Chapter 53: 053. Ugly Disability
Translator: 549690339
[Ugly Cripple]
When Su Liang regained consciousness, she found herself in a strange room. Instead of immediately observing her surroundings, she lowered her eyes and pondered who had attacked her.
First, she ruled out Mai Fei. It wasn’t his style, and their true collaboration wasn’t in Bei’an County.
Yan Shiba’s prank? Su Liang thought the eccentric assassin was capable of such a thing, but not at this time.
It wouldn’t be the assassin hired by the Ning Family of Xunyang, otherwise she would be dead.
“You’re awake?”
A gentle male voice came from not far away, and Su Liang, lying on an imperial concubine couch, slowly raised her head to look over.
It was a man in his twenties sitting in a wheelchair, with long unkempt hair, thin and pale complexion, his eyes revealing helplessness and guilt.
This reminded Su Liang of Xing Yusheng, who was also suffering from a serious illness and confined to a wheelchair when they first met.
At that time, Yusheng still had an air of nobility despite his vulnerability.
In contrast, the man before Su Liang projected an aura of despondency and dejection in addition to his frailty.
She had guessed his identity.
“My name is Gai Huai’an. You may have heard of me. My father told me that you grew up in the capital city.” Gai Huai’an sighed deeply, “I apologize for bringing you here in such a rude manner. It was not my intention.”
Su Liang observed the room secretly.
It was a study room filled with books on the shelves and scrolls hanging on the walls, exuding an aroma of ink.
Gai Huai’an, dressed in white, had a few ink stains on his chest, his demeanor gentle.
Seeing Su Liang’s alert gaze, Gai Huai’an showed a wistful expression, “In those years, I was full of passion, following my father into the battlefield, but I was seriously injured. My father blamed himself for not protecting me properly and has never given up seeking medical treatment for me. When he learned that you were in Su Village, he sent someone to fetch you. If I had known beforehand that he would do this, I would have tried to stop him no matter what.”
It was only then that Su Liang spoke, her face solemn, “So can I leave now?”
Gai Huai’an shook his head with a bitter smile, “I really want to let you go, but all things can be discussed except for treating my illness. My father has become obsessed with it.”
“If I am unable to cure you, I will not be allowed to leave?” Su Liang’s face was tinged with anger, “I didn’t expect the famously upright veteran General Gai to be such an unreasonable bully!”
“Miss Su, you have every right to be angry. But my father has done all this for me, and I don’t want to argue with him any further. At this point, I hope you can calm down.” Gai Huai’an said and looked in the direction of the door, lowering his voice, “For now, just pretend to agree to treat me. I will find the right time to help you escape.”
“Really? Don’t lie to me.” Su Liang’s eyes were suspicious.
Gai Huai’an showed a pale smile, “Don’t worry, I won’t let you come to any harm.”
Su Liang saw that it was bright outside and asked Gai Huai’an; she was caught the night before and arrived here at dawn. “Is this place close to the mine?” Su Liang asked.
Gai Huai’an nodded, “Not far.”
He called the servant to bring water and food, as well as a set of new clothes.
Su Liang freshened up, ate a little, and was led by the servant into a garden.
Surrounded by undulating artificial mountains, precious chrysanthemums blossomed in clusters, dazzling under the bleak autumn wind.
Gai Huai’an played the ancient strings in the pavilion, and when the melody ended, he looked at Su Liang.
“I don’t understand music, but Master Gaits playing is very pleasant.” Su Liang praised.
“I only learned to play after coming here, just to pass the time. It’s the first time someone has praised my playing.” Gai Huai’an said, pouring a cup of warm tea for Su Liang.
Su Liang suggested checking Gai Huai’an’s pulse to see what was wrong with his legs.
However, refused, “Over the years, all the famous doctors that my father could find have seen me, including Ghost Doctor. All were powerless. It’s not that I don’t trust Miss Su’s medical skills, but I’ve already accepted my fate. It’s just my father who can’t face reality.”
Su Liang sighed lightly, “In fact, you don’t need to believe in my medical skills. I said I wanted to see, just out of curiosity. As for actually treating you, I really can’t.”
Gai Huai’an chuckled, “Miss Su, you’re too modest. Your medical skills are quite remarkable for someone so young. Although I shouldn’t have asked you to come here, I’m truly delighted to have met you today. I can no longer remember the friends I had before the injury.”
“I only have one friend, Ning Jing. Although I call her a friend, it’s just my unilateral wishful thinking.” Su Liang said self-deprecatingly.
“Oh?” Gai Huai’an looked surprised. “I have heard some of Miss Su’s experiences, and it hasn’t been easy for you. You and Master Ning…”
Su Liang’s expression was sad, “He saved me from my wolfish relatives, and since he was so good-looking, I naturally fell in love with him and wanted our relationship to become real, as husband and wife. Unfortunately, he doesn’t care for me and insists on clarifying our relationship, treating me as a sister.”
“So that’s how it is.” Gai Huai’an frowned, “A coerced melon is not sweet. Since Master Ning has no intention of pursuing a relationship, Miss Su doesn’t have to be so persistent. You are beautiful, skilled in medicine, and kind-hearted. If Ning Jing doesn’t appreciate your goodness, someone else will.”
“Mr. Wu, you don’t have to comfort me. Now I am nothing more than a lowly village girl, with my shallow medical skills, I may not even be able to support myself without Ning Jing. Ning Jing wants to take the imperial examination, and after achieving success in the examination, he will return to his family to claim everything that belongs to him. Then he will be able to marry a high-born lady. I can’t help him, and I am a burden. If he hadn’t needed to hide in Su Village for a while, he would have left already.” Su Liang’s eyes were full of bitter laughter, “If I were gone, he would probably feel relieved!”
“In that case, Miss Su, you don’t need to linger on him. I heard that he has made friends with Crown Prince Bei Jingwang and the newly-arrived County Magistrate Mai Fei. He must be a man of great ambitions.” Gai Huai’an said earnestly, “If Miss Su needs a place to stay, I am more than willing to help you if you don’t mind.”
Su Liang looked at Gai Huai’an in surprise, “You mean…”
Gai Huai’an smiled gently, “Perhaps Miss Su might find it presumptuous, but I’m speaking from the heart. I don’t know why, but I feel like I’ve known you for a long time, even though we just met today. I have no friends, and you’re alone too. If you’re willing to stay, you’re more than welcome.” Su Liang lowered her eyes again, “Your father probably won’t agree.”
“I’ll persuade my father to agree, and he’d be happy to see me have some company.” Gai Huai’an said, “Will you really stay here?”
“Even if I go back, after a few days, Ning Jing will leave for the provincial city to take the exam, and he will leave me behind. He has already made it clear to me that no matter how much I beg him, he will not change his mind to take me with him.” Su Liang’s face was bitter, “I am a helpless girl, who knows a few self-defense tricks. It is inevitable that I will be humiliated alone. If I can have
Mr. Wu protect me, it couldn’t be better. But if I stay, what would that be?”
Gai Huai’an’s face lit up, but before he could say anything, Gai Yun arrived.
Su Liang squinted her eyes, and Gai Yun, who was striding over, turned into a dark shadow in her field of vision, much like the one she had seen before passing out…
Gai Huai’an is Gai Yun’s youngest son. Gai Yun is nearly sixty years old, with gray hair and kind eyes.
“Miss Su, do you have any way to treat my son’s leg?” Gai Yun looked at Su Liang, without any apology in his words. Although it was a question, his tone was quite firm.
Gai Huai’an held his forehead, “Father, I haven’t asked Miss Su to see me yet. I feel a little dizzy and want to go back to my room to rest.”
Gai Yun stepped forward and pushed Gai Huai’an’s wheelchair out of the pavilion, “It’s getting cold, you shouldn’t be out here in the cold wind. Let me take you back.”
Gai Huai’an secretly waved back to Su Liang in the pavilion as if to say goodbye.
Su Liang looked at the ancient strings in front of her, her eyes fixed on the thin strings, and then looked outside the pavilion, making sure there was no one around.
She casually pushed the teacup that Gai Huai’an had used with her elbow, squatted down to pick up the broken porcelain pieces, and secretly hid a piece of shattered porcelain in her sleeve.
As the wind blew, Su Liang cut a string from the Ancient Strings and hid it in her palm while picking up the dark red silk cover next to her and covering the musical instrument.
Two consecutive sounds from the strings seemed like she had accidentally touched them.
A young maid with an oval-shaped face appeared not far away, smiling, “The young master said that Miss Su can walk around the garden at will. After talking with the master, he will invite Miss Su over.”
Su Liang nodded and left the pavilion to look at the chrysanthemums next to the artificial hill. The maid bent over in a curtsy and turned to leave.
“How is it?” Gai Yun poured a cup of hot tea for Gai Huai’an and sat down beside him.
Gai Huai’an snorted lightly, “As we expected, Ning Jing is the one who made friends with Xing Yu Sheng and Duanmu Chen. Su Liang, like those women before, started fantasizing as soon as I beckoned. They all thought I was smitten with them.”
Gai Yun pondered, “Will Ning Jing and Duanmu Chen guess that she’s here?”
“What if they do? Duanmu Chen won’t do anything for such an insignificant woman.” Gai Huai’an sneered, “As for Ning Jing, he’s intent on climbing the ladder. How can he possibly care about a little village girl? If they really care and come looking for her, wouldn’t it be even more interesting? Anyway, she’s in our hands, and she won’t be able to escape even if she had wings.”
“Duanmu Chen is already suspicious of me, be careful not to be caught by him,” Gai Yun said.
Gai Huai’an nodded, “Father, don’t worry too much. He won’t act rashly without evidence.”
“What about that Su Liang…” Gai Yun asked.
A wicked smile appeared on Gai Huai’an’s face, “Judging by her words and actions, she’s simply brainless. She just wants to find a backer to live a stable and luxurious life, and even wants me to promise her my name? How ridiculous. Father brought her here not because of her medical skills, but to find me a good-looking new plaything, even after having someone test her to see if she’s Duanmu Chen’s person. I’ve grown tired of the last woman, and Su Liang looks pretty good. I’ll take her to the secret chamber tonight.” Gai Yun stood up, “Don’t go too far and take care of your health.”
“Father, rest assured, I know my limits.” Gai Huai’an licked the corner of his lips, his face full of anticipation.”
After Gai Yun left, Gai Huai’an asked the servant to bring Su Liang over.
As soon as Su Liang entered, Gai Huai’an asked her what she liked to eat and asked someone to prepare it.”
“Mr. Wu, what did your father say?” Su Liang asked anxiously.
Gai Huai’an waved for the servants to leave, and he reached out to her with a tender smile, “Come.”
Su Liang lowered her head and walked slowly towards him. From Gai Huai’an’s perspective, she looked timid and graceful. His throat moved, and his eyes darkened a little.
When Su Liang approached him, Gai Huai’an attempted to grab her hand with a
smile, “My father is very happy that I have met a girl I like. I think this must be our fate…”
Just as ?????? was about to touch Su Liang, she suddenly dodged and went behind him.
“I didn’t expect Liang sister to be so…” Gai Huai’an’s eyes were filled with interest, but the next moment, he felt a cold, thin thread hook around his neck and tighten abruptly!
The ends of the string were wrapped around Su Liang’s fingers, which were turning white from the pressure. Her eyes were icy, and her voice even colder, “Mr.. Wu, who gave you the confidence to think that I would be interested in an ugly cripple like you?”
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