Chapter 344 - Chapter 344: 344. Father Emperor, don’t worry

Chapter 344: 344. Father Emperor, don’t worry

Translator: 549690339

Su Mansion.

Yang Yu was about to go to bed when she suddenly heard Ren Dong’s voice outside, “Who is it?”

“General Nian has sent me to deliver a letter.” Lian Shun deliberately disguised his voice, but showed a jade pendant hidden in his sleeve, flashing it briefly in front of Ren Dong.

Ren Dong recognized the jade pendant belonging to Su Liang, and her expression changed.

Just then, Yang Yu opened the door, “Is it someone Achen sent to deliver the letter?”

Ren Dong nodded, “Yes.” She turned to Lian Shun and said, “Come in.”

Yang Yu found the visitor unfamiliar, but since Ren Dong was inviting him into her room, she didn’t say anything.

Once inside, Lian Shun reverted to his normal voice, and with a smile, he greeted, “Sister-in-law, I am Lian Shun, Xiaonian’s friend.”

Yang Yu was stunned, then her face lit up with joy, “So it’s Master Lin! Achen always mentions you in his letters, please sit!”

Ren Dong was somewhat surprised, but after confirming Lian Shun’s identity, she went out to stand guard outside, leaving them to talk in the room. Recently, the Su Mansion had been under surveillance, as Ren Dong knew it was Duanmu Yi’s people. She and Yang Yu were very cautious in their conversations.

Lian Shun’s careful disguise was also a precautionary measure.

“Are you hungry? Did you come straight from Jiaye City? Do you want me to have someone prepare some food for you?” Yang Yu asked Lian Shun.

Lian Shun shook his head, “Sister-in-law, don’t worry, I’m not hungry. I arrived this evening and went to see His Majesty first.”

The next moment, Yang Yu asked anxiously, “Is Su Liang alright?”

Lian Shun’s mood instantly lifted, “When I get back, I must tell Xiaonian that sister-in-law didn’t ask first if he was safe and sound but was more concerned about Su Xiaoliang.”

Yang Yu coughed lightly, “I know Achen is fine, we’ve been in regular contact.”

“Su Xiaoliang is also fine; he’s with Gu Xiaoling.” Lian Shun smiled, “Of course, your Achen is also doing well. In fact, it was I who had an accident, but I’ve been rescued by Su Xiaoliang.”

Yang Yu’s face lit up with joy, “So Su Liang and Gu Ling are both fine? They’re together? That’s great! Are they coming back?”

Lian Shun shook his head, “It’s hard to say; they might return in a few days, but it’s not certain.”

“As long as they’re fine. Whether they come back or not, they must have their plans.” Yang Yu took a deep breath, “I also need to thank you. When Achen went to Jiaye City, your family took good care of him.”

“We’re not strangers, no need for formalities. There’s also another piece of good news to share with sister-in-law.” Lian Shun had a slight smile at the corner of his lips, “Su Xiaoliang is expecting.”

Yang Yu stood up in delight, “Really?”

She recalled when Su Liang and Gu Ling had last met, during their wedding. At that time, Yang Yu had suspected their marriage was a sham, but now Su Liang was pregnant.

Lian Shun knew how Yang Yu and Su Liang had met and could fully understand why she cared so much about Su Liang, hence her excitement now.

After talking for a while, Lian Shun handed Nian Jincheng’s letter to Yang Yu.

Yang Yu quickly finished reading it. There wasn’t much in it, only saying that he missed her dearly.

“Are you leaving tonight?” Yang Yu asked.

Lian Shun shook his head, “There are still some things to deal with, I’ll leave in three days.”

“Where will you stay?” Yang Yu inquired.

“Sister-in-law, don’t worry about that; I have a place to stay. There’s no rush to reply, I’ll come back for the reply before I leave.” Lian Shun said.

As for the details of Su Liang and Gu Ling’s previous experiences, as well as Lian Shun’s purpose for coming to the capital city, he did not say much to Yang Yu, and she didn’t pry. She just needed to know that Su Liang and Gu Ling were safe and sound, and that would give her peace of mind.

About Su Liang’s two masters and Qi Jun going to Liang Country, Yang Yu had mentioned it in a previous letter to Nian Jincheng, which both Su Liang and Gu Ling already knew about.

Now, with both Lao Bai and Lao Mu still not back, and no news from them, Lian Shun asked a few questions and then got up to leave.

After leaving the Su Mansion, Lian Shun noticed someone was following him. He walked around the city a few times, shook off the tail, and then went to Lin Mansion.

Upon meeting Lin Shuzhi, Lian Shun explained the whole story in detail, including the purpose of his visit to the capital city.

After listening, Lin Shuzhi sighed repeatedly, “It’s right for them not to come back for now. As long as everyone is safe, it’s fine. If His Majesty can make up his mind to resolve the conflicts, Xiaoliang and Xiaogu can consider whether to come back. Otherwise, we’ll have to make other plans. Don’t worry about us. Yu Sheng’s sister is about to become the Empress, so His Majesty won’t act rashly against us because of Xiaoliang and Xiaogu.”

Lian Shun nodded, “That’s good. His Majesty told me to wait for three days, and in three days, we’ll know what choice he’ll make.”

When Lian Shun mentioned Su Liang was expecting, Lin Shuzhi was also excited, praising the news repeatedly. His real disciple, Ning Jing, had already passed away, but Su Liang and Gu Ling both called him master and had helped the Lin Family through numerous crises, even saving their lives and preventing Lin Xueqing from marrying into the royal family. They were like guardian angels to the Lin Family.

Lin Shuzhi had always been low-key and conservative in his actions, but now, hearing Lian Shun talk about the “rebellious” things Su Liang and Gu Ling would do, he didn’t feel anything was wrong, or that it would pose any risk to the Lin Family. Whatever Su Liang and Gu Ling decided, he would absolutely support.

“I won’t write to Xiaoliang.” Lin Shuzhi said, “But I do have a letter here that needs to be given to her.”

Lin Shuzhi went to the study room to get the letter and handed it to Lian Shun.

“What’s this?” Lian Shun was curious about who had written it.

“It’s a letter from my in-law, Yu Sheng’s father, which was sent by a soldier who returned from Xuanbei City a few days ago. It’s to let Xiaoliang know that they’re safe and to tell her about some matters.” Lin Shuzhi said, “You can read it.”

Upon hearing that the letter was from Xing Ji in Xuanbei City and related to Su Liang, Lian Shun opened it.

The letter had already been opened, and Lin Shuzhi, his two sons, and son-in-law had all read it. It was brought back from Xuanbei City by a soldier that Xing Ji had sent and handed over to Lin Bojun.

The letter was about the poisoning and threats Xing Ji had received from Situ Xie’s men.

However, unlike the letter to Duanmu Chen, Xing Ji revealed the truth in the letter.

As Lian Shun read halfway through, his expression became strange, “Ying Ying? How come I’ve never heard Su Xiaoliang mention her having such a friend before?”

Lin Shuzhi laughed, “It should be the girl Xiaogu sought the antidote from during Gao Jiabao’s poisoning incident. Last year, when Xiaoliang and Xiaogu were in Liang Country, didn’t Xiaogu ask Emperor Liang for a thousand-year-old Snow Lotus for another girl? I guess that Snow Lotus was for repaying Ying’s favor.”

“So it was her?” Lian Shun also knew about the two incidents Lin Shuzhi mentioned, “This young lady should have been the poison master whom Gu Xiaoling had known from the beginning, right? As a result, she is now Su Xiaoliang’s good friend, and she even betrayed her master for Su Xiaoliang, taking risks. She really is loyal, righteous, and clear about right and wrong, just like me, haha!”

Lin Shuzhi also laughed, “She is a good girl and very capable.” Then he sighed slightly, “But this time, by betraying her master to help Xiaoliang’s foster father, she may bring trouble to herself. Yu Sheng’s father sent this letter to inform Xiaoliang as soon as possible, in case Miss Yuan needs help, only Xiaoliang and Xiaogu can help her.”

Lian Shun nodded, “That’s right. After I return, I will give it to Su Xiaoliang, and she may know what kind of trouble Ying Xiaoying will encounter.”

In the letter, Xing Ji also mentioned that Ying Ying had told Su Liang about her two masters and Qi Jun being safe, and Situ Jing being blind, and all these had connections with Su Liang.

However, Su Liang had already seen Situ Jing and was currently treating him.

Lian Shun confirmed that everything was fine with the Lin family, put the letter away, and then took his leave. As for Xing Yusheng and Duke Qin’s Mansion, he wouldn’t go to find them since Lin Shuzhi would tell them what was necessary.

Lian Shun told Yang Yu that he had a place to stay, which was actually an inn.

At midnight, Lian Shun, who had finally finished his official business, returned to the inn and fell onto the bed, feeling both tired and hungry. He regretted not saying he was hungry when Yang Yu asked him at Su Mansion earlier, so he could get something to eat. But when he called out to his sister-in-law, he thought he couldn’t trouble Nian Jincheng’s wife since it was so late already. When he arrived at Lin’s house, he only drank a cup of warm water.

By this time, the restaurants must be closed.

Lian Shun lay in bed with an empty stomach, tossing and turning unable to sleep. He then got up, lit a lamp, looked left and right, found nothing to do and nothing to eat.

He reached into his pocket and found only the letter from Xing Ji that he had taken from Lin Shuzhi.

Lian Shun opened the letter again and lay on the bed, holding it up with both hands, reading it word by word from beginning to end, trying to distract his attention. He had to wait until daylight to eat something, and he didn’t have the strength to go out and steal some food, let alone knowing where there would be any at this time.

“Ying… Ying…” Lian Shun read Ying Ying’s name, imagining what she would look like. Since she knows poison techniques, she must not be an ordinary girl, and she couldn’t possibly be gentle and pleasant. At least she must be much tougher than Su Xiaoliang. But actually, Su Xiaoliang doesn’t look tough, only occasionally her actions being fierce. Her friends are pretty gentle, like Yang Yu and Lin Xueqing.

After reading the letter three times, Lian Shun still couldn’t figure out what Ying Ying would look like, but perhaps because he was too tired, he finally fell asleep, with the letter still covering his face.

That night, Lian Shun had a dream in which a red-clothed woman with an unclear face waved a colorful whip made of snake skin, chasing after him. He kept running, but he couldn’t get away…

When the day broke, Lian Shun woke up, feeling even more tired and hungry. Without changing his clothes and making sure his disguise didn’t come off, he went out to look for food.

Imperial Palace.

Duanmu Chen went to the Imperial Study to review memorials after the morning court session. In the middle, he stopped and touched his chest, feeling a hard object, which was the medicine bottle that Lian Shun had given him the night before.

Approaching noon, Duanmu Chen came out of the Imperial Study, and Chang’an, who was standing outside, said that someone from the Empress Dowager’s palace had come to invite Duanmu Chen to have lunch.

After abdicating, Duanmu Yi, who had become the Grand Emperor, lived in Empress Dowager Xiao’s palace. Xiao was good at cooking, and she used to cook personally, which was what Duanmu Yi liked most about her, being considerate and gentle.

When Duanmu Chen arrived, Xiao had just finished stewing the last soup.

With a smiling face, Duanmu Yi waved for Duanmu Chen to come and sit down, and told him not to be so formal. He seemed quite leisurely and relaxed.

Duanmu Chen sat down and saw a sumptuous meal on the table, with a few dishes he was quite familiar with. He had given the recipe to Xiao, which he had taken from Su Liang.

“My son, you came just in time.” Xiao came over with a smiling face. After letting the palace maids put down the soup bowl, she ordered all the servants to leave. In these few days, Duanmu Chen had been reporting state affairs to Duanmu Yi every mealtime.

Xiao’s wife served the soup to the father and son, and Duanmu Yi took a sip and praised her cooking skills for being even more exquisite. Duanmu Chen also kept saying it was delicious.

Xiao’s wife couldn’t stop smiling, seeming very satisfied with everything in her life now. Her son became the emperor as he wished, her husband no longer went to other women, and there was no one in the harem to fight with her.

Seeing this, Duanmu Chen restrained his eyes and silently drank a bowl of soup. When he put down the bowl, Xiao’s wife had already placed many dishes on his plate.

After finishing a bowl of soup, Duanmu Yi naturally passed the bowl to Xiao’s wife.

Duanmu Chen quickly reached out to intercept the bowl halfway, “Let your son serve you, Father Emperor.”

Xiao’s wife laughed and said, “That’s right, the imperial son is always the most filial. This soup is good for your body, so drink another bowl. You have to pay more attention to your health with all the busy political affairs.”

“Mm.” Duanmu Chen nodded, and when he was serving the soup, he accidentally spilled a drop on the edge of the bowl. He placed it in front of himself, wiped it clean with a handkerchief, and then stood up respectfully to put it in front of Duanmu Yi. He then placed the spoon and said, “Please enjoy, Father Emperor.”

Duanmu Yi chuckled, “Chen’er has always been the one who gives me peace of mind.”

The three of them were harmonious and happy.

As Duanmu Yi finished his second bowl of soup and Xiao’s wife was putting more food on his plate, he suddenly trembled and spat out a mouthful of blood. His eyes widened as he stared at Duanmu Chen, raising his hand but unable to point at Duanmu Chen before his body went rigid and he collapsed onto the ground!

Xiao’s wife’s chopsticks fell to the ground as she screamed and rushed over.

Duanmu Chen calmly put down his chopsticks and walked to the door, only then showing an anxious expression on his face, ordering someone to immediately call the Imperial Physician Gao Lao.

As Duanmu Yi was planning to abdicate, he wanted outsiders to think that he was ill, so the Imperial Physician Gao Lao had been waiting in the palace recently.

While waiting for Gao Lao, Duanmu Chen returned to Duanmu Yi’s side.

Xiao’s wife cried anxiously, “What happened? What is going on with your Father Emperor?”

Duanmu Yi was conscious, his eyes bulging as he stared desperately at Duanmu Chen, his lips trembling but unable to make any sound, and his hands couldn’t be lifted.

Duanmu Chen knelt beside Duanmu Yi, holding his trembling hand. He sighed softly and whispered, “Don’t blame your son, Father Emperor.”

Xiao’s wife, upon hearing this, looked at Duanmu Chen incredulously, “What… what have you done?”

Duanmu Chen did not answer Xiao’s wife. Instead, he leaned over and whispered in Duanmu Yi’s ear, “I had no choice, Father Emperor. Your thoughts were quite similar to Su Liang’s. You both understand each other very well, and I was caught in the middle and couldn’t handle it. Qian Country needs Su Liang and Gu Ling. As long as you don’t fall, they won’t return to help me. I think, Father Emperor, you will understand my decision.”

Duanmu Yi’s expression became agitated, his face flushed red, and his lips trembled even more violently while the sounds he made became indistinct. A moment later, he vomited blood again.

“Father Emperor, don’t be like this. It’s not good for your health.” Duanmu Chen gently caressed Duanmu Yi’s chest. “Didn’t Father Emperor say that everything is for Qian Country and for the greater good? I am also doing this for Qian Country and for the greater good, out of necessity.”

However, it was evident that Duanmu Yi, like Su Liang, had just retreated for the sake of advancing. He appeared to relinquish power on the surface, but in reality, Duanmu Chen still had to report everything that happened in the court to him every day. Duanmu Yi was simply hiding while pushing Duanmu Chen to the forefront as his puppet, all for the sake of better utilizing Su Liang and Gu Ling and reducing his own risk.

At this moment, Duanmu Chen could see it all clearly. Duanmu Yi’s anger, frustration, and unwillingness had nothing to do with his previous bold statements about the greater good.

With that in mind, Duanmu Chen’s gaze became even more resolute, but his tone became even more gentle, “Father Emperor, don’t worry, everything will be fine. I will invite Su Liang back as soon as possible to treat Father Emperor.”