Chapter 236 - Chapter 236: 236. Fried Lotus Root

Chapter 236: 236. Fried Lotus Root

Translator: 549690339

The Crown Prince of Liang Country is actually the son of the previous emperor and his sister-in-law, rather than his nephew?

Upon hearing this news from Gu Ling, Su Liang is astonished. A vision of Situ Xie appears in her mind, and she sighs deeply, “He really wears a mask of virtue.”

Since Gu Ling has said so, it must be something that he is absolutely certain of. However, this is obviously a big secret, so much so that even the emperor of Liang Country might not know about it.

Such illicit relationships and producing a child are acts that cannot be justified by any means.

What kind of character Situ Xie, who could do such a thing, has is self-evident.

Thinking deeper about this matter, it might be the direct reason why Situ Xie holds great power and has numerous descendants in Liang Country, but has never tried to seize the throne.

The throne is occupied by his own son, and the crown prince is his grandson; there is no need to fight for it. Although he has never held that position, in reality, he is no different from the Grand Emperor.

The so-called rumor that “the Crown Prince of Liang Country has no ambition” is nothing but a joke.

Gu Ling’s words “dirty person” sharply and accurately describe his impression of Situ Xie.

“How did you find out about this?” Su Liang asks curiously. This secret is definitely something Situ Xie wants to guard closely, and Gu Ling doesn’t seem to have much contact with his maternal grandfather’s family in Liang Country.

“When I was four years old, I went to Liang Country once,” Gu Ling said calmly. “At that time, the former emperor of Liang Country was still alive and seriously ill. I saw that his forehead was dark, and I said he was going to die. My mother covered my mouth and took me away. After my mother’s death, I secretly visited Liang Country and heard Situ Xie having a secret meeting with the Empress Dowager.”

Su Liang nods, “That’s how it is.”

Gu Ling’s words imply that he suspects the death of the former emperor of Liang Country is related to Situ Xie. However, this matter is uncertain.

No one has heard rumors about Situ Xie having an affair with the emperor’s wife. There are no rumors about the emperor’s backzround either, which shows that Situ Xie has disguised everything very well and covered his tracks.

Situ Xie certainly doesn’t know why Gu Ling despises him. He still hopes to mend his relationship with his grandson, no matter the purpose.

“Then you should wait until Situ Xie leaves the capital city of Qian Country before you go out to avoid meeting him,” Su Liang suggests.

Gu Ling is not a killing maniac; he won’t kill Situ Xie just because he has a moral stain.

In any era, there are countless scoundrels. But even in Su Liang’s previous life, a legally governed society, those called “scoundrels” might not have violated any laws because laws set the lowest moral standards for people. Even if they break the law, it will not warrant the death penalty in most cases.

Gu Ling and Su Liang’s principles are: if others don’t offend me, I don’t offend others.

“We’ll see.” Gu Ling shakes his head. Although he has been pardoned, which is what he wanted, he doesn’t plan to appear in public just yet.

Freedom is largely a matter of personal perception.

Perhaps in the eyes of outsiders, the wanted Gu Ling had no freedom in the past and had to hide from place to place. Now he’s free.

But once Gu Ling shows up and becomes Marquis Chang Xin, his actions and behavior will be monitored, which won’t be any more comfortable than now.

However, as Xing Yusheng said, being pardoned is ultimately a good thing. It’s not that Gu Ling must walk around Qian Country openly, but he now has the choice.

Seeing Gu Ling’s attitude, Su Liang can guess his thoughts, and nods, “We’ll see then.”

“Are you in such a hurry for me to show up and fall in love with you on the street?” Gu Ling looks at Su Liang and asks.

Su Liang bursts into laughter, ‘Great God, I’ve forgotten about that. It’s not important. I believe Duanmu Chen will solve the ‘crown princess’ issue, and then no one will meddle with my marriage. That would be nice.”

As she speaks, Su Liang remembers another thing, “I won’t pretend to be engaged with you again; otherwise, the poison master who is infatuated with you will challenge me. If I lose, there’s no harm done. But Great God, as you promised, you’ll have to marry them. I can’t ruin your innocence for my own sake.”

As Su Liang speaks, Gu Ling turns to look out the window.

When she finishes, Gu Ling doesn’t turn back, and calmly says, “You’re right.

Thank you for considering me. I want to eat Sour and Spicy Lotus Root.”

Su Liang puts her hand on her forehead, “Great God, you don’t want to become

Marquis Chang Xin just for Sour and Spicy Lotus Root, do you?”

If he becomes Marquis Chang Xin, it will be inconvenient for the two of them to share their lives together.

Gu Ling nods, “Yes.”

Su Liang gets up, “The lotus roots from Xing Yusheng’s house are indeed delicious. I’d like to eat them too. But today, I don’t want to cook Sour and Spicy Lotus Root. I want to cook Fried Lotus Root!”

Upon hearing this, Gu Ling replies, “Even better.”

Su Liang: … She lost again …

There were no lotus roots at home, and since Su Liang had nothing to do, she simply rode out to Marquis Zhong Xin’s mansion to fetch some lotus roots.

Xing Yusheng and Lin Xueqing had moved out to live separately, but they often came back to visit the Old Madam Xing. Today, however, they had gone to the Qin Mansion and were not around.

Seeing Su Liang suddenly visiting, Old Madam Xing was delighted. When she learned of her purpose, she couldn’t stop laughing. “Xueqing said that you really like our lotus roots. Since you’re here, have a meal with us. Tell me what you’d like to eat, and I’ll have the servants prepare it.”

Su Liang smiled, “I can’t today. Zhengzheng’s parents are out of town, and I’m supposed to look after him for the day. He was taken to the Qin Mansion by Xueqing, but he might return to my place at any time. I want to make him some Fried Lotus Root.”

“Fried Lotus Root?” Old Madam Xing had never heard of it before.

Su Liang promised to send her some once it was made.

“Then I’ll wait for it.” Old Madam Xing didn’t hold her back any longer.

While the Xing Mansion’s servants were digging up the lotus roots, Su Liang took a basket and went to the Xing Mansion’s vineyard to pick a basketful of grapes herself.

After bidding farewell to Old Madam Xing, she rode home. The basket of lotus roots was too bulky for her to carry, so the Xing Mansion’s servant followed behind her, carting it back to her house.

As they passed the bustling main street, Su Liang walked slowly to avoid her horse kicking anyone.

Suddenly, she heard someone calling her name. She looked up and saw Lian

Shun leaning halfway out of a private room on the second floor of the Wan Family Restaurant, waving enthusiastically at her and shouting, “Su Xiaoliang,” attracting a lot of attention.

Su Liang also saw Che Yun standing behind Lian Shun, trying to pull him back.

According to what Xing Yusheng had told her, Lian Shun hadn’t ended up buying a house and had instead moved into the Huguo Temple with Che Yun. The reason was that Che Yun’s mother had instructed him to visit the Huguo Temple when he came to the capital city to burn incense and pray for the safety of his younger brother, Che Xiao.

Lian Shun had enjoyed the vegetarian dishes at the Huguo Temple and decided to stay there. At night, he would eat vegetarian food with the monks and sleep at the temple, while during the day, he would come down the mountain to drink alcohol and eat meat. He called it a “balanced diet.”

Su Liang nodded slightly, greeting them before continuing on her way, not planning to join them for a meal. It was already noon, and someone was waiting for her at home.

Seeing that Su Liang didn’t dismount, Lian Shun ran down from the second floor.

When Su Liang heard his voice again, she saw Lian Shun and Che Yun catching up with her on horseback.

“Su Xiaoliang, let’s go to your house. Che Yun has never been there!” Lian Shun said with a beaming smile, not considering himself an outsider at all. Che Yun laughed, “Would it be convenient for you, Su Liang? If not, I can visit another day.”

“Why wouldn’t it be convenient? She’s alone at home,” Lian Shun insisted on going to Su Liang’s house.

Su Liang shook her head, “It’s not convenient today. I got some delicious lotus roots from the Marquis Zhong Xin’s Mansion, but there’s none for you guys. It might be a bit awkward if you come just to watch me eat.”

Both Lian Shun and Che Yun were speechless…

However, with Lian Shun’s personality, hearing such words from Su Liang would only make him less likely to give up.

Su Liang knew this too, and was only joking. It wouldn’t hurt to entertain friends from afar.

So, Lian Shun and Che Yun followed Su Liang home.

Upon seeing the muddy lotus roots being carried out of the cart, Lian Shun deeply doubted Su Liang’s “delicious” claim. “This thing is everywhere in my home region; it’s tasteless and not delicious at all!”

“Then don’t eat it.” Su Liang directed the Xing Mansion’s servant to place the lotus roots by the lake.

Lian Shun took an interest in the grapes Su Liang had brought home, but she blocked him, “You guys go wash the lotus roots.”

“Is this your way of treating guests?” Lian Shun was speechless.

Su Liang nodded, “Don’t like it? The door is over there.”

Lian Shun looked up at the sky in disbelief, “As the head of the Ning Family, Martial Arts Champion, and Imperial Physician, you don’t even have a single servant at home to boss around?”

Slightly smirking, Su Liang replied, “There’s no need. I have guests.”

Che Yun burst out laughing, pulling Lian Shun towards the lake, “Su Liang doesn’t consider us outsiders!”

Su Liang washed the grapes in the kitchen and carried them upstairs, where she saw Gu Ling working on a new Chinese knot. The shape was different from the previous one.

“If this one is also worth 100,000 taels, you’d better keep it for yourself!” Su Liang said as she placed the grapes on the table. Gu Ling shook his head, “This one is for free.” Su Liang asked, “What do you want then?”

“I’m still thinking about it,” Gu Ling said.

Su Liang snorted lightly, “In short, you want to sell it to me, right? Fine, Great

God, take your time.”

Gu Ling didn’t say anything about Su Liang bringing guests home, and Su Liang didn’t ask him to leave. She just said that the second floor was her bedroom and that she would entertain on the first floor. She only reminded Gu Ling not to make any noise that could be heard downstairs.

“You go ahead and eat grapes first. When I finish frying the lotus roots, I’ll bring some up to you,” Su Liang said.

At Su Liang’s instructions, Lian Shun and Che Yun cleaned half a basket of lotus roots. The other half, which wouldn’t be eaten today, were left unwashed for now.

Then Su Liang had them peel the lotus root skins and wash them once more, cutting them into evenly-thick slices.

They also had to mince meat, start a fire, and do all sorts of things they had never done before.

“Su Xiaoliang, if we hadn’t come, would you have done all this yourself?” Lian Shun, holding a kitchen knife in each hand, had now mastered the pose of mincing meat.

Su Liang, who was preparing other ingredients, responded in agreement.

Lian Shun was a bit surprised, “Do you really like cooking that much? I thought you were busy. All this would take quite a bit of effort!”

“It’s okay,” Su Liang said, “If you hadn’t come, I would only have to make a little.”

Lian Shun snorted lightly, “Right, right, it’s all our fault for forcing ourselves to come and work at your place!”

The fragrance of the fried lotus roots wafted out, and both Lian Shun and Che Yun gathered around.

“Is it cooked? Is it cooked?” Lian Shun stood nearby with a plate, eager to taste, “We don’t make lotus roots like this at our place. Su Xiaoliang, who did you learn this from?”

Su Liang didn’t respond to Lian Shun. She was holding a specially-made, extra-long pair of chopsticks, a gift from Gu Ling. She also had a bamboo basket specifically for draining oil, also made by Gu Ling.

When the fried lotus root came out of the pot, she placed it in the bamboo basket. Lian Shun tried to grab some, but Su Liang swatted his hand away, “This portion is for the old lady of Marquis Zhong Xin’s Mansion. I promised her. ”

“Let us try it first!” Lian Shun instantly snatched the small basket, and he and Che Yun went to the side to taste it together, each taking one piece, blowing on it to cool it down, and eating it.

“So good…” Lian Shun nodded as he ate.

Gu Ling upstairs let out a light snort, continuing to peel grape skins. The white jade cup beside him was already almost filled with crystal-clear grape pulp.

After Lian Shun and Che Yun had eaten a few pieces, they took the plate of fried lotus root that Su Liang had prepared and ran to deliver it to Old Lady Xing. The reason both of them went was that neither wanted to go, but somebody had to…

After they left, Su Liang fried another plate and carried it upstairs to Gu Ling.

“These just came out of the pot, eat them while they’re hot.” Su Liang placed the fried lotus root on the table and reached for the peeled grapes, “These are for me.”

Gu Ling wiped his hands with a cloth, “They were meant for you.”

Su Liang was somewhat surprised. While eating the grapes with a fruit fork, she asked, “Why are you being so agreeable today, Great God?”

Gu Ling’s expression was indifferent, “When am I not agreeable?”

“Then how about giving me the second Chinese knot after it’s done?” Su Liang asked.

Gu Ling shook his head, “No.”

Su Liang immediately turned around, took the white jade cup, and went downstairs.

By the time Lian Shun and Che Yun returned, the first floor of Yuanming Pavilion was set with a feast to entertain them, and fried lotus root was just one dish—Su Liang had made other dishes as well.

“Wow, did you make all of these?” Lian Shun instantly felt that Su Liang was very considerate, “Su Xiaoliang, you’re quite impressive!” “Su Liang’s cooking is really good!” Che Yun praised.

“I don’t have any alcohol here, only tea.” Su Liang raised her cup.

The three of them clinked their cups, and Lian Shun took a sniff, “This smells wonderful, what kind of tea is this?”

Su Liang smiled, “Da Hong Pao.”

Lian Shun almost choked, “Su Xiaoliang, you’re not going to ask us to do something dangerous like climbing mountains and diving into fires after this meal, are you?”

Che Yun was also pleasantly surprised, “Su Liang, you’re really too polite!”

Su Liang chuckled, “Just remember, you guys owe me a favor that involves climbing mountains and diving into fires. ”

Lian Shun and Che Yun: …We knew it would be like this!

After Lian Shun and Che Yun had a wonderful meal, Su Liang yawned, indicating it was time for them to leave.

“You’re going to the flower appreciation banquet at the Crown Prince’s Mansion tomorrow for Princess Yaoguang, right?” Lian Shun asked.

Su Liang shook her head, “I didn’t receive an invitation.”

As soon as she finished speaking, Chang’an’s voice came from outside, “Is Miss Su here?”

Soon, Su Liang received an invitation to the flower appreciation banquet at the Crown Prince’s Mansion tomorrow.

As Lian Shun and Che Yun were leaving, Chang’an saw them and heard them talking about the delicious food at Su Liang’s place, as well as the top-quality Da Hong Pao tea. After returning to the mansion, he reported everything to Duanmu Chen.

Duanmu Chen was so mad! When he was in Bei’an County, he had to pay 5,000 taels for a meal at Su Liang’s house, and a single steamed bun cost 500 taels, yet Su Liang didn’t treat other guests like this!

“If the Master goes to Miss Su’s house as a guest now, she probably won’t charge money anymore, right?” Chang’an said. He felt that after such a long period of cooperation, the relationship between Duanmu Chen and Su Liang had greatly improved.

Duanmu Chen snorted, “With our current status, how can I visit her alone?”

People would definitely gossip about it, and the last time Su Liang met with

Duanmu Chen alone, her purpose was to ask Duanmu Chen to find a way to get

rid of Duanmu Yi’s idea of arranging their marriage. Therefore, it is tine tor them to interact normally, but it is not appropriate for them to have private interactions that could lead to speculation. Even if Duanmu Chen didn’t mind, he knew that Su Liang would definitely not want to get involved in unnecessary relationships.

“How about I go to Miss Su’s place and bring some delicious food back for the Master?” Chang’an asked.

Duanmu Chen shook his head, “Do you believe she would still charge money?”

Chang’an coughed lightly, “That’s also possible. I’ll ask her next time I go to pass a message.”

After sending her guests away, Su Liang went to sleep for a while, and Zhengzheng came back.

The lotus root dish didn’t taste good after it cooled down, so Su Liang specially prepared some and fried them freshly for Zhengzheng, Xing Yusheng, and Lin Xueqing to eat.

They also mentioned the flower appreciation banquet at the Crown Prince’s Mansion tomorrow, and Lin Xueqing said, “I heard that the Princess Yaoguang from Liang Country might be marrying here to become the crown princess!” Su Liang was startled, “Really?”

“The emperor has been looking for a suitable wife for the crown prince but hasn’t found one yet. After meeting Princess Yaoguang this time, he mentioned it to King Yue of Liang Country,” Xing Yusheng had heard this from his aunt. Since Lady Qin’s niece was originally on the list of potential brides for the crown prince at the Ministry of Rites, she had been paying close attention to the situation.

“Did King Yue agree?” Su Liang asked curiously.

When Duanmu Chen first met Situ Yao that day, he was clearly amazed. However, Su Liang knew very well that Duanmu Chen would never take the initiative to marry a foreign princess as his main wife just because of her beauty.

Xing Yusheng nodded, “Although there is no concrete information, it should be likely unless Princess Yaoguang already has a marriage contract. The emperor is willing to marry his favorite princess to Liang Country, so King Yue can’t say he’s not willing to let his granddaughter marry into Qian Country. Maybe King Yue has brought his granddaughter here with this intention.”

Su Liang thought about it and felt that Xing Yusheng’s words made sense. Princesses and noble girls were not ordinary young ladies, and even ordinary families wouldn’t easily let their unmarried daughters show their faces.

As for Situ Xie saying that Situ Yao had come to see Su Liang because she admired her, Su Liang didn’t believe a word of it.

After sending away Xing Yusheng and Lin Xueqing and putting sleeping Zhengzheng to bed, Su Liang carried him upstairs.

Gu Ling put down what he was holding, got up, and carefully took Zhengzheng from her.

Zhengzheng rubbed his little head against Gu Ling’s chest, not waking up, with a sweet smile on his little face.

Gu Ling looked down at the little guy, his eyes softening.

Watching this scene, Su Liang murmured, “The Great God is sure to be a good father in the future..”