abcnovels
Chapter 118 - 118: 118. What is her background after all? (Second update)
Chapter 118 - 118: 118. What is her background after all? (Second update)
Chapter 118: 118. What is her background after all? (Second update)
Translator: 549690339
Marquis Zhong Xin Mansion.
After returning from the Duke Qin Mansion, Xing Yusheng went straight to see his grandmother, Madam Xing.
Madam Xing hadn’t gone to bed yet. She was instructing two nannies to sort out the furs they brought from their previous Prince Mansion, intending to pick the best ones as gifts for the Qin Family.
Seeing Xing Yusheng coming back, Madam Xing waved him over, “How is your maternal grandfather doing?”
Xing Yusheng nodded, “He’s better than yesterday.”
“Su Liang’s medical skills are indeed extraordinary. It was a wise decision to invite her. How did you get along when you met today?” Madam Xing asked with a smile.
Xing Yusheng sighed, thinking of Qin Kang’s words, “Not very well.”
Madam Xing was surprised, “Did you express your feelings to her and get rejected?”
Xing Yusheng shook his head, “No, I realized that I’m not good enough for her. Fortunately, I didn’t confess my love, otherwise, we might not even be able to remain friends in the future.”
He didn’t mention Qin Kang’s words, so as not to upset Madam Xing.
After all, in Madam Xing’s eyes, her oldest grandson was the best.
However, Qin Kang was always pragmatic and genuinely treated Xing Yusheng as his own child, looking out for his best interests.
Xing Yusheng thought that his grandmother would blame him for belittling himself, but Madam Xing surprisingly sighed, “In that case, let’s forget about it.”
Xing Yusheng was stunned. He thought that Madam Xing had made up her mind that Su Liang would become his wife.
Madam Xing held Xing Yusheng’s hand and spoke solemnly, “After you left today, I mulled it over. You and Su Liang are not a good match. She is too capable and has her own ambitions, as she will certainly have things she wants to do upon returning to the capital city. It’s our duty to help her if needed, but marrying her… even if she doesn’t want to, I’m afraid you two wouldn’t be able to live a good life together. As your grandmother, I only hope that you marry a suitable and kind young lady, and live a happy and comfortable life. That’s the most important thing.”
Times were different now.
It was reasonable for Madam Xing to think that Su Liang’s background wasn’t suitable for becoming Xing Yusheng’s crown princess consort before.
Now, however, the situation of the Xing Family had changed drastically. Although they were still considered nobles, they haven’t yet regained a firm foothold in the capital city and must be modest.
After several months of tension, now that the whole family was safe, Madam Xing’s mindset changed. She only wished for the happiness and well-being of her most beloved oldest grandson. Career and ambitions were not important, and putting them aside was safer.
Xing Yusheng looked at his aging grandmother and nodded heavily, “That’s exactly what I was thinking.”
“But finding a suitable lady to marry is not easy in the tangled web of relationships in the capital city. I’ll visit your maternal grandfather soon and ask your aunt to keep an eye out for any good matches for you,” Madam Xing said.
Xing Yusheng hesitated for a moment and mentioned Lin Xueqing.
Madam Xing’s eyes lit up, “That’s right! How could I forget about Miss Lin! The Lin Family needs no further introduction between their noble reputation and excellence in both civil and martial skills! Have you seen Miss Lin? Do you like her? If you do, your grandmother will choose an auspicious day to propose marriage on your behalf!”
Xing Yusheng: …This outcome is not what he expected, especially since Madam Xing had asked him to make a good impression in front of Su Liang that very same morning.
Although Xing Yusheng’s impression of Lin Xueqing was somewhat blurred, everyone around him spoke highly of her, so he believed that Lin Shuzhi’s daughter couldn’t possibly be bad.
“Grandmother, there’s no need to rush, is there? They might not be willing,” Xing Yusheng said.
Madam Xing smiled, “So you mean you are willing?”
Xing Yusheng instinctively shook his head, then felt it wasn’t appropriate, so he nodded, but then felt it sounded ambiguous, so he shook his head again. His expression was somewhat awkward as he explained, “It’s not that I think Miss Lin isn’t good, but I feel like I don’t have any talents, and I’m afraid the Lin
Family won’t approve. ”
“Your grandmother doesn’t like hearing that. What does it matter whether you passed the Top Scholar Exam or not? Being a wealthy idler without no burdens is a good thing, isn’t it?” Madam Xing said.
Both Qin Kang and Madam Xing said that, so Xing Yusheng thought it over and felt that this marriage was indeed very suitable for him.
Xing Yusheng’s fondness for Su Liang was never in question, but it was shallow. He had always been careful to maintain his friendship with her, looking up to her, but it could not even be called love.
Hearing that Qin Yujin and Lin Xueqing had agreed to go to Huguo Temple together tomorrow, Madam Xing decided that she would go there to offer incense and express her gratitude for the Buddha’s blessing upon the Xing Family, and that Xing Yusheng should accompany her.
Xing Yusheng knew that Madam Xing wanted to see Lin Xueqing, and as he had been hearing her name all day, he suddenly felt the urge to see Miss Lin again.
Last night, Ning Jing had returned Zhengzheng to Wan Hui.
Before dawn, Chang’an went to the tea house’s backyard in secret and handed over the deeds and keys to Su Liang, who was exercising in the morning.
After returning, Chang’an told Duanmu Chen that Su Liang got up early to practice martial arts, and she was very diligent.
Duanmu Chen was taken aback, “Could it be that she wants to participate in the martial arts examination?”
Chang’an was surprised, “The selection for the martial arts examination will begin next month. But if Miss Su had this intention, why hasn’t she mentioned it before?”
Duanmu Chen snorted, “What she is best at is talking nonsense to deceive me, and there are many things she doesn’t want me to know!”
Chang’an nodded subconsciously, “Indeed.”
Duanmu Chen glared at Chang’an, “You go challenge her to a fight, and see her strength, whether she has the opportunity to stand out in the martial arts examination.”
Chang’an coughed lightly, “Master, this is not appropriate. Miss Su would definitely not be happy to fight with subordinates. If subordinates force her to fight, that would be provocation. Since Miss Su has come, subordinates believe that she must be sure.”
Duanmu Chen pondered, “If she really performs brilliantly in the martial arts examination, it would not be a bad thing for me. After all, the opponent she has to deal with is not me.”
“Will the master go to the palace today?” Chang’an asked.
Duanmu Chen nodded, “The matter with Lin Xueqing needs to be settled earliest possible.”
After Su Liang had breakfast, the carriage of the Qin family arrived. Qin Yujin picked up Lin Xueqing first, then came to find Su Liang together.
“Little Sister Su!”
“Little Sister Liang!”
Two beautiful girls sat in the carriage, waving at Su Liang.
One was bright and charming, and the other was delicate and lovely. The picture was very pleasing to the eye.
Su Liang walked over, “I will not call you sisters.”
“That doesn’t matter!” Qin Yujin and Lin Xueqing said in unison.
“Isn’t Brother Ning going?” Lin Xueqing asked.
Su Liang shook her head, “He said you are too noisy.”
Lin Xueqing’s little face puffed up, “I haven’t even complained that he is too boring! Su sister, you go home with me today and ignore him!”
Su Liang chuckled, “I’m just teasing you. He’s in charge of moving today.” “Are you moving to the house my cousin gave you?” Qin Yujin asked.
As soon as Lin Xueqing heard it, Xing Yusheng gave a house? To Ning Jing or to Su Liang? Could it be that he had feelings for Su Liang?
Su Liang shook her head, “No. I’ll invite you to come visit after we settle down.”
“Deal, I want to learn some moves from you too.” Qin Yujin laughed.
The carriage slowly drove towards the western suburbs where Huguo Temple was located. Lin Xueqing was still thinking about the matter of Xing Yusheng giving a house, but she couldn’t ask Su Liang directly with Qin Yujin there.
The carriage arrived at the foot of the mountain and stopped.
Qin Yujin felt strange, lifted the curtain, and saw that the road up the mountain was blocked.
The maid ran over to take a look, and soon returned to report, “It’s the carriage of the fourth young lady of the Nian family that is broken.”
Nian Ruxue? Su Liang had heard of her, Nian Jincheng’s sister, who once had a marriage agreement with Gu Ling, and had also once hired an assassin from Yanyun Building to “look for” Gu Ling.
Lin Xueqing thought of Qin Yujin’s apparent fondness for Nian Jincheng, and when encountering such a situation, he was bound to help Nian Ruxue.
As expected, Qin Yujin asked Su Liang and Lin Xueqing, “Do you mind if I invite the fourth young lady of the Nian family to join us in the carriage?”
Su Liang smiled faintly, indicating that she didn’t mind at all. She was very curious to meet the fourth young lady of the Nian family.
Of course, Lin Xueqing didn’t mind either. This was the Qin family’s carriage, and Qin Yujin was the one who could decide.
The maid ran up again, and soon a young lady in white, accompanied by a pretty maid, came over.
“Xuexue, if you still want to go up the mountain, you can come with us.” Qin Yujin said with a smile.
Nian Ruxue only saw Qin Yujin and didn’t know who else was in the carriage. She sighed in relief, “I can only trouble you. Since my second brother left the capital, I have to go to Huguo Temple every day to pray for him. I didn’t expect my carriage to break down halfway today.”
“Come on up!” Qin Yujin reached out a hand, pulling Nian Ruxue into the carriage.
The maids were following behind.
As Nian Ruxue sat down in the carriage, she saw two unfamiliar young girls. She seemed to have seen one of them somewhere but couldn’t remember where for a moment. She didn’t know when the capital had gained these two beauties, and she had never heard of them.
Thinking about it, Nian Ruxue realized that the only people who had come to the capital this month were the Xing family. Qin Yujin was Xing Yusheng’s cousin, so perhaps these two were the young ladies from the Xing family and Xing Yusheng had asked Qin Yujin to take them out to play?
Nian Ruxue’s eyes fell on the clothes of Lin Xueqing and Su Liang, and she immediately noticed the gauze fabric she had wanted to buy but hadn’t been able to.
Qin Yujin introduced Nian Ruxue to Lin Xueqing and Su Liang, simply giving their names.
“Miss Lin, is it the Lin family who has had three top scholars in one generation?” Nian Ruxue asked in surprise, “I have long heard of your fame.” Lin Xueqing hurriedly said that Nian Ruxue was flattering her.
“How did Yujin become friends with Miss Lin? When I learned that Miss Lin was coming to the capital, I wanted to get acquainted, but I was afraid of being too abrupt.” Nian Ruxue really liked Lin Xueqing’s appearance.
Qin Yujin said that her father and Lin Xueqing’s father were old friends.
This was not false. Qin Kang and Lin Shuzhi had known each other since they were young. Although they didn’t interact much, they both admired each other.
However, the real reason Qin Yujin got to know Lin Xueqing was something she couldn’t reveal.
“Yujin, you know such a wonderful person, but you didn’t introduce her to me.
You deserve to be punished.” Nian Ruxue smiled and held Lin Xueqing’s hand,
“Come to my house as a guest sometime, and don’t invite Yujin.”
Lin Xueqing felt a little awkward about Nian Ruxue’s enthusiasm, as they were truly not familiar with each other. She just politely smiled in response, thinking that perhaps this was Nian Ruxue’s character.
Su Liang, who had been completely ignored by Nian Ruxue, didn’t feel awkvvard at all, and even seemed a bit amused.
As they were both Qin Yujin’s friends, Nian Ruxue was very close to Lin Xueqing on the one hand, and on the other hand, she seemed to have not seen Su Liang at all. Interesting.
After a while, Nian Ruxue seemed to realize that she had neglected Su Liang and apologized to her, “I was so happy to see Xueqing that I forgot about Miss
Su. You won’t mind, will you?”
Su Liang thought it was strange.
Did Nian Ruxue have some hostility towards her? Was she trying to stir up trouble between them? But they had only just met today.
Seeing that Su Liang didn’t respond, Nian Ruxue looked at Qin Yujin, “Is Miss
Su angry with me? I really didn’t mean it on purpose.”
Su Liang coughed lightly, “So just now Miss Nian was talking to me? I apologize, I was thinking about something else and didn’t pay attention. Surely
Miss Nian won’t mind, right?”
Su Liang returned Nian Ruxue’s words to her.
The atmosphere in the carriage suddenly became a bit strange.
Qin Yujin, also somewhat at a loss, hurriedly smoothed things over.
Lin Xueqing quietly held Su Liang’s hand, indicating that she was on Su Liang’s side. That Miss Nian was so strange…
In fact, Nian Ruxue also somewhat regretted not being tactful enough earlier.
She didn’t know why, but upon seeing Su Liang, she felt inexplicably uncomfortable. Despite her unclear identity, Su Liang gave Nian Ruxue a feeling of being outdone that she had never experienced before. The beauty and temperament of Su Liang had brought Nian Ruxue an unprecedented sense of oppression.
Nian Ruxue asked Qin Yujin how she met Su Liang, actually to find out about Su Liang’s background.
Qin Yujin only said that Su Liang was a female doctor who had recently been treating her grandfather.
“I see.” Nian Ruxue smiled, “Su Liang must be a very skilled doctor. My grandmother has been suffering from a headache recently. Would Su Liang be able to go and treat her?”
Su Liang shook her head, “I don’t have time.”
Even if she was slow to realize, Qin Yujin could see that Su Liang didn’t like Nian Ruxue. But she didn’t think that Su Liang was the problem, because it was her that had asked Nian Ruxue to join the carriage midway, affecting Su Liang’s mood.
Qin Yujin changed the subject and started talking about other things with Nian
Ruxue.
“I want to participate in the military exam selection next month. Unfortunately, my second brother said he would instruct me properly but has been constantly on imperial errands and away from the capital.” Nian Ruxue sighed lightly, “I don’t have much confidence, but I don’t want to miss this opportunity. If I can achieve a good ranking, my second brother will be very happy when he returns.”
It sounded like her relationship with Nian Jincheng was very good.
Qin Yujin looked serious as she encouraged Nian Ruxue, “You must participate,
I believe you can do it!”
Lin Xueqing really wanted to roll her eyes but held back out of politeness. Her sister Su was also participating in the Military Exam and she has no doubt Su would become the Top Scholar! At least that’s what she thought!
The carriage stopped, and the four of them got off and entered Huguo Temple.
Qin Yujin and Nian Ruxue walked side by side in front.
Lin Xueqing linked arms with Su Liang, following behind and curiously looking at the surrounding scenery.
The four beautiful girls anickly attracted the attention of manv neonle-
“Cousin! ”
With a call, Xing Yusheng hurried over.
Nian Ruxue had a smile on her lips, ready to greet Xing Yusheng. But to her surprise, Xing Yusheng called out to Qin Yujin, bypassed them, and went straight to Su Liang and Lin Xueqing!
He didn’t even glance at Nian Ruxue.
“Su Liang, you guys are here too!” Xing Yusheng greeted Su Liang with a smile.
Lin Xueqing wondered in her heart, remembering Qin Yujin mentioning that Xing Yusheng had gifted a mansion. No matter how she looked at it, it seemed that Xing Yusheng had set his sights on her sister Su.
“Miss Lin, we meet again.” Xing Yusheng’s gaze fell on Lin Xueqing’s face, his tone suddenly becoming a bit more formal.
Lin Xueqing nodded gently, “Crown Prince Xing.”
They had met briefly at the Qin Family, but neither had paid much attention to the other at that time.
At this moment, Xing Yusheng thought: Miss Lin is very beautiful, and she seems to be very close and friendly with Su Liang. She must have a very good personality.
Lin Xueqing thought: This guy must have come for Su, and just greeted me by the way. I have to tell Master Ning when I get back, so he has a sense of crisis.
Elder Lady Xing appeared not far away, and Qin Yujin immediately went up to pay her respects.
“It’s been many years since I last saw you, you’ve grown so much,” said Elder Lady Xing with an affectionate face.
Qin Yujin introduced Nian Ruxue, but Elder Lady Xing responded indifferently,
“I’ve long heard of Miss Nian’s reputation.”
Su Liang and Lin Xueqing walked over, and Elder Lady Xing’s eyes clearly brightened, “Little Liang has grown taller.”
Nian Ruxue was taken aback. Elder Lady Xing seemed to be very familiar with Su Liang, as if they had known each other for a long time.
Su Liang laughed lightly, “I was planning to visit you tomorrow, but I didn’t expect to meet you today.”
“Then you must still come tomorrow, I’ll be waiting at home,” Elder Lady Xing said cheerfully.
Su Liang promptly promised she would go.
Only then did Elder Lady Xing turn her gaze to Lin Xueqing, and feigning ignorance, she asked Qin Yujin, “This young lady is…”
Qin Yujin hurriedly introduced her, and Lin Xueqing paid her respects accordingly.
Elder Lady Xing then held her hand, smiling, “I saw your mother years ago, she was a famous beauty, and you really look like her.”
With a single sentence, she praised the two while also closing the distance between them.
Su Liang noticed that Elder Lady Xing was so close to Lin Xueqing, and she knew intuitively that it was not because she knew Lin Xueqing’s mother.
Turning her head, she saw Xing Yusheng sneaking glances at Lin Xueqing. What else didn’t Su Liang understand? It turned out that this grandmother and grandson had come to Huguo Temple for a blind date!
Su Liang didn’t mind, Xing Yusheng was a very nice person. If he lacked anything, it depended on who he was compared to. In fact, he seemed neither a scholar nor a martial artist. The latter was true due to health reasons, while the former was false. As the former Crown Prince of Bei Jingwang, being a useless person was safer for him.
Seeing Elder Lady Xing holding Qin Yujin’s hand with her left and Lin Xueqing’s with her right, walking forward, while Xing Yusheng was talking to Su Liang, Nian Ruxue felt extremely embarrassed.
Not long ago, she deliberately snubbed Su Liang, and now she quickly experienced the feeling of being ignored. She didn’t like this feeling at all.
It was one thing for Elder Lady Xing to like Qin Yujin, but to be so enthusiastic towards Su Liang and Lin Xueqing while seemingly looking down on her was unbearable.
This was the first time she had experienced this in her life.
Twirling the handkerchief in her hand, her gaze finally landed on Su Liang’s back, and she muttered coldly, ‘What kind of background does she have, anyway….”