Chapter 142: 142. Sorry, I can’t (Second Update)
Translator: 549690339
The window was open, and the night breeze was chilly.
Nian Jincheng’s face was terrifyingly gloomy.
Lin Bojun finally thought of a way to comfort him, “I heard from Qi Jun that your younger sister participated in this year’s Martial Arts Exam and made a great impression. If she can make it into the top three, coupled with your previous achievements, there might be a possibility to ask the Emperor to reconsider the marriage.”
Nian Jincheng looked at Lin Bojun in disbelief, “What did you say?”
Lin Bojun hadn’t expected such a reaction from him. He hesitated for a moment, thinking that Nian Jincheng might not have heard him clearly. He repeated his words and emphasized their joint achievement in killing the Nanping Prince.
“She, in the Martial Arts Exam, made a great impression?” Nian Jincheng frowned.
“Yes!” Lin Bojun nodded, “Qi Jun said that before he left the capital city, the elimination matches had already ended, and your younger sister was unbeaten.
You had previously said that she only knew some fancy but impractical moves. That was quite an understatement.”
Nian Jincheng’s expression became enigmatic, “She really only knew some fancy moves.”
“Maybe she practiced diligently and deliberately hid it from you to give you a surprise,” Lin Bojun said.
“Hiding it from me…” Nian Jincheng said coldly, “There is no need for her to hide anything from me!”
Lin Bojun finally realized, belatedly, that Nian Jincheng’s anger wasn’t directed at the royal family for arranging the marriage…
“Are you alright?” Lin Bojun asked.
Nian Jincheng asked in return, ‘Where is Qi Jun? I want to see him.”
Lin Bojun hesitated for a moment, and then nodded, “Alright!”
When Qi Jun saw Nian Jincheng, he remembered something.
That day at Huguo Temple, Nian Ruxue had framed Su Liang, but ended up biting the bullet and getting an arranged marriage for herself.
Xing Yusheng knew that Qin Yujin had originally had feelings for Nian Jincheng, but his favorite cousin’s husband was Lin Bojun.
Because Nian Ruxue had a bad reputation, Nian Jincheng had always been protective of her, which made Qin Yujin’s impression of Nian Jincheng greatly diminished, and so had Xing Yusheng’s.
No matter how you looked at it, Nian Jincheng was an outsider.
Qi Jun decided that whatever Nian Jincheng asked, he would be cautious in his answers.
“Please sit down.” Nian Jincheng had already calmed down.
“I prefer to stand.” Qi Jun smiled.
“Suit yourself.” Nian Jincheng didn’t force him, “I heard that before you left the capital city, the Martial Arts Exam elimination matches had already ended. Did you go and watch them?”
Qi Jun nodded, “I watched them all.”
“How did my younger sister perform?” Nian Jincheng asked.
Qi Jun thought that Nian Jincheng indeed cared about Nian Ruxue, and became more polite in his response, telling Nian Jincheng in details about Nian Ruxue’s performance in the four elimination matches.
At that time, he and his brother Qi Yan had watched all the matches without missing a single one. It was Xing Yusheng who had asked him to help Su Liang by keeping an eye on formidable opponents.
Upon hearing that Nian Ruxue had disguised herself as a man and wore a mask, Nian Jincheng frowned.
“Miss Nian had good luck in the draw, and her opponents in the first three rounds were not very strong, but her opponent in the fourth round was quite powerful.” Qi Jun said, “However, Miss Nian won without much effort.”
Nian Jincheng’s eyes narrowed, and after a moment of silence, he changed the subject, “Did my younger sister’s marriage arrangement come about suddenly?
Did anything happen before that?”
This was a question that Qi Jun couldn’t answer.
It was not because he didn’t know, but because he knew too well. Some things couldn’t be said.
Xing Yusheng had sent him there precisely because he was always cautious and wouldn’t talk too much.
It was Su Liang who had hit the second prince, and although the second prince and Nian Ruxue knew about it, they both could only swallow the bitter pill.
If Nian Jincheng knew about it, he might not hesitate to push Su Liang to the forefront for the sake of his sister. After all, he was a favorite among the Emperor’s men and could speak up.
With this thought in mind, Qi Jun’s expression remained unchanged, “I only heard that the day before the marriage arrangement, the second prince was injured by someone at Huguo Temple. I don’t know anything else.”
After a long silence, Nian Jincheng spoke again, “Were there any other women participating in the Martial Arts Exam?”
Qi Jun smiled, “There is also Miss Su Liang, a friend of my master. Nian
Jincheng should know her.”
At that time, Xing Yusheng had asked Nian Jincheng to help deliver a Medical Book to Su Liang.
Nian Jincheng nodded, “I know her. She was with a young man named Ning.
Did they both go to the capital city?”
“Yes. Young Master Ning will be taking the examination soon.” Qi Jun said.
“I see, thank you.” Nian Jincheng said.
Qi Jun left, feeling that something was strange…
Once again left alone in the room, Nian Jincheng pulled the wooden hairpin from his head and smiled bitterly, “It’s not that Nian Ruxue left no clues; it’s just that I’ve always been deceiving myself and others, thinking that sincerity can be repaid with sincerity… You’re right, there’s something wrong with the people of the Nian Family, including me…”
On the following day, when they hit the road again, Lin Bojun brought up the matter again and insisted that they share the credit for killing the Nanping
Prince. He was thinking that if Nian Jincheng wanted to do something for Nian
Ruxue, perhaps it could be helpful.
What Lin Bojun hadn’t expected was that Nian Jincheng, who had previously been honest in reporting, suddenly said, “It’s all your credit; it has nothing to do with me!”
Lin Bojun was perplexed, but Nian Jincheng refused to discuss the matter further.
In the capital city of Qian Country.
After the rain stopped, the ranking matches continued.
Princes and princesses still came every day, and there were more and more nobles in the stands.
On the seventh day of the ranking matches, Old Master Qin appeared in a wheelchair, and Madam Xing also came with the company of Xing Ji.
They had all come to watch Su Liang.
Duanmu Ao had treated Nian Ruxue as his own possession. He was genuinely concerned about her and could hardly hide his hostility towards Su Liang. That day, seeing Su Liang enter the stage, he sneered loudly, “Miss Su, who was once a weak and powerless girl two years ago, left the capital for a year and suddenly became so powerful. I wonder what kind of expert she met. People with such skills don’t always take pupils so easily. After all, she is quite beautiful, so I can understand that!”
His words were just short of directly accusing Su Liang of obtaining her martial arts skills through unspeakable means.
Although there was no evidence, rumors often began like this.
Madam Xing was sitting not far away, and hearing this, she immediately frowned and couldn’t help but speak up, “Your Highness the Second Prince seems to be unaware. After leaving the capital, Miss Su returned to her hometown, where Madam Xing happened to be recuperating with Yu Sheng in the villa of Bei’an County. Miss Su is skilled in medical arts and has saved many people. A high monk with wide travels happened to pass by Bei’an County and saw that Miss Su had a kind and compassionate heart with the potential to become a Buddhist disciple. The monk accepted her as a disciple and taught her martial arts.”
Xing Ji: … This is the first time he’s heard of it.
Xing Yusheng: … So is he.
Qin Yujin exclaimed in amazement, “No wonder! That must be a truly accomplished master, who wouldn’t accept disciples lightly!”
Duanmu Ao’s face darkened, but he couldn’t refute. His words were baseless conjecture, while Madam Xing’s were based on her “personal experience.” Naturally, most people would believe the latter.
Moreover, the claim that “Su Liang is skilled in medicine” was supported by Old Master Qin as a living witness.
Even Duanmu Chen, who had known Su Liang early on, began to wonder if there was a truly accomplished monk who was Su Liang’s master…
Soon, this explanation spread and couldn’t be questioned. After all, it was said to be a high monk who travels, so he must have gone to travel all over the world again.
When Su Liang returned home after the competition, she learned that Madam Xing had “arranged” a master for her.
“Old ginger is indeed hotter.” Su Liang laughed lightly, “It’s all for the best. I should send a gift to Madam Xing as a thank-you.” She hadn’t thought of using this explanation for where her martial arts skills came from.
In fact, they were taught by Ning Jing, but her rapid progress was due to her past life’s foundation.
Ning Jing didn’t attend the contest any more but learned from Huang Bo that Su Liang had won another match, as well as the matter of “high monk teaching martial arts”.
“Xing Ji and the crown prince really lived in Bei’an County for a long time,”
Huang Bo said. “Xing Ji must really like Miss Su, or he wouldn’t defend her in public. Old Master Qin is well enough to go out, and he looks good. Let me go invite Miss Su now!”
Several praises of Su Liang were voiced by Huang Bo, but Ning Jing seemed to have developed a defiant attitude. “If she has something to say to me, she’ll come again.”
Huang Bo stomped anxiously, “Master, your life is in danger, stop clinging onto your pride!”
Ning Jing’s face darkened, but before he could speak, a report came from outside, “Master, the fourth prince is here.”
“I’m unwell and won’t see any guests!” Ning Jing replied coldly.
Huang Bo, who was interrupted by Duanmu Chen last time, didn’t have a chance to invite Su Liang and he wanted to go chase the visitors out at these words.
As he opened the door, he saw a purple-clad young girl standing behind
Duanmu Chen, beautiful and cold. Wasn’t she the one he wanted to find?
“Fifth brother, today I heard that Old Master Qin had a stroke, but he was cured by Miss Su. So, I went to her house to invite her to treat you.” Duanmu Chen said with a warm smile. “You may not want to see me, but you can’t refuse to see the doctor, right?”
Ning Jing sat in the shadows, and had already seen the purple figure, his expression slightly stunned.
“Fifth brother, since you’re not speaking, we’ll take that as permission to come in, ” Duanmu Chen said, smiling even more.
Huang Bo beamed, his attitude completely different from before, “Please come in, Doctor Sul”
Su Liang, carrying her medicine box, followed Duanmu Chen in and immediately smelled a strong medicinal odor.
Ning Jing sat by the window, his face pale and without a trace of blood, staring fixedly at Su Liang, as if lost in thought.
“Greetings, your highness, the fifth prince,” Su Liang said, bowing.
She had been cooking at home when Duanmu Chen came to invite her with great fanfare, and there was no way she could refuse his request.
Su Liang knew that Duanmu Chen’s main purpose was not only to provide her with an opportunity to approach Ning Jing, but also to please Duanmu Yi by showing concern for Ning Jing.
It was said that Ning Jing was Duanmu Yi’s most beloved child, unmatched by any other.
“No need for formalities,” Ning Jing said, pushing himself away from the shadow in his wheelchair. The light made his face even paler.
Duanmu Chen took a seat and asked Su Liang to check Ning Jing’s pulse. His third goal was to find out if Ning Jing was really ill or pretending.
Huang Bo stood by, waiting anxiously.
After contemplating for a moment, Su Liang said, “Your highness’ body is weak, and your internal organs are damaged. You need to be very careful with medication.”
Ning Jing, who was originally weak, had overdosed on medicine and aggravated his condition.
“Does Miss Su have any good prescriptions?” Huang Bo asked impatiently.
“I’ll try,” Su Liang replied, “Acupuncture coupled with herbal decoctions, we’ll need to nourish you slowly. If you can stand up later, you should exercise more.”
Huang Bo nodded repeatedly, “From now on, we’ll be relying on Doctor Sul”
Seeing the unusual relationship between Ning Jing and Huang Bo, and how Huang Bo kept interrupting Ning Jing, Su Liang knew that their master-servant relationship was out of the ordinary.
“When entrusted by others, I’ll do my best,” Su Liang said.
Ning Jing’s expression was indifferent, “If I don’t ask for your help, would you not save someone? May I ask Doctor Su, what do you think is the duty of a doctor?”
Su Liang shook her head, “There’s no need to ask, but at least an invitation is necessary. A doctor’s duty lies in compassion and skill. However, if a patient doesn’t want treatment, their wishes should be respected.”
“If someone’s critically ill, speechless, and falls in front of you, unable to ‘ask’ for your help, do you just watch them die?” Ning Jing snorted.
Su Liang’s face remained calm, “Of course I’d save them.”
“Then how do you know if they want your help? Where’s the so-called respect?” Ning Jing asked.
Su Liang replied, “When the patient can speak, we’ll know. If they don’t want it, we can just restore them to their original state, throw them back where they came from, and let nature take its course. ”
Duanmu Chen clapped and chuckled lightly, “That’s true! Miss Su Liang is quite interesting. What do you think, fifth brother?”
“Thank you, fourth imperial brother, for inviting the doctor for me.” Duanmu Che’s deep eyes looked at Su Liang. She had completely changed from before. No longer naive, weak, and overly compassionate, she had become rational and calm.
“What’s the need for politeness between us?” Duanmu Chen laughed and stood up. “I will leave first. Miss Su Liang will give my fifth brother acupuncture and prescribe medicine. If there are any medicinal materials missing, just let me know. ”
“Farewell, fourth imperial brother.” Duanmu Che nodded slightly.
Huang Bo happily sent away Duanmu Chen, came back, closed the door, and let out a sigh of relief.
Su Liang finished writing the prescription, put down the pen, and saw Duanmu Che extend his hand.
She handed him the prescription, and Duanmu Che’s eyes narrowed slightly. “1 heard you lost your memory. I didn’t expect even your handwriting to be completely different from before.”
Su Liang was very calm, “I felt this was more appealing, so I specifically learned this font.”
“What font?” Duanmu Che asked.
“Ning Jing’s writing.” Su Liang said.
Duanmu Che put down the prescription, looked at Su Liang, and asked, “So now you don’t think highly of Xiao Muyun, but you are interested in Ning Jing? I originally thought you were different from before and could live without a man.”
Su Liang knew from his words that Ning Jing had guessed correctly. Duanmu Che held deep prejudice against the original master and was inextricably linked to Xiao Muyun.
“There are men and women in this world. There are also some men around the fifth prince. Can I also say that you cannot do without men?” Su Liang said.
“Are you denying your relationship with Ning Jing?” Duanmu Che asked.
Su Liang shook her head, “This matter has nothing to do with the fifth prince, and I don’t need to explain it to you.”
“Is this your attitude when asking for help?” A nameless anger rose in Duanmu Che’s heart.
Su Liang shook her head again, “I don’t want to beat around the bush. If the fourth imperial brother hadn’t come to invite me today, I would still seek an audience with the fifth imperial brother after the Military Exam. But since I am here, if the fifth imperial brother needs me to treat you, I would like to know the full story. Please consider it as my consultation fee.”
“I saved your life back then, how will you repay me?” Duanmu Che said coldly.
Su Liang sighed lightly, “How could I know if the fifth prince didn’t say anything? In that case, I believe you. I will treat you without charging a single cent. As for the rest, if you don’t want to talk about it, I won’t force you.”
Duanmu Che stared intently at Su Liang, her back always straight and upright. Although she was polite in her words, she was not timid or humble at all, as if they were equals.
Duanmu Che blurted out, “Kneel and beg me! Then I’ll tell you!”
Su Liang frowned.
“What? You’ve become arrogant now? You think you’re very capable and can even dare to hit Duanmu Ao, without putting the royal family in your eyes?” Duanmu Che said coldly.
Su Liang knelt before Duanmu Che, “Thank you, fifth imperial prince, for saving my life. Please tell me about the situation with the Su family.”
This was her kneeling on behalf of the original master.
Duanmu Che silently looked at Su Liang without telling her to get up. Su Liang remained kneeling there.
After an unknown amount of time, Huang Bo brought someone along and didn’t hear any movement inside. He knocked on the door, “Master, Ning Jing, the young master of Ning, is looking for Dr. Su.”
There was still no sound, Huang Bo sensed something was wrong, his expression changed, and he forcefully broke open the door. However, he was stunned, “This…”
Ning Jing had already bypassed Huang Bo and entered, pulling Su Liang up from the ground.
“Who allowed you to come in?” Duanmu Che’s face turned cold.
Ning Jing’s expression was indifferent, “I will leave.” With that, he intended to take Su Liang away.
“Su Liang, have I allowed you to get up?” Duanmu Che snorted coldly.
Su Liang’s expression remained calm, “Fifth imperial prince, if you have any dissatisfaction with me, you can directly tell me. I have knelt for you already. If you are still not satisfied, then consider it as my one-time act of gratitude for saving my life, and we’ll no longer have any dealings. If you want to see me begging you miserably, I’m sorry, but I won’t.”
As soon as the words fell, Su Liang picked up her medicine box, and Ning Jing naturally took it from her, the two of them leaving together..
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