Chapter 171: 171. Everyone knows how to play dirty tricks.
Translator: 549690339
In the middle of the night, the main gate of the Su Mansion was heavily knocked.
Ning Jing went to open the door and saw Huang Bo standing outside with an anxious expression, “His Majesty ordered Miss Su to enter the palace immediately! ”
Ning Jing didn’t say a word, nodded, and went back to call Su Liang.
Su Liang was actually not asleep, but she took her time to come out, changed into new clothes, and purposely didn’t bring her medicine box.
Huang Bo stomped his foot in impatience, “Miss Su, it’s my Master who is sick. His Majesty ordered you to treat him!”
Su Liang paused, “So that’s how it is. In that case, please wait a moment.”
When Su Liang got her medicine box, got on her horse, and followed Huang Bo in the direction of the Imperial Palace, she asked about Duanmu Che’s condition, “I heard from the senior Imperial Physician that the Fifth Prince has been improving recently. What happened tonight?”
Huang Bo sighed deeply, “I don’t know why, but Master suddenly became delirious and started acting as if he were mad.”
Su Liang frowned, “Did you change the medicine?”
Huang Bo shook his head, “No! The medicine has always been used according to Miss Su’s prescription!”
“Could it be that the Fifth Prince originally had epilepsy? There was an epileptic patient in my hometown, who convulsed and foamed at the mouth during an attack. Is the Fifth Prince like that?” Su Liang asked.
“No, there’s no convulsion or foaming at the mouth, it’s just like…” Huang Bo hesitated, not wanting to say that Duanmu Che was acting like a madman. Su Liang sighed softly, “Strange. Let me go to the palace and have a look. If I cannot determine the cause, I can’t be sure of a cure.”
As they approached the Imperial Palace, Huang Bo suddenly brought up the events of the past two days, “Thankfully, Miss Su came through unscathed. My Master was very worried and had said that if Miss Su couldn’t resolve her troubles, he would ask His Majesty for mercy and make sure to protect you!”
“His Highness the Fifth Prince is very kind,” Su Liang said absentmindedly. She was not sure whether Huang Bo knew and participated in Duanmu Che’s actions.
The person who was arranged to assassinate Ning Jing but got injured in the face was not Huang Bo.
Huang Bo sighed deeply, “Miss Su, don’t take the past events to heart. My Master has been in poor health since childhood and has no friends. He was initially prejudiced against you, but now he genuinely likes you and has no ill intentions. As for matters of love, even if he wants to understand, it takes time.”
“I know,” Su Liang nodded, “After all, the Fifth Prince saved my life. Compared to that, other things are not worth mentioning. I don’t want to have any more contact with the Fifth Prince because I hope he can let go of his obsession sooner. It’s not that I hate him.”
Huang Bo breathed a sigh of relief, “That’s great!”
Su Liang asked Huang Bo, “You must know about the Su Family’s past, right? Can you tell me? This is very important to me.”
Huang Bo hesitated for a moment, “This…”
“Are you afraid that the Fifth Prince will blame you when he finds out? But I think, the Fifth Prince also wants me to avenge my family sooner rather than later, doesn’t he?” Su Liang countered.
Huang Bo nodded, “Of course. Your grandfather treated my Master with utmost dedication. When the Su Family encountered trouble, my Master was also very sad. Unfortunately, it happened so suddenly that he was only able to save you.”
“Can Huang Bo tell me everything you know? Don’t worry, I will do my best to treat the Fifth Prince,” Su Liang said solemnly.
Huang Bo sighed again, “Alright. I think my Master would have told you sooner if he hadn’t been distracted by his feelings. We all thought you should have stayed in the countryside and lived a peaceful life. Coming back to the capital city was like courting death. But you are different now, and what was once impossible may now be possible.”
“However,” Huang Bo continued, “we don’t know much about the inside story of that incident. You were silenced because you accidentally witnessed a secret that a noble person could not let others know. We don’t know the specifics.”
Su Liang’s heart sank. “Silenced”? Indeed, it was a conspiracy, and not only was Su Yuanzhou killed, but the entire Su Family was ruthlessly exterminated!
The so-called secret must be something hidden from others.
Su Liang thought that in addition to the Su Family, there was another person who died in that incident, Xiao Mulian, the second Prince’s Concubine. She was the eldest granddaughter of the Xiao Prime Minister, Xiao Muyun’s half-sister, and Duanmu Chen’s cousin.
This was no coincidence.
Su Liang couldn’t help but suspect that the “noble person’s secret” Su Yuanzhou had stumbled upon was directly related to Xiao Mulian.
Secrets that could not be revealed were bound to be related to men and women, and they must be illicit affairs.
The noble person Huang Bo mentioned was most likely a member of the royal family.
Based on Huang Bols words, Su Liang guessed that it might be because Xiao Mulian had an affair with another man behind Duanmu Ao’s back, and when it was discovered to avoid shame for the Royal Family, her sudden illness and death was staged. Su Yuanzhou, who inadvertently caught a glimpse of the secret affairs of the royal family, along with his entire family, became the scapegoats to protect the honor of the royal family.
Although this was only Su Liang’s temporary guess, the thought of such possibility filled her with sadness and anger.
Are the lives of the nobles precious while those of the common people are worthless?
She despised this law of survival, but had to admit that this was the rule of this world. The so-called laws only worked when the interests of the ruling class were not affected.
Without the rule of law, there is only the rule of man.
“Miss Su, you must never let your emotions affect the situation.” Huang Bo urged her earnestly, “Nothing can be traced back now, even if you could trace it, some people are beyond your reach.”
Su Liang’s face regained calm, “I know, thank you for the reminder. Is there nothing else?”
Huang Bo shook his head, “Actually, I only knew about it from you back then. When Master and I received the news, all of the Su family was already dead. I rushed over and only managed to save you without knowing the cause. It was you who told me that your grandfather had known something he shouldn’t have.”
Su Liang was stunned. The original master said that? If she heard it herself, it should be true.
The palace gate was already in sight. Su Liang temporarily suppressed her
thoughts and followed Huang Bo into the palace.
Duanmu Che had a separate palace. Just as Su Liang stepped in, she heard his loud laughter.
With a gloomy face, Huang Bo hurried in, “Your Majesty, Miss Su is here!”
Before Su Liang could greet him, she heard Duanmu Yi order, “Think of a way quickly!”
Imperial Physician Gao and three other imperial physicians were waiting by the side. Duanmu Che held a teacup in his hand and threw it at anyone who approached him. There were already many broken porcelain pieces on the ground.
Duanmu Che, who had been sitting in a wheelchair before, could now stand up after Su Liang’s prescriptions and acupuncture treatments.
The night Yan Shiba caught him, he had only sustained numerous scars on his face that had not yet healed, but otherwise, he was fine.
At this moment, Duanmu Che was disheveled, his clothes hanging in tatters, his face full of crisscrossing scars, holding a teacup high up, laughing manically. He looked like a madman.
Su Liang put her medicine box on the table and quickly approached Duanmu Che, grabbing the teacup from him and throwing it firmly onto the table. She then grabbed both of Duanmu Che’s arms, pulled him up, and pressed him in the corner of the wheelchair. “Bring the rope!”
Huang Bo hesitated and looked at Duanmu Yi.
Duanmu Yi furrowed his brow, “What are you waiting for?”
Someone immediately fetched the rope and handed it to Su Liang.
Su Liang asked Huang Bo to hold down Duanmu Che, tied him securely to the wheelchair with the rope so he couldn’t move.
Duanmu Che was still laughing crazily, so Su Liang took a cloth from the table and stuffed it into his mouth.
Finally, there was silence.
“Your Majesty, this is to prevent the Fifth Prince from biting his tongue or hurting himself.” Su Liang explained.
Duanmu Yi’s face was as cold as ice, “Hmm. Check Che’er quickly and see what’s wrong with him.”
Duanmu Yi didn’t suspect Su Liang’s involvement in this incident, because he didn’t know that Duanmu Che was the mastermind behind all the troubles Su Liang had encountered recently.
Duanmu Yi knew someone was behind Xiao Muyun but suspected the crown prince or the second prince.
Plus, it had been days since Su Liang had directly treated Duanmu Che, and her prescriptions and acupuncture techniques had always been effective.
All the food and medicine that Duanmu Che had consumed in the palace had been tested for poison first.
Therefore, Duanmu Yi now wondered if Duanmu Che had become obsessed with Su Liang, and not being able to have her or even see her was what drove him to such a state?
Su Liang took Duanmu Che’s pulse and frowned, calling Imperial Physician Gao and the others to come and examine him as well.
After examining him, Physician Gao shook his head, “The pulse is chaotic, but I can’t determine the cause.”
The other imperial physicians said the same.
“Can’t you figure it out either, Su Liang?” Duanmu Yi asked coldly.
Su Liang sighed softly, “I think the Fifth Prince seems to have been mentally stimulated, that’s why he’s like this.”
Duanmu Yi frowned, “Is this temporary, or…”
Su Liang shook her head, “It’s impossible to determine for now. He may recover when dawn comes, or he may not.”
“Is there nothing you can do?” Duanmu Yi asked.
Su Liang thought for a moment and said, “I can try, but my chances of success are not that great.”
Duanmu Yi nodded, “As long as you don’t endanger Che’er’s life, just try!”
Su Liang didn’t administer the needles to Duanmu Che personally but taught the technique to the senior Imperial Physician Gao, and let him do it. “Don’t worry, it’s just that I’m not convenient. If something goes wrong, it’s my responsibility.” Su Liang said.
Imperial Physician Gao shook his head, “There’s no need to say that. Since it’s like this, I’ll give it a try.”
Duanmu Yi watched as Imperial Physician Gao administered the needles to
Duanmu Che.
The process took about a quarter of an hour.
It could be seen that Duanmu Che’s eyes were somewhat clearer, although not fully awake yet, it was much better compared to before Su Liang’s arrival.
Duanmu Yi sighed in relief, “Su Liang, your medical skills are indeed remarkable! Were they all taught by your grandfather?”
Su Liang shook her head, “Most of them were taught by my grandfather. When I returned to my hometown, I also paid respects to a great Master and learned quite a lot.”
This was consistent with what Lady Xing had said, which made Su Liang’s talents seem reasonable.
“Please stay here and watch over Che’er tonight, and I won’t feel at ease if we leave him in the care of others. When he gets better, I will reward you handsomely.” Duanmu Yi sighed.
Su Liang nodded, “Yes.”
She prescribed another sedative, and Imperial Physician Gao had his disciple to concoct the medicine and administered it to Duanmu Che, who then fell into a deep sleep.
Su Liang and the other Imperial Physicians waited in the outer hall, while eunuch Huang Bo stayed in the room to observe, in case anything unusual happened, they would be summoned.
Duanmu Yi ordered the Imperial Cuisine Room to prepare a late-night snack and send it over.
Imperial Physician Gao knew that this treatment was specifically for Su Liang. They often entered the palace to serve the dignitaries, but no one had ever cared if they were hungry or thirsty.
“I heard from Physician Gao that Miss Su had quite some insights into many difficult cases. I have some questions and would like to ask for Miss Suls guidance.” An Imperial Physician surnamed Jia spoke very politely. The other two Imperial Physicians also expressed their desire to consult Su
Liang.
Su Liang agreed readily, “We can exchange our knowledge.”
As a result, the five of them discussed medical skills while eating the late-night snack.
Although it was called a discussion, it was actually the four of them asking questions, and Su Liang providing the answers.
In this world, Medical Skills were a special talent. Most skilled doctors would only teach their own disciples, keeping their unique skills hidden to elevate their own value.
It was only when Imperial Physician Gao casually mentioned that Su Liang was very generous and not at all secretive, that the other Imperial Physicians began to ask questions.
At first, they were somewhat skeptical, but as they talked, they realized that Imperial Physician Gao’s praise of Su Liang was not exaggerated at all.
In fact, among them, Imperial Physician Gao had the best medical skills and stubborn temperament. If even he was convinced by Su Liang, it was needless in the case of the following few doctors.
Duanmu Yi had not slept yet and had the senior eunuch bring them a pot of good tea.
Hearing the eunuch’s report of Su Liang and the Imperial Physicians discussing medical skills, she was the absolute center of attention despite their age difference.
“She is indeed a rare talent.” Duanmu Yi sighed, “I need to think carefully about whether to let her go to war or become an Imperial Physician.”
Unknowingly, dawn had arrived.
Several Imperial Physicians felt like they hadn’t talked enough with Su Liang and greatly benefited from their conversation.
Huang Bo announced that Duanmu Che was awake, and they all entered the inner hall.
Duanmu Che looked sluggish, supported by Huang Bo, and had no idea what had happened last night.
After listening to Huang Bo, he looked at him in disbelief, “How could this happen?”
Huang Bo sighed, “Perhaps it was caused by the grievances the master has been harboring recently. Thanks to Miss Su Liang’s brilliant medical skills, she hurried to treat the master overnight.”
Only then did Duanmu Che notice Su Liang standing by his side. His eyes darkened, and his thin lips pressed together. He remained silent for a moment before speaking, “Thank you.”
“Your Highness, the Fifth Prince, is too polite. From now on, you need to relax and go out more,” Su Liang said.
Huang Bo saw that Duanmu Che was silent and quickly replied for him, “I will keep that in mind.”
On the other side, Duanmu Yi received the news that Duanmu Che was alright and let Su Liang leave the palace.
The Imperial Physicians who were on duty last night had left, and two new ones came to serve.
Huang Bo helped Duanmu Che take his medicine and saw his face gloomy, not knowing what he was thinking.
“Master and Miss Su were not meant to be. A forced relationship won’t be sweet,” Huang Bo said earnestly, “Master, first take care of your health. Miss Su said last night that she won’t take those things to heart. As long as the master has a friendly attitude, she will definitely be willing to be friends with you.” “It’s impossible now.” Duanmu Che’s eyes were dark and chilling.
Huang Bo was stunned for a moment, thinking Duanmu Che was unwilling, and sighed deeply, “Master, why are you doing this to yourself? There is no deep hatred between you two, so why make it so ugly? Miss Su has always wanted to befriend the master.”
“I suspect that my sudden madness was caused by poison from Su Liang,” Duanmu Che said astonishingly.
Not only was Huang Bo dumbfounded, but Duanmu Yi, who was just about to enter the door, also frowned.
Huang Bo came to his senses and shook his head repeatedly, “That’s impossible, absolutely impossible! The method to treat the master was given by Miss Su. Why would she poison the master for no reason? It doesn’t benefit her at all! She’s not that kind of person!”
Duanmu Che remained silent. Huang Bo didn’t know about Duanmu Che’s conspiracy to frame Su Liang with Xiao Muyun.
But the coincidental timing made Duanmu Che suspect that his sudden madness was Su Liang’s revenge against him for suspecting her involvement in the plot!
“Che’er.” Duanmu Yi entered the room.
Huang Bo bowed and then left.
“Why do you suspect Su Liang of poisoning you?” Duanmu Yi asked directly.
Duanmu Che closed his eyes, “Because I harassed her, and I think she would retaliate against me.”
“She couldn’t wait to get rid of her connection with you, so why would she do such a thing?” Duanmu Yi shook his head, “You’re being paranoid, thinking that everything is related to Su Liang and that you were possessed last night. I’ve already sent someone to invite the abbot of Huguo Temple to chant the
Clear Heart Sutra for you. Don’t think about Su Liang anymore, she will marry Ning Jing, and I will select a well-bred lady for you.”
“I don’t want that!” Duanmu Che blurted out.
Duanmu Yi’s face darkened, “Nonsense! How old are you to be so willful? You’ve truly disappointed me! If you don’t want to choose a consort and get married, I won’t interfere with any of your matters in the future!”
Duanmu Che’s face turned ugly, “Father, I was wrong. I just can’t accept not getting the woman I like.”
“It’s really because of her!” Duanmu Yi snorted coldly, “If it were someone else, I would definitely let you have her. But Qian Country has internal and external troubles, and it’s time to utilize talent. Su Liang is a rare talent, and she’s not a submissive lady from a prominent family. Even if I forced her to marry you, she wouldn’t truly be with you!”
“I understand.” Duanmu Che said softly, but his hand under his sleeve clenched tightly.
He became more and more suspicious that Su Liang had poisoned him, but he couldn’t reveal it because he was the one who had done something unspeakable first…
When Su Liang returned home, she simply told Ning Jing about last night’s situation.
“Even if Duanmu Che suspects that I knew about his collusion with Xiao Muyun and poisoned him in retaliation, he wouldn’t dare tell the emperor,” Su Liang sneered, “Who can’t play dirty tricks? He started the war, so he shouldn’t blame us for not being polite. Let’s continue tonight..”
