someone to deliver the letters. In those letters, he always told Ji Yuebai in a happy tone: My master is amazing, she can do this and that, she teaches me many things, she makes me delicious food, she’s the person I like the most!

With that, Ji Yuebai knew that not only were his expectations met, but they were also exceeded.

Of course, Ji Yuebai also knew that Gu Ling was very fond of Ji Xiaoshu. Precisely because of that, Ji Xiaoshu dared to be so mischievous in front of Gu Ling, clearly relying on her protection.

The other gifts were for Zheng’er and Gu Xiaonuan.

There was only one thing for Gu Ling: a set of carving knives. They were used by a great master in the Yin Country, looking a bit old, but it was an extraordinary item.

“Dad, you only prepared one gift for my master, that’s too stingy,” Ji Xiaoshu expressed his dissatisfaction first.

Ji Yuebai smiled and explained, “There’s no other way, I truly can’t think of anything your master lacks.”

Ji Xiaoshu immediately retorted, “So, Dad gave my master so many treasures because she lacks those things?”

Ji Yuebai lightly coughed, “Of course not… Your master and mistress are together, why differentiate between them?” With that, he covered his son’s mouth, so as not to spoil his own good intentions!

As for the medical and poison-related books from the library of the palace in Yin Country, they had already been secretly transported to Su Liang and Gu Ling by Ji Yuebai earlier, along with many precious medicinal ingredients.

“Xiaoshu, your family is really rich,” Zheng’er commented as he wore the golden mask that Ji Yuebai had gifted him, with a playful smile on his face.

Ji Xiaoshu shook his head, “The one thing my senior brother’s family doesn’t lack is money. There’s no need to be so polite to my dad. Our family is already declining.”

Ji Yuebai laughed heartily, “That’s right, from now on we’ll follow your master and mistress!”

Although he said that, Ji Yuebai was a clear-headed person who always knew what he wanted. He directly told Gu Ling and Su Liang about his upcoming plan. He intended to visit the Liang Country to investigate and find some suitable crops to promote there, so the people of Liang Country could have enough food to eat and lead a good life.

Su Liang was surprised. Gu Ling had said that Ji Yuebai was truly ambitious and idealistic, but she thought he would be content after uniting the world and live as a wealthy, idle king. She had never thought that he wouldn’t want to rest and planned to take on a painstaking project.

Zheng’er took off the golden mask from his face, sat beside Ji Yuebai, and said earnestly, “Our family is in the grain business, I don’t know if we could help.”

Ji Yuebai smiled and rubbed Zheng’er’s small face, “You’re such a good boy! I was just thinking of discussing it with your grandfather later!”

“Master, can my dad’s plan work?” Ji Xiaoshu asked his most trusted Su Liang.

Su Liang nodded, “As long as there is determination, there is hope. I have some ideas that may or may not work.”

Ji Yuebai’s eyes brightened, “Sister, do you also know something about this? That’s great!”

Based on her knowledge from her previous life, Su Liang gave Ji Yuebai some suggestions.

Upon hearing this, Ji Yuebai knew that Su Liang really understood the subject. He seriously took notes and planned to have a good talk with Duanmu Chen the following day. After uniting the world, the next step was to make the lives of the people better than before, particularly the people of the bitterly cold Yuanliang Country. Some of them might choose to move to warmer places, but the vast majority of them wouldn’t leave their homeland. Giving the abundant food from the south directly to the hungry people in the north could only solve short-term problems, not as a long-term solution.

After discussing the serious matters, Ji Yuebai brought up the previous topic, “Xiaoshu, you said you like your master the most, then your sister and senior brother. So, what rank is your master’s?”

Ji Xiaoshu grinned, “Anyway, it’s one rank higher than Father’s!”

Ji Yuebai silently got up and left. He initially planned to sleep with his son tonight but decided against it. His son had already found a happy new home and didn’t need him as a father…

Then he heard Ji Xiaoshu’s voice from behind, “Master, look, my dad doesn’t want me again! He didn’t even ask if I wanted to go with him, how heartbreaking!”

Ji Yuebai immediately turned back, “Son, let’s go! Go home with Dad!”

Ji Xiaoshu revealed a triumphant smile, “This is my home, Dad, you’d better hurry up and leave. It’s impolite to stay so late as a guest!”

Ji Yuebai looked speechless. Then he saw Ji Xiaoshu being “thrown” out of the Yuanming Pavilion by Gu Ling, accompanied by Gu Ling’s calm voice, “Sleep with your father tonight.”

Ji Yuebai: Xiaogu is really a person with a cold exterior and a warm heart!

While carrying Ji Xiaoshu on his back and walking outside, Ji Xiaoshu gazed at the stars in the sky and asked, “Dad, why didn’t Master let Nuannuan marry me? Who does he want her to marry?”

Ji Yuebai shook his head, “Maybe he wants to wait until Nuannuan grows up? When the time comes, whoever Nuannuan likes, she will marry.”

Ji Xiaoshu blinked, “Could it be that Nuannuan won’t like me? That’s impossible!”

Ji Yuebai laughed, “The kind of love needed for marriage is something you don’t understand yet. You will know when you both grow up.” Of course, he would like to become in-laws with Gu Ling and Su Liang, but such matters should go with the flow.

“Just like Master and Mistress, I know,” Ji Xiaoshu said, referring to the best example around him.

Ji Yuebai then asked with a smile, “So, what do you think your master and mistress are like?”

After seriously pondering for a moment, Ji Xiaoshu replied, “It’s the kind of…telepathic feeling! Master doesn’t need to say anything, Mistress knows what he’s thinking, and vice versa!”

Ji Yuebai raised an eyebrow, “That’s very accurate.” His son had grown a lot but still retained his cuteness, very pleasing indeed.

Next, Ji Xiaoshu said, “My senior brother and I are also practicing that ‘telepathic’ feeling. He’s easy to guess, but he can never guess what I’m thinking. It’s so frustrating!”

Ji Yuebai rolled his eyes, quickly changed the topic, and inquired about Ji Xiaoshu’s progress in his studies.

On the following day, Duanmu Chen held a banquet in the palace to entertain Ji Yuebai, and Ji Xiaoshu was also present. Duanmu Chen had invited Gu Ling and Su Liang in advance, but they had other commitments that day and couldn’t attend.

Duanmu Chen was surprised by what Ji Yuebai wanted to do but immediately expressed strong support. He and Ji Yuebai could not say that they hit it off at first sight, but they got along well and agreed to chat more in the future.

After the banquet, Ji Yuebai took Ji Xiaoshu to visit Ji Yue Xuan.

“Aunt Yue!” When Ji Xiaoshu rushed in, Ji Yue Xuan was in the courtyard tending to flowers. She knew Ji Yuebai had come, but Duanmu Chen did not let her attend the banquet. It was better this way, as it would have been awkward if she had gone and Duanmu Chen’s Imperial Concubine’s identity appeared.

“Xiaoshu is here.” Ji Yue Xuan had a gentle smile, put down the shovel in her hand, wiped her hands with a handkerchief, and embraced Ji Xiaoshu who rushed over. Su Liang would occasionally bring Ji Xiaoshu to the palace to see her before.

“It seems that my younger sister is living a good life.” Ji Yuebai walked in afterward. Looking around, the environment was quiet and elegant, and Ji Yue Xuan’s complexion was better than when she was in the Yin Country’s Imperial Palace. She was dressed in plain elegance, not wearing much jewelry, but the fabric was very precious, and she had a calm and relaxed look between her eyebrows, unlike a woman in a deep palace.

“Brother…” Ji Yue Xuan’s eyes turned red as soon as she saw Ji Yuebai. The two were not born of the same mother, but Ji Yuebai had secretly helped Ji Yue Xuan a lot in the past. Moreover, she knew that the first person she had to thank for her present life and the future she wanted was Su Liang, and the second was Ji Yuebai. It was because Ji Yuebai chose to form an alliance with Qian Country that Duanmu Chen was so tolerant and generous to her.

“Why are you crying? I have talked to the emperor, and I have come to take you out of the palace today.” Ji Yuebai smiled brightly, “From now on, you will be the lady of Yinwang Mansion. When Bai Yang returns, I will preside over your marriage.”

Ji Yue Xuan was overjoyed, “Really? Can I leave the palace?”

“Of course!” Ji Xiaoshu nodded, “Uncle Emperor agreed very readily, saying that Auntie can leave at any time! Auntie, are you reluctant to part with the flowers you have planted here? You can take them with you! Uncle Emperor definitely won’t mind!”

Ji Yue Xuan let out a long breath, “Alright, I’ll pack up now.” Although there had been no unpleasant days in the palace, the environment itself was oppressive. Leaving the Imperial Palace meant that she had truly gained her freedom. Besides, her most trusted elder brother had come to pick her up, and from now on, she would have family members to rely on.

“Auntie, can I pick a flower to give to my master’s wife?” Ji Xiaoshu stared at Ji Yue Xuan’s flowers.

Ji Yue Xuan smiled and said, “Of course you can. Just pick any one.”

“Well, there are too few flowers here, I’d better go stroll in Emperor Uncle’s garden instead!” Ji Xiaoshu did not treat herself as an outsider.

Ji Yuebai let Ji Yue Xuan pack up slowly, and he took Ji Xiaoshu to the Imperial Garden. Chang’an was ordered to accompany them.

In the end, Ji Xiaoshu picked a large bunch of flowers and asked Chang’an to find beautiful silk to wrap them. When he left the palace, he planned to give them to Su Liang.

As she left the palace, Ji Yue Xuan looked back and couldn’t help but sigh, “Compared to Liang Imperial Concubine, I am much luckier.” She knew she had made mistakes in the past, and if it hadn’t been for Su Liang’s help, she would have fallen into irreparable situations.

Ji Yuebai nodded, “There’s still a long way to go in the future, just look ahead.”

“Yinwang… is this title set by the Emperor?” Ji Yue Xuan felt that this title was not auspicious.

Ji Yuebai laughed and said, “What a resounding title! From now on, you will be the sister of Yinwang, and no one would dare to provoke you!”

Ji Xiaoshu patted his little chest, “I am the crown prince of Yinwang! But the title of Regent King’s disciple sounds more prestigious!”

Ji Yuebai: …the son is no longer controlled by his father…

Ji Xiaoshu only stayed with Ji Yuebai for one night, then happily returned to Su Mansion with a large bouquet of fresh flowers.

Su Liang was very happy about having a son without giving birth, and he enjoyed being close to the children.

After another two days, an unexpected guest arrived at Su Mansion.

Su Liang knew this person, who was an assassin from Yanyun Building. After Yan Shiba and Yan Shiqi fell out, this person became her confidant. His name was Yan Shijiu, and he was also one of Yan Sui’s disciples.

Last year, Yan Shiba learned from Gu Ling that Su Liang had an accident and took most of the assassins from Yanyun Building to find trouble with Situ Xie in Liang Country. After the incident, she completely broke off contact with Gu Ling and Su Liang.

In between, Su Liang never stopped looking for Yan Shiba and had sent people several times to ask Monk Cheng Yun. However, they could never get any news of her, and the assassins from Yanyun Building seemed to disappear overnight, never to be found again.

Su Liang had previously thought that Yan Shiba might have had an accident, and perhaps Yan Shiqi had killed her way back and taken control of Yanyun Building. With no luck in finding her, he could only give up.

But on this day, Yan Shijiu suddenly appeared at Su Mansion, and said to Su Liang that Yan Shiba was still alive, but almost dead.

Su Liang’s gaze became more focused, “What happened? Where were you before?”

Yan Shijiu had an empty sleeve on one side, his arm gone, and a long scar on his face. He sighed deeply, “Last year, the leader took us to Liang Country to do something, and after completing the task, we left Yao City to find a place to rest for half a month before returning to Qian Country. But before we even left Liang Country, we ran into trouble.”

Yan Shijiu said that there was a traitor in their team who leaked their whereabouts. Yan Shiqi colluded with a group of people, all top-notch masters, resulting in heavy casualties for them. Both he and Yan Shiba were captured and locked up in a dark place, subject to Yan Shiqi’s torturous entertainment.

“At first, I feigned surrender, but Yan Shiqi didn’t believe it at all and even cut off my arm. About three or four months ago, I’m not quite sure, it seemed that the group he colluded with left without a word. Yan Shiqi disappeared as well, leaving someone to watch over us. He hated Shiba too much and said he would never let her die. Before he left, he suddenly changed his mind and said that he would talk to me when he came back, not knowing whether he intended to accept my surrender. Maybe it was because there was a problem with his backing, and he needed manpower.” Yan Shijiu’s face was grim. “I’ve been trying to persuade the people who were guarding us, but in the end, I failed. However, because I wasn’t tortured anymore, my body recovered some, and half a month ago, I finally got a chance to kill the guards and take the severely injured Shiba to escape.”

“Where is she?” Su Liang asked.

“In Bei’an County, Su Family Village.” Yan Shijiu tousled his empty right sleeve, “I originally wanted to bring her here directly, but her body is too weak to endure the bumps along the way. When we passed Bei’an County, she insisted on going to Su Family Village, saying she would wait for you at your old home. The neighbors from the Bai Family still recognized her and said they could help take care of her, so I came here alone. Su Divine Doctor, you must save her!”

Yan Shijiu also brought a letter from Bai Xiaohu and the Zhuzi brothers addressed to Su Liang. Both children missed him and Gu Ling and hoped they could come back to their hometown to visit when they had time, and mentioned Sister Jiujiu, saying she was very ill and was being taken care of by Aunt Bai.

“Qi Yan, take him to get some food and rest for a while,” Su Liang called out to Qi Yan.

Yan Shijiu shook his head, looking anxious, “I’m fine, Su Divine Doctor, can you go to Su Family Village?”

Su Liang neither nodded nor shook his head, “I need to discuss with my family before giving you an answer.”

After Yan Shijiu left, Gu Ling carried Gu Xiaonuan down from upstairs. He had heard the entire conversation during that time.

“Great God, do you think he can be trusted?” Su Liang furrowed his eyebrows and asked.

“I’ll go and check it out,” Gu Ling said. Even if there was deception involved, he needed to go and see if it concerned the people of Su Family Village.