嫩草影院地址一二三

Chapter 196 - 196: 196. Unexpected Encounter

“Don’t fall asleep while bathing.”

Su Liang’s expression was baffling, feeling that something was not quite right…

Last night, she did indeed fall asleep while bathing. How did Ning Jing know about it? Because she didn’t respond when he called her? Then how did he manage to throw the jade pendant accurately into the bath without hitting her?

Although Ning Jing’s temper was a bit strange, in Su Liang’s eyes, he was definitely a gentleman.

Su Liang felt that Ning Jing would not take advantage of her sleep to peek at anything, but perhaps, he accidentally saw something?

While riding her horse towards the direction of the city gate, Su Liang was seriously recalling the scene when she was woken up by the jade pendant last night.

She was behind the screen, Ning Jing was in the next room, but the jade pendant couldn’t pass through the wall, so he threw it from the doorway of the study, and he must have known the exact location.

Su Liang thought that the screen was not enough to completely cover the inner room. From the perspective of the doorway of the study, it seemed that one could see the side of the bathtub, and at most, her arm. Originally, except for her arm, everything below her shoulders was soaked in the bathtub.

Upon thinking about this, Su Liang didn’t feel that Ning Jing had done anything wrong.

Even if she made sure no one was around, even if she was in her room, she really shouldn’t have fallen asleep while bathing. If an assassin broke in, her reaction would not be in time and the consequences would be unimaginable.

Therefore, Su Liang’s final conclusion was: unless Ning Jing was in the next room, she didn’t need to worry about safety issues, otherwise she must never relax enough to fall asleep while bathing.

Having finished thinking about it, Su Liang had arrived at the main street of Xuanbei City.

Snapping back to reality, she noticed that the common people were looking at her, their eyes full of goodwill. When she looked over, they would smile and nod their heads, and some even clasped their hands together to salute her.

“General Sul‘ and “Su, the Top Scholar” appeared very frequently among the passers-by. Su Liang heard all the good things about her, and she had become the most famous person in Xuanbei City, her reputation temporarily surpassing the chief General Xing Ji.

Su Liang did not let this go to her head, in fact, she felt somewhat disturbed by it.

Last night’s incident was something she had been unwittingly involved in. As a person from Qian Country and a military commander currently stationed in Xuanbei City, she had done her best to fulfill her duties, and the result was that she had not disappointed anyone.

This great fame was not something Su Liang sought after.

The more famous she became, the more attention her every move would receive, and even a small issue could be magnified. The higher the expectations of others, the harder she would fall if she ever failed.

“Walk your own path and let others talk.”

Su Liang thought about this old saying, shook her head, and felt that she was overthinking it. She couldn’t control what others thought of her, as long as she had a clear conscience.

General Xing Ji specifically told Su Liang to rest for the day, so she didn’t go to the military camp and nobody came looking for her.

She rode her horse to the city gate, and the city guards saluted her with great respect.

“General Su!”

Hearing someone call her, Su Liang looked up and saw Che Yun waving to her from the top of the city wall.

Before she could react, Che Yun had already taken three steps and two leaps down.

Su Liang had not forgotten about the acupuncture session for Che Yun’s father, but she would do it every other day, so she would go tomorrow.

“General Su, are you going out of the city?” Che Yun had already come up close.

Out of politeness, Su Liang got off her horse to avoid Che Yun having to look up at her.

“I heard there is a Ping’an Temple outside the city, and I want to go and pray.” Su Liang’s expression was indifferent.

Che Yun paused for a moment, then smiled, “The scenery there is quite good, and it’s a non-war zone agreed upon by Liang Country. People from the city often go there to burn incense. I accompany my mother on the first and fifteenth days of each month. If General Su doesn’t mind, shall I show you the way?

Su Liang saw that Che Yun’s face was sincere, and politely declined, “Che Yun is busy with official duties, I won’t waste your time. I heard that two women who just left the city were going to Ping’an Temple, I’ll follow them.”

“But General Su, being alone, what if the Liang Country side…?” Che Yun frowned.

The non-war zone agreement was only valid during periods of peace between the two countries. Neither side would harm each other’s common people to avoid igniting war.

However, if peace is broken, it will be another story.

Therefore, going to the Ping’an Temple to burn incense is risky. Although it cannot stop the devout commoners from going, Su Liang is no ordinary person, especially after defeating Wei Hao last night.

Che Yun’s point was that Liang Country might not necessarily refrain from attacking Su Liang.

“It’s alright. In broad daylight, if someone comes to bother me, I won’t be polite. Let’s go.” Su Liang finished speaking, flipped onto her horse, and quickly left the city.

Che Yun sent someone to the military camp to inform Xing Ji before he climbed the city building himself. All he saw was a departing figure in the distance that soon disappeared from sight.

“General Che likes General Su, doesn’t he?” Che Yun’s closest deputy general asked with a smile.

Che Yun paused for a moment and punched the deputy, “What nonsense! General Su is already engaged!”

The deputy wore an understanding expression, “After all, they are not yet married. If General Che is interested, why not pursue General Su? That Ning Family’s tea merchant from Xunyang is just a wealthy businessman. He is not worthy of such a talented person as General Su.”

Che Yun’s expression became serious, “Don’t talk nonsense. Su’s fiancé is the top scholar in today’s civil exam, a great talent.”

“He still doesn’t suit General Su. He is just a weak scholar. If they encounter a robbery in the future, he will have to hide behind her. This is not appropriate!” The deputy continued to encourage Che Yun to pursue Su Liang.

Che Yun snorted, “My martial arts are not as good as General Su’s either. In case of trouble, I will also have to hide behind her. Do you think it is suitable then?”

The deputy was stunned, and Che Yun went down the city building once again.

Upon learning that Su Liang had left the city, Xing Ji was also worried about her safety and sent Lin Bojun with a team of men to deliver food to Ping’an Temple while ensuring Su Liang’s safety.

After accepting the mission and leaving, Qi Jiang said, “Marquis need not worry too much. General Su is not reckless; she will be cautious.”

“I know that.” Xing Ji nodded, “But in such matters, it’s better to be cautious than to be unprepared.”

Qi Jiang laughed, “Is Marquis cherishing General Su like a daughter?”

Xing Ji sighed softly, “I do wish I had such a treasured daughter, but unfortunately, she doesn’t treat me as an outsider and is unwilling to give me a

‘title’.”

Qi Jiang had followed Xing Ji for many years and had never seen him like this before, even hearing a hint of grievance.

Su Liang did not follow the two old ladies. After some distance from the city gate, she turned into a small path through a grove of trees.

Before long, she “encountered” Ning Jing, who was picking mushrooms in the forest.

He was genuinely picking mushrooms.

Ning Jing had a delicate basket in his hand, with a layer of fresh mushrooms already laid at the bottom.

“Big Brother, which direction is Ping’an Temple?” Su Liang asked.

Ning Jing picked another mushroom, straightened up with the basket in hand and pointed, “Over there.”

“Would you mind selling me the mushrooms?” Su Liang asked again.

Ning Jing shook his head, “I’m taking them to Master Pu Qing of Ping’an

Temple. ”

“You’re also going to Ping’an Temple? What a coincidence! Let’s go together!” Su Liang smiled.

Actually, there was no one around, but the two of them were very much incharacter, as if they had just met and were going in the same direction.

Exiting the grove, the two rode their horses towards the direction of Ping’an Temple.

Halfway there, Su Liang couldn’t help but ask, “Did you see me taking a bath last night?”

After a moment of silence, Ning Jing admitted, “I saw a little bit.”

“My arm?” Su Liang asked.

Ning Jing nodded.

Su Liang thought to herself that it was indeed the case, then naturally changed the subject, “Who gave you your jade pendant?”

“My mother,” Ning Jing said.

Su Liang went on to ask the question she had been ignoring before, “What about your maternal grandparents’ family after something happened to the Gu family? Are there any relatives left?”

Ning Jing nodded, “Yes, in the Liang Country.”

Su Liang was surprised, “Liang Country? Your mother is from Liang Country?”

“Yes, my mother was originally the princess of Liang Country, and Gu Yuan, who was Xuanbei City Lord for a few years. But no one dares to mention it now,” Ning Jing said indifferently.

Gu Yuan was Gu Ling’s father, Marquis Chang Xin, whose entire family was wiped out due to his rebellion.

Perhaps it was because Ning Jing was around. He didn’t mention it, and Su Liang was even more likely to ignore matters related to the Gu Family.

Ning Jing was even unwilling to call Gu Yuan “father,” which showed that there was only a bond of blood between the father and son, and no affection.

“So, your maternal grandfather is…the prince of Liang Country?” Su Liang expressed surprise.

With a thin lip, Ning Jing said, “Prince He Liancheng, the uncle of the Emperor of Liang Country.”

“So the Emperor of Liang Country is your…cousin?” Su Liang asked.

Ning Jing shook her head, “That’s not important.”

“So, is it because the Duanmu royal family wants to get rid of you that they are afraid of you joining the Liang royal family?” Su Liang asked, “Have you never thought about going there?”

“My mother is dead, and I have no relationship with them,” Ning Jing said calmly.

Su Liang sighed and didn’t ask anything more.

When they reached the foot of Ping’an Temple, Su Liang found that some of the pilgrims going up the mountain were from Xuanbei City in Qian Country and some were from the South Feng City in Liang Country, with more people from the former.

When the common people of the two countries met, there was no hostile atmosphere at all; in fact, they were very harmonious, and some even had relatives who had made special arrangements to meet at Ping’an Temple that night.

It was already early summer in the capital city of Qian Country, but the peach blossoms had just begun to bloom in the mountains here.

Su Liang and Ning Jing stepped up, with a gentle breeze blowing in their faces, and the air was filled with the scent of flowers and grass, the sound of insects and birds, and a thriving scene.

Ping’an Temple is a very ancient temple, and it is said that the Bodhisattvas in the temple are very efficacious. As long as your heart is sincere, your prayers will be answered.

As soon as the two entered the temple, Su Liang asked the first monk she met if there was a Master Pu Qing.

The monk nodded, “He is the abbot of this temple, and he has said that he will not see any visitors today.”

Master Pu Qing is Master Cheng Yun’s master. Cheng Yun went to the capital city of Qian Country to deliver scriptures to his master uncle at Huguo Temple but was left there and never returned.

Since they said they weren’t seeing visitors, Su Liang didn’t force it and decided to take a look around.

“It’s just as well; you saved your mushrooms. Let’s eat them,” Su Liang said. Roasted mushrooms are also delicious.

However, Ning Jing replied, “I never intended to give them away.”

Su Liang put her hands together, muttered “Amitabha” to the Bodhisattva in the main hall ahead, and thought that if the Buddha blamed Ning Jing, he shouldn’t take it out on her. She sincerely wanted to give Master Pu Qing a few mushrooms…

Su Liang took a tour of Ping’an Temple and found the scenery and architecture of this ancient temple to be very special. Compared with the well-maintained Huguo Temple, which underwent repairs all year round, it had a much richer taste of the accumulation of time.

When they prepared to leave, Su Liang asked another monk if he knew Cheng

Yun.

The monk was surprised at Su Liang, who was obviously a young girl, despite wearing men’s clothing, and asked, “Does this female benefactor know Master

Cheng Yun?”

Cheng Yun was a disciple of Master Pu Qing. Despite his young age, he had a high status in both Ping’an Temple and Huguo Temple.

Su Liang nodded with a smile, “Master Cheng Yun once helped me.”

“Master Cheng Yun has gone to the capital of Qian Country and is not in the temple right now,” the monk said.

“Will he come back?” Su Liang asked.

The monk shook his head, “I’m not sure.”

Su Liang thanked him and left the Huguo Temple with Ning Jing.

By the time they had gone down the mountains and to another mountain, Lin Bojun, leading a group of people and horses, arrived at Ping’an Temple to deliver food.

Upon inquiring that Su Liang had already left Ping’an Temple in the company of a young man, Lin Bojun was taken by surprise.

After delivering the grain to the temple, he also left without making any special effort to find Su Liang.

The weather was fine, and Su Liang felt as if she had returned to Su’s Village when she climbed high and looked far away.

She lit a fire and waited for a while. Ning Jing came back from halfway up the mountain with a well-cleaned, slaughtered wild chicken and washed mushrooms.

“What about the hare?” Su Liang asked.

“Next time,” Ning Jing said. The wild chicken they caught today was quite big, so a rabbit would be too much.

The two of them sat around the fire and roasted wild chicken and mushrooms, soon filling the air with tantalising aromas.

When the food was ready, the two shared it, relishing the unique combination of wild chicken and mushrooms.

After finishing their meal and extinguishing the fire, Su Liang lay down on the soft grass, propped up her arm as a pillow, looked at the birds flying across the sky, and sighed, “There’s no hope of flying again in this life.”

Ning Jing lay down not far away, “Haven’t you ever thought of building airplanes?”

Su Liang chuckled, “I can’t, and there are no conditions here.”

“Will you ever go back to where you came from?” Ning Jing asked.

Su Liang’s lips curled slightly, “That would be nice. If I go back, I’ll write a novel with you as the male lead.”

“Who’s the female lead?” Ning Jing asked.

“Of course, it’s me. I’ll write about how I met you, a great god, after traveling through time and space, and we became brothers and went on adventures together,” Su Liang said enthusiastically. “It’s bound to be exciting!”

“Didn’t you say that people there like to read love stories?” Ning Jing asked.

Su Liang shook her head, “As long as it’s a good story, it doesn’t matter if there’s love or not.”

“I want to go too,” Ning Jing said.

“Where do you want to go?” Su Liang was taken aback.

“Go and see your side,” Ning Jing said, “Ride an airplane to fly in the sky.”

Su Liang nodded, “It’s worth a try. Unfortunately, I probably won’t be able to go back, and you won’t be able to go either..”