Chapter 325: 325. Pig Opponent (First Update)

Translator: 549690339

su Llang’s dally exercise was not nummal, and sne tried ner Dest to maintain a regular life when conditions permitted, so insomnia was rare for her.

After waking up, she remembered Nangong Qian and her servant who arrived last night, as well as Nangong Lin and Situ Jing, who came and left. She felt that the upcoming days would not be as peaceful as the previous two days.

However, change is not necessarily a bad thing; change, after all, is the path to success.

Yesterday, Su Liang was cutting down some bamboo to make a shelf but accidentally hurt her hand, though not seriously. Qiao Cong brought back some medical ointment for injuries, which she applied last night. This morning, her wound was largely healed.

Opening the door, the sky was still gray.

When Su Liang went to the well to fetch water and wash up, she glanced at Nangong Qian’s room, which was still quiet. Qiao Cong’s door was also closed.

Just like yesterday, Su Liang ran out of the courtyard to start her morning exercises. However, after taking only a few steps, she returned with an inexplicable expression, suddenly realizing that something was off…

Next to the original bamboo clothes-drying rack, there was now a taller, stronger one made from the same bamboo she had cut down yesterday. The bamboo used was much thicker, and the structure looked very solid.

Su Liang walked over, pushed it, and found it quite sturdy. She jumped up, grabbed the horizontal bar, did several chin-ups, and her hands were positioned just right without bulging bamboo joints.

After trying it out, Su Liang followed her original plan to go for a run. When she left the courtyard, her lips curved slightly; Old Qiao had actually made what she wanted overnight. Although it wasn’t exactly a daily necessity, she was touched by his gesture.

Of course, it was just a little bit, and Su Liang quickly calmed down, reminding herself not to forget how she and Gu Ling had parted ways twice in a row.

Whether this could prove that Qiao Cong liked her younger generation was not sure.

With two lifetimes of human experience, Su Liang’s attitude towards “others liking her” was overly rational or even passively negative.

“Don’t take it for granted that others like you” was one of Su Liang’s true life principles.

In fact, this was also the reason Su Liang was considered “slow” in her previous relationship with Gu Ling. Gu Ling intentionally restrained and concealed his feelings, not wanting Su Liang to find out. So Su Liang believed what he showed, because subconsciously, she was eliminating the possibility of her unrequited love for Gu Ling, which could destroy their harmonious, beautiful friendship. She subconsciously did not consider that direction until Gu Ling confessed his feelings to her.

For now, Su Liang didn’t have the confidence that her position in Qiao Cong’s heart could surpass that of his own granddaughter in just two days.

From Qiao Cong’s reaction, it was clear that he was reasonable under normal circumstances, but it should not be forgotten that he valued his granddaughter so much that he could be unreasonable.

Therefore, Su Liang felt that she must be cautious when getting along with Nangong Qian from now on. She must not be tricked by Nangong Qian, but also not deliberately use any tricks on her. If the latter was seen through by Qiao Cong, Su Liang would lose the little trust and goodwill she had accumulated in the past two days.

After ten laps, Su Liang returned to the courtyard and continued her other exercises.

Just as she started doing chin-ups, Qiao Cong’s door opened, and he walked out, stood under the eave of the roof, and silently watched Su Liang exercise.

After finishing her chin-ups and landing, Su Liang noticed Qiao Cong.

The sky was getting brighter, and she smiled and waved to Qiao Cong, “Master, good morning!” Her tone was uplifting, full of vitality, and there was no trace of her being forcibly brought here.

Then, Su Liang practiced the newly learned swordsmanship a few times before returning to her room.

By the time Nangong Qian woke up and was being served by Qiuyue, Su Liang had already prepared breakfast, eaten with Qiao Cong, and then fetched some water and went to the backyard to water the vegetables.

Su Liang prepared plenty of breakfast, including portions for Nangong Qian and Qiuyue, which she left in the pot.

Of course, it was not out of kindness that she wanted Nangong Qian to eat her cooking; it was purely for show to Qiao Cong. Even if there were grudges, she was willing to temporarily “reconcile” in hopes for peace.

However, when Su Liang returned from the backyard with an empty bucket, she heard Qiuyue talking to Qiao Cong.

“Our lady is weak and cannot eat such coarse food.”

Instead of being angry, Su Liang felt like laughing. Today, she had made Lean Meat and Vegetable Porridge and Egg Pancakes. She had specifically picked the wild vegetables during her morning run near the bamboo forest, which were very fresh with dewdrops on them. If she hadn’t reminded Qiao Cong that the porridge in the pot was left for Nangong Qian and Qiuyue, he would have gone for another bowl after having three…

Coarse food? Did she really consider Nangong Qian a princess? Unfortunately, as blood relations, Situ Jing could be considered a prince of Liang Country, Nangong Qian was just a commoner if talking about her upbringing. Feeling superior just because someone is doting on her, huh? Very well, Su Liang “likes” this.

After hearing Qiuyue’s words, Qiao Cong narrowed his eyes.

Qiuyue didn’t know what this meant and continued to talk about the delicate meals Nangong Qian usually ate. She even claimed, “It’s up to Miss Su to take care of our lady. I heard her cooking skills are very good.”

Bother… Su Liang rolled her eyes. The Gold Thread Cake and Silver Thread Soup mentioned by Qiuyue were impossible to make in this place. Plus, compared to the nutritious food like Lean Meat and Vegetable Porridge, those fancy-named dishes were not suitable for Nangong Qian to eat at all, right?

It was clear that she wanted to pick on Su Liang’s cooking, but she didn’t panic. Seeing Qiao Cong’s gaze, she walked over with the wooden bucket, “So, breakfast doesn’t suit your lady’s taste? Has she tried it?”

Qiuyue probably didn’t expect Su Liang to be so friendly, so she nodded subconsciously and then hurriedly shook her head, “No… our lady said she felt nauseated just from the smell and asked me to take it away immediately.”

Su Liang sighed lightly, “I specifically made Lean Meat and Vegetable Porridge and Egg Pancakes considering your lady’s health. They are very soft and easy to digest. I remember the first time I visited her father’s residence, he asked me to treat her. I also wrote a list of suitable meals for her recovery and gave it to you. It included these two dishes. Chun Hua made them for your lady according to my recipe once, and your lady told me that it was very comfortable and she loved it. It wasn’t that long ago.”

Qiuyue’s face stiffened, apparently having forgotten the previous events. These two dishes were made by Su Liang with good intentions, even if full of strategies.

It’s a pity that someone in this courtyard obviously doesn’t know a good thing when they see it.

Su Liang even doubted that Nangong Qian knew what she had done. In any case, Su Liang couldn’t do it; she had to make something else for her. Maybe after it was done, she would still complain about the taste and continue pretending to be nauseated.

Just as Qiuyue was about to explain, Qiao Cong threw out a sentence, “You cook for Qian’er.”

Then he beckoned Su Liang to follow him and walked towards the courtyard entrance.

Su Liang quickly put down the bucket and followed, and the two went into the bamboo forest one after the other.

Qiuyue stomped her foot and ran back to Nangong Qian’s room. There was no need to explain because they had been standing outside the door, and Nangong Qian had heard everything.

“Damn it… That bitch is so scheming… She did it on purpose!” Nangong Qian said with hatred.

“Miss, what should we do? I’m afraid the Master has been bewitched by Miss Su.” Qiuyue looked worried.

Nangong Qian’s eyes were filled with resentment, “No matter how much she tries to please grandpa, he won’t like her more than me as long as I am here…

Dad said her cooking was good, so it seems this is her way to please grandpa. In that case… you’ll cook from now on, let grandpa eat your cooking, and don’t give that bitch a chance!”

Qiuyue stared blankly and showed a troubled expression, “Didn’t Miss say we should let Chun Hua come instead… and let Miss Su do the laundry, cook, and serve us?”

Chun Hua was Nangong Qian’s personal cook, with excellent cooking skills, but a bit dull, not as good as Qiuyue in pleasing Nangong Qian’s heart.

Qiao Cong said only one maid was allowed in this small area. Qiao Cong originally chose Chun Hua, but Nangong Qian insisted on bringing Qiuyue.

The goal was to pick on Su Liang through their meals.

It was a pity that their very first meal destroyed their plan…

Qiuyue had thought that Nangong Qian would choose to eat Su Liang’s cooking obediently. But Nangong Qian had a new idea, making her cook and not giving Su Liang a chance to please Qiao Cong?!

Qiuyue knew it was a good idea, but she was used to taking advantage and acting innocent, always pushing the dirty and tiring work onto Chun Hua, so she was naturally reluctant.

Nangong Qian was very persistent, thinking her plan was brilliant. Afraid of upsetting her, Qiuyue had to accept it. She had personally witnessed a maid who had taken care of Nangong Qian since childhood, become more and more beautiful, and eventually fall victim to Nangong Qian’s jealousy, ending up with a ruined face and being sold.

Su Liang followed Qiao Cong into the depths of the bamboo forest, when Qiao Cong suddenly spoke, “You hate Qianqian.” His tone was affirmative.

Su Liang shrugged, “I kindly took the risk of being punished to go to Yin Country to cure her illness, yet she wants to snatch away the man I like. In this case, yes, I really hate her.”

Qiao Cong turned around, narrowed his eyes, and looked at Su Liang, “Aren’t you afraid of making me unhappy by saying this?”

Su Liang shook her head, “I believe Master values reason. If I say I don’t hate her, the only conclusion Master might have is that I’m hypocritical. Both Situ Jing and Nangong Qian were not raised and taught by Master, right? Does Master really agree with their characters? If not, I think the best way to really help them is to correct them in time, rather than unconditionally indulge or even encourage their crooked thoughts.”

Qiao Cong snorted coldly, “The last time, it was Qianqian’s father’s idea, she’s just a child, not as worldly as you, only a little willful.”

Su Liang thought to herself, as expected, the grandfather’s filter was so thick that the classic lines “she’s still a child” and “she’s just a bit willful” were brought up.

However, Su Liang didn’t have high expectations for Qiao Cong, so she didn’t get angry or annoyed by his words, instead, she jokingly said, “Actually, I don’t know how old Nangong Qian is, but I guess we’re about the same. I’m actually quite envious of her being able to be a child and being willful. I am worldly, but who wouldn’t want to be pampered and protected for a lifetime if they had a choice? Seeing how well Master treats Nangong Qian makes me miss my grandfather. If he were still alive, even without the great strength of Master, I wouldn’t make mistakes outside to worry him, but as long as someone always treats me as a child, I would feel very fortunate.”

All along, Su Liang’s last sentence was truly sincere. She didn’t know Su Yuanzhou, but she suddenly missed the grandmother who had loved her in her previous life.

Qiao Cong furrowed his brows and continued to walk forward in silence. After a while, he suddenly asked, “How did your qrandfather die?”

Su Liang was not surprised that Qiao Cong didn’t know enough about her. Nangong Lin should have investigated her but wouldn’t tell Qiao Cong because there was no mistake to speak ill of her in front of him.

Su Liang sighed and described how the Su Family had encountered their tragedy.

“I worked hard in martial arts, not for revenge at first, but for self-protection, because no one protects me as a child anymore. I decided to take the Military Exam in order to return to the capital city and investigate the cause of my family’s death and take revenge.” Su Liang said, “The murderers were two princes of Qian Country, one of whom was the former crown prince, but I managed to avenge them.”

Qiao Cong walked ahead, not letting Su Liang see his expression, and she didn’t Imow if he would feel that it would be nice if Su Liang was his granddaughter after hearing her story. However, she could be sure that having such an opportunity to naturally talk about her past experiences would definitely have a positive effect on their relationship, whether big or small.

“If Qianqian is willful again, just tell me.” Qiao Cong’s words were a good sign for Su Liang.

“Alright.” Su Liang didn’t say anything about how she would be more patient with Nangong Qian, “Master, where are we going?”

“Hunting.” Qiao Cong said.

Su Liang: … Coming empty-handed for hunting, she thought it was just a casual stroll.

However, Qiao Cong was experienced and very familiar with the bamboo forest. Soon, they caught a wild chicken and returned.

But Su Liang still didn’t know why Qiao Cong insisted on bringing her along, perhaps wanting to take the opportunity to chat and have her treat Nangong Qian well?

Back at the small courtyard, Su Liang asked if she should take Nangong Qian’s pulse.

Qiao Cong nodded, Su Liang washed her hands and then pushed open the door to Nangong Qian’s room.

“Who let you…” Nangong Qian saw Su Liang, her eyes clearly unfriendly, but the next moment she saw Qiao Cong appear behind Su Liang.

Instantly, Nangong Qian pretended to be weak and wronged, “Grandpa, I’m not feeling well and I’m picky about my food. It wasn’t on purpose that I didn’t give

Su Liang face this morning…”

Su Liang now understood that Nangong Qian was indeed older than her.

“Let her take your pulse.” Qiao Cong spoke up, his tone gentler than usual.

Nangong Qian obediently nodded and looked at Su Liang who was walking to the bedside, “Sister Su, you’re not mad at me, are you?”

Su Liang shook her head, her expression indifferent, “Not about breakfast.”

Nangong Qian paused for a moment, her eyes reddening, “Then it must be because of what happened before… that was decided by my father, and I was also blinded by it and didn’t stop it…”

Su Liang focused on taking her pulse without responding. Nangong Qian’s health was worse than before, so the prescription needed to be adjusted. She wrote a new prescription and gave it to Qiao Cong, then checked the medicine Nangong Qian had brought, and asked Qiao Cong to buy the missing ingredients as soon as possible.

Nangong Qian looked genuinely pitiable, while Su Liang seemed somewhat cold in comparison. However, Qiao Cong stood by the whole time and didn’t say anything.

In the end, Nangong Qian suggested that Su Liang was not a servant and it was not appropriate to have her cook. She said that from then on, her maid, Qiuyue, would handle the cooking, putting on a kind and magnanimous air.

Qiao Cong nodded, “Alright, let’s do as Qian’er says.”

Su Liang expressed her agreement, as she was more than happy to eat ready-made food and wasn’t picky about it. She only enjoyed cooking when she was with Gu Ling.

At the same time, Su Liang was well aware that Nangong Qian’s intent was not for her benefit but probably to cut off her chance to win Qiao Cong’s favor through her cooking.

Thus, it was Qiuyue’s turn to cook lunch.

Su Liang didn’t go to watch, instead sitting in her room reading a medical book and waiting for the meal.

Not long after, she heard a scream.

When she put down the book and went out, she saw the simple kitchen in the courtyard ablaze. Qiuyue’s face was covered in soot and her hair singed by the fire. She stood in shock at the courtyard gate as the smell of burnt meat filled the air. It must have been the wild chicken Qiao Cong had caught that was ruined…

Su Liang quickly ran to the well, fetched water, and put out the fire with Qiuyue’s help. However, the latter retreated a few steps and accidentally bumped into Qiao Cong, who had just returned. She cried out in fright, falling to the ground in an extremely embarrassing state.

Qiao Cong heard the noise and could tell at a glance what had happened. His face turned dark as he joined Su Liang in extinguishing the fire, narrowly preventing it from spreading to his room.

In her room, Nangong Qian called out, “Qiuyue… Grandpa… What happened?”

With a dark expression, Qiao Cong pushed open the door and strode in. Before Nangong Qian could say anything, he sternly questioned, “With so many maids at your disposal, why did you bring such a clumsy one?”

Nangong Qian turned pale with fright, “Grandfather… I didn’t… it was father…

father chose Qiuyue…”

“Your father is just looking for trouble! We agreed that Su Liang would come to treat you, and he deliberately picked such a maid. Does he want a divine doctor like Su Liang to serve you as a slave servant?” The fire had ignited the anger in Qiao Cong’s heart.

Su Liang thought that it had probably something to do with Qiuyue’s claim that breakfast was crude and made Nangong Qian nauseous, as well as her background story. That servant was likely chosen by Nangong Qian herself, otherwise, there wouldn’t have been the spectacle this morning…

Nangong Qian burst into tears, “Grandfather… I’m sorry…”

The next moment, Su Liang, who had returned to her room to change clothes, clearly heard Qiao Cong say to Nangong Qian, “You’re not young anymore, your health is poor, you lack experience, and you don’t understand the ways of the world, yet you’re still so willful. Aside from your father and me, who would indulge you?”

Su Liang slowly smiled, gesturing a “yea” to the bamboo shoot in the spirit of encountering a weak opponent: This was the joy of meeting a pig-headed foe….