Chapter 388: 388. His forehead is darkened.

Translator: 549690339

Initially, Zhengzheng only occasionally stayed overnight at Su Mansion. Since Ji Xiaoshu came, the two little brothers were inseparable, and Zhengzheng rarely went home. He only occasionally went back to visit his parents and younger brother.

In the past, Ji Xiaoshu had difficulty focusing on his studies and martial arts training, always easily distracted. Now with Zhengzheng by his side, he secretly competed with him, not wanting to lose, so he became more serious about learning.

Of course, when they weren’t studying, they were even more mischievous. In just a few days, they climbed every tree in the mansion and played hide and seek with Gu Ling.

But Gu Ling had ways to deal with him. She made some delicious food and as soon as Ji Xiaoshu smelled it, he quickly came running out on his own.

The only restriction was that Ji Xiaoshu couldn’t go out and play at will. Even though the people of Qian Country’s capital city didn’t know the appearance of Yin Country’s little crown prince, if someone was keeping an eye on Su Mansion, they would be suspicious of a strange face appearing in the Su Family.

However, there was still a way.

After Ji Xiaoshu watched old Mu taking Zhengzheng out for the third time without being able to go himself, he grumbled and ran to Su Liang, asking, “Master’s wife, can I wear a mask and go out to play? Last year during the Lantern Festival, my father and I wore masks to see the lanterns, and nobody recognized us!”

Su Liang smiled, “I can make one for you.”

Ji Xiaoshu’s eyes lit up as Su Liang brought over a jar.

Su Liang asked Ji Xiaoshu to close his eyes and sit still. Ji Xiaoshu didn’t understand but obediently did as she asked. Then he felt something like fragrant paste being applied to his face.

Soon, Su Liang asked Ji Xiaoshu to open his eyes and he saw a mirror with, “Big Senior Brother?”

Su Liang laughed softly, “Take another look.”

Ji Xiaoshu raised his hand, pinched his nose, and the “Zhengzheng” in the mirror did the same. He laughed, and the “Zhengzheng” in the mirror also laughed.

Ji Xiaoshu looked at Su Liang with amazement, “Master’s wife, I turned into Big Senior Brother?!”

“It’s just a disguise. It can be washed off,” Su Liang said with a smile, rubbing his little head, “Once your grandpa Mu comes back, ask him to take you out again.”

Ji Xiaoshu took the mirror and examined himself closely, now blinking, now opening his mouth, now making a grimace, and having a great time, “That’s awesome! Can Master’s wife teach me how to do it? When I go home, I can transform into my master’s appearance and scare my father!”

Su Liang couldn’t help but smile, “Does your master look very scary?”

“Of course not!” Ji Xiaoshu immediately shook his head, “I want my father to think my master has become younger, haha!”

As soon as he finished speaking, Ji Xiaoshu’s collar was grabbed, and his feet left the ground as he was lifted up. He didn’t have to look back to know it was his beloved master. Gu Ling liked grabbing him like this…

“Am I very old?” Gu Ling said with a cold tone.

Ji Xiaoshu laughed, his eyes squinting, “Older than me! Isn’t that right, Master’s wife?”

“Absolutely.” Su Liang nodded.

Gu Ling put Ji Xiaoshu down, and he immediately begged Su Liang to teach him the Disguise Technique.

Su Liang used her own face as a demonstration, showing Ji Xiaoshu how to create a disguise.

Gu Ling watched as Su Liang transformed herself into his likeness, holding Gu Xiaonuan in her arms.

Ji Xiaoshu looked at Gu Ling, and then at Su Liang, exclaiming, “So amazing!”

Gu Xiaonuan stared in confusion as her mother transformed into her father’s appearance, her little face bewildered, and she cried out, indicating she was hungry.

Su Liang carried Gu Xiaonuan to feed her, feeling her daughter’s eyes opened especially wide today.

Feeling he had learned enough, Ji Xiaoshu clung to Gu Ling’s leg, refusing to let go, “Master, let me try! Wasn’t it you who said either not to do it or to do it seriously? I’m serious, I want to learn! I want to learn now!”

Gu Ling remained silent, waiting for Ji Xiaoshu to make a big fuss before finally speaking, “Did I say you can’t?”

Ji Xiaoshu: …I didn’t say I could either, so does Master’s silence mean consent? He made a note of this!

Gu Ling sat down, and Ji Xiaoshu stood on a small stool, imitating Su Liang’s command, “Close your eyes, don’t move.”

Gu Ling closed his eyes, and then felt two small hands on his face, causing mischief.

After a long while, Su Liang returned with Gu Xiaonuan, seeing Ji Xiaoshu tiptoeing down from the stool and trying to run outside.

“Well done, Little Tree,” Su Liang laughed softly.

Ji Xiaoshu’s footsteps halted, and he turned to see Gu Ling opening his eyes.

Su Liang saw Gu Ling’s appearance and couldn’t help but laugh, asking Ji Xiaoshu what he had planned to disguise Gu Ling as in the first place.

Ji Xiaoshu hid behind Su Liang, knowing full well he was going to get scolded, and weakly said, “I wanted to disguise Master as my father, I really miss my dad…”

Su Liang deeply doubted that the kid was playing the sympathy card, as he never mentioned Ji Yuebai before.

Gu Ling took the mirror, his face transformed by Ji Xiaoshu bore no resemblance to Ji Yuebai at all. It was ugly, and ugly in a very peculiar way due to its asymmetry – one side of the face was big, and the other side was small, making the whole face look comical.

However, although Su Liang often affectionately called him the ‘Great God,’ Gu Ling never had any concern about his own image. This was the first time he saw himself turn into such a figure; he found it fascinating and made a few facial expressions in the mirror.

Ji Xiaoshu quietly asked Su Liang, “Was Master ugly-shocked by himself?”

The next moment, Gu Ling’s voice was heard, “Come here.”

Ji Xiaoshu tried to run away, but Gu Ling caught him and put him on a chair.

Ji Xiaoshu covered his face, “Don’t hit me in the face.”

But Gu Ling just said, “Sit properly and look at me.”

Ji Xiaoshu moved his small hand and looked at Gu Ling, but couldn’t help laughing out loud. Gu Ling grabbed his hand and said, “This side is wrong. Do it again.”

Ji Xiaoshu really didn’t expect that he wouldn’t get hit for making his beautiful master so ugly. As a result, Gu Ling just patiently taught him how to correct and change the disguise.

Under Gu Ling’s guidance, Ji Xiaoshu eventually managed to make Gu Ling look somewhat like Ji Yuebai, figuring out where the problem lay.

At this moment, Zhengzheng’s voice came from outside, “Xiaoshu, I brought you some delicious food!”

Ji Xiaoshu’s eyes lit up, and he jumped off the chair and ran outside. After two steps, he turned back and said to Su Liang with a grin, “Master didn’t hit me, he must really like me!”

Gu Ling, standing nearby, listened and removed the disguise expressionlessly. He’d remember this for later, and they’d settle the score.

Zhengzheng was stunned when he saw Ji Xiaoshu, “Xiaoshu? How did you become like me?”

Ji Xiaoshu was instantly proud, “Isn’t it very similar? I’m your senior brother, call me ‘Senior Brother’ and let me hear it!”

Zhengzheng knew about the disguise technique, but he found it fascinating to see a face exactly like his own.

Old Mu laughed, “Ah! It’s like you two are identical twins.”

“I’m taller!” Ji Xiaoshu emphasized his advantage.

“Don’t worry, outsiders won’t pay attention to this slight height difference,” Su Liang smiled, “Xiaoshu really wants to go out and play, so please take him out for a stroll, Master.”

Old Mu happily agreed, feeling that it was a very unique experience.

Zhengzheng had brought some special snacks for Ji Xiaoshu, asking Gu Ling and Su Liang if they wanted some.

Su Liang shook her head, and Gu Ling took the snacks and ate them.

After that, Ji Xiaoshu became addicted to this identity-changing game, and Zhengzheng also enjoyed it. The two of them really were like identical twins, imitating each other’s way of speaking and walking, and enthusiastically having their acquaintances guess which Zhengzheng was the real one.

The two young brothers also enjoyed changing each other’s appearance. If it weren’t for Su Liang reminding them that using disguise medicine too much wasn’t good for the skin, they might have wanted to change faces every day.

Time passed quickly, and it was now late February.

There was still no news of Old Bai and Ying Ying. Su Liang believed that they were likely captured by Madame Yue.

Both the south and the north were temporarily quiet, but Su Liang knew that the short-lived peace between the three countries was about to be shattered.

Ren Dong and Bai Yang secretly led their troops on their way to Xuanbei City, with Qi Jun accompanying them.

News from Xuanbei City kept returning to the capital. Qiao Cong continued monitoring the food supply of Liang Country’s army and had not yet found any significant increase.

That day, Old Imperial Physician Gao visited Su Mansion to inquire if there was really going to be a war in the north, as his grandson Gao Jiabao had previously asked for permission to go to Xuanbei City with Xing Ji.

Gao Jiabao had always dreamed of becoming a general, and despite some previous setbacks, he never gave up.

Hearing Su Liang say that a war was very likely, Old Imperial Physician Gao sighed repeatedly, “I couldn’t stop him from going.”

“Don’t worry too much, Old Gao. My godfather will make arrangements and won’t let Gao Jiabao be on the front line,” Su Liang comforted Old Imperial Physician Gao. Gao Jiabao was the only child of his family’s third generation, so his family was very protective. But this was also one of the reasons he wanted to independently prove his strength.

Imperial Physician Gao mentioned Min Rui’s condition again. He hadn’t been to the Min Family yet today and planned to go later.

“His condition has improved, but it will still take some time. I was thinking, would it be better if we add acupuncture as a supplement?” Imperial Physician Gao asked.

Gu Ling’s voice came from the entrance, “I’ll go and administer the acupuncture for him.”

When Imperial Physician Gao saw Gu Ling holding Gu Xiaonuan, he immediately broke into a smile.

Gu Ling handed Gu Xiaonuan over, and Imperial Physician Gao carefully took her, playing with her happily and forgetting the matter at hand.

After a while, the two little ones were brought over by Old Mu after their light exercise, and Gu Xiaonuan was put in a small cart and taken out to play.

Imperial Physician Gao finally remembered Min Rui’s condition, “It’s good that Marquis Gu is going. In terms of acupuncture, I am inferior to you.” Gu Ling’s needle application was more precise and reliable, which made Imperial Physician Gao truly feel inferior. Although he was told that Gu Ling had learned medical skills from Su Liang, he often felt that Gu Ling’s medical skills seemed like a hidden talent, very powerful but rarely used.

It was still early, so Gu Ling said he had time now. Imperial Physician Gao then went to the Min Family with him. Su Liang didn’t teach Gu Ling what kind of acupuncture techniques to use again.

Su Liang knew why Gu Ling volunteered to go. It was because a transmigrator was secretly watching them, trying to confirm who among the couple was the real transmigrator. Regardless of the other party’s purpose, both Gu Ling and Su Liang were determined to confuse them. Gu Ling’s excellent medical skills would lead to a speculation: maybe Su Liang’s medical skills were actually taught by Gu Ling.

Prefect Min heard that Imperial Physician Gao had arrived, accompanied by Marquis Chang Xin, and immediately went out to greet them.

After learning that Gu Ling had come to administer the acupuncture for Min Rui, Prefect Min was surprised, “Marquis Chang Xin… also knows medical skills?” Gu Ling had actually administered acupuncture to Old Master Qin and Duanmu Yi, but very few people knew about it.

Imperial Physician Gao laughed, “It’s more than just knowing; he’s really good, better than me, at least. But he doesn’t practice often.”

Prefect Min hurriedly invited Gu Ling to Min Rui’s side.

As they entered the courtyard, they ran into a girl in white who stopped in her tracks and gazed at Gu Ling, seemingly entranced.

“Rourou! Hurry and pay your respects to Marquis Chang Xin!” Prefect Min spoke.

Min Rui’s daughter, Min Rou, came to her senses, her face flushing as she bowed her head and greeted, “Min Rou pays her respects to Marquis Chang Xin.”

Gu Ling responded indifferently and proceeded inside with Min Rui.

Min Rou watched Gu Ling’s retreating figure disappear into the room before she withdrew her gaze and mumbled softly, “The famous Gu beauty indeed lives up to her reputation…”

Gu Ling administered the acupuncture to Min Rui while Imperial Physician Gao and Prefect Min watched by the side.

Imperial Physician Gao nodded his approval from time to time, as Gu Ling’s acupuncture technique was exquisite. His medical skills were most certainly not limited to this alone.

When Gu Ling was about to leave, Lady Min gratefully said, “Once my husband recovers, we will definitely visit and thank the Marquis and his wife.”

“That won’t be necessary.” Gu Ling’s expression was indifferent as he packed up his needles and headed out.

Prefect Min escorted him out, where they met Min Rou again offering tea, “Marquis, please have a cup of tea before you go.”

Prefect Min shook his head, “Marquis is a busy man. Let’s do this another day.”

Min Rou brought the tea into the room, closed the door, and asked Lady Min, “Is Marquis Chang Xin’s medical skill really that good?”

Lady Min pondered, “Yes, it seems that he is capable of anything. Just like…”

“Like Grandfather Mo,” Min Rou said.

Lady Min’s expression changed, and she scolded in a low voice, “Don’t talk nonsense!”

“It was you who mentioned it first,” Min Rou sighed, “It’s amazing that there is such a stunning, talented man in the world, just like a mortal fairy. It’s a pity that he’s already married. Only after coming to the capital of Qian Country did I realize how barbaric our island is. The young talents that my grandfather has brought back are just mediocre. No wonder Grandfather Mo is always dissatisfied and sends them away one by one.”

Lady Min’s face turned angry, “What nonsense are you saying? Stop talking this instant!”

“Why is Mother angry?” Min Rou asked puzzledly, “By the way, isn’t Grandfather coming too? When will he arrive?”

“You don’t need to worry about that,” Lady Min’s tone was stern, “Don’t mention the people and affairs of the island again.”

“I know.” Min Rou nodded, “I heard that in this capital city, the Su Family is even harder to enter than the Imperial Palace. I wonder when I’ll have a chance to have a look.”

“Don’t think about these pointless things. Be cautious in your speech and actions.” Mrs. Min frowned.

After Min Rou left, Min Rui whispered to Mrs. Min, “Is my father-in-law coming to take Gu Ling away?”

Mrs. Min snorted lightly, “It’s none of your business. My father has his own plans.”

When Gu Ling returned home, he took a bath and changed clothes before returning to Yuanming Pavilion. As soon as he hugged Gu Xiaonuan and kissed her, Chang’an arrived, asking for either Gu Ling or Su Liang to go to the palace.

“I’ll go.” Gu Ling tried to hand Gu Xiaonuan over to Su Liang, but she clung to his collar and wouldn’t let go.

So, when Chang’an saw Gu Ling coming out of the Yuanming Pavilion, he was wearing a large cape and carrying… the little princess of the Su Family?

Chang’an smiled and waved to Gu Xiaonuan. Emperor Duanmu Chen would definitely be happy to see Gu Ling bringing Gu Xiaonuan into the palace.

Su Liang had just fed Gu Xiaonuan and thought it wouldn’t take too long for her to go. She didn’t follow them. Gu Ling could handle anything, and she hadn’t cooked for a long time since her pregnancy. She planned to cook today, making some dishes that Gu Ling loved.

Emperor Duanmu Chen asked for Gu Ling to discuss the upcoming matters. In three days, it would be March.

Seeing that Gu Ling actually brought Gu Xiaonuan, Emperor Duanmu Chen was overjoyed, “Nuannuan, do you still recognize me?” He said, taking Gu Xiaonuan from Gu Ling’s arms. Seeing Gu Xiaonuan staring at an ancient painting on the wall, Duanmu Chen laughed and said, “You can take whatever you like.”

Gu Ling sat down, picked up a teacup, fixed his gaze on Emperor Duanmu Chen’s forehead for a moment, and drank a cup of tea slowly. Only then, after Duanmu Chen had shown Gu Xiaonuan around the Imperial Study, did he sit directly on the Dragon Throne with Gu Xiaonuan in his arms and began discussing serious matters.

“I know you two, husband and wife, won’t be separated. I am also at ease with you in the capital city. However, I always feel that Liang Country is coming fiercely this time, and this battle might not be easy to win.” Duanmu Chen sighed.

Gu Ling reached out to Gu Xiaonuan, who raised her little hand and babbled, indicating that she wanted to go back to her father’s side.

Duanmu Chen picked up Gu Xiaonuan and brought her over, then sat down beside Gu Ling without going back, “How on earth did Yin Country’s grain and supplies get to Liang Country? I’m really puzzled. If you know anything, don’t hide it.”

Gu Ling didn’t answer but brought up another matter, “Can your majesty trust the secret guards around you?”

Emperor Duanmu Chen was stunned, “Trustworthy. Do you think someone will assassinate me?”

“Yes. Be careful.” Gu Ling said.

Duanmu Chen rubbed his forehead, “Yes, at this point, if Situ Xie can kill me during the war, it would surely be a good strategy to strike at the morale of Qian Country’s army and people.”

Previously, Su Liang and Gu Ling thought that Situ Xie wouldn’t want Emperor Duanmu Chen to die because if Duanmu Chen died, the imperial power would truly fall into Gu Ling and Su Liang’s hands. However, as time went on, Emperor Duanmu Chen completely trusted Gu Ling and Su Liang, which meant that his value as an emperor in Situ Xie’s eyes diminished.

Moreover, there is now a mysterious force that seems to be colluding with Situ Xie, so his decisions can no longer be considered solely based on what he himself might do, making them very difficult to predict.

When Gu Ling arrived today, he saw that Emperor Duanmu Chen’s forehead had a black mist. As of now, Duanmu Chen would not kill anyone for no reason, which means he would be in grave danger within three days. And in three days, it would be the first day of March. If someone does try to assassinate him, the black mist represents that Gu Ling will undoubtedly die if he doesn’t intervene.

After Gu Ling left the palace, Emperor Duanmu Chen strengthened the palace’s defenses.

Returning home, Gu Ling saw that Su Liang had already prepared a few dishes. He held Gu Xiaonuan in one hand and hugged Su Liang with the other, kissing her.

Gu Xiaonuan was sandwiched in the middle, babbling, but no one paid attention to her.

Zhengzheng and Ji Xiaoshu peeked in from the door, but Ji Xiaoshu accidentally pushed Zhengzheng in.

Zhengzheng covered his eyes, “Master, madam, I swear I didn’t see anything!”

Gu Ling released Su Liang and turned to look at the two little ones, “Go wash your hands.”

“Yes!” The two ran away in a puff of smoke.

“What did the emperor want from us?” Su Liang asked.

Gu Ling answered irrelevantly, “He has a dark mark on his forehead.”

Su Liang’s eyes narrowed, “Is someone going to kill him?”

Gu Ling nodded, “I will guard the palace at night for the next three days. If it’s not Situ Xie’s people, even better.”

Su Liang understood the meaning. If the assassin was not sent by Situ Xie, it might be the mysterious force who had made a move, and it would be hard for an ordinary person to assassinate the emperor.

At the moment, Gu Ling and Su Liang hope to find out the details and intentions of the other transmigrator as soon as possible. If they can catch someone relevant, they might be able to find a breakthrough.