Chapter 177: 177. Counteract the plot with a plot
Translator: 549690339
Duanmu Ao was nearly choked unconscious several times, but until dawn, he refused to change his statement. He insisted that everything was orchestrated by Duanmu Cheng, and he was simply aware, but he was not the one who harmed the Su family.
Su Liang made Duanmu Ao swallow a numbing agent, gagged him and locked him in a room, “I will come back. Take your time.”
Duanmu Ao’s face was blue and collapsed on the ground, his gaze towards Su Liang seemed to want to tear her apart violently.
Today was the day when Su Liang and Ning Jing formally took office.
Ning Jing reported to the Ministry of Revenue early in the morning.
Su Liang went to the Lin Family, followed Lin Bojun to the Ministry of War, and then went to the military camp outside the city.
Yang Yu left Su Mansion in the middle of the day to take care of business.
Approaching noon, Yang Yu was in his shop in the capital looking at account books, he heard guests in the shop talking about the second prince, Duanmu Ao.
Hearing what they were discussing, Yang Yu frowned and sighed, a trace of worry passing in his eyes.
It was Su Liang’s first time seeing the armies in this world. Compared to those in her previous life, they were primitive, but there were many similarities, such as the intense daily training the soldiers underwent.
Lin Bojun led Su Liang to the watchtower. They watched the impressive spectacle of the soldiers training below.
“Xiaoliang, you are courageous and strategically minded, qualities that make a good General. The Emperor also values you highly. Your primary task is to familiarize yourself with the art of war. Since you never slack off in training, you don’t have to participate in these drills.” Lin Bojun said, smiling.
According to the rules, upon first entering the military camp, even deputy generals have to participate in ordinary daily training routines for three months, not only to adapt to the military camp, but also to temper their character, preventing arrogance or impatience.
Originally, Nian Jincheng and Lin Bojun went through the same process, as would Luo Rong, who is becoming a military official.
However, Lin Bojun had already sought Duanmu Yi’s permission for Su Liang to be exempted from boot camp.
It was not because of other reasons, but because Lin Bojun understood Su Liang and knew her daily training regimen was no less intense than that in the military camp. He felt that the basic training in the military camp might be a waste of time for Su Liang as she has a better training plan of her own.
However, Su Liang shook her head, “Let’s follow the rules. There should be no special treatment in the military camp, otherwise, we cannot win over the people.”
She was the only woman in the camp, making her a unique presence.
As for whether she will lead an army into battle in the future, Su Liang did not have much thought about it for now.
But no matter what, her attitude has always been: either don’t do it, or do it well.
Only in this way, when the time comes, will she have the strength to perform.
Lin Bojun paused, then laughed, “It seems I was overthinking. I thought you would not be interested in such simple training. If you are willing to participate, then it’s even better.”
“I saw Luo Rong, I’ll just go with him.” Su Liang said, “Second Brother Lin, do you have any military books I can borrow? I’ll take them back so I can read them at night.”
Lin Bojun nodded, “All right! Off you go!”
Su Liang was dressed in simple martial attire. After leaving the watchtower, she joined Luo Rong’s squad in their jog.
Luo Rong was surprised to see Su Liang beside him, “I thought General Su wouldn’t have to participate in boot camp.”
Su Liang smiled slightly, “Just the same, only I came later. Shall we see who’s faster?” With that. she sprpassed 1.110 Rong and ran ahead-
After one lap, all the men in the squad had fallen behind Su Liang.
One by one, they gathered their strength and began to chase after her.
The training mission was ten laps. When Su Liang joined, more than half had already completed two laps. In the end, Su Liang was the first to finish.
Lin Bojun had been watching from the watchtower and was not surprised by the result. Perhaps those men thought Su Liang had been practicing high -level martial arts, but in fact, she would go for a jog every morning. Both her speed and endurance were extraordinary.
Comparatively, Luo Rong was a strong martial artist, but honestly, he had never really jogged like this and was a little overwhelmed.
By noon, the phrase “The Martial Arts Champion, Su Liang, is a born soldier” had spread throughout the military camp.
Because she could quickly master each training, she performed so perfectly in all of them that others couldn’t help but acknowledge her.
At first, when some people saw that Su Liang did not join Luo Rong in boot camp, they grumbled that she depended on her status as a woman to receive special treatment, assuming she believed that merely having good martial arts would be enough on the battlefield.
But Su Liang’s performance once again left these men with a new respect for her.
Su Liang was training in the military camp, while Ning Jing was drinking tea in the Ministry of Revenue.
Just before noon, a shocking news spread across the capital city: Following the fifth prince, Duanmu Che, the second prince, Duanmu Ao, also exhibited signs of sudden madness!
Initially, everyone said that Duanmu Che had a mental breakdown due to his unrequited love for Su Liang.
However, it is well-known that Duanmu Ao and Su Liang were at odds. Not long ago, they had a public dispute at the foot of the Huguo Temple mountain, and it was reported that Su Liang had been assassinated that day!
Duanmu Ao would not go insane because of love like Duanmu Che did, yet he got exactly the same illness, which was very strange.
Therefore, a rumor started spreading: both Duanmu Che and Duanmu Ao had incurred the wrath of Su Liang and were poisoned by her! She used this method to avenge the two princes, while taking advantage of the opportunity to treat them to gain merit in front of the Emperor!
Having been the center of attention in the capital city for the past month, Su Liang’s reputation wavered. Even though what was proven were all positives, the negative rumors were like a flood that burst through its banks, once given an opening they surged and spread rapidly.
Not to mention, there were people inciting things behind the scenes.
Duanmu Che had been getting sick for several days in a row. He always acted crazy during the night and recovered during the day.
Duanmu Yi originally thought that Duanmu Che had psychological problems related to Su Liang, but it was not her fault.
But today Duanmu Ao also suddenly went “mad”. The Imperial Physician said that it was impossible to get close to him, no one could control him, and he could only be temporarily locked in his room. It was best to ask Su Liang for help.
Duanmu Yi couldn’t help but remember…after the first time Duanmu Che went mad, he claimed that Su Liang had poisoned him…
Duanmu Yi didn’t think that Su Liang could poison Duanmu Che at that time.
But now, Duanmu Yi couldn’t rule out the possibility that Su Liang would poison Duanmu Ao.
After all, even though Duanmu Yi didn’t care about the Su Family’s affairs, as Su Liang returned alive to the capital city, it would be normal for her to be motivated to investigate the truth and seek revenge.
Duanmu Yi sent someone to the military camp to invite Su Liang, and ordered
the Crown Prince Duanmu Cheng and the Fourth Prince Duanmu Chen to come to the palace.
Duanmu Cheng and Duanmu Chen were the first to arrive.
“Father Emperor, I just saw the second royal brother, he doesn’t recognize anyone now, and behaves like he is mad.” Duanmu Cheng looked upset, “the Imperial Physician said that it’s the same as when our fifth brother was ill.”
Duanmu Chen frowned, “When I entered the palace, I heard a rumor that Su Liang poisoned the second royal brother and the fifth royal brother out of revenge, and is using this opportunity to gain merit.”
Duanmu Yi looked grave, “Do you think Su Liang would poison them?”
Duanmu Cheng said sternly, “I believe that she is very suspicious. She and the second royal brother have always been on bad terms.”
However, Duanmu Chen shook his head, “I don’t think Su Liang would do such a thing. This kind of method works best only once. Using it twice would raise suspicion. She wouldn’t be so foolish.”
“Who do you think could have done this, Fourth Brother?” Duanmu Cheng asked coldly.
Duanmu Chen sighed, “If Su Liang is suspect, I believe it is more likely that someone is deliberately scheming against the heirs of Qian Country. They started by targeting the physically weakest Fifth Royal Brother, and knowing that Su Liang had a disagreement with the Second Royal Brother, they poisoned him as well, and cast the blame on Su Liang to eliminate the most outstanding talent of Qian Country.”
“Are you trying to make excuses for Su Liang, Fourth Brother?” Duanmu Cheng scoffed.
Duanmu Chen remained calm, “Crown Prince Brother, I have such assumptions because as soon as the Second Brother had his incident, the defamatory rumors about Su Liang spread throughout the city. But in principle, nobody would know about the Second Brother’s illness, let alone such a bizarre one. And yet, they were so quick to heap all the blame on Su Liang. I believe that the incident with the Second Brother indicates that someone really did poison him and the Fifth Brother, and the rumors were a plot by the poisoner to frame Su Liang.”
Duanmu Cheng’s face stiffened, ‘What you said makes some sense.”
Duanmu Chen turned to Duanmu Yi and respectfully said, “Father Emperor, the rumor that Su Liang poisoned the two princes to gain merit through treatment is utterly baseless. Her medical skills don’t need such an elaborate scheme to prove.”
Duanmu Yi’s face darkened, “But who is plotting in the shadows?”
Duanmu Chen pondered, “If I had to guess, the one that came from Yin Country is quite suspicious. It’s said that the Southern Barbarians have many bizarre poisons. And she harbors a great animosity towards our Martial Arts Champion, Su Liang.”
Duanmu Cheng furrowed his brows, “Man Ya? Didn’t she get sick because of the change in water and soil, and hasn’t gone out from the inn for a few days?”
“Don’t you find it strange, Crown Prince Brother? She was fine for the first two days after she arrived, but then suddenly fell ill,” Duanmu Chen said.
Duanmu Cheng’s eyes flickered but he didn’t respond further. Duanmu Yi’s face was frosty, “You may all leave now and be careful.”
Duanmu Chen rose, “I will go see the second royal brother.”
Duanmu Cheng was about to leave when Duanmu Yi stopped him, “Crown
Prince, stay.”
Without looking back, Duanmu Chen walked away and left the palace, directing his carriage straight to the Second Royal Brother’s mansion.
“Master, it wasn’t Miss Su who poisoned the second prince, was it?” Chang’an asked.
Duanmu Chen’s eyes were deep, but he didn’t answer.
He defended Su Liang with sound reasoning in front of Duanmu Yi, but in reality, he thought Su Liang was the culprit.
But at the same time, Duanmu Chen felt something was amiss; he had anticipated Su Liang would target Duanmu Ao, but he didn’t expect her to use the same method as she did with Duanmu Che.
What was odd was that if Su Liang had indeed done it, it would be unthinkable for her to spread rumors and falsely accuse herself, wouldn’t it?
It can be denied indeed, but it would be easily muddled and mismanaged. This muddy method didn’t seem like Su Liang’s style.
Duanmu Chen, full of doubts, arrived at the mansion of the second prince but he didn’t see Duanmu Ao. He only heard shouting and the sound of objects breaking from inside his room, and no one dared to enter.
Duanmu Chen decided to wait at the mansion of the second prince for Su Liang’s arrival.
While waiting, Duanmu Chen thought of Duanmu Cheng, who had been left in the imperial palace, and suddenly had a revelation!
Duanmu Cheng had attempted to shift all the blame onto Su Liang today. It was evident that his efforts were thwarted one by one by Duanmu Chen. But, if Duanmu Chen had not been there and Duanmu Yi had been slightly suspicious of Su Liang already, with Duanmu Cheng adding fuel to the fire, things would have gone awry.
It wasn’t strange that Duanmu Yi harbored suspicions, because Su Liang indeed was somewhat mysterious. And this kind of mystery wasn’t favored by those in power.
Duanmu Chen defended Su Liang as one of his own, so even if he suspected that she was the perpetrator, he would do his best to clear her name.
But at this moment, as Duanmu Chen listened to Duanmu Ao’s furious shouts, he suddenly had another potential theory: it couldn’t be that Duanmu Ao was staging a madness act and falsely accusing Su Liang, could it? Duanmu Cheng knew, and was possibly even a co-conspirator, and the rumors were spread by them!
Duanmu Chen now knew the truth that Duanmu Cheng’s affair with Xiao Mulian led to the annihilation of the Su family. Su Liang was also aware.
Of this, Duanmu Cheng and Duanmu Ao were the clearest. As Su Liang was growing in power, they would certainly be apprehensive, fearing Su Liang’s retaliation, so they wanted to eliminate Su Liang first.
This explanation made everything clear!
Man Ya came to negotiate and she was just a pawn of the royal family of Yin Country. Being a wise person, she wouldn’t stir up trouble inviting disaster.
Duanmu Chen, on the other hand, thought Su Liang’s typical strategy would be to directly chop off Duanmu Ao.
Unfortunately, Duanmu Cheng and Duanmu Ao’s plans were far from clever. Even if Duanmu Chen hadn’t defended Su Liang, she would surely be able to prove her innocence.
A cold smirk flashed across Duanmu Chen’s lips. Duanmu Cheng and Duanmu Ao panicked, but this unwieldy alliance between brothers whose bond was already unstable against Su Liang was bound to fail.
“Miss Su is coming!” Someone shouted.
Duanmu Chen steadied himself and stood up.
Watching Su Liang’s arrival from a distance, Mei, the second prince’s wife, said coldly, “She is the one who harmed the second prince! Get her out of here!”
Duanmu Chen sighed softly, “Second sister-in-law, I just came from the palace where I saw the emperor. The emperor instructed no one to hinder Doctor Su’s treatment of the second prince.”
With these words, it was evident that Duanmu Yi had faith in Su Liang.
The Imperial Physician, Gao, stepped forward and gave Su Liang a simple briefing on the situation.
Su Liang came over and paid her respects to Duanmu Chen. Duanmu Chen waved her off, “You don’t need to be so formal, rush to treat the second prince.”
Su Liang nodded, “Yes.”
As the crowd watched, she opened the door, slipped into the room, and closed the door behind her.
Clutching a handkerchief, Mei asked, “Could she… could she harm the prince?”
Duanmu Chen sat back down, “Second sister-in-law, don’t worry. We’re all here, and she wouldn’t dare do anything to harm the second prince.”
Yet, in his mind, Duanmu Chen thought Su Liang would definitely take this chance to torment Duanmu Ao, and he was looking forward to it.
However, even though Duanmu Chen had guessed the truth about Duanmu
Ao’s madness and that Duanmu Cheng and Duanmu Ao conspired to frame Su Liang, he could not possibly guess that the “Duanmu Ao” who was currently at the mansion was an imposter.
The real Duanmu Ao, not yet chopped by Su Liang, was her prisoner now, in a state worse than death.
And Duanmu Cheng, of course, was oblivious.
Nian Jincheng, impersonating Duanmu Ao, was disheveled, having smashed up everything in the room, making it look like chaos.
Seeing Su Liang coming in, he breathed a sigh of relief but dared not speak casually, afraid of being overheard.
Su Liang made a gesture, Nian Jincheng hesitated, then, caught on, and kicked over the stool, falling onto the ground.
The people outside heard everything becoming quiet in the room.
Duanmu Chen raised his voice asking, “Doctor Su, how is the second prince
Su Liang’s voice echoed from inside, “I have restrained the second prince.”
Duanmu Chen breathed a sigh of relief, “That is good.”
Su Liang squatted next to Nian Jincheng, whispering in a voice only they could hear, “Well acted. Keep it up and make it more natural.”
Nian Jincheng whispered back, “When you leave, would my disguise be discovered if anyone comes close to me?” “Yes.” Su Liang nodded.
Nian Jincheng’s forehead twitched.
Su Liang said, “You are pretending to be insane, not for real. I would expose you. Just prevent anyone from getting close.”
Nian Jincheng blinked, “What then…”
“Then, you betray Duanmu Cheng.” Su Liang whispered, “The emperor will ask you why you insisted on killing me and what has been done to the Su Family back then. ”
Nian Jincheng’s eyes sparkled, “An opportunity to tell the truth!”
“Be careful not to be discovered and don’t get too nervous. If your cover is blown, follow the back-up plan, as long as you don’t die, we will save you.” Su Liang told Nian Jincheng the information she had gotten from interrogating Duanmu Ao the previous night.
“Are you ready? The next part of the act will be more intense.” Su Liang gave Nian Jincheng’s shoulder a pat.
“Has anyone been assigned to protect Yang Yu? She is close to you and can hardly avoid being noticed.” Nian Jincheng suddenly said.
Su Liang gave him an eye-roll, “Be serious. Once this matter is resolved, I will help you get a wife.”
As Nian Jincheng was lost in thought, Su Liang lunged at him with a golden needle.
Nian Jincheng’s pupils shrank, and he bellowed according to their plan,
“Damned woman, what are you doing?”
Everyone outside heard “Duanmu Ao’”s roar which made the Imperial Physician wrinkle his brows, “The second prince woke up so quickly?”
The next moment, Su Liang opened the door and bolted out while “Duanmu Ao” pursued her with a knife.
Su Liang took cover behind Duanmu Chen and coldly said, “Fourth Prince, the condition of the second prince is radically different from the fifth. He’s not sick; he’s categorically trying to kill me!”
“You definitely wanted to kill me!” Nian lincheng widened his furious eves: his
hair covered most of his face. He sounded very much like Duanmu Ao, having been trained by Ning Jing.
Duanmu Chen looked shocked, “Quickly stop the second prince!”
Chang’an immediately charged forward.
Relieved, Su Liang said with a frown, “As a doctor, I can confidently affirm that the body of the second prince has no issues. I just cannot comprehend why he would do this.”
Duanmu Chen sighed, “In that case, return for now, I will inform Father
Emperor right away.”
Su Liang packed up her medicine box and looked at Nian Jincheng one more time. He had already been forced back into his room by Chang’an, and he slammed the door shouting, “Get out! All of you get out!”
Duanmu Chen looked worried, “Second prince, please calm down.” After finishing his sentence, he left with Chang’an.
Upon exiting the second prince’s mansion and getting into the carriage, a confused Chang’an was just about to ask Duanmu Chen what had happened when he heard a soft chuckle from inside the carriage.
“Why is the master laughing?” Chang’an asked.
Duanmu Chen replied cheerfully, “What a beautiful day.”
Chang’an looked at the cloudy sky of the afternoon and felt very perplexed.
In the Imperial Palace.
Duanmu Cheng was kneeling on the ground, soaked in sweat. “Father Emperor, I really don’t know how my younger brother died. I am also not clear about what happened to the Su Family.”
Duanmu Yi’s face was grim, “In that case, let’s ask the second son and see what he has to say..”
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