Chapter 260 - Chapter 260: 260. What a coincidence

Chapter 260: 260. What a coincidence

Translator: 549690339

The weather was clear and sunny.

Chang’an, who was playing by the lake, caught a glimpse of Duanmu Chen coming out of the Yuanming Pavilion. He immediately dropped the stone in his hand and ran over, “Master, are you leaving so soon?”

Duanmu Chen looked back at the Yuanming Pavilion and snorted lightly, “Crazy, she’s really crazy.”

Chang’an was confused, “Who’s crazy?

“Who else could it be? Su Liang!” Duanmu Chen walked away.

Chang’an, feeling as though he was being clawed at by a cat, followed Duanmu Chen and asked what was wrong with Su Liang and why she was called crazy.

“She’s been enchanted by Gu Ling.” Duanmu Chen’s tone was somewhat dreary.

Chang’an was stunned for a moment, and then blurted out, “Both are unmarried and beautiful, and both are lonely. They are quite a match!”

Duanmu Chen stopped walking, frowned at Chang’an, “Do you really think they’re a good match?”

Chang’an blinked, “Can you really say that… ”

Duanmu Chen snorted, “If Gu Ling doesn’t like Su Liang, but Su Liang still pursues him, do you think it’s right? Is that still Su Liang?”

Chang’an thought for a while, “They just met. Marquis Gu may not like Miss Su today, but maybe he will tomorrow, what’s wrong with that? Miss Su has always been straightforward and open-minded, if she likes someone, she likes them, if she doesn’t, she doesn’t.”

Duanmu Chen’s expression was indescribable, “So she’s the type who would fall for someone?”

Chang’an said solemnly, “Miss Su is genuine. Master finds it surprising because Miss Su hasn’t met the right person before. Now that she has, she naturally shows a side Master hasn’t seen before.”

Duanmu Chen retorted, “Then what about Ning Jing?”

Chang’an shook his head, “In my opinion, Young Master Ning and Miss Su are just close friends. Although they have a tacit understanding, they lack a bit… ” “Lack what?” Duanmu Chen asked.

Chang’an thought for a long time, and only came up with an answer when he left the Su Mansion, “It’s impulsiveness! When you really like someone, you become less calm. Miss Su and Young Master Ning are together, and they are both so calm. Now Miss Su wants to pursue Marquis Gu, even if she’s rejected, she won’t give up; that’s impulsiveness! Master thinks it’s not like her, that’s right! It means Miss Su is truly moved!”

“Where did you hear all this nonsense?” Duanmu Chen was speechless. Chang’an lowered his head weakly, “That’s what is written in the storybooks…” Duanmu Chen: .

Su Liang packed her things simply and returned to the Su Mansion without reporting to the palace.

“Su sister! Su sister!”

Lin Xueqing’s voice sounded, followed by the sound of footsteps going upstairs.

Xing Yusheng didn’t go up but sat on the first floor, muttering, “Su Liang really has her eyes on Gu Ling? I’m a real prophet!” He chuckled, very satisfied, feeling that the match between Su Liang and Gu Ling had been destined by heaven.

As soon as Lin Xueqing saw Su Liang, she grabbed her hand and sat her down, looking at her anxiously and asking, “I heard that you fell in love with Marquis Chang Xin, Gu Ling, at first sight?”

Su Liang nodded.

“Really? I thought Ajun was exaggerating! You like Gu Ling? You really like him? You want to be with him?” Lin Xueqing asked several questions in a row.

Su Liang nodded her head again.

Lin Xueqing was happy, “Su sister, you have no idea, my husband and I originally thought about waiting for you to come back and creating opportunities to bring you and Marquis Chang Xin together. We never thought that you would meet without us doing anything. It’s fate!”

Su Liang: …Yes, their “love at first sight,” arranged early on, with Gu Ling waiting every day at the Wan Family Restaurant, was indeed fate-the fate of acting in a play together.

Lin Xueqing was particularly happy, “It’s so great! Marquis Gu has such beauty like an immortal, Su sister, you have good taste! Others don’t deserve him, and they don’t deserve you either. You two are such a great match!”

Su Liang sighed softly, “The Crown Prince just came here and said that Marquis Chang Xin had complained about me touching him in front of the emperor, claiming that I was very bold and told me to stay away from him.”

Lin Xueqing was dumbstruck, “What?” After a while, she came to her senses, slammed the table and stood up, “He… he has a problem with his eyes? Miss Su is so beautiful and cute, but he doesn’t like her, it’s simply unjust!”

Downstairs, Xing Yusheng knit his brows: …Gu Ling doesn’t like Su Liang? What kind of person is he looking for? Could it be that Gu Ling already has someone in his heart? It shouldn’t be. With his unfriendly appearance, and his previous status as a rebel fugitive, what good girl would be with him?

Su Liang pulled Lin Xueqing down to sit, “Don’t worry. It’s just a misunderstanding, and I won’t give up.”

Lin Xueqing was even more surprised when she heard this, “Su sister, you want to pursue Marquis Chang Xin?”

Su Liang smiled, “Is that not possible?”

Lin Xueqing shook her head, “No, it’s just that I feel… I can’t even explain it, just tell me quickly how you plan to pursue him.”

“Ren Dong.” Su Liang suddenly shouted downstairs.

Ren Dong, who was waiting outside, immediately rushed upstairs. Xing Yusheng only saw a shadow fluttering past him from a distance.

“I have a task for you,” Su Liang said to Ren Dong.

Ren Dong nodded, “Master, please give your orders.”

“You go to the Wan Family Restaurant and reserve the room next to the one Marquis Chang Xin booked. From now on, I’m going to eat there.” Su Liang said.

“Yes!” Ren Dong immediately turned and went downstairs to carry out the task.

Lin Xueqing sighed, “Su sister, you really have guts!” A girl chasing a boy in this world is not only very rare, but also seldom so high-profile.

Downstairs, Xing Yusheng’s voice rang, “Su Liang, I support you! Hurry up and take down Gu Ling! When you get married, I’ll be the one blocking your door!

He doesn’t call me his brother, I won’t let him in, haha!”

After leaving the Su Mansion, Xing Yusheng and Lin Xueqing went back to Marquis Zhong Xin’s Mansion to tell Old Madam Xing about Su Liang’s situation.

When Old Madam Xing heard that Su Liang had taken a liking to Gu Ling and even wanted to pursue him, she couldn’t help bending over giggling, “We’ll just wait for their wedding banquet then! It’s so nice, I’m sure the person Liang’er likes must be a good choice!”

Lin Shuzhi and Old Master Qin, who had discussed Su Liang and Gu Ling before, felt that they had hit the nail on the head: the two were indeed meant to be together.

Later that evening, news spread throughout the capital city that Su Liang had reserved the room next to Gu Ling’s at the Wan Family Restaurant, further stirring people’s interest in gossip.

And in the evening, when Gu Ling appeared at the Wan Family Restaurant on time as usual, Su Liang had already arrived a step ahead. She even made use of her private relationship with the owner of the Wan Family Restaurant to take a look at the room Gu Ling had reserved.

However, not only was Su Liang there, but Yang Yu was also accompanying her. She was carrying a medicine box, which was normal since she carried it almost everywhere before.

Gu Ling entered his private room, closed the doors and windows, and shut out the view from the outside.

Soon, the waiter quietly served the dishes and then left.

Gu Ling didn’t immediately start eating, but instead got up and began searching for something in the room.

After a while, Gu Ling found an oil-paper wrapper hidden in a wide-mouthed vase and took it out.

This was Su Liang’s real reason for coming to the Wan Family Restaurant to eat – to give Gu Ling a snack…

When Gu Ling heard that people were discussing Su Liang entering his private room, he guessed that she must have hidden something in there.

Now that Duanmu Yi had people watching them day and night, the two could not meet in private. They could only communicate through Su Liang’s “ardent pursuit” tactic.

Upon opening the oily paper package, it contained Gu Ling’s favorite pumpkin seeds, which Su Liang had made the day before leaving Su Village. They were flavored with five spices.

There was also a note inside, which read: “Is Little Nian able to reveal himself yet?”

Gu Ling took out a piece of paper with writing on it from his pocket and quickly folded it into a paper crane. Then, he put Su Liang’s note in his purse, repacked the oily paper package and put it back into the vase, along with the paper crane.

Only then, he returned to the table and started eating.

“Auntie!”

From the outside of the room came the joyful voice of Zheng’er. Gu Ling glanced at the door.

Knowing that Su Liang was there, Wan Hui brought Zheng’er to find her, also meaning to ask Su Liang about her and Gu Ling’s situation.

As a result, Zheng’er asked when Uncle Ning would return.

Su Liang still didn’t know, but she thought that your uncle is just next door, but unfortunately, he can’t acknowledge you. However, this is only temporary.

When Gu Ling finished eating, he instructed the waiter to make a bowl of soup for him to take back as a late-night snack.

Shortly after, the waiter came in with a delicate food box. Seeing that Gu Ling was still drinking tea, the waiter placed it down and left.

Gu Ling took out the oily paper package from the vase once again and placed it in the food box before leaving the room.

Ren Dong, who was guarding outside Su Liang’s room, saw Gu Ling come out and immediately knocked on the door to report to Su Liang, “Master, Marquis Chang Xin is leaving.”

Thus, under the watchful eyes of the restaurant guests, Su Liang rushed out from her room, met Gu Ling face to face, and sweetly smiled at him, “What a coincidence! We meet again!”

The onlookers thought: …how incredibly coincidental!

Gu Ling’s gaze swept past Su Liang’s smiling eyes, his face emotionless, nodding slightly, “Miss Su.”

“It’s more enjoyable to have an accidental encounter than an intentional one, shall we have a drink together?” Su Liang invited Gu Ling.

Gu Ling shook his head, “I don’t feel like drinking today. Excuse me, Miss Su.”

“What about tomorrow? If you don’t want to drink, how about going to Huguo Temple to watch the clouds together?” Su Liang suggested.

“I don’t want to watch the clouds tomorrow.” Gu Ling’s expression was indifferent.

Yang Yu came out to pull Su Liang back, and Su Liang smiled at Gu Ling, “See you tomorrow.”

After Ren Dong closed Su Liang’s door from the outside, Gu Ling took the food box downstairs.

The onlookers all couldn’t help but sigh. Su Liang, the Top Scholar, was indeed a heroine. When she set her sights on the beautiful Gu Ling, she was really bold in pursuing him! Although it seemed that Gu Ling was unmoved, many people felt that they were a good match, and a woman’s pursuit of a man was like a veil separating them. Gu Ling might not be able to hold on for a few days!

Before leaving the restaurant, Su Liang had carried a delicate and expensive vase into Gu Ling’s private room, and when she came out, she had a different vase.

As for this matter, the rumor was that Su Llang had deliberately changed the vase in Gu Ling’s room to please him.

However, Yang Yu knew that it was all fake. But Su Liang had already asked Yang Yu to help her get a batch of beautiful vases because she wanted to exchange vases every day with Gu Ling to pass messages.

Yang Yu could only think that compared to Su Liang and Gu Ling, her love story with Nian Jincheng was quite uneventful…

In the carriage on the way back to the mansion, Su Liang took out the paper crane left by Gu Ling from her purse. She gently pulled the tail of the crane and its wings started to flap.

“How clever!” Yang Yu took a look and then handed it back to Su Liang.

When they arrived home, Su Liang went back to her room and opened the paper crane. It was a letter written by Gu Ling with his left hand, discussing Nian Jincheng’s situation—something that Su Liang also wanted to know.

Yang Yu sighed, “The tacit understanding between you two is unparalleled.

What you wanted to ask, he had already anticipated and prepared the answer.” There were no writing materials in the private room of the restaurant, so Gu Ling must have prepared it beforehand.

In the letter, Gu Ling wrote that Yan Shiba had been controlled by Yan Shiqi and that they didn’t need to deal with them for the time being. He asked Nian

Jincheng to “return” to the capital city within three days and meet Duanmu Yi.

He would tell Duanmu Yi that at the time, he was rescued by Yan Shiba. Yan Shiba forced him to disclose Gu Ling’s whereabouts, but he didn’t because he genuinely didn’t know. Later, there was a conflict within the Yanyun Building, Yan Shiba was usurped by Yan Shiqi, and Nian Jincheng took the opportunity to escape. He hid in a mountain in the north until he came down the mountain to buy food and heard that both he and Gu Ling had been pardoned before heading back to the capital.

After reading it, Su Liang handed it to Yang Yu, who was relieved. “That’s good,” she said, taking the letter to find Nian Jincheng.

The night deepened.

After bathing and preparing to rest, Su Liang instructed Ren Dong, “I’m fine now, you can go and rest.”

“Yes, Master,” Ren Dong replied.

After the lights dimmed in Su Liang’s room, and a quarter of an hour had passed, Ren Dong secretly left the Su Mansion and headed in the direction of the Imperial Palace.

Ren Dong reported in detail what she had seen by Su Liang’s side over the past few days. This included the harmonious relationship between Su Liang and the people of Su Village, her daily activities, the assassination attempt on the way back, and her developing feelings for Gu Ling after returning to the capital.

On hearing the last part, Duanmu Yi’s expression darkened, “Has she really fallen for Gu Ling?”

Ren Dong nodded, “In response to Your Majesty’s question, yes, Miss Su is indeed pursuing Marquis Chang Xin.”

Duanmu Yi’s eyes narrowed, and he remained silent for a long time.

Ren Dong knelt on the ground, her legs were numb from squatting, and only then heard Duanmu Yi let her stand up. “Go back, keep watching, and don’t let her find out that you’ve left.”

After Ren Dong bowed and took her leave, she left the Imperial Palace.

When she returned to the Su Mansion, she went to the door of Su Liang’s room and knocked softly twice.

“How was it?” Su Liang’s voice came from inside the room.

Ren Dong responded, “His Majesty asked if my Master truly likes Marquis

Chang Xin. I replied yes, and His Majesty’s expression was unhappy.”

Su Liang snorted lightly but wasn’t surprised, as she had already guessed that Duanmu Yi had feelings for her. Perfect, she thought, using Gu Ling to see what Duanmu Yi would do.

After Ren Dong left, Su Liang closed her eyes and went to sleep.

At the Marquis Chang Xin Mansion.

It was past midnight, and there was still a light on in Gu Ling’s room. The secret guard hiding in the tree, waiting for his “colleague” to take over, tightened his clothes, rubbing his eyes as he could barely stay awake any longer.

In the room, Gu Ling finally completed fixing the medical book that he had torn in half when they were at Su Village. It was sandwiched between two other books and had a wooden box on top of it.

Then, Gu Ling took out the illustrations he had drawn during the bedtime stories that Su Liang had told him every night. He had bound them into an album, and as he looked through it, he spelled out Su Liang’s name on the table using pumpkin seeds.

If Su Liang were here at this moment, she would definitely scoff: What a crazy person!

Then, Gu Ling slowly and carefully ate the pumpkin seeds that spelled “Su Liang” one by one.

As the image of Su Liang’s blossoming smile from their encounter earlier that day appeared in his mind, Gu Ling whispered to himself almost inaudibly, “It’s quite a coincidence, you crossing over here and appearing right in front of me..”