Chapter 397: I said

Translator: 549690339

The heavy rain poured outside, and a thick carpet was laid in the hall on the first floor of Yuanming Pavilion. Elder Mu took Gu Xiaonuan out of the stroller and placed her on top, he sat down with Zhengzheng and Ji Xiaoshu, all of them sitting barefoot, playing games around Gu Xiaonuan.

Min Rou followed Su Liang out of the underground secret room and saw this scene: Gu Xiaonuan was babbling and chatting about something, Zhengzheng and Ji Xiaoshu each held one of Gu Xiaonuan’s small hands, gently rocking in rhythm as if they were dancing with their precious little sister.

The three of them were playing a game of Jenga. A round, thick wooden board was placed on the carpet with a cylindrical tower built from small wooden blocks on top. They each took turns pulling out a block, and whoever caused the tower to fall would lose.

As Zhengzheng carefully tried to pull out a block he had chosen, Gu Xiaonuan suddenly tugged at him.

Although the pull was weak, Zhengzheng subconsciously leaned in the direction of Gu Xiaonuan’s pull for fear of hurting her, and the jenga tower collapsed all at once.

Ji Xiaoshu was immediately excited, “Haha! Big brother, you lost!”

Gu Xiaonuan also started to giggle.

Zhengzheng helplessly took the small wooden block that had fallen on Gu Xiaonuan’s leg, his hand still holding Gu Xiaonuan as he gently rocked her, “Sister, as long as you’re happy.”

“Fair is fair!” Ji Xiaoshu separated Zhengzheng and Gu Xiaonuan, holding Gu Xiaonuan in his arms, waving her hands, “Big brother, you need to do the frog jump!”

Standing not far away, Su Liang watched with a smile. Min Rou was a bit confused, wondering what the frog jump was about.

Zhengzheng then squatted down, his hands behind his head, and started hopping around the edge of the carpet like a frog. This was a punishment for the game proposed by Su Liang.

“Sister, doesn’t big brother look like a big frog?” Ji Xiaoshu asked with a big grin.

Gu Xiaonuan, sitting in Ji Xiaoshu’s arms, was laughing heartily, waving at Zhengzheng the entire time.

“Wait a minute, I’ve never seen a real frog!” Ji Xiaoshu turned his head, saw Su Liang, and sweetly called, “Mother, where can I find frogs? I want to catch some tadpoles!”

Su Liang had once told Zhengzheng the story of a tadpole looking for its mom, which he then relayed to Ji Xiaoshu. But the two children had never seen a frog or a tadpole with their own eyes.

Su Liang smiled, “Ask your master to take you to catch some tadpoles another day.”

Just then, a voice came from outside the Yuanming Pavilion, “The Empress Dowager has summoned the Marquis Changxin to the palace immediately!”

Gu Ling also came out of the underground secret room at this time, passing by Su Liang and giving her a quick kiss on the cheek.

Min Rou stood there in shock. She knew they were husband and wife, but was it really okay for them to be acting so intimately in public?

Looking towards Elder Mu, she saw that everyone seemed accustomed to it, showing no particular reaction.

But if anything, Ji Xiaoshu had a reaction. Holding Gu Xiaonuan, he stood up, his little face uplifted, his eyes shining brightly, “Master, I want a kiss too!”

Gu Ling bent over, gave his beloved daughter a kiss, then pinched Ji Xiaoshu’s ear, and was at the door in the blink of an eye.

“Mother, father hit me again!” Ji Xiaoshu “complained” about Gu Ling.

Gu Xiaonuan raised her small hand and slapped Ji Xiaoshu on the face.

But Ji Xiaoshu just laughed, “Wow, sister is so strong!”

Min Rou found the atmosphere here to be quite unique, a feeling she couldn’t quite put into words. Outside the window, the wind howled and rain fell harshly, but Min Rou felt that, apart from her, everyone in the Yuanming Pavilion seemed warm and happy. Her own family, which she had thought was warm and harmonious, was nothing more than a joke…

“You can think about it, if your grandfather wanted to kill me, would he throw explosives directly at us? What would the consequences be?” Su Liang said quietly to Min Rou.

Min Rou was watching Gu Xiaonuan when Su Liang spoke. The words made her heart jump, and she clenched the sleeves of her robe tighter. She wanted to say that her grandfather wouldn’t be so inhumane, but she couldn’t bring herself to speak. Because she didn’t even understand the true nature of her own parents, let alone her grandfather, a highly skilled martial artist who would occasionally be out for long periods handling business… she had no idea what her grandfather had done when he was away, perhaps even including the time he nearly killed Gu Ling.

Su Liang’s earlier question to Min Rou came to mind—were her grandfather and great-grandfather just on different sides?

No… Min Rou knew the answer.

Apart from his identity as a servant of Qian country, her grandfather was just an ordinary person, the head of the Min family, who loved his grandchildren and also considered the bigger picture. Therefore, Min Rou did not blame Minister Min for not helping her reject the imperial matrimonial decree. She had no desire to enter the palace, but entering the palace did not necessarily spell tragedy and suffering, nor did it mean life-threatening danger. Min Rou believed that if her cousin had been chosen for the imperial marriage, Minister Min would have treated her the same. Moreover, it has now become clear that the Emperor of Qian country didn’t really fancy her; it was just a trap set for her parents.

But her maternal grandfather had strong power and huge ambitions, if what Su Liang said about their cooperation with the Liang Country’s Royal Family is true.

They really had different standpoints, but the good and evil of human nature can’t be covered by the word standpoint.

“Who is this aunt?” Zhengzheng noticed Min Rou.

Min Rou thought she knew Zhengzheng, but the two who she had seen before were actually disguised as Ji Xiaoshu. She recalled now, the “Zhengzheng” voice she heard and her face, were both from those two children.

Min Rou had been disguised by Su Liang into another visage, so Ji Xiaoshu didn’t recognize her. Only old Mu knew who she was.

Su Liang introduced her, “She is Chun Hua. She will be taking care of you here.”

Min Rou frowned, she didn’t quite like the alias Chun Hua, but she was in no position to say anything.

However, later that night, when Min Rou saw Qiuyue, she understood why Su Liang casually named her Chun Hua…

Su Liang carried Gu Xiaonuan upstairs to breastfeed, and Min Rou just sat quietly and watched old Mu and the two children playing games on the ground.

After another round ended, Zhengzheng voluntarily invited Min Rou, “Aunt Chun Hua, come and play too! It’s very simple!”

Min Rou quickly waved her hands, but Ji Xiaoshu directly ran over to pull her, “Come and play! It’s more fun with more people!”

After Su Liang lulled Gu Xiaonuan to sleep, and carried her down to put in the cradle, she heard Ji Xiaoshu saying that he was hungry.

“What would you like to eat?” Su Liang asked.

Ji Xiaoshu, Zhengzheng, and old Mu each named a dish in turn. When Su Liang allowed them to choose, they each had one opportunity. However, most of the time she didn’t allow them to choose.

The three dishes were all ones that Min Rou had never heard of. Looking at Su Liang, she got up to make room, “You come to play, I…” she couldn’t cook…

“Play one more round and then come and help me light the fire.” Su Liang went to the kitchen as soon as she finished speaking.

Min Rou did not feel like playing games and lost in the end.

Wei felt that it would be inappropriate to make a beautiful aunt like her jump like a frog, so he suggested that Min Rou make a grimace.

“A very ghostly one.” Ji Xiaoshu demonstrated.

Min Rou consoled herself; it was better than jumping like a frog. It didn’t matter because she could not see herself making it. So, she wiped her hands and mimicked Ji Xiaoshu’s way of making a ghost face.

Then Wei pointed towards the kitchen, “Aunt Chun Hua, go over there, please.”

When Min Rou entered the kitchen, Su Liang was cutting vegetables. Her movements were smooth and skilled.

“Don’t you have any servants here?” Min Rou asked.

Su Liang countered, “On the island, are you a lady who has servants to attend to you?”

Min Rou suddenly felt a bit embarrassed. Although Su Liang’s tone carried no mockery, she thought about it. From a young age, she had grown accustomed to being waited on by others, even on her journey to the capital, she had a maid specifically serving her.

“There are maids in my house, but they’re not my maids.” Su Liang said. Qiuyue was serving Nangong Qian. But now Nangong Qian was like a different person, she very much enjoyed sewing clothes and cooking, and was getting better and better at it.

Sitting on a small stool tending the fire, Min Rou watched the flames burning in the stove and thought about the day’s events. She couldn’t help but tear up again. Her mother had become a prisoner, her father’s condition was unknown, her grandfather was plotting to kill the Emperor of the Qian Country, and she had become Chun Hua, a maid at the Su Mansion, with an uncertain future.

Seeing Min Rou’s distraught state, Su Liang did not comfort her. They could have been unrelated. Su Liang and Gu Ling had not caused the situation to reach this stage. The couple was just trying to protect themselves after realizing the danger.

Min Rou quickly adjusted her mood and began to watch Su Liang cook. After a while, she couldn’t help but ask, “Do you usually cook?”

Su Liang shook her head, “Gu Ling does it more often.”

Min Rou was stunned, “Marquis Gu? He knows how to cook too?”

With an indifferent expression, Su Liang responded, “He cooks better than me.” That was the truth. Although Gu Ling learned cooking from her, he had now surpassed her and had even created some very good dishes.

This overturned Min Rou’s understanding. Up until today, she assumed that Su Liang was the Martial Arts Champion, a Divine Doctor, and a heroine among women. She thought Gu Ling came from a noble family, was Marquis Chang Xin, highly skilled in Martial Arts and Medical Skills, aloof as an immortal banished to earth.

But at this very moment, Min Rou sees and hears the true abilities of this couple, which might even be greater than she knew. At the same time, they have a quotidian touch, living a truly happy and fulfilled family life.

And her grandfather wants to destroy the home of Su Liang and Gu Ling.

Min Rou thought, if Su Liang directed her anger at her because of this, it would be justified.

But this was not the case. Despite being captured, she did not suffer any abuse. Su Liang was polite when speaking to her, and was constantly laying out the facts and reasoning.

“I just hope you can tell us about your original home, where that island is.” While serving a dish, without looking at Min Rou, Su Liang said, “If your family does not do evil acts or harm me, I won’t touch them. Will you believe me?”

Min Rou fell silent. She wanted to say that she believed, but at the same time felt torn. On one side, was her family who raised her, and on the other, Su Liang whom she really got to know today. Even though her parents’ deeds have hit her hard, it’s hard for her to suddenly side with Su Liang.

“Take this over to them.” Su Liang didn’t pressure Min Rou for an answer, but instead handed her the plate in her hands.

Min Rou stood up, took the dish, and carried it into Yuanming Pavilion.

An old man and two children immediately crowded around. Without chopsticks, Old Mu took out a traditional bamboo fruit fork from a bamboo tube and carefully forked a piece of meat, blew on it to cool it down, and offered it to Ji Xiaoshu.

Just as Ji Xiaoshu was about to receive it, the meat flew away, fed instead to Zhengzheng by Old Mu.

“Old Mu!” Ji Xiaoshu was irritated.

Old Mu laughed heartily and fed the second piece to Ji Xiaoshu, then ate the third piece himself.

Just when Min Rou was wondering why the two youngsters didn’t use the fork to eat by themselves, the three finished their piece of meat and went back to playing.

Zhengzheng seemed to have noticed Min Rou’s confusion and said with a smile, “There are more dishes to come, it wouldn’t be worth it to get full all at once!”

Min Rou couldn’t help but chuckle, “That makes sense.”

After Gu Ling entered the palace, he went to the Empress Dowager Xiao.

Duanmu Yi asked Gu Ling what was going on with a gloomy face, but Gu Ling did not respond, he only spoke a few words to Empress Dowager Xiao. There may be spies from Liang Country in the palace, thus to prevent the enemy from taking further action, he did not go to the Library Pavilion to look for Duanmu Chen.

Lin Bojun surrounded the Empress Dowager’s Ci’an Palace with troops. When he saw Gu Ling, he only asked, “Is the Emperor well?”

Gu Ling’s response was, “He is alive, but cannot show himself.”

After leaving the palace, Gu Ling did not immediately return home, but went to Minister Min’s Mansion. As per their agreement, he still needed to administer acupuncture to Min Rui today.

Due to the sound of thunder, very few people outside have come to know about the explosion in the palace.

Minister Min was still uneasy about the escape of Min Rou and her mother. Seeing that Gu Ling was late but still arrived, he inexplicably felt less anxious.

After the acupuncture, Gu Ling asked Minister Min to leave for a moment, saying he had to discuss something with Min Rui.

Minister Min thought it was the Emperor asking Gu Ling to inquire about something, so he left.

“I swear, I really don’t know where my wife and daughter went. They did not discuss it with me.” Min Rui took the initiative to speak.

Gu Ling’s expression was indifferent, he bluntly said, “Your father-in-law wants to kill you, it could even be tonight.”

Min Rui’s expression froze, only after a while did he respond, “I don’t know what you’re talking about… my father-in-law is long dead.”

“Just a friendly reminder, no need to thank me.” With that, Gu Ling’s gaze swept over Min Rui’s forehead before turning to leave. Min Rui’s bloody disaster was imminent, but no black fog appeared on his forehead, which meant he was not worth saving. He deserved to die.

However, Min Rui’s heart pounded like a drum. Watching Gu Ling nearing the door, he couldn’t help but ask, “Why would you say such things?”

Gu Ling paid no attention and walked out the door.

Gu Ling left the Min Family as before, entered Duke Qin’s Mansion, and then disappeared.

Soon, Gu Ling secretly returned to Minister Min’s Mansion and sent Cen Man, who had been monitoring Min Rui, home. Then, he entered Min Rui’s room.

Min Rui was frightened by Gu Ling’s words. The more he thought about it, the more he felt that He Wei would definitely kill him to silence him. He didn’t hear the door opening, and when he saw Gu Ling appear in front of him, his expression changed drastically, “You…what are you doing back here?”

Gu Ling didn’t say a word, he knocked Min Rui out with a palm and then took out the disguise medicine. After disguising himself as Min Rui, he kicked him under the bed and sat on Min Rui’s bed.

Su Mansion.

On seeing Cen Man return, Su Liang knew that Gu Ling had gone to keep an eye on Min Rui again.

Thinking that Gu Ling hadn’t eaten lunch, Su Liang decided to intensify her psychological attack on Min Rou.

So, Min Rou saw an unconscious old man, and her expression showed that she knew him.

“He is one of the masters who attempted to assassinate the Emperor a few days ago. There were five in total, two died in the palace, one was caught, and two escaped. I suspect one of the two who escaped was your grandfather,” said Su Liang.

“What are you going to do with him?” Min Rou asked with furrowed eyebrows.

“He’s a death soldier. We keep him unconscious because if he wakes up, he’ll kill himself to prevent secrets from leaking. One of his comrades did just that,” Su Liang said, “Do you know what secrets he’s guarding till death?”

Min Rou’s face was ugly, “I don’t understand… why they did that…”

“That’s exactly what I want to know.” Speaking, Su Liang took out an airplane model Gu Ling made and showed it to Min Rou, “Do you recognize this?”

Min Rou’s shocked expression clearly indicated that she had seen something similar before.

“Where did you get it?” Min Rou clenched her sleeves, her eyes uneasy.

“Gu Ling made it.” Su Liang said, “Where did you see it? Who made it?”

Min Rou began to rub her aching forehead. Her mind was in a mess, completely not understanding what was going on. She wanted to say something, but felt that she shouldn’t, she absolutely couldn’t say it.

“Have you seen her?” Su Liang put down the model and took out a portrait to show Min Rou.

The woman in the portrait was Yue Mei, Ying Ying’s grandmother. Su Liang suspected that she had colluded with the power from which Min Rou originated.

Min Rou nodded, “I’ve seen her.” She didn’t like this woman, but her mother said she was an honored guest on the island.

“Was there a young girl with her?” Su Liang opened the second portrait, which was of Ying Ying.

Min Rou looked uneasy, “I really don’t know who they are.”

Su Liang held a portrait in one hand, “Let me simplify. This girl is my sister. She was taken away by this witch and seems to have something to do with your family. I must find her and bring her back. Can you tell me where I can find her?”

Min Rou bit her lip, “Do you want to know where my home is just to save her?”

Su Liang nodded, “Yes, you’re a Min. I hope you can look at the problem from the perspective of the Min family, detach yourself, and then look at your former home.”

Min Rou heard Gu Xiaonuan laughing downstairs and could imagine her cute look. She very much wanted to persuade herself that Su Liang and she were not the same kind of people, not to be trusted. But she found no reason to doubt Su Liang, while her former home had sprung up countless suspicious aspects in a single day.

“Promise me you won’t harm any innocent people in my home,” Min Rou took a deep breath and looked at Su Liang steadily.

Su Liang raised her hand, “I swear, I won’t harm any innocent people.”

Min Rou loosened her clenched sleeve, her voice was very soft, “Alright, I’ll tell you…”