The Doctor's Three-Time Marriage

284  I feel dizzy.

On the day of the auction, the news that Crown Prince Situ Chao had bought half of the secret scroll from the Divine Craftsman of the Mu Family spread rapidly.

Situ Chao wanted to capture the person who provided the secret scroll, but that person did not return to the Treasure Pavilion to collect the money, making people suspect that the intention of the Mu Family was to use the auction to reveal the secret scroll, not for money.

In fact, the entire auction was designed by Situ Xie, so naturally, he wouldn't let his people be captured by Situ Chao, or it would be impossible to end the matter.

Situ Xie quickly released news that the secret scroll was fake, and all the drawings were incomplete and useless.

However, some people believed it, but most did not.

That night, there were two waves of assassins who infiltrated the Crown Prince Mansion in Yao City. Situ Chao suffered only minor injuries, and one of the captured assassins bit his tongue and committed suicide without revealing anything.

The next day, when Su Liang went to the palace to give Situ Han acupuncture, she mentioned the secret scroll.

"Your Majesty Emperor Liang, Qian Country and Liang Country have become allies. I wonder if Your Majesty could allow me to copy a portion of the secret scroll and bring it back to my emperor? I'm sure my emperor will see Emperor Liang's sincerity." Su Liang smiled.

Upon hearing this, Situ Han frowned slightly, "That thing is fake! I'm afraid it was deliberately done by the person who really got the secret scroll to divert attention!"

"Since it's fake, I suppose your Majesty Emperor Liang wouldn't mind letting me take a copy back to show my emperor?" Su Liang asked seriously.

However, Situ Han shook his head and sighed, "We've seen your loyalty to Emperor Qian. But this matter is not so simple. The fake scroll reached the hands of the crown prince yesterday, and someone tried to assassinate and snatch it. There will be more trouble in the future. If I let you copy it, and the news gets out, you'll have no peace in your life, too dangerous. The person who sold the fake scroll had everything planned and was vicious! I'm doing this for your own good!"

Upon hearing this, Su Liang was slightly stunned, "Thank you, your Majesty Emperor Liang, it's my lack of consideration."

Situ Han's eyes relaxed, "You don't have to worry about Emperor Qian blaming you. You came here to treat me, it's not your responsibility to handle other matters; there's no need to shoulder it yourself."

Su Liang nodded with a smile, "What your Majesty says is absolutely right."

She knew that the secret scroll given to the Treasure Pavilion by Situ Xie was real, as it could be seen from the paper whether it was an antique or not.

Obviously, Situ Han believed it was real. Even if it was only half and couldn't be used for the time being, he wouldn't share it with Qian Country. What if the other half appeared later? Whoever got the complete copy first would have the advantage.

Su Liang never intended to share the risk with Situ Chao and had expected such a result, but she still had to ask, and she had to put on a show so that the people of the Liang imperial family wouldn't think that she, as a servant of Qian Country, had no interest in the secret scroll.

...

One day, when Su Liang returned to the Prince Masion after leaving the palace, she saw Situ Xie preparing to go to Ning's residence.

"Your Highness, are you going to see Gu Ling? I'll go too." Su Liang said with a smile.

Situ Xie sighed heavily, "Ling'er suddenly said she wanted to move to Ning's mansion to live. Su Divine Doctor, please help me persuade her. It's almost the New Year, and it's so cold and desolate there, why bother?"

Su Liang was stunned for a moment, "He wants to move to Ning's mansion? Then I'll go too!"

Situ Xie's mouth twitched slightly, "Su Divine Doctor, please stay in the Prince Masion, we have everything you need here. If you're not satisfied with anything, just tell me."

Su Liang laughed, "I have no complaints, everything is fine here. But if Gu Ling wants to go, I'll naturally go with him."

"But you haven't married yet, so it might not be appropriate to live together." Situ Xie said.

Su Liang shook her head, "Don't treat us as a betrothed couple. Both he and I are envoys from Qian Country, we can live in the same inn, stay together in the Prince Masion, so why can't we stay in Ning's mansion? It's all the same."

As they talked, the two had entered Ning's residence.

Gu Ling had packed his things and was about to leave.

"Marquis Gu, I'll go with you to Ning's mansion to live." Su Liang said.

Gu Ling glanced at her, "Alright."

Situ Xie hurriedly tried to persuade them to stay, but Gu Ling was determined to go and even brought up Situ Han, "It would be very disrespectful if I don't go to the mansion that my royal uncle bestowed."

Situ Xie could only agree to let Gu Ling go but wanted to arrange a group of servants including the brother and sister of the ancient family to serve them.

"There's no need, I can take care of Marquis Gu's daily life. He particularly likes my cooking but doesn't like unfamiliar people around him." Su Liang said with a smile.

Gu Ling wouldn't take anyone from Prince Masion, and Situ Xie knew that he and Su Liang must have discussed beforehand to get rid of his surveillance, but he couldn't force them into it. After all, they were officially people of Qian Country.

So, not long after, Ren Dong drove the carriage and Gu Ling and Su Liang moved out of King Yue's mansion to the nearby Ning Prince's Mansion.

Actually, Gu Ling had already discussed this with Su Liang yesterday. Since they wanted to stay for the New Year, they wanted more freedom and didn't want to continue pretending. To live a normal life with Su Liang, the first thing to do was to get rid of the surveillance.

Other than the weather being too cold, even the evergreen pines and cypresses were dull in color; the Ning Prince's Mansion was practically the same as Su Liang and Gu Ling's home in the capital city of Qian Country, both were empty and deserted.

All the belongings in the main courtyard were complete. Su Liang and Gu Ling were staying in two separate rooms separated by a wall inside the main courtyard, and Ren Dong was arranged to live in another courtyard nearby.

Ren Dong secretly pulled Su Liang aside and asked, "Master, why did Gu Ling change his attitude so much? Could he have ulterior motives?" It was hard to believe that the man who didn't want to deal with Su Liang before was now willing to live under the same roof.

Su Liang smiled, "Can't it be that I, your master, have won his heart?"

Ren Dong immediately nodded, "Of course, that is the most likely. I've spoken too much."

"Don't bother us if it's not necessary." Su Liang patted Ren Dong's shoulder.

Ren Dong quickly understood and expressed that she would try her best to reduce her presence and not disturb Su Liang and Gu Ling's romantic relationship.

News of the auction and secret scrolls were being widely discussed in the capital city, so Gu Ling moving to the Ning Prince Mansion and Su Liang following after didn't attract much attention. It was only natural for him, the Ning Prince of Liang Country, to stay in the Ning Prince Mansion, and for Su Liang to follow him there.

As for the separation of men and women, firstly, the customs in Liang Country were relatively more open as compared to Qian Country, hence less strict. Secondly, Su Liang didn't have her own place to stay in Qian Country, and both of them were envoys of Qian Country, so there was nothing wrong with them living together.

At dusk, Situ Yao brought people and another cartload of things, including newly made clothes for Gu Ling and Su Liang, as well as many food ingredients, tea, alcohol, and desserts.

"Will you be cooking on your own from now on?" Situ Yao frowned, "Why not let me send my best cook to help?"

Smiling and shaking her head, Su Liang replied, "No need. As long as Gu Ling likes it, I'm happy to cook for him. My best friend married Gu Ling's best friend, so even if we're not engaged, we're not outsiders."

Situ Yao let out a sigh, "Alright then. If you need anything, let Ren Dong inform us at King Yue's Mansion." She smiled and said, "Now that you get to be alone with my cousin, you must be happy."

Su Liang expressed that she was very happy indeed.

After seeing Situ Yao off, Su Liang checked the time and decided it was time to prepare dinner.

Su Liang knocked on Gu Ling's door, "Great God, are you having dinner tonight?"

Gu Ling replied, "Of course."

"Then why don't you hurry up and start the fire?" Su Liang complained before heading to the kitchen.

Ren Dong wanted to help, but Su Liang gave her a silver note and told her to go out and enjoy a nice meal while listening to the outside gossip.

Ren Dong went out alone.

It had been some time since Gu Ling had last lit a fire and Su Liang cooked.

As the fire in the stove burned, Gu Ling sat on a small stool with a fire poker in his hand; the firelight reflected on his jade-like face, adding a touch of warmth and redness.

Outside, the cold wind howled. Su Liang, in her apron, cut the preserved meat while reminiscing, "It feels like we're back in Su Family's village."

Last winter, they spent their time this way.

Su Liang would occasionally complain about how tiring cooking was, but in reality, it wasn't. It was only when she didn't want to cook, primarily because she had a lot of books to read or was busy with other things and had no time.

But being busy often meant that she was under pressure to improve herself or was oppressed into doing something for her own safety. When she wasn't that busy, Su Liang actually enjoyed this kind of ordinary life, as it was when she felt the most relaxed, enjoying life in between her hard work.

Su Liang had the hairpin Gu Ling gave her as her sixteenth-birthday gift on her head. Remembering the conversation from yesterday, she told Gu Ling a cold joke.

After she finished telling the joke, she laughed, but Gu Ling seemed as if he hadn't heard.

"Great God, wasn't it funny?" Su Liang asked.

Gu Ling shook his head slightly, "It was cold."

Su Liang snorted, "You find it cold even while roasting by the fire, it must be because you have a cold constitution."

Dinner was ready: a meat dish, a vegetable dish, soup, and a pancake. Although they were home-cooked dishes, they were delicious and fragrant.

The two sat face to face in the small hall, with the dark night outside and snow-covered pine and cypress trees in the courtyard. A half-open window let in the cold wind, and a few budding plum blossoms were inserted in a vase on the windowsill, which Gu Ling had clipped from Ningxiang Residence when she left Yuewang Mansion.

"If we were in Su Family Village, Little Tiger would definitely bring steamed buns in a bowl. I'd give him a bowl of meat, and he'd bring back two roasted sweet potatoes prepared by his grandfather for our late-night snack," Su Liang reminisced about their days in the village - no intrigue and full of simple pleasures.

Gu Ling nodded gently, "We'll go back for the New Year next year."

Su Liang shrugged, "Who knows what will happen this time next year? It's easy to leave but hard to want to return."

Gu Ling didn't say anything more.

When they'd almost finished eating, Gu Ling collected the dishes and took them to wash, following their usual division of tasks.

After Su Liang had taken a bath, Ren Dong returned from outside, bringing a pot of alcohol for Su Liang to cook with.

Ren Dong reported various news she had heard at the restaurant, mostly about the secret scroll's mechanisms or gossiping about Su Liang and Gu Ling. The rest were trivial matters that didn't concern them.

When night had deepened, Su Liang closed the book in her hand and suddenly remembered something. She went out to knock on Gu Ling's door.

"Come in," Gu Ling's cool voice came from within.

Su Liang pushed the door open and saw that Gu Ling was drawing with a charcoal pen.

"What are you drawing?" Su Liang walked over.

Gu Ling picked up a blank sheet of paper and covered his drawing, not letting Su Liang see it.

"Stingy," Su Liang sat down opposite him, "I was thinking, wouldn't Situ Xie assume that our sudden insistence on leaving Yuewang Mansion at this time is to secretly snatch the secret scroll more conveniently?"

Gu Ling nodded slightly, "He might."

"Then, if we don't do anything, it would be abnormal, right?" Su Liang pondered.

Gu Ling nodded again, "I'll go to the Crown Prince's Mansion later to steal the secret scroll."

"That's a lot of work," Su Liang agreed. Seeing that Gu Ling didn't move, she urged him, "You should go now and come back early. I'll be waiting here for the news."

"You want to sneak a peek at my drawing," Gu Ling saw through Su Liang's intention.

Su Liang replied solemnly, "Why be afraid to show it? Did the Great God draw something indecent?"

"You can ask directly if you want to see it," Gu Ling said.

Su Liang nodded, "Yes, I want to see it."

Gu Ling shook his head slightly, "No."

Su Liang: ...

"Come with me," Gu Ling said.

Su Liang immediately nodded and stood up, "Okay, I'll go change my clothes!"

When Su Liang had left, Gu Ling removed the paper on top, revealing an unfinished drawing of Su Liang. He drew the scene of her sweetly calling him "Brother Ling" as she peeked out from the elegant room of the Treasure Pavilion yesterday. Gu Ling was collecting the heart-stirring moments that Su Liang had brought him; even if he didn't draw them, he would never forget, but he enjoyed doing it this way.

Su Liang quickly changed into a dark-colored outfit, put on her mask, blew out the lamp, and went out to meet Gu Ling.

As they left Ningwang Mansion, Su Liang whispered to Gu Ling, "We won't be caught, right?"

After all, there were assassins in the Crown Prince's Mansion last night, and tonight there would certainly be heavier security. Plus, she suspected that the secret scroll had been moved to the palace. n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

"Run a little faster," Gu Ling said.

The two had just left Ningwang Mansion when they noticed they were being watched, as expected.

Gu Ling had Su Liang walk in front and himself in the back; the two led the master following them on a run around in Yao City.

Su Liang understood that they were supposed to go to the Crown Prince's Mansion but didn't actually have to go there. They could simply play around while they couldn't shake off the tail.

For Su Liang, it was an excellent opportunity to practice her lightness skill.

Thus, Su Liang and Gu Ling led their watchers on a run for an hour. They hadn't had time to see many places in Yao City during the day, but they visited them at night, even if they couldn't see clearly.

But the scenery of the Liang Country's imperial city in the freezing winter nights had a unique aesthetic. The quiet and tranquil atmosphere was like a city frozen in ice. The dark silhouette of the grand palace resonated with a comic Su Liang had seen in her previous life, making the trip worthwhile.

After circling the Imperial Palace three times, the two exchanged a glance and decided to go home to sleep.

Entering Ningwang Mansion's garden, the ice lake looked like an ink-colored mirror under the night sky. Su Liang walked onto the surface and suggested to Gu Ling, "How about cutting the ice and fishing tomorrow?"

"Okay." Gu Ling's voice was very soft, as if it were blown away by the wind.

"We also have to buy New Year's goods. You can write the couplets," Su Liang said with a smile, "Oh, and you can cut the window decorations."

"Okay," Gu Ling agreed again.

Su Liang suddenly remembered that they were to be married on the sixth day of the New Year, "Actually, there aren't many days left. Situ Han should have everything ready by then, right?"

"You need to prepare one thing yourself," Gu Ling said.

Su Liang inquired what it was.

"When you marry me, you'll be so happy that you won't have time to embroider your wedding dress, but at least you can embroider your own red veil," Gu Ling said.

Su Liang paused and then nodded, "You're right. I'll put on a full play. It's been a long time since I've picked up a needle and thread, but I can do one."

As they reached the center of the ice lake, Su Liang suddenly grabbed Gu Ling's sleeve, "Great God?"

"Hmm?" Gu Ling was