Chapter 386: 386. Who is in the dominant position

Translator: 549690339

As Li Hong was about to get up and leave, he heard Ji Xiaoshu’s “terrified” voice and immediately frowned.

Zhengzheng shook his head, “Impossible! Master is the best, he would never hit him!”

Then, Ji Xiaoshu ran in from the door, not looking at anyone else, but only at Su Liang, “Master’s wife!”

Su Liang stretched out her arms to hug the oncoming Ji Xiaoshu, and could smell the food aroma from the kitchen on his body.

“Master’s wife, my master is so fierce, why don’t you take my sister and move in with me?” Ji Xiaoshu snuggled against Su Liang, hugging her arm with his small head rubbing against it.

Li Hong: … Gu Ling must not have hit Ji Xiaoshu, but he must want to do so now…

“No!” Zhengzheng answered for Su Liang, “If you want to go home, go by yourself!”

Ji Xiaoshu said with a grin, “I’ve already gone home! My dad said that from now on, I belong to my master’s wife’s family!”

Li Hong cleared his throat, “It’s time for this old man to leave.”

Ji Xiaoshu slid off the chair, ran over to hug Li Hong, and quickly let go, “Master, please leave quickly and tell my dad that when I grow up and have time, I will visit him.”

The words sounded affectionate, but not too much so.

However, Li Hong knew that Ji Xiaoshu was “retaliating” against Ji Yuebai’s parting words to let him have fun and not miss home. When Ji Xiaoshu was initially sent away by Ji Yuebai, he was somewhat sad, although he didn’t show it in front of Ji Yuebai. Later on, he discovered that the outside world was fun, and as he got farther from home, his mood improved.

“Why don’t you stay for a meal before leaving, Senior? It won’t make much difference.” Su Liang suggested. They were guests, after all, and it was dinner time.

After thinking about it, Li Hong agreed. His main purpose was to see if Gu Ling and Ji Xiaoshu could get along as master and disciple, so he could report back to Ji Yuebai.

At lunch, Li Hong was pleasantly surprised. Gu Ling’s cooking skills were so good, and it seemed that he usually cooked their meals. This was perhaps a unique talent in the world.

Ji Xiaoshu wanted to sit next to Su Liang, which was originally Gu Ling’s position.

Gu Ling glanced at him, picked him up, put him to the side, and sat down.

Su Liang couldn’t help but laugh, “Be nicer to your disciple.”

Gu Ling’s expression was indifferent, “He said I’m fierce, which means he wants me to be fierce towards him.”

Ji Xiaoshu was taken aback for a moment, wondering if that was how the logic worked…

Li Hong lowered his head to drink soup, while Zhengzheng held his bowl and giggled.

Seeing Ji Xiaoshu only eating vegetables, Li Hong picked up a steamed bun for him, thinking that he had said he was hungry earlier.

But Ji Xiaoshu refused, “You eat it, Master. My master has already given me a steamed bun, fish soup, and a delicious… What’s that sweet thing called, Master?”

Gu Ling replied, “Roasted sweet potato.”

“I also had roasted sweet potato!” Ji Xiaoshu remembered the taste, “It was so delicious!”

Li Hong then realized that Gu Ling had taken Ji Xiaoshu to the kitchen to feed him and understood why Ji Xiaoshu dared to yell out loud that Gu Ling was going to hit him. It was precisely because Ji Xiaoshu had figured out that Gu Ling was not fierce, but a kind and loving person.

This child was quite sensitive. Although he seemed lively and playful, not many people saw this side of him. He showed extraordinary closeness to both Su Liang and Gu Ling, albeit in different ways.

Ji Xiaoshu ate a little more and was full. Zhengzheng put down his chopsticks and asked Gu Ling, “Master, can I take my junior disciple upstairs to see the fun stuff?”

Gu Ling nodded, and the two youngsters raced upstairs.

“Senior Brother, what’s the fun thing?”

“You’ll know when you see it. I guarantee it will open your eyes!”

Li Hong was also a bit curious about what it was.

After a while, Ji Xiaoshu and Zhengzheng’s voices came from upstairs.

“What is this? It’s so strange!”

“Wow! It can run like a big bug!”

“There’s also a jumping one!”

“Why would Master make a fake toad that can jump?”

“It’s a frog!”

Lai Hong wanted to put down his chopsticks and see what was so amusing. Ji Xiaoshu was the crown prince of Yin Country and must have seen many treasures before, yet he was so surprised.

After lunch, Old Mu took Lai Hong to his place to rest.

Lai Hong reluctantly agreed, thinking that he would leave after a short rest.

Later in the afternoon, when Lai Hong prepared to leave and went to Yuanming Pavilion to bid farewell to Ji Xiaoshu, he was astonished to find him in class.

While Lai Hong was resting, Su Liang had already arranged for Ji Xiaoshu and Zhengzheng to have a nap in the study room upstairs, waiting for Lin Shuzhi to come and wake them up.

Zhengzheng was Lin Shuzhi’s disciple, and in the past, he always went to Lin Shuzhi’s house to write and read books. After the New Year, the lessons were changed to Lin Shuzhi coming to Su Mansion to teach Zhengzheng. The main reason was because of Gu Xiaonuan. Lin Shuzhi liked his little disciple so much that he simply wasn’t busy anymore. He had classes at the Imperial College in the morning and taught Zhengzheng at Su Liang’s house in the afternoon. He could also hold Gu Xiaonuan.

Today, Lin Shuzhi arrived on time, only to find that Gu Ling and Su Liang had arranged for him another little disciple.

Upon learning of Ji Xiaoshu’s identity, Lin Shuzhi asked uneasily, “Does the emperor know you’re hiding the Crown Prince of Yin Country at home?”

When Su Liang told him that Duanmu Chen already knew Ji Xiaoshu would come and was very pleased, Lin Shuzhi understood why, but still felt a little speechless.

However, Lin Shuzhi was no longer surprised at anything that happened to Su Liang and Gu Ling and quickly accepted the new arrangement. Teaching one or two was the same. His original plan was to set up a small school at home when his grandchildren, outer grandchild, and Gu Xiaonuan grew up a little, and he would be in charge of all their studies. The thing he liked and excelled at the most in his life was teaching and nurturing others, especially his own family.

Ji Xiaoshu and Zhengzheng were of the same age, and since he was born as a royal grandson and now the crown prince of Yin Country, he had naturally begun his enlightenment early.

Lin Shuzhi inquired and found that Ji Xiaoshu’s learning progress was similar to Zhengzheng’s, teaching them together was just

right, and the two could also keep each other company.

Lai Hong stood outside the window, watching Lin Shuzhi read aloud while Ji Xiaoshu and Zhengzheng listened attentively. Suddenly, Ji Xiaoshu nudged Zhengzheng with his elbow, wanting to whisper something to him, but Zhengzheng immediately gave him a serious look to show that it was not allowed.

Lin Shuzhi smiled warmly, “Xiaoshu, if you’re not focused, you’ll have to copy a page of characters as punishment.”

“Master, I was wrong.” Ji Xiaoshu blinked his big eyes and looked at Lin Shuzhi.

Lai Hong thought, this child was testing Lin Shuzhi’s temper to see if he was really strict or quite relaxed. Ji Xiaoshu always did this with people he just met, including Gu Ling, who had also been carefully tested by him. The only exception was Su Liang, who was very intimate at their first meeting.

“Don’t want to write more?” Lin Shuzhi asked.

Ji Xiaoshu nodded, then saw Lin Shuzhi nod too, “Fine, no penalty for copying characters, running is the punishment. Run three laps around the lake.”

“Huh?” Ji Xiaoshu was dumbfounded.

Lin Shuzhi looked at the well-behaved Zhengzheng and the lively Ji Xiaoshu, thinking that they were really like Lin Boyan and Lin Bojun when they were young. Back then, Lin Bojun couldn’t sit still while studying, so Lin Shuzhi asked him to practice martial arts.

Lai Hong nodded silently, thinking that this was very good indeed. He had long heard of Lin Shuzhi’s great reputation, as a father and son both earning the title of Top Scholar. Having Lin Shuzhi teach Ji Xiaoshu was something Ji Yuebai couldn’t even ask for. Lin Shuzhi’s gentle but disciplined attitude also impressed Lai Hong.

Finally, when Lai Hong left, Ji Xiaoshu was already running around the lake, with Zhengzheng voluntarily accompanying him, and Gu Ling fishing by the lake.

Lai Hong heard Zhengzheng’s joyous voice, “Xiaoshu, as soon as Master catches a fish, we’ll have fried fish to eat! Master’s fried fish is the best in the world!”

Lai Hong couldn’t help but reveal a gratified smile, now knowing for sure that Ji Yuebai sending Ji Xiaoshu here was absolutely correct. Ji Xiaoshu had a master like a mother, a versatile and perfect master, a younger brother to study and practice martial arts with, and his studies wouldn’t fall behind, in fact, he would do even better than when he was in the Imperial Palace of Yin Country. Most importantly, Ji Xiaoshu would definitely become happier.

Lai Hong didn’t say goodbye to Ji Xiaoshu specifically, but just said hello to Su Liang, took Gu Ling’s letter and gift for Ji Yuebai, and left.

The gift was not just a polite gesture, but several different antidotes, all made by Gu Ling and Su Liang themselves. Ji Yuebai might not need them, but it was better to be prepared.

Ji Xiaoshu couldn’t run anymore when he reached the last lap, while Zhengzheng, half a head shorter, still maintained a steady pace. This level of exercise was nothing more than a daily routine for Zhengzheng.

In the end, Zhengzheng dragged Ji Xiaoshu to finish the run, and Ji Xiaoshu immediately lay down, gasping, “Eldest Brother, I’m so tired.”

Zhengzheng didn’t pull Ji Xiaoshu up but lay down next to him instead, patting him in consolation, “You’ll get better with more practice.”

“Will Master punish me if I don’t take martial arts seriously?” Ji Xiaoshu asked.

Zhengzheng nodded, “Yes. The punishment would be writing.”

Ji Xiaoshu suddenly laughed, “That’s perfect! I always want to run out when I’m reading, and I want to go back to my room and write when I’m practicing martial arts!”

No sooner had he said this than a shadow seemed to envelop him.

The next moment, Ji Xiaoshu was lifted by Gu Ling, “Repeat what you just said.”

Ji Xiaoshu quickly waved his little hand, “Master, I was just joking with Senior Brother.”

“Zhengzheng, go to the other side.” Gu Ling suddenly said to Zhengzheng.

Understanding his meaning, Zhengzheng got up and agilely used his light skills to cross the lake. In the blink of an eye, he landed on the other side in a particularly handsome pose.

Ji Xiaoshu was dumbfounded.

“Do you know why you are the junior brother?” Gu Ling asked.

Ji Xiaoshu lowered his head, “Yes, I know.”

“Do you want to learn?” Gu Ling asked.

Ji Xiaoshu raised his little face, his voice loud and clear, “Yes!”

Gu Ling’s expression was serious, “No matter what, either don’t do it, or do it seriously. Understand?”

Ji Xiaoshu saw Su Liang standing not far away, smiling tenderly at him. He straightened his back and nodded firmly, “Master, I understand.”

Gu Ling didn’t immediately teach him light skills and instead walked back to where they had been fishing earlier.

Zhengzheng once again flew across the lake and landed beside Ji Xiaoshu, pulling him over to look at the wooden barrel next to Gu Ling, which already had two fat fish swimming in it.

“Master, when are we frying the fish?” Zhengzheng asked with a smile.

Gu Ling finished packing up the fishing rod and picked up the wooden barrel, “I’ll let you know when it’s ready.”

Zhengzheng then took Ji Xiaoshu around the mansion, introducing him to various places, including the different types of plants and trees, speaking with authority.

“Senior Brother, how do you know everything?” Ji Xiaoshu was a little shocked.

Zhengzheng said proudly, “It’s all taught by Master and Mistress.”

“Isn’t Master only teaching martial arts?” Ji Xiaoshu wondered, “My dad said that he wants me to learn martial arts from Master.”

“There’s so much Master knows. There’s nothing he doesn’t know, only things we can’t think of. Mistress knows even more than Master,” Zhengzheng earnestly shared his experience with Ji Xiaoshu.

Ji Xiaoshu’s eyes widened, “Mistress knows even more?”

Zhengzheng nodded, “Of course, you’ll learn it all gradually.”

“But why do I need to know that this tree is a Dawn Redwood?” Ji Xiaoshu asked about his confusion.

Zhengzheng was momentarily stumped by the question and thought for a moment before saying, “When you’re learning, you may feel it’s not useful, but the future is long, who knows when you’ll need it. Mistress once said, ‘skills learned become your own. Some things can be left unused, but they must be known. Only after you learn them can you choose to use them or not.’ Just like this tree, you may think it’s not important to know what kind of tree it is, but what if ten years from now, the girl you like wants you to tell her its name, and if you get it wrong, she will think you’re a fool and ignore you?”

As Ji Xiaoshu listened, he thought it made a lot of sense and that Mistress was truly amazing. Hearing the last sentence, he rolled his eyes, “Senior Brother, your example is so strange.”

Zhengzheng shrugged, “Who can predict the future? Everything is possible.”

“Did you learn all these lines and sayings from Mistress?” Ji Xiaoshu hugged Zhengzheng’s shoulder, their height difference just right.

Zhengzheng nodded, “More or less, and also from Master.”

Ji Xiaoshu then sighed, “Mistress must be an immortal who came down from heaven! And Master must’ve been her personal cook when she was still an immortal! Haha!”

Not far away, Gu Ling’s voice called out, “Zhengzheng, come eat fried fish. There’s no portion for Xiaoshu.”

Ji Xiaoshu hesitated for a moment then immediately shouted, “My master is an immortal! My master and mistress are heavenly immortal couples!”

Gu Ling turned around, “You can have two pieces.”

After Ji Xiaoshu and Zhengzheng had finished a plate of fried fish together, he sighed comfortably, “I don’t want to go home.”

“Don’t you miss your dad?” Zhengzheng asked.

Ji Xiaoshu snorted, “I don’t miss him at all!”

Zhengzheng tried to imagine Ji Xiaoshu’s father nonchalantly sending him to someone else’s home and couldn’t help but feel sorry for him. He took the initiative to share his own background, “My real father was a scumbag, and he’s already dead.”

Unexpectedly, Ji Xiaoshu replied, “Wow, that’s great!”

Zhengzheng: …Well, yes… you’re right…

In the evening, Zheng’er and Ji Xiaoshu stayed in Gu Ling and Su Liang’s study room. Knowing that they were coming, a bunk bed had been prepared for them, and the two children took a nap there during the day.

When Ji Xiaoshu learned that he had several junior disciples who were still babies, he felt happy and expectant, hoping that his juniors would grow up soon to become his little brothers.

Before going to sleep, Su Liang heard that the two kids were still playing in the study room, so she asked Gu Ling to go and check on them.

Gu Ling pushed the door open, and the room was quiet as if the noise Su Liang had heard was an illusion. However, some building blocks were scattered on the floor…

“Ji Xiaoshu, your father is here,” Gu Ling said.

Ji Xiaoshu immediately sprang up from Zheng’er’s bed, “Really?”

Gu Ling walked over, picked him up, threw him onto the upper bunk, and tucked him into bed, “Go to sleep.”

Ji Xiaoshu held the quilt with his small hands, his eyes sparkling, asking, “Can Master tell us a story?”

“Fine,” Gu Ling nodded, “Once upon a time, there was a child who refused to sleep well.”

“What happened next?” Ji Xiaoshu felt something was amiss.

“Then he never grew taller,” Gu Ling finished and turned to leave.

Ji Xiaoshu: … What a scary story!

Gu Ling returned to the room, and Gu Xiaonuan was already asleep. He lay down beside Su Liang, who leaned close to him and asked about his feelings on accepting new disciples today.

“Very good,” Gu Ling said. He loved children, but he didn’t plan to let Su Liang have more babies unless she wanted to herself. In this case, he would just treat these disciples as his own sons.

The next day, Duanmu Chen, dressed in plain clothes, left the palace to visit his goddaughter Gu Xiaonuan in Su Mansion and also wanted to see the little crown prince of Yin Country.

Upon learning Ji Xiaoshu’s nickname, Duanmu Chen’s mouth twitched, “Ji Yuebai really isn’t a decent person.”

Ji Xiaoshu was just very curious about Duanmu Chen and asked him a question, “Is it fun to be an emperor?”

Duanmu Chen shook his head, “No, it isn’t.”

“Then why become an emperor?” Ji Xiaoshu asked.

“Because someone has to do this unenjoyable job,” Duanmu Chen smiled.

Ji Xiaoshu nodded, “That’s exactly what my father said.” With that said, he ran out.

Duanmu Chen laughed. Indeed, he had something in common with Ji Yuebai, as both of them were Gu Ling’s friends. Seeing Ji Yuebai’s son, Duanmu Chen felt that the concerns he had been thinking about for a long time weren’t that important. How the world’s situation would change in the future might be revealed next month, but it was certain that Ji Yuebai wasn’t his enemy.

In Yao City of Liang Country.

Situ Xie saw the mountainous piles of grain and fodder in the warehouse that had been prepared long ago, but he had no idea how they appeared there.

A day later, when Situ Xie went to check again, the warehouse was empty as if what he saw yesterday was an illusion.

Situ Xie returned to King Yue’s mansion and went straight to the study room, where a distinguished guest was waiting.

Upon entering, Situ Xie bowed, “Brother Mo.” His attitude and tone were very polite.

The person sitting in the shadows looked up with aged eyes, “No need for unnecessary words. The grain and fodder will be delivered to Liang Country’s border in early March.”

“I wonder if there’s anything Brother Mo needs my help with?” Situ Xie’s tone carried even more respect, “As for Gu Ling’s matter…”

“Is he really your grandson?” the elderly man in the shadows asked.

Situ Xie was somewhat baffled, “Gu Ling is my daughter Aning’s only child.”

“Has he ever been seriously ill or injured to the brink of death and then come back to life from a young age?” the old man asked.

Situ Xie thought for a moment and shook his head, “Maybe, but it’s been too long ago, and I’m not clear about many of his experiences.”

The old man was silent for a while before asking another question: “In the events that have occurred over the past two years, do you think that Gu Ling changed because of Su Liang, or Su Liang changed because of Gu Ling? Among them, who holds the dominant position in their marriage?”