Chapter 364: Can Xiao Shen wear a skirt?

Translator: 549690339

Three days after Situ Yao entered the palace, Duanmu Chen held a banquet in the palace and invited Situ Jing and Situ Jing, as well as Gu Ling and Su Liang. These were Situ Yao’s only relatives in Qian Country.

Duanmu Chen thought that Gu Ling and Su Liang would make excuses not to come as they had before, but they arrived on time for the banquet.

The reason was a conversation.

Su Liang asked, “Will you go?”

Gu Ling said, “Either way.”

Su Liang laughed, “Shall we go and watch the emperor’s performance?”

Gu Ling nodded, “Alright.”

The two of them even brought Zhengzheng along.

The daytime banquet was held in the Imperial Garden.

The sun shone brightly, and the breeze was warm and gentle, with beautiful trees and flowers everywhere.

Situ Jing and Situ Jing arrived first and saw Gu Ling and Su Liang walking through the Moon Gate with Zhengzheng in tow.

Situ Jing smiled and was about to stand up to greet them when Gu Ling suddenly chased after a butterfly and disappeared into the flowers, with Zhengzheng following.

Su Liang’s expression remained the same as she continued to walk forward.

Situ Jing once again witnessed Duanmu Chen’s favor towards Su Liang and Gu Ling. They seemed to be treating the Imperial Garden as their own, acting so casually.

“There is no need for Situ eldest son to be polite, please sit down,” Su Liang smiled, choosing a shaded spot to sit.

Situ Jing took his seat again, laughing, “Is cousin Ling catching butterflies? How childlike.”

Su Liang nodded, “Yes, my husband is still a child.”

Situ Jing: …

Situ Jing: …He couldn’t stand this couple anymore, but thankfully, they would leave tomorrow.

Before long, Gu Ling and Zhengzheng emerged from the flowers. Zhengzheng’s little hand was cupped like a shell as he ran towards Su Liang, “Aunt, look what we caught!”

Gu Ling walked while weaving a flower crown, already half done. His slender fingers were very agile, and he wore a silver ring on his left ring finger. Su Liang had one too; they were a pair.

This was a pair of rings designed by Su Liang and crafted by Gu Ling himself, both containing hidden weapons.

Zhengzheng ran to Su Liang’s side and slowly opened his little hand, releasing a black-winged, gold-edged butterfly.

“Isn’t it pretty?” Zhengzheng asked Su Liang with a brilliant smile.

Su Liang nodded, “It’s beautiful.” She wiped Zhengzheng’s hands with a handkerchief.

Zhengzheng climbed onto a chair next to her, only to quickly slide down and choose another position, sitting next to Situ Jing, “Uncle Beibei, where’s the sword you owe me?”

Situ Jing’s eyes flashed. He knew whose child this was but didn’t expect Zhengzheng to have such a good relationship with Situ Jing. What did he mean by owing him a sword?

“I’ll give it to you before I leave tomorrow,” Situ Jing said. He had wasted a lot of good wood and hadn’t made a satisfactory one yet.

“Don’t forget!” Zhengzheng’s little face was serious.

Situ Jing nodded, “I won’t.”

When Gu Ling sat down next to Su Liang, the flower crown was finished. Yellow flowers, like stars, adorned the entwined green leaves and branches, arranged in a pleasing and adorable way.

“Cousin, you have skillful hands,” Situ Jing praised.

“You wear it,” Su Liang shook her head. It’s not that she didn’t like it, but she thought it was more suitable for Gu Ling.

Then, both Situ Jing and Situ Jing watched in amazement as Gu Ling actually put the flower crown on his own head…

It looked good, incredibly beautiful like a celestial being.

Zhengzheng clapped his little hands, “Beautiful uncle is even prettier now!”

Situ Jing: …What he admired most about Gu Ling was not his martial arts skills, but his “I’m happy and don’t care what others think” attitude.

As far as he knew, Gu Ling had always been like this, able to live the life he wanted without getting involved in the affairs of the Gu Family before they were wiped out.

Situ Jing himself had been sent to another family and had been bound by his so-called background, unable to break free.

Gu Ling said that Situ Jing was emotional, and Situ Jing had been thinking lately that Gu Ling was not unfeeling. However, he could always clearly separate “emotions” and “matters.”

Feelings are precious and should not be given to those who are unworthy. When dealing with matters, one should be principled, focused, and not be affected by superficial emotions.

Situ Jing discovered that Situ Jing was lost in thought again, this time not looking at Su Liang, but Gu Ling. He had been absent-minded a lot these days, and Situ Jing wondered what he was thinking about.

“The emperor has arrived!”

The voice from outside the Moon Gate made Situ Jing look up, and he saw Duanmu Chen and Situ Yao coming.

One with a radiant smile, the other alluring and demure – they looked like a truly loving couple.

Seeing Duanmu Chen holding Situ Yao’s hand, Situ Jing couldn’t help but smile even deeper and stood up to pay his respects.

Gu Ling and Su Liang had special privileges and did not need to salute Duanmu Chen or, even less so, Imperial Concubine Yao.

Situ Jing exchanged a glance with Duanmu Chen, stood up, bowed slightly with his hands clasped, “Emperor Qian, Imperial Concubine Liang.” In fact, their relationship had become that of a monarch and subject, but this matter was still a secret for now.

Duanmu Chen chuckled, “Situ Second Prince, Situ eldest son, there is no need for formalities. Please, sit.”

“Emperor Uncle!” Zhengzheng waved his little hand cheerfully at Duanmu Chen.

Duanmu Chen smiled and nodded, “So Zhengzheng is here too.”

Only after sitting down did Duanmu Chen let go of Situ Yao’s hand.

Situ Yao’s face turned slightly pink, “Big brother, Cousin Jing, cousin, sister-in-law.”

Duanmu Chen noticed the flower crown on Gu Ling’s head, and the corner of his mouth twitched, “Quite unique. I didn’t know you liked to dress up.”

“Does Your Majesty want one? Ten thousand taels,” Gu Ling said casually.

Duanmu Chen snorted, “You plucked flowers from the Imperial Garden, and I should charge you ten thousand taels.”

From their brief exchange, it was clear that Duanmu Chen and Gu Ling, the former rebel’s son, had a very good relationship.

As the representative of the in-laws, Situ Jing solemnly reminded Situ Yao to take good care of Emperor Qian and not be willful. He spoke a few pleasantries.

Situ Yao agreed one by one, “Will big brother and Cousin Jing leave tomorrow?”

“If Yao’er is reluctant, let them stay for a few more days,” Duanmu Chen said gently.

Situ Yao shook her head, “Thank you for your consideration, Your Majesty. But big brother has been away for a long time, and our parents and grandfather are all very worried. I hope he can return as soon as possible.”

“That sounds good,” Duanmu Chen agreed easily.

Delicious food was served, and on the surface, the atmosphere seemed incredibly warm and harmonious.

Gu Ling and Su Liang formed their own little world, while Duanmu Chen and Situ Yao were like a newlywed couple, so sweet and affectionate. Situ Jing kept handing Zhengzheng food and talking to him.

The only left out was Situ Jing as he silently watched the “three pairs,” feeling that something was off, yet couldn’t quite put his finger on it. Everything seemed to be going much better than expected, but it was almost too smooth, giving him an inexplicable sense of unreality. Did Duanmu Chen really like Situ Yao that much? Had Situ Jing completely severed ties with Gu Ling and Su Liang? That child Zhengzheng was just a merchant’s child, yet he could eat and laugh at the same table with the Emperor of Qian Country, without having to bow… What kind of person was Duanmu Chen, really?

No one would answer these questions for Situ Jing.

After the banquet, Situ Yao wanted to have a private conversation with Situ Jing, and Duanmu Chen allowed it, letting Situ Jing go to Situ Yao’s palace.

Gu Ling and Su Liang went for a lake tour in the Imperial Garden, while Situ Jing took Zhengzheng home.

Upon reaching the middle of the lake, Gu Ling put down the paddle and let the boat drift gently with the wind.

Su Liang leaned on Gu Ling, enjoying the sun, feeling comfortable and content.

“I think the Emperor truly likes Situ Yao,” Su Liang said as she squinted at the white clouds in the blue sky.

Gu Ling’s expression was indifferent, “He also truly likes you and me.”

Hearing this, Su Liang laughed, “Yes.”

Although it may seem different, it’s actually the same. Because Duanmu Chen is too restrained when it comes to feelings. Compared to others, Duanmu Chen’s “liking” could at most be considered “fondness.”

The difference lies in the fact that Duanmu Chen has trust in Su Liang and Gu Ling, in addition to his fondness for them. But he doesn’t have that trust for Situ Yao, who just married him.

Duanmu Chen can test Situ Yao, and the fact that he didn’t treat this foreign Princess with a routine relationship from the start shows that he has expectations for her.

Therefore, Duanmu Chen’s current liking for Situ Yao is like a rootless tree. If they can establish trust, perhaps they can truly become a good couple beyond politics and power. But if there’s no trust, it won’t take long for the best-case scenario to be reduced to pure lust and saving face, or even worse.

Su Liang, gently touching her belly, asked, “Great God, we should find out soon whether it’s a boy or girl. Do you want to know in advance, or wait until the birth?”

Gu Ling thought about it seriously, “It’s up to you.”

Su Liang smiled softly, “Can I keep it a secret from you after I find out?”

Gu Ling shook his head, “No. Either neither of us knows, or both of us know.”

“Great God, you know how to check the pulse, so you can confirm and tell me first,” Su Liang said, “I can guess based on your expression.”

Gu Ling agreed that it would be better this way. He couldn’t wait to find out if they would have a son or a daughter.

Initially, Su Liang had suggested that it would be better to have twins, so they could have two children after going through pregnancy once. But Gu Ling disagreed because carrying twins would be more difficult for Su Liang and pose a higher risk during childbirth.

With Su Liang carrying only one child, both she and Gu Ling had expectations for the child’s gender but felt that either would be fine.

When their lake tour finished, the couple went to borrow some books from the Imperial Library Pavilion before leaving the palace and heading home.

By the time Situ Jing returned to the inn after sending Zhengzheng home, Situ Jing had already come back.

The two sat down to discuss the arrangements for leaving the next day.

Situ Jing asked Situ Jing again if he really wanted to take the coffins of his adoptive parents with them.

Situ Jing said yes.

Situ Jing didn’t object any further. Now that the marriage alliance had been completed, there was no need for him to upset Situ Jing.

Then Situ Jing brought up Situ Yao, “Does Second Prince think that Emperor Qian really likes Yaoyao that much?”

Situ Jing took a sip of tea with an indifferent expression, “Why do you ask?”

Situ Jing sighed softly, “I don’t know why, but I always feel that Emperor Qian is treating Yaoyao too well…for a monarch.”

“Do you hope that he will not treat your sister well?” Situ Jing snorted.

Situ Jing shook his head, “Of course, I don’t mean that. It’s just… I’m really worried about Yaoyao. She’s married so far away, and we can’t expect Gu Ling to look after her.”

“If you want to stay and accompany your sister, I’m sure Emperor Qian would be very happy,” Situ Jing said expressionlessly.

Situ Jing had nothing to say.

That evening, when they met again, Situ Jing asked Situ Jing if there was no hope of getting Qiao Cong to join Liang Country.

Situ Jing gave Situ Jing a surprising answer, “Grandfather has already agreed to go to Liang Country with me.”

Situ Jing’s face was filled with joy, “That’s great! Su Liang and Gu Ling won’t stop it, will they?”

Situ Jing shook his head, “They can’t stop it.”

“What about your sister?” Situ Jing asked.

“She’s still sick, so she’ll stay here for now,” Situ Jing said.

Situ Jing felt that something was not quite right. Qiao Cong was leaving his granddaughter behind and going to Liang Country with Situ Jing? Could it be that he had ulterior motives? Situ Jing knew that Situ Han had forced Situ Xiang back then and suddenly began to doubt if Qiao Cong was going to Liang Country to avenge his daughter?

Situ Jing finally decided to wait until they returned to Liang Country to discuss everything. No matter what Situ Xie thought, Situ Jing had to talk to him properly. He couldn’t rely on Situ Jing, and it would be best to dispose of him as soon as possible, otherwise, it would only ruin their plans.

That night, Situ Jing barely slept and spent the entire time making a wooden sword for Zhengzheng. It wasn’t until the sky was about to brighten that he finally made one that he felt was barely acceptable. He secretly sent it to Zhengzheng’s house and placed it in his room.

As soon as day broke, Qiao Cong had packed his bags and came to say goodbye to Gu Ling and Su Liang.

“Little girl, your master is leaving now. I’ll have to trouble you to take care of Qianqian’s health,” Qiao Cong said with heartfelt sincerity. “I’m really sorry, I always said I would help you, but when you needed my help, I was injured. Now that I’m healed, I’m going to follow Jingjing.”

Su Liang just smiled, “Third Master, please don’t say that. We’re not outsiders, there’s no need to be polite with me. If you can help my father-in-law take a break from his duty in Xuanbei City and come home, that would be a big help.”

Qiao Cong’s expression turned serious, “Don’t worry about that! I’ll definitely help Jingjing protect Xuanbei City! If those bastards from Liang Country dare to cause trouble, they won’t have a good time!” Qiao Cong didn’t plan to confront Situ Han for the time being because Situ Xiang’s two children were more important.

Qiao Cong was worried about Situ Jing, not because he was afraid that he would make another mistake but because he was afraid that he would have an accident. Not only might the Liang Country’s royal family try to capture Situ Jing, but Nangong Lin, who had escaped from the island, could reappear at any time. The capital city had many people, and Qiao Cong was absolutely confident in Gu Ling’s strength. He could not trust Situ Jing by himself.

Su Liang had no objections to this arrangement. She thought that Situ Jing was going to guard the city, and Qiao Cong was going to protect him. This would allow Xing Ji to go home and rest for a while.

Gu Ling had already consulted Duanmu Chen about this matter. Duanmu Chen felt that they were being a bit reckless since he couldn’t fully trust Situ Jing. But in the end, Duanmu Chen adopted their suggestion, wrote a secret order to Xing Ji, and let Xing Ji handle the matter.

That secret order was hidden in Qiao Cong’s arms.

Su Liang prepared many poisons, wound medicines, and antidotes for Qiao Cong to take with him in case of emergencies. Although Old White wasn’t home, Su Liang never let her guard down and practiced making many medicines during these days. She also researched new medicines with Gu Ling.

After bidding farewell to Su Liang and Gu Ling, Qiao Cong was ready to leave the mansion when he saw Cen Man waiting at the door for him.

“I’ll have to trouble you to take care of Qianqian while I’m gone,” Qiao Cong said to Cen Man.

Cen Man smiled, “Why be so polite between us? Be careful on your trip to the north, and don’t be impulsive. Discuss things with Ajing.”

Qiao Cong was unhappy upon hearing this, “Discuss with him? Do you think I’m more confused than he is?”

Cen Man joked, “Both of you are prone to making mistakes, so it’s better to discuss things together.”

Qiao Cong strode out of the door, “Let’s go!”

In the blink of an eye, Su Liang was already four months pregnant.

That night, before going to sleep, Gu Ling checked Su Liang’s pregnant belly and took her pulse.

“Great God, what are you looking at? Why is it taking so long?” Su Liang asked with a yawn.

Gu Ling released Su Liang’s hand, “I know the gender of the baby now. Can you guess?”

Su Liang instantly woke up, “Then let me ask you a question. You can answer it or not, and I’ll judge by your expression.”

Gu Ling nodded, “Go ahead.”

Su Liang thought for a moment and said, “Can Little God wear a skirt?”

Gu Ling blinked, “Yes.”