Chapter 406: I’ll give you three breaths of time.

Translator: 549690339

Qian Country’s capital city, Su Mansion.

After Min Rui suffered a stroke and was paralyzed, he was treated by an elderly Imperial Physician. The physician was not completely helpless, but suspecting that Min Rui had been drugged by Gu Ling and Su Liang due to his own issues, he appeared to be conscientious and diligent on the surface, yet in reality, Min Rui’s condition did not improve at all.

Old Master Min, who did not understand the character and behavior of Min Rui and his wife, was still worried about his son. After much thought, he decided to visit Su Mansion in person and ask Su Liang or Gu Ling to treat Min Rui.

Old Master Min sent a message in advance, saying he would pay a visit. Su Liang guessed his intentions and did not refuse.

On this day, Old Master Min brought valuable gifts to Su Mansion, and Su Liang welcomed him. Gu Ling was teaching two children martial arts, Cen Man was walking around with Gu Xiaonuan in her arms, and Nangong Rou and Qiuyue were sitting in a pavilion by the lake doing needlework.

There was a reason for this. In the past, Gu Ling had made a cloth doll for Zhengzheng. Last time Zhengzheng went home to see his brother, he took the doll with him.

Ji Xiaoshu found out that the cute and silly cloth tiger was actually made by his cool master, and he was shocked. It was as if he could no longer look straight at Gu Ling. Then, he clung to Gu Ling like a little monkey and strongly demanded that Gu Ling make one for him personally, or he would cry.

Of course, Gu Ling threw Ji Xiaoshu out and told him to cry as he pleased.

Nangong Qian, who happened to see what happened, found out the reason. Recently, her embroidery had been improving, so she proposed to make dolls for the children, but she would need Su Liang’s help with drawing. Many of the patterns that Nangong Qian had used for embroidery and making clothes in the past were provided by Su Liang, which were simple, beautiful, and elegant.

Seeing that Gu Ling remained unmoved, Ji Xiaoshu swiftly snatched Zhengzheng’s cloth tiger, and Zhengzheng generously gave it to him.

Then, they both said they wanted a frog, but Nangong Qian firmly rejected the idea. During their time on Wangxiang Mountain, she had accidentally seen what a real frog looked like and was almost scared to death.

So, after some discussion, the two children decided they wanted one lion and one wolf, and they had to be life-sized.

Gu Ling drew the patterns for them in detail, including the dimensions of each part.

At this moment, Nangong Qian and Qiuyue had already cut out the cloth and prepared the cotton for stuffing. Nangong Qian was sewing a lion doll, and Qiuyue was sewing a wolf doll.

“After these two are done, I’ll make a big tiger for my grandfather.” Nangong Qian said with a smile.

Qiuyue thought it was very appropriate. In her eyes, Qiao Cong was just like a tiger, exuding an aura of power even when he wasn’t angry.

Here, Su Liang poured a cup of hot tea for Old Master Min. After he expressed his thanks, he got straight to the point, “Thanks to the prince and princess for treating my son Min Rui before. He was about to recover when something happened to Rou’er. He may have been under too much pressure and became sick from feeling stifled.” Old Master Min sighed deeply as he spoke.

Upon hearing Old Master Min address her as the princess, Su Liang remembered that Gu Ling was now nominally the Regent King of Qian Country. Duanmu Chen refused to revoke this title.

“I saw Elder Gao earlier and heard him say that,” Su Liang said, “I’ll go with Master Min later to take a look.”

Old Master Min’s expression brightened, “Thank you, Your Highness.”

As Su Liang stepped out, Ji Xiaoshu greeted her enthusiastically, “Mother!” She looked over and saw Ji Xiaoshu being kicked in the butt by Gu Ling, telling him to focus on practicing his horse stance and not to move recklessly.

Smiling, Su Liang waved at the two children and walked over to tell Gu Ling that she was going to Min Mansion for a while.

“You stay here and watch the children. Let Master accompany me,” Su Liang knew that Gu Ling would not let her go out alone. Cen Man, who had just come over with Gu Xiaonuan in her arms, handed the baby girl to Gu Ling upon hearing this.

Gu Xiaonuan kicked her little legs in Gu Ling’s arms. Su Liang was still wondering what was going on, as her daughter was always very well-behaved when held by Gu Ling.

However, in the next moment, Gu Ling walked over to Ji Xiaoshu with Gu Xiaonuan in his arms and let her kick Ji Xiaoshu’s butt as well…

Ji Xiaoshu immediately protested, “Mother, look at my master! Not only is he beating me, but he’s also using my little sister as a tool to beat me!”

Looking at the toothy grin on Gu Xiaonuan’s face, Su Liang couldn’t help but sigh, “This time, it’s not your master’s fault. It’s your sister who wanted to kick you.”

Zhengzheng couldn’t help but laugh, “It must be because my sister saw how Master beat Xiaoshu and wanted to learn by example!”

Ji Xiaoshu also laughed, “My little sister is so smart!”

Cen Man accompanied Su Liang to Min Mansion.

When they saw Min Rui, a servant was feeding him soup. Min Rui’s gaze fell on Su Liang, and his eyes instantly turned gloomy.

Old Master Min didn’t notice it, “Rui’er, I’ve specially invited the Regent Princess to treat you.”

Min Rui closed his eyes, clenched his teeth, and showed a face full of resistance, which made Old Master Min feel inexplicable.

Su Liang came forward to check Min Rui’s condition and took his pulse. Then, she looked at the prescription left by the elderly Imperial Physician, “Elder Gao’s prescription is correct. If his condition has not improved, it may be because of a heart ailment. Heart ailments are difficult to treat. If he cannot let go of his troubles, even the best medicine will be useless.”

Upon hearing this, Old Master Min nodded in agreement, “The princess is right. That’s exactly the case. Min Rui’s wife left with Rou’er without telling anyone, leaving him behind. He is very upset about this.”

Su Liang looked at Min Rui with a smile, “Try to let go of your worries. They will be fine.”

Old Master Min only felt that Su Liang was gentle and kind, but Min Rui knew very well that Su Liang was mocking and humiliating him! And she must be speaking sarcastically!

Unfortunately, Min Rui couldn’t even utter a complete sentence. The medicine he took every day could only maintain his current condition, with no improvement at all.

In the end, it was as if Su Liang had done nothing, and she was respectfully escorted out by Old Master Min.

Since they were already out, Su Liang decided to visit Old Master Qin in the neighboring Duke Mansion. Old Master Qin was very happy to see her and gave her a fat fish that he had just caught.

On the way back, Cen Man asked Su Liang, “Did you just come out for a walk?”

Su Liang nodded, “Old Master Min personally came to invite me, so it would be impolite to refuse. I just went through the motions.” If this made Min Rui’s condition even worse due to anger, that would be fine too.

As they walked, Cen Man glanced back and had a strange feeling that someone was watching them, but she did not see anyone suspicious.

Upon returning home, Su Liang fed Gu Xiaonuan first and was about to take her out when she saw Gu Ling entering through the door.

“What’s wrong?” Su Liang noticed Gu Ling frowning slightly.

“Qiuyue.” Gu Ling said while pointing at his own brow.

Su Liang furrowed her brows, “Someone wants to kill Qiuyue?”

Gu Ling shook his head, “Not necessarily targeting her, but she is in danger.”

“Nangong Lin?” Su Liang blurted out. Not many people knew Qiuyue, and if Nangong Lin came and wanted to take Nangong Qian away, he might kill Qiuyue in passing, as Qiuyue was inseparable from Nangong Qian.

Nowadays, Nangong Qian would occasionally go out, always accompanied and protected by Cen Man. However, if a master like Nangong Lin were to appear, Cen Man could only protect Nangong Qian enough for her to escape, leaving Qiuyue vulnerable to an attack.

Su Liang imagined various scenarios and, in the end, still felt that Nangong Lin was the most suspicious. However, she didn’t rule out the possibility that someone else might come to Su Mansion to kill or kidnap someone, and Qiuyue could just be caught in the crossfire.

Her forehead showed a black fog, which meant that if she didn’t do anything in the next three days and carried on with her original plans, she would die.

It would be easy to forbid Qiuyue and Nangong Qian from leaving the house for three days, as they didn’t often venture outside. However, after discussing with Gu Ling, Su Liang decided to wait and see, keeping an eye on Nangong Qian and Qiuyue, and only taking action when someone appeared. If they could eliminate Nangong Lin in the process, it would also solve a hidden danger.

In the dense forest outside the capital city.

Nangong Lin frowned as he looked at Yue Mei, who was leaning against a tree with an uncertain expression on her face. “What do you need to do outside the city? We haven’t been discovered.”

Yue Mei didn’t answer and remained lost in her thoughts.

Nangong Lin didn’t get angry, either. Instead, he found a stone nearby to sit on and rest, waiting for Yue Mei to return to normal. He knew that Yue Mei was a Poison Master and had a paranoid personality, so he didn’t dare to provoke her carelessly.

About a quarter of an hour later, Nangong Lin saw Yue Mei move. She faced the direction of the capital city and muttered something to herself, her words indecipherable.

Nangong Lin got up and walked over. “What’s wrong, after all?”

Yue Mei turned around, looked at Nangong Lin, and suddenly revealed a creepy smile. “Nothing. I just suddenly figured out a few things today.”

Nangong Lin had a feeling that Yue Mei was hiding something from him. They had just arrived in the capital city today and happened to come across Su Liang, who was out. However, it wasn’t convenient to act in broad daylight, so they only followed her for a short while. Even then, they were almost discovered by Cen Man.

Afterwards, Yue Mei didn’t say anything and left the city.

Nangong Lin recalled that when he signaled to Yue Mei that the woman on horseback was Su Liang, she looked over and her pupils dilated, as if her eyeballs were about to pop out…

Nangong Lin wondered, had Yue Mei never met Su Liang before? Did Su Liang’s appearance remind her of someone? Was it related to Su Liang’s background? He had researched before, and Su Liang’s birth mother was unknown.

Immediately, Nangong Lin thought about the fact that he had casually chatted with Yue Mei about a lot of things on the way, learning some details about her, including the grievances between her and Su Liang’s master, Old Bai, and Shen Qingxue, who was sold by her years ago…

Shen Qingxue, Su Liang’s master… Nangong Lin couldn’t help but come up with a bold guess. Was Su Liang’s identity related to Shen Qingxue? Judging by their age, she might be Shen Qingxue’s granddaughter or great-granddaughter, and they looked similar in appearance. Otherwise, why would Shen Qingxue’s senior become Su Liang’s master? And why would Yue Mei show such shock when she saw her, speaking strangely. “She figured a few things out”? Did she mean why Old Bai was so good to Su Liang? Previously, Yue Mei had said, “I really don’t understand, we grew up together, but my senior betrayed me and now cares more for a disciple he barely knows, even risking his life!”

“Send a message to Su Mansion as planned,” Yue Mei said. “Tonight, Su Liang will come out to exchange for my senior at midnight, most likely accompanied by Gu Ling, just like last time. As long as he leaves the house, the people in Su Mansion are no match for us. Take the opportunity to bring your daughter back!” This was agreed upon during their journey, and Nangong Lin insisted on taking Nangong Qian away. Yue Mei agreed.

Before leaving the dense forest, Nangong Lin couldn’t help but ask, “Is it because of Su Liang’s appearance? Do you know her mother?”

Yue Mei looked coldly at Nangong Lin, “Rein in your curiosity!”

Nangong Lin laughed, “We are here to carry out Mo Zunzhu’s orders. I need to make sure you won’t change the plan because of the sudden realization you had today and not tell me, otherwise, wouldn’t that be trapping me?”

“It won’t change!” Yue Mei coldly snorted, “Now, I want to kill Su Liang even more.”

Hearing this, Nangong Lin truly believed that Su Liang could be Shen Qingxue’s granddaughter or great-granddaughter. However, if it were that simple, why couldn’t she tell him directly? He had nothing to do with Shen Qingxue. There must be other secrets in this.

Thinking back on Yue Mei’s earlier statement that she had contact with Mo Yan’s power decades ago, and that Shen Qingxue was “sold” to the young master of that power, Nangong Lin had a thought. Could the young master from decades ago be the current island Master of Xingluo Island, Mo Zunzhu? In that case, was Su Liang the granddaughter or great-granddaughter of that person?

If that was the case, it would make sense that Yue Mei refused to say it outright… Nangong Lin felt that he had probably glimpsed the truth of the matter, as well as the biggest secret at the moment, a secret that even Mo Yan was clearly unaware of.

However, Nangong Lin had always been scheming and did not show it. He did not ask further, just said that everything should proceed according to the original plan.

So, in the evening, an old beggar sent a letter to the Su Mansion.

“Yue Mei?” Su Liang was a bit surprised. Because today, after Gu Ling discovered that Qiuyue’s eyebrows had black mist on them, they thought that Nangong Lin would suddenly come to cause trouble. “Last time she captured Zhengzheng, I didn’t go, and you, Great God, chopped off one of her hands and feet. How dare she use the same trick again?”

Gu Ling pondered for a moment, “Min Rou said that Yue Mei had taken Ying Ying to the Starfall Island. Now that she might have been sent by Mo Yan to kill you, she shouldn’t be alone.”

Min Rou should be arriving in Xuanbei City soon, but whether she could find Mo Yan was still uncertain.

“Could it be that Nangong Lin has also joined Starfall Island? Did he come with Yue Mei?” Su Liang guessed. Nangong Lin had had an incident on Qiao Cong’s island, and then escaped by sea, so it was possible that he would go to Starfall Island.

After reading the letter again, Su Liang believed that Yue Mei truly captured Old Bai. But in order to control him, it would likely be necessary to put him into a coma. Carrying a hostage all the way here was actually very troublesome.

“In case she was really sent by Mo Yan and brought explosives to ambush me, it is indeed very dangerous,” Su Liang analyzed. “I don’t think she brought Old Bai here. Even if she did, she wouldn’t kill him if we didn’t show up. In that case, we shouldn’t go to the appointment, just keep an eye on Qiuyue.”

When it was deep into the night and all was quiet.

Gu Ling left the mansion secretly and returned after taking a detour nearby.

Su Liang arranged for Nangong Qian and Qiuyue to stay in another courtyard tonight, while Cen Man guarded the children in Yuanming Pavilion. Su Liang disguised herself as Qiuyue, staying in the room with the bed canopy hanging down, and no one inside. Gu Ling was waiting quietly in the shadow of the courtyard.

A quarter past midnight, Gu Ling saw a familiar figure approaching, it was Nangong Lin without a doubt. And there was no one behind Nangong Lin.

One of the windows was half-open. Nangong Lin, silently at the window, first looked around cautiously, and then peered inside through the crack.

A lamp was lit in the room, and Nangong Lin saw “Qiuyue” sleeping on the couch. He gently pushed the window open and was about to go in when he suddenly felt that his chest had been pierced through by something!

Nangong Lin stiffened, looked back, and saw Gu Ling standing behind him, holding something in his hand and aiming it at him.

The moonlight was bright and clear, and Gu Ling’s complexion was indifferent, like a banished fairy and even more like a killer.

How did he know I was coming? Can he predict the future… As this thought flashed through Nangong Lin’s mind, he felt a sense of foreboding, and was about to escape when he felt his body quickly becoming paralyzed and involuntarily falling to the ground!

As Gu Ling approached, Su Liang also came out of the room after hearing the commotion. She had guessed almost correctly during the day – that Nangong Lin was coming to find Nangong Qian and would try to kill Qiuyue by taking advantage of the opportunity.

“You…you are Su Liang?” Nangong Lin looked at the eyes of “Qiuyue”, his heart filled with horror. His plan was very secretive, why did they seem to know it beforehand?

The reason Nangong Lin had found Nangong Qian’s dwelling was because of the scarcity of people in Su Mansion and the fact that there was only one courtyard lit up apart from Yuanming Pavilion. Nangong Lin knew that Nangong Qian had been afraid of the dark since childhood and needed a light on during the night. Moreover, he saw “Qiuyue” there.

Su Liang smiled, “We meet again. Where’s Yue Mei? Did you come together? Tell us how to find her, or else, tonight will be the day of your death.”

Nangong Lin’s face was extremely ugly, “How did you know I would come?”

“Stop talking nonsense.” Gu Ling said, aiming the muzzle at Nangong Lin’s forehead, “You have three breaths of time.”