Chapter 329: 329. Gu Ling in the Dream (Part one)
Chapter 329: 329. Gu Ling in the Dream (Part one)
Translator: 549690339
Jiaye City.
After Su Liang was captured and Gu Ling left, Nian Jincheng first sent a letter to the capital city urgently explaining the situation and then arranged for Che’s parents and Si Yun to be secretly escorted to the capital city to await trial.
Before Situ Jing’s exposure, Nian Jincheng admired him and thought he had made a new friend with a compatible personality, but now all that remained was the hatred of being deceived, betrayed, and hurt.
The fact that Che’s parents were sent back to the capital city meant they had become prisoners, and as spies, their fate would certainly be grim.
Although Lian Shun used to be on good terms with the Che Family, he did not stop Nian Jincheng. The threat posed by spies was great, and the city of Jiaye had nearly fallen under the conspiracy of these people. If not for Su Liang and Gu Ling coming to the rescue, the consequences would have been unimaginable. Now, Su Liang had been captured by the mastermind. Sympathy for them would only be cruel to their own people.
The news that Su Liang was captured had not spread in Jiaye City but was tightly sealed to avoid it being known to Yin Country and used to cause trouble.
After inspecting the defenses, Nian Jincheng returned to the Lin’s Family. As he dismounted at the entrance, he saw something flash by, and a flying knife flew from behind him, barely missing his head, and nailed to the door of Lian Mansion!
Nian Jincheng’s expression changed, and he quickly turned around, but there was no trace of anyone.
Remembering Su Liang’s warning, he didn’t chase after the shooter, but frowned and went forward to pull out the flying knife from the door. There was an old cloth bag attached to it.
Opening the cloth bag, there was a letter crumpled into a ball inside.
As Nian Jincheng entered the mansion, he unfolded the letter and took out the paper.
The familiar handwriting made him pause! Gu Ling!
A moment later, after reading the contents of the letter, Nian Jincheng realized that the writing was Gu Ling’s, but the letter was written by Su Liang. The way she wrote was an imitation of Gu Ling’s, almost exactly the same.
After reading the contents of the letter, Nian Jincheng’s brows did not ease, and he immediately went to find Lian Shun.
“What’s going on? What is this?” Lian Shun took it and glanced at it, “Gu Xiaoling’s letter?”
“Su Liang’s.” Nian Jincheng sighed.
Lian Shun’s expression turned serious, “Did she really write this?”
“She did. Her experience with Xiaoyu is unknown to others.” Nian Jincheng was sure that the letter was genuine because Su Liang mentioned some things about Yang Yu.
Lian Shun looked outside, “Is it… sent by the people who captured Su Liang? Just to help her report her safety?”
This was strange.
Because not only did Nian Jincheng and Lian Shun think Su Liang would fall into the hands of Liang Country’s Royal Family, but also others who knew the news thought so.
However, in the letter, Su Liang said that she was invited to treat Nangong Qian, and apart from being temporarily unable to return home, everything was fine. They should not worry. Once the patient’s health improved, she could come back.
Lian Shun’s expression was strange, “Is this really what Su Xiaoliang wanted to say? Is it her intention? Is it really like this?”
Nian Jincheng thought for a moment and said, “It should be, the people who caught her won’t go to such lengths. There’s no benefit in it for them.”
If Situ Jing wanted to return to Liang Country’s Royal Family, bringing Su Liang as a hostage would help him a lot.
Therefore, the enemy would not want Qian Country to know Su Liang had not fallen into the hands of Liang Country’s Royal Family.
But Su Liang found a way to send this letter, with the real intention of telling her people: she did not become a hostage of Liang Country’s Royal Family.
Lian Shun took a deep breath, “If this is true, it’s not too bad. Su Xiaoliang is really capable! It seems that aside from being temporarily unable to come back, she is getting along with her captors.” Otherwise, there would be no chance to send a letter back to report her safety.
Nian Jincheng agreed, “It must be so. She has always been independent and can cope well even without Aling. In fact, it is Aling who needs Su Liang more. With her good nature, she won’t be depressed no matter where she is.”
“So…” Lian Shun looked at the letter in his hand with deep thought, “Should this be reported to the emperor? Will the emperor doubt Su Liang? But if we don’t say anything, we might be caught in Liang Country’s scheme.”
Su Liang said she was not under the control of the Liang Country’s Royal Family. However, some people in the Liang Country’s Royal Family might use her as an excuse.
After much thought, Nian Jincheng said, “I will send a secret letter to the capital city.”
“Gu Xiaoling doesn’t know the news yet. We need to inform him as soon as possible. Do you really not know where he went?” Lian Shun asked.
Nian Jincheng shook his head, “I really don’t know.”
“What kind of best friend is that, really…” Lian Shun muttered.
Nian Jincheng said seriously, “He is not my best friend, I…”
“I know, I know, Su Xiaoliang! Me too!” Lian Shun returned the letter to Nian Jincheng, “In that case, we’ll guard Jiaye City and wait for their return!”
…
Yin Country, Xiangyue City.
The small mansion that Su Liang had purchased during her last visit was also the place where she and Gu Ling spent their wedding night.
At this moment, Gu Ling was quietly sitting in their room.
Footsteps could be heard outside the door, followed by Yan Shiba’s irritated voice, “Little Sister Liang, you knew I was in Hefeng City, why didn’t you come directly to me? Why did you have to make me come here?”
When Yan Shiba pushed open the door, she saw the face of a strange man and her eyes slightly narrowed, “Gu Ling?”
Gu Ling looked at her, and Yan Shiba recognized the indifference in his eyes, knowing she hadn’t guessed wrong.
“Where’s my sister?” Yan Shiba asked. Her face was a bit pale as she hadn’t fully recovered from her severe injuries last time.
“She was taken by those people,” Gu Ling said.
Yan Shiba stared at him in disbelief, “Those bastards again? Are you dead? Why didn’t you protect her? Where are they?”
Gu Ling ignored Yan Shiba’s reproach and proceeded to talk about the identities and relationships of Nangong Lin, Situ Jing, and their group.
“What’s the point of telling me all this?” Yan Shiba snorted coldly, “Is Little Sister Liang captured and taken to Liang Country?”
Gu Ling shook his head, “Not necessarily.” He speculated that the reason Su Liang was captured instead of him was very likely because of Nangong Qian’s body, and they wanted Su Liang to treat her.
In that case, with Nangong Qian’s fragile body, she wouldn’t be able to handle the long journey from Yin Country to Liang Country, and the cold climate of Liang Country wasn’t suitable for her either.
Therefore, Gu Ling guessed that Su Liang might not be taken to Liang Country, but rather might be in some place in Yin Country or the southern part of Qian Country.
“Enough with the nonsense!” Yan Shiba’s patience was wearing thin, “How do we save Little Sister Liang? Don’t tell me you don’t know! If you don’t, I won’t be able to help myself from cutting you down!”
“I know,” Gu Ling said calmly.
“Then why aren’t you going to save her? What are you doing sitting here?” Yan Shiba was furious.
Gu Ling’s expression remained calm, “How many people does Yanyun Building have in Liang Country?”
“Forty or fifty.” Yan Shiba replied instinctively, “What are you thinking?”
“Tell them to focus on assassinating Situ Xie. I’ll reimburse you whatever the cost,” Gu Ling’s gaze turned ice-cold.
Yan Shiba slammed the table, “Are you sick?! She’s my sister, we should be saving her, and you’re talking about money? What are you trying to show? Marrying her wasn’t enough, now you want to treat me like an outsider? No way! Situ Xie, huh? Just wait, I’ll make sure his entire family won’t have a moment of peace and he’ll never have a peaceful sleep again in his life!”
“There’s no need to risk your life,” Gu Ling said.
“It’s none of your business how my people do things!” Yan Shiba snorted coldly.
Gu Ling shook his head, “Su Liang wouldn’t want anyone to get hurt helping her, including you and your people.”
Yan Shiba was taken aback, frowning, “Of course! Little Sister Liang really cares about me! Fine, we’ll do it your way. I’ll tell them not to risk their lives and not to die, but they must make Situ Xie wish he were dead! Does that include his bastard emperor son too?”
“It’s up to you,” Gu Ling said.
“Then it’s included!” Yan Shiba stated, “This is just revenge, now tell me how to rescue Little Sister Liang!”
Gu Ling only responded, “I will save her.”
Yan Shiba grabbed a teacup and threw it at him, “If anything happens to Little Sister Liang, I’ll use the full power of Yanyun Building to make you join her in death!” With that, she turned and left.
Gu Ling held the teacup in his hand and softly sighed, “That won’t happen.” He soon disappeared from the small mansion as well.
…
Su Liang, who had suspected that she might be pregnant the day before, woke up on time today. After sitting up, she lay down again.
If she really was pregnant, then strenuous exercise wouldn’t be suitable. It was better to sleep a little longer.
So, when Qiuyue got up that day, she was surprised to discover that Su Liang, who usually got up early for exercise, was nowhere to be seen and thought she had gone out.
When Qiuyue finished boiling the hot water and was about to make porridge, she saw Su Liang come out of her room.
“Miss Su, you just got up?” Qiuyue was surprised.
Su Liang nodded, “How is your lady?”
“She didn’t wake up all night, and her face still looks terrible just now.” Qiuyue sighed. She hoped Nangong Qian would get better; otherwise, she would have a hard time as well.
After checking Nangong Qian’s condition in the room, Su Liang found that her breath had stabilized, but her body was very weak.
Qiao Cong was not there, so the food for the past two days was light to take care of Nangong Qian.
After breakfast, Su Liang counted the days and thought that her period should come in three days. However, if it didn’t, it could be because of the delayed period due to the new environment and not necessarily pregnancy.
“Miss Su?” Qiuyue found that Su Liang had lost her thoughts again.
“Hmm?” Su Liang came back to her senses, “What were you saying just now?”
“The lady is awake, and she wants to see Miss Su,” said Qiuyue.
This was Su Liang’s first time seeing Nangong Qian after she had lost her memory. She had been unconscious before.
“How do you feel? Where does it hurt?” Su Liang sat by the bed and took Nangong Qian’s pulse again.
Nangong Qian looked pale and said to Su Liang, “You are so… young…”
Su Liang nodded, “Yes, I am one year younger than you.” She already knew that Nangong Qian was turning eighteen this year.
“Such a young… Divine Doctor…” Nangong Qian said weakly, “Amazing…”
Su Liang: This time she should be genuinely praising her.
As Qiuyue watched from the side, she sighed with relief. Although Nangong Qian had a close call with death, she forgot all the unpleasant things from the past after losing her memory and could start anew with Su Liang, which was a good thing.
“I should call you… Master…” Nangong Qian grabbed Su Liang’s hand, “Thank you… Master…”
Su Liang: … It feels strange. Wouldn’t that mean Gu Ling would also have to call her master?
On the other hand, Su Liang thought it didn’t matter. As soon as they left this place, she and Qiao Cong would no longer be master and disciple. And there was no way Gu Ling could accept someone like Nangong Lin as a disciple.>
“You should rest well and let me know if you feel uncomfortable anywhere. You will get better,” Su Liang gently patted Nangong Qian’s hand to comfort her.
“Where’s Grandfather…?” Nangong Qian looked outside.
“He went shopping, and he might be back before dark today,” Su Liang said.
“Oh…” Nangong Qian closed her eyes again.
Su Liang came out of Nangong Qian’s room, and after a while, Qiuyue came out too, standing beside her and sighing, “Things are much better now. Miss Su, you are the lucky star of my lady.”
Su Liang smiled, “Do you have someone you like?”
Qiuyue’s face turned red immediately, and she lowered her head to say, “I am engaged to my cousin since we were young.”
Seeing this, Su Liang couldn’t help but start to miss Gu Ling…
…
When Qiao Cong returned to the courtyard, it was already dark.
The courtyard was filled with the smell of medicine, and as Qiuyue was adding wood to the fire, she saw a dark shadow appear at the gate and was startled. She cried out for Su Liang, “Miss Su, Master has returned!”
The door opened, and Su Liang came out, her tiny face blooming with a warm smile in the moonlight. She walked towards Qiao Cong, “Master, you’re back. It was getting cloudy this afternoon, and I was worried there would be a storm.”
Qiao Cong came in with a bamboo basket on his back and a basket in his hand, putting them on the table, and said, “I sent the letter, and Nian Jincheng received it. I didn’t see Gu Ling; she’s not in Jiaye City.”
Su Liang nodded, “Thank you, Master, as long as it’s delivered.”
“Do you know where Gu Ling is?” Qiao Cong asked.
Su Liang shook her head, “I don’t know.”
“Aren’t you worried about it?” Qiao Cong asked again.
“A little, I’m worried he’ll miss me too much and be in a bad mood.” Su Liang said, looking serious.
Qiao Cong snorted and handed Su Liang a big chicken leg wrapped in oil paper from a basket, then went to watch Nangong Qian.
Qiuyue had told Qiao Cong about Nangong Qian’s situation, mentioning that she had talked to Su Liang, called her master, and praised Su Liang’s prowess.
…
Su Liang asked Qiao Cong to take a look outside and report back to her.
In the end, Qiao Cong only said one thing, “Nothing happened.”
Su Liang: … Fine. Yin Country won’t attack again easily, and the storm caused by her capture shouldn’t have really impacted anything yet. Whatever happens, there’s always a process.
Qiao Cong brought back a pile of medical books, which Su Liang moved into her room.
After Qiao Cong finished his supper, he asked Su Liang to show him how well she had practiced the swordsmanship he had taught her before he left.
“I’m tired and want to go to bed.” Su Liang made an excuse to refuse.
Qiao Cong squinted, “You were just reading a book. Are you being lazy and not practicing?”
Su Liang: … It felt like suddenly being checked by a teacher for homework. But her guess that she might be pregnant was just a possibility, uncertain, and hard to say.
Su Liang yawned, “I’m really sleepy. You must have been tired from your hard journey back here, Master. Good night.” As soon as she finished speaking, she returned to her room and closed the door.
The next morning, Qiao Cong got up and stared at Su Liang’s door. When she didn’t get up after a long time, he went and knocked on the door.
Su Liang opened the door, holding a bamboo shoot, “Good morning, Master.”
“Why aren’t you up practicing martial arts?” Qiao Cong frowned.
Su Liang said weakly, “I want to rest today.”
“Qiuyue said you didn’t practice yesterday.” Qiao Cong said.
Su Liang: … Had the old man investigated her?
“The relationship between a master and disciple should be diligent, especially since our time together is limited. If you have me as your master for a day, you should practice for a day.” Qiao Cong said with a straight face, handing over a big knife, “Take it, and come with me.”
Seeing Qiao Cong so serious, Su Liang had to tell the truth, “I’m afraid if I’m pregnant, strenuous exercise won’t be good. It may not be certain, but I’ll only know when a few more days have passed. If it turns out I’m not, I’ll make sure to double my practice to catch up!”
Qiao Cong froze, his gaze falling on Su Liang’s lower abdomen, and squinting eyes suddenly opened up, “My grandchild?”
Su Liang: … It’s not certain, okay!
Qiao Cong took back the knife and looked at Su Liang, “You go back and sleep more!”
Su Liang nodded, turned around, and heard Qiao Cong say another sentence, “You may not be my disciple, but the child will definitely be my grandchild.”
Before Su Liang could say anything, Qiao Cong had disappeared.
Su Liang went back to her room, wasn’t sleepy anymore, put the bamboo shoot on the table, unconsciously stroked her lower abdomen, and looked expectantly, “Do I really have one… It would be nice to give the Great God a surprise…”
…
For the next few days, Qiao Cong did not allow Su Liang to do any chores, had to sleep early, could not get up early, and in short, she had to rest well.
Qiuyue didn’t understand why, but she was more diligent. Under Su Liang’s guidance, her cooking skills improved a lot.
One day Su Liang wanted to go for a walk by the sea, and Qiao Cong led the way with a knife in hand, making sure she came back safely again.
Su Liang found it kind of funny and sighed in her heart: Little Gods, the atmosphere has come to this, you better show up or it won’t end well.
Finally, the day Su Liang calculated her period should come, she became quite nervous.
From morning till night, Su Liang didn’t feel anything, and her period did not arrive as expected.
That night, Su Liang dreamt of Gu Ling for the first time since they were separated. The dream was initially a little blurry, but it gradually became clearer. When she looked closely, she saw that Gu Ling in the dream was so tiny, white and tender, clearly just a little child…