Chapter 62: 062. Are you teaching me what to do? (First update)
Translator: 549690339
Su Liang closed her eyes slightly, gently swirling the cup of wine in her hands. The corners of her mouth curled into an inscrutable smile, “General Nian, why didn’t you ask the fourth prince about his relationship with me in his presence earlier? Do you think the fourth prince would assume that you’re concerned about me, or are you worried about Ning Jing?”
Nian Jincheng’s face darkened, and he instinctively looked around lowering his voice, “What are you talking about?”
Su Liang laughed lightly, “It was General Nian who started rambling first.” Nian Jincheng stared at Su Liang, his voice cold, “You were pretending, back then!”
Su Liang looked at the person who appeared not far away, her voice light and indifferent, “Here’s a piece of advice for General Nian, my affairs with Ning Jing have nothing to do with you. Keep away from us.”
Mai Fei came by with a laugh, “What are you talking about?”
“About Xing Crown prince. I wonder if his health has improved after he arrived in the capital city.” Su Liang’s face was as usual.
Nian Jincheng spoke up, “I didn’t expect to meet Miss Su here. I almost forgot,
Xing Crown prince asked me to bring a few books for her.”
Just then, Nian Ye came by and Nian Jincheng instructed him to bring the bundle of cloth given by Xing Yusheng.
Su Liang guessed, Nian Jincheng didn’t mention it at first, he probably intended to secretly go to the Su family village to find them?
After dealing with the previous two things, even though there was no evidence, Mai Fei had always suspected that Ning Jing was the mysterious person hiding his true capabilities.
But right now, Ning Jing’s identity was perfect, and Mai Fei was only speculating that he was hiding his abilities, not linking him to the missing Gu Ling.
However, if it was discovered that Nian Jincheng, who was rumored to be the only friend of Gu Ling, had an unusual relationship with Jing, Mai Fei, with his shrewdness, couldn’t possibly not have suspicions.
Now that Nian Jincheng took out the books in front of Mai Fei, showed him that he had known that Xing Yusheng and Su Liang were friends, and would not think about it. He once saw Xing Yu send Qi Yan to Su Liang to deliver gifts.
The cloth bag Nian Jincheng handed to Su Liang was intercepted by Mai Fei. He smiled and asked, “Miss Su wouldn’t mind me having a look, would she?” Su Liang shook her head, indicating that he could go ahead and look.
The things Xing Yusheng sent to her through someone else, there would be no letters inside. Even if there were, Mai Fei wouldn’t be intrusive enough to ask to open and read it.
“These must be treasures from Old Master Qin. He cherishes many ancient books, and is reluctant to lend them to people casually.” Mai Fei flipped through them, picked up the sachet in the cloth bag, and looked surprised, “This, is it also a gift from Xing Crown Prince to Miss Su?”
Nian Jincheng shook his head, “No, this is a gift from Xing Crown prince’s cousin, Miss Qin, to Miss Su. She said she made it herself.”
“I see, otherwise I would suspect that Xing Crown prince was courting Miss Su.” Mai Fei joked halfway.
Nian Jincheng thought it was strange when he heard this, why did it seem like Su Liang was not yet married? Why do they all call her “Miss”?
Mai Fei then asked Nian Jincheng, “Do you know Ning Jing, the seventh son of the Ning family from Xunyang?
Nian Jincheng shook his head, “I’ve heard of him, but I don’t know him.”
“He is Su Liang’s sworn brother, and he is currently living in Bei’an County.
Ning Jing is quite talented. He previously participated in the Court Examination using Xing Crown Prince’s token and became the case leader.” Mai Fei said.
The word “sworn brother” confused Nian Jincheng for a moment, but he quickly realized that he had misunderstood.
He had seen Ning Jing and Su Liang’s wedding ceremony with his own eyes, and Su Liang had said that she was willing to marry Ning Jing.
Nian Jincheng thought that, even if the wedding was a sham, they would either continue living as a couple, or vanish and settle down somewhere else.
Before coming to Bei’an County, knowing that Su Liang was still at Su Family Village, Nian Jincheng assumed that she and Ning Jing had truly become husband and wife. So when he saw her with Mai Fei, he questioned her.
He never expected to hear from Mai Fei’s mouth that Ning Jing and Su Liang had become sworn siblings!
Nian Jincheng realized that he was rash in what he said, and Su Liang’s warning was absolutely correct.
Some things can be thought, but should not be said out loud.
Some people, no matter how close they are, can only pretend to not know each other.
Su Liang picked up the sachet given by Qin Yujin. The light fragrance smelled good, the embroidery was also very delicate.
But for a moment, she wasn’t sure what the significance of Xing Yusheng’s cousin sending her a sachet was, so she put it aside, picked up the books that Xing Yusheng had sent, and saw that one of them was a treatise on poison, her eyes lighting up a little.
Su Liang really liked Xing Yusheng’s gift, and felt that this was a friend worth making.
Nian Jincheng saw Su Liang browsing through the books that Xing Yusheng had given her, holding them as if they were precious, and he felt strange.
Her appearance, demeanor, and way of speaking, everything about her surprised him. Their brief encounter from the past didn’t count as truly knowing each other.
“Jincheng, you must be tired from your journey. I’ll have Chang’an arrange a place for you to rest. We’ll discuss other matters tomorrow.” Mai Fei said, “I meant to visit the mine today. I’ve been here so long and haven’t done so.”
“I’m not tired. The emperor assigned me to guard this mine, I have to get to know the situation as soon as possible.” Nian Jincheng said.
“That’s good, then let’s go together.” Mai Fei stood up.
As Nian Jincheng was wondering whether “together” included Su Liang, he saw her pack up the books and also put in the sachet, picked up the whole thing and stood up.
“Is Miss Su also going?” Nian Jincheng asked. As he was about to be appointed guard general for this place and the mine didn’t allow ordinary people to enter, this question was not inappropriate.
“Hehe, don’t be so serious, Su Liang is my friend. She made a great contribution to the Gai Yun case earlier on, I promised to take her to see the mine, I cannot go back on my word just because you’re here, right? You can consider that you will take office tomorrow, today just relax.” Mai Fei patted Nian Jincheng’s shoulder, “Let’s go.”
Fate plays tricks on people.
When Su Liang arrived, it was a bright and clear day.
But as soon as they left the abandoned Wu estate, the sky was overcast, a huge wind rose, and rain was about to come.
Chang’an suggested that Mai Fei, might as well go another day.
But Mai Fei said that they were already here, the rain might not come after all, and asked Su Liang to ride with him.
“Do you have a raincoat?” Su Liang asked.
Chang’an gave Su Liang a raincoat, “Master, Miss Su also thinks it’s going to rain.”
Su Liang didn’t wear it, but wrapped the cloth bag containing the books with the raincoat, tying it to the horse’s back, mounting neatly, and said to Mai Fei, “Mai Fei, the weather is not good, I have to go home to collect clothes, I won’t go today.”
For some reason, when she saw the impending weather just now, she felt a bad premonition. And she didn’t want to have too much interaction with Nian Jincheng, fearing that Mai Fei would suspect, so she planned to go home. She was merely curious about the mine,
Mai Fei’s mouth twitched, “Collect clothes? Doesn’t Ning Jing have hands?”
Su Liang laughed, “Mai Fei and General Nian are here for official business, I, an idle person, won’t cause disruption.”
Mai Fei looked displeased as he pulled down the carriage curtain, “Chang’an, assign two people to escort Miss Su home.”
“Yes.” Chang’an responded and called two guards over, Su Liang didn’t refuse.
“Mai Fei, General Nian, farewell.” With that, Su Liang turned her horse around and left.
Nian Jincheng glanced at Su Liang’s retreating figure on horseback, retracted his gaze, and followed Mai Fei’s carriage in the direction of the mine.
Su Liang had not walked far when she suddenly heard a shocked exclamatory call, “Master!” from behind.
Turning back, she saw Mai Fei’s carriage suddenly falling into a pit with a myriad of arrows flying towards him!Su Liang hesitated for a moment.
The sudden incident happened, but there were many people protecting Mai Fei, and Nian Jincheng was nearby as well, so she was not needed.
However, if she were to leave like this, it would seem too cold-blooded, and she might even be suspected of knowing about the assassins in advance because of her abrupt departure.
Su Liang never dared to underestimate the suspicion of a sharp-minded prince.
So Su Liang decided to stay where she was, maintaining a distance to observe the situation. If anyone got injured, she could lend a hand.
Mai Fei was pulled out of the carriage by Nian Jincheng.
In the chaos, Nian Jincheng blocked an arrow for Mai Fei. He got hit in his left arm, and changed the long sword to his right hand.
It was certain that they couldn’t reach the mine. The assassins had pre-set an ambush and were waiting in the shadows.
Su Liang suspected that someone in Mai Fei’s entourage had betrayed him.
Whoever was behind the smuggling of the iron might not be a small character and could possibly do anything for wealth or power.
A few people escorted Mai Fei back to the Wu Family compound, the gate was firmly shut.
Su Liang had a bad feeling! If there really was a spy among the people around Mai Fei, this would be the perfect opportunity for murder!
Unfortunately, Ning Jing was not around. He had not seen Mai Fei in the past three days, otherwise, he might have been able to figure something out.
Su Liang no longer hesitated, she urged her horse forward, and while on the move, quickly tied-up the book given to her by Xing Yusheng on her back. It was very important and couldn’t be lost.
Nian Jincheng, who was injured, was still battling with assassins. He’d thought that Su Liang had already left. But when he heard the sound of horseshoes and turned his head, he saw her riding back, standing up on her horse when she came near the gate of the Wu Family compound, jumping over the tall fence, and disappearing from sight.
Her agile and robust movements were done in one go, indicating that Su Liang was not a weak woman.
Despite that, Nian Jincheng still wore a grave expression. He quickly took care of the two assassins who were pestering him, then also rushed towards the Wu Family compound!
As soon as Su Liang entered, she heard Mai Fei’s roar, “You dare to betray me?!”
Following the sound, she saw two of Mai Fei’s secret guards lying on the ground. He was holding a bloody long sword in his hand to defend himself while the other hand was pressed against the wound on his chest, constantly retreating.
Among Mai Fei’s subordinates, Su Liang only recognized one, Chang’an. The one who was trying to kill him now, she hadn’t met before; he was probably a master protecting him from the shadows.
Having insiders bought over was terrifying, as it was hard to guard against such betrayals.
With the wind blowing and the sound everywhere, Su Liang moved lightly. The traitor, with his back toward her, didn’t notice her for a while.
Mai Fei saw Su Liang and gasped, trying to hide his surprise.
He also thought that Su Liang had left. Even if she hadn’t, with the way she often kept a respectful distance from Mai Fei, she was likely not to interfere. He had never imagined that Su Liang would come back to save him!
“It looks like I will definitely die today…” Mai Fei laughed bitterly, “Can you at least let me die knowing who your current master is?”
“I wouldn’t mind telling you, but unfortunately, I also don’t know who the real master is.” The traitor was apparently complacent, thinking he had the upper hand, “Why should you stand high above when we were all born the same? My esteemed Fourth Prince, don’t blame me. I just don’t want to serve as a servant my whole life, and I also aspire to stand above the rest one day!” As his words fell, the traitor swung his sword towards Mai Fei!
Mai Fei hit a rock and fell onto the ground. Seeing Su Liang without any weapon, he was very worried. Then, he saw her pull out two dazzling knives from her leg, emotionlessly piercing through the traitor’s kneecaps! A terrible scream split the sky, and large raindrops began to fall.
The traitor fell to the ground in extreme pain, writhing.
Quickly, Su Liang dropped the knives, took off the bundle on her back, held it in her arms, and ran into the nearby house.
When Nian Jincheng rushed in, he saw Mai Fei lying miserably in the rain, the traitor heavily injured and no longer a threat, two knives lying on the ground, and Su Liang was in a nearby room, wiping a book that had gotten slightly wet from the rain…
“Su Liang!” shouted Mai Fei angrily, “Immediately come and save me!”
He even suspected that if it rained a little bit earlier, Su Liang couldn’t care less about his life and would save her book first, it was preposterous!
Su Liang came out, saw Nian Jincheng picking up her knives, and reached out to take them, “Thank you.”
Nian Jincheng handed over the knives, and Su Liang retreated back under the eaves to shield herself from the rain as if she had only come out to take the knives.
The injured Nian Jincheng went to help the injured Mai Fei, and Chang’an rushed in with his men. The assassins outside had been taken care of.
Seeing the traitor on the ground, Chang’an’s face changed dramatically, “Master!”
“Don’t let him die!” commanded Mai Fei sharply.
Earlier, he had purged those in the Bei’an County government who had been bought over, but he had never thought that there would also be spies among his own people.
The spy hadn’t had a chance to take action before as he wasn’t the highest-ranking covert guard around Mai Fei, so there was no opportunity for him to get close under normal circumstances. Today’s chaos of assassination seemed to be well-designed.
Chang’an had the man whose knees were pierced caught, bound hands and feet, and his mouth stuffed to prevent him from committing suicide.
Nian Jincheng and Mai Fei both entered the room where Su Liang stored her books.
What used to be the front hall of the Wu Family was now in total disarray.
Su Liang didn’t bring her full medical kit when she went out today, but she did bring a simple medical pouch she had sewn herself.
“How lucky we are to have Ms. Su here! Quickly attend to my master’s wounds! ” Chang’an’s tone was urgent.
Mai Fei was sitting on the only intact chair left in the room, with two guards standing beside him.
Meanwhile, Nian Jincheng, with his arm bleeding profusely, sat on the ground, starting to tear his own clothes to bandage his wound, performing the actions adeptly.
It seemed as if everyone, including Nian Jincheng, assumed that Su Liang should give priority to treat Mai Fei.
Even though Mai Fei only had minor injuries, while Nian Jincheng, a military commander who wielded his sword with his left hand, would be ruined if his left arm was incapacitated.
Su Liang came to Mai Fei, took a glance at his wound, and carelessly said two words, “It’s fine.” Then she turned and walked towards Nian Jincheng…
Mai Fei’s face darkened, but he didn’t feel appropriate to complain. After all, in the critical situation just now, it was Su Liang who saved his life, and it was Nian Jincheng who took the arrow for him.
However, because of his status, Mai Fei still felt quite unhappy. His high and mighty Fourth Prince’s status seemed to mean nothing to Su Liang.
Being a close servant and a follower of Mai Fei, Chang’an knew some simple wound treatment techniques. Seeing Mai Fei with a dark face but not saying anything, he couldn’t order Su Liang and hurriedly came forward to stop the bleeding for Mai Fei.
At this time, Nian Jincheng’s attendant, Nian Ye, finally rushed in. He was also injured. Seeing Nian Jincheng’s left arm hanging down, half of his body covered in blood, his expression tensed, “Master!”
“I’m fine.” Nian Jincheng frowned, looking at Su Liang who arrived, “You go treat the Fourth Prince’s wound.”
Su Liang squatted down beside him and opened her medical bag, emotionless, “I am a doctor.. Is General Nian trying to instruct me?”
The source of this c𝐨ntent is fre𝒆w(e)bn(o)vel