Chapter 209 - Chapter 209: 209. Nothing much to see

Chapter 209: 209. Nothing much to see

Translator: 549690339

The whole day was gloomy, and by the time night fell, thunder flashed and heavy rain poured.

The grand entrance of Su Mansion hung with white lanterns, wobbling unsteadily in the wind and the rain.

The carriage of Marquis Zhong Xin stopped. Qi Jun held up an umbrella, helping Xing Yusheng off the carriage.

The door of Su Mansion was open, but as they tried to enter, they were stopped by two government soldiers, “By the Emperor’s decree, until the truth of Lord

Ning’s murder case is clear, no irrelevant people are allowed in!”

Xing Yusheng’s face turned ashen, “What did you say? I’m an irrelevant person? Say that again?”

Qi Jun swiftly held back Xing Yusheng, urging him to calm down, and said to the two soldiers, “My Master is a close friend of Lord Ning and wants to handle his post-mortem affairs.”

If Old Madame Xing hadn’t found it hard to believe the news of Ning Jing’s death and sent someone to fetch Xing Yusheng home, he would not have left Su Mansion at all.

He didn’t expect that when he returned after an hour, he couldn’t even get himself in.

Ever since Xing Yusheng saw the tragic corpse and the bloody characters that day, he had been burning with rage. He yearned to storm into the palace and tear Duanmu Cheng into pieces!

Now being stopped at the door, Xing Yusheng’s first thought was, the Emperor is covering up for Duanmu Cheng! It must be so!

The two gatekeeping soldiers said that the Emperor had already arranged for someone to handle Ning Jing’s post-mortem affairs and asked them to leave.

“Out of my way! I’d like to see who dares stop me today!” Xing Yusheng was strung tight and lost his rationale.

Qi Jun quickly hugged Xing Yusheng, even disregarding the umbrella. Both men were exposed in the heavy rain, getting drenched in no time.

But the chilling wind and cold rain did not quench the burning fury in Xing Yusheng’s heart. He wanted to break free from Qi Jun’s grip. Su Liang was not around, and he wanted to keep the night vigil for Ning Jing.

“Prince Xing, please do not make it difficult for us. If you barge in, it would be a violation of Imperial decree.” One soldier reminded Xing Yusheng.

Qi Jun knew it was serious and determined to take Xing Yusheng back. The last time he saw Xing Yusheng so reckless was when Qin Xiang passed away. Xing Yusheng misdirected his anger towards Xing Ji, almost causing a fallout between the father and son.

Just then, a warm voice came from inside the gate, “Please invite Prince Xing for a conversation.”

Under a large black umbrella, Duanmu Chen’s face flickered under the lantern for a moment before he turned around and retreated.

Obviously, Duanmu Chen could make decisions. The two soldiers who were originally blocking the way stepped aside.

Qi Jun released Xing Yusheng, quickly picked up the umbrella and shaded him from the rain.

Xing Yusheng nevertheless, pushed it away, “No need!” He said and strode into the gate.

Not far from the gate of Su Mansion was a rock garden, crafted using rare stones transported from the southern lake bottom. It appeared very unique during the day.

At this moment, under the heavy rain, the stones splashed with a chilling watery glow.

Duanmu Chen stopped, took the umbrella from Chang’an and gestured him to leave with his eyes.

So, Chang’an left.

Qi Jun followed Xing Yusheng over and heard Duanmu Chen say, “Prince Xing, have your guard wait outside the gate. The Emperor has a message for me to relay to you.”

Qi Jun frowned, only to hear Xing Yusheng say, “Ajun, you go out!”

“Yes.” Qi Jun watched Xing Yusheng walk towards Duanmu Chen. He turned around and left.

Duanmu Chen offered his umbrella to Xing Yusheng, but Xing Yusheng snorted coldly and refused, “I dare not trouble the Fourth Prince! Just say what you have to!”

Duanmu Chen didn’t persist, he held the umbrella for himself, looked at Xing

Yusheng exposed in heavy rain, sighed and said, “During the collection of Ning Jing’s body, the coroner accidentally spilled water on his bed, soaking the bedding.”

Xing Yusheng glared with fury, “This is clearly destroying the evidence! Jun and I both saw the bloody characters on the sheet!”

Duanmu Chen’s face remained calm, “I understand that Prince Xing was a good friend of Ning Jing. When you saw his tragic death, you were in shock, and if you made any mistakes, it can be understood.”

Xing Yusheng clenched his fists, “Fourth Prince, don’t forget that Su Liang helped you! Do you need to shield the murderer? What good does that do you?”

“Heir-apparent Xing, mind your words. I did not shield anyone; I didn’t see the bloody character you mentioned when I arrived. I was kindly reminding you not to act impulsively and do something irrational. Think about your aged grandmother, think about your beloved fiancee, you two are getting married next month, you wouldn’t want extra troubles to invite disaster, would you?” Duanmu Chen’s eyes were deep and obscure.

Xing Yusheng looked at Duanmu Chen coldly, but did not answer his words.

Duanmu Chen sighed deeply, “Ning Jing was a rare talent, excellent in all aspects. The emperor intended to entrust him with great responsibilities, but alas, fate is unpredictable. His death is also a great regret to me. Oh right, the murderer has been found, it’s Wan Shan’s eldest son, Wan Cong, the evidence is irrefutable. Before you arrived, someone has already gone to the Wan mansion to arrest him.”

Xing Yusheng’s face showed mockery, “Wan Cong? What unshakeable evidence?”

“This matter, after Wan Cong confesses, will be made public.” Duanmu Chen said.

Xing Yusheng snorted coldly, “And then what will he do?”

“For murdering an official appointed by the court, he cannot escape the capital punishment.” Duanmu Chen said.

“How ridiculous!” Xing Yusheng remarked disdainfully.

Duanmu Chen looked at Xing Yusheng, and suddenly said an incomprehensible sentence, “I really envy that the Heir-apparent Xing has someone to protect him.”

“What do you mean?” Xing Yusheng asked coldly.

Duanmu Chen looked at him and said, “I can understand Heir-apparent Xing’s grief and anger, but I hope you can calm down. Although your father is very capable, if you recklessly cause trouble, I’m not sure what the consequences will be.”

“Is the Fourth Prince threatening me, trying to keep me quiet?” Xing Yusheng mocked.

Duanmu Chen nodded, “It’s just advice for you. I am also a friend of Su Liang, I don’t want you to get in trouble.”

“Friend? Does she acknowledge you as such?” Xing Yusheng retorted.

“There are many kinds of friends.” Duanmu Chen said, “I have said everything that needs to be said, if Heir-apparent Xing has come to his senses, please leave.”

“What if I don’t want to leave?” Xing Yusheng asked coldly.

Duanmu Chen frowned, “If you don’t leave, I’ll say some things I shouldn’t have. What I just said were the Emperor’s instructions. But like you said, I

didn’t want Ning Jing to die, I didn’t want Su Liang to dislike me, and I hoped the true murderer would die a horrible death. Just like you.”

Xing Yusheng narrowed his eyes, hearing Duanmu Chen whisper, “But you should know the Emperor’s attitude by now, at least on the surface, a certain person cannot be the murderer. You can secretly tell Su Liang what you saw, even if you don’t, I will. As for what she decides to do, it’s no longer within our control. The irrational actions you are taking now are doing no one any good. I have said all that I had to say, you better take care of yourself.”

When Qi Jun saw Xing Yusheng come out, he hurriedly went up to greet him,

“Master!”

“Let’s go.” Xing Yusheng looked back at the door one last time, his face cold as he got into the carriage.

On the way, Xing Yusheng said he wanted to visit the Lin Family. “Should we first go back to change your clothes, Master?” Qi Jun asked.

“Never mind, let’s go home.”

As soon as the words fell, Qi Jun heard Xing Yusheng thumping against the carriage, knowing that his calmness was merely superficial.

When they were about to reach the Marquis Zhong Xin mansion, Xing Yusheng lifted the curtain of the carriage, and looked in the direction of the Imperial

Palace.

If it was a clear day, he would be able to see the gleaming glazed tiles of the Imperial Palace from here.

But now it was pitch black, nothing could be seen clearly.

“Ajun, our Xing Family also has a share in the land of the Qian Country.”

Hearing the faint voice of Xing Yusheng from behind, Qi Jun’s heart pounded,

“Master, you mustn’t talk nonsense.”

“Can’t I even speak the truth now?” Xing Yusheng snorted, “Duanmu Chen is right, I really am useless, I don’t have much ability, I haven’t done anything remarkable, I don’t have any big ambitions. But I really can’t stand the superiority radiating from his bones, as if the wor ‘royal’ is the sky, and under that sky, we are all mere ants.”

Qi Jun was terrified and quickly looked around, afraid that someone else might hear it.

“When I left Su Liang’s house just now, I suddenly had an idea.” Xing Yusheng spoke softly, “Why not persuade my real-powerful father to seize the imperial throne? After all, he now holds the military power of Qian Country.”

Qi Jun looked astonished, he pulled the reins to halt the carriage about three meters away from the main gate of the Marquis Zhong Xin’s mansion, “Master, you’re not joking, are you?”

Xing Yusheng let down the carriage curtain, “I will discuss this matter with Su Liang. It is with her help that the Xing Family has reached the stability of today. If she needs it, I am willing to do anything to repay her.”

The next day, the weather cleared and the sun was splendid.

A piece of news quickly spread through the capital city: Wan Cong, the eldest son of Uncle Wan Shan, had murdered Ning Jing. He had argued with Su Liang over his refusal to leave Xuanbei City to return to the capital. He had harbored resentment and brutally murdered Su Liang’s fiancé Ning Jing to vent his anger. The evidence was conclusive, and he confessed his crime last night. He would be executed on a chosen date soon.

The common people spurned Wan Cong and mourned the death of Ning Jing.

The atmosphere in the Imperial Palace was very eerie.

The Empress Dowager and the Empress did not create a fuss, because there was real evidence that Wan Cong had killed Ning Jing. Although Wan Cong, under severe torture, admitted to his involvement, he insisted that it was not instigated by Duanmu Cheng.

But Duanmu Yi was convinced that the mastermind behind it all was Duanmu

Cheng. That blood word was seen by Xing Yusheng and Qi Jun. A few days ago, Wan Cong and his grandmother had been allowed to visit Duanmu Cheng in the cold palace.

Even the Empress Dowager and the Empress had to suspect that it was Duanmu Cheng who had instructed Wan Cong. At this point, they could only abandon Wan Cong and protect Duanmu Cheng first.

Su Family Village.

Su Liang led a very leisurely life, but she rarely cooked since Ning Jing left. She often went to the Bai Family for meals.

One day, Su Liang went to the county town to go shopping and ran into Hu Er. Invited by his warm invitation, she dined with him.

During the banquet, Hu Er took the chance to thank Su Liang again for her help. With Su Liang’s introduction, he got in touch with the Wan Family and now did a grain business in the north. He was quite successful, coming off as an upright merchant, a stark contrast to his former image.

“Miss Su and Mr. Ning will be married soon, right? I’ve prepared a gift to congratulate them and was thinking about sending it to the capital city in a few days. Today, I ran into Miss Su, but it’s a shame I didn’t bring the gift with me, could I visit the village tomorrow?” Hu Er said with a smile.

Su Liang smiled and nodded, but she was thinking that at this moment, “Ning Jing” might already be dead and there would be no wedding. Someone would likely soon come to convey the bad news.

As they parted, Su Liang remembered her promise to help Che Yun to find his little brother. She told Hu Er of Che Xiao’s age and the red birthmark on his neck.

Hu Er took it seriously and said he would lookout for him and would send someone to notify Su Liang if he has news.

As Su Liang rode home, a woman suddenly sprung out as she entered the village. Had Su Liang not pulled the reins in time, she would have knocked the woman over.

Su Liang frowned and looked closely. It was a woman with a worried face and white hair who seemed familiar, but she couldn’t remember where she had seen her.

“Miss Su! Oh, Miss Sul” The woman knelt on the ground and wailed, “Please, Miss Su, let my poor daughter come back! Without her, I can’t live on!”

Su Liang remembered at that moment, she had indeed seen this person before. It was Liu Xiaoyue’s mother.

When Liu Xiaoyue was unfortunately captured by Gai Huai’an and was tortured nearly to death, her family had discarded her in a pigsty to die after her narrow escape and return home.

Su Liang had not forgotten this matter.

Now Liu Xiaoyue had started a new life with Yang Yu, and Su Liang understood very well why this woman was looking for Liu Xiaoyue. It wasn’t for the person, it was for the money.

Su Liang was wealthy and generous. The Liu family surely thought that Liu

Xiaovue was placed somewhere bv Su Lianz to live a zood life. Thev wanted to

repair their relationship and continue to mooch off her.

“Liu Xiaoyue is already dead. If you can’t live without her, then stop living.” Su Liang coldly retorted, avoiding the woman and riding away on her horse.

On her return home, Su Liang was unlocking her door when she heard Zhuzi’s clear voice from afar, “Sister Su Liang! Come and have dinner tonight, my mom is making steamed buns!”

“Sure!” Su Liang laughed, waved to Zhuzi, and went inside.

That night, Su Liang used the yellow paint she bought from the county town to carefully dye the little flowers on her carved wooden hairpin. She put it aside to dry.

The next day, as Su Liang was getting up to practice, she spotted the bright yellow spot and murmured to herself, “When you’re dead, should I cry a few times? What if I can’t shed tears…

That day, Hu Er delivered wedding gifts for Su Liang and Ning Jing. Knowing that they were both wealthy, he gifted a set of fragrant wood Dragon and Phoenix Pendants he had found while out for business. The seller claimed it was an antique that he would never sell if not for his urgent need for money.

Upon seeing it, Hu Er decided to gift it to Su Liang and Ning Jing, feeling it suited them perfectly.

“I really like it, thank you.” Su Liang said sincerely. It was quaint and exquisitely carved, with a hint of woody fragrance.

Another day passed and Su Liang’s half-month vacation came to an end. She packed her things, informed Su Bai and the Bai Family, telling them she would leave early tomorrow morning and there’s no need for them to send her off.

Bai Xiaohu and Zhuzi, who were reluctant to part with Su Liang and missed their Brother Ning Jing, asked her when she would come back.

All Su Liang said was that she would return.

In the middle of the night, the knock on the door woke Su Liang up.

As she sat up, she already guessed who it was.

After she went out and opened the door, she saw a group of government soldiers standing outside. Their leader was someone Su Liang had seen in the palace, a young head of the Forbidden Army.

“Greetings, General Sul”

Su Liang frowned, “Did you come from the capital city? What’s the matter?”

The young leader, named Fang Tongling, stated that they were sent under the Emperor’s order to fetch Su Liang back to the capital.

“I was planning to head back early tomorrow. When did you set out from the capital city, did something happen?” Su Liang asked, frowning.

With a deep sigh, Fang Tongling voiced, “General Su, my condolences. Ning

Jing has passed away.”

Su Liang looked incredulous, “What did you say? Who died?” “Ning Jing, Mister Ning.” Fang Tongling repeated.

“Impossible!” Su Liang shook her head, “When I left, he was fine!”

Fang Tongling then explained to Su Liang that Ning Jing was brutally murdered by Wan Shan’s son, Wan Cong, who was now in custody and awaiting execution.

“I don’t believe it, I don’t… He wouldn’t die… How could he die…” Su Liang mumbled, her head lowered. “I need to go back. I was going back tomorrow…

No, I need to return to the capital now, he’s waiting for me at home…”

As she spoke, Su Liang turned and began to walk back. She staggered and nearly bumped into the stone table.

Fang Tongling and his men waited outside the room without entering.

Su Liang went back into her room, closed the door, and took a breath. Acting sorrowful was laborious, and she couldn’t really cry about something she knew would happen.

At the table, Su Liang sat staring at the belongings she had packed earlier during the day, planning to slip away quietly before the others woke up. She preferred traveling alone as it spared her the need to play-act. It was just too tiresome.

Suddenly, she remembered something she had forgotten. Su Liang went to the storeroom and retrieved a pack of dried mushrooms.

As she reentered her room and shoved the mushrooms into her bag, a familiar voice came from the inner room, “What did you just get?”

Su Liang rushed in to see a familiar figure standing by the bed. In his hand, he held a wooden hairpin adorned with a bright yellow flower, which made his slender, fair fingers look even more delicate.

“How did you get back again?” Su Liang looked at the intricately carved wooden mask on the man’s face. “Isn’t it about time you showed me your true face, Crown Prince Gu?”

The voice of Gu Ling, who had lost his disguise as Ning Jing, was deeper than when he had first posed as Ning Jing, and sounded magnetic, “There’s nothing worth seeing.”

Su Liang snorted, “If you’re going to be so secretive, we’re done! We part ways from here!”

Gu Ling lowered his head slightly, pinched the bottom of the mask with two fingers, and lifted it….