Chapter 368: 368. Little Fei is gone

Translator: 549690339

The atmosphere was silent.

Su Liang watched the flame of the dragon and phoenix wedding candle, as thick as a child’s arm, flickering, waiting for Ji Yueyan to speak again.

Gu Ling picked up the blood-stained golden hairpin from the ground and carefully examined the patterns on it.

Ji Yueyan looked at Su Liang, then at Gu Ling, propped herself up with her arms, and slowly sat in a seat opposite them.

As for the servants, they had all been shooed away by Duanmu Chen at the beginning of the incident.

“What are you looking at?” Ji Yueyan asked Su Liang.

Su Liang withdrew her gaze, her expression indifferent, “Moths flying into the fire.”

Ji Yueyan glanced at the wedding candle subconsciously. There was only the flame and no moths. Even mosquitoes could hardly fly into this deep palace. Moths flying into the fire meant courting self-destruction… Her face changed suddenly, and she stared at Su Liang, “Moths… are you talking about me?”

Su Liang shook her head, “If Imperial Concubine Yin knows what she is doing, there is no need to ask.”

“What should you do if there is someone blocking your way to be together? If you were forced to marry a man you don’t love, what should you do? I was born in the royal family, so should I not have control over my own body and be at the mercy of others? You guessed it all right, I would rather be thrown into the cold palace than be touched by Emperor Qian! You think I’m seeking my own death, but as far as I’m concerned, being a canary in this harem, being possessed by a man I don’t love, having children for him, is worse than death!” Ji Yueyan spoke, her body trembling slightly, and her eyes filled with determination.

Su Liang looked at Ji Yueyan. Gu Ling’s previous impression of her had been one of cowardice, which might not necessarily have been a pretense, but she clearly regarded love as more important than anything else and was willing to sacrifice everything for it, even her life.

“Why didn’t you plan earlier?” Su Liang asked.

In Su Liang’s eyes, Ji Yueyan did not see any sympathy for her, only calm scrutiny. On the side, Gu Ling was still studying the golden hairpin, looking indifferent.

Ji Yueyan’s face was bitter, “I was imprisoned in the high walls, what plans could I make? I also had no chance to learn skills like Divine Doctor Su and work towards a better future. I have resigned myself to the marriage alliance, but now I just want a peaceful and clean life, is that too much to ask?”

“As a princess in a marriage alliance, any imperfection in your body would not be brought here,” Su Liang said calmly, “If you want to escape the fate of the marriage alliance, it’s actually very simple. You don’t need sophisticated medical skills or powerful martial arts. You just need to ‘accidentally’ burn your hand, break your leg, ruin your face, or leave a big or small scar. You’re not afraid of death, are you afraid of those? If you had done those things, you could stay in the familiar Imperial Palace of Yin Country as a noble lady, live peacefully and quietly as you wish, instead of traveling thousands of miles to the unfamiliar Imperial Palace of Qian Country and risking assassination of the Emperor of Qian Country.”

Ji Yueyan’s hands suddenly clutched the wedding dress and tugged. Although she let go quickly, Su Liang did not miss it.

“Divine Doctor Su really has an extraordinary mind. But unfortunately, I am not smart and didn’t think of that at the time,” Ji Yueyan shook her head.

Su Liang looked at Ji Yueyan and fell silent. Because she suddenly thought of another person, someone who had just returned to Qian Country from Yin Country.

Ji Yueyan was not stupid. She weighed her actions enough to count on Duanmu Chen not tearing his face with Yin Country, so she would be fine.

Therefore, Ji Yueyan couldn’t possibly have not thought of the things Su Liang mentioned. The fact that she considered them but did not act so meant that she wanted to come to Qian Country.

At this moment, Su Liang could not help but suspect that Ji Yueyan’s lover had also come to Qian Country. And the only normal men that a princess in a deep palace could have contact with were the guards of the palace besides the royal family members.

Palace guard, this word, these days, Su Liang had indeed heard quite a lot… Bai Yang had been a guard in Yin Country’s Imperial Palace before, and after returning to Qian Country, he was still determined to be a guard in the palace.

Back then, Su Liang did not find Bai Yang’s reason for entering the palace persuasive.

If Ji Yueyan and Bai Yang were lovers, it all made sense.

They had no future in Yin Country. Not to mention their difference in status, Bai Yang was also a spy of Qian Country, controlled by others, and neither of them had freedom. Bai Yang wouldn’t dare to flee on his own for Ren Dong’s safety.

Ren Dong went to look for Bai Yang around the same time when the Yin royal family chose Ji Yueyan for the marriage alliance. After Duanmu Yi was abolished, Bai Yang only needed to follow Ren Dong back to Qian Country to regain his freedom, obtain a legitimate identity with backing, while Ji Yueyan could come to Qian Country and marry. Even if they still couldn’t be together, as long as Bai Yang could become a palace guard, they could still see each other and stay in touch.

Even if Ji Yueyan really entered the cold palace and gradually became neglected, Bai Yang could find a chance to elope with her. With his martial arts skills, coupled with his position as an insider in the palace, after gaining Duanmu Chen’s trust, it was not impossible.

The reason why they couldn’t do anything on the way to the marriage alliance was that destroying the marriage affecting the overall situation would inevitably lead to the pursuit of both the royal families of Qian and Yin Countries. Bai Yang was powerful in martial arts, but an individual’s strength couldn’t compare with that of the royal family.

However, after the marriage alliance was completed, Ji Yueyan was nominally Duanmu Chen’s woman and the Imperial Concubine of Qian Country. If something happened to her, Duanmu Chen would try his best to cover it up for the sake of saving face and not let outsiders know.

Just like tonight, not many people knew about it. The old Imperial Physician, who had served the royal family all his life, would never spread the news. Duanmu Chen had chosen Su Liang, whom he trusted the most, to interrogate Ji Yueyan.

Bai Yang no longer needed to worry about Ren Dong, because she was now under Su Liang’s protection. And because of the sibling relationship with Ren Dong, once Ren Dong begged Su Liang to let Bai Yang go, Su Liang could persuade Duanmu Chen…

Su Liang looked at Ji Yueyan, and Ji Yueyan quietly looked back at her.

Su Liang felt that if things were as she guessed, it would not be difficult to explain why Ji Yueyan showed such unusual calmness. When she saw Duanmu Chen calling Su Liang over to handle the situation immediately, Ji Yueyan should have more confidence in her and Bai Yang’s plan.

As their eyes met, Ji Yueyan realized that Su Liang had seen through her. Her originally forced composure was replaced with a few more silent pleas… because she knew that as long as Su Liang mentioned Bai Yang’s name here, their love and future would come to a dead end tonight.

Ji Yueyan and Bai Yang indeed needed Su Liang’s help, but in their plan, before they elope, Su Liang would not find out, and no one else would find out. Even if Su Liang was unwilling to help them afterwards, they would never regret it even if they were hunted down.

Unfortunately, Ji Yueyan underestimated Su Liang’s intelligence and calmness. Su Liang had no feelings for Bai Yang, who she had just met, and could not talk about trust, nor would she be moved by the tears of a princess who had grown up in the palace since childhood.

When she saw Ji Yueyan’s pleading look, Su Liang knew she was right in her guess.

However, the situation was still somewhat difficult to handle. After all, Ji Yueyan and Bai Yang hadn’t done the things Su Liang suspected yet. At present, Bai Yang was found by Ren Dong and served Duanmu Chen loyally, while Ji Yueyan simply didn’t want to consummate her marriage with Duanmu Chen.

Su Liang couldn’t drive them to a dead end simply because she discovered Ji Yueyan’s feelings, and because of their elopement plan that had not yet been implemented.

But helping them, fulfilling their love as a pair of tragic lovers was also not what Su Liang was considering now. She was not a living Bodhisattva that saves people from suffering, and her current position was Duanmu Chen’s confidant. She could not disregard Duanmu Chen’s feelings and the dignity of the Qian Country’s Royal Family.

Gu Ling threw the gold hairpin in her hand, nailing it to the table next to Ji Yueyan, scaring her.

“Let’s go.” Gu Ling stood up.

Su Liang didn’t look at Ji Yueyan again, clasping Gu Ling’s outstretched hand, and they walked out together.

The door opened, and they saw Chang’an standing outside, “His Majesty is waiting for you.”

Su Liang wasn’t surprised that someone was listening outside. She nodded and let Chang’an lead the way.

Ji Yueyan saw Chang’an’s gaze sweeping past her through the open door and was instantly frightened in cold sweat! If Su Liang had just mentioned Bai Yang’s name, the consequences would be unimaginable!

After calming down a little, Ji Yueyan thought, since Su Liang must have guessed, but didn’t mention Bai Yang, did that mean she decided to help them cover up…

When Su Liang saw Duanmu Chen, he was admiring the moon in the Imperial Garden.

Chang’an brought them over and bowed his head to leave.

Duanmu Chen looked at Su Liang and Gu Ling, calling them over to sit.

Gu Ling took off her outer garment, folded it and made a cushion, and then helped Su Liang to sit down.

Duanmu Chen snorted lightly, “Are you here to provoke me?”

Addressing himself as “I” indicated that he wanted to talk to Su Liang and Gu Ling as friends.

“I’m pregnant.” Su Liang yawned as she spoke.

Duanmu Chen coughed lightly, “I forgot, you are delicate now. How is it? Did she confess?”

Chang’an had heard Su Liang’s conversation with Ji Yueyan but hadn’t told Duanmu Chen yet. Duanmu Chen asked Su Liang first.

If Su Liang lied to Duanmu Chen, he would find out by comparing her story with Chang’an’s later.

“How is Your Majesty getting along with Concubine Liang?” Su Liang asked about Situ Yao instead.

Duanmu Chen nodded, “She’s not bad.”

However, these words didn’t seem to carry much sincerity. Su Liang knew Duanmu Chen’s attitude towards women and was not surprised.

Just as Su Liang was considering how to talk to Duanmu Chen about Ji Yueyan’s situation, Gu Ling spoke up first, “Ji Yueyan and Bai Yang are lovers.”

Sharp and straightforward.

Su Liang’s brow furrowed slightly, then quickly smoothed out. She hadn’t discussed her suspicions with Gu Ling, but she wasn’t surprised that Gu Ling had discovered them as well.

There must be a reason why Gu Ling spoke so bluntly.

Duanmu Chen frowned deeply, “Bai Yang? No wonder… no wonder he sought me out to become a guard in the palace! What are they trying to do? Carry out some sneaky business under my watch?”

Anger caused him to refer to himself as “I” again.

“Not necessarily,” Gu Ling shook his head. “But they will likely find an opportunity to elope.”

Duanmu Chen’s face turned green with anger. He had met Situ Yao before their marriage and wanted to win her over. But he had no such relationship with Ji Yueyan. Tonight, he was just doing what he was supposed to: consummating the marriage with the Princess.

Duanmu Chen felt that his imperial dignity and masculinity had been seriously challenged, by Ji Yueyan and Bai Yang.

“You guys… aren’t you planning to let me fulfill their wishes?” Duanmu Chen snorted coldly.

Gu Ling shook his head, “Those two have nothing to do with us.”

Duanmu Chen’s eyes narrowed, “If I execute them, you won’t intervene?”

Gu Ling shook his head again, “Firstly, under the current situation, the Princess of Yin Country cannot have anything happen to her; secondly, this matter cannot be made public; thirdly, Your Majesty should not force a woman who loves another.”

“What do you mean?” Duanmu Chen asked coldly, “I have no interest in that woman. She is also my concubine, and she must die in the palace!”

“My suggestion is,” Gu Ling said indifferently, “why not let them be, and wait until the world is united.”

Upon hearing the four words “unite the world,” Duanmu Chen’s face changed, “Didn’t you say that they have nothing to do with you? What if it takes ten or twenty years more to realize the unification of the world?”

“It has nothing to do with whether they have anything to do with us or not. I’m just talking about what’s right. Unifying the world won’t take that long,” Gu Ling said.

Su Liang would consider her feelings for Ren Dong, but Gu Ling had no personal interests, only good intentions. A helpless princess and a guard trained to be a spy since childhood would find it hard to come together. Gu Ling just didn’t want to be an accomplice in destroying their hopes for the future.

Although he didn’t see the black mist appearing between Bai Yang and Ji Yueyan’s brows, he felt that he should do something, rather than watch them walk into a dead end just because of their love for each other.

At this moment, Duanmu Chen’s anger had subsided, because what he cared about more was Gu Ling’s words, “Unifying the world won’t take that long.”

All along, Duanmu Chen had not told Su Liang and Gu Ling about his ambitions to destroy Liang Country and Yin Country and become the sole emperor. It was not that he didn’t want to, but that ambition was something to be kept to himself. Some things were more important to achieve than to speak of.

This was also the first time Gu Ling had indicated to Duanmu Chen that he would assist him in unifying the world. Although Gu Ling didn’t express it like that, Duanmu Chen understood it that way, and he didn’t think there would be any misunderstanding.

Compared to that, Ji Yueyan and Bai Yang were insignificant. Duanmu Chen didn’t really care about the so-called dignity a woman gave to a man, or the kind of person who would feel refreshed only when Ji Yueyan died in the Qian Imperial Palace.

What’s right… Duanmu Chen thought about the three words in Gu Ling’s speech and found them very convincing. He had been reminding himself to do what was right and not let emotions influence his decisions in the heat of the moment.

At this moment, Duanmu Chen wondered, would killing Ji Yueyan and Bai Yang, or separating and torturing them, have any meaning for him? Would it bring him any benefits or pleasure? The answer was no, he wasn’t mentally deranged.

“Su Liang,” Duanmu Chen’s eyes were deep, “Do you think the same way?”

Su Liang laughed softly, “They will definitely think Your Majesty is a great person.”

Duanmu Chen wanted to roll his eyes, “I don’t need it.” But he laughed after saying that, “To tell the truth, I miss the days when I was a county official in Bei’an County. The gratitude and respect from the victims after upholding justice were more real than the admiration I get from sitting on the high Dragon Throne.”

With a long sigh, Duanmu Chen stood up, “In that case, I’ll be a good person this time. I probably won’t have anyone who truly loves me in this life, but seeing you guys in love is nice. However, Bai Yang shouldn’t think about entering the palace. Let him earn some merits first, and I’ll send him to work under Nian Jincheng in the south!”

“Your Majesty is benevolent.” Su Liang gave a thumbs up.

Duanmu Chen snorted lightly, “Hurry back, don’t tire out my godson.”

Had he not said that, Su Liang would have almost forgotten that Duanmu Chen was going to be her child’s godfather. However, it was a daughter instead of a son, a fact she had yet to reveal to him.

Gu Ling and Su Liang returned home at the latter half of the night, and both soon went to bed.

Upon seeing Ren Dong the next day, Su Liang said he wanted to chat with her.

First, he asked about her relationship with Qi Jun. Ren Dong looked helpless, “I just agreed to be with him, but we haven’t reached the point of getting married yet. He’s too impatient.”

“First get married, then fall in love wouldn’t hurt,” Su Liang smiled, “Let’s wait until his father comes back.”

Ren Dong nodded, then told Su Liang that Bai Yang’s mission wasn’t too far away and he would return in about three to five days if everything went well.

“When you went to Xiangyue City to find him, did you meet him and leave with him right away?” Su Liang asked.

Ren Dong was stunned for a moment before shaking her head, “When I saw Bai Yang, I wanted to take him away immediately, but he insisted that I wait for two days because he had some unfinished business. He didn’t want to cause trouble for his friends in the Yin Country’s Imperial Palace. Is there any problem? I believe Bai Yang will not betray Qian Country.”

“But he’s planning to betray the Emperor of Qian Country now.” Su Liang told her the events that happened last night while Ren Dong was in shock.

After listening, Ren Dong was stunned, “Why would…he do this? Did…the emperor already know about it? Will he kill him?”

Su Liang shook his head, “He might have, but Gu Ling gave the emperor a suggestion which he adopted.”

Reassured by Su Liang’s words, Ren Dong said with relief, “Thank you, Master, and Master’s husband!”

Upon learning about Gu Ling’s suggestion and Duanmu Chen’s decision, Ren Dong immediately agreed, “That’s great! If it weren’t for the Master and his wife, the emperor would never have spared him. If he wants to be with the person he loves, he must work hard for it!”

“You should talk to him when he comes back,” said Su Liang.

“I have to let him kowtow to Master and Master’s husband,” Ren Dong said.

Su Liang shook his head, “No need. He knows what to do. This matter must be kept secret, don’t tell Qi Jun yet.”

Imperial Concubine Ji Yueyan was not punished to the cold palace. To do so would require a reason, and Duanmu Chen did not want to reveal the real cause.

The night after Duanmu Chen married Ji Yueyan, he actually went to Xing Yuyan’s place, which puzzled Situ Yao. However, the message she received was that Ji Yueyan was not feeling well.

Xing Yuyan was overjoyed, but Duanmu Chen had only come to see her, and left after not sitting for long. He was injured and didn’t want Situ Yao to find out, although he felt most comfortable with her.

Gu Ling sent people to observe but did not find the grey-clothed old man again.

That day, Old Mu and Zhengzheng were eating in a restaurant, and Zhengzheng was almost done eating when he started playing with paper planes.

After throwing it once more, the paper plane spiraled and floated out the window.

“Grandpa Mu, Little Fei Fei flew away!” Zhengzheng quickly called Old Mu.

Old Mu dropped the chicken leg in his hand and ran to the window, “Grandpa will help you pick it up!” But when he was about to jump out, he looked left and right but couldn’t find the paper plane.

Old Mu picked up Zhengzheng, “My little sweetheart, look, Little Fei is gone, did someone pick it up?”

“Alright,” Zhengzheng nodded, “Then I’ll make another one!” Before Gu Ling used to make it for him, but now he knew how to fold it on his own, so it didn’t matter if he lost it.

“I’ll fold one too, let’s see who can fly it farther! Haha!” Old Mu carried Zhengzheng and turned around, and both young and old went to make new paper planes.

In an alley not far from the restaurant, on a lush big tree, the grey-clothed old man carefully observed the paper plane in his hand, then took out a sheepskin booklet from his bosom, untied the rope tied around its seal, opened it, put the paper plane in, and then took out a charcoal pen. He held the sheepskin booklet in one hand while writing on it with the other hand: “Found an object resembling the plane described by the Master. The owner of this object is closely related to Su Liang and Gu Ling.”