Three days after Situ Yao entered the palace, Duanmu Chen held a banquet in the palace and invited Situ Jing and Situ Jing, as well as Gu Ling and Su Liang. These were all Situ Yao's natal family in Qian Kingdom.
Duanmu Chen thought that Gu Ling and Su Liang would make excuses not to come like before, but they ended up entering the palace on time for the banquet.
As for the reason, it was a conversation.
Su Liang asked, "Are you going?"
Gu Ling said, "Anything is fine."
Su Liangxiao, "Watch the King of a Country perform?"
Gu Ling nodded, "Okay."
The two of them also brought Zheng'er with them.
The daytime banquet was held in the imperial garden.
The sun is shining brightly, the breeze is gentle, and the green trees and flowers are beautiful as far as the eye can see.
Situ Jing and Situ Jing arrived first, watching Gu Ling and Su Liang lead Zheng'er through the moon cave door.
Situ Jing smiled and was about to stand up and say hello to them when Gu Ling suddenly chased a butterfly and turned into the flowers, Zheng'er also ran to catch up.
Su Liang's expression did not change and continued to walk forward.
Situ Jing once again saw Duanmu Chen's favor for Su Liang and Gu Ling. They seemed to regard the palace garden as their own garden, so casually.
"You're welcome, Mr. Situ, please sit down quickly." Su Liang smiled and chose a seat out of the sun to sit down.
Situ Jing then sat back and said with a smile, "Cousin Ling, are you going to catch butterflies? You really have a childlike innocence."
Su Liang nodded, "Yes, my husband-in-law is still a child."
Situ Jing:......
Situ Jing: ...He can hardly stand this couple anymore, but they are leaving tomorrow, so that’s okay.
Not long after, Gu Ling and Zheng'er came out of the flowers. Zheng'er's little hands were bulged like shells and they were covered together and ran towards Su Liang, "Auntie, look what we caught?"
Gu Ling was weaving a garland as he walked, half of which was already done. His slender fingers were very flexible, and he wore a silver ring on the ring finger of his left hand. Su Liang also had a pair of rings on his hand.
This is the blueprint of the ring made by Su Liang and made by Gu Ling himself, and there is also a hidden weapon.
Zheng'er ran up to Su Liang, slowly opened her little hand, and a butterfly with black wings and gold edges fluttered its wings and flew away.
"Does it look good?" Zheng'er asked Su Liang with a smile.
Su Liang nodded, "It looks good." He wiped Zheng'er's hands with a handkerchief.
Zheng'er climbed up to the chair next to him and sat down, then quickly slid down, changed his position, and sat next to Situ Jing, "Uncle Beibei, are you paying for my sword?"
Situ Jing's eyes flashed slightly. He knew whose family this child belonged to, but he didn't expect Zheng'er to have such a good relationship with Situ Jing. Pay for his sword? What do you mean?
"I'll give it to you before I leave tomorrow." Situ Jing said. He wasted a lot of good wood and couldn't make a satisfactory one.
"Don't forget it!" Zheng'er said with a serious face.
Situ Jing nodded, "No."
When Gu Ling sat down next to Su Liang, the garland had already been woven, and the small yellow flowers like stars were dotted on the entangled green leaves and branches. They were well-proportioned, beautiful and cute.
"My cousin is so skillful with his hands." Situ Jing praised.
"You can wear it yourself." Su Liang shook her head. It wasn't that she didn't like it, but she felt it was more suitable for Gu Ling.
Then, Situ Jing and Situ Jing both stared in shock as Gu Ling really put the wreath on his head...
It's beautiful, it's really beautiful, it's as beautiful as a fairy.
Zheng'er clapped her little hands and said, "Uncle Beauty is even more beautiful!"
Situ Jing: ...What he admired most about Gu Ling was not his martial arts, but his freedom and calmness that "as long as I'm happy, no matter what others think, it's just a cloud."
As far as he knew, Gu Ling had been like this since he was a child. Even when the Gu family was not destroyed, he could stay out of it and live the life he wanted.
Situ Jing himself was sent to someone else's home, but he was tightly bound by his so-called origin and could not break free.
Gu Ling said that Situ Jing acted emotionally. Situ Jing has been thinking these days that Gu Ling is not a heartless person, but he can always distinguish "emotions" and "matters" very clearly.
Feelings are precious, don't give them to people who don't deserve them easily. You must be principled and focused in doing things, and don't be affected by unnecessary emotions.
Situ Jing found that Situ Jing was distracted again. He was not looking at Su Liang, but at Gu Ling. He had been distracted a lot these days and didn't know what he was thinking.
"The Emperor has arrived!"
The sound coming from outside the moon cave door made Situ Jing look back and saw Duanmu Chen and Situ Yao coming.
One has a spring-filled face, and the other is charming and charming. They really look like a loving couple.
When Situ Jing saw Duanmu Chen holding Situ Yao's hand, his smile deepened and he stood up to salute.
Gu Ling and Su Liang have special privileges and do not have to bow to Duanmu Chen, let alone Situ Yao, a noble concubine.
Situ Jing and Duanmu Chen looked at each other, stood up and held their hands, bowing slightly, "Emperor Qian, Concubine Liang." In fact, they have become a monarch-minister relationship, but this matter is still a secret.
Duanmu Chen chuckled, "Second Prince Situ, First Young Master Situ, there is no need to be polite, please sit down quickly."
"Uncle Emperor!" Zheng'er smiled and waved his little hand at Duanmu Chen.
Duanmu Chen smiled and nodded, "Zheng'er is here too."
Duanmu Chen let go of Situ Yao's hand only after he sat down.
Duanmu Chen noticed the wreath on Gu Ling's head and twitched his lips slightly, "It's very unique. I didn't expect you like to dress up so much."
"Your Majesty? Ten thousand taels." Gu Ling's expression was indifferent.
Duanmu Chen hummed softly, "I should give you ten thousand taels for the flowers I broke in the imperial garden."
In just a few words, it is clear how close Duanmu Chen is to Gu Ling, the former son of a rebel.
"Yao'er must serve Emperor Qian well in the future and don't be willful." Situ Jing, as the representative of her mother's family, warned Situ Yao sincerely and said a few words for the occasion.
Situ Yao responded one by one, "Are eldest brother and cousin Jing leaving tomorrow?"
"If Yao'er doesn't want to leave, you can let them stay a little longer." Duanmu Chen said with a gentle tone.
Situ Yao shook his head, "Thank you for your consideration, Your Majesty. It's just that my eldest brother has been away for a long time, and my grandfather and mother are very concerned about him. I hope he can go back as soon as possible."
"That's fine." Duanmu Chen said in a friendly manner.
The delicious food is on the table, and on the surface, the atmosphere is extremely warm and harmonious.
Gu Ling and Su Liang formed a world of their own, Duanmu Chen and Situ Yao seemed to be newlyweds and they were very sweet. Situ Jing had been picking up food for Zheng'er and talking to him.
Situ Jing, the only one who was alone, looked at the "three couples" silently. He always felt that something was not right, but he couldn't put it in words. It seemed that everything was much better than expected, but it was just too smooth, which made him feel a little unreal inexplicably. Feeling. Does Duanmu Chen really like Situ Yao so much? Has Situ Jing really broken up completely with Gu Ling and Su Liang? That child is just a child from a merchant family, but he can actually eat and laugh at the same table with the emperor of Qian Kingdom. No need Salute...What kind of person is Duanmu Chen?
No one would answer Situ Jing's questions.
After the banquet, Situ Yao said that she wanted to talk to Situ Jing alone, and Duanmu Chen agreed and let Situ Jing go to Situ Yao's palace.
Gu Ling and Su Liang were swimming in the lake in the imperial garden, and Situ Jing sent Zheng'er home.
Arriving at the middle of the lake, Gu Ling put down the oar and let the boat float gently in the wind on the lake.
Su Liang leaned against Gu Ling to bask in the sun, feeling comfortable and comfortable.
"I think the emperor really likes Situ Yao." Su Liang squinted his eyes and looked at the snow-white clouds in the blue sky.
Gu Ling's expression was indifferent, "He really likes you and me too."
Su Liang smiled when he heard this, "Yes."
It's different, but it's actually the same. Because Duanmu Chen is too restrained in things like feelings. Compared with others, Duanmu Chen's "like" is at most "favorable" level.
The difference is that while Duanmu Chen has a good impression of Su Liang and Gu Ling, he also has trust in them. But Duanmu Chen has no trust in Situ Yao, who just married him.
Duanmu Chen can test Situ Yao, rather than having a routine relationship with this foreign princess from the beginning, which shows that he has expectations for Situ Yao.
Therefore, at this moment, Duanmu Chen's love for Situ Yao is like a tree without roots. If they can build trust, maybe they can really become a couple with a good relationship apart from politics and power. But if there is no trust, it won't take long for this to happen.
The best case scenario is that all that remains is pure lust and face, and it may be even worse.
Su Liang gently stroked her belly, "Master, you should be able to tell whether it's a son or a daughter soon. Do you want to know in advance or wait until the birth?"
Gu Ling thought carefully and said, "Look at you."
Su Liang chuckled, "Are you sure I can keep it from you in the future?"
Gu Ling shook his head, "No. Either you don't know, or you know everything."
"Master, you know how to take your pulse, so you'd better confirm it first and then tell me." Su Liang said, "I can make a guess based on your expression."
Gu Ling said it was better this way. He couldn't wait to know whether he would have a son or a daughter.
At first, Su Liang said that if she was pregnant with twins at once, it would be better to have two babies at once, but Gu Ling disagreed because it would be more difficult for Su Liang to be pregnant with twins, and she would also bear greater risks during the delivery.
Su Liang is only pregnant with one child. She and Gu Ling both have expectations for the gender of the child, but they think everything is fine.
After the lake tour, the two went to the palace library to borrow some books before leaving the palace and going home.
When Situ Jing returned to the post house after sending Zheng'er home, Situ Jing was already back.
The two sat together to discuss arrangements for leaving tomorrow.
Situ Jing confirmed with Situ Jing again whether he really wanted to take Chen's father and Chen's mother's coffin with him.
Situ Jing said yes.
Situ Jing did not object anymore. The marriage was done, and there was no need for him to make Situ Jing unhappy.
Then Situ Jing mentioned Situ Yao, "Does the second prince think Emperor Qian really likes Yao'er that much?"
Situ Jing picked up the tea cup and took a sip with a calm expression, "Why do you ask?"
Situ Jing sighed slightly, "I don't know why, but I always feel that Emperor Qian is too kind to Yaoer... for a king of a country."
"Do you want him to treat your sister badly?" Situ Jing snorted.
Situ Jing shook his head, "Of course I didn't mean that. It's just... Well, I really don't worry about Yao'er. She's married so far away, and I can't expect Gu Ling to take care of her."
"If you want to stay with your sister, Emperor Qian must be very happy." Situ Jing's face was expressionless.
Situ Jing had nothing to say.
In the evening of the same day, when they met again, Situ Jing asked Situ Jing if there was no hope of wooing Qiu Cong to Liang Kingdom?
Situ Jing gave Situ Jing an unexpected answer, "Grandpa has agreed to go to Liang Kingdom with me."
Situ Jing looked surprised, "That's great! Su Liang and Gu Ling won't stop it, right?"
Situ Jing shook his head, "They can't stop them."
"What about your sister?" Situ Jing asked.
"She is still sick, so she will stay here temporarily," Situ Jing said.
Situ Jing felt something was wrong. Qiu Cong left his granddaughter and went to Liang Kingdom with Situ Jing? Could it be that he had ulterior motives? Situ Jing knew that Situ Han had forced Situ Xiang back then, and suddenly began to wonder if Qiu Cong was going back to Liang Kingdom this time. Want to avenge your daughter?
Situ Jing finally decided to wait until he returns to Liang Kingdom to talk about everything. No matter what Situ Xie thinks, Situ Jing must have a good talk with him. Situ Jing must not be counted on. It is best to get rid of him as soon as possible, otherwise it will only ruin the big thing.
That night Situ Jing barely slept, and kept making wooden swords for Zheng'er. It was not until dawn that he finally made one that he felt was barely acceptable, and secretly sent it to Zheng'er's house and placed it in his room.
…
At dawn, Qiu Cong packed his luggage and came to say goodbye to Gu Ling and Su Liang.
"Little girl, Master, I'm going to go now. Qian'er's body is too troublesome for you to worry about." Qiu Cong said seriously, "Master, I'm really sorry for you. I keep saying that I want to help you. When you used me before, I just wanted to help you." I was injured, and now that I’m healed, I have to follow Jing’er again.”
Su Liang smiled and said, "Third master, please don't say that. I'm not an outsider, so why are you being polite to me? Master is going to Xuanbei City now. It will be a big help to my adoptive father to come back to visit my relatives on vacation."
Qiu Cong's expression became serious, "Don't worry! I will definitely help Jing'er defend Xuanbei City! If the bastards from Liang State dare to make trouble, don't even think about it!" Qiu Cong has no plans to go to Situ Han to settle accounts for the time being, because Situ Xiangliu The next two children are more important.
Qiu Cong is worried about Situ Jing, not because he is afraid that he will be stupid again, but because he is afraid that something will happen to him. Not only the royal family of Liang Kingdom may take Situ Jing back, but also Nangong Lin, who escaped from the island, may show up again. There are many people here in the capital, so Qiu Cong is absolutely assured of Gu Ling's strength, but he cannot be assured of Situ Jing alone.
Su Liang had no objection to this. She thought that Situ Jing would go to defend the city and Qiu Cong would protect him, so that Xing Ji could go home and rest for a while.
Gu Ling had already asked Duanmu Chen for advice on this matter. Duanmu Chen felt that they were a bit ridiculous. After all, he could not completely trust Situ Jing. But in the end, Duanmu Chen accepted their suggestion and wrote a secret edict to Xing Ji for Xing Ji to watch. manage.
The secret decree was hidden in Qiu Cong's arms.
Su Liang prepared a lot of poisons and wound antidotes for Qiu Cong, asking him to take them with him in case of emergency. Although Lao Bai was not at home, Su Liang did not slack off. He practiced making a lot of medicines these days, and also followed Gu Ling is researching new drugs together.
Qiu Cong said goodbye to Su Liang and Gu Ling, and when he was about to leave the house, he saw Cen Man waiting for him at the door.
"Next, I have to work hard for you and help me take care of Qian'er." Qiu Cong said to Cen Man.
Cen Man smiled and said, "There is no need to be polite between us. When you go to the north this time, you must be careful, don't be impulsive when something happens, and discuss it with A Jing more often."
Qiu Cong was unhappy when he heard this, "Discuss with him? Do you think I'm more confused than him?"
Cen Man said half-jokingly, "You two are easily confused, so it's best to discuss everything."
Qiu Cong strode out the door, "Let's go!"
…
In the blink of an eye, Su Liang was already four months pregnant.
Before going to bed that night, Gu Ling finished observing Su Liang's pregnant belly and took her pulse.
"Master, what are you looking at? Why does it take so long?" Su Liang asked, yawning.
Gu Ling let go of Su Liang's hand, "I know the gender of the baby. Please guess."
Su Liang suddenly woke up, "Then let me ask you a question. You can answer it or not. I will judge it by observing your expression."
Gu Ling nodded, "Ask."
Su Liang thought for a while and said, "Can the little god wear a skirt?"