Duanmu Yi receives news from Kasyapa City every day. Ever since he learned that Gu Ling and Su Liang quickly defeated the Yan Kingdom's army, they not only calmed the war, but also killed the Yan Kingdom's general Fan Tong in public, using tough methods to earn money for the Qian Kingdom. After regaining his face, he wiped away his previous sorrowful expression and was delighted. Over the past few days, he praised Gu Ling and Su Liang generously in the court, and also rewarded them with many things, which he sent to the Su Mansion.
When he received the report again that day, Duanmu Chen was also there. He counted the time, and Nian Jincheng and his army should be arriving at Kasyapa City soon.
"It's a booklet written by Su Liang." Duanmu Yi opened it with a smile, "It must be to ask me whether I want to attack the Yan Kingdom."
Duanmu Chen agreed. In the current situation, the Yan Kingdom has no initiative. However, he believes that it is not wise to attack the Yan Kingdom again. The Qian Kingdom is not strong enough to not be afraid of the Yan and Liang countries. It's time to start a war rashly.
As a result, when Duanmu Yi saw the contents of the booklet, his expression immediately changed and his brows furrowed.
"Father, what happened?" Duanmu Chen asked respectfully.
"The two of them are so bold! They don't take me seriously at all!" Duanmu Yi threw the fold to Duanmu Chen.
Duanmu Chen looked at it and frowned. It was completely beyond their expectations. Su Liang did not ask for instructions whether to attack the Yan Kingdom, but he acquiesced that he would not fight. He secretly went to the Yan Kingdom with Gu Ling to investigate the secret records of Mu's organization!
The latter is of course also very important, but the problem is that as ministers, their behavior of beheading first and reporting later is against the rules.
Of course it is good to have powerful ministers, but when they reach a certain level, the emperor cares more about their loyalty, and it is important to abide by the rules.
Duanmu Chen explained to Su Liang as always, "The matter of the secret records cannot be delayed. If the Yan Kingdom really gets the other half of the secret records, even one day late, it may cause the two countries, Yan and Liang, to merge the secret records together, which will be extremely harmful to us. Unfavorable! This must be why Su Liang decided to go to Yan Country immediately."
Duanmu Yi calmed down, knowing that what Duanmu Chen said was true, he snorted coldly, "If she can really get the other half of the secret book, I won't care."
As soon as Duanmu Chen heard this, he knew that after the turmoil in Kasyapa City and seeing Su Liang's strength and mind again, Duanmu Yi really agreed with what he said before, "If Su Liang conquers the world, they have already obtained her." But the checks and balances between monarch and ministers are still tight.
Situ Jing, the eldest grandson of the King of Yue, who came to the Liang Kingdom to welcome Situ Yao, had arrived the day before yesterday. Xing Yuyan will get married in three days, and the one who was arranged to go to the Liang Kingdom to see off her bride and welcome Situ Yao back was Qin Yuheng, the eldest son of the Duke of Qin.
"Is this the case for the Yan Kingdom?" Duanmu Chen asked.
In the excerpt, Su Liang also asked when trade with the Yan Kingdom would be resumed. A short-term cessation of trade would be fine, as it was just a statement of attitude, but a long-term cessation of trade would harm others and not benefit oneself.
Duanmu Yi pondered for a moment and then said, "Let's see if Su Liang and Gu Ling gain anything from their trip. We'll wait until people from Yan Kingdom come to tell us."
Trade can be resumed, but the royal family of the Yan Kingdom must make a clear statement of peace. Matters of face are related to the dignity of the country and the unity of the people, and are by no means meaningless.
…
Su Mansion.
Su Liang and Gu Ling left on the day of their wedding, leaving only Qi Jun Lingdong and Old Man Bai in the house.
Old Man Bai didn't like talking to people other than Su Liang. After his body gradually recovered, he didn't need Qi Jun and Ling Dong to wait on him. He spent half a day every day sitting in a daze in the pavilion by the garden lake, and half a day wandering around on the first floor of Yuanming Pavilion. medicinal materials.
Old Man Bai dictated the list of medicinal materials that Su Liang had written before. Song Qi successively sent the medicinal materials he found and placed them on the first floor of Yuanming Pavilion. They were almost full at one time, but they were quickly used by Old Man Bai.
Qi Jun purchased hundreds of porcelain vases of various sizes according to Old Man Bai's request.
Although Old Man Bai did not allow Qi Jun and Lonicera to disturb him when he was making medicine, Qi Jun and Lonicera would go in every day after he left Yuanming Pavilion to check how much medicinal materials were missing, how many medicine bottles had been used, and even made records.
"These must be gifts that Senior Bai wants to give to the master." Qi Jun said.
Lonicera agreed, but Old Man Bai's zombie-like state worried her, "Senior Bai doesn't want to leave just after using up the medicinal ingredients, right?"
Qi Jun didn't think so, but he was afraid of what might happen, so he asked Song Qi to continue buying medicinal materials according to the order, no limit, the more the better.
Old Man Bai didn't seem to care that the medicinal materials were increasing faster than he was consuming, and didn't say anything. Seeing this, Qi Jun and Ling Dong thought that maybe they were overthinking.
As for Old Man Mu, who left earlier, he has not returned yet.
News that Su Liang and Gu Ling had settled the war reached the capital. Qi Jun specifically told Old Man Bai, but he just nodded and said, "It's good that she's fine."
…
Kasyapa City.
Six days have passed since Gu Ling and Su Liang left.
Chen Yun's injury has recovered well. It will take another half a year for Lin Yi's arm to recover as good as Chu Shao said. This is what Su Liang said. They got along well with Nian Jincheng, and after the three people discussed it, they further improved the defense of Kasyapa City.
, he did not slack off in daily military training. Even though he knew that a fight was unlikely in the near future, he was still fully prepared.
Occasionally, Lin Wei would invite Chen Yun and Nian Jincheng to drink together when he had free time. Sometimes Chen Yun would bring Chen Xiao with him, and Lin Wei would call his soon-to-be brother-in-law Yuan Pei, whom he had grown up with since childhood.
Yuan Pei and Lin Wei's sister Lin Shan were engaged by their grandparents, and they were childhood sweethearts. Now Yuan Pei is the only one left in the Yuan family, and Lin's father and Lin's mother care about him very much and often invite him to their home.
Everything was fine until one day, Lin Chen, Lin Xie's younger brother, wanted to talk to him.
"What's wrong?" Lin Xin smiled and ruffled Lin Chen's hair, "I always have a straight face at such a young age, but you look older than me!"
Lin Chen frowned, "Brother, don't make trouble, I have something serious to say."
"Which lady do you have your eye on?" Lin Xin chuckled.
Lin Chen's face darkened, "Brother!"
"Okay, okay, you tell me, I'm listening." Lin Wei then sat down seriously.
"There's something wrong with my sister." Lin Chen said seriously.
Lin Wei was stunned for a moment, "Shanshan? She looks pretty good these days and is willing to go out. Isn't that great?"
Lin Chen shook his head, "That's not what I'm talking about. I accidentally saw my sister talking to Brother Chen in the garden. Although I didn't hear what they said, the look on my sister's face as she watched Brother Chen leave... Anyway, I felt something was wrong!"
Lin Wei was stunned, "You mean...Shanshan has fallen in love with Chen Yun? No way? Aren't she and Apei always very good?"
"Maybe it's because my sister has amnesia and has forgotten the past with Brother Yuan?" Lin Chen sighed, "What if my sister really likes Brother Chen?"
According to the rules of the Qian Kingdom, parents must observe mourning for three years after their death. Yuan Pei and Lin Shan were originally scheduled to get married this year. Because Yuan Ye passed away, Yuan Pei wanted to observe mourning for his grandfather for one year, so the wedding was postponed to next year, and the Lin family had no objections.
.
Lin Wei frowned, "I'll ask Shanshan. You didn't tell your parents, right?"
Lin Chen shook his head, "Not yet. Brother, please advise my sister not to like Brother Chen, otherwise Brother Yuan will be very sad!"
"What do children know? Go read a book." Lin Xie ruffled Lin Chen's hair again and strode out.
When Lin Xie found Lin Shan, he saw her sitting in a daze by the window.
"What are you thinking about?" Lin Wei stretched out his hand and waved it in front of Lin Shan's eyes.
"Brother is here, I didn't think about anything." Lin Shan shook her head and smiled.
Lin Xizhuang said as if unintentionally, "Apei has been having a hard time recently. Please spend more time with him. Didn't you like to go swimming in the lake the most in the past?"
Lin Shan frowned slightly when she heard this, "Brother, I..."
Seeing this, Lin Wei had a bad feeling in her heart. Before he could ask, Lin Shan confessed that she wanted to be with Chen Yun, "Brother, I know that Brother Yuan is very good, but now I only have Brother Chen in my heart.
"
Lin Wei frowned, sat down next to Lin Shan, looked into her eyes and asked, "Have you expressed your feelings to Chen Yun?"
Lin Shan shook her head slightly, "No. I want to make it clear to Brother Yuan that we should terminate the engagement as soon as possible. Brother, you must help me."
Lin Wei rubbed his forehead, "Apei has been having a hard time recently... Well, if you really don't like him, it would be bad for both of you if you insist on being together. I'll ask Chen Yun first, if he treats you
If there is no intention, you should give up as soon as possible, you know?"
Lin Shan's eyes lit up with joy, "I understand. Thank you, brother."
…
When Lin Wei found Chen Yun, he had just returned from patrolling the south city gate.
Before coming, Lin Wei felt that Chen Yun would definitely say that he only regarded Lin Wei as his sister.
But the result surprised Lin Wei. When Chen Yun heard his question, he remained silent.
"What do you mean? Just say it!" Lin Xin frowned.
Chen Yun narrowed her eyes and said, "I like your sister because she is engaged, but I have never revealed it. I'm sorry, I never meant to hurt anyone."
Lin Wei felt a headache, "You didn't do anything wrong, so why are you sorry? It's just that I didn't expect you to... In fact, I always thought you had a crush on Su Xiaoliang!"
Chen Yun didn't say anything, and Lin Yi sighed again and again, "If you want to be with my sister without A Bei, of course I would be happy to see it happen. Now that things have happened, I can only tell A Bei as soon as possible and see what he says."
…
When Lin Wei found Yuan Pei, he was repairing Yuan Ye's favorite vase. When the General's Mansion was occupied by the Fan family and his son, Fan Gang broke many things in the mansion, but Yuan Pei didn't throw them away and wanted to restore them to their original state.
After drinking a cup of tea, Lin Wei finally told Yuan Pei about Chen Yun and Lin Wei's love, "I only found out today. If Shanshan hadn't been injured and forgotten you, she would never have been like this.
"
Yuan Pei was stunned for a moment when he heard this. He put down the fragments of the vase in his hand, and his expression quickly returned to calm, "Actually, I knew it earlier."
Lin Yi was shocked, "You know?"
"Sister Shan didn't fall in love with Brother Chen because she lost her memory and forgot about me." Yuan Pei shook his head, his eyes dim, "Before the incident in Kasyapa City, I could tell that Sister Shan was interested in Brother Chen. She went out alone that day and was caught
She was taken away to find Brother Chen, and I saw it from a distance. I thought that after a disaster, she had forgotten everything, and maybe we could start over, but I didn’t expect that the person who was really forgotten was me."
Lin Wei frowned, "Shanshan liked Chen Yun before? Why didn't I notice it at all?"
Yuan Pei picked up the broken porcelain, looked at the half-repaired vase, and shook his head, "Perhaps we were not meant for each other, and it was just an engagement arranged by our elders. Originally, she only regarded me as her brother. Her real destiny is Brother Chen.
, Brother Chen is outstanding, they are a perfect match."
"Apei, you..." Lin Wei looked at Yuan Pei with worry on his face.
"I'm fine." Yuan Pei twitched his lips, "Let's cancel the engagement. I'll tell my uncle and aunt. Even if grandpa is alive, he won't stop it. He has always treated Shan Mei as his own granddaughter."
Lin Wei wanted to say something to comfort Yuan Pei, but when the words came to his lips, he felt that there was nothing more to say, so he just patted him on the shoulder and left.
Two days later, Yuan Pei and Lin Shan officially terminated their engagement, and Chen Yun and Lin Wei were engaged. The wedding date was in mid-May.
On the night of the engagement, Chen Xiao came to the study to give Chen Yun a midnight snack.
"I couldn't finish what mom made, so I gave half to my eldest brother." Chen Xiao smiled and placed a bowl of ginseng chicken soup in front of Chen Yun.
Chen Yun shook his head, "I'm not hungry."
"If my eldest brother feels left out because of my coming back, I will feel very sorry. In fact, my parents just want to compensate me." Chen Xiao looked serious.
Chen Yun's face turned cold, "Stop pretending in front of me."
When Chen Xiao heard this, a meaningful smile suddenly appeared on his originally "good and sensible" face, "Brother, I don't understand what you are talking about."
"I'm not your eldest brother." Chen Yun said coldly.
"Then," Chen Xiao chuckled, "do you want me to call you master or young master? It doesn't matter."
"It was Situ Xie who asked you to come back. You were taken away by him back then." Chen Yun looked at Chen Xiao coldly.
"My lord is the young master's grandfather, and the young master should not call him by his first name. My lord asked me to come back to assist the young master, and I met Su Liang first to be on the safe side and avoid them becoming suspicious. The same reason is true for letting the young master be injured and poisoned."
Chen Xiao looked at Chen Yun with deep eyes, "Master is in a bad mood, is it because he doesn't want to marry Lin Shan? But there is no way. She should have died when she overheard your secret, but you insisted on keeping her alive.
Then you can only give her medicine to make her lose her memory and pretend to be injured. If her memory comes back one day, it will be very detrimental to you. If you don't want her to die, you have to make her fall in love with you and be with you wholeheartedly.
I won’t betray you.”
"It's all designed by you!" Chen Yun's eyes were cold.
Chen Xiao shrugged, "You have to let the young master take the first step, otherwise how can the lord trust you to entrust the important task to you. You have already participated in the arrest of the Lin family and indirectly killed Yuan Ye, so don't treat those so-called friends again
No thoughts in your heart. If they knew what you had done, they would not be able to forgive you."
Chen Yun clenched his fists, "Except for asking you to let Lin Shan go, I didn't participate in any planning!"
Chen Xiao smiled, "You knew who was behind the scenes from beginning to end, but you didn't tell Lin Wei or Su Liang. They wouldn't believe you. You even killed someone in Nanshan City who eavesdropped on your conversation with my parents.
My servant, I faked the illusion that he slipped and fell to his death, without arousing anyone's suspicion. Only when the young master gives up unnecessary illusions as soon as possible can he achieve great achievements. The lord has high hopes for the young master. The young master is the prince of the Liang Kingdom and not a native of the Qian Kingdom. Please remember this."
Chen Yun's face was extremely ugly, "Don't you hate Situ Xie?"
Chen Xiao's smile deepened, "Young master is joking. My lord took me away, raised me, taught me to study and practice martial arts, and then asked me to come back to assist you. You have given me a favor, so why do you hate me? You stayed with my parents."
What future is there around me? Inheriting the family’s shop that can’t earn a few pieces of silver?”
Hearing this, Chen Yun clenched his fists again, "Get out!"
Chen Xiao was neither angry nor annoyed, he stood up and looked at Chen Yun, "Young master, if you face reality as soon as possible, you won't have any pain."
After saying that, Chen Xiao turned around and went out. Chen Yun waved his hand and knocked over the still steaming bowl of ginseng chicken soup...
…
After Su Liang and Gu Ling left Kasyapa City, Gu Ling was able to stay calm all the way because of her disguise, and her busyness temporarily reduced the intensity of love.
Su Liang came to Yan Kingdom for the first time. Everything he saw on the road felt new, so he was in a good mood. He agreed with Gu Ling that if there was nothing important to do when he returned, he would relax and have some fun.
Gu Ling was naturally very happy. He had already planned to consummate the marriage after finishing the business and go on honeymoon.
The two disguised themselves well and acted cautiously. They did not encounter any trouble on the way, and they also learned the news: the new leader of the Yan Kingdom was Mu Ya's uncle Mu Chang, who had rushed to the northern border to replace Fan Gang.
Mu Ya, who wanted to kill Su Liang and almost killed Gao Jiabao, was not assassinated by Lonicera because she was pregnant. Later, Su Liang was busy and stopped paying attention to Mu Ya's current situation. He overheard someone talking about it and learned that Mu Ya was born.
She gave birth to a stillborn fetus, and many people said she was an unlucky person.
Su Liang felt that the rumors about the "ominous man" were probably nothing more than intrigues in the power struggle. Now that she had come here and the business was done, she had to go and meet with Mu Ya in person to settle old accounts.
Nangong Lin's home is in Hefeng City, which is the closest to Xiangyue City. The Nangong family is a famous family in Hefeng City. Nangong Lin is the concubine of the head of the Nangong family. He lives in a courtyard on the outskirts of the city all year round, like an invisible person. If you ask around in the city
Nangong Lin, many people have never heard of this name.
Su Liang and Gu Ling arrived at Hefeng City on the evening of the fifth day of March and went straight to the Nangong family's Mid-level Villa on the outskirts of the city.
The road leading to the other courtyard is in the jungle, quiet and quiet.
The sky dimmed, and the evening breeze rustled the leaves. The two of them each held their horses, and Gu Ling also held Su Liang's hand.
"Do you want to give the letter and hairpin we found in Liang Kingdom to your master?" Su Liang suddenly remembered and asked Gu Ling.
Gu Ling shook his head, "I didn't bring it, forget it."
Su Liang sighed softly, "That's right. He already knew those things."
When they arrived at the door of the other courtyard, Su Liang knocked on the door, and an old man with gray hair came out and invited them in politely.
Halfway through, Nangong Lin came up to him. He looked tired and his hair was wet. He explained that he had just taken a shower.
"Is Senior Sister Nangong okay?" Su Liang asked.
Nangong Lin shook his head and sighed deeply, "You guys came here hard and should have rested first, but Qian'er is not well. Xiao Liang, please go and see her."
"Okay." Su Liang nodded, "Master, lead the way."
When she saw Nangong Qian, she leaned over the maid and kept coughing. The maid held a handkerchief to catch the phlegm, but she coughed up a mouthful of blood.
Nangong Qian's whole appearance and demeanor reminded Su Liang of Lin Daiyu in "A Dream of Red Mansions". She was weak due to congenital deficiencies, loss of liver yin, and depletion of heart energy, and she looked devoid of any color.
As the daughter of Situ Han and Situ Xiang, Nangong Qian was a beauty with exquisite features, but unfortunately her health was too poor. She looked at Nangong Lin and called "Dad" before fainting weakly.
Nangong Lin helped Nangong Qian lie down, sighed deeply, and waved his hand to let the maid go out.
Su Liang walked to the bedside, and Nangong Lin stepped aside to watch her take Nangong Qian's pulse.
As guessed, there is no magic medicine for this disease, and it needs to be nursed back to health slowly.
"Master, show me what medicine my senior sister usually takes." Su Liang let go of Nangong Qian.
Nangong Lin brought the prescription and the uneaten medicine, "It had some effect at first, but then it was of no use."
Gu Ling took it over, and Su Liang gave Nangong Qian acupuncture first, saying that he needed to think carefully about how to treat her.
Nangong Lin asked the maid to take Su Liang and Gu Ling to rest while he stayed and waited for Nangong Qian to wake up.
…
Su Liang took off her disguise, washed up and had dinner with Gu Ling.
Gu Ling asked Su Liang how long it would take to treat Nangong Qian.
Su Liang shook his head, "We'll check the situation tomorrow when she wakes up."
"Tonight we can only sleep together." Gu Ling glanced at the inner room, which was full of implications.
Su Liang was thinking about Nangong Qian's illness, "What did you just say?"
"Sleep together tonight." Gu Ling repeated.
Su Liang heard it clearly this time, but frowned slightly, "Maybe not."
Gu Ling was puzzled, "Why not? Why might it not work?"
"I think my period is coming." Su Liang shrugged slightly.
Gu Ling shook his head, "The day has not come yet."
"Maybe it's because of my recent irregular life that it's coming early again," Su Liang said. She had a faint feeling in her lower abdomen before her period every time, so it shouldn't be wrong.
"Okay." Gu Ling sighed softly, "Then I will hold you to sleep tonight to warm you up."
Su Liang smiled, "I agree, as long as you don't feel uncomfortable."
Gu Ling held her forehead and said, "I'm in so much trouble. I really want to beat Nian Jincheng to death."