Chapter 308: 308. Wait until the new clothes are ready

Translator: 549690339

At the beginning of the climb, Su Liang let go of Gu Ling’s arm.

She had often seen couples holding hands in her previous life, so she wanted to give it a try. She found the intimate gesture to be quite pleasant and it didn’t make her feel uncomfortable.

As they walked side by side up the narrow mountain path, their hands accidentally brushed against each other for the first time, stirring something in Gu Ling’s heart.

From then on, their hands would frequently touch, appearing to be “accidental,” but in reality, it was deliberate on Gu Ling’s part.

Su Liang had noticed Gu Ling’s gaze constantly darting downwards and understood his intentions, but she didn’t call him out on it, curious to see what he would do.

It didn’t take long for her to realize that their tacit understanding occasionally faltered when it came to matters of romance.

She had thought Gu Ling would “unintentionally” take her hand, and even subconsciously-awaited his move, but that didn’t happen…

When they passed a steep section of the path, and their hands brushed against each other for the nth time, she felt a sudden impact from Gu Ling. Stumbling, she almost fell.

Gu Ling immediately reached out to catch her, hooking his arm around Su Liang’s slender waist and pulling her into his embrace. He looked at her earnestly and said, “Be careful.”

“Great God, your acting is full of holes,” Su Liang scoffed as she pushed Gu Ling, but failed to move him. His chest muscles felt firm to the touch, something she hadn’t noticed before.

Gu Ling nodded in agreement. “Yeah, I wanted to hold you.”

Without thinking, Su Liang blurted, “You could’ve just said so.”

“Then can I kiss you?” Gu Ling asked earnestly. They had already embraced, so there was no need to ask about hand-holding. Kissing seemed like the natural next step.

Su Liang’s eyes turned cold. “If I agree, do you plan on consummating the marriage tonight?” She thought he was getting ahead of himself.

“If you’re willing, of course,” Gu Ling didn’t try to hide his desire for Su Liang. Holding her close, he already felt his heart racing uncontrollably.

“Ah, I refuse,” Su Liang pushed Gu Ling again. “Have you held me long enough?”

“No,” Though Gu Ling answered, he still let Su Liang go and took her hand in his.

Su Liang tried to shake him off, but Gu Ling held firm. “You started by holding my arm without asking my permission first.”

Su Liang tried to shake him off once more. “I want to switch hands.”

Upon hearing this, Gu Ling let go. Instead of switching hands, Su Liang sprinted forward.

“Then, Gu Ling took the opportunity to leap forward m a tew qu1CK strides, landing in front of Su Liang, turning around, and opening his arms wide to receive her as she charged into his embrace.

Caught off guard, Su Liang ended up in Gu Ling’s arms once again. She blinked, voluntarily wrapping her arms around his waist, pressing her body against his. She could clearly feel him tense up.

Her hand gently caressed Gu Ling’s lower back as she asked softly, “Great God, have you held me long enough yet?”

Unable to withstand Su Liang’s teasing, Gu Ling let go and stepped back, putting some distance between them. “Let’s go. We don’t want to miss the sunset. ”

“Great God, are you…?” Su Liang suspected Gu Ling might be experiencing a physiological reaction.

Gu Ling’s ears turned red. “No matter what you’re thinking, stop it.” “Oh,” Su Liang chuckled. “My bad.”

With that, she took Gu Ling’s hand on her own accord, focused on the path ahead and continued walking.

Gu Ling clasped Su Liang’s hand firmly, laughter in his eyes. “You like me.” He stated with certainty.

Su Liang nodded and readily admitted, “Yes, I do!”

“Can you say it one more time for me?” Gu Ling asked. This would be the first time Su Liang ever confessed her feelings to him. She had mentioned it before, but the context was different.

“Oh, you like me,” Su Liang said with a serious expression. Gu Ling: …She must be doing this on purpose, definitely on purpose.

The setting sun painted half the sky red with its magnificent glow.

As the sunset disappeared over the horizon, the sky seemed to suddenly darken and the evening breeze picked up.

They sat on a large rock, overlooking the city of Jiaye below as evening descended. In the far distance, the winding Liuxian River disappeared into the misty mountains like a coiled dragon.

“Great God, we should go back.” Su Liang stood up.

Gu Ling walked in front of Su Liang and bowed slightly, “Come on.”

Su Liang raised her eyebrows slightly, “The mountain path is not easy. Are you sure you want to carry me on your back?”

Seeing Gu Ling nod, Su Liang approached him, lay on his back, hooked his neck, and wrapped her legs around his waist. “Let’s go. I’m actually a little tired.”

“If you’re tired, you can sleep.” Gu Ling turned his head and could see Su Liang’s side face resting on his shoulder, with her long eyelashes fluttering like butterfly wings.

Su Liang closed her eyes, “I’m not sure if I can fall asleep, but I’ll try.”

Gu Ling walked down the mountain path, which was steep and rugged, but his steps were always steady. Su Liang on his back was not heavy, but to him, she was the whole world.

The sky gradually darkened, but Gu Ling was not in a hurry to go back. Instead, he walked even slower, afraid that his unsteady steps would jolt Su Liang.

Halfway there, Su Liang moved, and Gu Ling immediately stopped, thinking she was going to wake up. But she just turned her head in another direction, muttered something, and continued sleeping.

Right by his ear, Gu Ling heard Su Liang clearly. She said, “Dating the Great God…” and then laughed.

She really loves me… This realization made Gu Ling’s heart blossomed, and even the dimming sky seemed beautiful to him.

He tilted his head slightly, gently kissing Su Liang’s smooth forehead like a dragonfly touching water before parting and curving his lips into a smile.

On the way down the mountain, Gu Ling recalled the past two dream-like days and couldn’t help but sigh. Su Liang had always been very tolerant and trusting of him.

His mood during these two days was like what Su Liang described as “riding a

roller coaster.” He felt very happy and content at that moment, no matter how the process had been.

By the time Gu Ling carried Su Liang down the mountain, the moon had already risen.

He didn’t wake up Su Liang but carried her straight back to the Lin’s Family.

In the rumors, it had always been Su Liang who pursued Gu Ling single-handedly. That day, many common people in Jiaye City saw the beautiful Gu Ling carrying his wife on his back, and they all exclaimed that he was an excellent husband.

Returning to the Lin’s Family, they heard from a servant that a guest had arrived, looking for Gu Ling.

“Who is it?” Su Liang finally woke up and patted Gu Ling’s shoulder, “Put me down.”

Upon landing, she looked at the Lin’s Family plaque, then the sky. She didn’t expect to actually fall asleep and sleep so soundly.

“I don’t know who he is, but the young master invited him in.” The guard answered Su Liang’s question.

Su Liang nodded, “Let’s go and take a look. Could it be my elder sister Yuan? It shouldn’t be. If she came, she would definitely say she was looking for me.”

When the two reached the flower hall outside the Lin’s Mansion, they heard laughter and a voice that was unfamiliar to Su Liang.

“It’s my master.” Gu Ling spoke.

Su Liang was somewhat surprised.

With Gu Ling’s remarkable martial arts, he naturally had a master, especially his Luoying Swordsmanship, which even the late Yanyun Building Master Yan Sui was astonished to see.

Su Liang had heard from Gu Ling that his master was Nangong Lin, the sworn brother of his mother Situ Ning, but he was not the adopted son of Situ Xie, but a friend of Situ Ning’s.

Gu Ling didn’t know much about Nangong Lin. He had been the one to actively seek Gu Ling and teach him martial arts, appeared and disappeared like a ghost, and hadn’t shown himself for four years.

“Gu Xiaoling, look who’s here!” Lin Shun smiled as he looked at Gu Ling and Su Liang, who appeared at the door.

Su Liang’s gaze fell on the only unfamiliar face, a middle-aged man who was obviously a martial artist. His figure and skin were well-maintained, his appearance handsome, with a not very obvious scar on his left face.

When their eyes met, Nangong Lin smiled brightly and stood up, “This must be

Ling’er’s wife.”

“Master.” Gu Ling spoke.

Su Liang smiled and called out “Master” as well.

“There are no outsiders here, sit down quickly.” Lin Shun gestured for everyone to sit, “Let’s have dinner first, and then you can catch up. I wanted to invite Cai Beibei, but their family reunion today is not suitable for interruption.”

Lin Shun’s sister Lin Shan was also present, her head wrapped in white cloth, quietly eating her meal.

“Uncle Nangong, would you also accept me as your disciple? I am older than Gu Xiaoling, so I would be his senior martial brother!” Lian Shun excitedly suggested.

Nangong Lin laughed and said, “After your wound is healed, let’s have a friendly competition. ”

“So it seems that Uncle Nangong will be spending time with Gu Xiaoling soon?” Lian Shun chuckled and winked at Gu Ling. He knew Gu Ling only wanted to stay with Su Liang and could kick him, but surely couldn’t hit his own master, right?

Nangong Lin laughed heartily, “I am just coming to see Ling’er, my disciple who I haven’t seen for a long time.”

Su Liang intuitively felt that Nangong Lin must have a purpose for seeking Gu Ling after four years.

After dinner, Nangong Lin followed Su Liang and Gu Ling back to their courtyard.

Gu Ling gestured for Su Liang to go back to their room first, and he sat in the courtyard talking to Nangong Lin.

Moonlight poured down like water.

Nangong Lin looked at the room with the light on, and then at Gu Ling, his expression gratified, “Seeing you living so well now, I, as your master, can be at ease.”

“Master, what brings you to me?” Gu Ling’s attitude seemed a bit indifferent.

“Can’t I come and see you without any reason?” Nangong Lin sighed softly, “You kid, you’ve been cold since you were young, and I thought you would become better after getting married. ”

Gu Ling remained silent.

“Well, being married is good enough.” Nangong Lin laughed again, “To be honest, I used to think you would become a monk or live alone all your life. This time I’m looking for you, there is indeed something I want to ask for your help with.”

Gu Ling nodded, “Master, please go on.”

“Actually, it’s not asking for your help, but your wife’s.” Nangong Lin looked at the room with the light on again, “She is a divine doctor who emerged out of nowhere, and maybe she can cure my daughter’s illness.”

“I didn’t know that Master had a daughter.” Gu Ling’s expression was calm.

Nangong Lin glared at Gu Ling, “You think that everyone is like you, who likes living alone? Seriously! Even if you have a beautiful wife now, can’t I, as your master, have a child? I haven’t mentioned it, and you never asked either. Every time we had a conversation before, you seemed disinterested!”

“Master, bring her here.” Gu Ling ignored Nangong Lin’s teasing.

In fact, his change was only in front of Su Liang. To others, he was still the silent, cold and handsome man.

“If I could bring her, I wouldn’t have come alone to find you today.” Nangong Lin shook his head, “She can’t leave the house, let alone travel such a long distance.”

“Su Liang has received the Imperial Edict and cannot leave easily.” Gu Ling said.

Nangong Lin nodded, “I know. Last year, I had already heard of the reputation of the Divine Doctor Su from Qian Country, but I didn’t go to her at that time, because I guessed that I would be rejected, and also because Qianqian’s condition had improved. Last month, Qianqian’s condition suddenly worsened, so when I heard that the rumored Divine Doctor Su became your wife, I decided to come and find you both.”

“Where is Master’s family living now?” Gu Ling asked.

“Near Xiangyue City of Yin Country.” Nangong Lin said.

“I understand. I will discuss it with her and ask Master to wait here for a while.” Gu Ling got up and went back to his room, hearing Nangong Lin’s deep sigh from behind.

As soon as Gu Ling entered the room, Su Liang asked, “What’s the matter with your master coming to find you?”

“Actually, it’s for you.” Gu Ling told Su Liang about Nangong Lin’s intention.

“He wants me to treat his daughter?” Su Liang was surprised, “But I can’t leave my post without permission, especially to go to Yin Country at this time. By the way, where is Xiangyue City in Yin Country?”

“Not far from the imperial city of Yin Country.” Gu Ling said.

Su Liang frowned, “That’s not easy to handle. Even if I want to go, I have to ask the emperor for permission first, and it would take a long time to go back and forth. Moreover, the emperor might not agree. Is your master trustworthy?”

Gu Ling shook his head, “Actually, I don’t know his true background. He once expressed his admiration for my mother, and my mother trusted him very much. He taught me martial arts and has been my master, so if he asks me for help, I will agree. But since it’s for you, it’s your decision.”

“Since we are family and it’s a matter concerning your master, I am willing to help.” Su Liang sighed softly, “It’s just that the timing is not right. First, let’s learn about the situation, and if it’s not urgent, I will send someone to ask the Emperor for permission to go to Yin Country. If it’s really a matter of life and death and extremely urgent, then let’s look for other ways.”

Gu Ling held Su Liang in his arms and gave a slight sigh, “Thank you.” “Thank me for this? Don’t be so polite.” Su Liang smiled softly.

“Mm, actually I just wanted to take the opportunity to hug you.” Gu Ling ruffled Su Liang’s hair.

Su Liang pushed Gu Ling away, “Don’t be so mushy. I’m going to talk to your master. If we go, I need to find out who he is first.”

Nangong Lin watched Gu Ling and Su Liang come out together and sit down in front of him.

His eyes were gentle as he looked at Su Liang, “I never thought the rumored divine doctor would be so young. You’re just like Linger, both of you are geniuses. ”

“Master, you’re too kind.” Su Liang smiled, “May I know the age of the patient Master mentioned? And what kind of illness?”

Nangong Lin sighed, “She is a bit older than Ling’er, her name is Nangong Qian, my daughter, but not by blood. She is an orphan left by a good friend, whom I raised. She has congenital weakness, is often sick, and cannot bear a bit of cold. That’s why we have been living in Yin Country, where there is no winter. Before I left, Qianqian could no longer get up, coughing non-stop, and her sputum was bloody.”

As he spoke, Nangong Lin paused. After a moment of silence, he spoke again, looking at Gu Ling, “Qianqian’s biological mother is your mother’s sister Situ Xiang. I don’t know if you’ve heard this name.”

Su Liang was stunned and immediately thought of the letter she and Gu Ling had found in King Yue’s mansion in Yao City last year. Could it be, that the letter from Situ Xiang was written to Nangong Lin?

“If it weren’t for the tragic events back then, Qianqian should have been your sister.” Nangong Lin smiled bitterly, “Her mother was the adopted daughter of King Yue of Liang Country. She grew up with your mother since childhood, their relationship was deep. Unfortunately, her fate was not good.”

“Who’s her father?” Gu Ling asked.

Nangong Lin’s eyes turned cold, “It’s not a secret. Qianqian’s father is Emperor Situ Han of Liang Country. Situ Xiang was raped by that beast. When she found herself pregnant, she fled from Yao City to escape him. When I found her, Qianqian had already been born. After leaving the child in my care, she soon passed away.”

What Nangong Lin mentioned corresponds to the handwritten letter of Situ Xiang in Liang Country’s King Yue Mansion and the blood-stained hairpin found in the Imperial Palace where Su Liang had been searching.

It seemed to be a love triangle. Situ Xiang was in love with Nangong Lin, but Nangong Lin was in love with Situ Ning. Now both sisters were gone, Nangong Lin was protecting their children in his own way, wasn’t he?

“I know it’s quite abrupt asking you guys, but I’m really out of options.” Nangong Lin sighed deeply, ‘Qianqian said that it might be a relief for both her and me if she passed away. But I can’t forget Situ Xiang’s entrustment. If she was still alive, she would have tried her best to save the child.”

“I understand.” Su Liang nodded, “Is Master originally from Yin Country?”

Nangong Lin nodded, “I’m from Yin Country. My family deals with medicinal materials. When I was young, I traveled all over and visited many places. That’s when I met Ling’er’s mother and Qianqian’s mother.”

“Did Master know my father? He was also in the medicinal materials business before his death.” Su Liang asked.

Nangong Lin shook his head, “I heard of Su Family of Qian Country. Your grandfather’s medical skills were excellent, but I never met your father.”

“We will discuss it more. Master, you should rest first.” Su Liang said. For both emotional and rational reasons, it was hard for her to refuse outright. “Alright, thank you.” Nangong Lin stood up and left for the guesthouse arranged by Lian Shun.

‘Great God, what should we do? If she’s really Situ Xiang’s daughter, then she’s indeed your sister.” Su Liang asked Gu Ling, “Should I accompany him to Yin Country while you stay in Jiaye City, and also write a letter to the emperor? As long as there are no issues, the emperor shouldn’t mind.” “No,” Gu Ling shook his head, “We should go together.”

Su Liang shrugged, “You figure it out, I’ll listen to you.”

Gu Ling insisted on sleeping in the same room as Su Liang. She slept on the bed, and he slept on the floor.

After turning off the lights, moonlight poured in like mercury.

Gu Ling heard Su Liang turn over in bed, knowing that she hadn’t fallen asleep, so he silently grabbed her hand that was on the edge of the bed.

“Great God, I can’t sleep like this,” Su Liang said.

“Then, should I get up?” Gu Ling asked.

Su Liang tossed a pillow at him, “Calm down and sleep.”

“Alright,” Gu Ling let out an almost inaudible sigh, “How much longer do I have to wait?”

Su Liang recalled their wedding in Liang Country, where she complained that the wedding dress was too cumbersome and decided to make herself a qipao for when they got married for real. She said, “At least, wait until I finish making a new dress.”

Gu Ling didn’t understand, “What new dress?”

Su Liang laughed softly, “It’s a secret, but you’ll definitely like it..”