Chapter 330: 330. Protection from Master (Second Watch)

Translator: 549690339

Su Liang woke up early and heard the rain outside, the sky was already bright.

In just a few days, her biological clock was broken.

She leaned against her pillow, sitting quietly on the bed, recalling the little person in her dream last night and the corner of her lips raised. How cute would it be to have a little god who looks like the great god!

However, her period was only delayed for a day, so Su Liang still couldn’t be sure if she was really pregnant, but the dream last night made her feel it was a good sign.

When Su Liang got up and pushed the door open, she heard Qiao Cong’s voice not far away, “Go back to your room, it’s cold outside.”

She thought, this was a southern island and still summer, how could it be cold? Qiao Cong must be thinking about the possible disciple in her stomach. You should know that Qiao Cong originally intended to strictly supervise Su Liang’s martial arts practice.

“Master, I may not really be pregnant…” Su Liang felt that Qiao Cong’s expectations were too high. What if it was just a false alarm?

Qiao Cong’s tone was very certain, “You must be.”

Su Liang:… Who is the doctor here after all? However, if her period does not come in a few days, she can try to feel her pulse.

Half a day later after the rain stopped, Qiao Cong went shopping again according to the original plan. Before leaving, he asked Qiuyue to watch Su Liang and not let her run around.

Qiuyue finally realized what was wrong late in the day. What could it be?

After struggling for a whole day without asking Su Liang, Qiuyue saw Qiao Cong return with a red wooden pellet drum in his hand. First, she thought it was strange, and then she had an epiphany, finally understanding: Su Liang must be pregnant!

So, when Su Liang heard the noise and came out of her room, Qiuyue ran up to her with a surprised look and congratulated her while staring at her stomach, “Congratulations, Miss Su!”

Su Liang smiled lightly, “I’m not sure yet.”

“Miss Su, you have such a good body. You’ve been married for two months. Surely there must be some good news!” Qiuyue was inexplicably happy and sighed, “Miss Su and Gu Ling’s baby must be so good-looking!”

Su Liang:… How come you are so certain? Even she wasn’t sure!

Immediately after speaking, Qiuyue went back to stoke the fire. Qiao Cong came over with the pellet drum in hand and handed it to Su Liang.

Su Liang took it, feeling curious, and turned it a few times, only to hear Qiao Cong say, “It’s not for you to play.”

Su Liang:… Yes, she was a disciple with limited conditions attached, and her child would be the real treasure.

When Qiuyue fed Nangong Qian dinner, she happily told her that Su Liang was pregnant.

Nangong Qian was a little surprised, “Has the master… already married?”

Qiuyue nodded, “Yes, Miss Su got married in February.”

Nangong Qian asked, “Where is her husband?”

Qiuyue accidentally said too much, so she only mentioned that Su Liang’s husband was working somewhere else, without even daring to mention Gu Ling’s name.

Nangong Qian didn’t feel well, so she didn’t ask further.

…

Other than the pellet drum for her child, Qiao Cong also bought new bedding for Su Liang, which was made of silk and much softer than the coarse cloth they had. Although Su Liang felt the coarse cloth was not uncomfortable, she still appreciated the gesture and accepted the gift.

There was even a thick cotton pad specifically for Su Liang to sit on.

“If I’m not really pregnant, will you hit me, master?” Su Liang decided to say the worst first. She was also looking forward to it, but after all, she couldn’t be too sure.

Qiao Cong nodded, “Yes, I will.”

Su Liang coughed lightly, “I mean, will you make me practice seriously?”

Qiao Cong narrowed his eyes, “What else could I mean?”

Su Liang:… This old man had bullied her before…

“Actually, master, you don’t need to be so nervous. Even if I’m really pregnant, it’s not so delicate. Light exercise, doing housework, won’t tire me out.” Su Liang, being a professional doctor, explained to Qiao Cong in a professional manner.

As a result, she was rebutted by Qiao Cong, “You haven’t given birth.”

Su Liang looked serious, “I haven’t, but I’ve helped others.”

Qiao Cong frowned, “Really?”

“It sounds unreasonable for a teenager who hasn’t given birth to help others, but it’s true, because I am a doctor.” Su Liang smiled.

“Assisting someone in childbirth has nothing to do with you getting pregnant,” Qiao Cong denied Su Liang’s experience.

Actually, Su Liang felt that the extent of Qiao Cong’s tension and overprotection of her was a bit exaggerated considering his character and their original relationship. He wouldn’t be so simple as to just like children, otherwise, he wouldn’t have such a strong reaction to her pregnancy as an inexpensive disciple. He had his own grandchildren and loved them dearly.

That night before bed, Su Liang looked at the withered bamboo shoots, gently stroked her flat abdomen, her expression indescribable, “Little god, do you think the tension and overprotection of the master have other reasons…”

After thinking about it, Su Liang could only think of one possibility: Situ Xiang.

Although she didn’t know why Qiao Cong had lost his daughter, the known fact was that he didn’t watch Situ Xiang grow up, but after Situ Xiang was taken in by Situ Han, she was pregnant and gave birth in exile, and the process was probably very difficult.

Some of these feelings of guilt that couldn’t make up for Situ Xiang were transferred to Nangong Qian, becoming unconditionally satisfying and loving for her. Otherwise, there would be no such thing as Qiao Cong robbing Su Liang’s husband for Nangong Qian. By nature, Qiao Cong was never the type to do such a thing.

Therefore, Su Liang suspected that Qiao Cong thought of his unfortunate daughter when he learned that she was possibly pregnant, transferring his feelings onto her.

Of course, this was just Su Liang’s own feeling. Even if it was true, she couldn’t deny that Qiao Cong’s kindness to her was real.

…

On the island, there are four people living in the small courtyard. The only one who is not sure whether Su Liang is really pregnant is Su Liang herself. The other three are more certain and believe that she must be pregnant.

Su Liang was in a good mood and not too anxious, only looking forward to it. If the little god doesn’t come for a while, she’ll continue to think about the great god.

As for the outside world, she decided not to worry about what she couldn’t manage and not to think too much.

But Su Liang didn’t know that the storm triggered by her capture was brewing rapidly and was about to come…

…

In Yao City of Liang Country.

Situ Han had long forgotten Su Liang’s previous reminder to avoid large emotional fluctuations while treating his facial paralysis.

Initially, when he received the news that Yin Country had launched a war against Qian Country, and scored a big victory by capturing Jiaye City, Situ Han was overjoyed.

For the Liang royal family, this was a once-in-a-thousand-year opportunity! They had always wanted to cooperate with Yin Country, but if it hadn’t been for Yin Country’s repeated breaches of trust and destroyed contracts, Qian Country would never have had the opportunity to grow and develop!

Taking into account the lessons from Yin Country previously, Situ Han didn’t have such shortsightedness. When he calmed down, he felt that Liang Country couldn’t choose to stand by and watch, they must take the opportunity to join forces with the Yin Country. Even if they are not conspiring, they should attack the northern part of Qian country, forming a pincer attack.

But when Situ Han summoned the ministers to discuss when to send troops, Situ Xie couldn’t be happy. He knew very well how the victory of Yin Country came about, because he was the mastermind behind it. The chess pieces laid out many years ago was finally put to use, but it was not time yet!

Situ Xie’s plan was meticulous. Yin Country should have sent troops half a month later, which would have allowed Situ Jing, his eldest grandson, to bring Xing Ji’s daughter back to Liang Country. By then, the situation would be greatly advantageous to Liang Country!

Situ Xie arranged for Situ Jing to go to Qian Country to marry, with the purpose of lowering the guard of Qian Country’s Royal Family and showing Liang Country’s “sincerity in forming an alliance.” Only when Yin Country suddenly sent troops could they catch Qian Country completely off guard, and Liang Country would send troops afterwards, not giving Qian Country a chance to breathe!

Situ Xie knew that Situ Han was wary of him and did not share the plan with Situ Han in advance. He planned to reveal it after it succeeded.

After all, it involved the son of Situ Han and Situ Xiang, and Situ Han didn’t even know of the existence of that son. Situ Xie deliberately concealed this for so many years. Revealing it rashly would certainly cause Situ Han to be furious.

But when everything became a foregone conclusion, Liang Country had a great victory in the war, and Situ Jing successfully infiltrated Qian Country’s army and held a high position for internal support and external cooperation. In the face of huge benefits, Situ Han would not care about any concealment.

Unfortunately, the ideal was very full, but the reality made Situ Xie almost vomit blood in anger.

He couldn’t understand why his perfect plan was advanced, causing everything to shift.

Situ Xie originally hoped that if Situ Jing acted quickly, he might still have a chance to leave Qian Country.

However, he soon received the news that the Liang Country’s wedding party had disappeared after entering Xuanbei City. Xing Ji even sent someone to Nanping City to inform Liang Country’s main general, saying that his daughter and Situ Jing both fell ill.

Situ Xie knew that things were out of control.

When Situ Han was about to issue a command to send troops with high spirits, Situ Xie had to remind him that Situ Jing was still in Qian Country.

Situ Han then asked Situ Xie in public, “Does Uncle really want Liang Country to miss this crucial opportunity because of one person?”

Unexpectedly, before Situ Xie could answer, the message came that Qian Country’s Royal Family sent Su Liang and Gu Ling couple to go south to take charge. They used only two days to pull back from the brink and repel the Yin Country’s army out of Jiaye City.

And the person who brought the message gritted his teeth in front of the Liang Country’s Royal Family and officials, telling how Su Liang managed to complete a wonderful revenge on the Yin Country’s main generals, Fan Tong and Fan Gang father and son, on the city building of Nancheng in Jiaye City…

After listening, the Liang Country’s Royal Family and officials were all extremely disappointed, because they discovered that their plan to “coincide” with Yin Country and to wipe out Qian Country together had vanished…

Situ Han even cursed that Yin Country was full of villains and trash, showing a strong sense of “If it wasn’t for Yin Country dragging their feet, Liang Country would have destroyed Qian Country long ago.”

Under such circumstances, Situ Xie had even more reasons to dismiss the idea of revealing his “strategy” to Situ Han, as it would only worsen their already tense relationship.

But what Situ Xie was relieved about was that Situ Jing had not been exposed, and there was still a chance for the future. At the same time, he was worried about how Situ Jing could escape.

Considering that on the surface, Liang Country hadn’t done anything yet and if his spies were not exposed, Qian Country could chalk it up as a quick dispute with Yin Country. So, for the sake of long-term considerations, they wouldn’t continue to detain Situ Jing and jeopardize their cooperation with Liang Country at this time.

As such, Situ Xie became more low-key, just waiting for his grandson to return safely before planning the rest.

To be on the safe side, Situ Xie secretly arranged for a master to go south and prepare to support Situ Jing, so as to avoid any accidents along the way.

Forcibly bringing Situ Jing back would be very risky. Moreover, Situ Han declared that since the situation had changed unexpectedly, they would continue to marry Qian Country and make long-term plans. After all, the vile deeds of the Yin Country’s Royal Family had already made Liang Country unbearable. This time, seeing their incompetence, it was not wise to hastily tear their faces with Qian Country.

However, as time went by, when the Liang Country’s Royal Family, including Situ Xie, thought that the marriage could continue, and acted as if nothing had happened, Qian Country still refused to let go on their end.

At that time, Su Liang and Gu Ling had gone to Yin Country, and Duanmu Yi didn’t know that Yin Country’s military deployment was related to Liang Country but had some suspicions. Seeing that the situation had calmed down, he decided to continue with the marriage alliance, at least not to break up with both Yin and Liang countries on the surface.

But the problem was, the Princess who was to be married was the daughter of Xing Ji.

Xing Ji believed that Yin Country’s actions this time were not normal, and there must have been involvement from Liang Country’s Royal Family, who had been trying to provoke a war between Qian and Liang countries for decades in order to take advantage of the situation. Under such circumstances, he was determined not to marry his daughter to Liang Country but was also afraid to go against the Imperial Edict. So, he played a delaying tactic, waiting to see if Su Liang and Gu Ling could find evidence of Liang Country’s conspiracy with Yin Country.

During this time, Liang Country sent people to Xuanbei City several times to discuss with Xing Ji about allowing the marriage delegation to continue on their journey.

Xing Ji’s attitude was extremely good, greeting them with smiles and treating them with good food and wine. However, when it came to the marriage, he simply said that his daughter was sick.

Forcing Xing Ji to let his sick daughter continue on the road for the marriage, no matter how it was looked at, was not considerate. Moreover, Xing Ji spoke very beautifully, saying that the princess who was going to marry the crown prince of Liang Country should not go with illness, as it was inauspicious. It was better to postpone the wedding and choose another auspicious day.

Liang Country proposed to let their people return first. Xing Ji responded that Situ Jing had also fallen ill due to a contagious disease, and for his and everyone’s safety, he couldn’t meet people and was being treated in a safe place, with the assurance of recovery.

In short, the marriage could continue, but they had to wait; Situ Jing could certainly return home, but not right now. And all of this was for the good of Liang Country.

When Situ Xie received the news, he was so furious that he smashed several of his favorite vases.

However, Situ Han was not in such a hurry, telling Situ Xie to be patient a little longer. As long as Qian Country knew that Liang Country had not conspired with Yin Country, everything could return to normal.

At this point, even the confident Situ Xie couldn’t help but worry. Had Situ Jing been exposed, or was the spy he had placed by Fan Tong’s side exposed? But they were too far away, Si Yun and Che Xiao had been caught quickly after being exposed, and Situ Jing had been delayed in the south for a while, not specifically sending a message to Situ Xie, making it impossible for him to understand the truth.

…

Time passed quickly. As Situ Xie was worrying about whether to directly send people to rescue Situ Jing, he saw the dusty and weary Che Xiao, who had been released by Su Liang before being captured.

At that point, Situ Xie finally learned how his perfect plan had collapsed and his face turned black with anger.

Just as Situ Xie was about to order a full-scale rescue of Situ Jing, he was suddenly summoned by Situ Han and ordered to enter the palace immediately.

When Situ Xie left the mansion, he met Mu Yu and didn’t give him a good look. Because Mu Yu was not very capable, half of the secret scroll he provided was useless, and his master hadn’t been lured in either.

At this time, Situ Xie didn’t know that he would soon meet the person he had been scheming to lure in…

…

The Royal Palace of Liang Country.

When Situ Xie saw Situ Han, there was also a thin and tall old man present. Situ Xie glanced at him and felt that he seemed to have seen him somewhere before, but couldn’t remember where.

“Uncle, this is the chief of the Mu Family, who has come to take refuge.” Situ Han got straight to the point, his eyes cold as he looked at Situ Xie.

Situ Xie’s heart sank! Mu Yu’s master had finally appeared! No wonder he felt familiar – Mu Yu had once described this man in detail, and he had even arranged for a painter to make a portrait!

However, Situ Xie didn’t expect that the old man would go directly to Situ Han instead of Yue King Mansion when he arrived.

A bad premonition rose in Situ Xie’s heart, but he didn’t show it on his face. He smiled and asked, “Are you really a descendant of the Mu Family?”

The old man put down the premium Tianshan Snow in his hand, glanced at Situ Xie, and snorted, “My only wayward disciple is in your house. If you don’t believe my identity, just call him to come and recognize me.”

Situ Xie frowned, and Situ Han slammed the paperweights at him, “Uncle! Give me an explanation! What’s the deal with Zhao Yu? How many things are you hiding from me? Are you treating me like a fool?”

As the paperweights fell, hurried footsteps sounded outside, and a group of Forbidden Army surrounded the Imperial Study.

The old man slowly laughed, “Emperor Liang has a son who has been lost. Why not bring him back as soon as possible? You shouldn’t let him be used by someone with ulterior motives, causing harm to Liang Country. What does King Yue think?”

“What nonsense are you talking about?” Situ Xie’s face turned cold. “Your Majesty, don’t listen to this man’s one-sided words! His identity is in question, and his sudden arrival must be part of a plot!”

The old man’s smile deepened, “I don’t like seeing my disciple being deceived by someone I’ve raised since childhood. Now that I’ve finally found his whereabouts, I came to Emperor Liang to seek justice, that’s all. Why is King Yue so anxious? The news of the prince being lost is something I have heard. Informing Emperor Liang is out of good intentions. What if it’s true? Emperor Liang, how about this: I can hand over the complete secret scroll, with only one simple condition – let the esteemed King Yue kneel and kowtow to me as an apology. I’m sure King Yue wouldn’t refuse for the sake of the country’s greater interests.”