Chapter 374: 374. The medicine is extremely effective

Translator: 549690339

Upon returning to the palace, Duanmu Chen went to find Situ Yao.

Situ Yao’s eyes were red as she sat by the window. Seeing Duanmu Chen, she seemed unable to believe it and quickly stood up to greet him. After bowing, she explained the events of the previous night, saying that she was just worried that her brother would be in danger and that she had no intention of controlling Duanmu Chen’s decision.

“It was my grandfather who first issued the reward order, so it’s normal for His Majesty to act in this way. I spoke impulsively and recklessly last night; please forgive me, Your Majesty.” Situ Yao said as tears rolled down her cheeks.

Duanmu Chen sighed, taking her hand, “I have always wished for a confidant. I hope that person is you.”

Situ Yao leaned into Duanmu Chen’s embrace.

Duanmu Chen gently patted her back, “I just left the palace to visit the Su Mansion and brought you something nice.”

Situ Yao burst into a smile, “Is it something delicious?”

Duanmu Chen nodded, letting go of Situ Yao, took a steamed bun from the food box that Chang’an had quietly placed on the table. It was still warm.

The steamed bun wasn’t big, and the outer skin was delicate, with neatly pleated folds.

“Did my sister-in-law make this?” Situ Yao asked.

Duanmu Chen shook his head, “It was made by your cousin himself, and you have never tasted it before. Give it a try.”

Situ Yao then took it with a handkerchief as a mat, had two small bites, and nodded, “It’s delicious. I didn’t expect my cousin to have such excellent cooking skills.”

“Gu Ling is a demon. There’s nothing he can’t do.” Duanmu Chen sighed and then laughed, “There is one thing he can’t do, have children.”

Situ Yao laughed as well.

Once Situ Yao finished the small steamed bun, rinsed her mouth and brewed tea, the two seemed to have returned to their previous harmony.

After Duanmu Chen took a sip of tea, he put down the teacup and suddenly asked, “Yaoyao, can I trust you?”

Situ Yao looked startled but then nodded affirmatively. She spoke gently, but her eyes were resolute, “I belong to Your Majesty. I may not forget the relatives who raised me in this lifetime, but I will never betray Your Majesty.”

“Good.” Duanmu Chen nodded with a smile, “Today, I went to Su Mansion and happened to hear Su Liang and Gu Ling talk about a new, interesting medicine she had made.”

With that, Duanmu Chen pushed a teacup towards Situ Yao, “Drink this.”

Situ Yao looked uneasy, “Does this contain the medicine you mentioned…?”

“Yes. Don’t be afraid.” Duanmu Chen’s smile was gentle, “I said it’s interesting because it has no harm to the body. Otherwise, I wouldn’t use it on you.”

“Your Majesty, I am puzzled. What kind of interesting?” Situ Yao did not touch the cup.

“Well, I’ll tell you first so that you won’t be afraid.” Duanmu Chen said, “This medicine is called the Heart Pill. If the person taking it lies, their body will tremble. The effect lasts for half an hour, after which it dissipates.”

Situ Yao looked somewhat hurt, “Is it because of last night that Your Majesty doesn’t trust me…?”

“It’s related to last night’s events, but not entirely. I have been thinking about you and worrying about you all the time lately, even my Mother has noticed. This is the first time in my life that I have been so attached to a woman.” Duanmu Chen took Situ Yao’s hand, “As the emperor, I just want a confidant that I can talk to about everything. Do you understand my feelings?”

Situ Yao frowned and nodded, “I understand. But are you sure that the medicine is as magical as you say?”

Duanmu Chen nodded with certainty, “I saw it myself in the Su Mansion as Chang’an tried the medicine. It won’t cause any problems. I told you beforehand because I wanted you not to panic and calmly answer my questions.”

With that, Duanmu Chen picked up the teacup again and handed it to Situ Yao, “Drink this.”

Situ Yao lowered her eyes, took the cup, and asked, “Is Your Majesty sure that this medicine will not harm the fetus?”

Duanmu Chen nodded, “Of course, I specifically asked Su Liang.”

Situ Yao bowed her head and sighed softly before starting to drink the warm water in the cup. She had only confirmed her pregnancy a few days ago and hadn’t drunk tea since then. This cup of water was personally poured for her by Duanmu Chen.

Situ Yao didn’t taste anything unusual in the water. But she knew that some high-level medicines, when dissolved in water, became colorless and tasteless. She also believed that Su Liang could make such a substance with her medical skills. She just didn’t know what Duanmu Chen was going to ask her…

The teacup returned to the table, and in the quiet space, the brief collision between the bottom of the cup and the table surface produced an exceptionally crisp sound.

“Your Majesty, ask whatever you want to ask,” Situ Yao spoke.

“Look up, look into Our eyes.” Duanmu Chen’s tone was undoubtedly gentler, but it carried an undeniable deterrence.

Situ Yao raised her head, looking at Duanmu Chen, her eyes glistening with teary light.

Duanmu Chen was not softhearted. The more he found himself somewhat caring about Situ Yao, the more he needed to confirm whether this woman was trustworthy.

As for changing the name that Gu Ling had given to this “medicine,” it was necessary. The original name was too strange.

The so-called effects of the medicine were also changed by Duanmu Chen. Because he thought, if Situ Yao knew that she was pregnant, telling her that she would die if she lied, she might guess that it was Duanmu Chen who was trying to scare her, not serious.

“Do you like…” Duanmu Chen hesitated for a moment, “Gu Ling?”

Situ Yao was taken aback.

Anyone would think that Duanmu Chen would ask Situ Yao if she genuinely liked him, but he asked her if she liked Gu Ling instead.

After being surprised, Situ Yao calmly shook her head. “I don’t like him.”

“We are not asking about the liking between men and women. We want to know your opinion on Gu Ling—as a person and your relationship as cousins.” Duanmu Chen said.

He had never doubted that Situ Yao liked Gu Ling, and the issue he was asking about at the moment was not that.

Situ Yao furrowed her brows, pondered for a moment, sighed first, then shook her head again. “I don’t like him.”

“Why?” Duanmu Chen asked.

Situ Yao sighed again. “Cousin Gu Ling has never taken the people of the Situ family seriously, let alone treated me as a sister.”

Duanmu Chen nodded. It was true. But before, Situ Yao’s attitude towards Gu Ling was different. However, that was normal. The fact was they were irrelevant to each other. Being courteous was nothing more.

Then, Duanmu Chen asked again, “You have said more than once that you admire Su Liang, and you like her very much. Is that true?”

As soon as the words fell, Situ Yao’s fingers clenched her sleeve. This was something Duanmu Chen had noticed a long time ago, an unconscious action for her when she was nervous.

“I…}” Situ Yao lowered her head again, forgetting her manners. “I don’t like Sister-in-law Su either…”

“Why?” Duanmu Chen’s eyes darkened slightly.

“She… she…” Situ Yao clearly did not want to say the following words, “She always has a condescending attitude, as if everyone should revolve around her, she is always right, and anyone who disagrees with her must be wrong.”

After Situ Yao said this, she seemed to regret it a bit and wanted to explain but stopped short.

It was probably the “unable to lie” that made her unable to come up with any more polite, insincere words to cover up her true thoughts.

Duanmu Chen’s eyes, once warm, were now devoid of any warmth, even the fake ones. He asked Situ Yao, “Has Su Liang ever offended you?”

Situ Yao did not answer directly, “Her master caught me once and threatened my grandfather.”

“That was because Situ Jing had captured her first.”

“That was Situ Jing’s doing, it has nothing to do with me.”

“Capturing you was her master’s idea, she didn’t know it at the time.”

“If it weren’t for Su Liang, many things wouldn’t be like this now!”

After blurting it out, Situ Yao looked panicked and quickly lowered her head to hide her face. Under the influence of the “medicine,” she kept reminding herself that she had to tell the truth and not lie. In psychological warfare, Situ Yao couldn’t compare with Duanmu Chen.

Duanmu Chen’s expression was indifferent. “What are you dissatisfied with now? Do you wish no one would stand in the way of your grandfather’s path to unify the world?”

“I…” Situ Yao wanted to refute but didn’t dare. Her face showed a strange redness, as if the calm ice in her heart was colliding violently with long-hidden anger.

Not daring to answer is an answer in itself.

“He is my grandfather,” Situ Yao said softly, with a hint of tears in her voice.

“Your grandfather killed his son Situ Han. How do you feel about this?” Duanmu Chen asked.

Situ Yao was silent for a moment, “The imperial throne has always changed hands like this. That position was originally given to him by my grandfather.”

“Is it right for a father and son to fight for the throne?” Duanmu Chen asked.

“The Emperor didn’t kill his father too…” Situ Yao blurted, then realized what she had said, and her face turned pale.

Duanmu Chen laughed, “Yes, I snatched the throne from my father. However, at least my father is alive. It has always been said that a tiger won’t eat its offspring. Your grandfather is just showing his true colors. Have you never thought of abandoning the Situ Family and fully supporting me instead?”

This time, Situ Yao took even longer to respond, but she eventually answered Duanmu Chen’s question, “If the Situ Family of Liang Country is not good, neither are my days.”

“Heh…” Duanmu Chen let out an almost inaudible sigh, “You are pregnant with my child, yet you don’t understand me at all.”

With that, Duanmu Chen stood up and said, “Let’s end it here.” He then walked out.

Situ Yao sat there, dazed. It was as if she was in a dream, her mind blank. She didn’t know what had happened, what she had just said, or what the medicine was like…

Situ Yao looked at the teacup on the table and said hesitantly, “I really like Su Liang.”

It was a lie, but her body showed no signs of discomfort. She looked at her arm, which was hanging still, without shaking.

The so-called interesting medicine… Situ Yao’s face went pale in an instant!

Duanmu Chen went to the Imperial Garden again, walking slowly by the lake with Chang’an.

He had never asked Situ Yao about her feelings for him, but there was no need to ask now.

On the way back from the Su Mansion to the palace, Duanmu Chen had been thinking about what he should ask and what he wanted to know.

When he entered the palace, he thought of the answer. He didn’t really want to hear Situ Yao say she loved him because of their positions and the fact that they had only been married for a month. Deep feelings couldn’t have developed in that time.

What he wanted to know was what kind of person this woman, who had caught his attention, truly was, and whether she was worth his affection.

Asking Situ Yao about her opinion on Gu Ling and Su Liang was Duanmu Chen’s way of judging her character and sense of right and wrong.

From Duanmu Chen’s perspective and the facts, Gu Ling and Su Liang had not done anything to harm Situ Yao. When Situ Yao was captured by Old Bai and Old Mu, it was just a countermeasure. At that time, Su Liang was captured by Qiao Cong, and Situ Jing was still a good grandson of Situ Xie, who applauded when he learned of Su Liang’s capture.

Even if Situ Yao didn’t know the details beforehand, she should have understood the reasons afterward. But because of this, she held a grudge against Su Liang, which made no sense.

From Situ Yao’s tone, it wasn’t difficult to hear her jealousy of Su Liang, as if Su Liang’s excellence was a mistake. She said Su Liang was always right, as if she was above everyone else. But the truth is that Su Liang was right. It’s those who do wrong who try to twist the truth.

As for her grandfather, Situ Yao had endless tolerance and understanding for him. No matter how many evil deeds he had done, she dismissed them with just a sentence: “It has always been like this.”

Situ Yao believed that the Situ Family of Liang Country would always be her support. As long as the Situ Family remained powerful, Duanmu Chen would treat her well.

Duanmu Chen found it amusing. He chose a diplomatic marriage for the greater good, but once the women became part of his harem, he did not want them to be involved in political matters. His attitude towards these women had nothing to do with the so-called overall situation. Once a marriage alliance was completed, its significance came to an end.

“It’s a shame about the steamed bun made by Gu Ling,” Duanmu Chen suddenly said.

Chang’an listened in silence.

“Go to the Su Mansion and get another one,” Duanmu Chen ordered.

Chang’an hesitated, asking weakly, “Just…one?”

“A few more would be better,” Duanmu Chen smiled. “I’ll treat the Empress Dowager to a taste.”

Chang’an responded, thinking this was a good reason.

“Tell Su Liang that her miraculous medicine is very effective, and thank Gu Ling on my behalf,” Duanmu Chen said.

Chang’an: … Gu Madam’s medicine is effective, but I should thank Marquis Gu? I don’t get it.

After Chang’an left, Duanmu Chen also left the Imperial Garden. He felt that he had been idling recently, to the point of thinking about all sorts of trivial matters for a woman whose appearance was all she had and whose character was flawed. It was ridiculous. He should better plan on how to annihilate Liang Country, which was the important matter.

When Su Liang and Gu Ling saw Chang’an again and heard him relay Duanmu Chen’s words, they knew the matter was already settled.

A “medicine” used to test for lies. If everything Situ Yao said was true and satisfied Duanmu Chen, they would have to doubt if she had seen through the deception.

Only the appearance of a “bad answer” that Duanmu Chen didn’t expect would make him praise the effectiveness of the medicine.

Su Liang was not surprised by this result. Not that she thought that Situ Xie’s granddaughter would be just like him, since Gu Ling’s mother was Situ Xie’s daughter and not that kind of person either. It was just that Situ Yao’s past interactions with her had always made Su Liang feel that Situ Yao was too perfect to be genuine, in other words, she couldn’t see Situ Yao’s sincerity.

This was also the reason why Gu Ling and Su Liang only treated Situ Yao as a member of the Situ Family.

When Duanmu Chen came to Su Liang to say those things, it meant that Situ Yao had not successfully pretended in front of him. Today simply made some things even more certain.

Without any steamed buns left, Su Liang let Chang’an take away a box of date flower crisp made by Gu Ling.

After Chang’an left, Su Liang asked Gu Ling, “Do you think Duanmu Chen will ever meet his true love in this lifetime?”

Gu Ling thought for a moment and said, “I didn’t think so before. But after experiencing this incident, maybe he will.”

Duanmu Chen was transforming from a typical Royal Family member into a normal person. If it were the previous him, he wouldn’t have had the trouble of coming to find Su Liang today.

Duanmu Chen didn’t confine Situ Yao to the Cold Palace and didn’t restrict her from moving around the Imperial Harem. He still treated her kindly when they met, but he never spent the night at her place again, only saying that it was inconvenient because she was pregnant.

Situ Yao cried in front of the Empress Dowager of the Xiao Family and said she had misspoke. She didn’t know what happened at that moment, as if someone was controlling her.

Empress Dowager Xiao just comforted her, but she never said anything to help explain the situation, only urging her to take good care of her fetus.

As for the servants who had accompanied Situ Yao as her dowry, they had all been replaced by Duanmu Chen, including the nanny who had served her since childhood and whom she had desperately begged to keep.

Yao City in Liang Country.

The bounty orders issued by Situ Xie haven’t yet produced any results; he just received the news that Duanmu Chen had also issued a bounty order, asking for Situ Jing’s head.

When the news arrived, Situ Jing was also present, and his face changed drastically on the spot.

“Imperial Ancestor, what should we do?” Situ Jing said gravely. No matter how high the walls of the palace were, they couldn’t stop some martial arts experts who could fly through the sky and escape through the ground. The fact that there were no results for Liang Country’s bounty order to date meant that killing Qiao Jing was not easy. And Situ Jing knew that the strength of both Qiao Cong and Qiao Jing, grandfather and grandson, was extremely powerful.

Situ Xie’s gaze was fixed, “This must be the idea that Su Liang and Gu Ling gave to Duanmu Chen.”

Situ Jing said with hatred, “Had I known this earlier, I should have thought of ways to get rid of them back then!”

Situ Xie shook his head, “No one can predict the future. Someone, bring Liang Zhen here!”

Situ Jing frowned, and for a moment he couldn’t remember who Liang Zhen was.

Soon, an elderly man was dragged in by two guards. The old man was not tall, with white hair and a blurry gaze, obviously drugged.

Situ Jing remembered that this man was originally from Liang Country and had received Situ Ning’s favor. After the Gu Family’s incident, he had followed Gu Ling before eventually returning to Liang Country.

Then, Situ Xie threw a piece of paper, ordered the guard to pick it up, used a knife to cut Liang Zhen’s hand, and pressed his hand on the paper, leaving a bloody handprint.

When the paper returned to Situ Xie’s hands, he looked at it coldly, “Send this to my good grandson and tell him that if he wants Liang Zhen’s family to live, let Duanmu Chen cancel the bounty order and send Situ Jing’s head here!”