Chapter 93◇
◎The Blue-Clad Gentleman◎
Now that Feng Ran is feeling better, her trip to Ancheng cannot be delayed.
To be honest, Feng Ran didn't feel that there was anything wrong with her body, but Duan Jingchuan was always worried and consulted many doctors, but they still couldn't figure out why her appetite had suddenly decreased.
The doctor didn't know Feng Ran's original appetite, and only told Duan Jingchuan not to worry. Now Feng Ran's appetite was no different from that of a normal girl. Helpless, Duan Jingchuan had no choice but to put the matter aside. The situation in Ancheng could not be delayed any longer.
To reach Ancheng, one needs to cross a canyon or climb a mountain. With so many people and vehicles, the only option was to detour around the bottom of the canyon.
Fortunately, winter was over and the snow on the mountain was not too deep, so there would be no avalanches. The reason for the rush was that the rainy season would begin in a few days, making the mountain roads difficult to travel.
"Husband, you are so good to me." Feng Ran felt very guilty seeing that Duan Jingchuan had lost weight from all the trouble of going to Ancheng for peace. Ancheng was just something she mentioned casually, but she didn't expect Duan Jingchuan to take it to heart.
"Madam is also very good." Duan Jingchuan has gradually gotten used to Feng Ran's daily confessions, at least he no longer blushes in front of outsiders, and he can handle the counter-confessions with ease.
Of course, Feng Ran didn't consider this a confession, since sweet talk was commonplace for her.
Duan Jingchuan was indeed a bit overwhelmed on his first long trip, fearing that he might not be able to take care of everything. However, it was also a novel experience for him. He had never realized how wonderful the world was until he went out into the world, since he had only stayed in the Marquis's residence.
Despite his large business empire in the capital, it's all thanks to Chunyu Zhu and Zhao Yue's tireless efforts. He mainly offers advice and financial support from behind the scenes.
Although it was Feng Ran who suggested coming to Ancheng, it was actually him who wanted to get out and see the world. Sure enough, after leaving the atmosphere of the capital, he felt much more relaxed, and even when interacting with many strangers, he was less afraid.
When they reached the canyon, Duan Jingchuan was filled with amazement. Beijing is mostly plains, and he had rarely seen towering mountains. Ever since Feng Ran said that she was that little stone, he had developed a fondness for strange stones.
The mountains shrouded in mist before them resembled the fairyland described in poetry. Duan Jingchuan turned to Feng Ran and asked, "Would Madam be interested in getting out of the carriage and taking a walk with me?"
Feng Ran followed Duan Jingchuan's gaze and suddenly smiled, "Is my husband taking me back to my parents' home?"
Duan Jingchuan tilted his head. "If that's what you think, Madam, it's not unreasonable."
The terrain in the north is mostly flat, but here there is a canyon called Longtan (Dragon Pool).
Spring has returned to the earth, but the spring breeze has not yet covered the entire canyon. Looking into the distance, the canyon is still covered in silver, and the spectacular icefalls can be seen everywhere. It can be described as a masterpiece of nature.
Further in, there is a stone forest where, over thousands of years, the caves formed from the earth have been connected in a magnificent manner, showcasing the beauty of nature.
Feng Ran took a deep breath. "The air here is so comforting! Do you think this could be my hometown?"
Duan Jingchuan understood Feng Ran's meaning; the lady only remembered her past life but not her origins. And the stone he often held in his arms as a child did indeed have similar patterns to the strange stones here.
If there is indeed a connection, then Feng Ran's inexplicable desire to come to Ancheng before can be explained.
If this is Feng Ran's previous life, does that mean...?
Anxiety gradually crept into Duan Jingchuan's heart. He subconsciously tightened his grip on Feng Ran's waist, holding her tightly in his arms, afraid that she would disappear if he let go.
Despite her usual carefree attitude, Feng Ran never hesitates when it comes to Duan Jingchuan's affairs. "What's wrong, husband? Are you cold?"
The canyon was cold and chilly, with a cold wind blowing. If you ignored the beautiful scenery around you, it would truly feel like being in an ice cave.
Duan Jingchuan shook his head, still maintaining his possessive posture. Feng Ran frowned, didn't ask any more questions, and instinctively leaned close to Duan Jingchuan, following him like a boneless creature.
Despite bearing the weight of two people, Duan Jingchuan felt no discomfort, and his complexion seemed to have improved.
The two of them thus separated from the main group and strolled around leisurely, enjoying the scenery.
The group was quite at ease, because their convoy was very long and there was only one route through the canyon. This place was usually very peaceful and there were no bandits or robbers. If the two of them wanted to wander around the depths of the canyon, it would be fine.
Of course, this only means they don't follow him openly; there are definitely people protecting him in the shadows.
They walked until they reached a secluded spot before Duan Jingchuan spoke again, "Madam, do you remember why you came here, and whether you might return someday?"
Suppressing his reluctance, Duan Jingchuan asked these questions in a calm tone.
Feng Ran seemed to sense something and instead of answering, asked, "Are you worried that I might leave suddenly, just like I came here unexpectedly?"
Duan Jingchuan didn't know how to describe Feng Ran's occasional sensitivity and confusion, but since Feng Ran had already asked, he couldn't lie to her.
Even though he felt a thousand and one things he was reluctant to part with, he couldn't bear to think that his wife must have gone through great hardships to cultivate herself from a stubborn rock. He couldn't bear to let her waste this hundred years of foolishness because of him.
Suppressing the dark thoughts surging within him, Duan Jingchuan put on a composed and serene demeanor. "I was afraid that Madam would miss the opportunity to return."
"You're lying, it hurts so much." Feng Ran touched Duan Jingchuan's heart, then touched her own, and felt utterly disgusted that Duan Jingchuan wasn't telling the truth.
Duan Jingchuan opened his mouth, but couldn't utter a single word that he wasn't lying.
Feng Ran didn't expect to hear anything from him, and said to herself, "I don't think I can go back. When I regained consciousness, all I saw was a red veil, and then I saw you. Duan Jingchuan, maybe I'm being a bit dogmatic, but I still want to say that I came here for you."
Feng Ran rarely takes anything seriously, and she seldom makes any firm certainty about anything, but she spoke these words with absolute certainty, not as if she were just being perfunctory or making empty promises.
Duan Jingchuan's heart was pounding with desire, and all he wanted to do was hold Feng Ran tightly in his arms.
"Oh dear, this is terrible! Whose young couple is not content with just being affectionate at home, but has to come all this way to torture this old man's ears?"
A young voice suddenly rang out above them, startling Duan Jingchuan so much that he immediately shielded Feng Ran behind him and nervously looked around.
Feng Ran looked up, staring directly at a spot in the tree canopy, and shouted, "Who's playing tricks?"
“Young lady, that’s not right. I was the old man sleeping here first, and then you two disturbed my peaceful sleep. How can you say I’m playing tricks on you?”
A figure in sapphire blue lightly leaped down from the treetop. No one expected that Ren, who kept calling himself an old man, actually looked to be only in his early twenties. He had a very refined and handsome face, but also an indescribable wildness. Even in the dead of winter, he was waving a folding fan and standing there in a rather flamboyant manner.
"Look closely now, I was the one who arrived here first. Then you two ran to the tree and got all lovey-dovey, forcing this old man to speak up and nag you a bit, lest you get styes later."
Duan Jingchuan knew from the sight of the person leaping down that this was a highly skilled individual. After all, they had been unreasonable first and should indeed apologize.
"It was wrong of us to disturb your peaceful sleep, young master. My wife and I will leave now."
"Hey, hey, stop right there!" The young man in blue carefully examined the two of them, his gaze lingering on Feng Ran for a moment before continuing, "You two look quite wealthy. Do you have anything to eat? This old man has been starving for days."
The moment food was mentioned, the handsome young man immediately tore off his wild facade and put on a pitiful and aggrieved look. Duan Jingchuan actually saw two shadows of Feng Ran in him, and secretly shook his head, thinking that he must be overthinking it.
Encountering a stranger deep in the mountains is not something one should normally trust, but Duan Jingchuan could see clearly that this young master was quite skilled. Their guards were far away, and if a conflict broke out, the two of them would suffer. It was better to let him have his way, since he couldn't cause any trouble on his own.
He nodded and said, "That's how it should be. Please follow me, young master. The carriage is just ahead, and there are some provisions there."
The young man in blue glanced around, unfolded his folding fan to half-conceal his expression, and pretended to be shy: "Then this old man will not be polite."
This young master keeps referring to himself as "this old man," and Duan Jingchuan doesn't know where this custom comes from, but he doesn't want to offend him.
On the way back, the group quickened their pace considerably. Duan Jingchuan never forgot to hold Feng Ran's hand tightly, shielding her from the scrutinizing gazes behind them.
The blue-robed young man was separated from her, but Feng Ran's initiative could not be stopped. She looked at the brocade-clad young man with curiosity and whispered in Duan Jingchuan's ear, "My husband smells so good."
Duan Jingchuan paused, his eyes immediately turning dangerous as he glanced at the new tagalong behind him, muttering to himself, "This young master looks rather effeminate; what's so good-looking about him?"
This was the first time Feng Ran had ever complimented a man's scent, which made Duan Jingchuan feel a strong sense of crisis. Feng Ran had initially taken a liking to him precisely because of his face and his scent; could this uninvited man become the second?
Thinking of this, Duan Jingchuan didn't care what the people behind him thought. With a flick of his sleeve, he pulled Feng Ran back into his arms and forced her to look ahead. "Madam, watch your step, don't fall."
Feng Ran quietly stuck out her tongue, obediently turned her head, and focused intently on the road beneath her feet, occasionally glancing at Duan Jingchuan's perfect profile.
The young man in blue, observing the interaction between the two, taunted them rather tactlessly: "Young sir, the lady beside you clearly prefers my face. Even if you don't let her see it, you can't change that fact."
Feng Ran turned around abruptly, glaring at the blue-robed young man with an unfriendly expression. "Don't talk nonsense. What I like most about my husband is his face. You are at most second."
If Feng Ran could resist the lingering gaze on the young man in blue when she was saying harsh words, her words would be more believable.
Seeing Feng Ran's reluctance to part, Duan Jingchuan's expression turned even more grim, and the dark clouds swirling in the depths of his eyes seemed to want to devour him.
The young man in blue seemed oblivious to Duan Jingchuan's unfriendly expression, and curled his lips into what he considered a smile that could charm the world. "I'm quite content to be ranked second. After all, my face is still relatively fresh. The young man beside you gets old after a while. Why not take a closer look at me?"
"No need. There are plenty of pretty maids in the house; my wife can't take them all in." Duan Jingchuan held Feng Ran's head in his mouth, preventing her from turning around, while he gritted his teeth and glanced sideways at the young man in blue.
A note from the author:
Guess who this young man in blue is. It would be even better if you could contribute a name to him (I'm terrible at naming things).
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