Duanmu Chen was tasting the soup stewed by Concubine Xiao, when Duanmu Yi suddenly came.
The mother and son quickly stood up and saluted. Duanmu Yi smiled warmly, helped Xiao Guifei up, and took her hand to sit down together. "What kind of soup are you cooking today? It's only for Chen'er, not me?"
Concubine Xiao quickly explained that she had just received the recipe for this soup and it was her first time to make it. She was afraid that it would not be done well. Duanmu Chen happened to be here and she wanted to let him try it first.
Duanmu Chen pretended to be sad, "It turns out that the mother-in-law said that the soup was specially stewed for the son. She just wanted the son to taste it so that the father could drink it."
Concubine Xiao gave Duanmu Chen an angry look, "Don't talk nonsense."
Duanmu Yi laughed loudly.
The atmosphere was harmonious, and it really looked like a family of three living in harmony and joy.
However, after a while, Duanmu Yi found an excuse to send Concubine Xiao away, obviously he had something to talk to Duanmu Chen alone.
"Su Liang returned to his hometown to bury his relatives. Things should have been settled long ago, right? I have had a headache for some reason these past two days, and Dr. Gao didn't notice anything." Duanmu Yi said, rubbing his forehead.
Duanmu Chen showed concern on his face, "Father, I must take care of the dragon body. I wonder if there is anything I can do to relieve my father's worries?"
Duanmu Yi shook his head and sighed, "I'm fine, maybe I'll be fine in two days. I'm just wondering if I should send someone to send Dr. Su back to Beijing. Your imperial grandmother is not feeling well lately!"
Duanmu Chen nodded, "Su Liang has excellent medical skills. It is indeed safer to have her in the capital. However, I am thinking that because of some previous things, the emperor's grandmother had a deep misunderstanding of Su Liang. If Su Liang is allowed to treat the emperor's grandmother,
I’m afraid my heart disease will get worse!”
Duanmu Yi picked up the teacup and said, "Listen, you don't seem to want Su Liang to come back soon?"
Duanmu Chen's heart skipped a beat, but he didn't show it on his face. He quickly shook his head, "I definitely don't mean this. I just think that other imperial doctors may be more suitable for the emperor's grandmother's illness. As a minister of the Qian Kingdom, Su Liang's father is very fond of her.
She is extremely tolerant, if someone sends someone to tell her to return to Beijing, she will naturally obey."
Duanmu Yi seemed to finally hear what he wanted to hear, nodded and said, "In that case, I'll leave this matter to you."
Duanmu Chen narrowed his eyes and responded respectfully, but he was not happy in his heart. In fact, he had always wanted to be the prince. Originally, the other princes were not as talented and intelligent as him. He thought that this position should be his. But for the throne
, Duanmu Chen was not very eager to sit on it.
Today, when the three countries are separated, peace is temporary and war will break out sooner or later. Duanmu Chen believes that in this situation, it is very risky to take the throne too early. It is better to slowly accumulate strength in the position of prince and move steadily step by step.
some.
It was just because of Su Liang's incident that Duanmu Chen began to worry. If Duanmu Yi really lost his mind and did something he shouldn't have done, perhaps his plan would undergo unexpected major changes...
Concubine Xiao appeared again, and the three of them started talking and laughing again, as if Duanmu Yi really just came over to see his beloved concubine.
The adult princes of the Qian Kingdom had to live outside the palace, and the prince's palace was also located outside the palace. Previously, Duanmu Che was the only exception, and Duanmu Yi took him into the palace and lived there for a while.
When Duanmu Chen returned to the Prince's Mansion, he wrote a letter, sent someone to take it with him, and set off for Bei'an County to invite Su Liang back to Beijing.
Seeing Duanmu Chen's worried expression, Chang'an couldn't help but ask, "Master, wouldn't it be a good thing for Miss Su to come back early?"
Duanmu Chen did not nod, but only said two words, "Good thing."
Different from his previous yin and yang aura, Changan felt that these two words seemed to answer his question in the affirmative, but also seemed to be asking a rhetorical question.
"What's going on with Duanmu Che recently?" Duanmu Chen changed the subject.
Chang'an shook his head, "No. The fifth prince has never gone out, just like before."
Duanmu Chen narrowed his eyes slightly, "I forgot one thing. Next time I enter the palace, I will remind my father that it is time to arrange a marriage for the fifth emperor brother."
Chang'an blurted out, "His Royal Highness the Fifth Prince likes Miss Su, but I'm afraid he won't agree."
Duanmu Chen sneered, "But my father's attitude towards him is not as good as before. If he wants to act willfully again... it will be a good thing. We will just wait and see."
The next day, Duanmu Chen entered the palace to attend court. After leaving the court, he was summoned by Duanmu Yi. He took the initiative to report that he had sent people to Bei'an County yesterday to order Su Liang to return to Beijing as soon as possible.
Duanmu Yi acted very calmly and then brought up Gu Ling and Nian Jincheng.
"If they are far away from the capital and have not rushed back at this time, it is not impossible." Duanmu Chen said thoughtfully, "But I think it is possible that they will not come back, but choose to continue to live incognito.
.”
Duanmu Yi shook his head, "I think they will definitely come back."
"Father, what do you mean..." Duanmu Chen asked respectfully.
"What if they just go with the flow and get married and have children in the future?" Duanmu Yi hummed, "Would any woman be willing to hide with them without seeing anyone? Are they going to let their children continue to hide for the rest of their lives?"
Duanmu Chen's expression became serious, "My father's words are reasonable, but my son and minister have not thought carefully. If Nian Jincheng comes back, will my father still use him?"
Duanmu Yi nodded, "Why not? He is a simple person, and I didn't slander him about what happened back then. I also want to ask clearly who the woman who rescued him was."
Duanmu Chen's eyes flashed slightly, "We have to ask clearly about this matter. That woman seriously injured the Fifth Emperor's brother back then."
"Well. Che'er is in good health now, and you two brothers get to know each other more often." Duanmu Yi said.
After Duanmu Chen agreed, he smiled and said, "My father previously chose a concubine for my son and the fifth emperor brother, but it was put on hold due to some matters. Now that the marriage of my son and minister has been decided, the fifth emperor brother is still alone."
Duanmu Yi chuckled, "I've forgotten about this matter because I've been too busy recently. Che'er's mother is gone, so why not leave it to your mother-in-law. I feel most at ease with her, and we'll choose another one for you together."
A concubine."
Duanmu Chen first thanked him, then hesitated and sighed slightly, "I wonder if the fifth emperor brother will be unhappy because of this."
Duanmu Yi's face darkened, "It's a good thing, why is he unhappy? Let your mother and concubine just let go and do it, it's all my will!"
"Yes, Father." Duanmu Chen achieved his goal and went to find Concubine Xiao.
Concubine Xiao was now in charge of the harem, and when she learned that it was Duanmu Yi's instructions, she took it very seriously. On the same day, she ordered the Ministry of Etiquette to send over the list of selected concubines and their portraits as soon as possible.
The next day, Duanmu Chen followed Duanmu Yi's instructions and made a special trip to visit Duanmu Che.
Duanmu Che's attitude was indifferent. When Duanmu Chen said that he wanted to choose a concubine for him, he didn't show any unpleasant emotions. He only said that he would listen to his father in everything.
This surprised Duanmu Chen.
When he returned to the mansion, the more he thought about it, the more he felt that something was wrong with Duanmu Che. He told Chang'an to send more manpower to keep an eye on the activities in the fifth prince's mansion and report any abnormalities to him immediately.
…
Sujia Village.
Su Liang has been back in the village for half a month. In addition to practicing martial arts and reading books every day, he also treats patients who come to his home. His life is very fulfilling.
Her plan with Gu Ling was not to go back as long as no one from the capital came to call her. It would be best to spend the New Year in the village before leaving.
Because Gu Ling could not be seen, Su Liang kept the door closed day and night, and would open it again when someone came knocking.
In the evening that day, Gu Ling was lighting the fire, and Su Liang was preparing to fry vegetarian meatballs, when suddenly she heard a knock on the door.
Su Liang asked Gu Ling to go back to the room first. She went over to open the door without taking off her apron.
"Who?" Su Liang asked first. It didn't look like the Bai family or Qi Jun, otherwise he would have just called her. Su Liang thought it might be a patient.
"Master." A female voice who was not familiar with Su Liang came from outside the door.
Su Liang was stunned. To be honest, since she took Lonicera away before leaving for the capital, she had forgotten about this girl and never thought that she would find her way here...
Su Liang opened the door and saw Lonicera standing outside covered with dust, carrying two bags on his back, one of which was round.
"You brought Mu Ya's head back?" Su Liang asked.
Ling Dong shook his head, "Please forgive me, Master, but I have not completed the task."
"What's in that?" Su Liang frowned.
"It's the head of Qiu Jianren, Muya's lackey." Liao Dong said.
Su Liang's expression changed slightly, and he got out of the way, "Come in and talk."
Lonicera walked through the door without looking around. He followed Su Liang's finger and went to the hut in the corner.
Su Liang went to the kitchen first and saw that the oil was already hot, so he did not go over to ask about Lonicera immediately, but continued to fry the meatballs.
The porridge and other dishes were prepared first. Su Liang fried the meatballs, and Bai Xiaohu came over to deliver the steamed buns and took away a large bowl of vegetarian meatballs.
Su Liang took out the food and gave it to Gu Ling to eat first. The two of them didn't speak. Gu Ling already knew that Lonicera was here and signaled Su Liang to take her away as soon as possible.
Su Liang also meant the same thing, but she had to ask first what Lonicera did in Yan Kingdom.
Seeing Su Liang come in with food, Rendong stood up quickly and heard Su Liang say, "Go to the kitchen to wash your hands first, and then come over and have something to eat."
"My subordinates are not hungry, so I dare not trouble my master." Lonicera looked a little uneasy.
"My order." Su Liang looked calm.
Lonicera went out silently, without squinting, went into the kitchen, washed briefly, then came back and took the chopsticks from Su Liang.
"Talking while eating." Su Liang sat opposite Lonicera, "Why didn't you kill Mu Ya? Was it because you couldn't kill her, or for some other reason?"
Lonicera replied respectfully, "My subordinates arrived in Yan Kingdom and found Mu Ya and found that she was pregnant."
Su Liang looked startled. This was something she had not expected. After Mu Ya finished interfering with the martial arts competition in Qian Kingdom, she returned to Yan Kingdom and became the crown prince's concubine. It is normal for her to be pregnant now.
Su Liang asked with a cold face, "Why don't you kill her if she is pregnant?"
Ling Dong's face stiffened, he put down his chopsticks, and knelt down in front of Su Liang, "Master, forgive me. I thought that my master was always kind, but he just asked me to kill Mu Ya. I didn't dare to kill the child in her belly as well."
killed."
Su Liang's eyes narrowed slightly and he looked at Liandong steadily, "Then why did you kill Qiu Jianren? This was not my order."
"It's my subordinate who made his own decision and thought he was my master..." Liao Dong wanted to explain in a panic, but couldn't go on.
"What do you think?" Su Liang snorted coldly, "I thought you didn't have your own ideas and would only take orders from others. So if I order you to kill Mu Ya who is pregnant with Liujia, will you go?"
Lonicera raised her head and glanced at Su Liang in astonishment, then quickly lowered her head and said, "I obey."
"So, you didn't kill Mu Ya in the Yan Kingdom, not because you had compassion, but because you thought I should have compassion?" Su Liang asked coldly.
"Master, please forgive me... This subordinate... I cannot kill a pregnant woman..." Lonicera said in a deep voice.
"Before you come to me, why don't you go see the emperor first?" Su Liang asked.
Lonicera bowed her head and said nothing, acquiescing.
"I'm not your master. You can leave, or you can leave after dinner. Just think of it as my thank you for the head you brought back." Su Liang finished his words, stood up and left.
As soon as I walked to the door, I heard the sound of my head hitting the ground hard, "Master, please have mercy! My subordinates are forced to be loyal to the emperor!"
Su Liang narrowed his eyes slightly, turned around and sat back, "If I understand correctly, you plan to betray the emperor and truly take refuge in me? Is that what you mean?"
Lonicera looked at Su Liang with red eyes, "Please master, please take this subordinate in! No matter what the master wants to know, I will definitely tell you everything!"
"Why?" Su Liang asked, "You trust me? But we don't seem to be familiar with each other."
"Yes, I trust my master because I know my master is a good person." Lonicera looked serious.
Su Liang sneered, "A good person? What do you mean by a good person? Are you implying that the emperor is a bad person?"
"My subordinate didn't mean that..." Lonicera looked ugly.
"Then what do you mean?" Su Liang's tone was quite aggressive. Lonicera's sudden change of attitude surprised her and she couldn't believe it.
"Yes... I don't know what to say..." After being silent for a moment, Liandong raised his head again, looked at Su Liang and said, "Master treats his subordinates as human beings. In the eyes of the emperor, his subordinates are not even human beings."
!”
"I am a minister of the Qian Kingdom. Aren't you afraid that I will betray you when you speak so arbitrarily about the Emperor?" Su Liang said coldly.
Lonicera shook his head, "I'm not afraid!"
"Get up." Su Liang said, "Eat the food I cooked while it's hot. Don't waste it. While you're eating, think carefully about what you want to say to me. Think about it clearly and I'll come to you again."
"Yes, Master." Lonicera looked respectful, watching Su Liang get up and leave, and breathed a sigh of relief.
…
Su Liang returned to the room, closed the door, sat opposite Gu Ling, picked up the chopsticks, and after eating two meatballs, she whispered, "She wants to take refuge in me. Is it credible?"
Gu Ling nodded, "I said, instigate her to rebel."
Su Liang's eyebrows furrowed slightly, "The point is, I had no idea, and she rebelled. What if she was trying to deceive me?"
"You decided." Gu Ling said.
Su Liang was stunned for a moment, "What did I do?"
"Invite her to dinner." Gu Ling said.
Su Liang raised his head and asked, "Which craftsman would be turned upside down just because of a meal?"
Gu Ling took a sip of pumpkin porridge gracefully and nodded gently, "I know how. It tastes good." And today she cut a big pumpkin, and tomorrow she will have fragrant fried pumpkin seeds to eat.
Su Liang gave Gu Ling a big roll of his eyes, "Master, I'm talking about serious matters, can you stop joking?"
Gu Ling shook his head, "I won't joke. If I were a craftsman and you invited me to eat the food you cooked, I would choose to join you."
Su Liang was speechless, "Because you are a weirdo. Forget it, let's eat what you have. I want to think about the honeysuckle."
Gu Ling drank the porridge in silence, thinking that Su Liang had said that in her previous life there was a widely circulated saying, "To capture a man's heart, you must first capture his stomach." What he wanted to express
It was Su Liang who grabbed his stomach. Isn't it too obscure? She is so smart, why can't she understand...