Chapter 371: 371. Death Warrant

Translator: 549690339

Su Liang indeed knew some sewing, but only for simple tasks such as making personal clothes for herself and Gu Ling. She rarely spent time making things that could be purchased because she was busy.

Having brought back the flower cloth yesterday, after Su Liang told Gu Ling what she thought was the most suitable use for it, Gu Ling pushed the new baby carriage in front of her that day.

The misunderstanding of the grey-clothed elder was very deep. Gu Ling could make the baby carriage because Su Liang had told him what it should look like. As for sewing, Gu Ling was much better at it than Su Liang.

“So adorable!” Su Liang looked at the beautiful little carriage and felt her heart soften. Gu Ling had perfectly created what she wanted, even sewing a rabbit plush on the canopy of the carriage.

Su Liang could imagine their precious daughter sitting inside, with the little rabbit dangling above her head.

“I think I can see what Great God would look like as a child if he were to sit in such a small carriage.” Su Liang chuckled lightly. She firmly believed that her daughter would resemble Gu Ling.

Gu Ling nodded, “Killing two birds with one stone.” He had never been embarrassed by such things.

Everyone brought a new unique toy home, but nobody trespassed into the Wan mansion to steal, and no one came to Gu Ling and Su Liang. It made them doubt whether the old man who threw the grenade at Gu Ling earlier had already left the capital city of Qian Country.

If his mission was only to investigate and confirm who was the transmigrator between Gu Ling and Su Liang without doing anything else, then this conclusion would also make sense.

Now, Gu Ling was proficient in making explosives. For safety, he placed some finished products in the unoccupied Marquis Chang Xin Mansion for backup. It was a palace granted to him, originally in ruins. He later took all the trees in the garden of Yao City’s King Yue Mansion from Situ Xie and planted them there. At first, people managed it, but later, they left it alone, locked the door, and let the trees and plants grow wildly.

So now, the Marquis Chang Xin Mansion wasn’t a ruin, but a large garden with a wild, natural charm.

Making firearms was not easy. Only Gu Ling and old Mu formed a team. They even personally dealt with tasks like casting iron. However, both weren’t doing this kind of work for the first time.

Su Liang served as a long-distance adviser, as Gu Ling needed to ensure she stayed away from anything with safety risks.

About bullets, Su Liang said that iron balls or nails could also be used. Old Mu believed they were similar to short arrows, so why make it so complicated?

Gu Ling thought it was worth a try; the most crucial factor of such weapons was speed. The speed of bows and arrows depended on the user’s strength, which was very limited.

Mid-Autumn Festival fell on the 15th of August, and the baby in Su Liang’s belly was already five months old.

The mooncakes were made by everyone. After they were made, Su Liang sent festival gifts to the Qin, Lin, Lian, and Xing families.

It was also the harvest season for the Lian Family’s Jiaye City Orange Garden. Lian Shun sent people to pick a large number of oranges and transported them to the capital city with haste.

After Nangong Qian’s health improved, she became interested in cooking, especially making pastries, and was quite good at it.

Cen Man tasted the freshly baked mooncakes, praised them delicious, and asked if they should send some to Qiao Cong in Xuanbei City.

Su Liang said that they had sent fresh fruit pastries and new clothes for the grandfather and grandson of the Qiao family as festival gifts a few days ago.

Cen Man smiled, “You are very thoughtful. He and his grandson should have a good time during the New Year, and they shouldn’t feel lonely.”

Xuanbei City.

Qiao Cong and Qiao Jing received a whole cart of items sent by Su Liang the day before the Mid-Autumn Festival.

Qiao Cong was deeply touched, but also a bit depressed. As he could imagine how lively Su Mansion in the capital city would be during the festival, while he could only stay in the already wintry Xuanbei City with Qiao Jing.

Wearing the cloak sent by Su Liang, Qiao Cong asked Qiao Jing how it looked.

Qiao Jing nodded, “It suits my grandfather.”

Qiao Cong held the cloak in his arms and sighed after sitting down, “We’ve waited for a long time, and no one has come to assassinate you. Should I go home?”

Not this again… Qiao Jing nodded calmly, “If my grandfather wishes to return, please do so.”

In fact, since the third day in Xuanbei City, Qiao Cong had been saying this every day. Qiao Jing completely understood his feelings, but every time he said Qiao Cong could leave if he wanted to.

However, every time the outcome was the same. This time was no exception… Qiao Cong squinted at Qiao Jing, “Who did I come here for? Do you really not need me?”

Qiao Jing pinched the bridge of his nose, “I do. Please stay, grandfather.” If he said Qiao Cong could leave again, he would be scolded.

There was no way; Qiao Cong was such a peculiar person. He wanted to leave, but didn’t intend to leave. Qiao Jing knew that Qiao Cong was doing all this for him.

As for why Liang Country hadn’t reacted to his betrayal yet, Qiao Jing figured it might just not be the right time. He didn’t believe that Situ Xie or Situ Han really cared about blood and family ties.

Yao City of Liang Country.

The Royal Mid-Autumn Festival banquet had just ended, and Emperor Situ Han called Situ Xie to the Imperial Study for a talk.

Since last year, when his facial paralysis symptoms were cured by Su Liang, Emperor Situ Han had been very attentive about maintaining his health and avoiding being frozen or angered.

However, upon seeing Situ Xie and uttering the words “Situ Jing,” his face still involuntarily twitched for a moment, but thankfully it recovered quickly.

“The betrayal of Situ Jing won’t go away just because we don’t mention it!” Emperor Situ Han said coldly.

The message was not received today, but Situ Jing had returned to Yao City with the wedding procession yesterday. Before that, the royal family had not made any statement about how to deal with the second prince’s betrayal, no matter how many rumors flew around.

Situ Xie’s face was calm, “How does Your Majesty plan to deal with him?”

Situ Han sneered, “If it weren’t for my uncle intentionally hiding it from me and sending him to Qian Country, today’s situation wouldn’t have happened! My own acknowledged son announced that he would sever ties with me, not only betraying Liang Country and pledging allegiance to Qian Country, but even becoming the chief general of Xuanbei City and planning to attack Liang Country in the future! Despicable! Utterly despicable!”

At this point, any argument about “driving him mad” by Situ Xie would be pointless. No matter what intentions or plans he had for Situ Jing initially, they have all been declared a complete failure by now. And the so-called spy and most treasured grandson he carefully cultivated didn’t bring him or Liang Country any benefits, except ruining his long-planned scheme!

Situ Han’s reproach to Situ Xie was not completely unreasonable.

“At this point…” A cold light flashed through Situ Xie’s eyes, “It’s impossible to make him change his mind now, so just kill him.”

Situ Han’s eyes widened in disbelief, looking at Situ Xie, “What did you say? You want to kill my son? You used to claim he was your most cultivated grandson, the hope for Liang Country’s breakthrough!”

“Your Majesty, please calm down. Getting angry is bad for your health.” Situ Xie had obviously thought this through, “Looking back on the events of the past two or three years, I realize that the real variable isn’t Situ Jing but Su Liang and Gu Ling, or rather, it’s just Su Liang.”

Situ Han frowned, “What does my uncle mean?”

“If it weren’t for Su Liang, Gu Ling would probably still be living in seclusion somewhere, minding his own business. If it weren’t for Su Liang, Duanmu Chen wouldn’t have had the opportunity to ascend the Dragon Throne so quickly. If it weren’t for Su Liang, Situ Jing would have chosen Liang Country in the end despite any previous conflicts and struggles. That woman has ruined too many of our plans. If this continues, she’ll ruin everything!” Situ Xie’s eyes turned fierce at the end.

Situ Han’s brow remained furrowed, “Doesn’t my uncle feel embarrassed to blame all his failures on a woman? Don’t forget, her greatest skill lies in medicine.”

“No,” Situ Xie shook his head slowly, “What she’s best at is controlling people’s hearts.”

“What’s the point of my uncle saying all this? If Su Liang is killed, will Gu Ling go into hiding, will Duanmu Chen lose the Dragon Throne, and will Situ Jing be loyal to Liang Country?” Situ Han looked impatient, “At the moment, it’s crucial to mitigate the impact of Situ Jing’s betrayal on Liang Country. If we can’t handle it properly, the morale of the army and the people will be shaken! The Situ Family will become a laughingstock!”

“First kill Situ Jing, then find a way to get rid of Su Liang. When that happens, Gu Ling won’t go into hiding, but he will definitely crumble. Without the couple acting as strategists, Duanmu Chen is nothing to be feared!” Situ Xie said coldly.

“One is your…” Situ Han almost said that Situ Jing was his own grandson, paused for a moment, and continued, “Gu Ling is Aning’s only son, and Su Liang in her womb is carrying Aning’s grandson. Is my uncle sure he wants to do this?”

“If not, they will sooner or later destroy the entire Situ Family.” Situ Xie stood up and sighed, “My biggest mistake was being too lenient with Situ Jing and Gu Ling, not doing this earlier. But from today on, that won’t be the case. What does Your Majesty think?”

Situ Han thought for a while, rubbing his forehead, “If Situ Jing dies, everyone in the world will think it was my doing. As the saying goes, ‘even a tiger wouldn’t eat its own child.’ Even if we really need to eliminate him, there’s no need to kill him directly. Find a way to bring him back alive from Xuanbei City and deal with him then. As for Gu Ling and Su Liang, my uncle can decide on his own.”

Hearing this, Situ Xie looked deeply at Situ Han, thanked him, and left.

Upon returning to the Prince Yue Mansion, Situ Jing was waiting for Situ Xie in the study. When he saw him, he asked, “Grandfather, what did His Majesty say?”

“He wants Situ Jing to be brought back alive, and he doesn’t care how Su Liang and Gu Ling are dealt with.” Situ Xie said coldly.

Situ Jing clenched his fists upon hearing this, “Grandfather, do you see? Among so many people in the Situ Family, His Majesty only cares about his own biological son. When I was captured, where did he care whether I lived or died? Now that Situ Jing has committed such treasonous acts, he still can’t stand to see his son die! If grandfather isn’t around, will any of us brothers, father and uncle, have a chance to live? Even if grandfather exerts more effort, he’s not the one who makes the decisions. His Majesty doesn’t have opinions on many major issues. He relies on grandfather yet fears him at the same time, and any merit will make him more suspicious. He’ll make a big fuss over any minor mistake to assert his imperial authority!”

Hearing this, Situ Xie’s expression grew even gloomier.

Situ Jing saw his chance, and he poured out all the words that had long been brewing in his heart, “Grandfather has always valued relationships, but after what has happened in the past two years, he should see that some people are nothing but ungrateful wretches! Situ Jing is one, and Gu Ling even more so! Even His Majesty also… If Grandfather doesn’t start planning for our own family, the future of King Yue’s Mansion is concerning!”

Situ Xie remained silent. He admitted his mistake in front of Situ Han, saying that he was too soft-hearted, and Situ Jing also said that it was because of his strong sense of loyalty that led to the current situation.

But Situ Xie knew that was not the case. The answer lay in what he said about Su Liang.

Situ Xie corrected Situ Han, saying that Su Liang was best at controlling people’s hearts, not medical skills. When he said that, his heart was filled with waves of unwillingness.

Because this used to be what Situ Xie himself believed he was most skilled at. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have supported Situ Han as the emperor, he wouldn’t have helped Gu Ling regain his identity, showing complete obedience to him, nor would he have sent Situ Jing to be a spy, still thinking of him as an important chess piece even after he had ruined everything…

All of these things now made Situ Xie regretful, and the reason they happened in the first place was that he overestimated his ability to control people’s hearts and underestimated just how troublesome Su Liang and Gu Ling could be, and how fatal the blows they could deliver to him…

Absolutely, this could not go on any longer… Situ Xie told himself.

“Is Grandfather all right?” Situ Jing asked with concern.

Situ Xie regained his senses and shook his head, “I’m fine. You’re right, if I had taken that step earlier, perhaps everything would have been different. Now, I can’t wait any longer.”

Situ Jing’s face lit up with joy, “Grandfather is wise!”

Three days after Mid-Autumn Festival, bad news came from the imperial palace of Liang Country: Emperor Situ Han stumbled and fell during a midnight walk, hitting his head, and just like that, he was gone!

They found a decree regarding passing on the throne sealed by Situ Han in the imperial study that was apparently drafted when he suffered a stroke and facial paralysis last year. It stated that if Situ Han passed away, for the sake of Liang Country’s stability and future, the throne would be handed over to his imperial uncle, King Yue Situ Xie.

Situ Xie’s people quickly took control of the Imperial Palace and Situ Han’s sons, while he hid his “grief” and took charge of the situation, becoming the new emperor of Liang Country. He was also the oldest emperor in the history of Liang Country when he ascended the throne.

The former Empress Dowager Min committed suicide by hanging herself three days after Situ Han’s death, following her son to the grave.

The former crown prince accused Situ Xie of murdering Situ Han and seizing power, claiming that the decree was forged. Unfortunately, he had little ability and was soon placed under house arrest by Situ Xie in the name of “protection.”

Situ Xie did not hold a grand coronation ceremony, keeping everything simple. The first edict he announced after becoming emperor was an order to kill the traitorous Situ Jing: anyone who brought Situ Jing’s head would be rewarded with a hundred thousand gold coins!

Situ Xie claimed that it had been Situ Han’s intention before his death, and it was precisely because of Situ Jing’s treacherous betrayal that he had broken his heart, causing him to become exhausted and delirious, leading to the accident.

Since there was a reward offered, all the warriors in the world could accept this task, and the bounty was an amount that made many hearts race. It was clear how determined the royal family of Liang Country was to see Situ Jing dead.

“Imperial Grandfather, with this, won’t my younger sister’s situation in Qian Country’s Imperial Harem become even more difficult?” Situ Jing asked worriedly.

Situ Xie shook his head, “No matter how much we worry or hesitate, it will only provide opportunities for our enemies. What’s done is done. I will not order Yao’er to do anything more for Liang Country. As for the rest, she will have to take care of herself!”