Chapter 465: 465. Breakthrough

Translator: 549690339

Wen Ran, who was thinking about Yan Shiba and hadn’t fallen asleep yet, was reading in her room. Hearing footsteps in the courtyard, she immediately put down her book and came out.

Yan Shiba had already entered her room and closed the door heavily.

Wen Ran knocked on the door and heard Yan Shiba talking inside, but she didn’t respond to her. Wen Ran pushed the door open forcefully and saw Yan Shiba pacing back and forth in the room, holding her head with both hands and muttering, “I’m not sad… I’m not upset… I am Yan Shiba, after all…”

Wen Ran sighed, walked over, and had just touched Yan Shiba’s shoulder when she was embraced by her as she turned around.

“Yan sister, feelings can’t be forced. Don’t be too sad,” Wen Ran advised Yan Shiba.

“Who said I’m sad? I’m fine!” Yan Shiba’s voice suddenly raised.

“Uh-huh, it’s okay,” Wen Ran gently patted Yan Shiba’s back, as if comforting a child.

“No, no, I’m not sleepy at all tonight. Let’s go for a walk. I haven’t been out since I recovered!” Yan Shiba said, waving her hand to put out the lamp in the room and then dragging Wen Ran outside.

Wen Ran suspected that Yan Shiba might have cried but didn’t want to let her see it for fear of losing face. So, she didn’t expose her and didn’t deliberately look at her either, just following her out, “Drink the medicine first. It’s warm on the stove.”

“I’ll drink it when I get back!” Yan Shiba shook her head.

During their conversation, the two had already left the room, left the courtyard, and were walking towards the main gate.

Wen Ran didn’t know where Yan Shiba wanted to go, but it didn’t matter. Although she had never experienced this kind of “heartbreak” before, she guessed it must be unbearable. After all, Yan Shiba had liked Cheng Yun for a long time and always talked about him before he came back. But on the day of their reunion, her love affair was declared over.

Cheng Yun had just left the lakeside and saw Yan Shiba and Wen Ran from a distance, wondering where they were going. But thinking that Yan Shiba had not fully recovered yet and Wen Ran was not very skilled in martial arts, he felt somewhat uneasy. After hesitating for a moment, he decided to stealthily follow and protect them. After all, Yan Shiba’s emotional instability was due to him.

Actually, Yan Shiba’s words tonight surprised Cheng Yun. He thought Yan Shiba would be very aggressive in pursuing him and leave no room for refusal. However, he didn’t expect that he wouldn’t have to say anything, and she had figured it out herself.

The biggest thing Cheng Yun felt about this was: gratitude.

Now that they were family, Cheng Yun hoped to get along peacefully with Yan Shiba and avoid any misunderstandings and conflicts, which would trouble him.

The current situation was quite good and made Cheng Yun feel at ease. As for being moved by Yan Shiba’s unique confession and deciding to give their relationship a try, that was out of the question. If there were no feelings, it just wouldn’t work.

After leaving Su Mansion, Yan Shiba dragged Wen Ran aimlessly, initiating a walking spree. It was not wrong to say she had thought things through, but rationality and emotions were ultimately two different things. Rationality told her she should let go, but her emotions were still a tangled mess, making it difficult for her to stay calm and quiet. She needed to do something to vent.

Walking on the deserted streets late at night, with a refreshing breeze on their faces, their bodies gradually warmed up as they walked. Perhaps they were sweating because they were walking fast and not paying attention to the changing environment around them, as if they were in a maze not knowing where they came from or where they were going. Only the sound of their feet hitting the ground one after another, making them feel alive… This feeling, lingering between dreams and reality, initially felt more like a dream, but later on, as the cool breeze dried the sweat from their foreheads and their legs gradually began to ache, they slowly returned to reality. At that moment, physical exhaustion made their mood more peaceful.

Yuanming Pavilion.

It was not until bedtime that Gu Ling mentioned Yan Shiba and Cheng Yun’s conversation at the lakeside pavilion to Su Liang.

Su Liang was taken aback, “They laid their cards on the table tonight? What was the outcome?”

“Yan Shiba left first. It should be alright,” Gu Ling said. If Cheng Yun had left first and Yan Shiba chased after him, there would be a problem.

Su Liang sighed, “This has been Cheng Yun’s trouble all along. He should have clarified things with Yan Shiba. However, I don’t think Yan Shiba, as she is now, would cause any problems. But it’s not that easy to let go just by saying so.”

As Su Liang was about to go and check on Yan Shiba, Gu Ling pulled her back into bed, “Wen Ran is with her. There will be no problems.”

After thinking for a moment, Su Liang said, “That’s true. They’ve become very close lately. If she really wanted to find me, she would’ve come by now. So, let’s leave it at that and discuss it tomorrow.”

It was already late at night when Yan Shiba decided to go home.

By the time she and Weng Ran walked back hand in hand, it was no longer a furious walk, but a stroll.

Suddenly, Yan Shiba laughed and swung both of their hands high like a child. “Little Ranran, I’ve decided!”

Weng Ran asked what she had decided.

Yan Shiba’s tone was upbeat, “What man? To hell with all of them! I can live without a man! I want to try to be a good person, someone people like! What do you think?”

Weng Ran smiled, “That’s right. Fate is something that can’t be forced. We women shouldn’t live or die for men; it’s so undignified. We can do anything men can do.”

Then Yan Shiba said, “I really want to drive Gu Ling away so we can live with the little devil, haha!”

Weng Ran coughed lightly, “That won’t work; they’re a match made in heaven.”

“I know! I’ve watched them come this far, and I’m even their matchmaker!” Yan Shiba said, somewhat melancholic as she reminisced about the past.

“How did you meet?” Weng Ran was curious. She only knew a little about it.

Yan Shiba was in high spirits, “When we first met, it was full of ups and downs, thrilling! Let me tell you about it!”

The two chatted and walked home without mentioning Cheng Yun again.

Cheng Yun always maintained a distance and silently followed them. He couldn’t hear what they were saying, but he could tell from the pace that Yan Shiba was back to normal. He was relieved.

When they returned home, Yan Shiba took Weng Ran to sleep in her room. They talked all night long about each other’s pasts until the sky brightened before they fell asleep.

At breakfast, Su Liang only saw Cheng Yun and not Yan Shiba or Weng Ran.

Weng Ming found it strange since Weng Ran usually woke up early and dragged him to practice martial arts together.

“I’ll go check!” Ji Xiaoshu said as he tried to rush out.

Cheng Yun grabbed Ji Xiaoshu, “No need. I know.”

Su Liang smiled lightly, “What happened last night?”

Ji Xiaoshu wore a gossiping expression, “Did Aunt Yan try to assault Uncle Cheng Yun last night, but he fought back, and they had a big fight, eventually knocking out both Aunt Yan and Aunt Ran?”

Weng Ming’s mouth twitched, and Cheng Yun held his forehead, “Xiaoshu, is that what I look like to you?”

Ji Xiaoshu laughed loudly, “Just kidding! Uncle Cheng Yun is so kind-hearted; how could he hit someone? Hurry up and tell us what happened!”

“They went out for a walk last night and came back very late. So they might still be sleeping now. But I’m sure they returned home safely.” Cheng Yun said seriously.

“Did you go for a walk with them?” Su Liang asked.

Cheng Yun coughed lightly, “I was afraid they would run into trouble, so I secretly followed them.”

Su Liang nodded, “Not bad, you have the potential to be a good man.”

“So, what about you and Aunt Yan, Uncle Cheng Yun?” Ji Xiaoshu quickly asked, “Are you getting married? Or did you break up?”

Cheng Yun frowned, “We have never been together, not married, and not broken up, Xiaoshu don’t talk nonsense.”

Ji Xiaoshu sighed, “So there’s no chance?”

Cheng Yun nodded, “We decided to be friends.”

Zhengzheng patted Cheng Yun’s hand, “Uncle Xiaoyun, I wish you and Aunt Yan both find your good partners.”

Cheng Yun was a little embarrassed, “Well…that’s also…”

Ji Xiaoshu chuckled, “Uncle Cheng Yun, just say thank you! Don’t say you won’t like anyone or get married in this life, in case you change your mind in the future, it would be so embarrassing!”

Cheng Yun couldn’t help but laugh and cry, “Yes, thank you Zhengzheng, thank you Xiaoshu, thank you everyone for your concern.”

So, without paying attention to Yan Shiba and Weng Ran, everyone started eating first, and after the meal, they went on with their respective tasks.

Old Bai and Weng Ming researched the ancient books with Su Liang again, and Cheng Yun took care of Gu Xiaonuan.

The weather was good today, and Cheng Yun held Gu Xiaonuan outside for a while. Upon returning to Yuanming Pavilion, he saw Zhengzheng and Ji Xiaoshu sitting on the ground, playing with a pile of jewelry and jade stones.

Gu Xiaonuan liked shiny things and wanted to join them, but Cheng Yun was worried, “Will Nuannuan put these things in her mouth?”

Zhengzheng shook his head, “No, little sister is very smart and never eats random things! Uncle Xiaoyun, come and help us, we’re making a treasure tree!”

Cheng Yun held Gu Xiaonuan and sat down to help. First, he sorted the gemstones, jade, and crystals in the box by color and material, and put them in different wooden boxes.

By the time Weng Ran and Yan Shiba got up and cleaned up, they came to Yuanming Pavilion and saw Gu Xiaonuan putting pearls in Cheng Yun’s hair. Cheng Yun was very cooperative and let her play, his head decorated very “gorgeously”.

Yan Shiba laughed at the sight, “Nuannuan, I want it too!”

“Aunt Yan, Aunt Ran!” Gu Xiaonuan called sweetly, waving her little hand to let them join in the fun.

“Aunt Yan and Aunt Ran, go eat something first,” Zhengzheng said.

The two finished their breakfast and joined in making the treasure tree. Weng Ran couldn’t help but sigh, “Playing with these, I suddenly feel like I’m rich.”

Zhengzheng picked out a beautiful pearl, “I think this would suit Aunt Ran well, it could make a pearl hairpin.”

Weng Ran looked at it and liked it, took it and asked with a smile, “Is it for me?”

Zhengzheng nodded, “Master said these are all for us.”

Yan Shiba pouted, “Nothing for me?”

Ji Xiaoshu picked up a ruby ​​and compared it to Yan Shiba’s brow, “You could make a necklace and hang it here, it would definitely look good.”

Weng Ran confirmed Ji Xiaoshu’s aesthetic appreciation.

Cheng Yun asked inexplicably, “Anything for me?”

Yan Shiba glanced at him and couldn’t help but tease, “You should eat meat first before considering wearing jewelry.”

Cheng Yun: …

Zhengzheng pointed to Cheng Yun’s head, “Little sister has already picked for Uncle!”

Cheng Yun coughed lightly, how could he meet people with a head full of pearls?

When Su Liang saw Yan Shiba again, she was holding Gu Xiaonuan and playing with her, laughing brightly. Zhengzheng said that Cheng Yun had gone to help Weng Ran cook lunch.

“How did it go?” Su Liang asked Yan Shiba.

Yan Shiba showed an arrogant expression, “I confessed, but I told him that my liking him has nothing to do with him!”

Su Liang gave a thumbs up, “You’ve grown up.”

Yan Shiba rolled her eyes at Su Liang, “Get lost!” She laughed again, “It’s strange. I was sad last night, but when I woke up today, I felt like love whoever, be with whoever you want, all men can go to hell! I still have a long and happy life ahead of me!”

Su Liang smiled, “That’s the spirit.”

“When I saw Cheng Yun today, besides wanting to beat him up, I didn’t have any other feelings,” Yan Shiba said. “In a few days, I’m still a bit weak now and probably won’t win. We have to fight sooner or later!”

Su Liang understood that Yan Shiba was determined to have a fight, probably like drawing a line between their relationship after a hug, it was a formality, but important. They were not suitable for hugs, the former demoness and the former monk had both left their former identities behind. Yan Shiba chose reason and self-esteem, but she wanted to regain some dignity in another way.

Five days after Mo Yan’s gift arrived at Su Mansion, Su Liang had not yet made the mind-control drug recorded in the ancient book because two of the required herbs had been lost for a long time and they did not have them.

However, based on that prescription, Su Liang and his two masters had improved the formula of the truth-telling drug previously made and produced a new truth-telling drug.

It had not been tested yet and its efficacy could not be guaranteed, but it was considered a breakthrough.

Because there was a risk, Su Liang informed Duanmu Chen while visiting Duanmu Zhen in the palace that she needed to borrow a death row prisoner for use, who might have returned as a dead body.

Most of the death row prisoners in the Heavenly Prison were not beheaded in public, but mostly died of poison, strangulation, or being beheaded in prison.

Duanmu Chen agreed and gave Su Liang a token to fetch the prisoner.

Su Liang and Gu Ling went to the Heavenly Prison, specifically asked the officials there about the crimes committed by the death row prisoners, and then selected and brought back to the Su Mansion a prisoner who had several murder cases on his back.

Although they did not know much about the death row prisoner, they would observe his condition after taking the drug, and it was unlikely that he could still lie deliberately after taking the truth-telling drug. Before, both Nangong Lin and Nian Ruxue had tried it, and there was no problem with the drug controlling them to tell the truth.

So, the prisoner took the truth-telling drug, and then Gu Ling asked him several questions, including whether he had other unconfessed crimes. Some information was indeed not discovered by the prison officials, such as his multiple murders in the past, and his kidnapping and trafficking of good women and children.

Gu Ling asked in detail about the information of the victims and the information and locations of the kidnapped and trafficked women and children.

Fifteen minutes passed, and the prisoner was still alive. An hour passed, and he had sobered up, could not remember what happened after taking the drug, and did not die either.

Weng Ming examined the prisoner’s pulse and said it was normal. Old Bai also said that he could not see any signs of poisoning.

Su Liang was very happy, thinking that this time it should be successful, and the “side effects” of the truth-telling drug could be avoided.

The prisoner stayed at the Su Mansion until late that night. When it was confirmed that he would not die from the truth-telling drug, there was no point in keeping him any longer. Gu Ling asked Qi Yan and Zhu Zan to send him back to the Heavenly Prison, along with the recorded information of the prisoner’s confession, so that the Ministry of Justice officials could continue the investigation, give an account to the victims, and let the trafficked women and children return home as soon as possible.

That night before going to bed, Su Liang sighed, “If only we could catch Sheng Yue now and ask if he has any more secrets.”

“There will be a chance,” Gu Ling kissed Su Liang softly.