Chapter 491: 491. What is destiny

Translator: 549690339

Early in the morning, after learning from Elder Mu about the conversation Su Liang had last night, Zhengzheng and Ji Xiaoshu looked at each other and laughed, deciding to help relieve their elders’ worries.

So, before Gu Ling and Su Liang got up, the two little ones gathered together and started writing a “script”.

Yes, in order to give Mo Yan a greater shock and more pain, they felt that this play must be taken seriously and well-arranged, striving to make Mo Yan spit blood on the spot and die from anger would be the best effect.

The family had always loved their children and were happy to play along, so they all followed Zhengzheng and Ji Xiaoshu’s orders.

It wasn’t until later that Su Liang and Gu Ling got up, went out, and found that Yuanming Pavilion was quiet, as if there was no one else besides them, which they found strange.

As they walked out of the Yuanming Pavilion, Su Liang laughed.

Well, it was like a party by the lake, with everyone dressed up and in attendance. Gu Xiaonuan wore a new outfit that neither Gu Ling nor Su Liang had seen before, probably given by her Aunt Yang Yu.

Today, Zhengzheng and Ji Xiaoshu dressed as “twin brothers.” Although they weren’t twins, they usually enjoyed playing the identity switch game, and they had many identical clothes and accessories. Today, though, they didn’t switch faces, but their outfits were completely the same, making it difficult to tell who was who from the back.

There were tables, chairs, sun umbrellas, delicious food, and drinks. The table also had the tribute fruit that Gu Ling had just brought back from the palace last night.

“Master, Mistress, come on!” Ji Xiaoshu called enthusiastically.

Gu Ling and Su Liang walked side by side to join them. Weng Ran stood up with a smile, “Your breakfast is on the stove, I’ll bring it over.”

Yan Shiba immediately ordered Cheng Yun, “You go help!”

Cheng Yun got up upon hearing this, “Alright.”

Weng Ran glared at Yan Shiba, who gave her a wink and a smirk, his face full of ambiguity.

Cheng Yun didn’t know that Yan Shiba intended to bring him and Weng Ran together, but Weng Ran did.

Su Liang also knew, and as for her opinion, she thought it was just a matter of going with the flow. As long as Yan Shiba didn’t pester Cheng Yun, trying to taste the sweetness of a forcefully twisted melon, she would be relieved. As for the rest, both Weng Ran and Cheng Yun were decent people, there wouldn’t be any problems.

Su Liang looked around and saw that a table was filled with her masters: Elder Bai, Elder Mu, Qiao Cong, Cen Man, and Weng Ming. They were now playing a table game she had taught them earlier – not playing for money but using paper strips to stick on the loser’s face…

At this point, Qiao Cong had two on his face, and Elder Bai had one, which looked very amusing.

Gu Ling and Su Liang were pulled by Zhengzheng and Ji Xiaoshu to their designated seats, waiting for breakfast.

At this moment, Qiao Jing, who had gone out earlier, returned, leading Min Rou with a smile.

After a while, Lian Shun came with Ying Ying, who was pregnant, and Ying Ye rushed out from behind them, “Zhengzheng, Xiaoshu, Xiaonuan, I’m here!” They were specifically invited by Zhengzheng and Ji Xiaoshu through Qi Yan.

“Where’s the old devil Mo Yan?” Ying Ying asked as soon as she sat down.

Zhengzheng’s little face was serious, “You’ll see him soon, Aunt Ying. Don’t worry.”

Lian Shun was more interested in Gu Xiaonuan’s space, and after Ying Ying was seated, he came over and said with a smile, “Xiaonuan, let Uncle see your treasure!”

Gu Xiaonuan smiled, greeted “Uncle Ersan,” and continued to eat the delicious fruit gift from her emperor father.

Ji Xiaoshu pulled Lian Shun to sit down, “Uncle Ersan, don’t worry, you’ll have a chance; it’s just not the time yet.”

Lian Shun was overjoyed, “Alright, alright, we’ll listen to you.”

Cheng Yun and Weng Ran brought the breakfast over, and Su Liang asked Ying Ying if she wanted to eat some more.

Ying Ying, who had become slightly plump from pregnancy, waved her hand, “Mother’s breakfast was too delicious; I’ve eaten a lot. I can only eat some fruit at most. You guys eat, don’t worry about me.”

Lian Shun laughed as he massaged Ying Ying’s legs, “What kind of fruit do you want to eat?”

“The one Xiaonuan is eating; it looks delicious,” Ying Ying said.

Lian Shun immediately picked the most beautiful fruit from the fruit plate, peeled it with a fruit knife, cut it into small pieces, and fed it to Ying Ying.

Ying Ying shook her head, and picked up a whole one herself, “Xiaonuan can eat it herself, and I have hands too. It’s even tastier when you bite it.”

Lian Shun coughed lightly, “Why didn’t you say so earlier?”

“If I had said it earlier, you wouldn’t have had the chance to show off your fruit-cutting skills,” Ying Ying said calmly.

Lian Shun:…Indeed, at home, in order to take care of Ying Ying, he had mastered many new skills, including cutting fruit. If Ying Ying didn’t eat it, he would!

When Gu Ling and Su Liang finished breakfast, Ji Xiaoshu rang the bell in her hand, “Uncle Jing, Aunt Rou, you can continue your love talk later, come back here now!”

On the other side of the lake, Qiao Jing and Min Rou, who had been strolling hand in hand, blushed when they heard Ji Xiaoshu’s teasing words and returned to their seats quietly.

“Xiaoshu, what’s next?” Lian Shun asked.

Ji Xiaoshu grinned, “The good show is starting!”

In the dungeon, Mo Yan no longer knew whether it was day or night outside. Since being locked up yesterday, no one had come to see him, and there was no water or food. His hands and feet were bound and sore, and in his half-asleep state, it felt like a long time had passed, but also not too long.

Finally, he heard the sound of the dungeon door opening, and Mo Yan slowly sat up from the ground, shaking his head to regain consciousness.

Before seeing anyone, Mo Yan heard a familiar voice – it was Qi Yan and Zhu Zan, who had thrown him into the dungeon yesterday.

“Ah, I never thought we’d have to invite him out.”

“There’s no other way; perhaps this is fate.”

Upon hearing this conversation, Mo Yan’s weary eyes suddenly lit up.

Soon, Qi Yan and Zhu Zan were in front of him.

“It was Su Liang who asked you to invite me out?” Mo Yan snorted.

Qi Yan asked expressionlessly, “Are you very pleased with yourself?”

Mo Yan sneered, “Pleased is not the word, but it’s no surprise. Kid, watch your manners.”

Suppressing his anger, Qi Yan pinched Mo Yan’s chin and stuffed a pill into his mouth.

“What did you give me to eat?” Mo Yan frowned.

“A good medicine that allows you to go out freely.” Zhu Zan said as he untied the rope on Mo Yan and pulled him up from the ground.

Mo Yan stood up, feeling his legs trembling, not only because he had been tied for too long but also because of the medicine he had just taken. He couldn’t exert any strength in his limbs, but he could barely stand.

In Mo Yan’s eyes, this was not a bad thing.

“Let’s go.” Qi Yan urged.

Mo Yan gave him a cold stare, “Where are we going?”

“The Master has prepared a banquet for you,” Qi Yan said, “Everyone is waiting for you, including the Little Master.”

Mo Yan raised his eyebrows slightly, “It seems that my granddaughter has finally resigned herself to her fate and wants to have a good talk with me. If she had known this, why bother. Let’s go, I didn’t see Little Nuannuan the last time I was here, but today I can finally meet her.”

Qi Yan and Zhu Zan escorted Mo Yan out of the dungeon and into the outside world.

Today was sunny with a gentle breeze. The Su Mansion was filled with lush trees and beautiful flowers that were pleasing to the eye.

Qi Yan and Zhu Zan did not urge Mo Yan, who walked leisurely, admiring the scenery around him. “My granddaughter is indeed a capable person. Unlike me, who is content with hiding away without any aspirations.”

Qi Yan and Zhu Zan did not respond. Mo Yan did not care; his steps grew steadier, and he appeared increasingly confident, as if he had everything under control.

As they walked, they heard footsteps behind them.

Mo Yan turned back and saw a familiar face; his eyes narrowed slightly, “Min Rou, don’t you recognize me anymore?”

It was Min Rou who had arrived. Her face darkened when she saw Mo Yan, “I wish I had never known you!”

“Where are your parents?” Mo Yan asked, “Did you abandon your birth parents to prove your sincerity to my granddaughter?”

Min Rou didn’t answer but strode forward. As she passed Mo Yan, she heard him say, “Although you betrayed Xingluo Island and me, I don’t blame you. In my eyes, you’re just like a granddaughter, as you know. There will still be many days to come.”

Min Rou paused at his last words without looking back and said coldly, “You shouldn’t have any illusions. What you want will never be realized!”

At Min Rou’s words, Mo Yan chuckled. His laughter did not reach his eyes, “Really? Then let’s wait and see. By that time, don’t beg me to spare anyone for the sake of our past relationship.”

Min Rou snorted coldly and walked away quickly.

Mo Yan continued to walk at a leisurely pace, talking to Zhu Zan, “You should know the current situation. Given your past affiliation with Xingluo Island, I am willing to give you another chance. If you pledge your allegiance to me again now, all our past unpleasantness can be considered unimportant. How about it?”

“Is that important to you?” Zhu Zan asked in response.

Mo Yan shook his head, “To me, neither of you matters. But my proposal is important to you – it’s a second chance I’m bestowing upon you. If you don’t seize it now, don’t blame me for being ruthless after today.”

“I’ll be waiting to see how ruthless you can be,” Zhu Zan replied calmly.

Mo Yan’s expression showed a trace of regretful condescension, as if he had returned to the god who could easily manipulate the lives and destinies of others. In his eyes, Zhu Zan had already become a dead man.

When Mo Yan finally walked around the bend of the stone path, the scene before him opened up. He saw the exquisite and elegant Yuanming Pavilion, the lake with its mirror-like, crystal-clear water, and the people by the lake.

There were many people he had never seen before, even though Xingluo Island had been secretly opposing this family for more than a year.

Glancing around, Mo Yan’s gaze settled on Su Liang’s face. He wasn’t shocked since he had previously caught Yan Shiba disguised as Su Liang and brought him back to Xingluo Island. Although this was the first time he saw the real Su Liang, he was no stranger to her face.

At this moment, Su Liang and Gu Ling were sitting in the middle of the crowd. Gu Ling held a lovely child in her arms. Mo Yan’s eyes fell on Gu Xiaonuan, and he slowly smiled.

Everyone present had serious expressions, and no one spoke.

Ying Ying glared at Mo Yan with anger. The mother she could not remember had been killed by Mo Yan. The hardships and miseries of her and Ying Ye’s past lives were inextricably linked to Mo Yan.

Mo Yan quickly noticed Ying Ying but gave her nothing more than a dismissive glance before turning his attention to Cheng Yun, his eyes gleaming, “He is…”

Su Liang answered Mo Yan’s question, “Sheng Yue’s younger brother.”

Mo Yan nodded slightly, “No wonder. He looks very much like his mother, while Sheng Yue does not.”

While talking, Mo Yan had walked to a place not far from Gu Ling and Su Liang. He stopped and reached out to Gu Xiaonuan, smiling, “May I hold my great-granddaughter? She truly looks like a little angel.”

“Little angel” is a term that doesn’t exist in this world, so it was meant for Su Liang to hear, since they were both time-travelers and he knew she would understand.

Gu Xiaonuan looked curiously at Mo Yan and uttered three words, “Big jerk!”

Mo Yan’s face darkened slightly, but quickly returned to normal, seemingly gracious as he withdrew his extended hand, “Xiaoliang, our conflict has nothing to do with the child. It’s time to be upfront. I know you want to save someone quickly, but that space belongs to me only, and it’s impossible for anyone to take control of it, even if you’re a Transmigrator. Originally, we could have talked it out. Regardless of anything else, your husband Gu Ling shouldn’t have destroyed the path I guarded for most of my life.”

Seeing the cold tone in Mo Yan’s voice, Su Liang and Gu Ling exchanged glances, but still said nothing. The others just sat quietly. Qiao Cong and Elder Bai each had several strips of paper in front of them, which were taken from their faces and would have to be put back later…

“Xiaoliang, as you know, I have no vulnerabilities now, except for this body. Of course, you could threaten me by harming my body, but you should also know very well that once the spatial magical treasure returns to my hands, none of you will be able to control me. This is the reality, and I don’t need to hide it.” Mo Yan’s back was straight and his chin slightly raised. However, given his gaunt face and haggard expression, this gesture didn’t exude much authority.

Su Liang did not speak, but Zhengzheng, who said, “What exactly do you want?”

Ji Xiaoshu frowned and asked, “Just tell us your conditions and let’s not waste any time!”

It was only then that Mo Yan noticed the two children sitting beside Su Liang and Gu Ling. His gaze lowered, looking at them, his expression indifferent, “I assume you’re Xiaoliang’s two disciples. Remember, when adults are talking, you should listen quietly and not interrupt. It’s impolite.”

Zhengzheng and Ji Xiaoshu both clenched their little fists, then listened to Mo Yan continue, “Xiaoliang, there’s no way for me to return now, so my condition is simple: let’s genuinely reconcile and put all past grievances behind us.”

“How can we put everything behind us?” Su Liang asked calmly.

Mo Yan chuckled, “Quite simple, actually. You’re my granddaughter, so you should formally acknowledge me along with your granddaughter’s husband and great-granddaughter. As long as the three of you kneel down in front of everyone here and give me a kowtow, and if you call me ‘grandfather’ and have Nuannuan call me ‘great-grandfather,’ that’s enough. Compared to your friends who are willing to risk their lives for you, it’s really nothing. You can rest assured that we’ll be a family from then on, and I’ll genuinely care and protect you and your daughter.”

As soon as Mo Yan’s voice fell, Ji Xiaoshu and Zhengzheng stood up together and said in unison, “I’ve never seen anyone as shameless as you!” This phrase was taught by Gu Ling and originated from Su Liang’s retelling of the Three Kingdoms.

Mo Yan’s face darkened with anger, “You… despicable! Su Liang, is this the kind of disciple you teach?”

Ji Xiaoshu gestured to Gu Xiaonuan, and Zhengzheng had already pulled Lian Shun over.

In the next moment, Mo Yan’s eyes widened in disbelief as he watched Lian Shun grin and then vanish into thin air right before him!

“No… impossible… this can’t be…” Mo Yan’s vision blacked out for a moment, nearly collapsing to the ground as he felt a surge of blood in his chest and coughed up a mouthful of old blood, still repeating, “It’s impossible… it can’t be…”

Zhengzheng and Ji Xiaoshu had already rushed over, working together in perfect harmony to knock Mo Yan to the ground. Each of them stepped on one side of his head with their little feet, “Open your dog eyes and see what the will of heaven really is!”

Mo Yan’s eyes were filled with rage, as he clearly saw Gu Xiaonuan waving her hand, and cheerfully saying, “Uncle Ersan, come out!” Lian Shun reappeared, hugging Ying Ying and exclaiming, “This is amazing!”

At this moment, the magical treasure that Mo Yan thought could return to his hands was in Gu Xiaonuan’s grasp, shining beautifully and enchantingly under the sunlight.

Everyone else who had been acting in the play stood up in unison, revealing their weapons and rushing over.

Elder Mu shouted loudly, “Everyone, be careful when you start! Each person can take one strike, you can’t do more than that. There are many who still want to take a cut. It’s not right to deprive them of their chance!”

Lian Shun, his arm around Ying Ying, and a sword in his other hand, said, “No rush, we can cut him up slowly, once every quarter of an hour.”

Before everyone else rushed over, Zhengzheng and Ji Xiaoshu delivered their scripted lines to Mo Yan, who was gasping and coughing up blood from extreme anger:

“Xiaoshu, it’s hard to believe that such a scumbag has people who love him, don’t you think?”

“Big brother, don’t listen to him talking nonsense! What love? That person must have found a good marriage and have a family full of children and grandchildren by now, completely forgetting him! You always talk about heaven and fate, why don’t you shout to the heavens and see if they care? Hahaha!”

When Zhengzheng and Ji Xiaoshu finally squeezed out of the crowd who were attacking Mo Yan, they saw Yan Shiba leaning on the lakeshore with her arms crossed, looking completely at ease. She had “avoided” the situation earlier, preventing herself from blowing their cover.

“Aunt Yan, aren’t you joining in to hack at him?” Ji Xiaoshu asked, giggling.

Yan Shiba shook her head calmly, “I’ve long been tired of this hacking business! I’ve said before that I want to make sure that old scoundrel Mo knows what it’s like to drown! No rush, let’s wait for everyone to vent their anger first, then I’ll play with that old scoundrel slowly! I’ll make sure he dies and comes back to life, and dies again! Hahaha!”