Chapter 247 - Chapter 247: 247. Can I t live this way anymore

Chapter 247: 247. Can I t live this way anymore

Translator: 549690339

On Mid-Autumn Festival, a banquet was held in the palace, where the emperor and his court enjoyed themselves together.

After Su Liang resigned her military post, she was only an Imperial Physician with a relatively low rank and was not originally qualified to attend the Mid-Autumn Palace Banquet. However, an invitation was sent to her mansion early in the morning.

Upon receiving the invitation, Su Liang casually said, “If I can’t avoid going, I can take Little Tiger with me to see the world.”

But Gu Ling disagreed, “There’s not much to see in that world.”

Bai Xiaohu was just a young man from a remote village who had learned to read and write only because of the opportunity Su Liang gave him. Soon, he would return to his previous life. His current experience was already dark enough and might take a long time to forget. Gu Ling was not worried that Bai Xiaohu would be unable to bear poverty after being exposed to the luxury of the palace. Instead, he just didn’t want anything unexpected to happen at the palace banquet that might scare Little Tiger.

“You’re right.” Su Liang sighed slightly, “Let Qi Jun stay with him at home. I’ll

go by myselt. Great Goa, nave you considerea maK1ng a splendid appearance tonight?”

Gu Ling nodded, “Yes. But then I won’t be able to go back to the Su Family Village with you.”

“Never mind,” Su Liang shook her head.

Qi Yan came over to tell Su Liang that Xing Yusheng and Lin Xueqing were going to spend the festival with Old Lady Xing and wouldn’t attend the palace banquet. Later, Lin Bojun and his wife would come to pick her up.

Old Lady Xing had been looking forward to her son’s return, hoping from one holiday to another, but all she got was one disappointment after another.

Just as Qi Yan left, Lin Bojun and Qin Yujin arrived.

Lin Bojun was riding a horse while Su Liang sat in the carriage with Qin Yujin. Lady Lin Boyan was pregnant, so she stayed home this time.

“Sister Liang, I heard that you’re going back to the village to move the graves?” Qin Yujin asked.

Su Liang nodded, “Yes, we’re leaving on the eighteenth of the eighth month.”

Qin Yujin sighed slightly and held Su Liang’s hand, “Please be careful on the journey.”

Su Liang laughed lightly, “Of course, I will.”

Before Qin Yujin could say anything, a sweet smile appeared in her eyes, and one hand subconsciously touched her abdomen.

Su Liang guessed what Qin Yujin was hinting at but pretended not to know, only to see Qin Yujin reach out her hand, “Sister Liang, would you mind taking my pulse?”

Su Liang shook her head seriously, “You look very well, Lady Qin. What seems to be the problem?”

“Never mind.” Qin Yujin was about to withdraw her hand when it was grabbed by Su Liang.

After a while, Su Liang lifted the carriage curtain and said to Lin Bojun, who was riding slowly beside them, “Second Brother Lin, you’re going to be a father soon, remember to treat us!”

“Ah!” Qin Yujin tugged at Su Liang’s arm, “He didn’t know yet!”

Su Liang was stunned, “Didn’t you both know already?”

Qin Yujin couldn’t help but laugh, “I just found out this morning and wanted you to check before I told my husband.”

At this point, the excited Lin Bojun dismounted and lifted the carriage curtain, ready to climb in, “Xiaoliang, you ride the horse!”

Su Liang: … It’s understandable.

Just as Su Liang was about to leave the carriage, Lin Bojun held Qin Yujin’s hand and asked nervously, “Is everything alright with Yujin’s health?”

Su Liang shook her head, “Nothing seems to be wrong for now, but you must be careful in the future.”

Hearing this, Lin Bojun didn’t let Su Liang get off the carriage and immediately ordered the carriage to turn back home.

Su Liang agreed, “That’s a good idea. During the early stages of pregnancy, you shouldn’t jolt around, and you should get some rest early, avoid alcohol, and not be startled. It’s better not to go to the palace.”

Upon hearing Su Liang’s words, Lin Bojun became even more anxious, “No jolting? Then this carriage won’t do.” He started to lift Qin Yujin to carry her. Feeling embarrassed in front of Su Liang, Qin Yujin insisted, “I’m fine, really.” But still, Lin Bojun’s strong arms encircled her.

“I’m going to be a father, haha!” Lin Bojun couldn’t help but laugh foolishly again.

Seeing their anticipating and nervous expressions, Su Liang talked to them about the precautions while secretly thinking it was a good opportunity not to attend the palace banquet tonight.

When the carriage returned to Lin Mansion, Lin Bojun carried Qin Yujin out horizontally while Su Liang quietly jumped out.

Upon learning that they had returned halfway, Lin Shuzhi rushed over, only to find Su Liang speechless, watching Lin Bojun and Qin Yujin gaze at each other in foolish laughter…

“Xiaoliang? This… You guys…” Lin Bojun furrowed his eyebrows.

Su Liang smiled and stood up, “Second sister-in-law is pregnant.”

Lin Shuzhi was stunned for a moment, and then his face was overjoyed, “Great! I’ll have the servants prepare some food for you.”

Both daughter-in-laws being pregnant was a great joy for Lin Shuzhi. He couldn’t be happier.

It didn’t take long for Lin Boyan to come and congratulate Lin Bojun.

It was only with Qin Yujin’s reminder that Lin Bojun realized he should send someone to inform the palace. They couldn’t just decide not to go after receiving the invitation. Xing Yusheng and Lin Xueqing had already sent their reply to the palace early with the help of Qi Yan.

“I’ll write it,” Su Liang said.

Quickly, Su Liang finished writing the “request for leave” and showed it to Lin Bojun and Qin Yujin.

Qin Yujin laughed non-stop, and Lin Bojun nervously asked Su Liang if laughing so much was not good.

Because in the note Su Liang wrote: The undersigned and General Lin’s wife were traveling together to the palace banquet. Halfway there, I took General Lin’s wife’s pulse and told General Lin that his wife was pregnant. General Lin was overjoyed and could only look at his wife with a silly smile. The undersigned accompanied the couple back to the Lin Family. I performed acupuncture for General Lin. Unable to attend the banquet on time, please forgive me, Your Majesty.

Qin Yujin thought Su Liang’s writing was a bit exaggerated, making her husband seem silly.

Su Liang chuckled, “Isn’t Second Brother’s current look silly?”

Qin Yujin looked at Lin Bojun, only to see him grinning, showing a big white tooth, as if he didn’t hear what they were saying or cared about what Su Liang wrote. His laugh was so simple, almost exactly as Su Liang described…

The note was quickly sent out. Su Liang had a late-night snack at the Lin Mansion and repeatedly told Lin Bojun and Qin Yujin to be careful about pregnancy. They should be cautious in their actions but not too strict in their thoughts.

In the end, after Su Liang’s long explanation, Lin Bojun said, “We should ask big sister-in-law! Xiaoliang hasn’t been pregnant before!”

Su Liang rubbed her forehead, “Farewell.”

Qin Yujin twisted Lin Bojun’s ear, “What did you just say?”

But she saw Su Liang turn around and wink at her, “For the first four months, you must avoid intercourse, this is a must.”

As soon as her words fell, Su Liang was gone. Qin Yujin blushed, and Lin Bojun asked puzzledly, “Only the first four months are not allowed? After that, it’s fine?”

Qin Yujin covered her face. Su Liang must have heard it. How embarrassing…

When Su Liang left the Lin Mansion, she met Lin Shuzhi who couldn’t sleep and was taking a walk in the mansion.

“Xiaoliang, I heard you’re going to relocate the graves back to your hometown. This is important, but you must pay attention to safety. Although your strength is not weak, it’s still better to hire some masters for protection.” Lin Shuzhi said earnestly.

Su Liang obediently nodded, “I know, Master, don’t worry, I’ll arrange it.” She had masters around her, especially the highly-skilled ones, and they didn’t even need money, just food would suffice.

When Su Liang left the Lin Family, the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet in the palace had already begun.

Without Lin Bojun’s couple and Su Liang, there were no other members of the

Lin Familv at the banquet. When Duanmu Yi asked, Oin Kang said there must have been an issue, and he immediately asked his son to leave the palace to check.

Old Master Qin worried when he couldn’t see his beloved granddaughter and grandson-in-law. Because Su Liang also didn’t come, he worried even more if they had encountered an assassination or if someone else was sick.

Instead of letting Qin’s son leave the banquet, Duanmu Yi sent someone to the Su Mansion and Lin Mansion.

Before Duanmu Yi’s arrangements were made, Su Liang’s note was delivered to the palace.

After reading it, Duanmu Yi had the old eunuch read it aloud to everyone.

Then, Duanmu Chen led everyone to laugh.

Duanmu Yi smiled, “Since it’s a happy event, how can I blame them?”

Old Master Qin was already grinning from ear to ear, thinking that it was too late today, and he would visit his granddaughter at the Lin Family first thing in the morning.

Su Liang rode Lin Bojun’s horse and left the Lin Family. Halfway, someone appeared on the roof not far away and pointed in a direction.

Su Liang urged the horse to go there.

Passing through a narrow alley, the view suddenly opened up, and the famous scenic spot Jingyue Lake of the capital city appeared in front of her.

Su Liang had played on the lake with Qin Yujin and Lin Xueqing before, but it was her first time there at night. This was because she wouldn’t pass by here when going to the Imperial Palace or the Crown Prince’s Mansion.

Su Liang tied the horse to a large tree and headed toward the lake.

A figure like an ink feather crossed over her, landing on the dock on the opposite side of the lake, using a long bamboo pole to propel a flat boat towards Su Liang.

The moonlight was bright, silver gleam scattered all around, the lake surface like a piece of ink-colored glass, reflecting a mysterious and dark light. That slender figure’s clothes fluttered, their silver mask upon their face reflecting the bright moon and mirroring the lake, as if an immortal had descended from the heavens.

Gu Ling saw the regret in her expression and asked why.

Su Liang giggled, “It’s a pity there’s no camera. Otherwise, I would definitely take a lot of pictures of the Great God.”

Gu Ling knew what a camera was, and upon hearing this, the corner of his lips curled up in a barely discernible smile. But he listened as Su Liang continued, “If I make a photo album and sell it, it will definitely be in high demand.” Gu Ling snorted lightly, “I am not a celebrity.”

“I was joking. But I really do want a camera.” Su Liang laughed as she sat down on the boat, squinting her eyes and letting the night breeze brush her face. It felt so comfortable, giving a sense of freedom as if she could drift with the wind.

Gu Ling put away the bamboo pole and sat down at the other end of the boat. They spent the night boating on the lake, surrounded by silence, only hearing the chirping insects, birdsong, and the sound of water between the boat.

“You can paint.” Gu Ling said.

Su Liang shook her head, “You, Great God, have amazing painting skills. I won’t embarrass myself.”

At the time Su Liang told Lin Bojun he was to be a father, Gu Ling was nearby, so there was no need to ask Su Liang why she didn’t enter the palace.

“Tell a story.” Gu Ling said.

Su Liang shook her head slightly, “No.” She wanted to enjoy this peaceful and leisurely feeling, not wanting to think about anything, emptying her mind.

Gu Ling didn’t insist either, and the two let the small boat drift quietly in the night breeze without talking.

That is, until Su Liang yawned…

Gu Ling got up, propped up the bamboo pole, and reached the shore in a moment.

Su Liang got on the horse, and Gu Ling’s gaze was fixed on the position behind her, but he said nothing and disappeared into the night.

At the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet, the Empress Dowager and Empress were ill and did not appear. The Imperial Concubine Xiao sat beside Duanmu Yi.

Sixth Princess Duanmu Qianqian had not fully recovered and also did not show up. The two countries had arranged the marriage alliance to take place after the new year.

The next day, Su Liang went to the palace to return the books she had read. She would not borrow any new books for the time being, as Duanmu Yi had sent her two big boxes of medical books from the sealed prince’s mansion last time, which would last her until the new year.

She chose today to return, and just two books, with the intention of asking Duanmu Yi for leave to return to her hometown.

After returning the books to the library pavilion, Su Liang requested an audience with Duanmu Yi and saw him very quickly.

“Was General Lin alright last night?” Duanmu Yi asked with a smile.

Su Liang shook her head, “He was fine, just a little too excited. I previously mentioned to Your Majesty about relocating the graves. I found someone to check the dates, and the day after tomorrow is the right day. I came to Your Majesty to ask for leave and request your approval.”

Duanmu Yi frowned, “You’ve already picked the date before telling me?”

In terms of procedure, Su Liang was indeed at fault. As a salaried doctor specifically serving the Royal Family, she needed to arrange her leave in advance.

However, Su Liang wanted to see just how “good” Duanmu Yi was to her.

As a result, Duanmu Yi’s face quickly cleared, “Fine, since you mentioned it before, and I agreed at that time, only saying that you should wait until the weather cooled, now is a good time. Since the date has been set, it would be unreasonable for me not to approve.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Su Liang expressed her gratitude.

Duanmu Yi said, “Although you have resigned from the post of General, it is only temporary. If needed in the future, I will reinstate you at any time. This time, I will assign a team of soldiers for your disposal.”

Su Liang hurriedly declined, “Your Majesty, I am going to my hometown for a funeral and do not require soldiers to accompany me.”

“It is for your protection.” Duanmu Yi insisted.

Su Liang persisted in refusing, “If someone really wanted to assassinate me, ordinary soldiers would only increase casualties, which is something I absolutely do not want to see. I have already hired several skilled guards to protect me secretly.”

“Oh? Is that so?” Duanmu Yi nodded, “That’s good then.”

Just as Su Liang thought Duanmu Yi was giving up, he called for someone else.

Su Liang didn’t know what Duanmu Yi was up to, so she waited for a while, then a young girl came in.

Gu Ling was someone Su Liang had seen before, that day in the Heavenly Prison, when Duanmu Yi brought the female guard to take Su Liang’s place, her name was Silver Flower.

After Silver Flower respectfully saluted, Duanmu Yi smiled and looked at Su Liang, “You should always have someone around to serve you, so she will follow you from now on!”

Silver Flower immediately knelt down in front of Su Liang and called her Master.

Su Liang was dumbfounded, suspecting that this female guard was the person Duanmu Yi was really trying to plant by her side, and that the talk of soldiers and horses was just a smokescreen.

“Your Majesty, this humble servant is not accustomed to being served…” Su Liang carefully chose her words.

“Then get used to it.” Duanmu Yi said without arguing, “You are a talented person, you cannot be wasted too much time on trivial matters, it would delay your reading, don’t you think?”

With these words, Su Liang really couldn’t refute.

Thus, when they left the palace, Su Liang had one more attendant by her side.

Outside the palace, Su Liang had gotten on her horse before realizing that Silver Flower had none. She dismounted again and held the reins, intending to ask some basic information first.

Silver Flower urged Su Liang to ride ahead, saying she would go to the Su Mansion by herself. Seeing Su Liang shake her head, she took the reins, “This slave will do it.”

Su Liang looked at the mechanical reverence on her face and asked, “Do you have an older sister named Gold Flower?”

Silver Flower was visibly taken aback, then nodded, “Yes, she’s no longer with us.”

“I’m sorry.” Su Liang asked something else, “Were you originally his Majesty’s secret guard?”

Silver Flower nodded, “Yes, I only took over my master’s position last year, and haven’t had a chance to do anything yet.’

“Took over?” Su Liang was curious.

But Silver Flower remained silent, not daring to say more.

Su Liang guessed that it was something outsiders shouldn’t know, so she didn’t ask further, “Your martial arts skills must be quite impressive. Once we return to the mansion, we can exchange pointers.”

They passed by the Wan Family Restaurant and heard Zhengzheng’s voice, so Su Liang took Silver Flower in with her.

Wan Hui was curious about the stranger who appeared next to Su Liang, thinking that she was her friend, and smiled, “Sister Su, why don’t you introduce this sister to us?”

Silver Flower lowered her head in fear and took a step back.

Wan Hui was stunned, then heard Su Liang say, “His Majesty kindly arranged a guard for me, her name is Silver Flower. By the way, what’s your last name?

Silver Flower shook her head, “This slave has no surname, please grant me one, Master.”

Su Liang frowned, “That’s not what I meant.”

“This slave hopes the Master will grant me a name.” Silver Flower looked seriously at Su Liang.

Su Liang thought for a moment and said, “Jin Yin Hua, also known as Ren

Dong, how about you be called Ren Dong from now on?”

Wan Hui smiled, “This name sounds nice.” However, the fact that the emperor had sent a guard to Su Liang made her feel uneasy.

Su Liang was also helpless, as it was obviously a spy planted by him.

Back at the mansion, Su Liang asked Qi Jun to arrange a place for Ren Dong to live, then returned to Yuanming Pavilion by herself.

Pushing open the door to Gu Ling’s room, Su Liang entered and sighed, “I can’t live like this anymore. His Majesty sent me a female guard and I couldn’t refuse.”

Gu Ling calmly replied, “Tonight, you will face an assassination attempt.”

Su Liang looked confused, “I have bad luck? Someone wants to kill me?”

Gu Ling shook his head, “Me.”

Su Liang caught on, ‘You, tonight, are going to assassinate me?”

“Yes. The female guard will be injured, and you will be traveling soon, so you won’t have to take her.” Gu Ling said.

Su Liang’s eyes brightened, but then she frowned, “But if you defeat her, you’ll have to seriously injure me, otherwise, the assassination will seem fake.”

“You can use poison to drive me off.” Gu Ling said.

Su Liang thought it was workable, “Good idea.. Let’s do it!”