Chapter 273 - Chapter 273: Come chase me.

Chapter 273: Come chase me.

Translator: 549690339

Su Liang guessed correctly; Duanmu Chen had indeed placed a note inside the dagger sheath.

However, there was no specific information on the note, only two words: “Take care.”

For a time, Su Liang felt that Duanmu Chen seemed to treat her as a friend. Since it was not convenient for him to say goodbye in person, he used this way to remind her.

No matter how sincere he was, Su Liang appreciated it. Compared to the suspicious Duanmu Yi, her relationship with Duanmu Chen was quite friendly, and their cooperation had been relatively smooth all along.

When Su Liang was thinking about getting the Mechanism Map to help Qian Country unify the world, she had Duanmu Chen in mind for taking power.

Leaving the capital city, the snow had stopped not long after, but traveling against the wind was still cold.

Su Liang was well-prepared, having windproof and warm pads tied around her joints. This was made overnight by someone found by Yang Yu after she talked to him, and it included Ren Dong’s contribution.

Those trained in martial arts are not all the same, and Su Liang started practicing martial arts a bit late, unlike Gu Ling who had trained since childhood. Su Liang always paid great attention to her health, and after conditioning, her original cold-sensitive constitution had improved, but she still felt some discomfort during her monthly cycle occasionally.

Gui Yue and Gui Xiang, brother and sister, grew up in the ice and snow, so they were not afraid of the cold, and it was obvious when comparing the thickness of their clothes with Su Liang.

Gui Yue was very talkative, but Gui Xiang hardly spoke at all, only nodding, shaking his head, or staying silent when Su Liang talked to him.

The siblings’ father was the captain of the guards of the Yue Prince Masion, so they grew up in the mansion and naturally became Situ Xie’s guards.

During a break, Gui Yue watched Su Liang taking off her warm pads and said with a smile, “I didn’t expect Su Divine Doctor, with such high martial arts skills, to be afraid of the cold. Actually, once you get used to it, it’s fine.”

Su Liang thought inwardly: once she got used to it, she could wait for old age rheumatism.

“I always hear you call me Su Divine Doctor which puts a lot of pressure on me, as I am not that divine,” Su Liang smiled.

Gui Yue laughed heartily, “Then I’ll call you Miss Su. But in my heart, Miss Su is the Divine Doctor. I heard that when General Peng Qian was seriously injured and on the verge of death, it was Miss Su who saved him. General Peng Qian had been ill for many years, and after meeting Miss Su in Qian Country, he has been much better now.”

The matter of treating Peng Qian was not a secret, and Su Liang had reported it to Duanmu Yi early on. Hearing Gui Yue mention it, she took advantage of the situation to ask about Peng’s situation.

Ren Dong watched Su Liang and Gui Yue seemingly having a lively conversation, knowing that it was only superficial. Su Liang was not a naturally outgoing person and would not easily trust the Gui siblings. Ren Dong had been secretly observing their every action, and at the same time noticed that Gui Xiang had been silently watching them all along.

As for the matter of eating during the journey, the Gui siblings were very accommodating, but Su Liang could keep up with their pace, not wanting to eat cold and hard cakes every day. So she said that within Qian Country’s territory, she would be responsible for feeding the four of them.

At first, Gui Yue was worried about the delay, but later found that it didn’t make a big difference. In her eyes, although Su Liang was very afraid of the cold, she seemed to be good at everything, including cooking a pot of steaming, delicious soup in the harsh outdoor conditions.

It didn’t affect the traveling speed, and they could eat better. As Gui siblings considered Su Liang their important guest and person to invite to Liang Country, they naturally accepted her arrangement.

They got along peacefully along the way, even appearing harmonious on the surface. Because of their speed, they arrived in Xuanbei City in just a few days.

Su Liang told Gui Yue in advance that they would rest in Xuanbei City for a day.

When the Gui siblings passed through Xuanbei City on their way here, they had declared themselves as envoys sent by the King Yue to meet Xing Ji, but did not disclose that they had come to invite Su Liang. After seeing Situ Xie’s token, Xing Ji let them go.

After the heavy snow, the weather cleared up, and Xuanbei City was draped in a silvery white, a breathtaking sight.

As Su Liang rode into the city, someone went to report to Xing Ji.

Upon learning that Su Liang had arrived, Qi Jun was overjoyed and rushed out to greet her. Seeing her familiar figure on horseback from afar, he waved at her, “Master!”

As they got closer, Su Liang got off her horse, removed her hood, and walked over with a smile, “Your brother has written a letter for you.”

Before her words fell, Ren Dong had already picked out the letter from Qi Yan to Qi Jun from Su Liang’s medicine box and handed it over.

“Thank you.” Qi Jun took it and nodded to Ren Dong with a smile.

“Qi Jun, please attend to these two guests from Liang Country and prepare hot water, good food, and drinks,” Su Liang ordered.

Qi Jun saw Gui Yue and Gui Xiang appear together, guessing that Su Liang was probably going to Liang Country. When the two people came initially, he had seen them.

“Ren Dong, you follow Qi Jun and arrange for the two guests to rest. After they are settled, have him take you to the courtyard where I stayed in the General Mansion before, I will stay there again,” Su Liang said.

Qi Jun and Ren Dong responded simultaneously, then frowned slightly. Qi Jun walked to Su Liang’s side, lowered his voice, and said, “Master, that courtyard has been occupied by someone else.”

Su Liang was taken aback, “Who took it?”

Qi Jun spoke in a faint tone, “Marquis Chang Xin’s beautiful Gu. He liked the cedar in that courtyard and chose it as his residence, staying there for one night. When I found out, I didn’t feel it was appropriate to say anything.”

Su Liang’s lips curled slightly, “I really have a good fate with Miss Gu! What’s the big deal about this? If he ever lived there, I’m definitely staying there too!”

Qi Jun nodded silently, turned around, pointed Ren Dong in a direction, led Su Liang’s horse, and silently left with them…

“Xiaoliang!” Xing Ji strode over, “You’ve lost weight again!”

Su Liang chuckled lightly, “Uncle Xing, you’ve lost weight too.”

Xing Ji coughed lightly, “I told Marquis Chang Xin that you’re my adopted daughter. Are you willing to give me some face and acknowledge it?”

Recalling the past, Su Liang took a step back upon hearing this.

Xing Ji rubbed his forehead, “If you don’t want to, forget it. Pretend I never said it.”

But then, he saw Su Liang bow down, “Adoptive father.”

Xing Ji’s expression was delighted, “Good, good! I’ve prepared a meeting gift for you, and I’ve been waiting for you to call me adoptive father! Come inside with me, it’s so cold outside. Have you been freezing on your journey here? I’ll have someone make some ginger soup for you!”

“I’m fine.” Su Liang followed Xing Ji into the military camp. “It’s not as comfortable as being at home, but it’s still bearable.”

Xing Ji couldn’t help but complain about his pampered son.

Su Liang nodded, “I’ll pass the message on to the crown prince.”

“From now on, you’ll have to call him your adoptive brother, or simply big brother.” Xing Ji said with a smile.

“No way.” Su Liang refused, “I already have a big brother.”

Xing Ji knew Su Liang was talking about Lin Boyan, “All right, it’s indeed not suitable for you to call Yu Sheng big brother. I’ll ask him later if he’s willing to call you sister.”

Su Liang nodded solemnly, “I can do that.”

Xing Ji burst out laughing, feeling joyful and carefree.

Upon learning the reason why the Emperor sent Su Liang to Liang Country,

Xing Ji frowned, “He entrusted such an important task to you alone?” Su Liang shook her head, “There’s also Miss Gu.”

Xing Ji coughed lightly, “Are you really taking a fancy for that guy?

Su Liang nodded, “For real.”

“Good taste.” Xing Ji approved, “Indeed, you can’t find anyone better looking than Gu Ling. Do you know about his strength?”

“The emperor said that he repelled Yan Shiqi, the owner of Yanyun Building, with a single palm.” Su Liang replied.

Xing Ji looked surprised, “So powerful? No wonder he can keep himself out of Gu Family’s affairs.”

“Do you think he’s loyal to Qian Country, adoptive father?” Su Liang asked.

As soon as he heard the words “adoptive father,” Xing Ji couldn’t help but smile, “We’ll have to observe this matter further.” After all, he didn’t know much about Gu Ling.

Xing Ji reminded Su Liang to be extremely cautious when dealing with Situ Xie in Liang Country, “He has a deep and cunning mind, not a good person. Don’t believe what he says too easily.”

Upon hearing this, Su Liang asked Xing Ji if he had ever dealt with Situ Xie. Xing Ji shook his head, “My father had dealings with him and left those words.” “I’ll be careful.” Su Liang nodded.

“Don’t risk your life for anything. If you can’t find the Mechanism Map, the emperor won’t blame you too much. He’ll make other arrangements.” Xing Ji said sternly to Su Liang, “Do your best under the premise of ensuring your own safety, understand?”

Su Liang obediently nodded, “All right.”

After having dinner with Xing Ji, Su Liang left and returned to the General Mansion to rest.

On the way, Su Liang met Che Yun, who told her that Xing Ji had already submitted a memorial to the emperor, asking for a transfer to the south.

“That’s great. My uncle and aunt will have better health in the south.” Su Liang smiled, “If the emperor doesn’t approve this time, I’ll plead for your case when I return to the capital after finishing my business.”

Che Yun cupped his hands in gratitude, “Thank you so much!”

“Since I’m here, I should visit my uncle and aunt to check on their health.” Su Liang planned to go to the Che family for a follow-up consultation for Che father and Che mother.

Che Yun was very happy and took Su Liang to his home. But when it came to his parents’ health, he couldn’t help but sigh.

When Su Liang saw Che father and Che mother, she found that their health had worsened since their last meeting. Che father was about the same age as Xing Ji, with half of his hair already white. Che mother was a bit dazed, and her reaction to Su Liang’s conversation was slow.

After taking their pulse, Su Liang prescribed some medicine and administered acupuncture to Che mother.

As Che Yun escorted Su Liang out, she advised him not to follow, and suggested, “If you have a girl you like, marry early. If there’s a grandchild, your uncle and aunt might improve a lot.”

Che Yun shook his head with a wry smile, “This place is not like the capital city,

I don’t have any girl that I like here.”

It was not easy for Che Yun to find a suitable partner in Xuanbei City, which had few residents.

“I heard that you like Marquis Chang Xin?” Che Yun asked Su Liang.

Su Liang nodded, “Yes, I am pursuing him.”

Che Yun smiled and nodded, “You are a good match, and when you go to Liang Country, you’ll see him again.”

“I am looking forward to it.” Su Liang turned and waved her hand, “I’m leaving.”

Che Yun watched Su Liang’s figure disappear into the vast white world and his eyes turned cold the moment he entered the door, “Gu Ling…”

When Su Liang returned to the General’s Mansion, Ren Dong had already prepared hot water. The letter for Xing Ji had also been sent.

Finally able to take a hot bath after days of traveling, Su Liang was so comfortable that she almost fell asleep.

At night, Qi Jun came over just as Ren Dong left Su Liang’s room.

“Has the master gone to sleep?” Qi Jun asked softly.

Ren Dong shook his head, ‘What’s the matter?”

“I want to go to Liang Country with the master, but the Marquis won’t let me.” Qi Jun sighed. He knew that his father would stop him, so he went directly to Xing Ji to follow Su Liang to Liang Country, but Xing Ji didn’t agree either.

Qi Jun entered the room after hearing Su Liang’s voice.

After listening, Su Liang smiled and said, “You stay here and accompany your father, how is his health? Should I check his pulse again?”

Qi Jun shook his head, “My father is fine now. Master should rest early.”

Alone in the familiar room she knew, Su Liang recalled that Gu Ling had stayed there as well before, though the bedding had been changed since then.

Su Liang heard from Xing Ji that although Gu Ling and others were traveling slowly, they should have arrived in Liang Country’s capital by now. It would take her another seven or eight days to get there if she traveled day and night from Xuanbei City.

Before going to sleep, Su Liang wondered whether that person would call Situ Xie his grandfather when he met him…

Early the next morning, Su Liang and the others left Xuanbei City and continued their journey.

Che Yun accompanied Xing Ji on the city wall, watching them leave in the distance. He mentioned Su Liang’s visit to his family to treat his parents’ illnesses and expressed his gratitude towards her.

“Xiaoliang has always been like that, treating the people she approves of very well,” Xing Ji said with a smile. “Gu Ling is not indifferent to Xiaoliang, it’s just his personality that he’s not used to getting close to people. I hope that their relationship can improve when they return from Liang Country.”

Che Yun’s eyes narrowed, and he nodded, “That would be the best.”

Meanwhile, Gu Ling’s party, delayed by the snowstorm on the road, had just arrived in Liang Country’s capital, Yao City.

Upon learning that King Yue’s grandson and the world-famous beauty Gu Ling had arrived, the Yao City residents came out of their homes, curious to see what the half-Liang royal blood beauty Gu Ling looked like.

Gu Ling had been here when he was a child, and the people who had met him back then still marveled at the ethereal young master.

After the team entered the city, they stopped. Lin Bojun, sitting on his horse, looked at Situ Xie entering his line of sight. “Marauis Gu. King Yue is here.”

Everyone knows Situ Xie’s status in Liang Country. First, he went to Qian

Country in person and bowed publicly to beg Duanmu Yi for Gu Ling’s pardon. Now he has come to the city gate to greet his grandson, which shows the importance he attaches to Gu Ling.

Under everyone’s gaze, Situ Xie got off his horse and walked to Gu Ling’s carriage, calling out, “Ling’er is here, it’s your grandfather.”

The curtain of the carriage swayed gently in the wind, and after a while, no one came out, making the atmosphere a bit awkward.

Lin Bojun gazed into the distance and saw the Liang Country’s Imperial Palace built against the mountains. The terrain was very high, just as his father had described, magnificent and spectacular.

“Could it be that the beautiful Gu fell asleep?” The onlookers whispered to each other.

Situ Xie called out again, and suddenly the curtain was lifted, revealing a face.

“Is this the famous Gu beauty? She’s not as beautiful as the rumors say!” someone muttered quietly.

Situ Xie was taken aback, “This is .

Lian Shun smiled at Situ Xie, “Your Highness King Yue, I am surnamed Lian, I am Gu Ling’s best friend.”

“The son of the Lin family from Jiaye City in Qian Country?” Situ Xie smiled, “Nice to meet you. Is Ling’er unwell?”

“Not really, it’s just that he can’t stand the cold in Liang Country, and he would get rashes when exposed to the wind. So it’s not convenient for him to show his face outside.” Lian Shun gave an impression of Gu Ling’s “beauty too fragile for the wind” in a few words.

Situ Xie chuckled, “So that’s how it is. Let’s go to the post house first.”

After saying that, Situ Xie greeted the Lin family brothers, and the team moved again, heading towards the post house.

The common people of Liang Country had not seen Gu Ling’s true face, and many thought he was too arrogant and didn’t know the manners. Even if he couldn’t face the wind, he didn’t say a word or call out ‘grandfather’ when the elder came in person.

In the post house, Situ Xie dismissed the servants and wanted to talk to Gu Ling alone.

With only the two of them left, Situ Xie looked at Gu Ling’s frosty beautiful face, and his expression was melancholy, “You’ve grown up, looking a lot like your mother.”

Gu Ling remained silent.

“When the Gu family met with disaster, I learned that you were still alive, so your grandfather has been looking for you in secret.” Situ Xie sighed deeply, “I wanted to find you first and ask you if you wanted to stay in Liang Country, so I didn’t go to Qian Country to ask Emperor Qian for your pardon.” “Thank you.” Gu Ling’s expression was indifferent.

Situ Xie breathed a sigh of relief, “Why thank me? It’s something your grandfather should do for you. Ling’er, if you have any dissatisfaction with your grandfather, you must speak up. Your grandfather doesn’t want there to be any misunderstandings between us.”

Gu Ling shook his head slightly, “There’s no misunderstanding.”

Situ Xie smiled, “Then what are your plans with Miss Su Liang? I heard she’s pursuing you. When do you plan to marry her?”

“I have no plans.” Gu Ling’s face was calm.

“You young people want to play, just play well. But be careful, don’t let

Emperor Qian know about those past things, otherwise, he won’t spare you.” Situ Xie’s smile was gentle, “Whatever Emperor Qian asked you to do, let’s talk about it later. Grandfather has good news to tell you.”

Gu Ling picked up the teacup and took a sip, it was her mother’s favorite tea, called Thousand Mountain Snow, one of the few famous teas in Liang Country. Situ Xie waited for Gu Ling to put down the teacup before speaking again, “Su

Liang will be coming soon too.”

Gu Ling’s expression remained unchanged, “What is she coming for?”

“The Emperor has come down with a strange illness that the Imperial Physicians can’t cure, so your grandfather sent someone to invite Su Liang, and I presume Emperor Qian won’t refuse.” Situ Xie said.

Gu Ling spoke once more to dismiss the guest, “I’m tired.”

Situ Xie stood up, “Then you should have a good rest first. Later, your grandfather will send someone to pick you up and take you to stay at the house in the courtyard that Ning’er used to live in before she got married. It has been kept all this time.”

Gu Ling nodded, and Situ Xie left.

With the door closed and only Gu Ling left, his lips hooked up in a shallow curve, he whispered barely audible, “Come chase me….”