Chapter 256: 256. Liang Yatou is not a superficial person (first update)
Translator: 549690339
When Su Liang arrived at Feiyan Town, it was still early. After meeting up with the guards from the crown prince’s mansion who had come from the capital, they continued on their way to the county town.
Upon reaching the county town for lunch, Su Liang had Qi Jun buy some Osmanthus Cake from a tea house.
After leaving Bei’an County, the group traveled during the day and stayed at inns at night, expecting to arrive in the capital in mid-October.
There wasn’t much that Ren Dong could do for Su Liang, but because of her gender advantage, she seemed to be closer to Su Liang, which made Qi Jun feel a sense of “crisis.”
Originally, Su Liang didn’t need any followers, but now she had two. Ren Dong was given to her by the emperor, so she couldn’t drive her away. However, Qi Jun felt that after returning to the capital, there was a high possibility he would be “sent back.”
Although his relationship with Xing Yusheng was special, Qi Jun wanted to follow Su Liang even more. Not only was it more interesting, but he could also learn a lot. This kind of life was what he liked.
When Su Liang discovered that Qi Jun and Ren Dong were secretly competing, she felt amused, but she didn’t let on. Watching it was quite interesting, but Su Liang had no intention of bringing them together. The “beautiful man plan” she had mentioned earlier was just a joke. The two had very different backgrounds and experiences, and it was uncertain whether they would be a good match. It was best to just let things develop naturally.
One night, when they were resting at an inn, Qi Jun and Ren Dong accompanied Su Liang to dinner, while the two guards from the crown prince’s mansion sat at a separate table.
“Master, your silhouette is very similar to that of Ren Dong’s. It’s difficult to distinguish between the two from behind. I have a suggestion,” Qi Jun said to Su Liang.
Su Liang nodded, “Go ahead.”
“On the way to the capital, in order to avoid any accidents, why not have you and Ren Dong switch identities tomorrow?” Qi Jun suggested with interest.
Ren Dong immediately nodded, “I think it’s feasible.” She was willing to share the risk for Su Liang.
Su Liang pondered, “That way, if someone tries to assassinate me, they will have the wrong target, and we will have the advantage.”
Qi Jun and Ren Dong both nodded, indicating that Su Liang’s analysis was correct.
Su Liang shook her head, “But there’s a much greater chance of being attacked at night than during the day. Switching identities during the day means little, and it would also prevent me from reading in the carriage.”
It was just a casual conversation, but who would have thought that there would be an assassination attempt late that night.
The assassin was a man with impressive martial arts skills. Ren Dong was no match for him and was injured.
Eventually, Su Liang and Ren Dong joined forces and injured the assassin in turn, but he managed to escape.
Qi Jun, following Su Liang’s instructions, did not call for help or take action, instead hiding in the shadows and watching. Qi Jun knew that this was because his skills were not up to par, and Su Liang was trying to protect him.
After Su Liang treated Ren Dong’s injuries and had her return to her room to rest, Qi Jun came over.
“What’s the matter?” Su Liang asked.
Qi Jun nodded, “I noticed something strange about the assassination attempt tonight.’
Ren Dong took the initiative at first, testing the assassin’s intentions, rather than Su Liang pushing her to block the attack.
Qi Jun pondered, “My martial arts skills are not as good as yours or Ren Dong’s, but I was always watching from the side, and now that I think about it, something was definitely off. Ren Dong’s skills are comparable to yours, but the assassin injured her within a few moves, whereas he seemed far less confident when dealing with your techniques.”
However, relatively speaking, Su Liang was quite famous and had become well-known through the Military Exam. If someone had watched her compete in the exam or had made some inquiries, they would have a certain understanding of her techniques.
On the other hand, Ren Dong was originally a secret guard in the Imperial Palace. Qi Jun had seen her exquisite swordsmanship before. Logically, the assassin should have been more familiar with Su Liang and completely ignorant about Ren Dong.
But that was not the case.
If Qi Jun’s feeling was correct, this strange assassination attempt was no coincidence. He had already spotted the flaw, “Could it be that the assassin was sent by the emperor himself?”
Su Liang sneered, “Why couldn’t it be? It’s quite possible.”
She and Ren Dong were both in the situation, focused on dealing with the assassin, so they didn’t see things as clearly as Qi Jun, who was watching from the outside.
Qi Jun’s expression changed, “The emperor sent someone to assassinate the master? What does he mean by that?”
“I’m unharmed, and Ren Dong was injured trying to protect me. What do you think?” Su Liang countered.
Qi Jun’s expression became difficult to decipher, “Is the emperor trying to set up Ren Dong to gain your trust?”
“There’s no other possibility,” Su Liang said.
Qi Jun didn’t know how to react, but in any case, he was speechless.
“Go back to sleep,” Su Liang waved her hand. Emperor Duanmu Yi went to great lengths to plant someone by her side. Rather than being angry, Su Liang found it boring.
But from another perspective, this meant that she was very important to him. However, this matter was a double-edged sword. Su Liang had to be cautious and use the situation to her advantage, while never letting the blade turn towards her.
The next day, after learning that last night’s assassination attempt was likely orchestrated by Duanmu Yi to pave the way for her to gain Su Liang’s trust, Ren Dong’s first thought was to explain to Su Liang that she knew nothing about it and didn’t know the assassin.
Su Liang speculated that the assassin might have known Ren Dong’s master, Shaoyao, which was why he was so familiar with her techniques.
However, this was just a minor incident. Ren Dong seemingly suffered a serious injury, but it was not life-threatening, which only confirmed Qi Jun and Su Liang’s suspicions.
When they set out again, the injured Ren Dong sat in the carriage with Su Liang, who gave her a simple medical book to read.
Ren Dong had learned some common poisons from Shaoyao but not medical skills.
“There’s nothing else to do, so learn as much as you can. If you don’t understand something, you can ask me,” Su Liang said.
Ren Dong began reading earnestly.
Qi Jun, who was driving the carriage, was overcome with a sense of loss. He suddenly understood the feeling of being ignored that Xing Yusheng experienced when Lin Xueqing hugged and fussed over Su Liang. No, the comparison wasn’t quite right. But in any case, he felt lost, very lost. He had been here first…
“Qi Jun.”
Hearing Su Liang call him, Qi Jun’s expression immediately became serious,
“What are your orders, Master?”
“You don’t have to follow me once we’re back in the capital city,” Su Liang said.
Qi Jun had expected it, but still wanted to try again, “Master, can I not leave?
Su Liang chuckled lightly, “I think that you brothers all have skills, whether you want to join the military or seek other positions, I can recommend you to the emperor. I’ve discussed this with Xing Yusheng, and he has the same plan.” Qi Jun furrowed his brow; he hadn’t thought that far ahead.
After a while, Qi Jun spoke again, “If Master becomes a general again, I will definitely follow you in the army!” “Alright,” Su Liang agreed.
Qian Country’s capital city.
Yan Shiba’s injuries had almost healed, and Yan Shiqi came to see him every day. However, just like before, she never showed a pleasant face and scolded him as soon as she opened her mouth.
At first, Yan Shiqi would get angry, but it didn’t take long for her to get used to it.
However, Yan Shiba still didn’t know that Nian Ruting was alive and by Yan Shiqi’s side.
One day, Yan Shiqi came over again in a seemingly good mood, “Shiba, there’s good news. Do you want to know?”
Yan Shiba snorted coldly, “You’re terminally ill and dying? Nothing else counts as good news!”
Yan Shiqi helplessly smiled, “Shiba, you really need to change your temper. Who else can stand you besides me?”
“Get lost! I have nothing to do with you!” Yan Shiba spat out another string of curses.
Yan Shiqi just sat a little distance away and quietly watched Yan Shiba scold her. She didn’t have to worry about Yan Shiba escaping because she had poisoned him, so he had no strength to leave the room. This was also the reason that Yan Shiba used all his energy to curse people; he couldn’t do anything else.
After Yan Shiba got tired of scolding, Yan Shiqi brought her a glass of water, which was splashed back onto her by Yan Shiba.
Wiping the water off her hand and putting down the teacup, Yan Shiqi began, “Su Liang is coming back, are you happy?
Yan Shiba visibly hesitated for a moment, ‘When?”
Yan Shiqi chuckled, “I heard it’s soon. There are rumors outside that the
Empress Dowager is seriously ill, and they’re waiting for her to be treated.”
Yan Shiba exaggeratedly showed enthusiasm, “That’s great! I miss Liang so much!”
“Shall I ‘invite’ her to come and accompany you when she returns?” Yan Shiqi asked.
Yan Shiba sneered, “Please do! If you don’t, you’re just a spineless turtle egg!
Hahaha!”
“You’re provoking me; I know it,” Yan Shiqi said calmly. “Whether or not to meet Su Liang will be decided later. Aren’t we really waiting for Gu Ling? Once he appears…”
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door, and Yan Shiqi’s face darkened, “Get out!”
“Master, Gu Ling has appeared!”
The expressions on both Yan Shiqi and Yan Shiba’s faces changed.
When Yan Shiqi looked at Yan Shiba’s face, she saw her smiling coquettishly, “The beauty I’ve been daydreaming about has finally appeared? I really want to see him right away!”
Yan Shiqi snorted coldly and turned to leave.
It was an ordinary late autumn day in Qian Country’s capital city until an explosive niece of news spread like wildfire: Miss Gil was hack!
When Yang Yu got the news, he was checking account books at Su Mansion,
Nian Jincheng was practicing swordsmanship at the training ground, Xing
Yusheng and Lin Xueqing were accompanying Old Madame Xing to the Huguo Temple to offer incense, Old Master Qin and Lin Shuzhi were playing chess at the Imperial College, and Zhengzheng was playing with the plane model Ning Jing had given him at his family’s restaurant…
Yang Yu happily ran to tell Nian Jincheng that his good friend was back.
Xing Yusheng was a bit surprised, but more expectant. He was finally going to meet the legendary Gu and thank him in person for saving his mother. Old Master Qin’s eyes narrowed, “That child really came back…” Lin Shuzhi was curious, “Is Master Qin familiar with Gu Ling?”
Old Master Qin shook his head, “Just met. He is… very special.”
Lin Shuzhi smiled, “Exceptionally good-looking? I’ve always heard that no one can match Gu Crown Prince’s beauty.”
Old Master Qin chuckled, “Indeed, he looked like a fairy child when he was young, and more like an immortal after growing up. The last time I saw Gu Ling, he was playing chess with Master Pu Hui at the Huguo Temple.”
“What does Master Qin think is the reason for Gu Ling’s appearance?” Lin Shuzhi asked.
Old Master Qin pondered for a moment, “I don’t believe that the child has ambitions. He was always distant from the messy affairs of the Gu family, as if he wasn’t a member of the Gu family at all. I’m thinking that he chose to come back now, perhaps to settle down? To marry and have children? Hiding here and there under false names isn’t a long-term plan.”
Lin Shuzhi smiled, “Master Qin’s words make sense.”
Old Master Qin shook his head again, “I’m just guessing wildly. Perhaps he’s changed from before and has different thoughts. To be honest, I can’t imagine what kind of girl would be worthy of that boy from the Gu family.”
Lin Shuzhi raised his eyebrow, “With such high praise from Master Qin, he must be more than just good-looking. If it were our Xiaoliang, would she not be worthy of Gu as well?”
Old Master Qin slapped his forehead, “I didn’t think of Su Liang earlier! How could she not be worthy of that boy from the Gu family? It’s that boy from the Gu family who’s not worthy of Liang girl! He may look good, but it’s unclear whether he has real skills. Liang girl is not superficial; she wouldn’t be interested in him!”
At this moment, Gu Ling, who was riding a horse through the main street of the capital city under everyone’s gaze, glanced at Wan Family Restaurant, then looked away and headed toward the Imperial Palace..
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