Chapter 158: 158. One condition (Second Update)
Translator: 549690339
Originally a banquet for the Xunyang envoys to clear away the dust, Su Liang ended up being the focus.
And it was all because of the Xunyang envoy, Man Ya.
Someone had already been sent by imperial edict to invite Ning Jing to the palace, and as the dishes and wine were served, the sound of music and the clinking of cups filled the air, all seeming harmonious and warm.
It was all just a facade.
Duanmu Cheng, after failing to propose marriage, had his face return to normal, but the occasional glance he gave Su Liang was somewhat gloomy.
Duanmu Chen was seriously tasting the exquisite dishes, always wearing a faint smile, as if unaffected by the failed proposal.
Ever since Su Liang said she and Ning Jing were engaged, Duanmu Che’s expression turned cold and never warmed up again.
Lian Shun, sitting next to him, drank in silence.
The two of them were sitting very close, but there seemed to be a sudden rift between the once-affectionate cousins.
Man Ya had already walked out of the shadow of today’s contest defeat, her hearty laughter constantly resounding, and she was able to laugh with great sincerity when discussing the climate of Yin Country with Duanmu Yi.
Many people, instead of focusing on the beautiful zitherist, kept glancing at Su Liang intermittently.
But Su Liang was very calm, not just on the surface.
If she had any uneasiness at this moment, it was for Ning Jing’s friend Nian Jincheng, not herself.
Xing Yusheng murmured to Su Liang, “When Ning Jing comes, you might be asked to leave the room.’
“I know,” Su Liang nodded, “It’s okay.”
After living with Ning Jing for so long, they naturally developed some mutual understanding. She believed in Ning Jing.
Even if the truth were indeed exposed and she were accused of deceiving the emperor, it was impossible for her to marry any prince because she had not come to the capital for a career, but to avenge the Su Family.
Participating in the Military Exam was just a means, not an end.
Thus, she could bear the consequences. The worst-case scenario would be to abandon her identity, her hard-earned rank, and go into hiding to investigate. It might even be better.
Xing Yusheng sighed softly. He was well aware of the power of the imperial authority.
Among the princes who had expressed interest in Su Liang today, Duanmu
Cheng had taken a fancy to Su Liang’s Martial Arts Champion title. Duanmu Chen seemed to be joining the fun. Duanmu Ao had a clear grudge against Su Liang. Only Duanmu Che appeared to have sincere intentions.
It just so happened that Duanmu Che was Duanmu Yi’s most beloved son…
Ning Jing arrived sooner than expected.
An old eunuch appeared ghostlike behind Su Liang at Duanmu Yi’s side, inviting her to sit in the Side Palace.
“Alright, please lead the way, eunuch.” Su Liang rose and followed him.
Everyone’s eyes turned to the palace entrance.
A young eunuch led Ning Jing in, reported to Duanmu Yi, and said that Ning Jing was waiting outside the palace to take Su Liang home.
Ning Jing wore a plain, long robe, his face as beautiful as jade, his eyes clear and sinuous as Catherine Wheel, his posture straight, as if some immortal had descended into the mundane world.
After paying his respects, Duanmu Yi asked, “We heard that you and the current Martial Arts Champion Su Liang are sworn siblings?”
“Yes,” Ning Jing nodded slightly.
Duanmu Yi smiled, “Just siblings then?”
Ning Jing hesitated for a moment, and some hearts in the room were lifted.
He said, “In fact, we are engaged, but have not yet married, so we called ourselves siblings.”
Xing Yusheng let out a huge sigh of relief.
Duanmu Che’s eyes darkened, gripping the teacup in his hand tightly.
Lian Shun hung his head with a self-mocking smile.
Man Ya’s eyes sparkled, a smirk appearing on her face. Her goal had been achieved.
“Is there a token to prove it?” Duanmu Yi asked.
Ning Jing nodded gently, “Yes.”
As he spoke, he raised his left hand, pulled his sleeve down slightly, and revealed a fragrant wood hand string on his wrist. It was not too delicate, with small beads of various shapes: little stars, crescent moons, spheres, and cubes…
“This is the token Su Liang gave me, which she made by hand. She also wears the hand string I gave her, which I made by hand. Both hand strings are made from the same piece of fragrant wood, ” Ning Jing replied respectfully.
Xing Yusheng: …and they insist they’re not a couple?
The old eunuch stood at the entrance of the Side Palace, nodding to Duanmu Yi, indicating that he had confirmed that Su Liang had a fragrant wood hand string of the same material on her hand.
In fact, Ning Jing and Su Liang had more than just this matching item — they also had the wooden hairpins Nian Jincheng had given them.
But neither of them was wearing them.
Luckily, they hadn’t worn them. It would have been even more troublesome today if they had, as Man Ya would have recognized the wooden hairpins Nian Jincheng had bought at a glance.
And Nian Jincheng could not have friends unknown to others, or else that friend would definitely be suspected of being Gu Ling.
“When are you planning to get married?” Duanmu Yi’s smile faded.
Ning Jing replied, “She only had her hairpin ceremony at the end of last year, and we were both coming to the capital to take exams. We couldn’t attend to it right away, so we planned to choose an auspicious day in the second half of the year after the Imperial examination, and return to Xunyang City to get married.”
Duanmu Yi laughed, “A talented man and a beautiful woman, one excelling in literature and the other in martial arts — a perfect match.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Ning Jing said respectfully.
Duanmu Che’s heart sank, but Lian Shun raised his head and watched Su Liang returning from the Side Palace, exchanging glances with Ning Jing.
Lian Shun let out a long sigh, and a bit of resentment in his heart dissipated. However, there was still deep disappointment, not towards Su Liang but towards Duanmu Che beside him.
As the family member of the Martial Arts Champion, Duanmu Yi arranged seats for Ning Jing and himself next to Su Liang.
From the medicine box, Su Liang took out a golden-yellow tribute tangerine, peeled it, and handed it to Ning Jing.
Ning Jing naturally took it and put it in her mouth.
Xing Yusheng felt like his eyes were going blind. Did they really have to show off their love like this? Was it because his wife wasn’t here?
From beginning to end, Ning Jing and Su Liang didn’t say a word, but anyone could see the affection and understanding between them, and their implicit feelings and tacit understanding made the two seem like they were in their
own world.
The marriage drama came to an end like this.
Many people originally thought that Duanmu Yi would take advantage of the situation to grant marriage to Ning Jing and Su Liang, but he did not. After Ning Jing’s arrival, Man Ya stopped provoking them.
By the end of the palace banquet, it was already very late.
Xing Ji and his son Xing Yusheng walked side by side in front, with Xing Yusheng occasionally glancing back at the two people behind them.
With a tangerine in her hand, Su Liang occasionally sniffed it, saying she liked the smell.
Ning Jing carried the medicine box and walked beside Su Liang. The two were not close, but their clothes occasionally brushed against each other.
“I thought you left.” Su Liang said.
Ning Jing nodded, “I went to the restaurant for dinner.” Then she came back to wait for Su Liang.
Su Liang didn’t think much about it because Ning Jing had been protecting her all along, and they had discussed this matter earlier.
Ning Jing said that as long as Su Liang was with her, she would be responsible for Su Liang’s safety.
Because their initial transaction was for Su Liang to work for Ning Jing.
Pushing Duanmu Che’s wheelchair from behind, Lian Shun could see the silhouettes of Su Liang and Ning Jing in the distance.
“Cousin, I will return home tonight.” Lian Shun’s once warm attitude had turned cold.
Duanmu Che naturally knew why, and he frowned, “Do you believe me when I say I was only trying to help Su Liang avoid getting married to the crown prince and becoming an Imperial Concubine?”
Lian Shun shook his head, “I don’t believe it. Compared to you, Duanmu Chen seems more like he wants to help Su Liang.”
“Just because you said you were going to pursue her, does it mean I can’t have any thoughts about her?” Duanmu Che asked coldly.
Lian Shun sighed softly, “Of course, you can have thoughts about her. But I
suddenly realized that you’re a man without principles. Because you had prejudice against her, everything she did was wrong. Now that you’re moved by her, she’s suddenly perfect and there’s no reason to doubt her? My cousin, I used to think you were overly cautious because you were born in the Royal Family, but in reality, you’re conceited.”
Duanmu Che’s face darkened, “I’m not. Didn’t you want me to abandon my prejudice against her? Why are you unsatisfied when I change?”
Lian Shun shook his head, “We’re not talking about the same thing. Why did you change? Is it because you believe she can’t possibly be a spy, or because you were dazzled by her enchanting figure on the Combat Stage and fell for her?”
“Does it matter why, as long as the result is the same?” Duanmu Che countered.
“You’re really good at being lenient to yourself and strict with others.” Lian Shun scoffed, “Where did that determination to stubbornly adhere to your view without evidence go? Considering Su Liang’s true strength, shouldn’t you be even more suspicious of her being a secretly trained spy? Is it not important whether or not she’s a spy now, but what matters is getting her? If so, whether she was a spy or not initially wasn’t important, what mattered more was your dislike for her and not wanting to see her, right?”
“You!” Duanmu Che’s expression was furious, “Are you going to turn against me over a woman?”
The conversation reached the gates of the Imperial Palace.
Huang Bo and the carriage were waiting in the distance. Lian Shun pushed Duanmu Che over, looking listless. “When my grandfather passed away, he left me with a dying wish to take care of you. Every year, I spend at least three months in the capital city to accompany you, and another three months searching for famous doctors for you. You drove Su Liang away, and I brought her back, begging her to treat you.
“Cousin, today’s incident happened suddenly, and I acted impulsively at the time. I hope you can understand.” Duanmu Che frowned.
Not answering, Lian Shun lifted Duanmu Che from the wheelchair into the carriage but didn’t get on. “I actually know you have your own means of self-preservation and aren’t as frail as you seem. I once thought you needed a relative, but tonight I saw that your father loves you. Lin’s Family has fallen, and I have no great ambitions, so I can’t help you much. I should go home and be with my parents. Take care.”
Huang Bo was stunned, but by the time he reacted, Lian Shun had already walked far away.
“Master, should I…” Huang Bo wanted to chase after him, but saw Duanmu Che’s gloomy face.
“Everyone has their own aspirations, don’t force it.” Duanmu Che spoke coldly, “Let’s go.”
As they passed a carriage, Su Liang was seen standing nearby. Huang Bo took the initiative to greet her, “Miss Sul”
Upon hearing Huang Bo’s voice, Su Liang didn’t respond.
Puzzled, Huang Bo asked Duanmu Che what happened.
“Nothing, I was deceived by that woman.” Duanmu Che scoffed coldly.
As the carriage left the vicinity of the Imperial Palace and arrived in a secluded area, Su Liang sat in the spot closest to the door and spoke quietly to Ning Jing.
Of course, they were talking about Nian Jincheng.
As for their engagement and tokens of commitment, neither of them mentioned it again.
Ning Jing’s expression remained unchanged. “Have Yan Shiba save him.”
Su Liang paused for a moment, “Right, how could I forget about her? She came a few days ago and disappeared again. She should still be in the capital city. I’ll go to Huguo Temple tomorrow to see if she’s bothering Cheng Yun.”
Entering the Su family compound, Su Liang jumped off the carriage, and Ning Jing said, “If we really have to get married in the future, and I have to help you solve the problem again, you have to agree to one condition.”
Su Liang sighed slightly, “Alright. Whatever the Great God’s condition is, feel free to mention it. I’ll consider it. If it’s really not possible, I’ll run away.”
Ning Jing shook her head and tethered the horse, “I haven’t thought it through yet. Just owe it to me for now, and I’ll come to collect..”
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