Chapter 366: Do not admit

Translator: 549690339

It was only the end of July, and the weather in Xuanbei City was already much cooler than in the capital city.

There was a heavy fog in the early morning. When Situ Jing woke up, he received news that the Liang Country’s troops from Nanping City had arrived last night to escort him and Situ Jing back to their country, and they had been waiting outside the city for half the night.

This news was conveyed by Xing Ji’s men, but they were instructed to wait until Situ Jing woke up before telling him.

Situ Jing was annoyed because he didn’t want to stay in Xuanbei City last night. After packing up, he went to find Situ Jing, intending to leave as soon as possible.

There was no response when he knocked on the door, and Situ Jing’s attendant said that he hadn’t seen his master leave.

After calling out three times and still hearing no movement inside, Situ Jing had a bad feeling, so he ordered someone to break down the door.

As the door was opened, Situ Jing called out again, “Second Prince? Are you alright?”

Unexpectedly, a voice came from the direction of the courtyard entrance, “Looking for me?”

Situ Jing frowned, then saw Situ Jing walking into the courtyard through the morning fog, followed by his grandfather Qiao Cong. They were both wearing different clothes than yesterday.

“When did the Second Prince go out? These servants don’t even know.” Situ Jing smiled, “It’s about time. Let’s get on our way.”

Situ Jing nodded, “Let’s go.”

Situ Jing was stunned, “Isn’t the Second Prince going to pack his things?” Although there were servants to serve him, Situ Jing never let them touch his belongings.

“It’s already prepared.” Situ Jing said.

Qiao Cong looked impatient, “Are you going or not? Stop dawdling!”

Situ Jing lowered his eyes, “Second Prince and senior Qiao, please wait a moment.” He was very anxious, but he thought that Situ Jing would at least have breakfast before leaving.

Soon, the Liang Country’s troops were ready to depart.

Xing Ji didn’t show up, but sent a subordinate general to see them off.

From their residence to the north gate of Xuanbei City, Situ Jing’s heart was in suspense. The last time he came to pick up the bride, he was forcibly “invited” back by Xing Ji just before leaving the city.

Situ Jing couldn’t help but look at Situ Jing, who was riding on a horse with a calm expression. Qiao Cong was looking around, as if he was seeing the scenery of Xuanbei City for the first time. At the end of the procession were two carriages, each carrying a coffin.

The soldiers who carried the coffins onto the carriages today felt that they were lighter than yesterday, but Situ Jing was urging them impatiently, so no one dared to say anything.

“Open the city gate!” At the command, the north gate of Xuanbei City was slowly opened.

As the morning fog cleared, Situ Jing saw the imposing Liang Country army and the high-flying Liang Country flag outside the city gate, and he felt relieved.

The procession slowly left the city gate, and Situ Jing heard the heavy closing of the city gate behind him. They were approaching the Liang Country’s army.

“Greetings to Second Prince!” The leading Liang Country general knelt down and saluted.

Following that, the entire Liang Country army knelt down like a tide, bowing to Situ Jing.

Situ Jing lowered his head, took two steps back, and clenched his fists. As Situ Xie’s grandson, he was even more rightful, but he was being held back by others, and this feeling was not pleasant.

Qiao Cong stood beside Situ Jing, looking at the kneeling Liang Country army, and snorted coldly.

Xing Ji, along with several generals from Xuanbei City, appeared on the city building behind them, looking down at the scene below. Apart from him, the other generals did not know what Situ Jing was planning to do next.

After a while, seeing that Situ Jing did not speak to let everyone stand up, Situ Jing approached with a frown and whispered a reminder, “Second prince, we cannot stay here for long, we need to leave as soon as possible.”

Situ Jing turned his head, glanced at Situ Jing, and his indifferent eyes made Situ Jing feel a little uneasy.

Soon, Situ Jing withdrew his gaze and looked around. He said loudly, “I was sent to Xuanbei City by Situ Xie as a spy since I was young, and he didn’t raise me but killed my foster parents and their family.”

Situ Jing’s face changed dramatically, “What are you talking about, second prince?”

Today, so many people are witnesses. In the past, I was not a native of Liang Country. Now, whoever wants to be the second prince of Liang can be one; I don’t want to be one anymore!” Situ Jing said coldly. This line was designed by Qiao Cong, and he had to say it this way.

All the soldiers of Liang had darkened faces, and the soldiers of Qian Country on the city building of Xuanbei City, except for Xing Ji, were also dumbfounded.

From today on, I will follow my mother’s surname and change my name to Qiao Jing, and I will have nothing to do with the Situ Family!”

Qiao Cong looked pleased. He really hated the Situ Family who had hurt his daughter, but he did not ask his grandson to change his surname. It was Situ Jing who wanted to change his name to Qiao Jing. He could no longer use the name Che Yun. The character Jing, which was chosen by Situ Xiang, was retained.

Second Prince, do you really want to do this?” Situ Jing’s face turned extremely ugly. He didn’t understand why, since Situ Jing was planning to betray Liang Country, he still came here? Why didn’t he simply stay in the capital city of Qian Country?

“What? Do you want to arrest me and bring me back?” Qiao Jing looked at Situ Jing with a half-smile, “You come over, and try it.”

Situ Jing was so angry that he almost spat blood, knowing that Qiao Jing was very strong and he couldn’t beat him. Moreover, the Qian Country army was behind them, and even if Liang Country dared to start a war rashly, they would have no advantage fighting under the walls of Qian Country!

Situ Jing saw Qiao Jing about to leave and turned to look at the two coffins at the back of the team, shouting loudly, “Do you not even want the remains of your foster parents? You want to return to Qian Country, do you think Qian Country will accept you, and Emperor Qian will still trust you?”

From the city building came Xing Ji’s voice, “Qian Country welcomes General Qiao to abandon darkness and join us.”

Hearing the name “General Qiao,” Situ Jing was struck by thunder! Xing Ji would not dare to make a hasty decision, which meant that Qiao Jing had already talked to Duanmu Chen while in the capital city! This meant that Su Liang and Gu Ling had also accepted him! This was completely beyond Situ Xie’s expectations and a change that Situ Jing could never have imagined!

With this, the dignity of the Liang royal family was once again trampled on by the people of Qian Country. What a brilliant move to abandon darkness and join Qian Country! Even the prince of Liang Country was going to pledge loyalty to Qian Country, and even help Qian Country fight their wars, against Liang Country!

“The coffins contain gifts for your grandfather; please help me take them back.” As soon as Qiao Jing finished speaking, he jumped onto the city building of Xuanbei City with Qiao Cong.

The generals of Qian Country looked at each other. Although they were all shocked, they knew by this point that Qiao Jing had been passed by their Emperor. Since the Emperor trusted him, they naturally had nothing more to say. Moreover, everything that had just happened had been really refreshing! Seeing the suffocating expressions on the faces of the people from Liang Country was absolutely satisfying!

It was said that the Yin royal family was the most treacherous, but the facts proved that the Liang royal family was just as sinister.

What could be more humiliating for Liang Country than the betrayal of Emperor Liang’s own son to join Qian Country? At least not for now.

Qiao Jing stood next to Xing Ji, and Qiao Cong couldn’t help but laugh. Good, very good, this was exactly what he wanted.

In the meantime, Situ Jing had already sent someone to open the two coffins that were pulled out of Xuanbei City.

Instead of Che’s father and mother’s bodies in the coffins, there were two spirit tablets. One of them had Situ Xie’s name on it, and the other had Situ Han’s name.

If Qiao Jing hated Situ Xie the most, Qiao Cong hated Situ Han the most. He hadn’t gone to Liang Country to kill people yet, but it didn’t mean he didn’t want to kill Situ Han.

Seeing the situation, Situ Jing turned green with anger and drew his sword to cut the two spirit tablets and even the coffins.

But the most hateful thing was that even though Qiao Jing had made a very good and “filial” drama in front of the armies of both countries, humiliating the Liang royal family, no one in Liang Country dared to do anything to him, including Situ Jing.

The only thing he could do at that moment was to persuade Situ Jing to turn back, but he knew it was impossible to persuade him, and saying one more word would only humiliate himself.

“Leave!” Situ Jing yelled angrily.

The army of Liang Country slowly began to move.

Situ Jing rode a short distance and looked back, his gaze towards Qiao Jing who was standing on the city wall of Xuanbei City. He had a lot to say, but once the words reached his mouth, he swallowed them back. At this point, no matter what he said, good or bad, it would just become a joke.

As soon as he turned his head, Situ Jing heard Qiao Cong shouting, “Tell Situ Xie and Situ Han to wash their necks and wait, sooner or later this old man will chop them down!”

Situ Jing ordered to speed up. Although he actually had no authority to command the army of Liang Country, no one cared at the moment, they all just wanted to leave as soon as possible.

In fact, Situ Jing didn’t want Qiao Jing to return to Liang Country as a prince, because he thought that Qiao Jing was not wholeheartedly loyal to the Liang Royal Family and had caused trouble in the past, being uncontrollable.

The result seemed to be what Situ Jing wanted, but the process was the greatest humiliation he had ever faced in his life, making his hatred for Qiao Jing reach its peak. With a little calmness, he thought that Duanmu Chen’s decision to keep Qiao Jing and even let him lead the army showed no intention of reconciling with Liang Country. Situ Yao’s marriage alliance was evidently meaningless to Duanmu Chen, other than gifting him a beauty!

After watching the disappearance of the Liang Country’s army in the distance, the generals of Qian Country’s Xuanbei City returned to the military camp’s meeting hall.

Xing Ji conveyed Duanmu Chen’s will and then let Qiao Jing say a few words.

Qiao Jing stood up, acknowledging his past mistakes, and hoped that everyone would forgive him and give him a chance to make amends. He then once again expressed his determination to completely separate from the Situ family.

Most of the people in attendance had worked with Qiao Jing before, including his former superiors and comrades who had started as ordinary soldiers and made their way up to generals with him.

As everyone was expressing their welcomes, a discordant voice came from a veteran general, “General Xing, what if he’s playing us again, trying to gain our trust while still secretly helping Liang Country? This is the border, and we cannot tolerate any suspicious people here!”

Xing Ji didn’t speak, but Qiao Jing sighed, “General Liu’s concern is justified. My background and previous actions easily make me suspicious. However, since the Emperor trusts me and is willing to give me another chance, I will not fail his trust. I swear that if I ever help the Situ family again, I shall be childless and cursed, struck by thunder, and die a horrible death!”

People in this world believe in oaths, especially those that curse themselves with poison.

Seeing this, General Liu frowned, “In that case, I hope you don’t forget your oath!”

Qiao Cong wanted to say something, but Qiao Jing stopped him. Some things had to be said clearly by himself. After experiencing the previous events, he understood more than ever the importance of sincerity in dealing with people.

Qiao Jing buried Che father and Che mother in the Che family cemetery in Xuanbei City, placing in the coffins the clothes that their two sons had worn as children, which Che mother had treasured for many years. As for the corpses and bones of Che Yun and Che Xiao, they were nowhere to be found by now.

After finishing this, Qiao Jing let go of the guilt and resentment he had harbored in his heart towards the Che family.

In his secret decree, Duanmu Chen said that Xing Ji would decide Qiao Jing’s position.

Xing Ji began to hand over his job to Qiao Jing from the start, which made Qiao Jing feel uneasy, “I am grateful that everyone is willing to give me a chance, but appointing me as Marquis would not convince everyone, right?”

Xing Ji shook his head, “I know your abilities, so I made such arrangements. There are too few people who can stand on their own in Xuanbei City now. Since you have decided to start over, don’t be afraid of gossip, just do what you need to do and the rest, time will prove.”

Qiao Jing’s expression became serious, “Thank you, Marquis, for your trust. I will not disappoint.”

Qiao Cong laughed, “In that case, Marquis Xing can go home soon.”

Xing Ji nodded, “Indeed, that’s one of the considerations.” Then he sighed, “It’s shameful to say, when I was young, I always wanted to make a name for myself, but I failed to manage even my own family’s affairs. If it weren’t for Xiaoliang’s help these past two years, I don’t know what my home would have become. Ajing, as someone who’s been through it all, let me give you some advice. In matters of relationships, don’t hesitate or get bogged down in indecision. Sometimes, making one wrong step can take a lifetime to make up for.”

Qiao Jing knew that Xing Ji must have been thinking of his two deceased wives.

“That’s right,” Qiao Cong agreed, “I’ve heard about some of your family’s problems, and as the head of the household, you should bear the main responsibility. Your mother had to worry so much in her old age.”

Hearing this, Xing Ji was even more ashamed.

Qiao Jing sighed, “I was really ignorant, making my grandfather worry so much.”

Qiao Cong patted Qiao Jing’s shoulder, “It’s all in the past. If I hadn’t met Xiaoliang, I would still be clueless!”

The news that the second prince of Liang, who was once trained as a spy, had completely betrayed the Liang Country and defected to Qian Country, rising to the rank of guard general of Xuanbei City, was rapidly circulating throughout the world.

Xing Ji only handed over his duties to Qiao Jing for five days before he set off with Qi Jiang, leaving Xuanbei City and rushing back to the capital day and night.

After Miao Family’s death, Xing Ji had completely lost his former ambition and was just waiting for an opportunity to return home, take care of his mother, and raise his children.

Qiao Jing was the opportunity that Xing Ji had been waiting for.

Capital City of Qian Country.

On the day the princess of Yin Country arrived, Su Liang and Gu Ling went to a restaurant to watch the excitement. She asked Gu Ling if he knew the princess, and Gu Ling said that he had only met her once and that she looked very timid.

While Su Liang’s attention was focused on the princess’s extravagant carriage, Gu Ling glanced through the open window and made eye contact with an old man in grey clothes among the bustling crowd below.

As soon as he looked away, the old man disappeared into the crowd.

“Great God, what’s wrong?” Su Liang saw Gu Ling frowning and asked puzzled.

“There was someone below just now.” Gu Ling recalled the old man’s ordinary appearance, which didn’t stand out, but he was sure that he wasn’t an ordinary person, and he was watching Su Liang before being noticed.

Su Liang’s expression was inexplicable, “Could it be that the person who sent me the note last time has reappeared?”

Gu Ling shook his head, “I don’t know. If another transmigrator really comes to you, don’t admit it.”

Su Liang was stunned, “If I really meet a ‘fellow villager’, denial is useless.”

Gu Ling looked at the crowd below, “Just say that I am the transmigrator, and everything you know that doesn’t belong to this world, you learned from me.”

“It depends on the situation.” Su Liang sighed softly, “I hope it’s not as we guessed. Otherwise, the other party is so mysterious, never exposed, but still comes looking for us. It doesn’t seem like something good.”

When they returned home, Gu Ling seriously discussed with Su Liang what kind of past life identity and background a transmigrator like him should have.

Although the existence of a “fellow villager” targeting Su Liang was just a guess made by her and Gu Ling, Gu Ling was very cautious about it, determined to create a perfect story for Su Liang as a cover.

Su Liang found it fascinating, whether it would be useful or not.

“Well, Great God, just think about it. If you were to travel to the modern society, what kind of profession would you like to pursue?” Su Liang asked with a smile.

Gu Ling was thinking seriously when he heard Su Liang say, “Great God, you could also be a woman in your previous life.”

Gu Ling frowned, “You mean, set it up as if I am a man with a woman’s heart now?”

Su Liang coughed lightly, “It’s possible, but it’s a bit weird. Let’s rule this out. How about we make it simple? Great God, you are me. You used to be a military doctor, and your family background is the same as mine, so there won’t be any flaws. You basically know all the medical skills I do.”

Gu Ling nodded, “That’s fine. Next, you’ll teach me some things that are not very useful here, such as music, painting, history, geography, political science, and so on.”

Su Liang smiled, “Great God, with your tone and choice of words, you really seem more like a transmigrator than I do without pretending. But some of the knowledge I’ve learned, I don’t remember as clearly anymore, so I’ll teach you whatever I think of.”