Chapter 436: 436. What are you to me?

Translator: 549690339

“Thank God, thank the heavens and earth, and thank Divine Doctor Su and her husband.” Holding onto her weak legs, Weng Ran leaned against a big tree, muttering to herself. Upon looking back at the dead bodies on the ground and the withered grass stained with blood, she regained a sense of reality. The events that had just happened were too shocking for her sheltered life.

Weng Ran’s grandfather sighed repeatedly, “We shouldn’t have come out!”

Weng Ran immediately nodded and then frowned, clutching her grandfather’s hand tightly. “Grandpa, something’s not right! How did those two bad guys know we were coming here to gather herbs? Nobody has known your identity all these years, except for that person recently…”

Her grandfather’s face stiffened, “You mean,…”

“Damn it! It must be the son of Grandpa’s old friend who betrayed Grandpa! Otherwise, no one would know Grandpa’s whereabouts!” Weng Ran’s voice was full of anger, “We might not be able to go back home!”

Her grandfather was silent for a long time before his gaze fell on the severed head cut off by Gu Ling’s medicinal hoe. He turned his head slowly to face his enraged granddaughter, “Let it be, it’s fate. We won’t return home but will go to the capital city to seek refuge with Divine Doctor Su. I am old and unable to protect you, so it’s time for me to find you a good place to stay.”

Weng Ran frowned, “What do you mean by a good place to stay? Divine Doctor Su isn’t a man, it sounds like you want to marry me off to her.”

Her grandfather’s eyes softened, “I do hope she will like you. Let’s go, we’ll gather our things and head to the capital city.”

Before, Cen Man suspected that Gu Ling had some kind of foresight ability, and this time it further confirmed her guess. But she didn’t reveal it or ask about it. Such a skill was a good thing, and Gu Ling had always been doing the right things.

After the two returned to the inn, they took their belongings and left.

With a strong desire to return home, Gu Ling had been calculating when he could go back. Fortunately, the unplanned events had not delayed him for too long.

Capital city.

Only three days were left before Qi Jun and Ren Dong’s wedding. Su Liang was making a big red Chinese knot to hang in their new room as a gift. Ren Dong had previously mentioned that she liked the knot in Su Liang’s room, which was made by Gu Ling. There were already many other dowries and gifts prepared for Ren Dong and Qi Jun.

Originally, if Gu Ling were home, Su Liang wouldn’t have had to do it herself since she wasn’t very skilled at it. This was her first time making one, and she had already had to redo it once due to mistakes. At first, she had only described the Chinese knot she had seen in her previous life to Gu Ling, who then figured out how to make it on his own.

Qiao Cong knocked on the door, “Xiaoliang, are you busy?”

“Not busy, Master, please come in.” Su Liang tightened a section of the rope she had just woven.

Qiao Cong entered the room with a strange expression, sat down, poured himself a cup of tea, and didn’t speak immediately.

“What’s the matter?” Su Liang was curious. Surely nothing bad had happened.

“I suspect…” Qiao Cong began, then suddenly lowered his voice, “Qi Yan and Qianqian seem to be…”

Su Liang raised her eyebrows, were Qi Yan and Nangong Qian getting too close? She had been too busy lately to pay much attention.

“Master, did you discover that Qi Yan was showing affection to Qianqian?” Su Liang asked. Judging from Qiao Cong’s unhappiness, could it be that he thought Qi Yan wasn’t good enough for Nangong Qian and was deluding himself? Surely not?

Qiao Cong shook his head and sighed, “No!”

“What is it then?” Su Liang didn’t quite understand Qiao Cong’s complicated expression.

“I found Qianqian sneaking a peek at Qi Yan practicing martial arts!” Qiao Cong finally revealed it.

Su Liang couldn’t help but laugh, “Sneaking a peek? They live in the same mansion and see each other every day, there’s no need to sneak a peek. Master, are you overthinking it?”

“I didn’t think much!” Qiao Cong frowned, “Qianqian looks clearly interested in Qi Yan!”

Su Liang raised an eyebrow, not too surprised if that were the case. There weren’t many people in the mansion, and the only young, single man who Nangong Qian had contact with before was Qi Yan before Cheng Yun appeared. Cheng Yun still had a shaved head, although he was even more handsome now, but Nangong Qian wasn’t familiar with him yet. She was very familiar with Qi Yan, though.

Qi Yan and Qi Jun, the Qi brothers, were once regarded as servants of the Xing family by outsiders, but they actually weren’t. They had grown up together with Xing Yusheng, practicing martial arts and studying just like him. Their looks and talents were far superior to many of the noble sons in the capital city, and they had good morals and character as well.

Su Liang always thought that the Qi brothers were very outstanding, each with their own strengths. Qi Jun’s mind was very sharp, and he was Su Liang’s most capable subordinate. Qi Yan, on the other hand, was coarse but with finer aspects and had grown a lot over the years. By comparison, Qi Yan was more cheerful and open-minded, and if Nangong Qian liked him, Su Liang thought her taste was not bad.

“Why is Master so bothered? Do you think they are not suitable?” Su Liang asked with a smile. Qiao Cong had always liked the Qi brothers and had even praised their temperament as better than his own grandson, Qiao Jing.

Upon hearing this, Qiao Cong immediately shook his head, “I think they are very suitable. In fact, I had my eye on Qi Yan early on, but because there were always things going on at home and you were very busy, I never mentioned it. If Qianqian likes Qi Yan, that’s good. I’m just worried that his feelings might not be reciprocated, and what if he doesn’t like Qianqian?”

Su Liang:…all right, she thought too much.

“Xiaoliang, you have to think of a way. I really haven’t noticed any special feelings from Qi Yan towards Qianqian. Does he have another girl he likes? If there is, he should clarify it early, and I’ll have Qianqian give up!” Qiao Cong had come to Su Liang for help. Although he was skilled in martial arts, he was really not good at handling such matters and was very worried.

“He shouldn’t have any other girls he likes. Otherwise, he would have said so earlier and not let his brother get married before him,” Su Liang said.

Qiao Cong’s eyes lit up, “That’s true! You make a lot of sense! Then you be the matchmaker for Qi Yan and Qianqian! Qianqian’s health is better now, and she’s also changed for the better, as you know!”

Considering their past experiences, Qiao Cong was somewhat self-conscious about his granddaughter’s marriage. Nangong Qian had a dark past, and although Qiao Cong loved her very much, he had to admit that among Su Liang’s female friends, his own granddaughter was really quite ordinary, with nothing outstanding when compared to others.

“Master, don’t be so nervous. I’ll ask Qi Yan.” Su Liang thought there was a chance.

After a while, hearing footsteps coming up the stairs, Qiao Cong didn’t leave but hid behind a screen, wanting to listen to Qi Yan’s answer.

As soon as the door opened, Su Liang saw Qi Yan’s bright smile, “What can I do for you, Master?”

Su Liang thought to herself that once Gu Ling returned, she would ask him to learn from Qi Yan how to smile with such “sunshine.” Seeing such a smile would surely lift anyone’s spirits, and her Great God would undoubtedly be the best-looking when he smiled.

“Sit.” Su Liang pointed to the seat Qiao Cong had just sat in, “I want to ask you something.”

Qi Yan sat down and, seeing the unfinished Chinese knot that Su Liang had been working on, smiled, “Is this for Ajun? When I get married, Master, you have to give me one.”

Qiao Cong, hiding behind the screen, felt half-cold when he heard this. Was the young man already thinking about getting married? Did he have someone in mind?

Half-jokingly, Su Liang asked, “When do you plan to get married?”

Qi Yan chuckled, “Maybe next year, but I don’t know if it’ll work out.”

Su Liang was a bit surprised, “So you have a girl you like? Which lady is it? How come I don’t know?”

Qi Yan coughed lightly, “I haven’t dared to mention it lately since there have been so many things going on. Master has been busy with important matters. I plan to wait a while longer, at least until the Prince returns.”

“Tell me who it is first,” Su Liang asked.

Qiao Cong shook his head in silence, thinking there really was no hope.

“It’s Miss Qian from our mansion,” Qi Yan suddenly looked a little embarrassed, scratching his head and saying, “Earlier, my clothes were torn, and she helped sew them.”

As the words fell, Qi Yan saw someone suddenly come out from behind the screen, and he was startled, immediately standing up, “Senior Qiao!”

Qiao Cong came out with a straight face, patted Qi Yan on the shoulder, “You brat, why didn’t you say it earlier? You gave me an unnecessary scare!”

Qi Yan was a bit confused, as Su Liang laughed and said, “You can go back and have your father invite someone to propose marriage.”

Qiao Cong laughed loudly, “Those formalities are not important! If you want to get married before Qi Jun, it’s not impossible!”

Qi Yan wanted to say something to Su Liang, but he didn’t get the chance, as he was taken downstairs by Qiao Cong.

Su Liang picked up the bright red Chinese knot and sighed, “Great God, there will be another couple showing off their love in front of me at home, please come back soon.”

Qi Yan and Nangong Qian’s matters were quickly settled. Both sides were willing, both families were simple, and they were already very close to each other, so it was a perfect match, and everyone was delighted.

After consulting with Qi Jun and Ren Dong, Qi Jiang suggested postponing their wedding and proceeding with Qi Yan and Nangong Qian’s marriage first.

Qi Yan opposed it. Although he had said that Qi Jun was not enough of a brother for not waiting for him to get married first, it was actually just a joke, and he didn’t care about it. They were twin brothers, and he was just a little bit older than Qi Jun.

Qiao Cong also thought it was unnecessary. He was relieved now that the marriage was settled, and there was no need to rush to get married. He hoped to wait until Gu Ling and Qiao Jing returned safely.

That night, Zhengzheng and Ji Xiaoshu were playing with Gu Xiaonuan in Su Liang’s room, while Su Liang was still working on the Chinese knot.

Ji Xiaoshu suddenly ran to Su Liang, “Master, who fell in love first between you and Teacher?”

Su Liang laughed gently, “What do you think?”

“I guess… it must be the teacher who fell in love with Master first!” Ji Xiaoshu said.

Su Liang smiled, “Wrong.”

“Could it be that Master fell in love with Teacher first? Then it must be that Teacher used his charm!” Ji Xiaoshu deduced.

“Indeed.” Su Liang smiled. Between her and Gu Ling, Gu Ling was the one who fell in love first, but she felt that she had fallen for Gu Ling subconsciously long ago. It was just that their relationship was rather peculiar, and they both showed their calm and rational sides. The initial rules they set didn’t change as their relationship grew.

Looking back now, they were somewhat childish in deciding their love. The so-called “Su Liang would only come of age at eighteen” was like drawing a boundary between them, with Gu Ling not wanting to break Su Liang’s rules, and Su Liang thinking it was Gu Ling who insisted on it, until Gu Ling couldn’t help but break the boundary. To be honest, they wasted some time, and perhaps they could have been together much earlier. But no matter what, it was a beautiful and interesting experience.

“When the teacher comes back, I have to ask him and see what he says!” Ji Xiaoshu said, then ran back to Zhengzheng’s side, and the two of them whispered to each other, plotting something.

With each passing day since Su Liang arranged for Pu Cheng to divulge important information, her timetable showed Gu Ling’s return was approaching.

Su Liang believed Sheng Yue would not reappear easily, and indeed, she never saw Sheng Yue again. Nian Ruxue and Pu Cheng were locked in the dungeon, and Pu Cheng had traded Yan Shiba’s whereabouts for food and clothing, but he didn’t expect Su Liang to cripple his martial arts skills.

Su Liang didn’t hesitate at all when deciding to make a move. Pu Cheng was not someone who would do anything for his son; he was extremely selfish and would prioritize his own life and important interests. Such a man would be very troublesome when out of control, as he could do anything.

Although Sheng Yue hadn’t come to save Pu Cheng for the time being, it didn’t mean Pu Cheng had lost all his value. He still had irreplaceable uses in dealing with Sheng Yue, which was the reason Su Liang didn’t kill him.

As for Nian Ruxue, there seemed to be no use in keeping her for now, but there was no harm in doing so. Su Liang always believed that living people had value.

Soon, it was time for Qi Jun and Ren Dong’s big celebration.

Just yesterday, Su Liang finally finished the Chinese knot she was going to give them. Although Zhengzheng and Ji Xiaoshu both praised it as beautiful, and Ren Dong liked it, Su Liang thought it was still not as pretty as the one Gu Ling made. There was no way around it; her Great God was the best in her eyes.

Ren Dong was an orphan and didn’t know who her parents were. As Su Liang’s adopted sister, she married and took Su Liang’s last name. Bai Yang, as Ren Dong’s brother, sent her off.

Zhengzheng and Ji Xiaoshu, along with a group of children, blocked the door, asked Qi Jun to recite poetry, and then handed him a big riddle that Su Liang had gotten for him to guess.

Though it was not easy, after the children got the word puzzles from Su Liang, Qi Jun also received the answer secretly given to him by Su Liang.

Qi Jun pretended to be stumped by two puzzles, but eventually guessed them and smoothly took the bride away, creating a lively scene.

As a member of Ren Dong’s maternal family, Su Liang didn’t go to the Qi mansion for the wedding banquet. Qiao Cong took the children with him, and even Cheng Yun was dragged along. Cheng Yun originally wanted to stay behind out of concern for Su Liang’s safety, but Su Liang assured her that she had a hand grenade and there was no need to worry.

The sun was warm, and Su Liang walked alone by the lakeside. It had been a long time since her home had been this quiet, reminding her of the days when only she and Gu Ling had lived there.

In fact, Su Liang had another reason for not going to the wedding banquet today. Her heart was restless, because according to the timeline she had calculated for a long time, if everything went smoothly, Gu Ling should have returned by now, but there was still no news.

On the one hand, Su Liang comforted herself, thinking that Gu Ling would not have any accidents; he was so powerful and never let her down. But on the other hand, it was hard not to think about the consequences if things did not go well.

The pressure was great, but her only fear was that something would happen to Gu Ling. After all, they had learned from Pu Cheng that there was a “Transmigration Road” on Xingluo Island that had been guarded by Mo Yan for many years. Mo Yan had captured Gu Ling for the purpose of making him an experimental subject, which was very dangerous.

It was noon. Su Liang insisted on letting Nangong Qian and Qiuyue go to the banquet, and there was no one else in the house except the prisoners in the dungeon. She said she would cook lunch herself, but she didn’t end up doing so.

Su Liang just walked around the lakeside, looping around and around while thinking about what she might have to deal with if Gu Ling failed to save the people or was caught. She would often suddenly blank out because her subconscious was rejecting such things, but she had to force herself to calm down and continue thinking.

“Su Liang.”

A very close yet seemingly distant voice sounded in her ear. It was so familiar that Su Liang doubted whether her yearning for Gu Ling had caused her to hallucinate.

“Su Liang.” Another time.

It was then that Su Liang stopped and turned her head. The man she had been dreaming about appeared in her sight and reached her in the blink of an eye.

Su Liang subconsciously raised her hand, rubbing Gu Ling’s tired but still beautiful face, and asked him a question, “What are you to me?”

Gu Ling looked at Su Liang’s reddened eyes and felt heartache. He was about to hug her when he heard her question. The question felt strange, but he answered seriously, “Great God, I am your Great God.”

Not far away, Cen Man heard the reunion conversation between the two and the corners of her mouth twitched. She wondered how such embarrassing words could be spoken by people like them.

The next moment, Su Liang tightly embraced Gu Ling, taking a long breath, “It’s really you, my Great God, you’re finally back.”

Gu Ling gently patted Su Liang’s back, “I’m sorry for being away for so long. Everyone is fine; the others are on their way back.”

Su Liang felt a heavy stone drop from her heart and laughed, “You must have found my question strange just now.”

“Yes, it was a bit strange.” Gu Ling admitted that he didn’t understand why Su Liang had asked the question like that. Calling him Great God was one thing, but using it in a conversation made it somewhat cheesy.

“It’s because Yan Shiba, who came back before, was an imposter. Sheng Yue had Nian Ruxue undergo plastic surgery to look like Yan Shiba and deceive everyone,” explained Su Liang. “I was looking forward to your return, but when you actually appeared, I was a bit hesitant, doubting whether you were another imposter created by Sheng Yue.”

Gu Ling’s eyes showed understanding, “I see.”

“Great God, Gu Xiaonuan can call ‘Daddy’ now.” Su Liang shared her daughter’s growth with Gu Ling.

“I know she’s fine. I have something to do.” Gu Ling immediately held Su Liang and flew up, entering their room through the second-floor window.

Once they landed, Su Liang frowned and began unbuttoning Gu Ling’s clothes, “Are you injured?”

“No, I just missed you so much that my heart aches.” After saying that, Gu Ling lowered his head and kissed Su Liang.