Chapter 54: 054. Pretending to be a pig to eat a tiger
Translator: 549690339
[The Pretender]
Comparing with Ning Jing, Wu Huai’an is ugly.
Objectively speaking, he is not ugly, but his deliberately disguised gentleness and sophistication come off as pretentious to Su Liang, who had lived two lifetimes.
Actually, Wu Huai’an performs well, but from beginning to end, his identity and actions seem inconsistent in Su Liang’s eyes.
Mu Fei had already grasped the exact clues about Wu Yun’s involvement in the iron mine smuggling case, casting a heavy suspicion of treacherous profiteering on the loyal veteran.
After Su Liang was kidnapped by Wu Yun, she believed more in Mu Fei’s judgment. Wu Yun is far from righteous. It is shameless to hurt others just because he’s worried about his son.
Moreover, Su Liang could tell from Wu Huai’an’s words that even he knew Ning
Jing had contact with Mu Fei. It is obvious that while Mu Fei was investigating Wu’s father and son, they were also keeping an eye on him, so they must know that Mu Fei knew Su Liang.
After waking up, Su Liang, who was taken secretly as a hostage, had the clearest understanding of her situation: Wu Yun, who captured her, couldn’t possibly let her leave alive and contact outsiders, especially Mu Fei.
“The old general Wu kidnaps a young girl in the middle of the night.” If this gets out, it would greatly hinder Wu Yun’s good reputation in Qian Country, and Mu Fei could even seize the opportunity to blackmail him.
After all, if Ning Jing could recognize the fourth prince, how could Wu Yun not know Mu Fei’s true identity?
The more hypocritical a person appears, the more they care about their reputation. Once they have done something despicable, they try hard to conceal it.
In short, Su Liang was a “hostage” who saw the true face of the “kidnapper,” and the chance of being “torn apart” was very high.
Su Liang never thought that she was invited because of her medical skills. Wu Huai’an’s claim that Wu Yun “invited” Su Liang to treat him didn’t make sense.
Considering Wu Huai’an’s identity and his experience of being injured on the battlefield, imperial physicians could be invited at any time. Why would he go for a young doctor like Su Liang? While she treated people in the village for minor illnesses, she didn’t have a remarkable reputation.
It would be fine if they had properly invited her. But kidnapping her after being rejected was unreasonable. They behaved as if only Su Liang could heal Wu Huai’an, when there was no logic in that.
From the moment she opened her eyes, Su Liang had been acting foolishly, going along with Wu Huai’an’s pretense and crafting an image of a vain country girl for herself.
Su Liang was deceiving Wu Huai’an while Wu Huai’an was trying to seduce the beautiful village girl he had captured.
Su Liang was pretending because she knew Wu Huai’an was pretending too.
A rumor spread that a noble son from a military family who went into battle and killed at a young age but was disabled by an injury and spent his days with his elderly father could be lonely, kind and gentle. But it was hard to believe that he fell in love at first sight with a shallow, vain country girl!
Wu Huai’an tried to create an image of an injured, literary young man who liked music and was always gentle and calm. However, if he were truly so cultured, he wouldn’t be interested in Su Liang. He wouldn’t be making ambiguous comments like “I feel like I’ve known you for a long time,” trying to lure Su Liang to stay with him, calling her “Sister Liang,” and wanting to hold her hand.
This was not the behaviour of a refined, polite young nobleman; this was the behaviour of a lecher, and one trying to play the part of a romantic at that.
Su Liang didn’t believe that Wu Huai’an could be ignorant of all of Wu Yun’s actions. If Wu Yun was evil, Wu Huai’an was like a white lotus flower.
Su Liang knew where Wu Huai’an’s confidence came from: his identity, his disguised image, the lowly background of his target, shallow insights, and the desire for wealth and honor.
Therefore, if the person captured today were not Su Liang, but a simple-minded girl with no experience outside of the small place she grew up, the chances of being deceived by Wu Huai’an would be high.
This was why Su Liang’s deception didn’t evoke any suspicion from Wu Huai’an. Her performance was reasonable.
At this moment, Su Liang even began to suspect that she had been captured simply because Wu Huai’an wanted to play with a woman…
After a brief panic, Wu Huai’an calmed down, looking hurt. “Sister Liang, what are you doing? I know my father was wrong to kidnap you, but I have no ill intentions toward you. I thought you understood me.”
Su Liang sneered, “I know. But you’re too ugly, and after meeting you, I can’t let go of the handsome man at home. Now, you should send me away.”
“Sister Liang, you…” Wu Huai’an’s eyes became dark and his voice deep, as if he had suffered a severe blow.
“Enough talk! Let’s go!” Su Liang said as she controlled the string around Wu Huai’an’s neck and yanked him from his wheelchair!
It was rumored that both of Wu Huai’an’s legs were crippled, but only one was truly disabled. He instinctively stood on one leg, so Su Liang didn’t need to exert too much force.
Wu Huai’an, whose neck might be cut at any moment, was controlled by Su Liang as they left the room. The little maid who came to deliver tea screamed and shouted, “Help!”
“You won’t get out like this.” Wu Huai’an said in a low voice.
Su Liang retorted, “Didn’t you say your father meant no harm? Righteous
General Wu, how could he hurt me?”
Wu Huai’an’s face stiffened, “Su Liang, I advise you not to take risks. It won’t do you any good.”
“Why not tell me what you were planning to do with me?” Su Liang asked again. Wu Huai’an remained silent, suddenly feeling Su Liang twist his wrist and snap
He screamed in pain, cold sweat breaking out on his forehead. In an instant, his other hand had also been twisted and broken by Su Liang.
Meanwhile, Wu Huai’an had intended to grab the hidden weapon he had concealed on his body. Now with both hands twisted and hanging limp, he could do nothing.
By this point, Wu Huai’an finally realized that he had underestimated Su Liang, and it was a huge mistake.
He thought this was his turf, and his game to control, but he never expected that this time he caught not a plaything, but a fierce character pretending to be
weak.
Su Liang, holding ????????????? hostage, did not walk fast.
Gai Yun appeared in front of them, his face gloomy, “Release my son, and I’ll spare your life!”
Su Liang remained indifferent, “My life and death are none of your concern. Be careful, my hand is not steady, but my grip is strong. If any of you dare to make a reckless move and startle me, I can’t guarantee that Gai Huai’an’s neck won’t be slashed with a big hole!”
Gai Yun glanced at Gai Huai’an’s hand and gritted his teeth, “If anything happens to my son, I’ll tear you to pieces! Everyone, step aside and let her go!”
Su Liang pushed Gai Huai’an forward, and Gai Yun slowly retreated, his aged eyes fixed on her as if trying to bore a bloody hole in her body.
Su Liang had fought on the streets before, so she did not pretend to be fragile and vulnerable. She even actively told Gai Huai’an that she knew some basic martial arts.
She admitted to knowing martial arts but did not confess her full extent.
Su Liang did everything she could to lower Gai Huai’an’s guard, which gave her the opportunity to turn the situation around.
Even at this moment, Gai Yun and his son still had no idea of Su Liang’s real strength. She wasn’t afraid of a real fight.
She believed that Gai father and son would not let her leave alive, but she was sure that her life wasn’t in danger for at least three days, otherwise Ning Jing would have figured it out.
But being temporarily safe does not mean being completely out of danger.
When she suspected Gai Huai’an was a lecher, she knew she had to leave as soon as possible. Having little knowledge of the poison techniques in this world, she had been captured after being drugged with sedatives. If she stayed any longer, who knew if she might be given sedatives or even aphrodisiacs again?
Therefore, even after entering the Wu Family, Su Liang never considered staying to help Mai Fei find the account books – that would have been a foolish and overconfident move.
“Su Liang, there’s no need for this. I just like you; wouldn’t it be good for you to stay with me?” Gai Huai’an was still trying to persuade Su Liang, but he would never admit his true intentions.
Su Liang ignored him. She was surrounded by hostile gazes and couldn’t afford any distractions – there was no time for useless talk.
“Release my son, and you can go,” Gai Yun said coldly, standing inside the gate.
“Open the gate,” Su Liang said tersely.
Gai Yun ordered his subordinates to open the gate, and sunlight, blocked by the high walls, suddenly seeped in, illuminating the dark places inside the gate.
Su Liang continued to walk out, “Rest assured, General Gai, with so many of you watching, how can I easily escape after leaving?”
Gai Yun frowned, stepped outside the gate, and watched Su Liang walk out with Gai Huai’an in tow.
This place was not far from the mine, the terrain was flat, and the surrounding area was open. There were no houses nearby.
It wasn’t a bad thing for Su Liang since it would be harder for her to be sneakily attacked from behind. They hadn’t moved before probably because they were worried about hurting Gai Huai’an.
“Let go of my son! I won’t bother you anymore!” Gai Yun said sternly.
Su Liang nodded, “Swear a poison oath first.”
Gai Yun snorted, “Don’t push your luck!”
Su Liang tightened her grip on the strings, and a shallow cut appeared on Gai Huai’an’s neck. Her expression became even calmer, “Or, should I cut him an inch deep first and see if your son can survive?”
Gai Yun’s face turned ashen with anger, “Fine! I swear, as long as you release my son, I won’t bother you!”
“I meant a poison oath. The kind that involves family extinction if you break
it,” Su Liang insisted without backing down.
Unable to maintain his composure, Gai Huai’an let his true face show,
“Shameless! You’re just seeking your own death!”
Su Liang pulled the strings in her hand, as if she were using a sharp knife to slowly grind meat on a cutting board, assessing where to cut. The continuous pain was not deep but terrifying nonetheless, leaving Gai Huai’an’s only stable leg trembling involuntarily, no longer daring to speak.
“General Gai, have you made up your mind?” Su Liang asked coldly.
Gai Yun raised his hand, “If I bother you again after this, I’ll face family extinction!”
“Well, I don’t believe it,” Su Liang said indifferently.
Gai Yun was burning with rage, his face saying he wanted to tear Su Liang apart, but he heard her speak again, “I don’t know the way home, and someone needs to pick me up. General Gai, send someone to get the County Magistrate Mai Fei. Once he’s here, I will release your son.”
This caused both Gai Yun and Gai Huai’an to furrow their brows in anger! It was difficult to determine whether Su Liang was asking for Mai Fei’s help only to ensure a safe escape, or if she had made some other agreement with him beforehand!
“Why not ask Ning Jing to pick you up?” Gai Huai’an asked.
Su Liang snorted, “He can’t be involved in such dangerous matters,”
“I’ve already sworn a poison oath to send you back safely. You have nothing to lose, and making a fuss doesn’t benefit you! Tell me what compensation you want, and I’ll consider it!” Gai Yun said coldly, “Even if Mai Fei arrives, he should understand a father’s concern for his son!”
“Makes sense,” Su Liang nodded, “But there’s no room for discussion on this. I will release him when Mai Fei arrives. If he doesn’t come, you can try to see how long it will take for your son’s blood to run dry..”
Th𝗲 most uptodate novels are published on free(w)ebnov(e)l.𝒄𝒐𝙢