Chapter 182 - Chapter 182: 182. Good 'Tea”

Chapter 182: 182. Good “Tea”

Translator: 549690339

During the day, Duanmu Chen sent someone from Chang’an to secretly invite Su Liang to visit him at night.

Su Liang agreed at the time.

However, because of what she learned later, Su Liang failed to show up on time.

As the hour approached midnight, and Duanmu Chen waited in the study, no one had yet arrived. He put down the book in his hand, which he had been holding for a long time, and his face darkened slightly.

“Master, Miss Su usually keeps her word, perhaps something held her up tonight. Shall I go and check on her?” Chang’an asked.

Duanmu Chen nodded, then shook his head a second later, “No need.”

Chang’an sighed deeply, “But now… I thought that since the emperor deposed the crown prince, that position would definitely belong to the master. Who knew it would fall on the second prince’s head instead.”

Upon hearing this, Duanmu Chen’s expression remained unchanged, “The more critical the situation, the more necessary it is to keep calm. Up until today, everyone thought Duanmu Cheng was securely seated as crown prince, but they still deposed him just like that. He might be the legitimate and eldest, with his maternal relatives holding military power, but so what? I want to see how long Duanmu Ao can hold onto this position.”

As the current situation changed rapidly, Chang’an listened to Duanmu Chen without panic, not daring to ask more, “Miss Su probably won’t come tonight, Master should get some rest early.”

Duanmu Chen looked through the half-open window at the dark pine trees, “It’s just as well she doesn’t come. Some people are surely watching both me and her at the moment, and now isn’t a suitable time to meet. No matter what she does next, it will be advantageous and harmless to me.”

Ever since Duanmu Chen confirmed that the Su Family was killed by the

Duanmu Cheng and Duanmu Ao brothers, although he didn’t know what Su Liang would do, he didn’t doubt for a moment that the two men were as good as dead.

All Duanmu Chen had to do now was to wait patiently as Su Liang cleared the obstacles for him and collect the long-coveted position of crown prince into his bag.

Getting carried away and creating more complications was absolutely unacceptable.

With that thought, Duanmu Chen went to bed.

Su Liang, who had planned to have Nian Jincheng withdraw tonight and hang Duanmu Ao, did not go out but stayed at home, not sleeping but copying medical books by the lamplight after drinking a cup of strong tea.

It wasn’t until the third watch of the night that the window moved slightly, and Su Liang looked up to see Ning Jing appear in the room.

He was dressed in a nightwalking outfit, with a black headscarf covering his face, leaving only a pair of cold eyes visible.

Su Liang closed the book, “How did it go?”

Ning Jing raised his hand, took off the headscarf, and folded it up.

Su Liang’s gaze was attracted by Ning Jing’s slender fingers, thinking how good-looking this man was, even the action of folding a cloth appeared elegant.

“What do you want?” Ning Jing threw the neatly folded black cloth over. Su Liang caught it and folded it into a small mouse, placing it on the table.

Ning Jing raised his eyebrows, took it back, and said, ‘Mine.”

Ning Jing held the small mouse folded from the black cloth flat in his palm, looking down at it slightly, apparently pondering Su Liang’s folding steps while answering her question, “Duanmu Cheng plans to make his move tomorrow night. The arrangements have been made, and at that time, weapons similar to your Twin Blades will be used.”

After deciding her plan, Su Liang was told by Ning Jing to wait and investigate Duanmu Cheng’s plan for a better response.

As a result, Duanmu Ao did not leave Wangxiang Mountain tonight.

Nian Jincheng also stayed at the Second Prince’s Mansion.

Su Liang didn’t go out, Ning Jing avoided the master watching Su Mansion, didn’t go to find Nian Jincheng, but sneaked into the Crown Prince’s Mansion that had become the Eldest Prince’s Mansion today. He waited for about four hours before overhearing Duanmu Chengs plan.

“By the way, does Nian Jincheng know about your special ability?” Su Liang suddenly asked.

“Special ability?” Ning Jing repeated the words, “Is that what you call it in your world?”

Su Liang nodded, ‘Yes. It’s simply called special ability.”

Ning Jing shook his head, “He doesn’t know.”

“I thought he knew since you two used to be each other’s most trusted friends,” Su Liang was a little surprised.

She said “used to be” because Su Liang believed that Ning Jing’s current most trusted friend should be her.

After learning that Nian Jincheng didn’t know about Ning Jing’s special ability, Su Liang confirmed this even more.

“It’s not that I don’t trust his character, but I don’t trust his mind,” Ning Jing said.

He believed that Nian Jincheng would not deliberately betray him.

However, in some cases, if Nian Jincheng were duped, he might accidentally reveal his secret.

And Ning Jing believed that Su Liang could never be deceived by someone else, as she could only deceive other people.

“That makes sense,” Su Liang said. “You just need to tell him that Duanmu Cheng might want to kill him, and if he trusts you, that’s enough. What are the reactions of the Empress Dowager and Empress to Duanmu Ao becoming the crown prince?”

“As you expected,” Ning Jing said.

Upon learning that the new crown prince was Duanmu Ao, Su Liang had mentioned that the Empress Dowager and the Empress would soon accept the outcome since there’s no difference between Duanmu Cheng and Duanmu Ao regarding their influence on them and the Wan family.

But Duanmu Cheng could never accept it.

“Aren’t you going to watch over Nian Jincheng? What if there are other dangers?” Su Liang asked.

Ning Jing stood up, “I’m tired.”

Seeing Ning Jing walk away with the “little mouse” and hearing the sound of doors opening and closing next door, Su Liang yawned and went to bed.

The next morning, as Su Liang prepared to go to the military camp, the old eunuch who had visited yesterday came again.

Su Liang put on her medicine box and, following the emperor’s decree, entered the palace to administer acupuncture to the Empress Dowager.

The old eunuch specifically asked her to go alone.

Ning Jing went to work at the Ministry of Revenue on time and even brought some fine tea leaves for the new colleagues he had met there.

After their departure, Yang Yu went to his own shop to check the ledger, and also made an appointment with Wan Hui to have lunch together at the Wan Family Restaurant at noon.

The news that the new crown prince was Duanmu Ao was already spreading throughout the capital city.

This made those who thought Duanmu Chen would become the crown prince quite surprised, including Old Master Qin and Xing Ji.

Looking at their abilities and reputations, Duanmu Ao was even inferior to Duanmu Cheng.

The reason for disposing of Duanmu Cheng was unknown, and Duanmu Ao becoming crown prince seemed the most reasonable choice apart from

Duanmu Cheng, it still left people wondering what was in Duanmu Yi’s mind.

Today, the trees that had fallen in Changchun Garden had been replanted, restoring its original appearance.

After performing a birthday celebration opera in Duke Qin’s Mansion yesterday, Changchun Garden reopened to welcome guests today without much impact.

Moreover, the housekeeper of the present crown prince’s mansion, which used to be the Second Prince’s Mansion, went to Changchun Garden early in the morning to order a play, setting the time, and announcing that Crown Prince Duanmu Ao would be coming.

The news spread quickly, and everyone who heard it could feel Duanmu Ao’s triumphant mood. The play he ordered was his favorite, and the girl who played the female lead had both good looks and dancing skills.

Some people even began to speculate that Duanmu Ao would bring another beauty home from Changchun Garden today.

He had done this before.

When the news reached Duanmu Cheng, he was practically fuming, gritting his teeth and saying, “I knew it, he’s been coveting my position all along! Now he’s finally stepped on me to get there!”

But when he calmed down, Duanmu Cheng realized that if he didn’t want to be forever suppressed by Duanmu Ao and live in his shadow without a chance to make a breakthrough, he had only one way to go: get rid of Duanmu Ao!

As long as Duanmu Ao was alive, the Empress Dowager, the Empress, and the Wan family wouldn’t care about Duanmu Cheng’s future anymore.

Once Duanmu Ao was dead, they would have no choice but to help Duanmu Cheng with his strategies. Even if they knew Duanmu Ao was killed by Duanmu Cheng, the outcome would still be the same.

“Prepare the carriage, this palace is going to Changchun Garden to watch the opera and personally congratulate Second Brother!” Duanmu Cheng’s eyes were full of murderous intent.

Su Liang went to Ci’an Palace and saw Empress Dowager Wan again. She was very different from yesterday, quietly allowing Su Liang to take her pulse and treat her.

When Su Liang was about to leave, Wan Shi ordered her nanny, “Fetch the prepared gift for Doctor Su.”

The nanny left with two palace maids, leaving Wan Shi and Su Liang alone.

Su Liang closed her eyes, remaining silent.

Wan Shi stared at her for a moment before finally speaking, “I know, you were behind the Crown Prince’s affair.”

Su Liang respectfully asked, “Is Your Majesty referring to the deposed Crown Prince or the new Crown Prince?”

Wan Shi’s face tightened at the mention, almost breaking her long fingernails. She gritted her teeth and said, “You really have the guts to eat the heart of a bear and leopard, completely disregarding me!”

Su Liang became even more respectful and said two words, “Dare not.”

Wan Shi scoffed, “Don’t play innocent, you and the Fourth Prince are in the same gang, aren’t you? He’s the one orchestrating all this, attempting to usurp the position of Crown Prince. Am I right?”

Su Liang shook her head slightly, ‘Wrong.”

Wan Shi’s eyes flashed with anger, “Is it because all the Su Family members are dead that you can fabricate stories to slander the Crown Prince? Do you really think anvone would believe vou?”

Su Liang nodded, “Yes, the Emperor believes.”

Wan Shi gasped for breath, causing Su Liang to stand up and help her. Wan Shi pointed her sharp fingernail towards Su Liang’s hand, who narrowly avoided it and sat back down.

“Did I tell you to sit down?” Wan Shi asked coldly.

Su Liang nodded slightly, “Yes. Your Majesty granted a seat and did not allow me to get up, so I sat back down.”

“You!” Wan Shi’s face turned green with anger, “You’re scheming and calculating, but what’s the use? Fourth Prince is illegitimate, no matter how much he pleases the emperor, it’s useless! Even if Cheng’er is deposed, it’s not his turn!”

Su Liang agreed wholeheartedly, “Congratulations to the Second Prince for becoming the Crown Prince.”

Wan Shi was speechless, unable to utter a word as Su Liang choked her every time.

“Your Majesty, please take care of your health.” Su Liang’s expression was filled with concern.

“Get out! Get out of here!” Wan Shi grabbed the teacup by her side and threw it at Su Liang.

Su Liang stood up and neatly dodged it, respectfully saying her goodbye, “This humble official will come again tomorrow to treat Your Majesty, take my leave.”

As Su Liang left Cilan Palace with her medicine box, she met the nanny holding a gift box at the entrance.

“This is the reward from Her Majesty for Doctor Su.” The old nanny wanted to hand the gift box directly to Su Liang.

But Su Liang didn’t accept it. She sighed and said, “Her Majesty is angry at me again, surely there won’t be any more rewards.” Without waiting for the nanny to say anything more, Su Liang had already walked five feet away.

Reward? Su Liang didn’t need to look to know there must be something off about it. The more she wanted to give it, the more something was wrong.

Su Liang didn’t go home immediately after leaving the Palace, but went to the Ministry of Revenue to find her “fiancé”.

The officials at the Ministry of Revenue had tasted the tea sent by Ning Jing and found him very likable.

Su Liang, an outsider, entered which was against the rules, but no one stopped her. After all, she was now a popular person in front of the emperor, and it was not wise to offend her.

Ning Jing had a separate room, though small, with good sunlight. On the windowsill was an orchid, a gift from a colleague, that was about to bloom.

“Mr. Ning, General Su is here to see you.”

Hearing the voice, Ning Jing, who was slacking off and copying books during “work time,” put down his pen and looked up.

Su Liang waved to Ning Jing from outside the window, then quickly disappeared and entered through the door with light steps.

The Ministry of Revenue official who had led the way couldn’t help but sigh,

“They have a really good relationship.”

“Keeping you people fed with official salaries is a waste, all you do is drink tea or do private errands,” Su Liang grumbled.

“I have official duties, just not many,” Ning Jing said.

Su Liang mentioned the issue of treating the Empress Dowager, “She did want to make things difficult for me, but it’s different than yesterday. She’s no longer seeking revenge for her eldest grandson. Her second grandson being the crown prince is also good for her.”

“The crown prince has gone to Changchun Garden to watch a play,” Ning Jing said, “I heard that the play is pretty good, want to go?” Here, the crown prince refers to Nian Jincheng.

Su Liang raised an eyebrow, “You can go?”

Ning Jing nodded, “I’m free today, I’ll let them know.”

When Ning Jing returned, Su Liang had already put the book he was copying into her medicine box, “Let’s go.”

By the time the two of them arrived at Changchun Garden on horseback, the play that “Duanmu Ao” had ordered was about to begin.

There were quite a few noble sons who had come to join in the fun. Changchun Garden was open for business, and anyone with money could enter.

As soon as Su Liang got off her horse, she felt someone watching her. Turning her head, she met Duanmu Cheng’s cold gaze.

Su Liang gave a slight nod to Duanmu Cheng, who had just gotten off his carriage, and let a cold smile flash across her lips, which Duanmu Cheng saw clearly.

Su Liang did it on purpose, of course.

Duanmu Cheng watched Su Liang and Ning Jing enter Changchun Garden before finally looking away and walking forward. Along the way, everyone who saw Duanmu Cheng greeted him, and half of them instinctively called him

“crown prince” before correcting themselves and calling him “eldest prince.”

No one did it on purpose. It was just that the change of crown prince was too sudden, and many people’s mouths moved faster than their brains.

But in Duanmu Cheng’s ears, the title “eldest prince” was like needles, stabbing at his insides, angering him so much that everything around him seemed annoying, as if he was about to explode.

When Duanmu Cheng heard the music and saw “Duanmu Ao” sitting under the stage like the center of attention, he couldn’t help but feel bitter, even though he had prepared himself to show a harmonious relationship with his brother in public today. He just couldn’t hide his unhappy expression.

Nian Jincheng was reminded by a servant and looked back at Duanmu Cheng, calling out, “Crown Prince, my brother!”

The opening drumbeat of the play resounded on the stage, but no one dared to speak, feeling as if the drumbeat was pounding on their hearts. The awkward atmosphere was on par with Duanmu Cheng’s expression, which looked as if he had been slapped hard across the face.

“Look at my silly brain!” Nian Jincheng slapped his forehead, “How could I forget that big brother is no longer the crown prince? Please don’t blame me, big brother. It was unintentional.”

The words were full of sarcasm and a sense of superiority.

Nian Jincheng personally escorted Duanmu Cheng to sit next to him.

Su Liang and Ning Jing, who were seated in the back row, watched the whole thing unfold.

Su Liang’s lips curved up slightly, and she said in a low voice, “What a show of brotherly love. Someone has made great progress.”

Before her voice fell, there was a commotion in front.

They saw Duanmu Cheng stand up with an ugly expression and yelled at Nian Jincheng furiously, “What are you doing?”

Nian Jincheng hurriedly used a handkerchief to wipe the tea on Duanmu Cheng’s wet clothes while apologizing, “I’m sorry, I thought big brother could catch the tea I passed to him. It’s all my fault!”

Su Liang coughed lightly, “Nice ‘tea’!”

Ning Jing caught Su Liang’s emphasis and asked her, “What’s the deeper meaning?”

Su Liang chuckled and explained, “In our place, we use the word ‘tea’ to describe people who seem innocent on the surface, but are actually calculating and manipulative.”

Ning Jing nodded slightly, “Indeed, nice ‘tea’..”