Chapter 358 - Chapter 358: 358. The cost of doing

Chapter 358: 358. The cost of doing

Translator: 549690339

Qi Jiang watched Situ Jing’s figure disappear at the entrance of the courtyard, snorted coldly, and said, “Could we not just treat him as a spy and dispose of him? I don’t think Liang Country would miss one prince.”

Xing Ji shook his head, “That’s not for us to consider. Since Xiaoliang and Xiaogu didn’t do anything to him, just let him be.” He inexplicably felt that Situ Jing’s claim that “Su Liang and Gu Ling forced him to return to Liang Country to become a prince” has some truth to it.

Earlier, when Situ Jing’s eyes were blind, Su Liang treated him. If they really wanted to stop him from returning to Liang Country, it would have been entirely possible.

However, Xing Ji was more inclined to believe that Su Liang and Gu Ling let Situ Jing go to his doom because they didn’t want to team up with him anymore, and the enmity didn’t reach the point of having to kill him outright. After all, Situ Jing’s grandfather is now Su Liang’s master.

Xing Ji sighed deeply, “I suddenly feel a bit worried about the family. I don’t know how Yanzi is doing in the palace.”

Qi Jiang shook his head, “Don’t be influenced by Situ Jing’s nonsense. The old lady wrote about the emperor treating the empress very well, which must be true.”

Xing Ji nodded slightly, “I know, it’s just…” He didn’t approve of Xing Yuyan becoming the Empress in the first place, thinking she was not suited for such high positions and it wouldn’t be appropriate for her to become the wife of a noble family. However, Duanmu Chen didn’t consult him at all before deciding. Xing Ji was really afraid that Xing Yuyan would do something she shouldn’t.

Qi Jiang comforted Xing Ji to relax, not to think too much, and also mentioned Lin Xueqing’s pregnancy and that he could become a grandfather this year.

Xing Ji was very relieved about Xing Yusheng and Lin Xueqing, especially Lin Xueqing. Being able to marry this daughter-in-law was really a blessing for the Xing Family. Now, Lin Boyan has replaced Duanmu Chen’s grandfather, Xiaolao Chengxiang, becoming the youngest prime minister in the history of Qian Country. Lin Bojun is also the most trusted among the military commanders and has been promoted successively, allowing him to take control of the City Guard Army.

It’s not the growing prominence of the Lin Family that Xing Ji cares about; he envies the simplicity and harmony of the Lin family even more. The saying “A harmonious family prospers in everything” makes sense.

After so many years, Xing Ji no longer expects Xing Yusheng to get close to Miao’s family and her children, thinking it’s good to keep a distance. But what really worries him has never been Xing Yusheng, but the always reluctant Miao’s family…

The next day, Xing Ji sent a team of elite soldiers to “escort” the marriage delegation from Liang Country to the capital city.

As the marrying princess, Situ Yao, according to the rules, didn’t show up directly and just greeted Xing Ji from the carriage.

Situ Jing had resumed his reticent demeanor as if the drunken incident of seeking out Xing Ji last night had never happened.Capital city.

According to Su Liang’s calculations, Ren Dong should have already arrived at Xiangyue City in Yin Country, but she was alone, and he didn’t know the situation there.

Su Liang told Ren Dong that if necessary, she could ask for the help of the assassins of Yanyun Building in Xiangyue City and gave her a token. Although previously Yan Shiba took quite a few assassins to Liang Country, there must still be Yan Shiba’s people in Xiangyue City, the capital of Yin Country.

As for whether Yan Shiba himself is still in Liang Country or not, Su Liang wasn’t sure.

Time flew by, and it was July.

Gu Ling measured Su Liang’s belly with his homemade cloth ruler every night, not missing any small changes. Sometimes when Su Liang thought there was no change, Gu Ling would take out his “Little God’s Growth Record” and show her the data from the previous day, indicating that their little god had grown a little bit more…

Su Liang found Gu Ling’s scientific approach to her pregnancy very amusing. Once she gave birth, Gu Ling would certainly become a childbirth expert, understanding everything except his inability to give birth himself.

When she received the news that Liang Country sent the second prince Situ Jing as the envoy, Su Liang shared the information with Qiao Cong.

At that time, Qiao Cong asked Su Liang, “Do you want me to catch him and lock him up?”

Su Liang knew Qiao Cong really wanted to do it, but that wouldn’t solve the problem.

At this point, Xing Ji should have received the news of the incident in Xing’s family, but Duanmu Chen didn’t allow him to return to the capital to see Miao’s family for the last time. Su Liang believed that Xing Ji would definitely understand, but he must be blaming himself and feeling guilty.

Chang’an came to Su Mansion again and invited Su Liang and Gu Ling to the palace.

“Has someone fallen ill in the palace?” Su Liang asked. Gu Ling was packing his medicine box.

Chang’an nodded, “Yes, there is a guest who is sick.”

Su Liang quickly realized that the royal guest must be referring to Situ Jing. Although she knew he was somewhere in the capital city, neither Su Liang nor Gu Ling had met him, nor were they particularly interested in meeting him. He was just here as a hostage and had no particular value to evaluate.

Now that the marriage alliance is continuing, as Situ Xie’s eldest grandson and Situ Yao’s brother, Situ Jing cannot have an accident.

After Su Liang and Gu Ling entered the palace, they met Situ Jing in a palace. He had lost a lot of weight, his eyes were dim, but he still maintained his usual dignity and smoothness. When he saw Su Liang and Gu Ling, he stood up and greeted them with a smile, “Cousin, cousin sister, we meet again.”

“Where do you feel discomfort?” Su Liang asked directly.

Situ Jing sighed deeply, “Recently, I have been unable to sleep at night, always having nightmares and sudden stabbing pains in my body, as if…”

Su Liang frowned, “You believe someone is using witchcraft to curse you?”

Situ Jing nodded, “Indeed, I do. If so, is there a way to break the curse?”

Su Liang first took Situ Jing’s pulse, and there was indeed nothing wrong with his body. He had been held hostage for a long time, but he was not mistreated.

Su Liang didn’t believe in witchcraft. Mu Ya had used the same method to deal with her in the past, but it had no effect on her.

She was inclined to believe that it was all in Situ Jing’s head. Being held captive for months without freedom, he inevitably worried about not being able to return and was anxious about someone at home not wanting him to return.

“If, as you suspect, someone has cast a spell on you, that person would definitely be in Yao City, Liang Country.” Su Liang’s expression was indifferent, “I can only give you some calming and sleep-inducing drugs.”

Situ Jing nodded, “Thank you, cousin sister.”

After leaving the calming medicine, Su Liang and Gu Ling were about to leave. At the door, she turned back and asked, “You must already know who brought your sister for the marriage alliance. What do you think of Situ Jing returning to Liang Country’s royal family as a prince?”

Situ Jing smiled, “He has been in exile for many years, and I am happy for him that he can finally return home. I also hope to return home and reunite with my family as soon as possible.”

Su Liang nodded, turned around and left, then said to Gu Ling, “Situ Xie has only this grandson who has his style. Unfortunately, there is only one imperial throne, and he has too many grandsons.”

When she met Duanmu Chen, Su Liang mentioned Situ Jing’s situation, and Duanmu Chen laughed, “It must be one of his brothers, I guess.”

It could be no one else but someone who has a rivalry with Situ Jing.

Su Liang thought the same. If someone truly wanted to curse Situ Jing and didn’t want him to return alive.

However, there was another possibility. No one was cursing Situ Jing or even if there was someone, it didn’t affect him. His insomnia, nightmares, and physical pain were all pretenses. After seeking treatment from Su Liang, he could use this as an excuse to deal with one of his brothers when he returned to Liang Country, playing a game of framing and entrapment.

No matter what, Su Liang had no interest in investigating further. Her only attitude towards the Situ family was – fight harder, make it more intense.

“I have been pondering a question lately, and since you are here, I would like to ask your opinion.” Duanmu Chen smiled.

At this time, Empress Dowager Xiao sent a palace maid to serve a bowl of soup, which Duanmu Chen often drank.

“I won’t let you have this.” Duanmu Chen said to Su Liang, “I think this soup is good since I have had it since childhood. I will give you the recipe later, and Gu Ling can make it for you to taste.”

After the previous incidents, Duanmu Chen became more cautious about what he consumed and knew that Su Liang and Gu Ling were also careful.

After Duanmu Chen had drunk half a bowl of soup, he continued the previous topic, “You know very well how I got to this position. It can be said that without your intentional or unintentional help, I might not have made it this far. Looking back at the current situation of my father and brothers, I feel a bit sad. It’s not that I sympathize with certain people, but I can’t help but wonder, does the royal family have to be like this? If I have a son in the future, will he also take the same path of fighting and killing amongst relatives?”

Su Liang raised her eyebrows. Duanmu Chen hadn’t been emperor for very long, and she was somewhat surprised that he was already considering this issue.

However, she was very clear that Duanmu Chen definitely did not regret dealing with Duanmu Yi and the other princes. If he had the chance to do it again, he would have been even more ruthless.

What Duanmu Chen was worried about at this moment was that his future sons would also follow his old path.

“Do not do unto others what you do not want others to do unto you” is not applicable in the fight for the emperor’s throne.

Simply put, while Duanmu Chen could eliminate his brothers and father for power, he did not want his own sons to do the same.

This is a double standard, but it is also understandable.

“No one can predict the future,” Su Liang said.

Duanmu Chen snorted, “Nonsense.”

Su Liang could only respond with nonsense because there is not much to say about such a matter. It’s not like she could advise Duanmu Chen to have only one son.

In this world, having many sons is considered a blessing, especially for the royal family. Having many sons is necessary. In the case of low medical standards, if one son dies, falls ill, or is killed, and there is no other son to inherit the throne, the emperor’s power cannot be passed on to his offspring as desired.

Therefore, having just one or two princes is not enough, even ten or eight princes are not considered too many.

Su Liang believes that Duanmu Chen will have many sons in the future. Those princes will be born and grow up in the whirlpool of power, and some struggles are inevitably historical cycles that cannot be avoided.

“I will teach my children well,” Duanmu Chen sighed.

Su Liang believes this, but whether it will be useful can only be determined in the future. However, if Duanmu Chen has this awareness from the beginning, it’s a good thing to better control the internal affairs of the royal family. Everything depends on people’s efforts.

“How many children do you plan to have?” Duanmu Chen changed the subject.

Su Liang smiled, “We’ll let fate decide.”

“You are both so outstanding; you can have more children,” Duanmu Chen said.

Su Liang remained silent and only smiled. She didn’t see anything wrong with what he said, but she didn’t necessarily agree with it. This was a matter between her and Gu Ling, and it had nothing to do with others, nor would they listen to others’ opinions.

The Xing Family’s ancestral tomb was not in the capital city. Xing Yuyang wanted to send Miao Family’s coffin back to Bei Jingwang Mansion’s territory for burial, and then stay there to observe the funeral rites.

Xing Laotai’s old age could not withstand the bumps, and she didn’t want to be left in the care of Xing Yusheng and Lin Xueqing.

Initially, Xing Laotai wanted Xing Yuyang to stay in his hometown for three years of mourning, but fearing that distance might prevent her from managing him and causing more trouble, she decided on one year.

On the day of departure, only after Xing Yuyan pleaded bitterly did Emperor Duanmu Chen allow her to leave the palace to send off Miao Family’s coffin, under the condition that she acted low-key and didn’t make a big deal out of it.

Xing Yuyan returned to the Marquis Zhong Xin Mansion and knelt by Miao Family’s coffin, crying to the point of nearly fainting from exhaustion.

Finally, the nanny who was taking care of her pulled her up and told her that she should return to the palace. However, Xing Yuyan had fainted.

Xing Laotai hurriedly called the mansion doctor to come, thinking that Xing Yuyan had fainted from excessive grief, without sending a message to Su Liang.

The doctor saw her pulse and suspected that she was pregnant, but he was not sure. After all, it involved the emperor’s offspring and was a matter of great importance.

Upon hearing this, Xing Laotai sent someone to invite the Imperial Physician to the mansion.

After the Imperial Physician examined her and confirmed that she was pregnant, it was only due to the short time that her pulse seemed unstable from her recent emotional turmoil. She needed to rest in bed and recuperate.

Xing Laotai pulled the Imperial Physician aside and asked him if he could determine when she became pregnant.

The Imperial Physician mentioned a rough timeline, which was before the last time Xing Laotai and Miao Family visited the palace. The secret prescription that had killed Miao Family was given to Xing Yuyan at that time.

In other words, when Xing Yuyan had drugged Emperor Duanmu Chen, she was actually already pregnant.

After sending the Imperial Physician away, Xing Laotai felt a terrible headache and lay there dazed and speechless. Seeing this, Xing Yusheng asked Qi Yan to quickly invite Su Liang over.

When Su Liang and Gu Ling arrived at the Xing Family, Xing Yuyan had already been taken back to the palace by Emperor Duanmu Chen’s men who had received the news.

Sitting by Xing Laotai’s bedside, Su Liang checked her pulse and sighed, “Since the matter has come to this, try not to overthink it. Your son-in-law is at the border, and the household still needs Laotai to take care of it.”

Before entering the room, Xing Yusheng had informed Su Liang of the whole story.

Su Liang felt a sense of sorrow in her heart. It was no wonder that Xing Laotai couldn’t bear it. Anyone who encountered such a distressing situation multiplied by sudden additional distress would not easily let go of it.

If only the medicine had reached Miao Family a few days later, there would be no problems.

Su Liang gave Xing Laotai a few acupuncture treatments, and her consciousness gradually became clearer. Looking at Su Liang, she shed tears, “I didn’t help Yi’er manage this household well…”

Su Liang comforted her a few times, knowing that Xing Laotai was feeling upset at the moment and couldn’t listen. She made a bowl of calming soup for her and watched her fall asleep before leaving.

Xing Yusheng sent Su Liang to the door, and he looked much thinner lately. He sighed and said, “My family’s troubles always involve you. After today, there should be no more problems.”

“You take good care of your grandmother, and don’t worry about anything else.” Su Liang replied and left in the carriage.

Before she got home, Chang’an came to find her to make another trip to the palace.

This time it was for Xing Yuyan. Although Emperor Duanmu Chen didn’t want to see her recently, she was carrying his child in her belly.

“Please take a look at her again. The medicine she took earlier, will it harm the child?” Emperor Duanmu Chen was worried that Xing Yuyan’s private consumption of unidentified medicine would harm the child.

Su Liang couldn’t tell from her pulse and had previously verified that the medicine was non-toxic.

When Emperor Duanmu Chen learned about Xing Yuyan’s pregnancy, he was happy but speechless. She had turned a perfectly fine situation into a mess.

Su Liang checked the prescription for stabilizing the fetus given by the Imperial Physician and found no problems. As for Xing Yuyan’s recent grieving mood, she couldn’t do anything about it.

After leaving the palace, Su Liang thought about Xing Yuyan’s situation and sighed once again, “To cherish one’s fortune and not make mistakes is so important.”