Rebirth of Poisoned Empress, by 颜若优雅

Chapter 119

It wasn't that Shen Liang didn't want them to come along. It was simply that they truly had too much to attend to outside of Shen Liang. He was afraid he had no choice but to adjourn his meeting with Xiang Zhuo and the others until a later date. In addition, he still held fear from what happened in his past life and was afraid he had neglected some considerations. If he did, he might only end up harming Qi Yue and Qi Xuan again.

Qi Xuan looked at Fu Ying and Qi Yue with a difficult expression. He then turned back to face Shen Liang before finally relaying, depressed, "Alright. I'll stay home. Liangliang, why do I feel like you don't need us more and more?"

He wasn't being bitter, but rather, simply relaying his sincere thoughts. Nowadays, every time he left the manor, he would only bring along Lei Zhen and Yaoguang. His brother was fine, at least he could still help out in the courtyard and managing the stewards. But Qi Xuan was different. He couldn't do anything but practice martial arts everyday and some minor chores. Besides that, Qi Xuan simply felt useless, more like a burden than anything else. This wasn't a result he wanted to see.

"What are you saying? How is it possible that I wouldn't need any of you anymore?" But these few days, Shen Liang had indeed neglected them. Shen Liang stepped forward and placed his hands on Qi Xuan's shoulders. He looked at Qi Xuan's hesitating gaze before continuing, "Xuan Ge, I'm still waiting for the day when you'd be strong enough to protect me one day. Right now, you might indeed feel idle, but you are not useless, much less a burden. You are only accumulating strength. When the day comes that you are finally strong enough to face problems alone, then you will inevitably become one of my right hand supports."

He wasn't only trying to comfort Qi Xuan, but rather knew full well that learning martial arts wasn't something that could be accomplished within a few days. Lei Zhen had once revealed to Shen Liang that Qi Xuan had good potential. It was only that Qi Xuan was past the prime age to begin learning martial arts but as long as Qi Xuan was willing to work hard, then his skills would definitely become formidable weapon. Protecting Shen Liang wouldn't pose a problem at all. When the time comes, he'd be able to replace Yaoguang's role. As for Yaoguang, the boy was a commander of the Ironclad Guards. How was it possible that he would stay Shen Liang's bodyguard forever?

In the end, be it Qi Yue or Qi Xuan, Shen Liang held high expectations for both of them.

"Really? You're not simply saying so?" Qi Xuan peered at him with doubts in his gaze. He trusted that Liangliang wouldn't lie to him, but his skills in fooling others wasn't exaggerated either.

"What benefits do I have for myself in simply saying so?" Shen Liang couldn't help but laugh. He then couldn't help but wonder exactly what image they painted for him in their minds.

"Fine. Then I will practice well. In the future, I will be the one who protects you." The hands hanging by his sides then clenched tightly into fists as Qi Xuan's eyes finally glowed with determination.

"En. I await you," Shen Liang nodded his head before patting his shoulders with encouragement. But the moment he turned around and saw Pei Yuanxian, his smile immediately collapsed. This man was the most difficult to persuade.

"Master, the main courtyard passed the notice that Liu Shuhan has been with a child for two months now. Sun Jing suspects that the pregnancy is fabricated and sent for a physician."

Lei Zhen's figure suddenly materialized. When they heard his words, Shen Liang and the others fell into stupor. Pregnant? Liu Shuhan was already more than thirty years old, nearing forty, even. How could she be pregnant so suddenly? And at such timing, at that.

"Send someone to see which physician Sun Jing invited," after recovering, Shen Liang ordered with a calm voice. If he remembered correctly, Liu Shuhan was never pregnant at this point in time. It was very likely like her pregnancy was fabricated, but Liu Shuhan was not a fool. She would know beforehand that Sun Jing would send for a physician. When the time came, it would be quite awkward when her lies were revealed. The only possibility that remained was Liu Shuhan would be prepared for this beforehand. This pregnancy truly came at too convenient of a time for Liu Shuhan.