Chapter 352 - Chapter 352: 352. Don’t like me

Chapter 352: 352. Don’t like me

Translator: 549690339

Nian Jincheng was a bit speechless, “What do you mean by she looks like a good friend of Gu Ling and Su Liang? What if she is a spy using a distressed-bait strategy or honey trap? You’ve already fallen for it.”

Lian Shun shook his head, “I meant to compliment her extraordinary beauty. Except you, young Nian.”

Nian Jincheng: …

“It should be Miss Yuan.” Ren Dong carefully observed Ying Ying’s facial features and figure, which perfectly fitted the description given by Su Liang before she left, as she believed Ren Dong might encounter Ying Ying along the way.

Lian Shun nodded repeatedly, “Knowing what Ying Xiaoying looks like is great, it must be her! Quickly bring her inside!”

Ren Dong bent down and picked up Ying Ying, swiftly carrying her into the room.

The lamp was lit, illuminating the room slightly. Upon seeing the bloodstains on Ying Ying’s clothes, some of which were still fresh and dark, Lian Shun frowned and showed worry, “Young Nian, go find a doctor quickly!”

Nian Jincheng nodded and strode out.

Ren Dong began to unbuckle Ying Ying’s belt and seeing Lian Shun approaching, she asked him to step back, “I need to see how badly Miss Yuan is injured. Master Lin, could you bring some clean water?”

“Oh, right!” Only then did Lian Shun realize what Ren Dong was intending to do. He swiftly left the room and firmly closed the door from the outside.

This was the courtyard where Gu Ling and Su Liang used to stay during their stay at the Lin’s home. After they left, it was unused, and Nian Jincheng and Lian Shun usually came here to drink and chat.

Ren Dong removed Ying Ying’s clothes and saw her injuries, causing her heart to sink. The blood that had seeped into the clothes was not all there was. It seemed Ying Ying had been hit by many hidden weapons, with four wounds on her chest, and injuries on her back and arms. She had hastily treated them, but without proper rest, they had not yet healed.

Knowing that Ying Ying had gone to rescue her brother from Yue Mei’s lair, Ren Dong deduced that the rescue had failed, and Ying Ying had fled severely injured, likely pursued by enemies!

Ren Dong subconsciously glanced outside, there was no commotion. She assumed that Ying Ying had probably managed to shake off her pursuers before coming here, pushed herself to the limit, and collapsed upon arrival.

Saving people was urgent. For now, Ren Dong took out all the medicine that Su Liang had asked her to carry. Ying Ying’s wounds were discolored, indicating residual poison.

Lian Shun brought the water but did not enter. He stood outside and waited until Ren Dong took the water, then shut the door again. From outside, he asked, “How is she?”

“Miss Yuan is badly injured. I need to first administer an antidote and medicine to her,” Ren Dong explained.

Lian Shun frowned. Detoxify? Ying Ying was a Poison Master herself, but it seemed she had encountered someone even more formidable? Or was it that she had been defeated because she had given all her antidotes to Su Liang’s adoptive father, Xing Ji, leaving her in a passive situation?

By the time Nian Jincheng arrived with an old army doctor, Ren Dong had already treated Ying Ying’s wounds and medicated her. These skills were specifically taught to her and Qi Jun by Su Liang.

Su Liang had given Ren Dong two antidote pills for personal protection. The pills were made by old man Bai and were naturally extraordinarily effective. Ren Dong gave Ying Ying one, waited a moment, and saw her complexion improve before letting out a sigh of relief.

The old army doctor took Ying Ying’s pulse and said that her injuries were severe and she had lost too much blood. But luckily, her vital organs were not damaged. Her life was not in danger, but she needed to recuperate quietly.

After prescribing a decoction for Ying Ying, the old army doctor was sent off by Nian Jincheng.

Lian Shun brought another basin of warm water and mentioned there were clean clothes that belonged to Su Liang in the wardrobe.

Ren Dong bathed Ying Ying and changed her carefully into a new set of clothes.

Ying Ying’s figure was originally tall and full, but she had lost a great deal of weight this time. She barely fits into Su Liang’s clothes.

By the time Ren Dong called Lian Shun back in again, she had already changed Ying Ying’s clothes. The clothes that were taken off were put aside and not discarded in case Ying Ying had hidden something in them.

Lian Shun stood by the bed, looking at Ying Ying’s weak face, and sighed deeply, “Ying Xiaoying, you need to recover quickly.”

When Ren Dong came in, Lian Shun told her, “I’ve had someone prepare plain porridge. Let’s give her some when she wakes up. If you are in a hurry, you can go ahead, young Nian and I will take good care of her and will notify Su Xiaoliang as soon as possible.”

After thinking for a moment, Ren Dong said, “My Master is very worried about Miss Yuan. She initially wanted me to look for Miss Yuan on my way. Since I’ve run into her, I’ll wait until Miss Yuan wakes up before leaving. After all, it’s not convenient for you two gentlemen to look after her.”

“That’s a good plan,” Lian Shun nodded.

After confirming Ying Ying’s condition, Nian Jincheng called Lian Shun to leave.

Lian Shun shook his head, “Go get some rest. I’ll stay here. What if someone who’s after her comes?”

Nian Jincheng thought there was some logic to that, “Alright, I’ll come to relieve you in the latter half of the night.”

“No need, get a good night’s sleep, there’s important stuff to do tomorrow. I am not tired.” Lian Shun waved his hand.

Nian Jincheng took another look at Ying Ying, his eyes gleaming slightly, “Then you take good care of Miss Yuan.”

Lian Shun instructed Ren Dong to go next door and take a short rest, telling her that she would alert her when Ying Ying woke up.

Having traveled day and night to reach her, Ren Dong was indeed feeling tired. After seeing that Ying Ying’s breathing was steady, sheeding Lian Shun’s advice, planning to rest for a bit to recharge. In case someone attempted to kill Ying Ying, she needed to be ready to protect her.

In terms of capabilities, Ren Dong was stronger than both of them, Nian Jincheng and Lian Shun. After all, she had been trained to be a secret guard by Duanmu Yi since childhood.

Lian Shun still remembered the first time he heard about Ying Ying from a letter by Xing Ji, he couldn’t imagine what kind of girl Ying Ying would be.

Now that he’d seen her, Lian Shun only felt: Yes, this is just right!

Even though this was their first meeting, he felt like he had known her for a long time since the name ‘Ying Xiaoying’ had been on his lips so often.

Looking at Ying Ying’s frail figure, Lian Shun couldn’t help but sigh. She went to save her brother, probably failed. And Ren Dong was also heading to Yin Country to search for her brother.

Lian Shun suddenly realized how fortunate he was to have a warm and harmonious family, loved ones who cared about him, and a few good friends.

He needed to cherish the present. Lian Shun told himself.

As he let his mind wander in various directions, Lian Shun started to yawn. He pinched himself to stay awake. He needed to be alert in case Ying Ying woke up and felt unwell, hungry or thirsty.

As dawn was breaking, Lian Shun sat by the bed, drowsiness gradually washing over him.

Ying Ying’s eyelashes quivered before her eyes finally opened slowly. As she surveyed the unfamiliar surroundings and person, her mind slowly cleared.

Then, Lian Shun, unable to resist his exhaustion any longer, slumped onto Ying Ying, his head landing on her chest.

Ying Ying let out a stifled groan, feeling as though a wound had been reopened.

Lian Shun, still half-asleep, subconsciously reached out to touch…

Ying Ying’s expression darkened. Lian Shun suddenly woke up, sat up straight, withdrew his hand. Seeing Ying Ying awake and recalling what he just did, his face flushed with embarrassment. Standing up, he awkwardly introduced himself, “Uh… nice to meet you, I’m Lian Ershan.”

As soon as the words left his mouth, Lian Shun wanted to slap himself. He had planned how to greet Ying Ying, but ended up forgetting it all due to nervousness.

“Lian…” Ying Ying was familiar with the Lin family of Jiaye City, “Where’s Nian Jincheng?”

Lian Shun, taken aback, said, “You’re looking for Nian? He’s asleep.”

In a weak voice, Ying Ying replied, “I’m not looking for him… I just couldn’t hold on anymore and remembered that Xiaoliang’s friend lived here…”

Lian Shun hurriedly reassured her, “That would be me! I’m Su Xiaoliang’s best friend, you made the right choice coming to my house when you were in trouble!”

The next moment, blood seeped through Ying Ying’s clothes once again, he himself was to blame…

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have touched your wound while being half-asleep.” Lian Shun was quite certain he had left a terrible impression on Ying Ying. Not only had he aggravated her injury but also touched her…

Seeing Lian Shun’s flustered reaction, Ying Ying asked, “Were you the one who changed my clothes?”

In a panic, Lian Shun immediately waved his hands, “No, it was Ren Dong! Right, I’ll fetch Ren Dong to treat your wound!” With that, he rushed out.

The morning fog hit his face, making the heat on Lian Shun’s face more pronounced. He knocked on Ren Dong’s door and she came out immediately.

“Did Miss Ying wake up?” Ren Dong asked.

Lian Shun nodded, “Yes, she’s awake. Her wound has reopened, you need to treat her quickly.”

Ren Dong frowned, she quickly entered the room where Ying Ying was staying.

Lian Shun followed her inside but quickly left, shutting the door behind him.

He could already imagine Ying Ying complaining to Su Liang about a lecherous man named Lin who was not a good person!

In his defense, he really didn’t mean to…

Ying Ying was unaware of Lian Shun’s inner turmoil. Seeing Su Liang’s maid, Ren Dong this side, she let out a sigh of relief.

Ren Dong didn’t understand why the wound on Ying Ying’s chest was bleeding again, but she didn’t ask more

Upon hearing Ying Ying ask about Su Liang’s situation, Ren Dong truthfully informed her that Su Liang and Gu Ling had safely returned home, and that Su Liang was pregnant.

Ying Ying’s eyes shone brightly, a pallid smile tugged at her lips, “I want to be the baby’s godmother.”

The eavesdropping Lian Shun silently declared to himself, that’s a coincidence, as he wanted to be the godfather to Gu Ling and Su Liang’s baby.

Ren Dong asked how Ying Ying had gotten injured.

Ying Ying mentioned that in Yue Mei’s hideout, there was an unknown master whom she didn’t recognize. She was severely injured before she even saw her brother, barely managed to escape, and it was only when she was close to Jiaye City that she shook off her pursuers.

It was almost the same as what Ren Dong and Lian Shun had speculated.

Ren Dong sighed, treated the wounds, and helped Ying Ying dress.”Miss Ying should go to the capital to find my Master once her injury has recovered a bit.”

Ying Ying looked a bit dejected, “I don’t want to cause trouble for Xiaoliang.”

Ren Dong said that Su Liang was really worried about Ying Ying, and if anything happened to her, Su Liang would never sit idle. That being the case, it would be better to make arrangements from the beginning and solve the problem together.

“That sounds a lot like something Xiaoliang would say.” Ying Ying smiled, “But, how come you’re in Jiaye City?”

Ren Dong truthfully informed her that she was also going to Yin Country to look for her brother. Her experience was somewhat similar to that of Ying Ying.

“I see.” Ying Ying sighed lightly, “I have unfortunately delayed you, you should go. I am fine and won’t die.”

Ren Dong nodded, “When it’s daylight, I’ll continue on the road. General Nian and Master Lin will take care of Miss Ying here, you can ask them if you need anything.”

Lian Shun, outside the door, silently nodded in agreement.

The very next moment, Ying Ying asked Ren Dong, “That Lin…Ershan, is his name Lin Shun? I’ve heard of him.”

Lian Shun’s eyes brightened, so Ying Xiaoying had heard of him a long time ago!

Then he heard Ying Ying continue, “He claimed to be Xiaoliang’s best friend, he’s bragging, right?”

Lian Shun:…

Ren Dong couldn’t help laughing, “It’s not bragging, Master Lin is just very outgoing and enthusiastic. But if one were to say who my master’s best friend is, it would definitely be your niece.”

Lian Shun:… Gu Xiaoling is Su Liang’s man now and he still has to compete with them for the position of best friend? That’s not appropriate.

“Oh, I thought I was Xiaoliang’s best friend.” Ying Ying said.

Lian Shun couldn’t resist and laughed out loud, he found Ying Ying to be very adorable.

Hearing Ren Dong ask Ying Ying if she was hungry, Lian Shun outside the door immediately replied, “I’ll get some clear congee!”

Soon, Lian Shun brought two bowls of steaming clear congee where the rice was boiled till it had melted, giving one bowl to Ren Dong, “Have some too, you still have a journey ahead.”

Ren Dong accepted it, “I’ll feed Miss Ying first.”

“I’ll do it!” blurted out Lian Shun.

Ren Dong paused, then heard Ying Ying say, “Let him.”

Lian Shun and Ren Dong looked at Ying Ying at the same time, unsure whether she said, “Let him do it” or “Let her do it”.

Ying Ying’s gaze fell on Lian Shun’s face, “You.”

Lian Shun couldn’t help but laugh, “I’ll do it! Ren Dong, you just eat yours!”

Ren Dong finally noticed something was off and quietly sat in the outer room with her bowl of congee.

Lian Shun carefully fed Ying Ying a bowl of congee, poured a cup of warm water for her to drink, and then apologized to her again, saying it definitely wasn’t intentional before.

Ying Ying gently shook her head, “It’s okay.”

After finishing her congee, Ren Dong picked up her belongings and bid them farewell.

Nian Jincheng came over to check on Ying Ying again, discussing with Lian Shun to arrange for a maid to take care of her.

Upon hearing this, Ying Ying said it was unnecessary as she was planning to leave in two days to find Su Liang in the capital city and discuss how to deal with Yue Mei. Ren Dong had already informed Ying Ying that Su Liang was truly the disciple of Yue Mei’s master and that Yue Mei would definitely cause trouble for her.

“Your injury…” Lian Shun furrowed his brows.

“It’s nothing.” Ying Ying shook her head, “I’ve survived worse injuries than this.”

Lian Shun suddenly felt a pang of sympathy, thinking that Ying Ying must have suffered a lot in the past to face her illness and injury so lightly.

“You…” Nian Jincheng looked at the somewhat distracted Lian Shun, “Why don’t you escort Miss Ying to the capital city? Yin Country has decided to form a marriage alliance, so there should be no fighting here for the time being. This would also give you the chance to check if your family has settled in well. Xiaoyu wrote in her letter that everything is relatively peaceful now. She wants to come to find me, and Su Liang agrees, there just weren’t any suitable escorts for her. If you are to come back then, you can escort Xiaoyu to Jiaye City. If you decide to stay in the capital city, let Su Liang make other arrangements.”

Upon hearing this, Lian Shun realized that Nian Jincheng had his plan all laid out.

However, the recent situation has indeed changed and it was not as tense as before.

Lian Shun hesitated. The reason he did not accompany his family to the capital city was not because he feared being punished for deserting his post. He had never been officially appointed to a role in Jiaye City and had been nursing his wounds since he returned last year.

Lian Shun just wanted to stay with Nian Jincheng.

“That’s settled then,” Nian Jincheng said, “You aren’t of much use here anyway.”

And so, it was decided that Lian Shun would accompany Ying Ying to the capital city in three days.

Ying Ying suggested two days, but Lian Shun insisted on waiting to see how her health was first. In the end, she begrudgingly agreed to add another day.

Later that day, when Lian Shun saw Ying Ying, she was already out of bed and was sunbathing in the courtyard.

Unable to resist, Lian Shun asked Ying Ying, “I heard you had feelings for Gu Xiaoling?”

Ying Ying looked at Lian Shun and asked back, “I heard you had feelings for Su Xiaoliang?”

Lian Shun blinked his eyes, “Who told you that?”

Ying Ying tilted her head to gaze at the bright blue sky, her lips curling into an amused smile, “Oh, it was just a wild guess.”

Lian Shun sighed… He had indeed confessed without even being asked.

“After getting to know Xiaoliang, I liked her even more.” Ying Ying said.

Lian Shun chuckled, “How coincidental. After getting to know Gu Xiaoling, I began to like him even more!”

Is love important? Of course. But it’s not the entire meaning of life. There are some sentiments that are more cherished than love, and they can also bring about happiness.

Ying Ying looked at Lian Shun, her face teasing, “Really? Didn’t you say last night that you were Xiaoliang’s best friend?”

Lian Shun replied in all seriousness, “Firstly, I was just boasting. Su Xiaoliang’s best friend is Gu Xiaoling. Secondly, I never said she was my best friend. My best friend is also Gu Xiaoling.”

Nian Jincheng, who just happened to pass by the courtyard: …Why does this sound like kids playing house? In his eyes, Gu Ling and Su Liang are one and the same. Why separate them so clearly?

According to the plan, Ying Ying stayed with the Lin family for only three days before setting out to find Su Liang to discuss how to deal with Yue Mei. She was eager to save Ying Ye, but without dealing with Yue Mei, it was hard for Ying Ye to escape.

Lian Shun set off with Ying Ying. He had prepared a carriage, but Ying Ying insisted on riding a horse.

They took a boat to cross the Liuxian River.

The sun shone brightly, and Ying Ying’s face had regained some of its color. Her naturally charming and splendid looks, combined with her worries for her brother had cast a certain cold glamour around her.

Lian Shun looked at Ying Ying’s profile and couldn’t help but become lost in thought.

“Don’t fall in love with me.” Ying Ying suddenly said.

Lian Shun was taken aback and asked, “Why?”

Ying Ying snorted, “My crazy grandmother would capture you and feed you poisonous snakes and bugs every day, are you afraid?”

Lian Shun shook his head, “No! I believe Su Xiaoliang’s poison techniques would surpass your grandmother’s, and then she could feed her the poisonous snakes.”