Chapter 326: 326. Is Laozi dead? (Second Update)

Translator: 549690339

The small courtyard in the bamboo forest on the island was where Qiao Cong lived in seclusion. Now that the kitchen was burnt down, Qiuyue only knew to run far away and cry and scream, without the sense and courage to put out the fire. Qiao Cong did not hide his disgust for her.

If Nangong Lin were still here, Su Liang thought he would definitely be scolded. Qiao Cong couldn’t help but scold his beloved granddaughter Nangong Qian, speaking quite harshly.

The sentence “Being physically weak and lacking worldly experience while acting so willful” made Su Liang laugh when she thought about it. She believed that this must be what Qiao Cong truly thought but was unwilling to say because of his granddaughter filter.

Compared to that, Qiao Cong’s evaluation of Su Liang as “worldly” could be considered a compliment. Because in other words, it meant being sensible.

After all, they were adults. Being treated like children by the elders was a sign of love, and absolutely not that they could be willful and cause trouble regardless.

There would be no lunch this afternoon. Su Liang wanted to make it up, but there was nowhere to do it. All she could do was eat the dessert that Nangong Lin had brought the night before for Nangong Qian. The master and servant only ate desserts for breakfast.

After changing her clothes, Su Liang didn’t go out. She heard Nangong Qian crying in the next room, and a while later, Qiao Cong knocked on the door.

Su Liang opened the door, and Qiao Cong handed over a box of dessert. She found it familiar and quickly remembered that when she first arrived in Nanshan City, her subordinates had given her something similar. Unsurprisingly, this was made by a pastry shop in Nanshan City.

Thus, Su Liang speculated that after Situ Jing was taken away by Qiao Cong and Nangong Lin, he went to Nanshan City and then conspired to capture her.

However, this discovery had little significance now. Nangong Lin and Situ Jing would most likely go directly to Liang Country next.

Su Liang caught the dessert box and thanked Qiao Cong. Then they discussed the matter of building a new kitchen.

“It hasn’t rained for the three days I’ve been here. I don’t know if there is much rainfall on the island. Since we are building anew, should we build a house that can shelter from wind and rain?” Su Liang asked.

Qiao Cong glanced at the burned kitchen and nodded, ‘Good.”

“Then let me help you build it after I finish eating,” Su Liang said.

The good thing was that fearing animals would come to steal food, all the unused ingredients were in Qiao Cong’s room. They were luckily not damaged this time, otherwise they would run out of food.

Su Liang didn’t close the door and saw Qiao Cong leave, and then heard

Nangong Qian scold Qiuyue in her room, “Stupid!”

Su Liang looked at the small god silently thinking: Is this a vulnerable and lovely girl? Quite an eye-opener.

The dessert tasted average and was too sweet for Su Liang. She put it down after eating a couple of pieces. After drinking a cup of water, Su Liang suddenly thought about the master and servant who had disliked her Lean Meat and Vegetable Porridge and Egg Pancake in the morning. They definitely didn’t eat it, so where did it go?

After catching wild chickens, it was Qiao Cong who cleaned up the kitchen.

Su Liang actually wanted to see if the old man was eating the leftover food from the morning, but she was afraid that it would be embarrassing if he found out, so she gave up.

But she guessed correctly. At this moment, Qiao Cong closed the door, didn’t eat the dessert, and drank the cold Lean Meat and Vegetable Porridge that he had put back in his room earlier.

As for Nangong Qian, who was already picky about her food, her mood could not be improved by having two meals of dessert in a row, so she looked at Qiuyue more and more displeasingly.

In the afternoon, Su Liang and Qiao Cong discussed rebuilding the kitchen. Although using bamboo was not fire-resistant, it was the most convenient option at hand.

Su Liang put forward her own ideas, drew a rough blueprint on the ground with a wooden sword, and after Qiao Cong saw it and nodded in agreement, they started to work.

Nangong Qian instructed Qiuyue to go and check the situation. After seeing it, Qiuyue nervously informed her that Su Liang and Qiao Cong were cutting bamboo.

“You go and send tea to Grandpa, just say it’s my intention.” Nangong Qian ordered.

Qiuyue quickly agreed, but when she went out and saw the kitchen that had

just been cleaned and had nothing left, her face collapsed: there had to be hot water for making tea. She had burned the kitchen and couldn’t boil water now.

Qiuyue had no choice but to muster the courage to go back and was scolded by Nangong Qian again.

Later, Su Liang set up a fire with dry firewood in a corner of the courtyard, made a shelf with bamboo, and hung a pot on it.

Seeing this, Qiuyue hurried over, “Miss Su, are you going to boil water? My lady asked me to make tea for the master.” She said the last half louder.

Su Liang, who was busy working, was stunned for a moment.

The next moment, Qiao Cong’s voice came from behind Qiuyue, “She’s making medicine for Qian’er. Did you forget about that too?”

Qiuyue’s face turned pale, she really had forgotten about Nangong Qian needing to take medicine. Even Nangong Qian herself hadn’t remembered it yet because she was angry. Su Liang was the only one who had it in mind…

Su Liang was sure that if it were possible to change maids now, Qiao Cong would definitely kick Qiuyue out with one foot. With his temperament, he must dislike this kind of person who only knows how to talk and can’t do anything.

“No… this slave didn’t forget. It’s just that the lady is worried about the master’s hard work and told this slave to make tea for the master.” As Qiuyue spoke, her voice grew lower and her neck almost buried in her chest. “Indiscriminate! Nonsensical!” This was Qiao Cong’s cold evaluation. Su Liang spoke, “Qiuyue, bring the medicine.”

Qiuyue, as if pardoned, turned and ran away, “I’ll get it, right away!”

“Master calm down.” Su Liang asked, “Aren’t you going to buy medicinal materials for your granddaughter today?”

Qiao Cong glanced at the sky, “A heavy rain is coming, I’m afraid there will be storms. We’ll go after the rain.”

Su Liang looked at the sky, and it had indeed changed. Qiao Cong must be quite familiar with the island’s climate and had detected it early. Even a great master can’t override nature, and storms at sea are not to be trifled with.

“That’s good. The previous medicine can still be used for the time being after I adjust it before I cook it, ” Su Liang said, “I’ll set up a rain shelter before the heavy rain comes, so we can cook.”

Qiao Cong nodded and continued to cut bamboo.

Qiuyue brought the medicinal materials but didn’t dare to tell Nangong Qian that Qiao Cong scolded her for the tea.

Su Liang cooked the medicine and told Qiuyue to watch over it. She hurriedly agreed, and her earlier arrogance was gone.

Su Liang and Qiao Cong used bamboo to build a shelter together, covering it with bamboo leaves and tarpaulin, weighted by stones. The simple stove built by Su Liang was just below it.

Just when it was finished, raindrops pattered down.

The rain became intense in no time, accompanied by wind.

Su Liang went back to her room, closed the doors and windows, and started reading.

In a short while, she heard Qiuyue’s yell that Nangong Qian had vomited blood.

Su Liang closed the book, patted Xiao Shen, and said, “This is the price of mischief.”

Without waiting for Qiao Cong to come over, Su Liang went out and almost got blown away by the wind.

“Move.” Su Liang asked Qiuyue to step aside, then took Nangong Qian’s pulse and inserted the needles for her.

After it was over, Nangong Qian’s face calmed down.

“I have said it before, you must not worry or get agitated with your body,” Su Liang sighed softly. “Nourishing the mind is also nourishing the body; this is crucial. ”

“It’s all my fault for causing trouble, not my lady’s fault…” Qiuyue said with red

eyeS.

Su Liang wanted to say that this wasn’t a matter of right or wrong, but that Nangong Qian didn’t take her medical advice to heart. However, she chose not to say it, as Qiao Cong would make his own judgment.

“As soon as the rain stops, Master should hurry and buy the medicinal materials,” Su Liang said.

Nangong Qian looked at Su Liang in astonishment, “What master…?”

Su Liang explained, “It’s just my one-sided wishful thinking. I want your grandfather to accept me as his disciple, but he didn’t agree.”

In Qiao Cong’s eyes, Su Liang said this deliberately to ease Nangong Qian’s worries. It was apparent that the conflicts between Nangong Qian and Su Liang were all created by Nangong Qian. Su Liang was generous and didn’t want to dwell on it.

It was only after nightfall that the rain eased. Qiao Cong fetched dry firewood from the backyard, and Su Liang cooked porridge, which was suitable for Nangong Qian to eat. The leftover ribs were stewed in a pot.

When people are hungry, they won’t be picky about food. After a day, Nangong Qian and her maid finally ate some warm food, which tasted quite good. They wouldn’t have dared to go to Qiao Cong and say “disgusted and not eating” again. If they were really bold enough to do that again, Qiao Cong would probably have slapped them.

Although Su Liang was still responsible for cooking, she didn’t mind. After all, she needed to eat as well, and she just had to cook a little more. She had to remain humble as Qiao Cong was not her grandfather, and she didn’t have the capital to act up like Nangong Qian.

Moreover, using delicious food to conquer people was something she was good at. She was earnestly “luring” Qiao Cong — a peerless master, and she had already seen initial results.

At midnight, Su Liang had already gone to bed.

In the room next door, Nangong Qian was still awake. Qiuyue yawned as she sat on the floor beside her bed, accompanying her. She was very sleepy but didn’t dare to sleep before Nangong Qian did.

“Find a way to injure your hand tomorrow,” Nangong Qian said softly. Qiuyue widened her eyes, “Why?”

“Father and brother have gone north, and they can’t bring Chun Hua… Now that you’re injured, Grandfather will surely let Su Liang take care of me… She wants to live, so she won’t dare to pull any tricks…” Nangong Qian’s eyes were filled with resentment, “I just want to see her help me put on my clothes and feed me, serving as my slave servant… Let’s see how long she can endure it…”

Qiuyue looked at her unharmed and delicate hand, her face grim. She had seen maids with injured hands, and it was difficult to heal them completely. Even if healed, there would be scars, and she still wanted to marry someone in the future.

“Didn’t you hear me?” Nangong Qian coldly looked at Qiuyue.

“Young mistress… The slave maid is afraid that her hand will never heal…”

Qiuyue said with a mournful look, “In the past, Mimi also had the same fate…”

“What are you afraid of? Don’t forget that Su Liang is here… She’s a Divine

Doctor; she’ll definitely heal you properly…” Nangong Qian lowered her voice.

Qiuyue still looked reluctant, “What if Master finds out that the slave maid did it on purpose, I’m afraid my life will be at stake…”

“Be careful, Grandfather won’t find out.” Nangong Qian said, “I’ll wake up in the middle of the night needing water, and Su Liang said I can’t drink cold water… You go now, go boil water for me… Either burn or scald your hand… Anyways, you’re clumsy, so Grandfather won’t be suspicious…”

Qiuyue lowered her head, her hands clenched until they turned white.

“What are you waiting for?” Nangong Qian chastised softly.

Qiuyue dared not disobey the unpredictable Nangong Qian, so she reluctantly got up and walked slowly out of the room.

At the door, the rain continued to fall, it had just grown smaller. The darkness was pitch-black. She looked at the bamboo forest, feeling eerily uncomfortable, and leaned against the wall, taking one step at a time towards the shed.

Just as she reached Qiao Cong’s room, she heard his voice from inside, “Who is

“It’s the slave maid…” Qiuyue’s voice trembled a bit, “The young mistress wants water… She can’t drink cold water, so this slave maid needs to boil it.”

There was movement in the room, and soon the door opened. Qiao Cong squinted at Qiuyue, “You go back and watch over Qian’er, I’ll boil the water.” Qiuyue’s expression clearly relaxed, “Yes, Master.”

When Nangong Qian saw Qiuyue and learned that Qiao Cong had woken up and wanted to boil water for her personally, she cursed bitterly twice.

“Young Mistress, Miss Su said that getting angry is bad for your health…” Qiuyue said weakly, “Slave maid is thinking for the young mistress, maybe not opposing Miss Su for now and focusing on recuperating is better?”

Nangong Qian’s face was terribly gloomy, “What I do, do I need you to teach me?” She couldn’t help but cough again after speaking.

Qiuyue lowered her eyes, hiding the darkness in them, and stepped forward to help Nangong Qian.

Qiao Cong brought the boiled water and checked on Nangong Qian’s condition, instructing her to sleep early and to have Qiuyue call him if there was any discomfort.

In the middle of the night, the rain stopped. Su Liang woke up early and found the ground too wet for exercise, so she decided to rest for a day. There was wind and rain outside the night before, so she didn’t know about Nangong Qian’s failed plot against her.

Su Liang made breakfast as usual, but not much meat and vegetables were left.

Su Liang and Qiao Cong sat under the shed to eat, while the master and servant pair were still asleep.

“Master, are you going to buy groceries today?” asked Su Liang.

Qiao Cong nodded. There was very little meat left, which had been marinated by Su Liang the day before, or else it would have gone bad; it was wrapped in the stuffed pastry made for Qiao Cong.

Qiao Cong initially only intended to leave one stuffed pastry for Nangong Qian, but Su Liang said the taste was too strong for her.

Su Liang bargained with Qiao Cong, “Master, if the place you’re going to isn’t far from Jiaye City, could you help me deliver a letter there? With your strength, there’s no chance that they could get you, so you don’t have to reveal yourself, just deliver the letter to Lin’s Family. I just want to report that I’m safe, so they won’t worry too much. You can read the letter first.”

Qiao Cong frowned, finished the last bite of stuffed pastry, and shook his head,

“It’s very far from Jiaye City.”

Su Liang couldn’t help but feel disappointed, “I see.” Qiao Cong had to buy medicinal materials for his beloved granddaughter and couldn’t delay.

Su Liang finished eating and put down her bowl, “I’ll go back to my room first.

Once they’re up, if the porridge has cooled down, just reheat it.”

As she took two steps out, she heard Qiao Cong’s voice behind her, “Once

Qian’er gets better, I’ll let you go back.”

“Alright, thank you, Master.” Su Liang didn’t look back and continued walking forward. It wouldn’t be easy for Nangong Qian to recover, as she was too willful and prone to anger. Su Liang didn’t want to coax her and wouldn’t be able to unless she disappeared — only then would Nangong Qian be satisfied.

Qiao Cong looked at the simple stove Su Liang had set up, the corners of his old eyes narrowed, as he lost himself in thought for a moment…

Jiaye City.

The day after Su Liang was captured, Gu Ling also left without knowing where she went. Nian Jincheng sent his men on fast horses to report the situation to the capital city_ with two key prints• first _ the Che family were all snips from

Liang Country, and Chen Yun was Situ Han’s son; second, Su Liang fell into enemy hands in order to protect the people of Jiaye City, and Gu Ling went to save her.

Before dawn, Nian Jincheng’s message was sent to the Imperial Palace, and then another letter was sent to Qi Jun in the capital city’s Su Mansion.

Duanmu Chen received an urgent order, and hurriedly went to the palace, thinking that there might be a fight in the south or north again.

When he saw Duanmu Yi and the message, Duanmu Chen felt that things were worse than if a real war had started—Su Liang was actually captured?!

“Damn it! Situ Han is Situ Xie’s own son. That old thief Situ Xie even sent his own grandson to be a spy!” Duanmu Yi gritted his teeth, “I will spread the scandalous liaisons of Liang Country’s Royal Family throughout the world! I want Xing Ji to secretly escort Situ Jing back to the capital city! If Liang Country dares to threaten Su Liang’s life, I will have Situ Jing tortured with a thousand cuts!”

Duanmu Chen was not surprised by Duanmu Yi’s anger. As the emperor, his suspicion towards Su Liang, a servant, was both instinctual and due to some suspicious aspects of her background. Even if she was meticulous in covering up certain things, looking at the results rather than the process, Duanmu Chen couldn’t help but doubt that she intentionally concealed something.

But there was one thing that Duanmu Yi and Duanmu Chen did not doubt at this point, and that was that Su Liang definitely was not a spy for Liang Country or Yin Country. The reason was simple, no royal family would send such a powerful divine doctor to be a spy, let alone Su Liang’s extraordinary intelligence and other abilities. If she were really a spy, she would have had countless opportunities to get rid of Duanmu Yi and Duanmu Chen before and would not have held the line during both Liang Country’s and Yin Country’s invasions.

Duanmu Yi’s biggest suspicion about Su Liang was that she and Gu Ling were too capable and upright, both having the potential to rebel. It was hard for Duanmu Chen to refute this point.

But for now, the issue is not an internal conflict, but an external one. Duanmu Yi and Duanmu Chen would not think about these trivial matters at this time.

Qian Country’s capital city, Su Mansion.

Early in the morning, Qi Jun saw the messenger from Nian Jincheng and felt strange in his heart. Su Liang and Gu Ling should not have sent a message home if they were fine. If they were to return, they would not have to send a message in advance.

Therefore, when Qi Jun got the letter, he had a bad feeling.

After reading the contents of the letter, his heart sank even more.

Ren Dong came over after hearing the noise, took the letter and read it, cursing, “Che Yun, that ungrateful bastard!”

They knew how Su Liang had treated Che Yun before, first helping his parents with medical treatment and then using her resources to help him find his younger brother.

Nangong Lin’s behavior was even more shameless to the point where Qi Jun and Ren Dong felt that no vicious words were enough to describe it…

Old Man Bai was still living in Su Mansion. After Su Liang left, he did nothing but make medicine and didn’t talk much.

Qi Jun thought he should tell Old Man Bai about this matter and went to him with the letter.

Old Man Bai usually got up late and looked unhappy when he was awakened. After he read the letter, his face darkened, “Who is this Nangong Lin? Where does he live?”

Qi Jun hurriedly said, “He wasn’t well-known before. General Nian said that his family was in Yin Country, but he may have gone to Liang Country now. As for Che Yun, he might be returning to Liang Country to resume his identity as a prince.”

Old Man Bai said coldly, “I see.”

“Senior, are you going out?” Qi Jun asked.

Old Man Bai said coldly, “Prepare dried food.”

Old Man Bai left that day.

The next day, Old Man Mu, who had been away for a long time, returned, driving a huge carriage. He had been disguised as a hunchback while he was out, and only straightened up after entering the house, looking dusty and weary. He jumped off the carriage, cursing, “Damn it, Old Bai, made me run errands for him and missed my apprentice’s wedding! Where is everyone?!

Come out!”

Qi Jun and Ren Dong ran over when they heard the noise, but Old Man Mu was displeased when he saw only them, “I know my good apprentice is still in the south and hasn’t come back, but tell Old Bai to come and unload these things!”

Qi Jun sighed, “Senior, Old Man Bai left yesterday.”

“He left? Where did he go?” Old Man Mu was stunned.

Qi Jun told Old Mu about Su Liang being captured and said that Old Bai had gone to Liang Country.

Upon hearing this, Old Man Mu was furious, breaking the whip in his hand and cursing, “Those shameless bastards, taking advantage of my kind -hearted apprentice, do they think I’m dead?!”

Without waiting for Qi Jun and Ren Dong to say anything, Old Man Mu disappeared in a few leaps and bounds..