Chapter 389: 389. Someone is coming

Translator: 549690339

Gu Ling told Mr. Mu that he had to go out at night to do something and asked him to watch over Su Liang and the three children in Yuanming Pavilion.

So, Mr. Mu moved into Yuanming Pavilion, slept in the study room, taking the lower bunk while Ji Xiaoshu and Zhengzheng shared the upper bunk.

Ji Xiaoshu asked Mr. Mu to tell them a story, and he vividly told them about the “Fan-selling Trick”, which was about Gu Ling and Su Liang using a fan to lure someone out in Liang Country’s Yao City.

The children were completely fascinated, and when Mr. Mu said he would make each of them a fan just like the one in the story, they happily jumped around on the bed.

Su Liang’s voice came from outside, “Zhengzheng, Xiaoshu, go to bed early.”

The two replied in unison, “Goodnight, mom!” Then they obediently lay down.

Ji Xiaoshu poked his head out to look at Mr. Mu below and whispered, “Mr. Mu, when will we get the fans?”

Mr. Mu thought for a moment and said, “In three more days.”

Min Mansion.

It was late at night, and Min Rui had fallen into a deep sleep after taking his medicine. Lady Min was sleeping in her clothes on the soft couch, with the lamp lit in the room.

Master Min had intended to assign servants to attend to Min Rui and his wife, but Lady Min refused to allow them into the room, saying that she was not used to having others around, and that she had been personally taking care of Min Rui during his long illness. So, Master Min let her have her way and arranged for his granddaughter Min Rou to have her own courtyard and servants, just like her two elder female cousins before they got married.

The sound of pebbles hitting the window caused Lady Min to open her eyes and sit up immediately. She got out of bed, took off her blanket, and first glanced at Min Rui, who was still asleep.

When she turned back, there was one more person in the room.

“Father!” Lady Min’s face lit up with joy, and she grabbed the arm of the grey-clothed old man, “I thought you’d never get here!”

“What’s the matter?” the gray-clothed old man asked.

Lady Min shook her head, “No problems on our end, everything went smoothly, and Rou’er is doing well too. Just as father advised, we haven’t done anything.” Saying this, she pulled the old man to have a seat and picked up the teapot on the table. Feeling that it was cold, she put it back down.

The grey-clothed man looked at Min Rui and asked, “How is he?”

“He’s better,” replied Lady Min, her eyes lacking warmth. “Su Liang and Gu Ling have both treated him.”

The grey-clothed old man’s face turned a shade more serious, “Gu Ling? He treated Min Rui?”

Lady Min nodded, “Yes. According to Imperial Physician Gao, Gu Ling’s medical skills are also very remarkable but are not widely known. He performed acupuncture for Min Rui today.”

The grey-clothed old man slowly nodded, “Did you discover anything else?”

Lady Min, who was usually soft-spoken, looked toward the doorway and only resumed talking after confirming that the surrounding area was quiet, “Father, have you never seen Su Liang’s face when you were investigating before?”

The grey-clothed old man frowned and, after a moment of silence, shook his head, “Now that you mention it, I never met her face to face.”

Lady Min sighed, “She resembles Mo Liang so much. When I first saw her, I was startled as if I were seeing Mo Liang standing before me.”

The grey-clothed old man’s expression changed, “Her mother’s background is unknown, and her name is Liang. Could it be… she is Mo Liang’s daughter?”

Lady Min nodded, “It’s possible. Father, we need to act quickly. If my adoptive father sees Su Liang, all our efforts over the years will be in vain!”

The grey-clothed old man contemplated for a while, “We cannot act rashly and cause unnecessary trouble. We must do as Mo Yan instructed for now.”

“But… ” Lady Min looked anxious, “My adoptive father will inevitably meet Su Liang one day. By then, everything we have done for him, whether good or bad, will have been for nothing!”

Cold light flickered in the old man’s eyes, “I never came here tonight, and you never told me about Su Liang’s resemblance to Mo Yan’s daughter. In the meantime, you shouldn’t do anything. Just stay here quietly. Understand?”

Lady Min’s eyes widened, “Understood. Have you thought of a plan, father?”

The grey-clothed old man snorted coldly, “All the signs indicate that Gu Ling is the person Mo Yan is looking for. I will persuade Mo Yan to eliminate Su Liang, the obstacle, soon. Only then can he achieve his goal.”

Lady Min’s expression changed as she looked at Min Rui by the bed, still lying quietly without any movement.

Lady Min asked the grey-clothed old man in a low voice, “What did my adoptive father ask you to do this time?”

The grey-clothed old man replied, “Kill Duanmu Chen.”

Lady Min’s looked surprised, “Why?”

“To push Gu Ling to the emperor’s position and prevent him from hiding.” the grey-clothed old man said.

Lady Min looked puzzled, “I don’t understand what he really wants to do. Do you have to take matters into your own hands?”

The grey-clothed old man shook his head, “Not necessary.” As soon as he finished speaking, he got up and left.

When dawn came, Su Liang was nursing Gu Xiaonuan while Gu Ling entered the room and immediately closed the door behind him. He held his nightclothes and mask in his hand, and when Su Liang looked over, he shook his head, saying, “A peaceful night.”

Su Liang felt that it wasn’t a good thing. Confirming that there was a “wolf” was a good thing, but the earlier they showed themselves, the better.

“Are you hungry? If you’re not hungry, wash up and go to sleep. If you’re hungry, eat something before you sleep.” Su Liang said.

Gu Ling, with an inscrutable gaze, stared at a certain part of Su Liang’s body. She coughed lightly, “Great God, your daughter is here, mind your gaze.”

“I’m hungry too.” Gu Ling hinted heavily.

Once Gu Xiaonuan was full, Gu Ling held her and coaxed her for a while before handing her over to Mr. Mu.

Since they didn’t know when Gu Ling would come back, Su Liang had told them to go to Nangong Qian’s place for breakfast the night before.

So, Mr. Mu, holding one and leading two, left Yuanming Pavilion. Meanwhile, Su Liang and Gu Ling closed the door and began their “morning exercise”…

After a while, Old Physician Gao came again. As agreed with Gu Ling the day before, they went to the Min family together.

Ji Xiaoshu disguised himself as Zhengzheng again and wanted to go with Gu Ling, but was rejected. Min Rui was ill, and they were afraid his illness would affect the children. When Su Liang and Gu Ling returned from the Min family, they always bathed and changed their clothes before having contact with anyone.

So, after Ji Xiaoshu finished his class, he went to play at Lin Family with Lin Shuzhi. For his safety, Mr. Mu followed him secretly.

Before Gu Ling left, he hung a new pouch on his waist. Su Liang had made it for him, and on it was embroidered an airplane pattern, which was a symbol for certain specific people to see.

Today, Gu Ling didn’t run into Min Rou at the Min Family because she went with her aunt to visit the Lin Family. Lin Boyan’s wife is Min Rou’s cousin.

Mrs. Min noticed Gu Ling’s purse, but her expression remained normal, not showing any strange signs.

After Gu Ling finished administering the treatment and left, Mrs. Min brought the medicine she had prepared for Min Rui.

Min Rui sat propped up in bed, and after drinking a bowl of bitter medicine, his gaze fixed directly on Mrs. Min.

Mrs. Min’s face showed displeasure, “What are you looking at?”

“I know that you don’t really like me, you’re just with me because I resemble your dead lover,” Min Rui’s complexion was much better than when he had just returned to the Min Family, but his speech was still a little weak.

Mrs. Min snorted lightly, “What, now that you’re back at your own house, you want to act like a husband? If it wasn’t for me saving you back then, you would have been long dead.”

Min Rui smiled bitterly and shook his head, “You’re overthinking it. I just wanted to say that, actually, I’ve never loved you either.”

Mrs. Min’s face darkened, and she listened to Min Rui say, “In my life, I have only loved Qin Yuan, and that has never changed. If I hadn’t encountered trouble and had no place to turn to, I wouldn’t have gone with you to that island.”

“Unfortunately, your beloved Qin Yuan has long been dead.” Mrs. Min coldly snorted.

“It’s mutual.” Min Rui immediately retorted.

“What exactly are you trying to say?” Mrs. Min coldly asked.

Min Rui suddenly sneered, “I heard everything you talked to your father about yesterday night.”

Mrs. Min’s eyes grew even darker, and she approached Min Rui, reaching out her hand to strangle his neck, “You better shut your mouth right now and don’t say another word, or don’t blame me for being rude!”

However, Min Rui didn’t seem to be afraid, “You won’t kill me. Your father said not to cause extra trouble. I know that if it wasn’t for your adoptive father keeping an eye on you all these years, you would’ve gotten rid of me a long time ago. This time, it was I who begged your adoptive father without your knowledge, saying I wanted to kowtow to my own father one last time before I die, and have Rouer acknowledge her ancestor and return to her family. I don’t know why your adoptive father agreed, otherwise, you wouldn’t have come back with me. You were probably hoping I would die of illness quickly.”

Mrs. Min’s face was dark and gloomy, grinding her teeth, “What do you want?”

Min Rui snorted, “I don’t want to mess up your plans. After all, if you get Mo Yan’s treasure, it would be beneficial to Rouer as well. However, if you want me to keep my mouth shut, you need to help me with something.”

Footsteps sounded outside, and Mrs. Min immediately picked up the empty medicine bowl and went to the door.

It was Elder Minister Min who had come to check on Min Rui after seeing Gu Ling off.

“Father, I’ll go check on the chicken soup I prepared for Xianggong.” Mrs. Min smiled.

Elder Minister Min nodded and entered the room.

Min Rui discussed the current political situation with Minister Min, who sighed deeply, “Just after the Lantern Festival, the emperor ordered Marquis Zhong Xin to return to Xuanbei City. It seems that war with Liang Country is inevitable.”

Upon hearing the three words “Marquis Zhong Xin,” Min Rui’s eyes flickered, but Minister Min didn’t notice.

After a while, Mrs. Min came back with the chicken soup, and Minister Min left.

As soon as the door closed, the couple’s pretense of warmth and concern vanished instantly.

Mrs. Min sat down at the bedside with the chicken soup but didn’t give it to Min Rui. She stirred it with a spoon, letting off some steam before starting to drink it herself.

After a few sips, Mrs. Min looked at Min Rui again, “Tell me. What do you want me to help you with?”

Min Rui’s voice was low, “Help me kill someone.”

Mrs. Min suddenly sneered, “Do you want to kill Xing Ji? Still jealous of him after all these years? But I think you have no reason to be jealous. Xing Ji didn’t steal Qin Yuan from you. She was married to him through an imperial edict. Though the person who issued the edict is dead now.”

As Mrs. Min spoke, her tone became more ghostly and mocking. Seeing Min Rui’s uncomfortable expression, she felt satisfied and said, “Killing Xing Ji is impossible. It’s too far away. I can’t go to Xuanbei City. You surely don’t want to kill Qin Yuan’s only son, do you?”

Min Rui gritted his teeth, “Stop talking! It’s not them!”

Mrs. Min raised her eyebrows, “Oh? Then who is it?”

Min Rui said coldly, “That damn Old Qin!”

Mrs. Min was stunned for a moment, “You blame him for breaking you and Qin Yuan apart? But you two were never meant to be together, she never loved you.”

Min Rui grabbed Mrs. Min’s neck, and the chicken soup in her hand fell to the ground with a crisp shattering sound.

However, Min Rui didn’t have much strength, and he was soon pushed away by Mrs. Min and slapped so hard that he fell onto the bed.

Min Rui seemed to be talking to Mrs. Min but also talking to himself, “We grew up together, like children in love. She did like me, but she didn’t realize it because she was too young. My father personally proposed marriage to her, but Old Qin refused without giving any face. I begged him on my knees to let me marry her, saying I wouldn’t marry anyone else, but he told me to give up so resolutely… if he had just agreed, she would have become my wife and wouldn’t have been married to Xing Ji and died in despair! You don’t understand, none of you understand… her life and mine were destroyed by that old bastard, all because of him!”

Mrs. Min looked at Min Rui coldly as he cursed Old Master Qin on the bed, without saying a word.

After an unknown length of time, Min Rui calmed down a bit. He turned and stared at Mrs. Min, “Within three days, I don’t care how you do it, send that old bastard to meet Yama King. Otherwise, I’ll tell Gu Ling your secret. After all, Rourou knows nothing, and she won’t be in danger, so I have no worries.”

From outside the door came Min Rou’s voice, “Dad, Mom, I’m back.”

Mrs. Min whispered coldly into Min Rui’s ear, “Fine, I’ll find a way. Just make sure you don’t do anything you shouldn’t, or say anything you shouldn’t. Otherwise, I’ll make sure your whole family dies miserably!”

As Min Rou entered, Mrs. Min was picking up the shattered porcelain from the floor. Min Rui sighed, “It’s my fault, always causing you trouble.”

“Let the servant clean up. Dad, your blanket is dirty,” Min Rou pulled Mrs. Min up and said, “I know Mom wants to take care of Dad personally, but you don’t have to work so hard.”

After saying this, Min Rou noticed the slap mark on Min Rui’s face and frowned, “Dad’s face…”

Min Rui forced a bitter smile, “I slapped myself. I hate myself for being so foolish. I should have listened to your mother and taken you home earlier.”

“Don’t be like that, Dad. It’s not too late now. Our grandparents are still alive, and once you recover, you should be a good son to them,” Min Rou smiled and said, “I like this place, and today I went to see my cousin with my aunt. I’m so envious of her! My brother-in-law from the Lin Family is such a good man, and Uncle Lin is very kind. Oh, by the way, Uncle Lin brought a kid home today. His name is Zhengzheng, he’s so cute.”

Mrs. Min looked indifferent, “Your father is still sick. Don’t go running around all the time. People might think you’re being unfilial, only caring about having fun.”

Min Rui immediately retorted, “I’m much better now, and Rourou just returned. Going out more often is good for her.”

Hearing this, Min Rou laughed, “Mom always takes care of Dad herself, so I don’t have a chance to help. By the way, I’m going to the Duke Mansion to play with my second cousin tomorrow, you don’t mind, do you?”

Mrs. Min frowned but didn’t object.

When Min Rou left, leaving just the two of them alone again, Mrs. Min said coldly, “I’ll find an opportunity in the next two days. I’ll create an accident and help you get rid of Old Master Qin. Just watch your mouth and don’t say anything nonsense to Rourou!”

That night, Gu Ling went into the palace again, waiting until the wee hours of the morning. Finally, someone arrived!