Chapter 148: 148. You Are Not Yet of Legal Age (Second Update)
Translator: 549690339
The civil examinations and the military examinations have both ended, and in five days, the examination results will be announced, followed by the final showdown of the martial arts competition the next day.
In this term’s martial arts competition, the most eye-catching ones are the two young ladies.
They have maintained an unbeaten record all the way to the finals, becoming the leading contenders for the top three spots.
Various bets have sprung up in the capital city’s gambling houses surrounding Su Liang and Nian Ruxue’s final results in the martial arts competition.
At first, it was only about who would win when the two of them faced off.
But now there are bets on whether Su Liang will become the Martial Arts
Champion or whether Nian Ruxue will become the Martial Arts Champion.
As well as whether the Martial Arts Champion of this term will be a man or a woman.
Xing Yusheng bet on all Su Liang-related gambling options, believing in the outcome that Su Liang would definitely become the Martial Arts Champion.
In the past two days, someone who bet the same way as Xing Yusheng was Lian Shun, who had just arrived in the capital city not long ago and had already become acquainted with Su Liang.
When Ning Jing saw Duanmu Che for another acupuncture treatment, Duanmu Che stayed silent, while Lian Shun sat by their side, smiling silently.
After Huang Bo sent Ning Jing away, Duanmu Che said coldly, “Does Su Liang think that by doing this, I won’t suspect her of being a spy? I’m starting to suspect that she and Ning Jing were both sent to the capital under someone else’s orders!”
Lian Shun rolled his eyes, “Little Cheche, just because you were born in the
Royal Family doesn’t mean we have to understand your paranoid suspicions. Why do you think Su Xiaoliang wouldn’t come and treat you personally? It’s because she doesn’t even want to see you! It’s affecting me as well; I can’t see her, and yet you still have the nerve to speak?”
Duanmu Che’s expression stiffened, “She also asked me to tell her about what happened before!”
“Indeed, she had asked you and gave you some face, but you just refused,” Lian Shun shook his head and sighed.
Duanmu Che sneered, “I think you’ve been bewitched by her!”
Lian Shun held his face and sighed deeply, “Yes! I’ve been completely bewitched by that little girl; I’ve never met such an adorable young lady before!”
Duanmu Che looked displeased, “You… You really have fallen for her?”
Lian Shun nodded without hesitation, “Why not? Don’t tell me you’re actually interested in her but don’t want to admit it, and that’s why you’re acting so awkward. I can see that you don’t like Ning Jing very much.”
Without any hesitation, Duanmu Che refuted, “Nonsense! How could I possibly be interested in her? Ridiculous!”
“I hope not,” said Lian Shun seriously, “Otherwise, I wouldn’t let you.”
“Are you serious?” Duanmu Che looked at Lian Shun incredulously.
Lian Shun smiled slightly, “Of course. You don’t approve? That’s unimportant.” “Can’t you see that she and Ning Jing are unclear?” Duanmu Che said coldly.
Lian Shun shook his head, “As far as I know, they are sworn siblings, and I believe it. Since they are not a couple, I can pursue her!”
“I don’t agree!” Duanmu Che frowned.
Lian Shun walked over, ruffled Duanmu Che’s hair and then walked out, “You’re my cousin, not my father. Moreover, my father wouldn’t even interfere in my matters.”
When Huang Bo came back in, he saw that Duanmu Che was still angry.
He didn’t know what had happened, so he heard Duanmu Che ask, “Do you think Lian Shun has fallen for Su Liang?
Huang Bo was stunned for a moment and nodded, “It seems to be headed in that direction. Master Lin talks about Su Liang all the time, and he’s very disappointed whenever it’s only Master Ning that comes. By the way, Master
Lin just went out, saying he was looking for Su Liang.”
Duanmu Che walked into his room with a somber face.
Ning Jing had just returned home when Lian Shun showed up.
He didn’t go through the front door but came secretly.
At the moment, Su Liang was baking some cookies for Zhengzheng in the kitchen. Ning Jing made a few cute little animal molds for it.
“Su Xiaoliang!”
Lian Shun called out as he stood in the courtyard.
Ning Jing came out and asked, “What brings you here?”
Lian Shun’s attitude was very friendly as he smiled and cupped his hands, “Master Ning, I’m sorry for the intrusion, but I just remembered that there are some more points about the Disguise Technique that I forgot to tell Su Xiaoliang.”
“Wait a moment,” Su Liang’s voice came trom the kitchen.
Lian Shun smiled at Ning Jing and walked towards the kitchen door. He saw Su Liang, wearing an apron and busy with her work, while an enticing sweet aroma filled the air.
“Wow! Su Xiaoliang, what delicious treats have you made?” Lian Shun was about to enter the kitchen to take a look.
A flash of green shadow passed by, and Ning Jing entered the kitchen before Lian Shun.
Lian Shun’s eyes narrowed slightly. He didn’t even notice when Ning Jing had approached…
“Alright.” Su Liang divided the cookies into two portions, “This part is for Zhengzheng, and that part is for you.”
“Mm,” Ning Jing took them and prepared the cookies.
“What about mine?” Lian Shun asked softly.
Su Liang took off her apron, washed her hands and went outside, “Isn’t your cousin feeding you well?”
Lian Shun’s gaze lingered on Ning Jing’s slender figure for a moment, then quickly turned back, smiling, “I’m just curious about the taste of the dessert you made. Can’t I taste it?”
“Maybe next time,” Su Liang shook her head.
This had nothing to do with hospitality.
These cookies were prepared specifically for Zhengzheng. Ning Jing also wanted to eat them and picked his favorite star-shaped molds, only wanting that kind.
Su Liang didn’t even leave any for herself.
She didn’t think it was appropriate to ask Ning Jing to share his snacks with an uninvited guest she wasn’t familiar with.
Lian Shun sighed, “Alright. Can you make some for me next time?”
Su Liang shook her head, “It’s not tasty. Don’t get your hopes up.”
Lian Shun: …So she meant ‘next time’ as a way to brush him off. It’s not tasty, yeah right!
Su Liang asked Lian Shun to sit in the courtyard, and she went to her room to get the medicine box.
“I thought we were friends. You won’t even invite me in for a chat?” Lian Shun clearly felt Su Liang’s aloofness.
Su Liang shook her head, “It’s my bedroom. It’s not appropriate.”
However, the next moment, Ning Jing, who had come out of the kitchen with the desserts, first entered Su Liang’s room, took a book out, and then returned to his own room.
Lian Shun: …Was that boy showing off his privilege on purpose after hearing Su Liang’s words?
“Need a demonstration?” Su Liang asked.
Lian Shun came to his senses and started talking about Disguise Technique with Su Liang. He had come prepared.
After Su Liang took notes, she asked how Duanmu Che had been doing these past few days.
“Much better than before, at least he’s not vomiting blood anymore.” Lian Shun smiled, “Thanks to you!”
“Does he still suspect I’m a spy?” Su Liang asked.
If he had dismissed his suspicions, Duanmu Che should have come to discuss important matters with her.
Lian Shun looked helpless, “I don’t know why he’s so prejudiced against you. Give him some time. He’ll come around.”
“I heard you say before that the fifth prince originally planned to verify the identities of Nian Ruxue and me on the day of the Military Exam finals.” Su Liang said.
Lian Shun nodded, “That’s not necessary now.” “No.” Su Liane smiled. “It’s verv necessarv.”
Lian Shun was stunned, and after a moment, his expression turned strange, “That Miss Nian, who’s always dressed like a man and wearing a mask. Could it be… the real impostor is her?”
Su Liang shrugged, “I just have my suspicions. I don’t have any evidence.”
Lian Shun’s eyes lit up, “Then let Little Cheche carry out the original plan!”
He seemed to be looking forward to someone getting exposed. Lian Shun asked if Su Liang had any enmity with Nian Ruxue.
“There’s indeed a bit of that.” Su Liang said.
Lian Shun patted his chest, promising to take care of this matter. If the Nian Ruxue participating in the Military Exam was a fake, he’d make her show her true colors!
“If you and Young Master Ning both achieve good results in the Imperial Examinations, do you plan to stay in the capital city to work?” Lian Shun asked.
“Who knows what tomorrow holds.” Su Liang replied with an evasive remark.
Lian Shun told Duanmu Che that he intended to pursue Su Liang, but he didn’t express his feelings today.
Although he seemed carefree on the surface, he was not impulsive. He felt that his understanding of Su Liang was not enough yet, and he knew very well that confessing now would definitely be rejected, and they might not even remain friends.
“Are you done talking?” Ning Jing asked from the corridor.
He had already changed his clothes and was holding a dessert box for Zhengzheng in his hand.
Su Liang stood up, “Yes, we’re done. Please leave if you have nothing else, Master Lin. I have an appointment with someone and need to go out.”
Lian Shun knew that it was Wan Family’s grandson, the little boy called
Zhengzheng. He had seen him at the Battle Arena, and he was very cute.
“Alright,” Lian Shun smiled, “Don’t ignore me just because of my cousin. After all, I’m also your master in Disguise Technique.”
Su Liang shook her head, “I won’t.”
With that, Lian Shun got up and left.
Ning Jing and Su Liang left together to meet Zhengzheng.
Su Liang teased Ning Jing, “Did you enter my room on purpose, just to show off to Lian Shun?”
Although they usually could go back and forth between each other’s rooms, Ning Jing wouldn’t enter Su Liang’s room unless necessary.
“Yep.” Ning Jing admitted without hesitation, “He is interested in you.”
Su Liang facepalmed, “How did you know? He’s just outgoing and enthusiastic towards everyone. We’ve only known each other for a few days. You’re overthinking it. ”
“He’s not enthusiastic towards me.” Ning Jing said. Su Liang coughed softly, “That’s because you’re a man.” “Exactly because I’m a man.” Ning Jing replied.
“So you, being a man, know better what he’s thinking?” Su Liang was speechless, “Am I not allowed to have friends?”
Ning Jing shook his head slightly, “Having friends is fine, but not romantic relationships. You’re not of age yet. You said it yourself, before eighteen, one is immature both physically and mentally.”
Su Liang was simply dumbfounded.
Listening to Ning Jing’s tone, he sounded like someone from the new era who had crossed over.
Su Liang couldn’t help but mutter under her breath, “You’re acting as if you’re
my dad or something..”
