Chapter 139:139. Why do we have to wait
Translator: 549690339
The second round of the competition began, and Su Liang watched very carefully. Every martial artist that would come next could be her potential opponent.
After Duanmu Che left, there were still people on the viewing platform watching Su Liang.
Duanmu Cheng laughed and said, “I just saw Crown Prince Marquis Zhong Xin.
Why not invite him to sit with us?”
Duanmu Chen knew Duanmu Cheng was not kind-hearted upon hearing this.
Although the seats on the viewing platform were not exclusively for the Royal Family, it would be fine for Xing Yu Sheng to sit any other time. But right now, only princes and princesses were present. If Xing Yu Sheng sat side by side with them, what would that mean?
This made Duanmu Chen aware that in the past, the Xing Family of Bei Jingwang Mansion had become the only collateral heirs of a different surname preserved in the iron mine smuggling case, and some people might think that he had warned the Xing Family or secretly formed an alliance.
After all, Duanmu Chen was the first to know the truth of the iron mine smuggling case and understood it the most.
In fact, it’s not entirely wrong to think this. Although Duanmu Chen had discerned the Emperor’s intentions and decided to leak information to Su Liang, which in turn spared the Xing Family, he believed he was indebted to the Xing Family. So, if they were to take sides, the Xing family should help him.
At this moment, Duanmu Chen detected Duanmu Cheng’s intention but did not speak.
He thought that as long as Xing Yu Sheng’s mind wasn’t muddled, he wouldn’t sit here with them.
Who knew, just after Duanmu Cheng finished speaking, Duanmu Qianqian said with a full smile, “The crown prince came with Miss Qin from the Qin Family, and his fiancée, Miss Lin, also came.”‘
It was then that Duanmu Chen noticed Lin Xueqing standing beside Xing Yu Sheng.
Lin Xueqing was hugging Su Liang’s arm, leaning half of her body on Su Liang, and whispering something intimately.
Seeing this, Duanmu Chen still felt a little regretful in his heart, but he never really had genuine feelings for women, only calculating who would be most helpful to him if they were married.
“Forget about it then,” Duanmu Cheng dispelled the thought of inviting Xing Yu Sheng to sit with them.
“Why not invite Xuexue to sit with us! She’ll have to wait a long time too!”
Duanmu Qianqian suggested, “Soon, she’ll be part of the Royal Family too.”
It made sense.
Duanmu Ao immediately nodded, “Alright!”
Duanmu Cheng’s expression was unchanged.
Duanmu Chen thought there would be a good show to watch…
Instead, the maid that Duanmu Qianqian had sent over didn’t bring anyone back.
“Miss Nian said that her turn is not until later in the day. She plans to leave now, as the Old Lady Nian has a headache today and has requested the Imperial Physician. She is worried and intends to go back to see her. She will certainly apologize to Master for another meeting,” the maid respectfully said.
At this moment, Nian Ruxue had already left.
Duanmu Qianqian was a little disappointed, “Well then. Xuexue is always the most filial, how could I blame her?”
Duanmu Chen casually mentioned, “Miss Nian drew her lot and watched Su Liang’s first match before leaving. It seems she takes Su Liang as her opponent very seriously.”
Upon hearing this, Nian Ruxue’s so-called urgency to go home seemed somewhat unreasonable.
If she was so filial, why didn’t she leave immediately after drawing her lot?
Even if she was paying attention to Su Liang and wanted to watch her match, by the time the second match was about to end, Nian Ruxue hadn’t left after watching the first match.
Instead, she left when Duanmu Qianqian sent someone over to invite her.
Duanmu Ao’s face darkened, feeling humiliated. It seemed as if Nian Ruxue was avoiding him. Was she still not willing to marry him after the wedding had been granted?
Duanmu Cheng thought the same and laughed, “Let’s just forget about it.”
After watching the second match, Su Liang thought that the strengths of the two martial artists were not as good as Gao Jiabao.
At present, in the ranking matches among the 36 martial artists, there must be some who made it in just because of good luck in the grouping.
Military exams were different from civil examinations.
The quality of writing had a fixed standard of evaluation and evaluators who had subjective preferences.
As for martial arts competitions, the strength or weakness could be seen at a glance, and even laymen could clearly see the outcome.
Su Liang heard a voice from not far away saying, “If these two make it into the top thirty, you should go challenge them. It’s guaranteed to be no problem!”
She looked back and saw it was Luo Rong, who she had defeated yesterday, and an old man.
Luo Rong nodded slightly towards Su Liang, and Su Liang returned the gesture with a smile. They greeted each other before she turned her attention back to the next match.
Seeing the friendly interaction between the two, Luo Rong’s master was a bit surprised. They came early and saw the match between Su Liang and Gao Jiabao. He couldn’t help but exclaim, “This Miss Su is really amazing, even though she is said to have grown up in the capital, she seems to have the boldness of a Jianghu martial artist.”
Approaching noon, more than half of today’s first round of point-based ranking matches have been completed.
As princes and princesses were leaving, people dispersed, and the next competition would begin in an hour. Nian Ruxue would be participating in the first match.
Su Liang’s group still went to Wan Family Restaurant to eat and rest.
After eating, Zhengzheng became sleepy and fell asleep in Ning Jing’s arms.
With some time left, Lin Xueqing and Qin Yujin went shopping, with Xing Yusheng following along.
Wan Hui also wanted to go for a walk, so she grabbed onto Lu Yu’s arm and left.
In the end, only two adults and a child remained in the private room, with the little one sleeping soundly.
“I’ll continue telling the story for you.” Su Liang thought that she should hurry up and finish the story so that she wouldn’t be dragged out for a night stroll later.
Ning Jing gently patted Zhengzheng’s back, “Okay.”
There was a soft couch in the room, and Su Liang leaned on it while continuing to narrate the Romance of the Three Kingdoms.
As she spoke, her voice suddenly stopped. Ning Jing looked over and saw that she had fallen asleep with her eyes closed.
Ning Jing looked around the room, unable to find any blanket.
He carefully placed Zhengzheng next to Su Liang and took off his outer robe to cover them both.
He sat at the table and took out a book from his chest that he hadn’t finished yet and resumed reading.
Fifth Prince’s Mansion.
After Duanmu Che returned home, he ordered his subordinates to investigate
Su Liang. He learned that she had just returned to the capital from Bei’an County with Ning Jing when she “secretly met” Xiao Muyun at the Wan Family Restaurant.
It has also been discovered that she has a newfound sworn brother, who was kicked out and then returned to wipe out the entire Ning Family, becoming the head of the Ning Family, and who had already passed the preliminary Imperial examination and was about to participate in the main examination: Ning Jing.
Su Liang returned with Ning Jing to the capital and is now living in the same mansion with him.
At that time, Ning Jing took Crown Prince Bei Jingwang Xing Yusheng’s token to participate in the Imperial examination in Bei’an County.
Now it has been found that Su Liang not only knows Xing Yusheng but has also treated his illness, as well as the illness of Old Master Qin. She is a guest of honor in Duke Qin’s Mansion and has a close relationship with Lin Shuzhi’s family.
Today, Duanmu Che witnessed Su Liang’s martial arts competition, and Xing Yusheng, Qin Yujin, and Lin Xueqing all came to watch. Duanmu Che guessed that the person who took the double maces from Su Liang after the competition was Ning Jing.
All of this left him both amazed and puzzled, as the Su Liang he once knew seemed like a completely different person now.
“We found out that Miss Su seems to have lost her memory due to an injury,” said one of Duanmu Che’s subordinates.
Duanmu Che frowned, “Lost her memory? Then why did she come back to the capital?”
“Maybe someone told her that her family was gone, and she thought something was wrong, so she came back?” said the old man.
Duanmu Che snorted, “Are you speaking up for her?”
The old man sighed, “I just think that Miss Su is really different from before. Maybe we shouldn’t hold such a strong bias against her anymore. Today, we saw her strength, and her medical skills are excellent. Maybe something special happened during that period of more than a year that she was away. Last time, the Old Imperial Physician suggested inviting her to treat the master. Why not ask her for help?”
Duanmu Che didn’t respond, but asked another question, “Whose child was she holding today?”
“We checked it out. The people Miss Su is connected with include a Miss Wan Hui from the beer merchant family in Qingyang City. The child is Wan Hui’s son who was originally married to a pottery merchant’s family, the Li family. Four years ago, she got divorced, and it was said that Li’s family head insisted that Miss Wan was already pregnant when they divorced, and the child was his, so he didn’t let go.” the old man explained.
“Why would Su Liang know them?” Duanmu Che asked.
Lu further investigation,” the old man said, “Miss Su took the initiative to visit last time, indicating that she must have something to ask the master. If the master is willing to see her, she will surely come.”
Duanmu Che was silent for a long time and said, “If she really wants to ask me about those things, she will come again.”
The old man paused, “But the master has made it clear before that he didn’t want to see Miss Su. It was all a misunderstanding. Wouldn’t it be better for me to explain it to her secretly?”
“No need.” Duanmu Che shook his head, “She is the one eager to see me, not the other way around. If she gives up just because she was not allowed in last time, it’s not worth my effort.”
As the old man tried to persuade him further, Duanmu Che pushed his wheelchair into the inner room.
The first afternoon of the ranking competition.
Duanmu Che, who had left early in the morning claiming tiredness, returned to the scene.
Duanmu Chen guessed that Duanmu Che’s unusual behavior might have something to do with Su Liang.
However, as the match was about to start, Xing Yusheng and his group appeared, but Su Liang and Ning Jing were nowhere to be found.
Duanmu Chen noticed that Duanmu Che’s eyes had fallen on Xing Yusheng’s location, which confirmed his suspicion.
Nian Ruxue appeared just before the competition began, dressed as a man and wearing a mask.
In the first match of the afternoon, Nian Ruxue won.
It was the first time Duanmu Chen had seen Nian Ruxue’s skills, and he was quite surprised.
Duanmu Qianqian cheered for Nian Ruxue, sighing in admiration, “Xuexue has hidden her abilities really well. Previously, everyone said she only knew some fancy but useless moves, but it turns out she was just being modest.”
Seeing Nian Ruxue stepping down from the Combat Stage, Duanmu Ao stood up, “I’m going to see Miss Nian and check on her grandmother.”
Duanmu Chen smiled, “Take care, Second Brother.”
He watched as Duanmu Ao approached Nian Ruxue, who noticeably tried to put some distance between them.
Duanmu Chen’s smile deepened. Now that Duanmu Ao had a legitimate claim to Nian Ruxue, would that lustful man be able to restrain himself? Even if there were some issues, it was clear that his lust hadn’t diminished.
“I didn’t do anything to you, what are you afraid of?” Duanmu Ao snorted.
Nian Ruxue lowered her eyes, “The Second Prince suddenly called for me, I was just frightened for a moment.”
“Let’s go. I’ll take you back.” Duanmu Ao’s gaze fell on Nian Ruxue’s white nape, and he swallowed.
“No need. Your Highness, please go back and watch the competition, I need to go home and take care of my grandmother.” Nian Ruxue refused.
Duanmu Ao’s expression darkened, “Are you ordering me?”
“Not at all.” Nian Ruxue shook her head, “I’m just worried that people might gossip. ”
“We’ll be married in just two months, what’s there to be afraid of?” Duanmu Ao scoffed.
Upon reaching the edge of the square, Duanmu Ao boarded Nian Ruxue’s carriage and ordered it to set off.
“Why are you still wearing a mask? Take it off.” Duanmu Ao reached out to remove Nian Ruxue’s mask.
Nian Ruxue instinctively dodged, and Duanmu Ao smirked wickedly, “Are you afraid I’ll eat you? Even if I did, it would be justified now.”
With that, he lunged at Nian Ruxue.
The carriage shook violently, followed by a muffled groan, and then Duanmu Ao’s furious roar and a crisp slap, “Shameless wretch! You don’t appreciate any kindness! Am I not good enough for you?”
“Miss…” The maid’s face was full of fear.
“Get out!” As soon as Duanmu Ao’s words fell, the sound of clothes being torn echoed, and the next moment, a person was thrown out of the carriage and heavily hit the ground!
The carriage had just reached a busy area, and although many people had gone to watch the martial arts competition, there were still quite a few people around who had noticed the Nian Family’s carriage.
Many people witnessed a disheveled Second Prince, Duanmu Ao, falling from the carriage before passing out.
Duanmu Ao’s attendant was riding behind the carriage and rushed over with a changed expression, checking Duanmu Ao’s condition, and then loudly inquiring, ‘Miss Nian, what did you do to my Master?”
At this point, the onlookers knew that Nian Ruxue was inside the carriage.
But Nian Ruxue didn’t show her face, and only her voice came from inside the carriage, “The Second Prince accidentally fell out, perhaps due to a recurring injury. You should quickly take him to see a doctor.”
The attendant’s face stiffened, and he didn’t argue any further and quickly left with Duanmu Ao.
The Nian Family’s carriage continued on its way.
News of the Second Prince and Miss Nian’s unknown activities inside the carriage, and the disheveled Second Prince being thrown out, spread quickly.
When Nian Ruxue returned home, she hurriedly entered her room and closed the door, saying she wasn’t feeling well and didn’t want to see anyone.
As the wardrobe door opened, another Nian Ruxue walked out.
These past two days, Nian Ruting, who had been disguising as Nian Ruxue, had her clothes torn by Duanmu Ao and looked upset, “Fourth Sister, I hit the Second Prince, and I’ve caused trouble for you.”
Nian Ruxue stared at Nian Ruting in disbelief, “What happened?”
Nian Ruting looked annoyed, “That lecher, he insisted on taking me home. I couldn’t refuse him in public and let him get on the carriage. I thought he wouldn’t dare do anything in broad daylight, and even if he took off my mask, he wouldn’t find out, but who knew he would start touching me in the carriage…”
“Why didn’t you just endure it?” Nian Ruxue blurted out, but when she saw Nian Ruting frown, she realized she had said the wrong thing and quickly explained, “I mean, you should have tried to deal with him and endure your impulsiveness for the time being. Of course, the priority is to protect yourself, but you can’t beat him up in public. Now we’re in a huge mess!”
Nian Ruting looked uneasy, “What should we do? Will the Emperor punish you,
Fourth Sister?”
Nian Ruxue’s expression was solemn, ‘When I was given the marriage decree, the Emperor probably thought I had beaten Duanmu Ao. You hit him again today, it will still be blamed on me!”
“I had no other choice…” Nian Ruting’s eyes reddened, “Fourth Sister, I’m sorry, I really didn’t want to cause trouble for you.”
Nian Ruxue closed her eyes and pulled Nian Ruting to sit down beside her on the bed, “How could I blame you? I’m just scared, and I don’t know what to
do…” …
Wan Family Restaurant.
Su Liang and Zhengzheng were still asleep, and Ning Jing let the others go ahead to watch the fight. He didn’t leave because his clothes were still covering Su Liang.
Not long ago, Duanmu Ao was thrown outside the Wan Family Restaurant.
Although Ning Jing did not look outside, he heard the noise from downstairs.
Zhengzheng woke up first and stared at Ning Jing with sleepy eyes, stretching out his hand, “Uncle Ning…”
Ning Jing got up and walked over, picked up Zhengzheng, and patted him.
Su Liang also woke up, sat up, and Ning Jing’s clothes fell off her.
“What time is it?” Su Liang got up and handed the clothes to Ning Jing.
Ning Jing tried to give Zhengzheng to Su Liang, but Zhengzheng held onto his neck, insisting, “Uncle hug!”
“I need to put on my clothes.” Ning Jing said.
Zhengzheng grinned and said, “Auntie can help Uncle dress! Daddy always helps Mommy with her clothes!”
This comparison was quite imaginative.
“Stretch out your hand.” She gestured for Ning Jing to extend his left hand and helped him put on one sleeve.
Ning Jing switched Zhengzheng to his left hand and put on the right sleeve.
Su Liang fastened his belt for him and commented, “Great God, your waist is so thin.”
She had helped her comrades with their clothes in her previous life, so it wasn’t a big deal. It was just to make Zhengzheng happy.
Seemingly dissatisfied with Su Liang’s comment, Ning Jing retorted, “Your waist is the thin one.”
If outsiders heard this, it would naturally sound somewhat ambiguous. After saying that, Ning Jing also realized it wasn’t quite appropriate and furrowed his brows slightly.
However, Su Liang seriously measured her waist with her hand and nodded, “Indeed, I am too thin. I need to eat more. ”
‘What does Auntie want to eat?” Zhengzheng asked with a serious little face. Su Liang smiled and said, “I want to eat meat.”
Zhengzheng grabbed Ning Jing’s hand and handed it to Su Liang, “Meat, Auntie, eat it!”
Su Liang made a disgusted face, “It’s all bones, not tasty.”
Zhengzheng patted Ning Jing’s head with his small hand, “Uncle Ning, you need to eat more too, Auntie likes them chubby!”
Ning Jing:…
The three of them went to the west of the city. On the way, Ning Jing mentioned how Nian Ruxue had thrown Duanmu Ao out of the carriage in public.
Su Liang was quite surprised, “Strange. That time in the back mountain, it was just her and Duanmu Ao, she didn’t dare to do anything to him. Why is she so brave today?”
Ning Jing didn’t say anything.
Su Liang seemed to think of something, “Perhaps, it was because I showed up before it was time for them to take action last time. But I would have thought, with Nian Ruxue’s character, she should have been clear about what would happen if Duanmu Ao got on her carriage and thus prevented it.” Ning Jing’s expression was indifferent, “Maybe, it’s a substitute.”
Su Liang was stunned, “What?”
“Substitute.” Ning Jing repeated again.
Su Liang was amazed, “But she took off her mask during the first day of the competition…” and then it hit her, “Her first three opponents in the preliminaries were all very weak. If she switched people later on, it would be possible for her to deliberately take off her mask on the first day to dispel other’s suspicions.”
“Nian Jincheng said that she only knows superficial martial arts.” Ning Jing said.
Su Liang frowned, “It’s not impossible that she secretly learned from a teacher and her true strength was even hidden from Nian Jincheng. But when I look at all of her recent actions together, they still seem weird. She should be someone who likes attention, but in the past two days, she has always arrived just before the start and left quickly after the match, only greeting Yu Jin from a distance.” “What do you want to do?” Ning Jing asked.
Su Liang thought for a moment and said, “Even if she’s a substitute and not
Nian Ruxue, every citizen of Qian Country has the right to participate in the Military Exam. For now, we won’t do anything. If Duanmu Ao being beaten also goes unnoticed, even if I don’t meet her in the ranking matches, we’ll inevitably have to face off in the final. At that time, I’ll try to find a way to publicly verify her identity.”
“Why wait?” Ning Jing asked.
Zhengzheng imitated him, “Why?”
Su Liang smiled and pinched Zhengzheng’s chubby little face, “There’s a saying, ‘Higher you stand, harder you fall..”‘
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