Chapter 487: 487. Little sister, please accept me.
The small jade stone resembling a droplet of water fell into Su Liang’s palm. It wasn’t cold, as it was originally in Gu Ling’s embrace.
“It actually looks like this.” Su Liang looked surprised, pinching the “droplet” with two fingers, placing it close to her eyes, and examining it closely.
In the end, Su Liang could only sigh, “It’s truly flawless.” The emphasis was not on the quality of the jade, although the jade was extremely beautiful and exquisite. What Su Liang found amazing was the shape of this jade stone. It didn’t seem to be naturally formed, and it was so perfect that it couldn’t have been made by human hands.
As for the fact that there was a world hidden inside this jade stone, Su Liang still found it unbelievable, just like when she first learned that Gu Ling could foresee the death of people.
“How did you test it? By dripping blood?” Su Liang pulled Gu Ling to sit by the table, her gaze shifting from the jade stone to Gu Ling’s face, and sighed, “You’ve lost a lot of weight.”
Gu Ling put his hands on his face, “Do I look bad?”
Su Liang leaned over and kissed him, “You are the most beautiful, I’m just heartbroken.”
Su Liang had never spoken such words of love before. Gu Ling didn’t find it cheesy at all. Being back home and seeing Su Liang and the child safe and sound made him feel full of warmth. As for the unresolved problems they left behind, they would find a way to deal with them together.
Gu Ling answered Su Liang’s previous question, saying that he, Cheng Yun, Feng Ming, and Sheng Yue had all tried it, and even had Elder Mu try as well, but it didn’t work.
At this moment, Su Liang still didn’t know what Gu Ling experienced after going to Xingluo Island. Hearing that Sheng Yue had tried as well, she speculated, “So Sheng Yue gave up because he knew he couldn’t control this magical treasure?”
Gu Ling nodded, “Pretty much. He went there specifically for this item.”
“Alright, let me give it a try first, and then we’ll discuss other things.” Su Liang took the silver needle handed over by Gu Ling, and pricked her fingertip.
A drop of bright red blood fell onto the “droplet,” and Gu Ling grabbed Su Liang’s pierced finger, putting it in his own mouth. They both watched the “droplet” intently for any changes.
As a result, the outcome was clear very quickly: Su Liang’s drop of blood slid off the surface of the droplet, leaving a shallow trace, but couldn’t infiltrate the droplet at all.
Seeing this, Gu Ling frowned immediately. Though he had anticipated this possibility, like everyone else, he was hoping that Su Liang could control this unique magical treasure.
Su Liang held the “droplet,” closed her eyes, felt it for a while, and shook her head, “I don’t sense anything. It seems that this is not an exclusive item for transmigrators either.” Furthermore, Su Liang always believed that there was a significant difference between her soul transmigration and Mo Yan’s physical transmigration. The blood flowing through her body, strictly speaking, was not from her transmigration.
“Never mind,” Gu Ling shook his head without being too disappointed, “This matter is left to fate, and we cannot force it. In any case, Mo Yan is still alive, and he will be here in a few days.”
Su Liang was quite disappointed, not because she desperately wanted the space, but because she really wanted to solve the last lingering trouble, rescue Yan Shiba and the other hostages, and truly feel at ease.
Su Liang put away the “droplet” and let Gu Ling rest, “What do you want to eat? I’ll make you a bowl of hot soup noodles.”
“I’m not tired,” Gu Ling shook his head, “but I’m hungry. Let’s go together.”
As Gu Ling took Su Liang downstairs, she remembered that they had guests in the house today. Focusing on the spatial magical treasure earlier, she had temporarily forgotten about the Peng Family.
Approaching noon, they still hadn’t eaten. Seeing Su Liang and Gu Ling coming downstairs, Peng Wei got up, preparing to leave.
It was because they had learned about Peng Wu’s situation; the Peng Family was very agitated, and they were also worried about her and the two children. When Su Liang and Gu Ling went upstairs earlier, Mrs. Peng mentioned that she wanted to fetch her daughter, and the Peng Family quickly came to a consensus that they should set out to fetch Peng Wu as soon as possible.
“We owe Wu’er an apology. When she was captured and they made a fake corpse, we didn’t even recognize her…” Peng Wei’s eyes reddened, and tears streamed down his face.
Su Liang comforted Peng Wei, “Grandfather Peng, don’t overthink it. That gang is ruthless and has countless masters; it’s not your fault. Now that Sister Peng is fine and will be reunited with you soon, you should be happy.”
Peng Wei nodded, “I am happy! I have to go fetch Wu’er and the children! I can’t wait any longer!”
“That’s fine,” Su Liang didn’t try to keep them, “When Sister Peng and the children come back, Gu Ling and I will make it up to you at a proper banquet.”
With tears streaming down her face, Mrs. Peng said, “We should be the ones to treat you. You have helped our Peng Family so many times, and now the prince has saved my poor daughter…”
Gu Ling informed Peng Fan that it was Qiao Cong and Qiao Jing who escorted Peng Wu and the three children back. They should be somewhere around now, and if they set out now, they should catch up with them within two days.
“Three children?” Peng Fan was stunned for a moment.
Gu Ling hadn’t told the Peng family exactly what Peng Wu had gone through yet, since he only knew the gist of it. Peng Wu’s true ordeal was only clear to her, and how to inform her family should be her decision.
Gu Ling explained that Peng Wu had adopted a little girl who was abandoned on the island, who was about the same age as Gu Xiaonuan.
Gu Ling and Su Liang sent the Peng family members to the entrance of Yuanming Pavilion, but Peng Wei would not let them send them any further. Su Liang arranged for Qi Yan to go with the Peng family members out of the city to pick up the people.
After bidding farewell to the guests, the kitchen became lively.
Su Liang was cooking, Gu Ling was sitting on a small stool stoking the fire, with three kids snuggled up beside him.
“Little sister, sing a song for Master!” Zhengzheng shook Gu Xiaonuan’s little hand.
Gu Ling looked forward to it, as his precious daughter could actually sing?
Su Liang chuckled lightly, promising Gu Ling a surprise.
Then, sitting on Gu Ling’s lap, Gu Xiaonuan stretched out her tender little hand, gently stroked Gu Ling’s cheek, and sang in her baby voice, “Sleep, sleep, my dear baby… ”
Zhengzheng and Ji Xiaoshu both laughed, and Su Liang was also amused. Gu Xiaonuan could only sing these two lines, which were the lullaby Su Liang occasionally hummed to coax her to sleep.
Gu Ling thought his own baby was adorable, invincible, intelligent, and interesting. He played along by closing his eyes and pretending to be asleep.
Gu Xiaonuan knew that Gu Ling was pretending and leaned over to kiss his face.
Ji Xiaoshu said solemnly, “Master has become Sleeping Beauty, let’s all go and kiss him.”
The next moment, Gu Ling dumped Ji Xiaoshu at the door, laughing with his eyes open, holding his precious daughter’s forehead, father and daughter both looking extremely warm and loving.
Ji Xiaoshu reached out, “Big brother, come on, we can do it too!”
Zhengzheng silently added firewood to the stove, showing that he was a capable fire-stoker and had no interest in strange bonding with his junior brothers …
Su Liang made a pot of steaming hot Vegetable and Shredded Pork Noodles, gave Gu Ling a big bowl, and gave the two little disciples a small bowl each, letting them eat first and saying there would be lunch afterward.
“Mom, what about me!” Gu Xiaonuan “protested” and said she wanted some too.
Su Liang shook her head, “Ask your dad to feed you.” As she couldn’t eat by herself, there was no need to take up another bowl.
Gu Ling sat with the three children by the window of the Yuanming Pavilion, eating noodles amidst laughter and joy.
The other family members were relieved knowing that everyone was safe and they would be back soon. As for the specific details, Su Liang still didn’t know and planned to discuss it with Gu Ling after his meal.
After lunch, Gu Ling put Gu Xiaonuan to sleep, took a hot bath, changed into clean clothes, and leaned back on the recliner.
The sunlight shone through the window onto Gu Ling’s jade-like face. Su Liang sat next to him, wiping his hair with a dry cloth, as Gu Ling recounted his experiences after arriving at Xingluo Island.
Zhengzheng, who was supposed to be taking a nap, was dragged by Ji Xiaoshu to eavesdrop outside the door.
Both Gu Ling and Su Liang heard the two little disciples gossiping outside, pretending not to notice them, neither of them drove the children away nor called them inside.
After Gu Ling finished speaking, Su Liang sighed, “The root of all problems lies in that magical treasure. But don’t think about it right now; you need a good rest. Once you’ve had enough rest, we’ll discuss the matters later on.”
The family of three lay together. Su Liang seldom took a nap during the day, but this time she accompanied Gu Ling, and their daughter slept sweetly beside them.
Gu Ling held Su Liang’s hand, brought it to his lips, and gently kissed the back of her hand. Then, he pressed her hand onto his face, relaxed his body and mind, and soon fell asleep.
Zhengzheng and Ji Xiaoshu listened to the room quieting down and returned to their own bedrooms.
Closing the door, Ji Xiaoshu complained angrily, “That big bad Mo Yan and big bad Sheng Yue are both still alive!”
“Master spared Sheng Yue and allowed him to atone for his sins. It’s a good thing, isn’t it? Mistress once said that he was very capable and that some things needed him to do.” Zhengzheng analyzed, “As for Mo Yan, he still has his uses. Master and Mistress couldn’t use that magical treasure, which is such a pity.”
“Yeah.” Ji Xiaoshu took off his shoes, lay down on the bed, rolled around, and sighed, “I was hoping that Master and Mistress would get the magical treasure so that they could take us with them to play outside. That would be so much fun! But now there’s no chance!”
“The most important thing now is to figure out how to open the space to let Aunt Yan return safely.” Zhengzheng’s little face was serious.
“I know.” Ji Xiaoshu rolled again, “It’s so worrying! Master and Mistress have it so hard! They finally reunited, but there are still troubles! Master doesn’t even have the heart to punish me anymore!”
Zhengzheng shook his head, “It’s just that Master hasn’t rested well yet. This is not urgent.”
Ji Xiaoshu: …
The room quieted down, and Zhengzheng fell asleep. Ji Xiaoshu, who was lying on his stomach, turned over suddenly, sat up, and yelled at Zhengzheng, “Big brother?”
Not hearing Zhengzheng respond, Ji Xiaoshu scratched his head, “Never mind, I’ll sleep too.”
When Gu Ling woke up, it was already sunset. Su Liang usually didn’t let Gu Xiaonuan sleep so long during the day, as it would make her too energetic and unwilling to sleep at night, but today she didn’t mind.
The three of them woke up almost simultaneously. Gu Ling took his daughter to relieve herself, while Su Liang slowly got dressed and sighed as she got out of bed. However, the troubles they were facing immediately weighed on her mind. Though Gu Ling said that Yan Shiba should be able to survive for a long time in the space and shouldn’t be in danger, they still needed to solve the problem sooner rather than later. It would be best if they could find a reliable method before Mo Yan was brought to the capital city. But due to the nature of the magical treasure, it was really difficult. Otherwise, Gu Ling would have already resolved the situation back on Xingluo Island.
The sunset was beautiful, and Gu Ling, holding Gu Xiaonuan, watched Zhengzheng and Ji Xiaoshu practice their swordsmanship.
Gu Xiaonuan imitated her brothers, waving her little hand and yelling, “Hit!” Then she shouted crisply, “Kill!”
Gu Ling’s smile was warm and gentle. His baby daughter, so young, already knew about fighting and killing; she would surely be courageous when she grew up.
The sparring session ended in a tie.
Zhengzheng and Ji Xiaoshu, holding their wooden swords, ran over and asked Gu Ling if their swordsmanship had improved.
Gu Ling nodded, “Zhengzheng has improved.”
Ji Xiaoshu eagerly awaited Gu Ling’s evaluation, but Gu Ling turned to leave.
Ji Xiaoshu hugged Gu Ling’s leg, “Master, what about me?”
“Oh, you.” Gu Ling appeared indifferent, “You’re doing alright.”
Ji Xiaoshu was dissatisfied, “Just alright? But I’ve been working hard!”
“Yes, Xiaoshu is very serious in practicing the sword.” Zhengzheng testified for Ji Xiaoshu.
“Well, Xiaoshu, your progress is even more obvious than Zhengzheng’s.” Gu Ling finished speaking, picked up Gu Xiaonuan, and left.
Ji Xiaoshu jumped up happily, “I knew it! Master is just teasing me!”
Zhengzheng laughed, “Of course.”
The next moment, Ji Xiaoshu’s face stiffened, and he suddenly furrowed his brow.
Zhengzheng asked what was wrong, and Ji Xiaoshu covered his face, “We tied in the match, but Master said that my progress was more obvious. Doesn’t that mean I was not as good as Big Brother before? Was I really that bad in Master’s eyes?”
Zhengzheng was taken aback, “No, Master didn’t mean that… Xiaoshu, you’re overthinking it. It’s just that… it’s just that when we competed before, I had a slight advantage because I began learning from Master earlier than you did. But you’ve learned faster than me, haven’t you? In fact, you’re more talented in martial arts than me…”
As Zhengzheng spoke, he suddenly realized something was off. Ji Xiaoshu covered his face, with his shoulders shaking. Was he crying? Or…?
Zhengzheng pulled Ji Xiaoshu’s hand away to reveal him laughing heartily, “Hahaha! Big Brother, you’re so easy to fool! I’m not sad at all!”
Zhengzheng: …Being a big brother is really hard. Suppressing the urge to beat up his younger brother…
At dinner, Ji Xiaoshu asked if he could sleep with Gu Ling tonight. Gu Ling shook his head, “Go back to your dad.”
“My dad went to the north to plant crops again.” Ji Xiaoshu shook his head, “Master, can we go to the north to see the snow together this winter?”
Zhengzheng’s eyes lit up. He was looking forward to it too.
Gu Ling nodded, “Yes.”
After dinner, Zhengzheng and Ji Xiaoshu were both in Gu Ling and Su Liang’s room, playing with Gu Xiaonuan.
As they played, Ji Xiaoshu ran over to Su Liang. “Mistress, can we see that magical treasure?”
Su Liang nodded, “Of course.” She took out the water-drop-shaped jade stone and handed it to Ji Xiaoshu.
Ji Xiaoshu and Zhengzheng huddled together and stared at it, marveling at its magic.
“Is Aunt Yan inside this?”
“Yes, Uncle Zhu Zan said that it’s very big inside and can hold many people. There’s even a lake.”
“Master and Mistress can’t open it, but why does that big baddie Mo Yan get to have such a treasure? It’s so unfair.”
At this moment, Gu Xiaonuan, who was sitting next to them playing with blocks, saw that her two brothers were ignoring her. She ran over and grabbed the “water drop” in Ji Xiaoshu’s hand.
Zhengzheng quickly warned her, “Little sister, that’s not for eating.”
“Xiaonuan never eats random things.” Ji Xiaoshu shook his head and suddenly had an idea. “Master, Mistress, we can let Xiaonuan try. Maybe she can make the magical treasure recognize her as the owner?” He had thought about it during the day, but had forgotten after waking up from his nap.
The next moment, Gu Ling and Su Liang looked over and saw the shocking scene: Gu Xiaonuan held the “water drop” in one hand and a block in the other. Children often liked to touch the objects in their two hands together, and Gu Xiaonuan was no exception. Then, as the block neared the water drop, it vanished into thin air!
Zhengzheng and Ji Xiaoshu both clearly saw it and were astonished.
“Little sister really can do it!”
“She doesn’t even need to use a drop of blood to do it!”
Zhengzheng and Ji Xiaoshu rushed over to Gu Xiaonuan and excitedly said in unison, “Little sister, take me in!”