Chapter 309: If I knew it was so sweet earlier, why wait until today?

Translator: 549690339

Dawn was approaching.

Su Liang opened her eyes and heard Gu Ling’s voice ringing in her ears,

“Morning.”

Turning her head, she saw Gu Ling sitting cross-legged at the edge of the bed, smiling at her with the corners of his lips. His sleeping robe was wide open, revealing a tempting collarbone that she desperately wanted to touch…

Moving as her heart desired, Su Liang gently traced her finger along the contour of Gu Ling’s collarbone, marveling once again at how even his bones were so incredibly beautiful.

Looking up, she saw Gu Ling’s eyes deep and mysterious, his thin lips slightly pursed as he leaned towards her.

He wants to kiss me… Su Liang suddenly snapped back to her senses, pushing Gu Ling away firmly and saying, “No!”

Gu Ling, who had been sitting on the ground, didn’t get up after being pushed. Instead, he lay on his side facing Su Liang, his gaze filled with confusion and a touch of grievance, “Why not? You touched me first.”

Su Liang: …This man is seducing her again! No, she’s been seduced since she opened her eyes and saw him!

“Su Xiaoliang, tell me, why not?” Gu Ling insisted on an answer.

Su Liang told the truth, “You should brush your teeth and rinse your mouth first thing in the morning.” That was indeed her thought when she pushed Gu Ling away. If it wasn’t for the fact that it was early morning and she hadn’t freshened up yet, it would have been really hard for her to resist under such an intimate atmosphere…

Gu Ling’s gaze faltered slightly, and he sat up, staring at Su Liang intently.

Then, with a light chuckle, he touched his forehead and said, “Oh, you agreed.” It’s just that it’s not the right time now.

Su Liang: …Though he’s not good at expressing his affection, he’s skilled at accurately grasping what he wants.

“Stop teasing, I need to get ready for a run. I’m not a master like you; I can’t afford to slack off on my training.” Su Liang looked towards the gradually brightening window, recalling the events of last night, “Have you figured out what you’re going to do?”

“Hmm, we’ll talk about it later.” Gu Ling got up and left the room, allowing Su Liang to change her clothes in the inner chamber.

After a simple wash, Su Liang went out for a run, asking Gu Ling if he wanted to join, but he declined.

So Su Liang ran alone to Lin’s Family garden, beginning her morning exercise while thinking that Gu Ling might be going to talk to his master.

After running two laps around the lotus pond in the Lin’s Family garden, Su Liang noticed someone nearby, slowed down, and saw a slender and handsome middle-aged man walking out of a bluestone path. It was Nangong Lin, whom she had just met last night.

“Master,” Su Liang greeted Nangong Lin with a smile.

Nangong Lin nodded slightly, his smile gentle, “I almost forgot that your initial rise to fame was due to winning Qian Country’s Martial Arts Champion. With such diligence, you can accomplish anything you put your mind to. You may continue; I got up early and came out for a walk.”

Su Liang continued her morning exercise and returned to her room when she was done.

After she had showered, dressed, and came out of her room refreshed, Gu Ling had already prepared breakfast with his own hands and set it on the stone table under the tree in the courtyard.

The rising sun illuminated the ground with golden light, and a refreshing breeze brought the sweet scent of flowers and plants.

Su Liang sat across from Gu Ling, looking at the carefully prepared home-cooked breakfast, clapping her hands in appreciation, “This is perfect, I wanted to eat exactly these.”

Earlier, Su Liang had told Lian Shun that if she had time, she might want to cook her own meals. So, their courtyard came with a small, fully-equipped kitchen.

Gu Ling’s cooking skills couldn’t be described as superb because he hadn’t cooked many different dishes himself, mostly just what Su Liang had made. But, no matter what he cooked personally, even if it was his first time, he always managed to do it well.

Not only was it talent, Su Liang always believed that the most important thing when cooking was putting your heart into it.

And Gu Ling was someone who put his heart into anything he did.

The two of them sat across from each other eating breakfast, just like when they were in Su Family Village. The biggest difference was that, in Su Liang’s presence, Gu Ling seemed more gentle and often showed a smile.

“How are we going to deal with that matter?” Su Liang brought up Nangong Lin once more, “I think we need to go to Yin Country anyway, but if we act first and report later, we must have a reason that the Emperor will accept.”

With Fan Tong dead, Su Liang thought that there would probably be a high likelihood that Yin Country would change its commander. They wouldn’t let a fool like Fan Gang take charge, so the chances of another attack in the short term were extremely slim, especially since Qian Country had already sent more troops to Jiaye City, and Nian Jincheng should be arriving soon.

Kidnapping hostages to force the retreat and surrender of the city is not an orthodox approach to warfare. It’s a strategy that can be used by both sides.

After Gu Ling single-handedly broke through the enemy lines, and Su Liang publicly executed Fan Tong on the South City Tower of Jiaye City, the commanding officer of Yin Country would have to think twice before kidnapping anyone else, no matter who he was.

Therefore, Su Liang believed that there would be no problem for her and Gu Ling to leave Jiaye City at this time.

However, the key point was that they were on an imperial mission, and if they left their posts immediately after the battle was over, they would need to provide a reasonable explanation to Duanmu Yi, or they would encounter trouble.

“We’ve received information on the whereabouts of the secret scroll left by the descendants of the Mu Family,” Gu Ling said.

Su Liang’s eyes lit up, “This could work. If we can retrieve the other half of the secret scroll and deliver it to the emperor without any accidents, he’ll definitely be satisfied. But do we really intend to hand over the complete secret scroll?”

If they managed to create the legendary divine weapon of the Mu Family, it might not significantly impact the war, but it might also fuel Duanmu Yi’s ambition and lead him to launch a war proactively.

Su Liang understood the principle that the world would unite after prolonged division. Still, any consequences resulting from the “killing machine” they handed over would be their responsibility.

“Give him the previous half,” Gu Ling suggested.

“The emperor will be disappointed,” Su Liang shrugged, “But after this experience, I don’t think he’ll blame talents like you and me too much.”

After deciding, Su Liang wrote a letter after breakfast and sent someone to secretly deliver it back to the capital city.

The letter’s content was that she and Gu Ling received information that the secret scroll of the Mu Family’s mechanisms might have fallen into the hands of the Yin Country’s royal family, but they were not sure whether the scroll was complete or fragmented. If Yin Country and Liang Country worked together, sharing the secret scrolls they had obtained, and pieced together the complete secret scroll, the situation would greatly disadvantage Qian Country. Thus, she and Gu Ling would secretly head to Yin Country to confirm the secret scroll’s whereabouts and investigate any possible collusion between Yin Country and Liang Country after Nian Jincheng arrived in Jiaye City.

When they met Nangong Lin again, he asked about Gu Ling and Su Liang’s decision.

“Tell me the exact location,” Gu Ling told Nangong Lin, “Master will go back first, and we will catch up later.”

Nangong Lin hesitated for a moment, then expressed his joy, “Great! It’s fantastic that you two can go!” Then he frowned, “Won’t it be troublesome for you to leave Jiaye City and go to Yin Country at this time?”

“Master, do not worry,” Gu Ling did not explain further.

Nangong Lin sighed, “Fine. I know you two are smart, so I won’t ask too many questions. I’ve been away from home for too long. I don’t know how Qianqian is doing, so I’ll go back today.”

After telling Gu Ling the exact address, Nangong Lin bid farewell to the Lin Family members and left shortly after.

Lian Shun approached Gu Ling and Su Liang, asking, “Why did Uncle Nangong leave in such a hurry?”

“He has matters to attend to at home,” Su Liang replied, “If you want to exchange pointers, you can find Gu Ling.”

Lian Shun coughed lightly, “Maybe after my injuries heal.” In fact, he was only interested in being Gu Ling’s senior brother, and it was mostly a joke.

Lian Shun asked where Gu Ling and Su Liang were planning to go today.

Su Liang shook her head, “We are here to handle official business. First, we’ll visit the wounded soldiers, and then inspect the city’s defenses.”

Gu Ling’s expression was faint, “Do you know anything besides playing?” Lian Shun was speechless, “Then return the sightseeing guide I gave you!” “I threw it away,” Gu Ling replied.

“I don’t believe you,” Lian Shun huffed, “But official business is important, so go ahead with your duties. Come back early for dinner tonight. Cai Beibei and her family are coming over!”

“Alright,” Su Liang agreed, and then she and Gu Ling left with the medicine box.

Originally, the two of them wanted to have a good time in Jiaye City, especially Su Liang, who was visiting for the first time.

However, due to Nangong Lin’s visit, they decided to go to Yin Country. It was expected that Nian Jincheng would arrive in two or three days, and they had to finish what they were doing before leaving.

After visiting the injured soldiers and approaching noon, the two didn’t return to Lin’s house and went to a restaurant for a meal instead.

They chose a private room with a street-side window. With the window open, the hustle and bustle outside was full of life.

Su Liang was checking the medicine box when she suddenly heard Gu Ling ask, “What kind of clothes were you talking about last night?”

“Ah? Oh, that, I said it was a secret and not to ask.” Su Liang shook her head.

However, Gu Ling, who had been baffled by this, insisted on getting an explanation. ‘What does our sleep have to do with clothes? At that time, we have to take off whatever we are wearing. ”

Su Liang looked at Gu Ling’s ears, which weren’t red this time, and teased, “Great God, I’ve corrupted you. You can say such things without blushing or skipping a beat.”

Gu Ling grabbed one of Su Liang’s hands and put it on his chest. “My heart is beating.”

Su Liang took her hand back, “If it wasn’t beating, I’d be a widow.”

“Why did you say that I would like it?” Gu Ling asked further, “Are you going to make me new clothes? Does my appearance need clothes to enhance it in order to arouse you… that kind of… desire?”

Su Liang laughed at the last two awkvvard words from Gu Ling and collapsed on the table, “Great God, you are so cute.”

Hearing that, Gu Ling pushed the medicine box aside, leaned over with blazing eyes, clearly intending to continue what had not been completed in the morning…

Su Liang blinked, realizing what was happening. She closed her eyes, smiled, and tilted her head slightly upward. Her heart raced. This would be her first kiss in both lifetimes. She wondered how it would feel and whether he would…

Seeing Su Liang looking so willing, Gu Ling’s ears turned slightly red again. He leaned closer and closer…

Just when Gu Ling was about to kiss her, there was a sudden knock on the door, interrupting the ambiguous atmosphere in the room.

Su Liang instinctively opened her eyes and saw Gu Ling’s stunningly beautiful face close to her. Then she couldn’t help but laugh…

Gu Ling’s beautiful eyebrows furrowed slightly, intending to continue, but the knocking didn’t stop and grew louder.

Smiling, Su Liang held Gu Ling’s face, gave him a kiss on the cheek, and then pushed him away. “Let’s eat first, I’m so hungry.” With that, she got up to open the door.

Gu Ling thought: …After eating, Su Liang would definitely say no because she hadn’t brushed her teeth or rinsed her mouth…

The waiter came in to serve the food, glanced at Gu Ling, shrank his neck, and had an inexplicable feeling that the amazingly beautiful Marquis Chang Xin was dissatisfied and seemed to want to hit him…

He was sure that Mr. Gu was angry, but why? Everything was fine when they arrived…

Su Liang filled a bowl of soup and handed it to Gu Ling. Seeing him sitting quietly without moving, she laughed. “Great God, please don’t act like someone stole your candy, alright? Let’s talk about it when we get home.”

“No.” Gu Ling saw Su Liang about to drink the soup and suddenly had an idea, “Stop!”

Su Liang was puzzled, but before she could react, Gu Ling had already taken her spoon away. He went over to lock the door and closed the window, all in one breath.

“Hey, Great God, what are you doing…” Before Su Liang could finish her sentence, she was pulled to her feet by Gu Ling and embraced by him.

They looked into each other’s eyes, their breaths audible.

By now, Su Liang knew what Gu Ling was doing. She couldn’t help but laugh and asked softly, “Do you know how to do it?”

“Don’t talk.” Gu Ling lowered his head and kissed Su Liang’s delicate cherry lips. Only after experiencing it did he realize that it was an indescribably sweet and wonderful feeling.

Her first kiss made Su Liang aware of two things: First, men had natural talent in certain matters and could learn on their own. Second, some things could be addictive and hard to stop…

When Su Liang, with a bashful red face and watery eyes, finally pushed Gu Ling away, the food had already gone cold.

“Great God, I’m starving to death.” Su Liang spoke, feeling that her voice had taken on a few notes of coquetry. It must be the hormones, she thought.

“Do you think I know how to do it?” Gu Ling still didn’t let go of Su Liang. Resting on her forehead, his eyes looked deeply into hers and asked.

Su Liang chuckled softly and praised, “Great God, you’re really good at it.” It felt wonderful.

“But I feel inexperienced and need more practice.” Gu Ling said, capturing Su Liang’s lips once more.

Finally, when they sat down to eat, the once steaming hot soup had lost all its warmth.

“Don’t waste it. Let’s just eat it like this.” Su Liang said.

Gu Ling picked up the spoon and sighed.

“What’s wrong?” Su Liang was puzzled.

“I’m so foolish.” Gu Ling looked regretful. “If I had known it would be so sweet, why wait until today?”

As Su Liang took a sip of the cold soup, she almost choked, coughed twice, and cleared her throat. Looking at Gu Ling, she said, “Great God, I like the aloof, abstinent male god version of you. Don’t be like this. I’m scared.”

Gu Ling shook his head, “I can be aloof, but I won’t abstain.”

Su Liang nodded, “Yes. I totally understand your needs as a normal man. In fact, I also like it. But there should be a limit to everything, right?”

Gu Ling frowned, “Su Xiaoliang, today is my first time kissing you, and you want me to restrain myself?”

Su Liang: …

“I like it, you like it too, so why not?” Gu Ling continued to ask with confidence.

Ever since he confirmed that Su Liang liked him and didn’t reject his closeness, Gu Ling had become more and more unrestrained in certain matters.

Su Liang rubbed her forehead, “I didn’t say no. You just need to be clear-headed. This is a restaurant, and there are people everywhere outside. Look at what you’ve done to my lips. How am I supposed to go out and face people later?”

Gu Ling hesitated for a moment, looking at Su Liang’s lips, which were now even plumper and more lustrous than before. He swallowed, his voice deepening. “They look so good.”

Su Liang: …You can’t fight a lustful man…

Finally, after they finished their meal and were about to leave, Gu Ling said there was something he wanted to ask Su Liang.

“What is it?” Su Liang thought it was something serious.

“Just now… when we were kissing… I… ” Gu Ling didn’t look at Su Liang, staring at the carved table instead, and spoke softly, “I had that kind of reaction. Is it normal?”

Su Liang held back her laughter, ‘Yes, it’s a normal physiological response.”

“Didn’t you say that wanting to do it, but not being able to, is bad for your health?” Gu Ling looked up at Su Liang and resumed his “I’m so beautiful, don’t you want me?” expression, his seduction skills becoming more and more refined…

Su Liang: …She knew it, he would definitely try to push the boundaries with this kind of thing.

“If Nian Jincheng doesn’t arrive today and we still stay in Jiaye City, let’s sleep together.” Su Liang decided not to care about the clothes anymore. The beautiful man was tempting and clingy. If she couldn’t refuse, then she wouldn’t. She was also a normal person.

Laughter spread in Gu Ling’s eyes as he stood up and embraced Su Liang. Before he could say anything, however, they heard a rapid rush of horses’ hooves outside.

The two walked to the window, opened it, and saw a swarm of soldiers slowly passing through the street below.

“Aling!” Nian Jincheng, wearing armor and riding a horse, waved cheerfully to Gu Ling with a smile on his face..