Encounter

Su Liang left the general's mansion and got on the horse. Just as she was about to leave, she suddenly remembered what Ning Jing had told her before she left. Google search reading

"Don't fall asleep in the bath."

Su Liang looked puzzled, and felt that something seemed to be wrong...

Last night, she did fall asleep in the bath. How did Ning Jing know? Because she didn't respond when he called her? Then how did he throw the jade pendant accurately into the bathtub without hitting her?

Although Ning Jing has a strange temper, in Su Liang's eyes, he is definitely a gentleman.

Su Liang felt that Ning Jing couldn't have peeked at her while she was asleep, but maybe he accidentally saw something?

Su Liang rode towards the city gate while thinking seriously about the scene of being awakened by the jade pendant last night.

She was behind the screen and Ning Jing was next door, but the jade pendant couldn't pass through the wall, so he threw it from the door of the small study to determine the location.

Su Liang thought that the screen was not enough to completely cover the inner room. From the angle of the small study door, it seemed that one side of the bathtub could be seen, at most, just one of her arms. In addition to her arms, everything below her shoulders was also soaked in the bathtub.

Thinking of this, Su Liang did not think Ning Jing did anything wrong.

Even if she was sure that there was no one around and she was in the room, she really shouldn't fall asleep in the bath. If an assassin broke in, she would not be able to react in a moment, and the consequences would be disastrous.

Therefore, Su Liang finally came to the conclusion that unless Ning Jing was next door, she didn't have to worry about safety issues, otherwise she must not relax and fall asleep in the bath.

After thinking about things, Su Liang had already arrived at the streets of Xuanbei City.

Coming back to her senses, paying attention to Xiao Zhou, she found that the people were looking at her, with goodwill in their eyes. When they saw her looking over, they would smile and nod, and some even clasped their hands and bowed to her.

"General Su" and "Su Zhuangyuan" are often mentioned by passers-by. Su Liang heard that all the words were good. She seemed to have become the most famous person in Xuanbei City, and her reputation surpassed that of the main general Xing Ji.

Su Liang did not feel proud of this, and even felt a little troubled.

She was a passive participant in what happened last night. As a dry countryman and a military general in Xuanbei City, she tried her best to do her part, and the result was not disappointing.

Such a great reputation is not what Su Liang pursues.

The greater the fame, the more people will pay attention to her every move in the future, and a small thing may be magnified. Others' expectations of her are getting higher and higher. If she fails one time, she will fall down all of a sudden.

"Go your own way and let others talk."

Su Liang thought of this old saying and shook her head. She felt that she was thinking too much. She could not influence other people's opinions. She just had a clear conscience.

Last night, Xing Ji specifically told Su Liang to rest more today. Su Liang did not go to the military camp, and no one looked for her.

She rode to the city gate, and the soldiers saluted her respectfully.

"General Su!"

When Su Liang heard someone calling her, she looked up and saw Chen Yun standing on the city wall waving at her.

Before she responded, Chen Yun had already come down in two steps.

Su Liang did not forget to give Chen's father acupuncture, but it was only every other day, so she would go tomorrow.

"General Su is leaving the city?" Chen Yun had already arrived.

Out of courtesy, Su Liang got off the horse to avoid Chen Yun looking up at her.

"I heard there is a Ping'an Temple outside the city, I want to go and worship." Su Liang looked indifferent.

Chen Yun was stunned for a moment, then he smiled, "The scenery there is very nice, and it is a non-war zone agreed with Liang State. People in the city often go there to burn incense. I go there with my mother on the first and fifteenth of every month. If General Su doesn't mind, I will lead the way for you?"

Su Liang saw Chen Yun's sincere face and politely refused, "General Chen is busy with official business, so I won't waste your time. I heard the two ladies who just left the city say they were going to Ping'an Temple. I will follow them."

"But General Su is alone, what if Liang State..." Chen Yun frowned.

It is said to be a non-war zone, and this agreement is only valid during the period when the two countries maintain peace. No one touches the people of the other side to avoid provoking war.

But if peace is broken, that's another matter.

So burning incense at Ping'an Temple is risky. Although it can't stop the devout people from going there, Su Liang is not an ordinary person, especially after she defeated Wei Hao last night.

Chen Yun meant that Liang might not be unwilling to attack Su Liang.

"It's okay. In broad daylight, if someone comes to trouble me, I won't be polite. Let's go." After Su Liang finished speaking, he jumped on his horse and quickly left the city.

Chen Yun sent someone to the military camp to inform Xing Ji, and then he climbed up the city wall again. He only saw a figure going away, and it disappeared from his sight soon.

"General Chen likes General Su, right?" The deputy general who was closest to Chen Yun asked with a smile.

Chen Yun was stunned for a moment, then he punched the deputy general, "What nonsense are you talking about? General Su is already in love!"

The deputy general looked like he understood, "After all, they haven't gotten married yet. If General Chen is interested, why not try to pursue General Su? The head of the Ning family, the tea merchant in Xunyang, is just a wealthy businessman, not worthy of General Su's talent."

Chen Yun's face became serious, "Don't talk nonsense. General Su's fiancé is the top scholar of this year's imperial examination, a great talent."

"That doesn't match General Su either. He is a weak scholar. If he encounters robbers when he goes out in the future, he will have to hide behind General Su. This is not appropriate!" The deputy general still did not give up urging Chen Yun to pursue Su Liang.

Chen Yun snorted, "My martial arts are not as good as General Su's. If I encounter trouble, I will have to hide behind her. Do you think it's appropriate?"

The deputy general was stunned for a moment, and Chen Yun had already gone down the tower again.

...

Xing Ji learned that Su Liang had left the city and was a little worried about her safety, so he sent Lin Bojun with a team of people to deliver food to Ping'an Temple and make sure that Su Liang was okay.

After Lin Bojun took the order and left, Qi Jiang said, "Master Hou, don't worry too much, General Su is not a reckless person, she will be careful."

"I know." Xing Ji nodded, "But for this kind of thing, you are not afraid of ten thousand, but just in case, it is better to be cautious."

Qi Jiang said with a smile, "Does Mr. Hou treat General Su as his daughter?"

Xing Ji sighed slightly, "I really want to have such a precious daughter, but unfortunately, that girl doesn't treat me as an outsider, but she also refuses to give me a 'status'."

Qi Jiang had followed Xing Ji for many years, but this was the first time he saw him like this, and he actually felt a little aggrieved.

…

Su Liang did not follow the two old ladies. After leaving the city gate for a while, he turned into a forest and took a path.

Not long after, I "ran into" Ningjing who was picking mushrooms in the forest.

It’s really mushroom hunting.

Ning Jing was holding a delicate basket in his hand, with a layer of fresh mushrooms already spread at the bottom.

"Brother, which direction is Ping'an Temple heading to?" Su Liang asked.

Ning Jing picked a mushroom, stood up straight with the basket, and pointed in the direction, "Over there."

"Do you sell brother's mushrooms?" Su Liang asked again.

Ning Jing shook his head, "I want to give it to Master Puqing of Ping'an Temple."

"You also go to Ping'an Temple? What a coincidence, let's go together!" Su Liang smiled.

In fact, there was no one else around, but the two of them were very involved in the drama, as if they had just met and were walking along the way.

After exiting the woods, two people rode horses towards Heian Temple.

Su Liang couldn't help but ask, "Did you see me taking a shower last night?"

After a moment of silence, Ningjing admitted, "I saw a little bit."

"My arm?" Su Liang asked.

Ning Jing nodded.

Su Liang thought that it was indeed the case, and then changed the subject very naturally, "Who gave you your jade pendant?"

"My mother." Ning Jing said.

Su Liang took advantage of the situation and asked a question she had ignored before, "Something happened to the Gu family. What about your maternal grandfather's family? Is there anyone there?"

Ning Jing nodded, "Yes, in Liang Country."

Su Liang was stunned, "Liang Kingdom? Is your mother from Liang Kingdom?"

"Well, my mother used to be the princess of Liang Kingdom, and Gu Yuan also served as the general of Xuanbei City for several years, but no one dares to mention it now." Ning Jing looked indifferent.

Gu Yuan is Gu Ling's father, Marquis Changxin, who was exterminated for treason.

Maybe it was because Ning Jing was around and he didn't mention it, it was easier for Su Liang to ignore things related to the Gu family.

And Ning Jing didn't even want to call Gu Yuan daddy, which shows that there is only blood relationship between father and son, not family affection.

"So, your grandfather is from the Liang Kingdom..." Su Liang expressed surprise.

Ning Jing's thin lips parted slightly, "Uncle of the Emperor of Liang Kingdom, He Liancheng, King of Yue."

"Emperor Liang, is he your...cousin?" Su Liang asked.

Ning Jing shook his head, "That's not important."

"So, the Duanmu royal family must kill you, is it because they are afraid that you will join the Liang royal family?" Su Liang asked, "You have never thought about going?"

"My mother is dead and I have nothing to do with them." Ning Jing looked calm.

Su Liang sighed and didn't ask any further questions.

Arriving at the foot of Ping'an Temple Mountain, Su Liang found that some of the pilgrims going up the mountain came from Xuanbei City of Qian Kingdom and from Nanfeng City of Liang Kingdom, with the former being more crowded.

When the people of the two countries met together, there was no atmosphere of hostility. Instead, they were very harmonious. Some relatives even made a special appointment to meet at Heian Temple tonight.

Summer is almost here in the capital of Qian Kingdom, and the peach blossoms in the mountains here have just begun to bloom.

Su Liang and Ningjing climbed up the stairs, the breeze blew on their faces, the air was filled with the fragrance of flowers and grass, the chirping of insects and the chirping of birds, and they were in a prosperous atmosphere.

Heian Temple is a very ancient temple. It is said that the Bodhisattva in the temple is very efficacious. No matter what you ask for, if you are sincere, it will be successful.

The two entered the temple and met the first monk. Su Liang asked if there was a Master Puqing.

The monk nodded, "That's the abbot of this temple. He told me that he won't see any guests today."

Master Puqing is Chengyun's master. Cheng Yunhui originally went to the capital of Qian Kingdom to deliver scriptures to his uncle at Huguo Temple, but he was left behind after arriving there and did not come back.

Since he said he wouldn't see any guests, Su Liang didn't force it and planned to just hang around.

"Just in time, I'll save your mushrooms for us to eat," Su Liang said. Grilled mushrooms are also delicious.

As a result, Ning Jing said, "I didn't plan to give it away."

Su Liang clasped her hands together and recited "Amitabha" to the Bodhisattva in the main hall in front of her. She thought that if the Buddha blamed Ning Jing, don't take his anger out on her. She really wanted to give Master Puqing a few mushrooms...

Su Liang visited Ping'an Temple and felt that the scenery and architecture of this ancient temple were very special. Compared with the well-built Huguo Temple, which has been repaired all year round, it has a bit more charm accumulated over time.

When preparing to leave, Su Liang asked another monk if he knew Chengyun.

The monk looked surprised when he saw that although Su Liang was dressed in men's clothing, she was obviously a girl, "Does this female donor recognize Master Chengyun?"

Chengyun is a disciple of Puqing. Although he is young, he has a high seniority in both Ping'an Temple and Huguo Temple.

Su Liang smiled and nodded, "I had help from little master Chengyun."

"Uncle Chengyun went to the capital of Qian Kingdom and is not in the temple now." The monk said.

"Is he coming back?" Su Liang asked.

The monk shook his head and said, "I don't know, little monk."

Su Liang thanked him and left the Huguo Temple with Ningjing.

When they got down the mountain and went to another mountain, Lin Bojun arrived with a team of people to deliver food to Ping'an Temple.

After asking, Lin Bojun was surprised to learn that Su Liang had left Ping'an Temple with a young man.

After handing the food to the temple, he left without looking for Su Liang.

…

The weather was fine and sunny, and Su Liang felt as if she had returned to Sujia Village.

She lit the fire and waited for a while. Ning Jing, who had separated from the middle of the mountain, came back with a slaughtered and cleaned pheasant and washed mushrooms.

"Where's the hare?" Su Liang asked.

"Next time." Ning Jing said. The pheasant caught today is not small, and with a rabbit, it can't be eaten.

The two roasted the pheasant and mushrooms around the fire, and the air was soon filled with tempting aroma.

After roasting, the two shared the food. The unique pheasant with mushrooms was very delicious.

After eating, Su Liang extinguished the fire and lay on the soft grass, resting his head on his arms, looking at the birds flying in the sky, and sighed, "There is no hope of flying to the sky again in this life."

Ning Jing lay down not far away, "Have you ever thought about building an airplane?"

Su Liang chuckled, "I can't, and there are no conditions here."

"Will you go back to your original place one day?" Ning Jing asked.

Su Liang's lips curled up slightly, "That would be great. When I go back, I will write a novel, and you will be the male protagonist."

"Where is the female protagonist?" Ning Jing asked.

"Of course it's me. It's about me meeting you, a great god, after traveling through time, and becoming brothers to conquer the world." Su Liang was excited, "It must be exciting!"

"Didn't you say that people over there like to read love stories?" Ning Jing asked.

Su Liang shook his head, "As long as it's a good story, it doesn't matter whether there is love or not."

"I want to go too." Ning Jing said.

"Where do you want to go?" Su Liang was stunned.

"Let's go to your place and see it." Ning Jing said, "Let's take a plane to the sky."

Su Liang nodded, "It's worth a try. But unfortunately, I probably can't go back, and neither can you."

"Where's the heroine?" Ning Jing asked.

"Of course it's me. I'll write about how I traveled through time and met you, a great god, and became brothers to conquer the world." Su Liang was very excited, "It must be very exciting!"

"Didn't you say that people on your side like to read love stories?" Ning Jing asked.

Su Liang shook his head, "As long as it's a good story, it doesn't matter whether there is love or not."

"I want to go too." Ning Jing said.

"Where do you want to go?" Su Liang was stunned for a moment.

"Let's go to your place and see it." Ning Jing said, "Let's take a plane to the sky."

Su Liang nodded, "It's worth a try. But unfortunately, I probably can't go back, and neither can you."

...

Su Liang returned to the city in the afternoon, and was still alone.

After entering the general's mansion, he heard the guards say that Xing Ji had come and was waiting for her in the garden.

"When did General Xing come?" Su Liang asked.

The guard replied, "It's been an hour."

Su Liang frowned slightly, handed the horse to the guard, and went straight to the garden.

Xing Ji sat alone in the pavilion, holding a book in his hand. He turned a page and looked up to see Su Liang striding towards him.

"Uncle Xing is looking for me?" Su Liang entered the pavilion and sat down opposite Xing Ji.

Xing Ji closed the book and said seriously, "Who is traveling with you today?"

Su Liang was stunned for a moment, "A man I met on the road."

Xing Ji sighed deeply, "Su Liang, of course I believe you and don't want to interfere with you, but now many people are watching you, your actions will be suspected."

Su Liang quickly reacted, "Some people will think that I am a spy and went out of the city to meet people?"

Xing Ji asked back, "What do you think?"

Su Liang nodded, "I think this suspicion is quite reasonable."

Xing Ji held his forehead, "You girl... Don't blame me for being suspicious. You refused to recognize me as your adoptive father, and I didn't think much about it, but now I think you may be hiding some great secrets."

Su Liang nodded again, "Uncle Xing thinks so, it's also reasonable."

Xing Ji was speechless, "Then can you explain what happened to today's encounter?"

"Actually," Su Liang paused, "It was someone hired by Ning Jing to protect me secretly."

Xing Ji was stunned, "Do you have a secret guard around you?"

"I guess so." Su Liang nodded.

"Then why do you have to go outside the city to meet?" Xing Ji felt a little headache.

Su Liang coughed lightly, "Masters have strange tempers. He insisted on picking mushrooms today, so I have to respect him."

"Can I meet that master?" Xing Ji asked seriously.

Su Liang shook his head, "I'm afraid he won't be happy."

Xing Ji got up and left, "Forget it, forget it, as long as you are happy. Be careful next time."