Chapter 373: 373. The Emperor’s Heart Medicine

Translator: 549690339

The melodious sound of the zither entered Duanmu Chen’s ears, as he slowed down his steps and listened carefully. He found the tune to be full of charm, an excellent piece that he had never heard before.

“So Su Liang knows how to play the zither! And he plays it so well.” Duanmu Chen exclaimed with a smile.

However, when he walked through the sheltering green trees, and the open Bi Lake appeared in his sight, he also saw the real player. It was not Su Liang, but Gu Ling.

As expected… He guessed wrong, yet it still gave Duanmu Chen a feeling that this was also right. He once thought that Su Liang was an all-rounder, but later found that Gu Ling was even more so.

This was a prenatal education session, with Gu Ling concurrently learning the famous tunes from Su Liang’s past life that he had not yet forgotten. Gu Ling’s zither skills were already outstanding, having learned from his mother, Situ Ning, since he was young.

“You two have such refined taste.” Duanmu Chen waved his hand, indicating that Chang’an need not follow him anymore, and walked alone towards the lakeside pavilion.

Upon hearing his voice, Su Liang looked over without standing up to greet him. Duanmu Chen’s outfit today resembled the one he wore when he was the County Magistrate in Bei’an County.

As the music ended, Gu Ling left the zither case and sat back down next to Su Liang, peeling an orange for her. His slender fingers peeled the golden skin off of the orange seamlessly, removing the white fibrous strands from the segments and arranging them neatly on a white porcelain plate in front of Su Liang in the shape of a flower.

When the orange flower was completed, Duanmu Chen had just entered the pavilion. Seeing the situation, the corners of his mouth twitched, “Gu Ling, if you’re so idle, I can find something more important for you to do?”

Gu Ling ignored him, taking out a small knife and starting to carve the orange peel…

Duanmu Chen cleared his throat to hide his embarrassment, “The oranges from the Lin family are indeed excellent.”

“Your Majesty, how come you have the time to pay us a visit?” Su Liang said with a light laugh.

Duanmu Chen took a seat without waiting to be invited, picked up an orange from the fruit plate, and began to peel it himself, “I came to visit my godson.” Pausing, he asked, “It’s a boy, isn’t it?” as he remembered that Su Liang was five to six months pregnant and should have determined the baby’s gender by now.

Su Liang shook her head, “No.”

Duanmu Chen then laughed, “A girl? That’s even better.”

Hearing this, Su Liang suspected that Duanmu Chen must also be planning for future marriage alliances. It was best not to say such things, otherwise Gu Ling might want to punch him…

“I should prepare some beautiful gifts for my goddaughter.” Duanmu Chen knew the temperament of this couple, so he naturally did not reveal his real thoughts.

Su Liang nodded, “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

“Actually, there is another reason for me coming here today.” Duanmu Chen’s expression turned serious.

Just as Su Liang was thinking that it was time to talk about business, Duanmu Chen came out with one sentence, “I want to eat Sauce Meat Buns, either of you can make it.”

“None.” Gu Ling shook his head.

Duanmu Chen: …Why is he not at all surprised?

“Well… since I’ve come out of the palace today, it’s not excessive for you, as my hosts, to leave me some dinner, right?” Duanmu Chen’s smile deepened.

“Five hundred…” Gu Ling began, hesitating for a moment, before continuing, “Million taels.”

Duanmu Chen looked at him with an exasperated expression but didn’t say anything to Gu Ling. Instead, he said, “Baby, look at your father, he’s so stingy.”

Su Liang couldn’t help but laugh, while Gu Ling slightly furrowed his brows. He placed the carved orange peel basket in front of Su Liang and then told Duanmu Chen, “We are having Plain Steamed Buns today.”

Duanmu Chen’s expression became cheerful, and he laughed. It seemed like he had discovered Gu Ling’s weak spot, which was interesting. Whether it was Meat Buns or Plain Steamed Buns, they were all steamed buns, and he was already looking forward to enjoying them, all thanks to his goddaughter.

When Duanmu Chen said he wanted to have a private chat with Su Liang, Gu Ling had no objection and stood up with the teapot to fetch water.

“Your Majesty, is something bothering you?” Su Liang popped an orange segment into her mouth, the sweet juice swirling in her cheeks.

Duanmu Chen let out a soft sigh, “You could say that. Yesterday, I informed Consort Liang about the changes in Liang Country’s throne and the bounty order.”

Su Liang raised her eyebrows. Even if Duanmu Chen did not tell Situ Yao about this matter, she would eventually find out. But since Duanmu Chen took the initiative to tell her, was it to test her reaction or that he didn’t want to deceive her?

These two situations were different in nature. However, perhaps both were true to some extent.

Su Liang asked Duanmu Chen about Situ Yao’s reaction upon hearing the news. The focus was not on Situ Xie becoming Emperor because that was a “good thing” and there were no problems. The issue was that Duanmu Chen issued a bounty order for Situ Jing’s head, which was a problem for Situ Yao.

“She…” Duanmu Chen began, furrowing his brow.

Su Liang had already guessed what had happened.

After listening to what Duanmu Chen had said, Su Liang was not surprised by Situ Yao’s reaction. What truly surprised her was that Duanmu Chen seemed to have developed feelings for Situ Yao. Otherwise, given his previously stated requirements for women, he wouldn’t have cared about these matters, let alone been troubled by them. Because Situ Yao’s desire to protect Situ Jing and her restlessness were definitely not the same thing. In the Imperial Harem, all she could do was think about it; she couldn’t do anything else.

“What does Your Majesty hope for her to do?” Su Liang asked.

Duanmu Chen sighed, “I hope she can think more about herself and stop constantly worrying about those people from Liang Country.”

Su Liang’s expression was indifferent, “Those are her relatives. As for Your Majesty’s comment that Consort Liang is not as smart as Consort Yan, it is not entirely true. While both can be said to be foreign princesses, before Consort Liang was married, she was not a princess but a princess of a Commandery, not raised in the Imperial Palace, and the only granddaughter of Situ Xie, beloved by her whole family. On the other hand, Consort Yan’s situation is different. Their attitudes towards their families depend on their past experiences, and their experiences differ greatly.”

Although they were both born in the royal family, one was a princess without rivals who was loved by everyone, while the other was a princess with many sisters, raised in the scheming Royal Family.

Ji Yueyan had no feelings for the Yin Royal Family and wanted to leave, which was definitely not only because of Bai Yang. Even her liking for “ordinary guard” Bai Yang was a manifestation of her desire to escape from the Royal Family deep in her bones.

After listening to Su Liang’s words, Duanmu Chen fell into deep thought. After a while, he spoke again, “Do you feel that I have been too harsh on Consort Liang?”

Su Liang coughed lightly, “That’s not what I meant. I just wanted to express my thoughts on Your Majesty’s comparison of the two consorts.”

As soon as Su Liang’s words fell, Duanmu Chen spoke again, “I have indeed been harsh on her. There’s no choice, it’s also your fault. You’re too smart, making me feel that other women are stupid when I look at them.”

Su Liang: …

Duanmu Chen’s eyes relaxed, “Shall I talk to Consort Liang again when I return to the palace? I should give her a chance, an opportunity to have an open and honest conversation.”

Su Liang realized that Duanmu Chen had truly fallen for Situ Yao, otherwise, he wouldn’t have come to talk to her today. Su Liang merely stated an objective view, which Duanmu Chen seemed to be waiting for, and promptly resolved his dilemma.

Gu Ling came back with the teapot and a plate of delicate desserts.

“Did you make it?” Duanmu Chen picked up a piece and tasted it before nodding, “Not bad.”

It was not made by Gu Ling, but by Nangong Qian, who had just made it and asked Qiuyue to bring it over.

After Gu Ling sat down, Su Liang talked about what happened just now, asking for his opinion.

Duanmu Chen didn’t feel awkward, “She’s your cousin. What kind of person do you think she is?”

Gu Ling shook his head, “I don’t know.”

Duanmu Chen held his forehead. But it was fine since Gu Ling never made unfounded comments about uncertain matters; this at least indicated that Situ Yao hadn’t done anything bad.

“Do you want to see her true heart?” Gu Ling suddenly took the initiative to ask Duanmu Chen.

Duanmu Chen nodded, “Kind of.”

“There is a way.” Gu Ling said.

Duanmu Chen was curious. Was Gu Ling going to help him? It was quite rare.

“Su Xiaoliang has created a strange poison.” Gu Ling’s expression was indifferent.

Su Liang: …She has made many kinds of poisons, but she doesn’t remember which one would allow people to see the truth of someone’s heart? She had the intuition that Gu Ling was making up a story.

“Once ingested, that poison makes a person only able to tell the truth. If they lie, the poison will take effect within three breaths, causing the whole body to tremble. After poisoning twice, the person will die. The drug effect lasts half an hour,” Gu Ling said.

Duanmu Chen stared at Su Liang, “Is it true? Is there such a miraculous medicine?”

Su Liang maintained a smile, “There is a special reaction inside the body when people lie, even though it might not be visible from the outside.”

“You guys have tried it? Are you sure it works?” Duanmu Chen asked. Obviously, he was interested in it.

Gu Ling shook his head, “It doesn’t work. We never lie to each other.”

Duanmu Chen snorted, “There is no need to say that. What is the name of the medicine? Give me one.”

Gu Ling reached into his pocket, and Duanmu Chen waited. However, he saw Gu Ling coming back empty-handed, making a gesture of placing something in front of him.

Duanmu Chen wondered if his eyes were playing tricks on him because he couldn’t see anything!

“Where’s the medicine? Are you making fun of me?” Duanmu Chen frowned.

Gu Ling’s expression was calm, “This medicine is called Emperor’s Heart Medicine.”

Duanmu Chen’s expression was strange, “Where is it?”

When Su Liang heard this name, she knew what Gu Ling was doing. Last night, Gu Ling told their baby a story, and it was about “The Emperor’s New Clothes,” which Su Liang had mentioned before.

The Emperor’s Heart Medicine… It couldn’t be seen or touched, but it strangely fit the current situation.

Su Liang thought her Great God was so talented!

Duanmu Chen also realized that the medicine Gu Ling was talking about didn’t exist at all. He was somewhat annoyed, “Are you making fun of me?”

Gu Ling shook his head, “When the emperor goes back to the palace, give Tang Empress Consort this medicine and tell her that she must tell the truth, otherwise, she will die. She will tell it.”

Su Liang’s smile deepened. The so-called “Heart Medicine” was just that, and it even had the prestige of the emperor. It was so clever.

Duanmu Chen was stunned, then his eyes narrowed, “Heart Medicine… Very good.”

This “medicine” came from Su Liang, so it was nine points credible. If innocent, there’s nothing to fear about telling the truth. In a situation where lying would cause death, and telling the truth could save a person’s life, there would be no room for lies to exist.

So, Duanmu Chen reached out and pretended to pick up the “medicine bottle” that Gu Ling had just placed in front of him and stuffed it into his pocket.

Su Liang: …There was no need for that. As for acting with no actual object, her Great God was definitely more natural and beautiful.

Gu Ling went to cook, and Duanmu Chen didn’t express his intention to return to the palace early to interrogate Situ Yao. He changed the topic and asked Su Liang about the name of the song he heard when he arrived. He wondered if it was Gu Ling’s creation.

Su Liang casually made up a name. She remembered only a part of the melody and didn’t know the actual name.

“I didn’t expect him to be so good at playing the piano. What else can’t he do?” Duanmu Chen asked.

Su Liang thought about it seriously, gently touching her protruding belly, and smiled faintly, “He can’t give birth to a child.”

Duanmu Chen: …It made sense, but it was really speechless.

However, Duanmu Chen was really relaxed in front of Su Liang and Gu Ling. Especially as time went on, when he discovered that the strength of this couple would always give him more surprises, he trusted them more that they were genuinely not interested in power. Otherwise, they would have had a chance to seize the imperial throne long ago. It would be easy to get rid of him, and there would be no need to support him.

This sense of relaxation differed from what he felt in front of Situ Yao. He felt happy being with Situ Yao, compared to other women in the harem. However, it also owed to her beauty and desire; it was an intimate relationship. But so far, he still couldn’t build trust with Situ Yao, which made the so-called “relaxation and happiness” groundless and ephemeral.

Duanmu Chen admitted that he had a crush on Situ Yao at the moment. But as for how deep the feelings were, he would never admit it. He came to talk to Su Liang because he had such friends with whom he could openly express some of his inner feelings, so he came. And his acceptance of the “Heart Medicine” given by Gu Ling was a manifestation of his tiredness of suspicion.

Duanmu Chen turned from prince to crown prince, and from crown prince to emperor, without becoming more callous and suspicious like other emperors. Maybe even he didn’t realize that he had actually become much simpler than before, especially in his personal life.

Talking to Su Liang was often speechless but joyful. Duanmu Chen simply asked Su Liang how he should treat Xing Yuyan.

“If the emperor needs her to take the throne of empress, and doesn’t want her to make trouble, it’s actually simple – occasionally appease her when in a good mood,” Su Liang smiled, “But in the future, let her be less involved in the upbringing of your children.”

Duanmu Chen touched his forehead, “It makes sense.”

“I thought you would hate Ji Yueyan.” Duanmu Chen mentioned the Yan Imperial Concubine, “She and Bai Yang originally had calculations and tried to use you, didn’t they?”

Su Liang nodded, “Yes. But sometimes when judging people, we should consider their deeds, not their intentions, for no one is perfect. No matter their plans, they haven’t reached that step yet, and the so-called calculation and use cannot be considered as damage to me. Ren Dong’s face is worth giving that pair of miserable lovers another chance. After all, Ren Dong has only one brother, and has worried about him for so many years, it’s not beneficial to me to let her see him going down a dead end.”

Duanmu Chen suddenly realized that Su Liang, in some ways, was like him. They would both weigh the pros and cons before thinking about how to do things. However, the difference was that Su Liang’s approach had a more humane touch, and Duanmu Chen had long discovered that Gu Ling, who appeared to be cold, was actually very humane in his actions.

“I know why you guys have more and more friends now.” Duanmu Chen sighed, “Including myself.”

“Why?” Su Liang smiled and asked.

Duanmu Chen heard footsteps and looked at Gu Ling coming over with a tray. On the tray were hot and plump steamed buns.

Duanmu Chen said solemnly, “Because your buns taste the best.”