His peach-blossom eyes trembled slightly. After carefully assessing the other person's expression, he lowered his voice and asked, "I learned some martial arts when I was young, which gave me some strength, but I wasn't very successful. I wasn't as good as I was at studying."
is that so?
I always feel that he is not telling the truth!
Ye Nuan hummed, reached out from the cloth bag and took out a bottle of medicine and handed it to him, "This is a common blood-dissolving medicine. Apply it later. You should feel much better tomorrow."
The fingertips holding the bottle were round and mellow, with a faint pink hue. Thinking that he almost never saw her again because of him, he suddenly felt a little irritated. He took the bottle and walked silently to his room.
Ye Nuan suddenly said, "By the way, let City Lord Qi wear your clothes first. I'll ask my mother to make a few more for you tomorrow, as well as some cotton-padded clothes."
He seemed a little unhappy, but Qi Wuze was really cruel, and his face was totally unbearable to look at.
The door was closed gently. Chu Xuesong held the bottle of medicine in his hand, leaned against the bed, closed his eyes and frowned: his emotions were completely affected by Ye Nuan.
For a moment, he wished immensely that he was Chu Bai from Lin'an, Qingzhou, or Xiaobai from Yunjian Farm.
This is not a good sign. He was clearly fishing for someone, but it seems like he was being fished for.
They are all so warm, just like when they were very young and their parents were still alive, and the whole family was happy.
There were voices outside.
After Su Shi settled Liu Yu and the others down and came out, she asked Ye Nuan, "Why did you come back so late? And you look so disheveled? Have you had dinner yet? I'll make you some noodles to eat."
The injuries of City Lord Qi and Chu Xuesong were too obvious. Although she was not seriously injured, her clothes were too dirty. Her mother was not blind, so of course she knew that something bad had happened to her.
Ye Nuan was afraid that her mother would worry, so she didn't dare to speak out. She could only say, "Anyway, it's a bit complicated. Mom, go cook the noodles first and send them to Xiaobai later. As for City Lord Qi, I'll personally deliver them."
Seeing that she was very tired, Su didn't ask any more questions and went to the kitchen to cook noodles. When Ye Nuan finished washing up, the noodles were already cooked, with a poached egg on top.
The lights were on on the second floor, and the door was not closed. Qi Wuze was sitting at the head of the bed in his underwear with a sullen face. Qi Ya was standing opposite him with a bottle of medicine and a dull face. Huajuaner was squatting between them, shaking her head and wagging her tail.
The atmosphere was a bit strange.
Ye Nuan knocked on the door and asked in confusion, "What's going on? Ah Ya, you haven't applied the medicine to your brother yet?"
When Qi Ya saw her coming, he immediately stuffed the medicine bottle into her hand and accused his elder brother with a dull face: "He is not obedient!"
Qi Wuze glared at his brother. Ye Nuan chuckled and said to Qi Ya, "There's still noodles in the pot. You and Xiaohu can go eat. I'll take care of this."
Qi Ya left happily with Huajuan.
She brought the noodles to Qi Wuze and said softly, "Why don't you wear a coat?"
Qi Wuze glanced disdainfully at the plain white dress placed on the bedside table and said, "I don't like white, and it's a little small." Although he was only slightly taller than Chu Xuesong, his figure was obviously taller. The dress was naturally a little tight on Chu Xuesong because of how he sat.
"If you don't want to wear it, then don't wear it. You have to sleep soon anyway. Eat the noodles first, and then I'll apply medicine on you." Ye Nuan handed him the noodles.
He raised the corner of his mouth slightly, raised his right hand and shook it in front of her, "My hand hurts!"
Part of his right wrist was exposed, and there was a deep tooth mark on the wrist bone with some dried blood on it. It was obvious that he had bitten it hard.
Ye Nuan was a little embarrassed, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bite you."
Qi Wuze frowned, "My hands hurt so much, I might not be able to hold the chopsticks."
"Then I'll feed you." Ye Nuan was very considerate. She picked up the noodles, blew on them, and fed them to his mouth, saying softly, "A little hot..."
His eyes were filled with tiny smiles, but his face didn't show it. "It's a little hot, blow on it again and add more..."
"I want poached eggs."
"Why is there no cabbage?"
"Come here, I want some noodle soup."
No matter how he tormented her, Ye Nuan patiently cooperated. After the noodles were finally finished, Qi Wuze asked, "Didn't you say you would help me apply the medicine? Why did you let A Ya come?"
Is this why he tortures himself?
"Didn't you say you had an injury on your back? It would be easier for Aya to apply the medicine on you."
Qi Wuze pursed his lips: "You clearly said you would help me apply it!"
Why is City Lord Qi becoming more and more childish?
"I'm here now, aren't I?" She put the dishes aside, stood behind him and asked, "Where is the wound? Let me take a look."
He removed his undershirt, revealing a three-centimeter-deep scratch on his left shoulder blade, the bone visible. The flesh had begun to turn outward, yet he remained silent. Seeing this, Ye Nuan felt a toothache. She sat behind him and carefully and evenly applied the powder.
The muscles on her back were trembling slightly, probably because of the pain. Ye Nuan asked, "How did you get the injury on your back?"
Qi Wuze hesitated and said, "Just when I was looking for you, I was blown down by the wind and a protruding animal bone in the sand scratched me!"
He just mentioned it casually, but one can imagine how difficult it is to find someone in a sandstorm.
Ye Nuan asked again: "Did Xiaobai hit you on the bridge of your nose?"
The candlelight in the room flickered slightly, and the shadows of the two people were reflected on the window. Qi Wuze was silent for a moment, and suddenly said, "Are you going to ask me why I hit him?"
Chu Xuesong's face was obviously worse than his. Was An Nuan blaming him?
Ye Nuan shook her head: "If you hit him, he must have deserved it." She knew Xiaobai. He was a good person, but he was a little annoying.
Qi Wuze felt relieved, he really deserved a beating!
"Don't hit me in the face next time. If your nose is broken, it will be disfigured!" She pulled up her clothes at the back and sat down opposite him again. "Stretch out your hand."
Qi Wuze obediently stretched out his hand, and she began to carefully apply medicine to his right wrist, saying as she applied it, "It should be healed tomorrow. Don't scratch it if it itches at night."
After applying the cream on her hands, she buried her head in the cloth bag, her satin hair spread on the quilt, covering half of her face, her eyebrows and eyes were clear and graceful.
Qi Wuze held up his head and looked more and more happy, his eyes soft and soft, his whole body seemed to be immersed in honey. When Ye Nuan looked up, she saw his spring smile and couldn't help but shudder. She asked softly: "What are you doing?"
Qi Wuze quickly put down his hand and denied: "No, what are you going to do?" His eyes looked at her hand.
She held a handkerchief and an egg in her hands. She peeled the egg and said, "I'll roll it for you. The bruises on your face will be gone tomorrow." It would be embarrassing for the lord of a city to have bruises on his face.
After peeling the egg, she wrapped it in a handkerchief and gently rolled it on his nose. She leaned in close, so close that Qi Wuze could clearly see her raven-black eyelashes and bright, clear eyes.
A faint aroma lingered in the air, and he couldn't help but ask, "Did you boil eggs for him, too?"
Ye Nuan coaxed: "No, I just cooked it for you!"
Qi Wuze couldn't hold back his expression anymore and suddenly smiled, his handsome face, dyed with blue and red, shone brightly.
Ye Nuan stepped back, suspicious: "What are you laughing at?"
His eyes were dark and bright, with the flickering candlelight and her reflection in them. He smiled for a moment, then moved slightly closer, until his nose was almost touching hers.
Ye Nuan tilted her head back, and Qi Wuze moved closer, his tone almost unable to suppress the joy: "Do you... like me? If you do... I allow you to come closer."
"Huh?" Ye Nuan was a little confused and didn't say anything for a while.
In the darkness, his chest was broad and hot, and a pleasant chuckle escaped from his throat: "Don't be embarrassed. You hugged me and kissed me, and treated me more special than others. I know what you mean."
“But you know, a lot of people like me.”
"I—I only allow you to like it!"
He spoke slowly, each word carrying a hint of tenderness, and looked straight into her eyes.
Ye Nuan: “.” Oh my god, what’s with his arrogant and excited voice?
What does it mean that only you are allowed to like?
He doesn't really like me, does he?
Ye Nuan: “.”
Ye Nuan thought carefully about how she treated him. It seemed like she was special to him. She would patiently coax him, make him red bean cakes and sweet and spicy sauce, apply medicine to him and feed him, and she would always pamper him if she was afraid he would be unhappy.
It seems like there is suspicion of teasing him!
If I say I don’t like him now, will I be thrown out the window?
"What do you mean by only allowing me...to like...?"
What's the meaning?
Qi Wuze placed his hands on her sides, trapping her in a circle, and leaned forward to give her a quick kiss. Even with the simplest touch, Ye Nuan's cheeks flushed, and she collapsed onto the quilt in shock.
There was surprise and panic in his eyes.
Qi Wuze still maintained his original posture, looking at her with a proud and satisfied smile: "It means... you can kiss me!" The profile of her face was soft, and every expression on her face exuded joy.
The candle flame flickered twice, and Ye Nuan suddenly woke up. She opened her mouth several times, but found that she really couldn't say anything bad when facing Qi Wuze like this.
Seeing her stunned, Qi Wuze was about to speak when a bright red apple was stuffed into her mouth. Ye Nuan ran out with a red face, not forgetting to take away the bowl and chopsticks for eating noodles.
The door was still open, and he could see the closed door opposite by just looking up.
Qi Wuze smiled as he pinched the apple, then took a bite. After finishing the whole thing, he took his bowl and chopsticks and went downstairs. He deliberately stepped heavier as he passed her room. As he reached the stairs, he saw Su Shi, who had finished her work, staring at him.
Qi Wuze scratched his head and chuckled twice. Su reached out to take the dishes and chopsticks: "Tread lightly on the floor. If you have nothing else to do, go to sleep. It's the middle of the night, so why don't you dress warmly?"
The person who was despised touched his nose and dared not say a word.
Ye Nuan naturally heard the noise in the hallway. She was dazed from being tucked away under the covers, and the warmth still lingered on the corner of her lips. It was the first time in her two lifetimes that she had been kissed, and for a moment she was at a loss.
He likes himself, right?
He only said that he liked his relatives, but they didn't say that they liked him.
In that case...she might as well just pretend nothing happened.
There were so many things to do throughout the day that she quickly fell asleep under the quilt.
The moon is reflected on the edge of the pond. The free-range fish jump from time to time, causing the waves to ripple. The crops on the farm grow in the dark night.
In the early morning light, excited shouts rang out from the courtyard, the volume growing louder. Soon, footsteps pounded in the corridor, and a clear voice pierced through the autumn mist.
"Sister, why haven't you woken up yet?"
It’s Liu Yu again!
Ye Nuan frowned and buried her head in the quilt.
Liu Yu didn't know which room Ye Nuan lived in, so he started looking around one by one. Soon everyone was woken up by him.
"Sister? Sister?"
He shouted a few more times, and one of the houses opened a crack. He happily went over, but a strong and ferocious wolf suddenly jumped out from inside, scaring him so much that he turned and ran away.
His clear voice, screaming and shouting, came from the yard.
Ye Nuan couldn't bear it any longer, so she got up yawning, put on her clothes, tied her hair, put on her shoes and went out. She ran into Qi Wuze who was just opening the door.
"morning."
Qi Wuze's eyes lit up. Ye Nuan hesitated for a second, her eyes accidentally sweeping across his thin lips. Her face instantly became hot, and she ran away quickly without saying hello.
Liu Yu was chased downstairs and jumped up and down. Hu Li and a dozen people stood on the terrace at a loss. When Ye Nuan came downstairs, Liu Yu immediately cried for help: "Sister - sister"
Ye Nuan didn't go over to help, but chuckled twice: "Who told you to disturb my sweet dreams? It was just playing with you this time, but it will bite you directly next time."
Liu Yu quickly jumped behind her and begged, "Next time I won't knock on the door, just let it go!"
"Are you sure?"
"Sure!"
Ye Nuan waved her hand, and Hua Juan immediately squatted down obediently. Liu Yu was about to stick his head out to look, but a strong force pulled the back of his neck away from Ye Nuan. He was so angry that he waved his hands and feet, but he couldn't reach the person behind him.
After being put down, he immediately turned around and wanted to curse, but he saw Qi Wuze's cold and sharp face, and swallowed the curse back in embarrassment.
Hu Li gave Ye Nuan an apologetic smile and said, "Miss Ye, our young master has been like this since he was young. Please forgive me."
"No problem, you can walk around or sit in the yard. I'll go cook first. We'll eat at the farm this morning."
Hu Li hurriedly said, "How can I feel comfortable with that?" In previous years, when they went to the Creation Pavilion, they would prepare their own food and find a place to camp, or they would take money to the Creation Pavilion to exchange for ready-made food.
Ye Nuan said, "We don't eat together every time. This meal is just a token of our happy cooperation."
Hu Li: They just came to take a look and had no intention of cooperating. Now that she said that, it would be embarrassing not to cooperate!
Ye Nuan was going to make sweet potato porridge, while Chu Xuesong and Ye Xiaohu brought a large group of people to visit the farm.
Flowing Light City sits in the heart of the desert, nestled within a lake that sustains tens of thousands of citizens. Silkworms are raised in the city, and the silk they produce is lighter and softer than ordinary silk, shimmering like neon lights in the sunlight, a truly beautiful sight.
But the production is extremely small and it is rarely seen in the palace.
There are green plants in the city, but they are not as good as the Yunjian Farm.
Even a general like Hu Li was amazed by the lush greenery of the courtyard, the clear pond, and the spacious, lush pastures. She had never seen the crops before, so she patiently refrained from asking. But her companions couldn't resist, asking questions as they wandered around, their curiosity growing and their amazement growing.
When breakfast was ready, everyone took a bite of the hot, sweet and sticky sweet potatoes and expressed their admiration for Ye Nuan without any reservation.
Miss Ye could grow things that even the Creation Pavilion couldn't. Her food varieties far exceeded those of the Creation Pavilion, and she even had such a large farm—it was unique in the wasteland. Everyone, who had previously worried about the potential setbacks of this trip, was now overjoyed. If they could exchange food for the least amount of money, the city lord would surely be very impressed.
Hu Li was very happy. After breakfast, he went to Ye Nuan to discuss the matter of checking the food.
When building the farm, Ye Nuan had people dig a cellar and build a warehouse. She piled some of the wheat, grain and oil that had been stored in the space into the warehouse, and put the fruits and vegetables into the cellar in advance, so it was very convenient to check them now.
It was still early, so she asked calmly, "I wonder what the general brought in exchange for food?"
Hu Li said: "We brought flowing brocade, silver, and a tree that can produce salt. All of these can be exchanged." The Creation Pavilion waits for them to bring flowing brocade every year.
These rare fabrics are extremely valuable even if you get them inside the Great Wall.
A tree that produces salt?
Yang Nuan's eyes lit up slightly: "What kind of tree is it? Can I take a look at it?"
Hu Li waved his hand and asked the people who followed him to get it. Qi Wuze, who was standing beside him, had a strange look in his eyes and looked up at Ye Nuan.
The sapling was quickly brought over. Ye Nuan took it and examined it carefully. Isn’t this the salt tree?
The salt tree, also known as the salt-skin tree, grows in saline soil. Its trunk and fruits are covered in a layer of snow-white frost. This salt is edible and tastes better than refined salt (Note 1). This tree can be used as a substitute when salt production is still unavailable.
"Well, I know you're short on salt in the wasteland, and the salt at the Creation Pavilion is expensive. We just found this sapling at the beginning of the year, and it's worth a fortune."
Is this an attempt to lower the price?
Ye Nuan observed for a moment, then calmly returned the sapling, saying with a smile, "It's a good thing, but as far as I know, the salt production of the wood salt tree is extremely low, and it only appears in spring. It also grows slowly, so it won't solve Luomu City's salt problem in the short term."
Hu Li was surprised: "Miss Ye, have you seen this tree?"
"Of course, the resources inside the pass are abundant, and this tree can be found everywhere. It is difficult to grow it in the wasteland."
Hu Li, who was originally full of confidence, began to feel nervous. "Is that so? Then we also have Liuguangjin and pearl and jade treasures. These trees are not worth much, so they can be given as a gift."
Ye Nuan smiled and said, "How can I let you guys deliver it? I'll take you to see the grain first. If you think it's suitable, we can discuss the price later."
Hu Li and Ye Nuan went to inspect the grain. Despite their preparedness, they were stunned by the overflowing cellars of fruits and vegetables and the granaries of wheat and rapeseed. After viewing the grain, the two parties sat down for a lengthy discussion, ultimately agreeing on a price 30% lower than the Creation Pavilion's. Ye Nuan had also gifted them some fruit tree saplings, and as a token of their reciprocity, they also gave Ye Nuan some wood salt saplings, promising to bring new ones in exchange.
Both parties, hosts and guests, were delighted.
They came from afar and planned to stay at the ranch for two days before returning.
During the day, Liu Yu tried to pester Ye Nuan but was always interrupted by Qi Wuze and Chu Xuesong. At night, he refused to do anything and simply stayed outside Ye Nuan's door, holding the quilt. When Ye Nuan ignored him, he slept on the floor in the corridor, shouting, "Sis, if you ignore me, just let me freeze to death."
The attendant who had followed her, not knowing what to do, hurried to fetch Hu Li, who had already decided to go to sleep. After hearing the report, she scoffed, "Let him be. He's the young master, and we have no objection to him wanting to sleep on the floor. Keep the cold medicine ready. Give him medicine if he gets sick, and bring him back to Liuguang City alive." This ancestor was too difficult to serve; she didn't want to bother with him at all.
Both doors were closed. When Qi Wuze left, Liu Yu snorted coldly and rolled her eyes at him. He didn't get angry either. He raised an eyebrow and walked to the terrace and opened the door. The cold wind rushed into the room. Liu Yu shivered with cold and hugged the quilt tightly, refusing to leave.
After Qi Wuze entered the house, Chu Xuesong came with a mop to mop the floor. The mop was wet and dripped water as he walked, making the entire corridor wet. The wind was so cold that it was bone-chilling.
After everyone left, Liu Yu hid in the quilt, shivering and gritting his teeth.
I won’t leave, I won’t leave!
So the next day he really caught a cold. A big bowl of bitter medicine was placed in front of him, and his face wrinkled like a bitter melon. Seeing Ye Nuan coming over with candied fruit, he said aggrievedly: "Sister - sister"
Ye Nuan was about to laugh: "Why don't you just stop messing around? You have to make yourself like this!"
He stayed in the yard wrapped in clothes, basking in the sun, and said unhappily, "I just want to be closer to my sister. Sister, why don't you come back to Liuguang City with me tomorrow? I will marry you, and you will be the wife of the Lord of Liuguang City from now on."
Qi Wuze came out of the house and happened to hear these words. He stood still, his eyes fixed on Ye Nuan. Since the night before, she had been avoiding him, and she was busy during the day, so there was no chance for contact.
I just let her like me, why is her reaction not right?
Qi Wuze thought about it for a whole day and night, and the more he thought about it, the worse he felt.
He couldn't go against his will, so Ye Nuan deliberately said, "It's not necessary for the City Lord's wife. If you can let me be the City Lord, I can consider it."
Liu Yu was a little distressed: "City Lord? That might be a little difficult. How about you wait until I become the City Lord and then give it to you?"
"Then wait until you become the city lord."
Liu Yu was worried: "Well, what if you marry someone else before I become the city lord?"
"Then you have to work hard."
Liu Yu rolled his eyes and asked again: "Sister, do you have someone you like?" If there is, he would kidnap her directly.
Qi Wuze squeezed his hands nervously, his eyes fixed on her slim back.
"No."
"City Lord Qi." Chu Xuesong appeared behind Qi Wuze, and the shout startled Ye Nuan so much that she turned around immediately.
Qi Wuze stood ten steps away, watching her, his brows slightly furrowed, his whole body filled with the aura of keeping strangers away. Ye Nuan thought he would be angry, but he just looked at her, without saying a word or moving away.
Ye Nuan suddenly felt annoyed and at a loss, but then she thought that she had done nothing wrong, so why should she be afraid that Qi Wuze would hear it.
She smiled, took the bowl from Liu Yu's hand and walked towards the kitchen.
Qi Wuze's eyes followed her figure, finally settling on the doorframe of the kitchen. Liu Yu ate candied fruit while slurring his words, "Sister said I can marry her when I become city lord. You guys should stay out of her way."
Chu Xuesong chuckled and looked at Qi Wuze, "There's already a city lord here, and Ah Nuan hasn't shown any interest in him. You'd better not even think about being the future city lord."
Qi Wuze's eyes passed from Chu Xuesong to Liu Yu, and he waved at him in a calm voice: "Come here."
Liu Yu didn't understand what was going on and stared at him warily: "What are you doing!"
Qi Wuze sneered: "Why, you don't dare?"
Liu Yu stood up and said, "Do you think I'm afraid of you?" He gritted his teeth and followed Qi Wuze to the small wooden building, all the way to the terrace on the second floor. The door slammed shut, and then he heard screams that were louder and louder coming from inside.
Ye Nuan and Su ran out immediately after hearing the noise. Seeing Chu Xuesong standing at the main entrance on the first floor with a leisurely demeanor, they asked in confusion, "What happened upstairs?"
His peach blossom eyes curved and he chuckled, "It's okay, someone deserves a beating!"
The mother and daughter looked at each other and walked away in silence.
A moment later, Liu Yu followed the cheerful Qi Wuze out, his brows drooping, his arms folded and trembling, looking very pitiful. Chu Xuesong glanced at him and laughed, "Don't hit people in the face. Why didn't City Lord Qi remember this when he hit me?"
Qi Wuze sneered: "Why do you want to stay if you are shameless?"
Chu Xuesong's smile froze on his face. He was asking for a scolding!
City Lord Qi is much more foul-mouthed than Liu Yuke!
Everyone was still chatting and laughing on the grassland. Qi Wuze said to the person behind him, "You go too."
Liu Yu trembled, didn't dare to say a word, and walked away quickly with his head hung.
Qi Wuze saw Chu Xuesong and asked, "You're not leaving?"
Chu Xuesong: "."
He didn't move. Qi Wuze frowned and ignored him. He turned and walked into the kitchen, then stood at the door and looked at Ye Nuan.
"I have something to ask you!"
Su looked at Ye Nuan and then at Qi Wuze, and quickly put down the spatula in her hand, "Well, then I'll go out first, you guys chat."
"Mom!" Su ignored her completely, and Ye Nuan had no choice but to look at Qi Wuze.
"Ask."
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