Back in the palace, Duanmu Chen went to find Situ Yao.
Situ Yao's eyes were red and she was sitting by the window. When she saw Duanmu Chen coming, she seemed to be in disbelief. She quickly stood up and came out. After bowing, she explained what happened last night, saying that she was just afraid that something would happen to her brother and did not want to influence Duanmu Chen.
A sincere decision.
"It was my grandfather who first issued the reward order. It is normal for the emperor to do that. I impulsively said nonsense last night. Please forgive me." Situ Yao shed tears again as she spoke.
Duanmu Chen sighed and held her hand, "I have always hoped to have a close friend. I also hope that that person is you."
Situ Yao took advantage of the situation and leaned into Duanmu Chen's arms.
Duanmu Chen patted her back gently, "I just left the palace and went to the Su Mansion, and I brought you something good back."
Situ Yao burst into tears and smiled, "Is it delicious?"
Duanmu Chen nodded, let go of Situ Yao, and took out a bun from the food box that Chang An silently placed on the table. It was not yet cool.
The bun is not big, the outer skin is very delicate, and every fold is quite even.
"Did my cousin do this?" Situ Yao asked.
Duanmu Chen shook his head, "Your cousin made it with his own hands. You must have never eaten it. Try it quickly."
Situ Yao took it with a handkerchief, took a few sips, nodded and said, "It's delicious. I didn't expect my cousin to have such good cooking skills."
"Gu Ling is just a monster. There is nothing he can't do." Duanmu Chen sighed and laughed again, "There is one thing he can't do, give birth to a child."
Situ Yao also laughed.
After Situ Yao finished eating the little bun, rinsed his mouth, and made tea, the two of them seemed to have restored their previous harmony.
After Duanmu Chen took a sip of tea, he put down the tea cup and suddenly asked, "Yao'er, can I trust you?"
Situ Yao looked slightly startled, then nodded affirmatively, with a gentle tone but firm eyes, "I am the emperor's concubine. Maybe I will never forget the relatives who gave birth to me, but I will never do anything to betray the emperor."
"Okay." Duanmu Chen nodded and smiled, "I went to the Su Mansion today and happened to hear Su Liang and Gu Ling say that she had made a new and interesting medicine."
With that said, Duanmu Chen pushed a tea cup towards Situ Yao, "Drink this."
Situ Yao looked uneasy, "There is something the emperor said..."
"Yes. Don't be afraid." Duanmu Chen smiled gently, "I say it is interesting because it does no harm to the body. Otherwise, I wouldn't let you use it."
"I'm a little confused, what's so interesting?" Situ Yao didn't touch the cup.
"That's fine, I'll tell you first so that you don't get scared." Duanmu Chen said, "This medicine is called Zhenxin Dan. If a person who takes it tells a lie, his body will tremble. The medicine is only effective for half an hour.
It will be solved when it is too late.”
Situ Yao looked a little hurt, "The emperor doesn't trust me...is it because of what happened last night?"
"It has something to do with what happened last night, but it's not entirely true. I have been thinking about you recently, and my mother has noticed it. This is the first time in my life that I have been so concerned about a woman." Duanmu Chen held Situ Yao in his hands.
hand, "I am the emperor, I just want to have a close friend with whom I can talk about anything. Do you understand my painstaking efforts?"
Situ Yao frowned and nodded, "I understand. Is that medicine really that magical?"
Duanmu Chen nodded affirmatively, "I have personally seen Chang'an try the medicine in Su Mansion. It will be fine. I'm telling you in advance, I just hope you don't panic and answer my next questions calmly."
With that said, Duanmu Chen picked up the tea cup again and handed it to Situ Yao, "Drink it."
Situ Yao narrowed her eyes, took it, held it with both hands, and asked again, "Is the Emperor sure that this medicine is harmless to the fetus?"
Duanmu Chen nodded, "Of course, I asked Su Liang specifically."
Situ Yao lowered her head, sighed softly, and started to drink the warm water in the cup. She confirmed that she was happy just a few days ago, and she has not had tea since then. Duanmu Chen poured this cup for her with his own hands.
Situ Yao did not notice any peculiar smell in the water she drank. But she knew that some high-end drugs became colorless and odorless when dissolved in water. She also believed that Su Liang's medical skills could make such a thing. She just didn't know
, what exactly is Duanmu Chen going to ask her...
The teacup returned to the table. In the quiet space, the bottom of the cup briefly collided with the tabletop, making a particularly crisp sound.
"Whatever the emperor wants to ask, just ask." Situ Yao said.
"Raise your head and look into my eyes." Duanmu Chen's tone was obviously becoming gentler, but it carried an unquestionable intimidation.
Situ Yao then raised her head and looked at Duanmu Chen, with crystal water shining in the corners of her eyes.
Duanmu Chen will not be soft-hearted. The more he discovers that he cares about Situ Yao, the more he needs to confirm as soon as possible whether this woman is trustworthy.
As for changing the name Gu Ling gave this "medicine", it was necessary. The original name was too strange.
Duanmu Chen also changed the so-called medicine effect because he thought that Situ Yao was pregnant and if he told her that she would die if he lied, she might guess that Duanmu Chen was scaring her and it was not true.
"Do you like..." Duanmu Chen paused, "Gu Ling?"
Situ Yao was stunned.
Anyone would think that Duanmu Chen would ask Situ Yao if she really liked him, but unexpectedly he asked her if she liked Gu Ling.
After Situ Yao was surprised, she shook her head calmly, "I don't like it."
"I'm not asking about the love between men and women, but I want to know what you think of Gu Ling himself and his cousin," Duanmu Chen said.
He had never doubted that Situ Yao liked Gu Ling, and that was not what he was asking about at the moment.
Situ Yao frowned, thought for a moment, sighed first, then shook her head, "I don't like it."
"Why?" Duanmu Chen asked.
Situ Yao sighed again, "Cousin Gu Ling has never taken anyone from the Situ family seriously, let alone treated me as a sister."
Duanmu Chen nodded. It was true. It was just that Situ Yao had mentioned that Gu Ling didn't have such an attitude before. But that was normal. In fact, they were unrelated people, and it was okay to say polite words on face.
Then, Duanmu Chen asked again, "You have said more than once that you admire Su Liang very much and like her very much. Is it true?"
As soon as she finished speaking, she saw Situ Yao's fingers grabbing her sleeve. Duanmu Chen had discovered this a long time ago, and it was a subconscious action when she was nervous.
"I..." Situ Yao lowered her head again, and as she always knew etiquette best, she forgot to call herself my concubine, "I don't like my cousin either..."
"Why?" Duanmu Chen's eyes dimmed.
"She...she..." Situ Yao obviously didn't want to say the next words, "She always looks aloof, as if everyone wants to revolve around her. She is always right. If you are different from her, you must
It's wrong."
After Situ Yao finished speaking, she seemed to regret a little. She wanted to explain, but she hesitated.
Probably because of the fact that she "cannot lie", she could no longer say polite and false words to cover up her true thoughts.
The tenderness in Duanmu Chen's eyes was a bit fake, but now it was even fake. He asked Situ Yao, "Has Su Liang ever offended you?"
Situ Yao did not answer directly, "Her master caught me and threatened my grandfather."
"That's because Situ Jing arrested her at that time."
"That was done by Situ Jing and has nothing to do with me."
"It was her master's intention to arrest you, but she didn't know it at the time."
"If it weren't for Su Liang, many things wouldn't be what they are now!"
After Situ Yao blurted out, she looked panicked and quickly lowered her head to cover up. Under the influence of "drugs", she kept hinting that she must tell the truth and not lie. Just now Duanmu Chen was quite aggressive and engaged in psychological warfare. Situ Yao and him
Totally incomparable.
Duanmu Chen looked indifferent, "What are you dissatisfied with now? Do you hope that no one will stop your grandfather from unifying the world?"
"I..." Situ Yao wanted to retort, but she didn't dare to say it. Her face turned a strange red, as if the calm ice in her heart was violently colliding with the anger that had been hidden for a long time.
Not daring to answer is itself a definite answer.
"That's my grandfather." Situ Yao whispered, a little crying.
"Your grandfather killed his son Situ Han. What do you think of the comparison?" Duanmu Chen asked.
Situ Yao was silent for a moment, "The throne has always changed. The original position was given to him by his grandfather."
"For the throne, is it right for father and son to kill each other?" Duanmu Chen asked.
"Your Majesty, why don't you treat your father..." Situ Yao spoke faster than his heart, and when he realized what he had said, his face turned pale.
Duanmu Chen smiled, "Yes. I snatched the throne from my father, but at least my father is still alive. And he has always said that a tiger's poison cannot eat its child. Your grandfather is just showing his true colors.
Have you ever thought about leaving the Situ family behind and focusing on me?"
Situ Yao was silent for longer this time, but still answered Duanmu Chen's question, "If Situ of Liang Kingdom is not good, I will not have a good life either."
"Oh..." Duanmu Chen sighed inaudibly, "You are already pregnant with my child, but you don't understand me at all."
After finishing his words, Duanmu Chen stood up, "Let's stop here." and walked out.
Situ Yao sat in a daze. She seemed to be in a dream, and her mind was blank for a moment. She didn't know what happened, what she just said, or what kind of medicine...
Situ Yao looked at the teacup on the table, and she said hesitantly, "I really like Su Liang."
This was a lie, but there was nothing strange about her body. She looked at her arms, which were hanging steadily without shaking.
The so-called interesting medicine... Situ Yao turned pale instantly!
…
Duanmu Chen went to the Imperial Garden again and walked slowly by the lake with Chang An.
He never asked Situ Yao about his feelings for him from beginning to end, but there was no need to ask.
On the way back to the palace from the Su Mansion, Duanmu Chen kept thinking about what he should ask and what he wanted to know.
When he entered the palace, he thought of the answer. He actually didn't want to hear Situ Yao say that she loved him, because of his position, and because they had only been married for more than a month, so how could he have such deep feelings.
He wanted to know what kind of person this woman he was attracted to was like and whether she was worthy of his love.
When Duanmu Chen asked Situ Yao what she thought of Gu Ling and Su Liang, he wanted to judge her character and view of right and wrong.
Because from Duanmu Chen's point of view and the facts, Gu Ling and Su Liang did not do anything to harm Situ Yao. When Situ Yao was captured by Lao Bai and Lao Mu, it was just a countermeasure. At that time, Su Liang was
Qiu Cong took him away. Situ Jing was still a good grandson of Situ Xie. He applauded Su Liang and applauded him when he found out that Su Liang had been captured.
Even if Situ Yao didn't know what happened beforehand, she should know the reason afterwards. It makes no sense for her to blame Su Liang for this.
From Situ Yao's tone, it is not difficult to hear her jealousy of Su Liang, as if Su Liang's excellence was a mistake. She said that Su Liang was superior, as if he was always right. But the fact is, Su Liang is indeed right.
.Only those who have done wrong will want to confuse right and wrong.
Situ Yao, on the other hand, had infinite tolerance and understanding for her grandfather. No matter how many evil things she did, she would just say "It's always been like this" and get rid of it.
Situ Yao believes that the Situ family of Liang Kingdom is her eternal supporter. As long as the Situ family is strong, Duanmu Chen will treat her well.
Duanmu Chen only found it ridiculous. He chose the marriage for the overall situation, but after she really became his woman, he did not want the harem to participate in any political matters. His attitude towards these women had nothing to do with the so-called overall situation. Because the marriage was completed
By that time, the meaning of marriage itself has ended.
"It's a pity about the buns made by Gu Ling." Duanmu Chen suddenly said.
Chang'an listened silently.
"Go to the Su Mansion and ask for another one," Duanmu Chen said.
Changan asked weakly, "Just... want one?"
"A few more would be better." Duanmu Chen smiled, "I'll ask my mother to have a taste."
Changan responded, thinking this was a good reason.
"Tell Su Liang that her magic medicine is very effective, and thank Gu Ling for me." Duanmu Chen said.
Chang'an: ...Mrs. Gu's medicine is very effective, but she has to thank Marquis Gu? I don't understand.
After Chang'an left, Duanmu Chen also left the Imperial Garden. He felt that he had been really idle recently, and it was outrageous to think about nothing for a woman who only had a superficial appearance and a bad character. He had better make a plan.
Destroying the Liang Kingdom is the right thing to do.
…
When Su Liang and Gu Ling saw Chang'an again and listened to him relaying Duanmu Chen's words, they knew that the matter was over.
A "medicine" used to detect lies. If what Situ Yao told is true and Duanmu Chen is satisfied, we have to wonder if she has seen through the scam.
Only Duanmuchen's unexpected "bad answer" is worthy of his admiration for the effectiveness of the medicine.
Su Liang was not surprised by this result. It was not that she thought that the granddaughter taught by Situ Xie must be of the same kind as him. Gu Ling's mother was Situ Xie's daughter, and she was not of that temper. It was just their past interactions that made Su Liang always feel that
Situ Yao is so perfect that it is a bit unreal, in other words, her sincerity cannot be seen.
This is also the reason why Gu Ling and Su Liang only treat Situ Yao as a member of the Situ family.
And when Duanmu Chen came to Su Liang to tell him that, it meant that Situ Yao had not succeeded in pretending in front of him. Today just made certain things more certain.
When the buns were gone, Su Liang asked Chang An to take away a box of Gu Ling's jujube cakes.
After Chang'an left, Su Liang asked Gu Ling, "Do you think Duanmu Chen will meet someone he truly loves in this life?"
Gu Ling thought for a while and said, "I didn't think so at first. But after what happened this time, maybe I will."
Duanmu Chen is changing from a standard member of the royal family to a normal person. If it were him before, he would never have the trouble of coming to Su Liang today.
…
Duanmu Chen did not banish Situ Yao to the cold palace, nor did he restrict her from moving around the harem. The meeting was still gentle, but he did not spend the night with her again. He only said it was because it was inconvenient for her to be pregnant.
Situ Yao cried in front of Queen Mother Xiao, saying that she said the wrong thing and she didn't know what happened at that time, as if someone was controlling her.
Mrs. Xiao only comforted her, but did not say anything to explain it to her, and advised her to take good care of her baby.
As for the servants that Situ Yao brought as a dowry, they have all been replaced by Duanmu Chen, including the nanny who had been serving her since she was a child and whom she had begged to keep.
…
Liangguo Yaocheng.
The reward order issued by Situ Xie has not yet yielded results. He has just received the news that Duanmu Chen has also issued a reward order for Situ Jing's head.
When the news arrived, Situ Jing was also present, and his expression suddenly changed.
"Grandfather, what should we do?" Situ Jing said with a stern face. No matter how high the palace wall is, it can't stop some people who are highly skilled in martial arts and fly into the sky to escape. Liang Guo's reward order has not yet produced any results, which means he wants to kill him.
Qiu Jing is not easy. And Situ Jing knows that Qiu Cong and Qiu Jing's descendants are extremely powerful.
Situ Xie stared, "This must be Su Liang and Gu Ling's idea for Duanmu Chen."
Situ Jing said bitterly, "If I had known this, I should have found a way to get rid of them!"
Situ Xie shook his head, "No one can predict the future. Someone, bring Liang Zhen here!"
Situ Jing frowned, not remembering who Liang Zhen was for a moment.
Soon, an old man was dragged in by two guards. The old man was not tall, had gray beard and hair, and his eyes were blurred. He was obviously drugged.
Situ Jing remembered that this man was originally from the Liang Kingdom. He had been favored by Situ Ning and followed Gu Ling after the Gu family's accident, and later returned to the Liang Kingdom.
Then, Situ Xie threw out a piece of paper, ordered the guards to pick it up, cut Liang Zhen's hand with a knife, pressed his hand, and left a bloody fingerprint on the paper.
The piece of paper returned to Situ Xie's hand, and he looked at it coldly, "Send this to my good grandson, and tell him that if you want Liang Zhen's family to survive, ask Duanmu Chen to cancel the reward order, and then send Situ Jing's head to him."