Chapter 363: 363. When we never came

Translator: 549690339

It had just rained, and the air was fresh and cool.

Qi Jun had set up a big table by the lake, with a pot of warm water, a pot of hot tea, and a pot of fine wine, and some fruits and desserts were laid out. Everyone from the mansion, young and old, sat together to watch Gu Ling and Situ Jing fight.

Zhengzheng sat beside Su Liang, her eyes sparkling with curiosity as she asked, “Aunt, who will win?”

“You guess.” Su Liang smiled.

Zhengzheng grinned, “Then I guess Beautiful Uncle will win!” She called him Ning Uncle and Uncle-in-law, but now she called Gu Ling Beautiful Uncle. She said that it would best showcase her favorite uncle’s most striking characteristic.

Qiao Cong refused to sit and busily greeted everyone, acting as if he had organized the martial arts competition himself. He wasn’t concerned that Situ Jing would be beaten, but rather hoped that the fight would be as fierce as possible.

Technically, both Situ Jing and Gu Ling were Qiao Cong’s disciples. Once upon a time.

Putting aside Nangong Lin’s involvement, Situ Jing and Gu Ling’s swordsmanship came from the same origin. Qiao Cong had already taught Gu Ling the most powerful moves, but he hadn’t taught Situ Jing yet.

This was a fight that everyone knew the outcome of even before it began.

Situ Jing, the party involved, also knew the outcome. But he was equally eager to fight this battle, wanting to see how big the gap was between him and Gu Ling.

Although Qiao Cong was the inheritor of the Luoying sword technique, he didn’t possess the Luoying Sword itself.

The Luoying Sword had originally been in the hands of the Peng Family of the Liang Country, before it was given to the Bei Jingwang Mansion of the Qian Country by General Peng. Now, it had been given to Su Liang by Xing Ji.

However, Gu Ling did not use the Luoying Sword, but instead chose a wooden sword. This had been part of a set of wooden weapons he had made when teaching Su Liang swordsmanship in Su Family Village.

Upon seeing this, Qiao Cong took Situ Jing’s waist sword and borrowed Zhengzheng’s sword for him to use instead.

Zhengzheng had always spent most of her time at the Su Mansion while in the capital city, sometimes even staying over. Her toys were all there, including a wooden sword given to her by Gu Ling.

Zhengzheng readily agreed to the request and didn’t mention anything about not breaking it. If it broke, she would just ask Beautiful Uncle for a new one.

“Alright, let’s get started.” Qiao Cong cleared his throat and looked at Gu Ling and Situ Jing, his gaze then falling on the calm lake not far away. He added, “Whoever loses, jump into the lake!”

Situ Jing, who had just raised his wooden sword: …

Zhengzheng cheered, “Yes, yes! Let’s get started!”

Old Mu called out, “Whoever loses gets tied up and whipped on a tree!”

Qiao Cong snorted, “Get lost!” He could discipline his grandchildren, but Old Mu had no place to stand.

The competition was very exciting, with both of them using the Luoying Sword Technique. Gu Ling did not use any of his unique moves, but he still easily overpowered Situ Jing.

“Is my apprentice’s swordsmanship really learned from you? It looks the same as your grandson’s, but it’s not quite the same.” Old Mu leaned over to Qiao Cong and analyzed.

Qiao Cong watched with narrowed eyes. When he had taught Gu Ling his unique moves, he had discovered that Gu Ling was a martial arts genius, with extraordinary comprehension skills and an unwillingness to be bound by convention.

What Situ Jing used was the most authentic Luoying Sword Technique, with every move and posture standard and precise, without losing any speed or strength.

However, Gu Ling had made some seemingly subtle changes that made the technique faster and more powerful.

Moreover, when it came to adaptability, Situ Jing was truly a notch below Gu Ling.

Qiao Cong felt that this competition had already achieved its purpose. Winning or losing was not important, but it was crucial for Situ Jing to see the gap between him and Gu Ling and learn from him. Envy is the most useless emotion, and from today onwards, any emotional issues that troubled Situ Jing should be thoroughly wiped away.

Gu Ling’s extraordinary comprehension skills were inseparable from his extraordinary attitude towards life, which was also Su Liang’s strength. Living with them, Qiao Cong saw their determination to do their best at everything they did, always striving to improve themselves.

Right now it was just a match, but Situ Jing, who was bound to lose, could only rely on his martial arts. Gu Ling, on the other hand, was an all-around talent, which made him even less likely to win than the other Situ Jing.

Gu Ling controlled the pace from start to end.

When Situ Jing’s wooden sword broke in half, both of them stepped back.

Zhengzheng exclaimed, “My sword! It was a gift from Beautiful Uncle!”

Gu Ling’s expression was indifferent, “Let him compensate you.”

Zhengzheng blinked his big black eyes and nodded, “Then let Uncle Beibei compensate me!” That way, when he asks Beautiful Uncle for another one, he’ll have two new swords!

Situ Jing felt a bit frustrated, although he knew he would lose before the fight began. He thought that Gu Ling would use his trump card and make him lose very badly.

As a result, Gu Ling had not used his trump card, and Situ Jing lost without suspense.

Situ Jing knew very well that Gu Ling’s swordsmanship was also taught by Nangong Lin, just like his. The current difference was all Gu Ling’s own doing.

Situ Jing bent down to pick up half of the wooden sword from the ground, only to notice the intricate patterns on it. Upon closer inspection, the patterns formed many “Zheng” characters, which were carved by Gu Ling himself for Zhengzheng.

“I lost.” Situ Jing looked at Gu Ling, admitting his defeat wholeheartedly.

He always knew that there was a gap between them and today, he realized how ridiculous his jealousy was.

It had to do with their mothers being sisters, that both of them had Situ blood in their veins, that their master was Nangong Lin, and that he also liked Su Liang… But none of these reasons were that important.

Situ Jing now thinks that the biggest reason for his jealousy towards Gu Ling was that he saw Gu Ling as an imaginary enemy, because he needed such a person to exist, needed a target, otherwise he wouldn’t know how to face his real life…

All along, everyone thought Situ Jing loved Su Liang and he wanted to win her over. The former was true, but the latter was not.

In Situ Jing’s mind, Su Liang and Lian Shun were in approximately the same position, both being warmth and light that appeared in his once gloomy life, people he longed for.

Instead of saying that Situ Jing wanted to possess Su Liang, it would be more appropriate to say that he wanted to be like Su Liang, free and easy, with a strong heart.

In other words, for the first twenty years of Situ Jing’s life, he was indeed trapped by emotions. After meeting Su Liang, the emotional troubles that plagued him included his feelings for Su Liang, but only a small part of it.

After letting go of his “jealousy” towards Gu Ling, Situ Jing also admits that Gu Ling and Su Liang are a perfect match made by heaven.

“Jingjing, you bet and must accept the loss. Jump in!” Qiao Cong pointed at the lake and said to Situ Jing. His aim was not to make Situ Jing embarrass himself, but to encourage him to integrate into this family and relax a little.

Zhengzheng ran over and pulled Situ Jing towards the lakeshore, “I’ll jump with Uncle Beibei, I want to swim! Let’s catch fish together!”

Situ Jing thought Zhengzheng was trying to comfort him, fearing that he was too embarrassed, and was moved by his understanding.

Situ Jing carried Zhengzheng into the water, and Nangong Qian asked from the shore, “Is the water cold?”

“Not cold!” Zhengzheng answered happily.

Qiao Cong found the hand-held fishing net made by Gu Ling and threw it to Situ Jing.

In the end, they really caught a fat fish, and Zhengzheng told Situ Jing, “The fried fish nuggets made by Beautiful Uncle are the best in the world!”

Situ Jing shook his head, “I can’t have any.”

Zhengzheng whispered, “Then when it’s ready, I’ll hide a piece for Uncle Beibei to eat.”

Situ Jing smiled, “Alright.”

Since Su Liang couldn’t eat fish recently, Zhengzheng begged Gu Ling to make fried fish nuggets for him, so Gu Ling made a big plate of them.

“Can I take it to share with Grandpa Qiao and Grandpa Mu?” Zhengzheng asked.

Gu Ling nodded, and Zhengzheng held the plate and ran off.

People came to Liang Country’s inn again to inquire when Situ Jing would return, and he asked Qi Jun to tell them that he would be back.

But Situ Jing never left, just waiting to taste the fried fish that Zhengzheng said he would secretly share with him.

Zhengzheng arrived, followed by Qiao Cong and Old Mu.

The two elders and the youngster, all four of them, soon finished the fried fish made by Gu Ling.

Old Mu felt it was not enough, “My apprentice’s cooking skills have really improved, but it’s too little.”

Qiao Cong said to Situ Jing, “You should learn to cook when you have time, or you won’t be able to marry a wife. Don’t think about that Lin boy, he fancies a Miss with the last name of Yuan.”

Situ Jing:…When did marrying a wife have anything to do with whether one can cook or not? But Gu Ling’s cooking skills were indeed impeccable.

As for Lian Shun and Ying Ying’s matter, Situ Jing only found out today. He also found out that Ying Ying’s grandmother, Madam Yue, originally wanted to marry her granddaughter into King Yue’s mansion. However, Ying Ying betrayed Madam Yue and Situ Xie, or else Xing Ji would have been dead by now.

It wasn’t until evening that Situ Jing finally returned to the inn of Liang Country, wearing clothes borrowed from Qi Jun. Because his clothes were wet from falling into the water.

Entering the inn’s main hall, he saw the two coffins arranged, and Situ Jing called someone to prepare the Memorial Hall here.

Situ Jing arrived upon hearing the news, “Second Prince, Situ Yao will be married from the inn soon, and if the Memorial Hall is set up here, Emperor Qian may think it is inauspicious.” He suppressed his anger and used Duanmu Chen as an excuse to stop Situ Jing.

Situ Jing didn’t lose his temper like he did in the morning, and after a moment of silence, he nodded and said, “You’re right. I’ll find another place to put my foster parents’ remains.”

Situ Jing was surprised that Situ Jing suddenly became so reasonable, but if he could remove the coffins of Shen’s parents, that would be even better.

Situ Jing asked Situ Jing if anything had happened when he was called to the Su Mansion today.

Situ Jing just said that his grandfather invited him to go for a meal.

As for returning to Qian Country, Situ Jing discussed with Gu Ling to keep it quiet for the time being because he wanted to send Shen’s parents’ coffins back to Xuanbei City for burial on the way. After arriving in Xuanbei City, he would give Situ Jing and Liang Country a “surprise”.

After all, it would soon be the day for Situ Yao to enter the palace, and it would be hard for Situ Jing to continue with some things if he suddenly turned against them at this time.

This was also Duanmu Chen’s intention.

When Situ Jing said he would find another place, he simply moved the coffins of his foster parents out of the inn’s main hall and into an empty courtyard, still within the inn.

Situ Jing asked Situ Jing if he had any hope of persuading his grandfather, Qiao Cong, to return to Liang Country together.

Situ Jing said yes, he would contact Qiao Cong and Nangong Qian more in the future, and try to persuade them before leaving.

Only then did Situ Jing feel slightly relieved, thinking that he and Situ Yao had worried too much before. It seemed that after Situ Jing’s contact with the Su Family, his relationship with Su Liang and Gu Ling had gotten worse.

From then on, Situ Jing would go to the Su Mansion every day, usually leaving after having lunch there.

Meanwhile, Duanmu Chen sent people to the inn several times to give gifts to Situ Yao without making a big fuss, but the gifts were very thoughtful and sincere.

When Su Liang saw Old Madame Xing again, she thought she would ask about Situ Yao’s upcoming entrance to the palace as an Imperial Concubine, but Old Madame Xing didn’t mention Situ Yao at all. She just talked about Xing Ji, worried that he would be heartbroken and sad because of Miao’s death, and she didn’t know when he would be able to come back.

Su Liang said that the emperor would soon arrange for a general to go to the north, and if the situation was stable, she would ask the emperor to grant Xing Ji a leave to visit his family.

Old Lady Xing began to look forward to it. She knew that Su Liang’s words would never be empty promises.

As for how many women are in the harem, whom Duanmu Chen favors, Old Lady Xing knew clearly that it was not her place to ask, nor was it something Su Liang could control. And after the previous incident, Old Lady Xing was quite disappointed in Xing Yuyan, and now she had no other desires but to hope for her to behave and properly nurture her unborn child.

Soon, it was the day for Situ Yao to marry.

Situ Jing knew very well that Duanmu Chen’s enthusiasm for Situ Yao was not genuine, but he never reminded Situ Yao. Because, it didn’t concern him anymore. He hated Situ Xie and didn’t vent his anger on Situ Jing and Situ Yao; he didn’t care about them, but he couldn’t help them either.

Situ Jing did what he had to do, watching Situ Yao get married and enter the imperial palace of Qian Country.

Situ Jing acted guiltily, reluctantly, and even a little sad, saying, “It’s my fault that my little sister married far away.”

Situ Jing knew in his heart that Situ Jing actually blamed him.

But Situ Jing never thought it was his responsibility, because the main culprit was Situ Xie.

Watching Situ Jing’s low spirits, Situ Jing wanted to say, “If you really didn’t want your little sister to marry over, why didn’t you end yourself when you found out that Qian Country wanted her to marry to exchange your return?”

Of course, Situ Jing didn’t say it because it wasn’t necessary.

In four days, they were to leave the capital city of Qian Country and return to Liang Country.

However, this was only what Situ Jing thought. Situ Jing would go with him, but he would not return to Liang Country.

After entering the palace, Situ Yao became the only Imperial Concubine under the empress, with the title of Liang.

When Su Liang found out, she thought the title was appropriate for Situ Yao’s background as a member of the royal family of Liang Country, but it was still a bit ominous. Generally, when a person is “cold,” they are no more.

However, a title doesn’t mean much; once the princess from Yin Country marries, there will be another Imperial Concubine Yin.

As for how Situ Yao’s life in the imperial harem of Qian Country goes, that depends on her. She is different from Situ Jing, she won’t be threatened by her grandfather Situ Xie who watched her grow up. If she really wants to help Liang Country do something or whisper sweet nothings to Duanmu Chen, then it’s entirely her own decision.

On the second day of Situ Yao’s entry into the palace, Su Liang received news that Duanmu Chen had not gone to the early court. It was the first time since he became the emperor.

So, quite a few court officials were worried that this beauty from Liang Country would mesmerize Duanmu Chen.

Su Liang found it amusing upon hearing it. Duanmu Chen might have been really happy as a bridegroom and wanted to relax for once. There was nothing wrong with that; he was an emperor but also a normal man, and Situ Yao was indeed an outstanding beauty. However, to say that Duanmu Chen was mesmerized? That’s a bit of an overstatement.

Qiao Cong had decided to go to Xuanbei City with Situ Jing, keeping an eye on him while also protecting him.

That day, Situ Jing came to the Su Mansion again, first met with Qiao Cong, and then they, as grandfather and grandson, went to see Gu Ling and Su Liang together.

As soon as they entered, Qiao Cong said, “There’s a serious matter. Jing’er has an idea. He can tell Liang Country that he’s pretending to betray them, deceive you, and stay in Qian Country as a spy! What do you think? Isn’t it better?”

Su Liang blinked her eyes, smiled, and said nothing.

Gu Ling put back the newly assembled Mechanism Tree and sat next to Su Liang, looking at Situ Jing with a faint expression, asking back, “You deceived us?”

Situ Jing’s face stiffened and he turned to leave.

Qiao Cong didn’t react in time, “What’s the meaning of this? Jing’er, why are you leaving? We haven’t finished talking!”

Situ Jing’s voice came from outside the door, “Situ Xie won’t believe that I have the ability to deceive Gu Ling and Su Liang.”

Qiao Cong coughed a few times, “That’s true.” He waved at Su Liang and Gu Ling, “Pretend we were never here!” And with that, he disappeared.