Gu Ling and Lao Mu caught up with Qiu Jing on the fifth day after leaving Xingluo Island. Their boat was smaller and faster, and they took turns driving without stopping.
Qiu Jing received a report that a ship was approaching. He thought it was someone who was chasing them, so he ordered everyone to be on alert and prepare to respond to the enemy. Then he heard Lao Mu's voice.
Qiu Jing was overjoyed and shouted, "Don't do anything to your own people!"
He and Cen Man stood at the stern of the boat, watching the boat approaching. Lao Mu was waving to them, and there was a tall figure. Who else could it be if it wasn't Gu Ling?
Cen Man's brows relaxed and he breathed a long sigh of relief, "Great, great! I knew it would be okay for Xiao Gu to save people!"
Gu Ling and Lao Mu abandoned the boat and boarded Qiu Jing's boat. When they saw Gu Ling holding a pot in his hand, Qiu Jing's mouth twitched slightly, "Did you get this from Xingluo Island?"
"Weapon." Gu Ling said, raising it up as if to slap Qiu Jing on the head with the iron pot in his hand.
Cen Man smiled and took the pot, "Stop making trouble. Your eyes are red. You must have not slept for many days. Take a rest."
Qiu Jing did not give the order to continue setting off, but pulled Gu Ling aside and asked, "Should we go forward, or should we turn around and fight back?"
Gu Ling shook his head, "Go back to Kasyapa City first."
Qiu Jing glanced at the direction of Xingluo Island, and could only see the line where the sea and the sky meet, and sighed, "That's fine. We don't have any explosives. After wandering on the sea for so long, I think everyone has lost their energy.
If we fight back again, it won't be as smooth as last time." After saying that, he gave the order and moved forward at full speed.
Gu Ling then saw the siblings Lao Bai and Yuan Ying. They looked good, but they had no memories of the past.
Only then did Gu Ling learn that the three of them had lost their memory. His eyes immediately narrowed and he thought of Yan Shiba, whom he had rescued from Sheng Yue and arranged to be sent back to his home in the capital!
It cannot be a coincidence that so many people have amnesia. If Yan Shiba knew some secret about Xingluo Island or Sheng Yue and had his memory wiped, it would not be a big problem, but if Sheng Yue had ulterior motives and wanted to use Yan Shiba for something...
…
Yuan Ying's personality has not changed, she is still cheerful and cheerful even though she has lost her memory. She has heard Qiu Jing talk a lot about Su Liang and Gu Ling, and she is looking forward to meeting Su Liang soon.
Yuanye was injured in his early years and had some brain problems. He was very dependent on Yuan Ying and was very wary of strangers and would not touch him. He always lowered his head and huddled behind Yuan Ying and did not speak. Gu Ling tried to take his pulse but failed.
Then gave up.
Gu Ling checked the conditions of Yuan Ying and Lao Bai and found no signs of poisoning. He suspected that the amnesia drug was given by Yue Mei or provided to Xingluo Island by Yue Mei, just like Lin Shan's situation.
The most emotionally unstable person is Lao Bai. He has been trying hard to retrieve his memory. He can't stand the blank mind. He always beats his head with his hands and is restless most of the time.
Lao Mu frowned and grabbed Lao Bai's hand, "Stop knocking! I'll tell you whatever you want to know!"
"Who are you...I don't know you..." Lao Bai frowned and looked at Lao Mu.
Lao Mu said angrily, "We have known each other for decades, and I know everything about you!"
"Really?" Lao Bai said and looked at Qiu Jing for confirmation.
Qiu Jing nodded with a serious expression, "Yes, the two seniors have been friends for half their lives. Senior Mu went to Xingluo Island just to save you."
Gu Ling already knew from Lao Mu how he and Cen Man were arrested when they went to Xingluo Island to rescue people. At that time, they went to the island secretly and had not yet sneaked into the city lord's palace. They were unlucky enough to bump into Sheng Yue. They were in a very strange place at that time.
In the hidden forest, how did they know that Sheng Yue was actually sitting on the tree above them in broad daylight, not knowing what he was doing... The result was no doubt that Sheng Yue used smoke to stun them.
Lao Mu and Cen Man did not see Mo Yan, and when they woke up in the dungeon, Sheng Yue stood in front of them and told them not to talk nonsense, otherwise they would not be killed, but their memories would be erased.
Lao Mu and Cen Man could only endure in silence, waiting for a turn of events. They did not see Lao Bai and Yuan Ying on Xingluo Island. When Lao Mu asked, Sheng Yue did not answer.
As for what happened to Lao Bai and Yuan Ying, the three of them have lost their memories and have no way of knowing.
Cen Man prepared some hot soup and rice for Gu Ling and Lao Mu, and Gu Ling went to bed after eating.
When he woke up, it was already dark. Gu Ling sat up, and the surroundings were pitch black. He could hear someone speaking in a low voice outside, probably for fear of disturbing him, and there was also the clear sound of waves.
Gu Ling had a nightmare, dreaming that Su Liang and Gu Xiaonuan were kidnapped by Sheng Yue. He felt a little cold, as if the sea breeze was blowing in.
"Are you awake?" Qiu Jing's voice.
Gu Ling stood up and asked, "How many days until we can reach Kasyapa City?"
Qiu Jing thought for a while and said, "About seven or eight days."
"I'll go first." Gu Ling came out of the cabin and took a deep breath. The sea breeze was very cool.
Qiu Jing was stunned for a moment, "Are you leaving by yourself?"
"Yeah." Gu Ling nodded, "I'm worried about my family. Sheng Yue may have gone to the capital."
Qiu Jing's expression changed suddenly. He had been staring at Xingluo Island before and had not thought about it.
"You can go back first, just in case..." Qiu Jing sighed, "But you can't go alone. Let Senior Cen accompany you back so that we can take care of each other." Lao Bai can't live without Lao Mu now.
"Okay." Gu Ling nodded and told Qiu Jing, "After you return to Kasyapa City, deploy defense lines at places where you can land on the seaside near Nanping City and Kasyapa City, as well as the original Yan Kingdom. People are prohibited from going to the sea.
When fishing, all boats are treated as people from Xingluo Island. Once a boat appears, they are not allowed to approach the shore. Once the hostages are gone, they may come to arrest people again soon."
Qiu Jing said seriously, "I understand. The most indispensable thing now is soldiers. I will make arrangements after I land ashore."
"My master knows how to make explosives and other weapons. Let him prepare them when the time comes." Gu Ling said. Lao Mu would just come in handy if he stayed.
Cen Man learned that Gu Ling and her were going home first, so she didn't ask anything, and quickly prepared a few days' worth of dry food and water. There were emergency boats on their boat, and they launched one into the water, and the two left the team.
, and left first.
"Xiao Gu, don't worry too much. Xiao Liang has always been cautious, nothing will happen to him." Cen Man noticed Gu Ling's nervousness and comforted him.
Gu Ling raised his head and glanced at the bright moon in the night sky, but said nothing.
…
Yesterday I met Chengyun's uncle Pucheng at Huguo Temple. A short while today, Pucheng and Chengyun came to Su Mansion.
Unfortunately, Su Liang was preparing to take the children to the Duke of Qin's mansion for a banquet. Mr. Qin had a great-grandson, who was full moon today.
When Pucheng learned about it, he smiled and said, "We took the liberty of disturbing you. How about we come back tomorrow?"
Su Liang said it would be okay tomorrow.
Pucheng brought a small flower that he picked casually when he went down the mountain and put it on Gu Xiaonuan's head. It was very cute. Then he left with Chengyun.
Yan Shiba said she wouldn't go, and Su Liang asked Liao Dong to watch her at home. Others, including Qiu Cong and Nangong Qian, also went together.
The Full Moon Wine at Guogong Mansion was very lively, and there were many children. Zheng'er and Ji Xiaoshu seemed to be the kings of children, having a great time with a group of little beans.
Gu Xiaonuan was the most popular baby besides the one-month-old baby. Su Liang heard people keep saying that Gu Xiaonuan looked like her father, and she missed her master even more.
After leaving the Duke of Qin's mansion in the afternoon, Su Liang hugged Gu Xiaonuan and sat in the carriage to go home. Zheng'er and Ji Xiaoshu were riding outside.
Gu Xiaonuan was tired from playing and fell asleep. Su Liang coaxed her softly, and suddenly she heard Gu Xiaonuan call out "Mother" vaguely.
Su Liang was stunned immediately, "Gu Xiaonuan, what did you just call me?"
Gu Xiaonuan rubbed her head against Su Liang's chest, found the most comfortable position, and fell asleep...
When they got home, Gu Xiaonuan didn't wake up. Su Liang put her in the cradle, and she stayed next to the cradle, waiting for Gu Xiaonuan to wake up and see if she would still call her mother.
In fact, Zheng'er and Ji Xiaoshu have been teaching Gu Xiaonuan how to speak recently, but she seems to think it is a game and refuses to follow her two brothers in learning how to speak.
Su Liang thought it was okay. It would be better for Gu Xiaonuan to speak after Gu Ling came back, so as not to be so sad when Gu Ling came back and found that Gu Xiaonuan knew everything but didn't recognize him.
Finally, Su Liang saw Gu Xiaonuan's thick eyelashes trembling, knowing that she was about to wake up, and gently rocked the cradle.
Gu Xiaonuan opened her eyes and blinked. Su Liang leaned over and said two words very simply and directly, "Call me mother."
Gu Xiaonuan got up with a smile, leaned over and kissed Su Liang.
Su Liang:...That's not what she wants.
Then, she saw Gu Xiaonuan pointing her little finger at the portrait of Gu Ling attached to her cradle and calling out "Dad" clearly.
Su Liang was stunned. She was worried that Gu Xiaonuan had forgotten Gu Ling, so she put a portrait here for her to see. Could it be because when she was a guest at the Duke's Mansion today, someone always told Gu Xiaonuan that she looked good-looking.
He looks like her dad, but he taught her to call her dad?
But, why not call her mother? Could it be that the sound on the way back was her imagination?
"Call me mother." Su Liang picked up Gu Xiaonuan, pointed at herself, and gave the instruction again.
Gu Xiaonuan kissed Su Liang again.
When Su Liang taught Gu Xiaonuan seriously for the third time, Gu Xiaonuan seemed to have enlightened herself and shouted very loudly, "Mom!"
Su Liang instantly felt that his heart was filled up. This feeling was so wonderful that it was hard to describe.
This was a memorable day, and Gu Xiaonuan spoke. Su Liang later told Gu Ling about today's events. Gu Ling was very happy that his daughter had never forgotten him, but there was a conflict between him and Su Liang at a certain point.
There is a disagreement about whether Gu Xiaonuan called her mother or father for the first time.
Su Liang thought that she heard wrongly that time in the carriage, and Gu Xiaonuan called her father first. But Gu Ling insisted that Gu Xiaonuan called her mother first.
During dinner, Su Liang said that he wanted to announce something important. Zheng'er and Ji Xiaoshu both sat up straight and listened carefully. Then Su Liang looked at Gu Xiaonuan and pointed at herself, which was an instruction.
Gu Xiaonuan immediately understood and called "Mother".
Qiu Cong held up his palms and praised, "Nuan Nuan can speak now! So smart! She speaks so well!"
Zheng'er and Ji Xiaoshu both moved closer to Gu Xiaonuan, vying for her to call her brother. Qiu Cong carried the two children and put them behind him, then leaned over with a bright smile and pointed at himself, "Master, call me brother."
"Master!" Gu Xiaonuan called sweetly.
Qiu Cong was so satisfied that he smiled so hard that the corners of his mouth reached behind his ears.
After Zheng'er and Ji Xiaoshu exchanged several words, Gu Xiaonuan called him "brother."
The two children were very happy and said at the same time, "My sister called me brother!" Then they looked at each other and began to argue about who Gu Xiaonuan was calling. Zheng'er usually acted like a big brother and let Ji Xiaoshu do many things.
, but he refused to give up on this matter, saying that it was him who Gu Xiaonuan called.
"Two brothers, I am calling you." Su Liang ended the childish fight between the two children, "Teach her to call her elder brother and second brother, and see if she can tell the difference. Eat first."
The two children listened to Su Liang's words and returned to their seats obediently. Ji Xiaoshu's eyes suddenly widened, "That's bad! My sister doesn't know how to call her daddy yet. How sad it will be when the master comes back and finds out!"
Su Liang chuckled, "The first person she called was daddy."
"Really?" Qiu Cong was a little doubtful.
"Really." Su Liang looked serious.
At night, Lingdong went to deliver hot water to Yan Shiba, and Yan Shiba saw a smile on her face. This was rare, because Rendong was always a serious person.
"Is there any happy event?" Yan Shiba asked.
Lonicera smiled and nodded, "My little master can talk now."
"That's great." Yan Shiba nodded slightly.
…
The next day, Pucheng and Chengyun came to Su Mansion again.
After learning that Gu Xiaonuan could speak, Pucheng taught her to call her master, but Qiu Cong stopped her, "You can't call me until Xiao Gu agrees!"
Pucheng chuckled and said, "I hope Donor Gu will come back soon."
The weather is excellent today, with clear blue sky and gentle breeze.
Qiu Cong laid a thick mat by the lake. Zheng'er and Ji Xiaoshu took off their shoes and played on it. Gu Xiaonuan was also carried over by Qiu Cong and placed on it.
Su Liang invited Pucheng and Chengyun to sit and drink tea by the window on the first floor of Yuanming Pavilion. He also specially prepared vegetarian snacks and fruits grown in the house for them.
Seeing Chengyun staring outside, Su Liang smiled and said, "Go out and play with them."
Chengyun was a little moved, but also a little embarrassed. After all, he was an adult and a monk.
"Go, go, no one will laugh at you. The children all like you." Pucheng cheered up and pushed him out.
Then Pucheng came back and sat down, took a sip of tea and nodded slightly, "I almost forgot that you are now the head of the Ning family. This tea is very good."
"If Master Pucheng likes it, take a bag of tea with you when you leave." Su Liang smiled.
Pucheng shook his head, "Don't call me Master, it sounds like you're calling me an old monk. Just call me Pucheng."
"So, Uncle Pucheng?" Su Liang chuckled. He is an elder after all.
Pucheng was happy, "Okay, okay, this is good." Pucheng said and looked outside. Ji Xiaoshu was holding a model of a locomotive in his hand and was pushing it on the ground.
Pucheng withdrew his gaze, "Actually, I wanted Xiaoyun to return to secular life, but he didn't want to. It was I who brought him to Ping'an Temple back then. He became a monk just for the convenience of living in the temple. He is still young, and I hope he can live a good life.
Living the same life, especially if he has interesting friends like you, it would be a pity to go back to the temple to burn incense and recite things for the rest of his life."
Su Liang asked, "Uncle Pucheng knows Chengyun's life experience?"
Pucheng nodded, "He is the orphan of a friend of mine before I became a monk. It's my fault that I've been traveling around all these years and didn't take good care of him."
"Why doesn't Uncle Pucheng take Chengyun to travel with him?" Su Liangxiao asked.
Pucheng was stunned, "I thought he was too young at the time, and I was afraid I couldn't take good care of him... Well, you're right, I should take him out for a walk, so that he won't only have Buddhism in his mind. I'll take him this time
I came to the capital saying I was visiting Brother Puhui, but actually I wanted to meet you and ask you to help persuade Xiaoyun to return to secular life. I have become a monk myself, and I can’t persuade him."
"Uncle Pucheng, can you tell me what happened before you became a monk? I'm just curious. It's okay if you don't want to tell me. Just pretend I didn't ask." Su Liang was really curious.
Pucheng sighed, with a confused look on his face, "It's just that my family has been destroyed, and there is nothing to talk about. Although I became a monk, I have not forgotten the past. Maybe I have been deceiving myself, thinking that after shaving my head and entering Buddhism, I can start a new life."
Life. In these years, I have always been walking around and unwilling to stop in one place, because after staying for a long time, I seem to have a home. But I have no home, and I don’t want to have another home... In fact, I didn’t take Xiaoyun
I keep him with me because when I see him, I always think of my old friend..."
Seeing Pucheng's eyes suddenly turn red, Su Liang sighed slightly and gave him more hot tea, "Sorry, I made uncle sad."
"It doesn't matter." Pucheng took two sips of tea and laughed again, "I have an impure heart, and this will be the case for the rest of my life. But Xiaoyun still has hope of living a happier life. I beg you."
Su Liang nodded, "I'll give it a try. I like Chengyun very much. If he is willing to return to secular life, it would be great."
Pucheng and Chengyun had a vegetarian meal at Su Mansion, which was cooked by Su Liang and tasted very good. They went back to Huguo Temple in the afternoon.
…
Pucheng opened the door, went in, and quickly turned around and closed the door.
"Father, have you thought about it?" A deep voice sounded not far away.
Pucheng's face darkened, "Ayue, please stop. I won't let you hurt Su Liang. I've already told you that her mother saved your mother back then, and we owe her a debt of gratitude."
"Her grandfather killed my mother. How can we settle this debt?" Sheng Yue's face emerged from the shadows, his eyes as cold as ice.
Pucheng shook his head, "What you want to do will not succeed."
"Regardless of success or failure, I will never give up." Sheng Yue said coldly, "The person I want is Gu Ling. How about not hurting Su Liang and ensuring that she is unscathed afterwards? Even if my father doesn't help me, I won't
Stop. If I die, my father will no longer have to worry about me."
Pucheng's face became more and more ugly. After a long silence, he sighed deeply and said, "Remember what you said. I will help you, one last time."