The Last Time

Gu Ling and Lao Mu caught up with Qiu Jing on the fifth day after leaving Xingluo Island. Their boat was small and faster, and they took turns driving the boat without stopping in between.

Qiu Jing received a report that a boat was approaching, and thought it was someone chasing them, so he ordered everyone to be on alert and ready to fight the enemy, and then he heard Lao Mu's voice.

Qiu Jing was overjoyed and shouted, "We are one of you, don't do it!"

He stood at the stern with Cen Man, watching the boat coming over, Lao Mu waving at them, and there was a tall figure, who else could it be but Gu Ling?

Cen Man's brows relaxed and heaved a long sigh of relief, "Great, great! I knew that Xiao Gu would be able to rescue people!"

Gu Ling and Lao Mu abandoned the boat and boarded Qiu Jing's boat. Seeing Gu Ling holding a pot in his hand, Qiu Jing's mouth twitched slightly, "Did you get this from Xingluo Island?"

"Weapon." Gu Ling said, raising it up, pretending to hit Qiu Jing on the head with the iron pot in his hand.

Cen Man took the pot with a smile, "Stop it. Your eyes are red, you must have not slept for many days, take a rest."

Qiu Jing did not order to continue to set off, but pulled Gu Ling aside and asked, "Should we go forward or turn back?"

Gu Ling shook his head, "Go back to Jiaye City first."

Qiu Jing glanced at the direction of Xingluo Island, and could only see the line where the sea and the sky met. He sighed, "Okay. There is no explosives. After wandering on the sea for so long, I think everyone is tired. It is impossible to go back as smoothly as last time." After speaking, he gave the order and went forward at full speed.

Gu Ling then saw Lao Bai and Yuan Ying. They looked okay, but they had lost their past memories.

Gu Ling only learned about the amnesia of the three of them at this time, and his eyes immediately condensed, thinking of Yan Shiba, who he had rescued from Sheng Yue and arranged to send back to his home in Beijing!

So many people have lost their memories, it can't be a coincidence. If Yan Shiba knew some secrets about Xingluo Island or Sheng Yue and his memory was erased, it would not be a big problem, but if Sheng Yue had ulterior motives and wanted to use Yan Shiba to do something...

Yuan Ying's personality has not changed. Even if she has lost her memory, she is still very generous and cheerful. She has heard a lot about Su Liang and Gu Ling from Qiu Jing, and she is looking forward to meeting Su Liang as soon as possible.

Yuan Ye was injured in his early years and has some problems with his brain. He is very dependent on Yuan Ying. He is very wary of strangers and does not allow them to touch him. He always keeps his head down and shrinks behind Yuan Ying without speaking. Gu Ling wanted to take his pulse, but failed, so he gave up.

Gu Ling checked the conditions of Yuan Ying and Lao Bai, and could not see any signs of poisoning. He suspected that the amnesia drug was given by Yue Mei or provided by Yue Mei to Xingluo Island, just like Lin Shan's previous situation.

The most unstable one is Lao Bai. He has been trying hard to regain his memory. He can't stand the blankness of his mind. He always keeps hitting his head with his hands and is in a state of irritability most of the time.

Old Mu frowned and grabbed Old Bai's hand, "Stop knocking! I'll tell you whatever you want to know!"

"Who are you... I don't know you..." Old Bai frowned at Old Mu.

Old Mu said unhappily, "We have known each other for decades, I know everything about you!"

"Really?" Old Bai said, looking at Qiu Jing, asking him for confirmation.

Qiu Jing nodded, looking serious, "Yes, the two seniors have been friends for half a lifetime. Senior Mu went to Xingluo Island before to save you."

Gu Ling had already learned from Old Mu that he and Cen Man had been arrested for going to Xingluo Island to rescue people. At that time, they secretly went to the island and had not yet sneaked into the City Lord's Mansion. They were unlucky and ran into Sheng Yue. At that time, they were in a very hidden forest. How could they know that Sheng Yue was sitting on the tree above their heads in broad daylight, doing something... As a result, there was no suspense, Sheng Yue used smoke to knock them out.

Lao Mu and Cen Man did not see Mo Yan. When they woke up, they were in the dungeon. Sheng Yue stood in front of them and told them not to talk nonsense, otherwise he would not kill them, but would erase their memories.

Lao Mu and Cen Man could only endure silently and wait for a turnaround. They did not see Lao Bai and Yuan Ying on Xingluo Island. Lao Mu asked, but Sheng Yue did not answer.

As for what Lao Bai and Yuan Ying had encountered, the three of them had no memory and had no way of knowing.

Cen Man prepared some hot soup and rice for Gu Ling and Lao Mu. Gu Ling went to bed after eating.

When he woke up, it was already dark. Gu Ling sat up. It was pitch black around him. He could hear someone talking in a low voice outside, probably because they were afraid of disturbing him, and there was also the clear sound of the waves.

Gu Ling had a nightmare. He dreamed that Su Liang and Gu Xiaonuan were captured by Sheng Yue. He felt a little cold, as if the sea breeze blew in.

"Awake?" Qiu Jing's voice.

Gu Ling stood up, "How many days will it take to reach Jiaye City?"

Qiu Jing thought for a while and said, "About seven or eight days."

"I'll go first." Gu Ling came out of the cabin and took a deep breath. The sea breeze was very cool.

Qiu Jing was stunned for a moment, "Are you going alone?"

"Yes." Gu Ling nodded, "I'm worried about my family. Sheng Yue may have gone to the capital."

Qiu Jing's expression suddenly changed. He had been staring at Xingluo Island before and didn't think about it.

"It's better for you to go back first, just in case..." Qiu Jing sighed, "But you can't go alone, let Senior Cen accompany you back, so that you can take care of each other." Lao Bai can't leave Lao Mu now.

"Okay." Gu Ling nodded and told Qiu Jing, "After you return to Kasyapa City, deploy defense lines at places where you can land on the seaside near Nanping City and Kasyapa City, as well as the original Yan Kingdom. People are prohibited from going to the sea. When fishing, all boats are treated as people from Xingluo Island. Once a boat appears, they are not allowed to approach the shore. If the hostages are gone, they may come to arrest them again soon. "

Qiu Jing said seriously, "I understand. The most indispensable thing now is soldiers. I will make arrangements after I land ashore."

"My master can make explosives and other weapons. Let him prepare them when the time comes." Gu Ling said. Lao Mu can come in handy if he stays.

When Cen Man learned that Gu Ling and she were going home first, she didn't ask anything and quickly prepared a few days' worth of dry food and water. There were emergency boats on their boat, and they launched one into the water. The two left the team and left first.

"Xiao Gu, don't worry too much. Xiao Liang has always been cautious, nothing will happen to him." Cen Man noticed Gu Ling's nervousness and comforted him.

Gu Ling raised his head and glanced at the bright moon in the night sky, but said nothing.

…

Yesterday I met Chengyun's uncle Pucheng at Huguo Temple. A short while today, Pucheng and Chengyun came to Su Mansion.

Unfortunately, Su Liang was about to take the children to the Duke of Qin's mansion for a banquet. Mr. Qin has added a great-grandson, who is one full moon today.

When Pucheng learned about it, he smiled and said, "We took the liberty of disturbing you. How about we come back tomorrow?"

Su Liang said it would be okay tomorrow.

Pucheng brought a small flower he picked casually when he went down the mountain and put it on Gu Xiaonuan's head. It was very cute. Then he left with Chengyun.

Yan Shiba said she wouldn't go, and Su Liang asked Liao Dong to watch her at home. Others, including Qiu Cong and Nangong Qian, all went together.

The Full Moon Wine at Guogong Mansion was very lively and there were many children. Zheng'er and Ji Xiaoshu have become the kings of children, having a lot of fun with a group of little beans.

Gu Xiaonuan was the most popular baby besides the one-month-old baby. Su Liang heard people keep saying that Gu Xiaonuan looked like her father, and she missed her master even more.

After leaving the Duke of Qin's mansion in the afternoon, Su Liang held Gu Xiaonuan and sat in the carriage to go home. Zheng'er and Ji Xiaoshu were riding outside.

Gu Xiaonuan was tired from playing and fell asleep. Su Liang coaxed her softly, and suddenly she heard Gu Xiaonuan call out "Mother" vaguely.

Su Liang was stunned immediately, "Gu Xiaonuan, what did you just call me?"

Gu Xiaonuan rubbed her head against Su Liang's chest, found the most comfortable position, and fell asleep...

When they got home, Gu Xiaonuan didn't wake up. Su Liang put her in the cradle, and she stayed beside the cradle, waiting for Gu Xiaonuan to wake up and see if she would still call her mother.

In fact, Zheng'er and Ji Xiaoshu have been teaching Gu Xiaonuan how to speak recently, but she seems to think it is a game and refuses to learn how to speak like her two brothers.

Su Liang thought it was okay. It would be better for Gu Xiaonuan to speak when Gu Ling came back, so as not to be so sad when Gu Ling came back and found that Gu Xiaonuan knew everything but didn't recognize him.

Finally, Su Liang saw Gu Xiaonuan's thick eyelashes trembling, knowing that she was about to wake up, and gently rocked the cradle.

Gu Xiaonuan opened her eyes and blinked. Su Liang leaned over and said two words very simply and directly, "Call me mother."

Gu Xiaonuan got up with a smile, leaned over and kissed Su Liang.

Su Liang: ...That's not what she wants.

Then, she saw Gu Xiaonuan pointing her little finger at the portrait of Gu Ling attached to her cradle and calling out "Dad" clearly.

Su Liang was stunned. She was worried that Gu Xiaonuan had forgotten Gu Ling, so she put a portrait here for her to see. Could it be because when she was a guest at the Duke's Mansion today, someone kept telling Gu Xiaonuan that she looked like her father, but he taught her to call her father?

But why not call her mother? Could it be that the sound on the way back was her imagination?

"Call me mother." Su Liang picked up Gu Xiaonuan, pointed at herself, and gave the instruction again.

Gu Xiaonuan kissed Su Liang again.

When Su Liang taught Gu Xiaonuan seriously for the third time, Gu Xiaonuan seemed to have enlightened herself and shouted very loudly, "Mom!"

Su Liang instantly felt that his heart was filled. This feeling was wonderful and indescribable.

This was a memorable day, Gu Xiaonuan spoke. Su Liang later told Gu Ling about today's events. Gu Ling was very happy that his daughter had never forgotten him, but he and Su Liang had differences on a certain point. What did Gu Xiaonuan say when she spoke for the first time? Mother or father.

Su Liang thought that she heard wrongly that time in the carriage and Gu Xiaonuan called her dad first. But Gu Ling insisted that Gu Xiaonuan was the one who called her mother first.

During dinner, Su Liang said that he wanted to announce something important. Zheng'er and Ji Xiaoshu both sat up straight and listened carefully. Then Su Liang looked at Gu Xiaonuan and pointed at herself, which was an instruction.

Gu Xiaonuan immediately understood and called "Mother".

Qiu Cong held up his palms and praised, "Nuan Nuan can talk now! So smart! She speaks so well!"

Zheng'er and Ji Xiaoshu both came to Gu Xiaonuan's side, vying for her to call her brother. Qiu Cong carried the two children and put them behind him, then leaned over with a bright smile and pointed at himself, "Master, call me Master."

"Master!" Gu Xiaonuan called sweetly.

Qiu Cong was so satisfied that the corners of his mouth reached behind his ears when he smiled.

After Zheng'er and Ji Xiaoshu muttered several words, Gu Xiaonuan called "brother".

The two children were very happy and said at the same time, "My sister called me brother!" Then they looked at each other and started to argue about who Gu Xiaonuan was calling. Zheng'er usually behaves like a big brother and gives in to Ji Xiaoshu on many things, but he refused to give in on this matter, saying that it was him who Gu Xiaonuan called him.

"Two brothers, I am calling you." Su Liang ended the childish fight between the two children, "You teach her to call her elder brother and second brother, and see if she can tell the difference. Eat first."

The two children listened to Su Liang's words the most and returned to their seats obediently. Ji Xiaoshu's eyes suddenly widened, "That's bad! My sister doesn't know how to call her daddy yet. How sad it will be when the master comes back and finds out!"

Su Liang chuckled, "The first person she called was daddy."

"Really?" Qiu Cong was a little doubtful.

"Really." Su Liang looked serious.

At night, Liandong went to deliver hot water to Yan Shiba, and Yan Shiba saw a smile on her face. This is rare, because Lonicera has always been a serious person.

"Is there any happy event?" Yan Shiba asked.

Lonicera smiled and nodded, "My little master can talk now."

"That's great." Yan Shiba nodded slightly.

…

The next day, Pucheng and Chengyun came to Su Mansion again.

Knowing that Gu Xiaonuan could speak, Pucheng taught her to call her master, but Qiu Cong stopped her, "Xiao Gu hasn't agreed yet, so you can't call her!"

Pucheng chuckled and said, "I hope Donor Gu will come back soon."

The weather is excellent today, with blue skies and a gentle breeze.

Qiu Cong laid a thick mat by the lake. Zheng'er and Ji Xiaoshu took off their shoes and played on it. Gu Xiaonuan was also carried over by Qiu Cong and placed on it.

Su Liang invited Pucheng and Chengyun to sit and drink tea by the window on the first floor of Yuanming Pavilion. He also specially prepared vegetarian snacks and fruits grown in the house for them.

Seeing Cheng Yun staring outside, Su Liang smiled and said, "Go out and play with them."

Chengyun was a little moved, but also a little embarrassed. After all, he was an adult and a monk.

"Go, go, no one will laugh at you. The children all like you." Pucheng cheered up and pushed him out.

Then Pucheng came back and sat down, took a sip of tea and nodded slightly, "I almost forgot that you are now the head of the Ning family. This tea is very good."

"Master Pucheng likes it. Take a bag of tea with you when you leave." Su Liang smiled.

Pucheng shook his head, "Don't call me master, it sounds like you're calling me an old monk. Just call me Pucheng."

"So, Uncle Pucheng?" Su Liang chuckled. After all, they are elders.

Pucheng was happy, "Okay, okay, this is good." Pucheng said and looked outside. Ji Xiaoshu was holding a model of a locomotive in his hand and was pushing it on the ground.

Pucheng withdrew his gaze, "Actually, I wanted Xiaoyun to return to secular life, but he didn't want to. It was I who brought him to Ping'an Temple back then. He became a monk just for the convenience of living in the temple. He is still young, and I hope he can live a good life. It would be a pity to live the same life, especially if he has interesting friends like you, to go back to the temple to burn incense and recite things for the rest of his life. "

Su Liang asked, "Uncle Pucheng knows Chengyun's life experience?"

Pucheng nodded, "He is the orphan of a friend of mine before I became a monk. It's my fault that I've been traveling around all these years and didn't take good care of him."

"Why doesn't Uncle Pucheng take Chengyun on a trip with him?" Su Liang asked with a smile.

Pucheng was stunned, "I thought he was too young at the time, and I was afraid that I couldn't take good care of him... Well, you're right, I should take him out for a walk, so that he won't only have Buddhism in his mind. I'll take him this time I came to the capital to pay a visit to Brother Puhui, but actually I want to see you and ask you to help persuade Xiaoyun to return to secular life. I have become a monk myself, but I can’t persuade him. "

"Uncle Pucheng, can you tell me what happened before you became a monk? I'm just curious. It's okay if you don't want to tell me. Just pretend I didn't ask." Su Liang was really curious.

Pucheng sighed, with a confused look on his face, "It's just that my family has been destroyed, and there is nothing to talk about. Although I became a monk, I have not forgotten the past. Maybe I have been deceiving myself, thinking that after shaving my head and entering Buddhism, I can start a new life." Life. In recent years, I have always been walking around, and I don’t want to stop in one place, because if I stay for a long time, I feel like I have a home. But I have no home, and I don’t want to have another home... Actually, I didn’t think of Xiaoyun. I keep him with me because when I see him, I always think of my old friend..."

Seeing Pucheng's eyes suddenly turn red, Su Liang sighed slightly and gave him more hot tea, "Sorry, I made uncle sad."

"It doesn't matter." Pucheng took two sips of tea and smiled again, "I have an impure heart, and this will be the case for the rest of my life. But Xiaoyun still has hope of living a happier life. I'm begging you."

Su Liang nodded, "I'll give it a try. I like Chengyun very much. It would be great if he is willing to return to secular life."

Pucheng and Chengyun had a vegetarian meal at Su Mansion, which was cooked by Su Liang and tasted very good. They went back to Huguo Temple in the afternoon.

…

Pucheng opened the door, went in, and quickly turned around and closed the door.

"Have you thought about it, father?" A deep voice sounded not far away.

Pucheng's face darkened, "Ayue, please stop. I won't let you hurt Su Liang. I've already told you that her mother saved your mother back then, and we owe her a debt of gratitude."

"Her grandfather killed my mother. How can we settle this debt?" Sheng Yue's face emerged from the shadows, his eyes as cold as ice.

Pucheng shook his head, "What you want to do will not succeed."

"Regardless of success or failure, I will never give up." Sheng Yue said coldly, "The person I want is Gu Ling. How about not hurting Su Liang and ensuring that she is unscathed afterwards? Even if my father doesn't help me, I won't Stop it. If I die, my father won’t have to worry about it anymore.”

Pucheng's face became increasingly ugly. After a long silence, he sighed deeply and said, "Remember what you said. I'll help you, for the last time."