Zhenger Wants to Eat Peach Preserves

Although she thought it was too cute and did not match her temperament, Su Liang got a new purse and put it on the next day.

When having breakfast that day, Gu Ling was still at home.

Su Liang asked his servants to put breakfast in the study. After the servants left, she entered the door. Gu Ling walked out from behind the screen and moved her gaze downwards, landing on Su Liang's slender waist.

As she walked briskly, the little rabbit on her purse swayed gently, jumping up and down, lively and agile.

Su Liang didn't pay attention to Gu Ling's gaze. He picked up a small bowl and gave him half of the porridge, and said, "I told the people in the prefect's mansion that I would go out to visit friends in the city today, so I didn't go to the banquet. If I stay at home and don't go out, , but it seems very rude.”

"There is Lingyin Temple outside the city." Gu Ling took the porridge from Su Liang and sat down.

Su Liang nodded, "Then let's go visit the eminent monks of Lingyin Temple!"

After breakfast, the old housekeeper said that there was a long line of people outside again, all coming to seek medical treatment.

Su Liang frowned and said, "I just said that I left the city and asked me to come back another day."

The old housekeeper nodded, "That's fine. From what I've seen, I don't have any serious illness. Most of them come here because of their reputation."

Su Liang knows. Because most of the patients she treated yesterday had common ailments. Xunyang City is a large trading city, and there are many doctors practicing medicine in the city.

If it was really urgent, he wouldn't wait in line waiting for Su Liang to save him.

Hearing that Su Liang was really going out of the city, the old housekeeper asked someone to prepare a car. Su Liang said no, so she rode a horse to Lingyin Temple for a walk.

The old housekeeper wanted to arrange two attendants, but Su Liang refused, so he had no choice but to obey her.

Su Liang was dressed in men's clothing and did not change her appearance. She rode out alone from the back door of Ning Mansion. The old housekeeper who followed him pointed in the direction of Lingyin Temple and told her how to get there.

"Don't worry, I'll be back before dark." After Su Liang finished speaking, he rode out from the back alley.

It wasn't until her figure disappeared from sight that the old housekeeper returned to the front door and sent away those who came to seek medical treatment.

Su Liang walked leisurely and looked at the scenery, not very fast.

It's midsummer, and as you go to the outskirts of the city, you'll see greener trees and blooming flowers. The bright sunshine shines golden spots through the gaps between the leaves, and the sounds of insects and birds are endless.

After passing through a dense forest, we arrived at the foot of the mountain where Lingyin Temple is located.

The old housekeeper said that this temple was originally just a small temple. When Mr. Ning was still alive, he spent money to expand it and built a bluestone road from the bottom of the mountain up, which can be accessed by horse-drawn carriages.

Yesterday was June 15th. Today there were relatively few people coming to Lingyin Temple. On the way up the mountain on horseback, Su Liang saw a little rabbit running in the grass on the roadside. He subconsciously lowered his head and glanced at his purse. The more he looked at it, the more he saw it. The cuter it is.

The great god looks cold, but he is actually a childlike person... Su Liang thought to himself.

Gu Ling was not seen until he dismounted outside Lingyin Temple.

Su Liang didn't know where he was, and she didn't make an appointment to come with him. She felt that it was very comfortable to go out and relax by herself.

He tied up his horse and entered Lingyin Temple. Incense is lingering, and the Buddha's image is solemn.

Su Liang bowed in the front hall, praying for the safety of his relatives and friends, and then went to see the scenery elsewhere in the temple.

On the way, Su Liang heard someone mention the peach grove in the back mountain, and Su Liang became interested. This is not the time to see peach blossoms, but the peaches are ripe.

Taolin belongs to Lingyin Temple, and it is also a precious variety that Mr. Ning bought from the south. The peaches have ripened recently. Pilgrims who come to the temple can ask for a peach imbued with Buddhist fragrance to take home. There are also people from places near Xunyang City who come here to pray for it.

Su Liang got closer and saw the attractive pink peach on the top of the tree through the courtyard wall.

But at this time, the pilgrims were blocked outside and lined up, and were not allowed to enter for the time being.

Su Liang stood at the end of the queue and asked the aunt in front, "There are too many people inside. Can we go in only after the people inside have come out?"

The aunt didn't look back and explained to her, "In previous years, the temple would choose a day to pick the best peaches and send them to the Ning family as a token of gratitude. It's a pity that Mr. Ning, such a good man, left, but his sworn sister General Su In the city, the temple will deliver fruits to General Su today. After picking them, it will be our turn."

Su Liang raised her eyebrows. She was preparing a peach for her? What a coincidence.

But Su Liang was thinking about how to go in and take a stroll. She just saw the peach and wanted to pick it herself.

At this moment, someone exclaimed, "General Su?!"

All the surrounding eyes were focused on Su Liang.

The person who recognized her was a man who accompanied her father to Ning's house for medical treatment yesterday.

The aunt who had just spoken to Su Liang looked very excited, "So this is General Su!"

Soon, a monk ran over and clasped his hands together, "Amitabha, Master Abbot invites you."

Su Liang smiled and said, "Let's share the peaches with everyone as usual. Don't keep the elderly waiting."

The monk called the monk guarding the Taoyuan to explain a few words, and then took Su Liang in another direction.

Su Liang looked back again and found that the big peach she had been eyeing since she arrived had disappeared! But it shouldn't be, she didn't notice anyone climbing the tree to pick it.

Su Liang couldn't help but feel a little regretful.

Following the monk to a secluded courtyard, Su Liang met Master Francis, the abbot of Lingyin Temple.

There is a centuries-old cypress in the courtyard. Master Francis and Su Liang sat down in the shade under the tree to drink tea.

"This tea was given to me by the old benefactor Ning when he was still alive." Master Fangji looked a little disappointed when he mentioned Mr. Ning.

Su Liang tasted it and found that it was indeed the best tea.

Master Fang Ji asked Su Liang if she wanted to stay in Xunyang City to manage the Ning family's business. Su Liang said that she would find a capable person to take over and would return to Beijing soon.

"Okay. I have heard of Mr. Su's talent for a long time. Today, I see that he is indeed a dragon among men." Master Fang Ji said.

Su Liang saw that this old monk was not the type of Master Puqing who was content with hardship and devoted to practice. He still had some worldly air and spoke quite smoothly.

Su Liang did not have much opinion on this. We are all human beings. We have to live and eat. How can we be detached from the world after shaving our heads?

After chatting for a while, Su Liang suggested that she wanted to go to the peach forest, and Master Fang Ji asked the monk who led the way to take her there.

The pilgrims had all dispersed, and Su Liang entered the peach forest alone. There were still many fruits on the trees, and the air was filled with a faint sweet fragrance.

Su Liang picked a ripe peach, wiped the fuzz on the skin with a handkerchief, then gently peeled off the skin and took a bite. It was sweet, soft and delicious.

She walked in while eating peaches.

Soon, she saw Gu, who was picking peaches with a basket in his hand.

Su Liang was not surprised that he was here, "I saw a good peach, I think you snatched it away."

"Yeah." Gu Ling admitted. He was in the dark and saw Su Liang staring at a peach for several times.

"Don't pick it, the temple will send it to me, and I can't finish it." Su Liang said.

"You said you can make peach preserves." Gu Ling said.

Su Liang coughed lightly, "But I definitely didn't say I would make it for you." She was very sure of this. Things that she didn't agree to, of course, can be refused.

Gu Ling's face was calm, "Zheng'er should really want to eat the peach preserves you made."

Su Liang: ... Speechless. Such delicious peaches, of course, must be shared with the cute little Zheng'er.

I told the old housekeeper to go back before dark. After Su Liang left Lingyin Temple alone, he continued to go to the top of the mountain, leaving the horse behind and riding it when he left.

On the way, Su Liang picked a few wild fruits and climbed to the top of the mountain. There was a large flat open space on the top, covered with flowers and plants, like a colorful velvet carpet.

The sun was shining and the breeze was blowing.

Gu Ling came up from another road with a basket in one hand and a fat wild pheasant in the other.

The two chose a position with the best view, made a fire, and prepared roast chicken with fresh peaches as lunch.

During this process, the two did not chat because Gu Ling asked Su Liang to continue his unfinished story.

After the two stories were told, the pheasant exuded an attractive aroma and it was time to eat.

Su Liang squeezed the picked physalis juice on the roasted pheasant. The sweet and sour aroma was very fresh, a bit like lemon. After tasting it, the taste was beyond words.

After eating the delicious barbecue, Su Liang found her favorite peaches in the basket. They were too big, so she and Gu Ling shared them half and half.

After eating, the sun was shining warmly, and she felt a little sleepy.

Su Liang lay down on the grass under the shade of the tree and took a nap, not caring about what Gu Ling was doing.

When she woke up, Su Liang saw Gu Ling's coat covering her body, and he was sitting not far away carving something.

It was still early, Su Liang got up, took Gu Ling's clothes and returned them to him, "Thank you. This place is really nice. We haven't practiced for a while. Can you give me some pointers?"

Gu Ling put away the stone and knife he was carving, put on his coat, and nodded, "If you lose, give me half of the peach preserves made by Zheng'er."

Su Liang's desire to win came up when he heard it, "In that case, how about you fight me with one hand?"

"Okay." Gu Ling agreed.

So, under the clear blue sky, the two of them competed on the top of the mountain.

Gu Ling put his right hand behind his back and used only his left hand to fight Su Liang.

They fought back and forth until the sun was about to set. Gu Ling, who had been feeding Su Liang with moves, suddenly stopped and said, "Watch the sunset."

Su Liang turned around and found that the gorgeous sunset glowed half the sky red, and the setting sun was sinking, magnificent and beautiful.

Just when Su Liang was intoxicated by the natural beauty, he was suddenly pushed down by Gu Ling. When he almost fell to the ground, he was pulled back by him.

Su Liang looked at Gu Ling's series of strange operations speechlessly.

Then he heard him say three words, "You lose."

Su Liang: ...So it was just a halftime break to watch the sunset? What else can she say? It's normal for someone to do such a thing in order to get the peach preserves she promised legitimately.

The sun set and it soon got dark.

The two went down the mountain together and separated when they were close to Lingyin Temple. Su Liang rode a horse and went down the mountain alone to Ning's house.

…

The lanterns in the Ning Mansion reflected the old housekeeper’s aged face. He looked out the door for a long time and finally saw a familiar figure. He breathed a sigh of relief and quickly ordered the servant to arrange dinner.

“The young lady is back!” The old housekeeper was a little worried. After all, Su Liang was definitely a big shot here, and there was no guarantee that someone would not harm her.

The white lanterns swaying gently in the night wind and the couplets with black characters on a white background on the door reminded Su Liang to try not to smile. “The scenery here is very good. I looked around and walked away.”

The old housekeeper said that the prefectural government sent another thank-you gift today. It was a gift given to relatives and friends on the third day of the third month according to local customs. It was not expensive, but it was also a token of thought.

In addition, there was a basket of peaches sent from Lingyin Temple, all of which were placed at Su Liang’s residence.

Su Liang went back, washed up simply, and put dinner in the study.

After the servants left, she had dinner with Gu Ling and agreed that the main task tomorrow would be to make peach preserves.

After telling the story as usual and admiring Gu Ling's paintings, Su Liang was about to go back to the room to take a shower when the old housekeeper came again and said that someone was looking for Su Liang outside the door.

"Do you know who he is?" Su Liang asked.

The old housekeeper said he was a young man who called himself Peng and came from the north.

Peng is not a rare surname. There are many people with this surname in the Qian Kingdom, so people will not think that he is a general of the Peng family in the Liang Kingdom.

But the Peng family from the north who could come to Su Liang was naturally from the Peng Wei family.

"Please go to the outer study room, I will go there later." Su Liang said.

After watching the old housekeeper leave the courtyard, Su Liang went back to his room and changed his clothes. When he felt that his hair was a little messy, he combed it again.

…

Su Liang walked into the outer study room and saw a young man standing up and holding his hands, "General Su, I'm Peng Fan."

Su Liang had heard of this name, and Peng Wei always talked about his precious grandson.

Unlike the rough and violent Peng Wei, Peng Fan has a determined look, eyes and demeanor that are very calm. Although his appearance is not very outstanding, he gives people the feeling of being heroic.

"No need to be polite. Please sit down." Su Liang looked calm.

"Thank you, General Su, for saving my grandfather's life at Ping'an Temple." Peng Fan looked solemn, "My grandfather told me to take my father to Qianguo to find General Su for medical treatment. I didn't dare to delay on the way, but I didn't expect to hear that General Su's fiance, Mr. Ning, had been killed. I wish you all the best to express my condolences to General Su."

Su Liang nodded, "Has your father also come to Xunyang City?"

"Yes." Peng Fan nodded, "I was taking my father to the capital of Qian Kingdom. On the way, I learned that General Su was sending Mr. Ning back to Xunyang City for burial. I didn't know when General Su would return to the capital, so I came here. My father is in the inn. Due to the long journey, his condition has worsened, so I have no choice but to come here late at night to disturb General Su. Please forgive me."

Seeing Peng Fan's apologetic and uneasy look, Su Liang stood up and said, "Let's go, I'll go over and take a look."

Peng Fan breathed a sigh of relief and was about to walk out when he saw Su Liang stop and look back, "Since everyone is in the city, go and bring your father to live here. It will be more convenient for me to treat him."

There were many people outside, and there were people in Xunyang City who were staring at Su Liang. Although she only practices medicine, after all, the Peng family has a sensitive identity, and it is better to do less than to do more.

It happened to be quiet at night, and the Peng family and his son had just arrived, so no one should know.

Peng Fan had long heard from Peng Wei that Su Liang had a bold and generous personality, and it turned out to be true when he saw her today. Because he was concerned about his father's safety, he did not refuse. After thanking him, he hurriedly left to pick up Peng Qian.

Su Liang asked the old housekeeper to clean up a guest courtyard and come out. She had friends coming over to stay for a few days.

When Peng Fan went to pick up Peng Qian, Su Liang went back to pack her medicine box.

Just as she was about to go out again, she saw Gu Ling appearing behind her like a ghost.

"Master, please go back and teach me how to develop this elusive ability." Su Liang said, bypassing him and walking out, "The person who just came was Peng Wei's grandson, and the patient will arrive soon."