Chapter 219 - Chapter 219: 219. Insane Assassination

Chapter 219: 219. Insane Assassination

Translator: 549690339

After Lian Shun left, the steward’s wife came to collect the bowls and plates, served new tea, and brought a plate of green tea cakes she had made herself. Su Liang ate the sweet and non-greasy treats, called the woman over, asked for the recipe, and gave her a reward.

Asi came to ask when Su Liang would return home. She planned to finish reading the book in the tea garden as planned, so she told Asi to go and have fun and come back before sunset.

“Great! There’s a small river over there, I’ll catch some fish for you to eat!” With her face bathed in sunlight, Asi’s eyes sparkled brightly.

Su Liang nodded, “That sounds good, go ahead, but be careful.”

After Asi left, Su Liang opened the book again and thought of Lian Shun who had come hurriedly and left quickly. She sighed softly. She had considered marriage before, but every time she had almost gotten married, she had thought about how not to get married, using Gu Ling disguised as Ning Jing as a cover more than once.

When Asi returned with a bucket of fish, Su Liang had finished reading the medical book she had brought with her.

Standing in the pavilion, she watched the sun set in the west and the sky darken. She packed up her medicine box and returned home with Asi.

Upon entering, the old housekeeper greeted her, “The gentleman who came today claimed to be from the Lin family. Was he the young master of the Lin family where Song Qi worked as a steward, as you mentioned before?” Su Liang hesitated, “Yes, but I forgot to tell him about Song Qi, and he has already left.”

She hadn’t thought about it when she saw Lian Shun.

“If Song Qi wants to come back to Ning Mansion, Lian Shun should not mind,” Su Liang said, “He and Ning Jing are good friends.”

At her words, the old housekeeper became mournful, “How wonderful it would be if the young master was still alive!”

Su Liang took one fish and let Asi deal with the rest.

Returning to her residence, she didn’t see Gu Ling, so she put down her things and went to cook the fish in the kitchen.

When the fish was cooked and dinner was served, it was laid out in the study room as usual.

After the servant left, Su Liang took her seat, and Gu Ling appeared.

“Sometimes I suspect you’ve installed a monitoring device on me,” Su Liang complained about Gu Ling’s recent mysterious disappearances and punctual appearances at dinner time.

Gu Ling, who was very interested in everything about Su Liang’s past life, had heard her talk about what a “monitoring device” was. Although he still didn’t understand how it worked, he knew what it did.

“I went to pick herbs,” Gu Ling said as he sat down in his seat.

Su Liang asked, “What did you find?”

Unbidden, Su Liang marveled, “Great God, how can your luck be so good when it comes to picking herbs?”

Gu Ling shook his head, “I looked for a long time.”

Su Liang was puzzled, “Given our current wealth, we are not short of things like ginseng. The Ning family has even better ones. Why do you bother looking for it?”

“I just wanted to see what a living ginseng looks like,” Gu Ling said.

Su Liang nodded, “That’s just like you.” It made sense.

She then said earnestly, “So, Great God, you must want to see all the herbs you’ve never seen before in their living form? I fully support you. You go and find them, I’ll provide food, and any herbs you find will be mine. Deal?” Gu Ling’s eyes turned cool, “With your current wealth.”

Su Liang coughed lightly, “That’s not the point. I believe that some herbs cannot be bought with any amount of money, but you, Great God, can find them.”

Gu Ling nodded, “Alright.”

Su Liang was a little surprised, only to hear Gu Ling continue, “Herbs are yours, but any medicine you make from them will be mine.” Su Liang snorted, “Great God, do you think I’m stupid?”

Gu Ling shook his head, “Not too stupid.”

Su Liang was speechless, “Well, thank you.”

“No need.” Gu Ling picked up the chopsticks, “That’s settled.”

Su Liang thought to herself that nowadays, most of the medicines she made were taken by Gu Ling, so there wasn’t much difference. What she cared more about was not what medicine she got, but the process of learning to make it.

With that in mind, if Gu Ling could really find some rare medicinal ingredients and allow Su Liang to learn about them, it would be beneficial to her. “Alright.” Su Liang ate her meal while saying, “Today at the tea garden, Lian

Shun came by.”

Gu Ling didn’t show any surprise. “He found out Ning Jing is dead, so he came to pursue you?”

“How did you know?” Su Liang was surprised. There were no tall trees to hide in at the tea garden, so Su Liang knew Gu Ling hadn’t been there and couldn’t have heard her conversation with Lian Shun.

“His intention is obvious.” Gu Ling said.

“That’s true.” Su Liang nodded. Back in the capital city, Lian Shun had already vaguely expressed his feelings for Su Liang. But at that time, she had “Ning Jing” as a shield, so she didn’t even have to reject Lian Shun; he retreated on his own.

“Did you agree?” Gu Ling asked.

Su Liang shook her head, “Of course not.”

“Why not?” Gu Ling asked, “What’s wrong with him?”

“Lian Shun is quite nice, has a cheerful personality, and is upright, kind-hearted, and proficient in both literature and martial arts,” Su Liang said earnestly, “But I’m not yet sixteen years old, I need to study hard, not get involved in relationships too early.”

Gu Ling’s hand paused slightly, but Su Liang didn’t notice.

Su Liang laughed at herself, “I’m just kidding. In fact, I don’t know what it feels like to like someone either, I never experienced it in my previous life. Today, when Lian Ershan confessed, I honestly felt it. My heart didn’t accelerate, it actually slowed down a bit. At that time, I was thinking, isn’t it nice to just be friends? There are still many things I want to do and learn, and I don’t want to establish an intimate and mutually responsible relationship with someone right now. Marriage is a big event, but it isn’t mandatory, so one should be cautious about it.”

A moment later, Gu Ling asked, “So, you don’t plan to get married?” Su Liang shook her head, “Of course not. Lian Ershan just isn’t the one who would make me want to get married. Perhaps such a person doesn’t exist, or maybe one day I’ll meet him, or maybe, one day my feelings for Lian Ershan will change. Who knows?”

People like Xing Yusheng, Lin family siblings, and Qin family siblings all followed the traditional ideas of love and marriage in this world, and they all chose to get married at the right age under the influence of their elders. Marrying someone they like is already luckier and happier than most people in this world.

Although Su Liang appeared to be adapting to the rules of this world on the surface, she still embraced freedom in her bones. As long as her survival was ensured, she would insist on doing what she wanted, without being bound.

Gu Ling’s opinion on this is, “Very good.”

Then, Su Liang mentioned that the wife of the steward in the tea garden cooked delicious meals, and she had learned the recipes and would give them a try when she had time.

“Great God, are you waiting for Yan Shiba to arrive before you leave? If she’s far away, who knows when she’ll be here. And if the news didn’t reach her, it’s also possible that she won’t come.” Su Liang said.

“In three days.” Gu Ling said.

“Whether Yan Shiba comes or not, you’ll leave in three days? By then, the peach preserves should be ready, and I’ll try making the Red Tea Cake too, as well as the Green Tea Cake I learned today!” Su Liang said.

After dinner, Su Liang was about to return to her room when she suddenly remembered something and went to Gu Ling to ask, “Great God, do you think my dream of defeating you is a pipe dream? A night dream? Or just a foolish dream?”

Gu Ling remained calm, “You saw it. I used the provocation strategy. Keep up the good work, and I hope you’ll defeat me someday.”

Su Liang: …I really want to hit him, but I can’t…

So, Su Liang said solemnly, “No matter what strategy, Great God, you can tell me directly.”

Gu Ling nodded, “You wanting to defeat me is a pipe dream, a delusion. Do you want to hit me very much? That’s right, keep practicing hard.”

Su Liang kicked Gu Ling and ran away…

For the next two days, Su Liang didn’t leave the house. Besides going to treat

Peng Qian every day, she was either practicing martial arts or reading books.

The dish she learned from the steward’s wife turned out to be a success, earning Gu Ling’s approval.

For three consecutive sunny days, the peach preserves were successfully dried in the sun.

Su Liang tasted them, finding them soft and tender. With the addition of wild berry juice, they tasted sweet and sour, delicious.

As agreed, half belonged to Zhengzheng, and the other half was for Gu Ling.

Not knowing when she could see Zhengzheng again, and fearing the preserves would spoil, Su Liang learned from the old housekeeper that there was an ice cellar in Ning Mansion, so she wrapped up Gu Ling’s share and kept the rest chilled and stored there.

Three days passed quickly as promised.

That evening after dinner, Su Liang made red tea cakes and green tea cakes to take with Gu Ling on the road.

“Yan Shiba hasn’t arrived yet, so you should go. I can live without you guys.” Su Liang said, “Besides, Peng Fan is here, and his strength is not weak. If I encounter any trouble, he will definitely help.”

Gu Ling packed up her luggage and prepared to leave.

“Although I think your strength is unparalleled, you should still be cautious in your actions.” Su Liang reminded, and then laughed, “These are all nonsense, hurry up and go.”

“Okay.” Gu Ling nodded, her gaze falling on Su Liang’s forehead, “There will be no problems within three days.”

Ling’s special ability. In other words, as long as Yan Shiba appears within the next three days, it is still within Gu Ling’s plan.

Seeing Gu Ling standing still, Su Liang asked, “Anything else?” “Goodbye.” Gu Ling said.

Su Liang immediately understood and stepped forward to hug Gu Ling farewell, “Take care.”

The two separated, and Gu Ling, with her baggage in hand, disappeared before Su Liang’s eyes.

Su Liang sat alone in the study, watching the swaying shadows of the trees outside the window and thinking about the arrangements for the next few days. Given Peng Qian’s current physical condition, it would be about ten days before father and son Peng could leave for Liang Country, and by that time, Su Liang should have returned to the capital city.

Gu Ling goes to the capital city this time to assassinate Duanmu Cheng, and if successful, she can return in ten days.

After Duanmu Cheng is killed, Su Liang is bound to be suspected, and at the same time, her secret treatment of Liang Country’s General’s son, Peng Qian, cannot be concealed from Duanmu Yi.

For the latter, Su Liang does not need to hide it because she was just practicing medicine. Even if Duanmu Yi doesn’t ask, she will take the initiative to explain that Peng Qian is not a very important person.

And the existence of Peng Qian can provide Su Liang with a reasonable alibi to clear her suspicion of killing Duanmu Cheng and explain her month-long stay in Xunyang City.

As for whether Yan Shiba will really come, Su Liang does not know, and she has an attitude of letting things take their course.

After Gu Ling left, Su Liang’s life was very busy. She went to the Ning family’s tea-making workshop, learned the craft of tea-making, and made a few jars of tea herself to give to her friends.

Peng Qian has already been able to speak fluently, and on sunny days, Peng Fan would push Peng Qian in a wheelchair to the Ning Mansion garden to bask in the sun.

In between, Peng Fan asked if their coming to Qian Country would cause Su Liang any trouble.

Su Liang said she has a plan in mind and not to worry.

After three days, Yan Shiba still did not show up, and Su Liang’s “safe period” confirmed by Gu Ling was also considered over.

People in Xunyang city know that if there is any urgent illness, they can go to Ning Mansion, where Su Liang will definitely help with treatment.

In these days, several people have come to seek medical treatment, and Su Liang has not refused, taking consultation fees as appropriate.

That day, Su Liang was practicing her sword in the garden, and father and son Peng passed by and stopped to watch.

Although Peng Qian’s face was still pale and weak, his spirit had improved a lot. He couldn’t help but sigh while watching the agile young girl not far away, “She is a genius and so diligent, truly rare.”

Peng Fan nodded, “Compared to General Su, I am ashamed.”

“You should learn more from General Su.” Peng Qian said.

The old housekeeper hurried over and called out to Su Liang, saying that a critically injured person had arrived at the door.

Upon hearing the news, Su Liang immediately put away her sword and rushed to save the person.

Peng Fan also pushed Peng Qian to go back, “I don’t know who General Su learned from, her medical skills are so amazing.”

Peng Qian shook his head slightly, “Just remember that she is a benefactor of our Peng family, and if she doesn’t say anything, don’t be so curious.”

“Yes, Father.” Peng Fan nodded.

The person had suffered a severe knife wound, with his internal organs exposed and barely alive.

“General Su, please save my grandson!” The blood-covered old man knelt on the ground, banging his head against the floor, “He stood up for justice, but was injured by a bully like this…”

Su Liang ignored the old man’s words, she could not be distracted, she had to race against the clock to save a life.

Seeing Su Liang’s bloodied hands, the old housekeeper felt dizzy, his heart jumping up into his throat.

He observed Su Liang’s calm and focused gaze, even though she was busy, she was not flustered. The old housekeeper’s admiration for her reached a peak.

Asi heard that Su Liang was saving someone whose intestines had fallen out, so he came to sneak a peek. Fearing his grandfather’s scolding, he quietly jumped through the window of the front hall and hid behind the gauze curtains, only showing his wide-eyed gaze, watching Su Liang save a life.

He had grown up in the Ning Mansion since he was a child and knew every corner of it; he moved cautiously without attracting anyone’s attention.

The thick smell of blood seemed to make the air stagnate.

The old housekeeper could not bear the sight and left to instruct the servants to prepare some hot water for Su Liang to bathe after her operation and to cook a pot of chicken soup for her to recover her strength.

After a subordinate told Peng Fan about the patient’s situation today, he also wanted to go and see for himself, but remembering Peng Qian’s advice, he hesitated and did not go. Instead, he stayed to watch over Peng Qian, who had taken his medicine and fallen asleep.

Su Liang didn’t know how much time had passed, but she finally controlled the patient’s bleeding, treated his wound, and administered medicine to him.

Her nerves tense, Su Liang took a deep breath after examining the patient once more. She raised her bloodstained hands and wiped the sweat from her forehead with her sleeve before preparing to sit down and rest for a moment.

“Miss, be careful!”

A cold light flashed behind Su Liang, and as she reacted to Asi’s warning and turned around, she saw the old man who had brought in the patient thrust a knife into Asi’s heart!

Su Liang didn’t even know that Asi was nearby. He had noticed the danger and had rushed out to take the knife for her. Su Liang’s blood seemed to freeze for a

moment. As she came to her senses, she held Asi to one side and removed the Imife from his chest. Instead of attacking the old man, she pressed the blade to the throat of the wounded person she had just saved. Her cold eyes narrowed, “Since you waited for me to treat his wounds before taking action, I assume he might really be your grandson! Drop the knife or I’ll send him to face the Yama King! ”

The old man’s face was filled with horror; the knife in his hand paused mid-air, “Please, don’t, it has nothing to do with him!”

“Drop the knife!” Su Liang said in a stern voice.

With a sullen face, the old man relented and threw down his knife. Clenching his fists, he spoke, “I was forced by others to kill you. I didn’t expect them to go so far as to inflict serious injuries on my grandson, making me wait until you were exhausted before taking any action. If I don’t kill you, my entire family will die! My grandson knows nothing about this! He really knows nothing!”

Su Liang rushed over and quickly chopped off the old man’s right hand with a knife, then stabbed through his left leg. Watching him collapse to the ground in pain, Su Liang said nothing, threw down the knife, and returned to check on Asi.

Guards who were rushing into the room were dumbfounded when they saw the situation, but they quickly detained the old man.

When the old housekeeper received the news, he fainted when he heard about Asi’s critical injury.

By the time Peng Fan arrived, he found blood everywhere with Su Liang on her knees, trying her best to treat Asi’s injuries, her brows knitted together worriedly.

After several days of sunshine, a heavy rain fell that afternoon.

Su Liang stepped out of Asi’s room with a cold face, her clothes stained with blood, and walked into the rain without an umbrella.

Peng Fan was holding an umbrella in the courtyard, and when he noticed Su Liang, he hurried to shield her from the rain.

“No need!” Su Liang avoided his umbrella.

Peng Fan put away his umbrella and walked beside Su Liang, “How is Asi now?” “He won’t die.” Su Liang replied coldly.

Peng Fan let out a sigh of relief, “That’s good. I should have gone there earlier today…”

“It’s not your fault!” Su Liang cut off Peng Fan.

“You shouldn’t blame yourself too much either. Who could have known that someone would be so insane as to wager their own grandson’s life?” Peng Fan frowned.

“You just go, I’ll come to treat your father with acupuncture in half an hour.” After saying this, Su Liang strode away without Peng Fan, heading towards her courtyard.

Peng Fan sighed and had no choice but to turn around and leave.

Su Liang didn’t even take a bath, she changed out of her drenched clothes and sat quietly in her room.

A servant brought along the chicken soup that the old housekeeper had instructed them to cook earlier, but even after it had cooled down, Su Liang didn’t touch it.

On the fourth day after Gu Ling’s departure, on the first day without his protection, such an incident occurred. Su Liang deeply realized that all her peace and good fortune since she arrived in this world were inseparable from

Gu Ling’s protection….