Chapter 147 - Queen's Birthday Banquet
Chapter 147 - Queen's Birthday Banquet
Seris went to talk to his father, and before leaving, he patted Ning Fei on the shoulder: "Don't go, wait for me to come back and give me your answer."
"..." Ning Fei really wanted to refuse on the spot, but Seris had already left.
Before turning around, Duke Bartley's eyes fell on Ning Fei and he even looked at Ning Fei for a moment. Then he turned back and left with his youngest son.
Ning Fei always felt that this man's gaze was somewhat meaningful.
— Are you looking at me because of Seris?
——After all, I no longer exist in his memory...
***
When Ning Fei chose Duke Bartley, she was not yet called "Ning Fei". At that time, the Duke of Bartley was only twenty years old, and Ning Fei was only fifteen years old.
Fifteen years old may sound very young, but in fact it is much later than the "night of selling body" of other apprentices. In that time and in that world, even the queen would get married at the age of fourteen. Ning Fei was able to survive to this age by maneuvering, and even became a "candidate for the Son of God" before he got into bed. In addition to the priest who adopted him manipulating and raising the price, Ning Fei's own intelligence and cleverness were also an important reason.
The Duke of Bartley was chosen because he had a bad temper.
Yes, Ning Fei deliberately chose such a partner instead of the kind of playboy who seemed easy to get along with. The Duke of Bartley is proud and conceited. He is not good at making "gentlemanly concessions" for the sake of beauties, nor does he have the patience to play the little games of coquetry between lovers. Most importantly, the Duke of Bartley has a very strong sense of territory. Under the king, he was the only one who robbed others' things, and no one else robbed his - he might not even give face to princes and dukes. Therefore, once Ning Fei was registered under his name, he could legitimately reject other people's requests.
As for the Duke of Bartley's love for Ning Fei, it was probably because he just thought that Ning Fei was the most worthy lover for him at the time and the one who would bring him the most face, so he sent someone to find her. After throwing away a bunch of valuable gifts, Ning Fei really fell into his hands.
But if he is spared the sin of being dragged to bed by others, he will have to bear the sin of the Duke of Bartley. This man is really not gentle in bed and has no intention of being gentle with women. In particular, he likes riding horses and hunting, and he doesn't know how to hold back when he attacks. If you resist him, he will be even more violent. Ning Fei was forced into a corner and privately inquired about a bunch of new ways to play, and then told Duke Bartley that he would take the initiative to demonstrate them. The Duke's vanity was satisfied by this behavior of "he has learned so much for me", and he often let Ning Fei take the initiative, so Ning Fei suffered less. It was at this time that Ning Fei developed the habit of "taking the initiative = less suffering".
But apart from that, Duke Bartley is a very good lover to Ning Fei. He didn't need Ning Fei to revolve around him, and when he took Ning Fei to a party, he only wanted Ning Fei to be an exquisite decoration and didn't need to please other nobles. Whenever the Duke was happy and saw gems or famous wines, he would order a portion to be sent to Ning Fei; if he didn't want the prey after hunting, he would directly have someone give it all to Ning Fei to be made into fur coats. He may not like Ning Fei very much, this is just his aristocratic style, but it is enough to show his "ownership" of Ning Fei. Under the protection of his reputation, Ning Fei lived a peaceful life for several years.
So Ning Fei neither hates nor loves him, and has no particular thoughts about him. It was Ning Fei who chose him in the first place, so there was nothing to blame.
But when he came back now, Duke Bartley was already over fifty years old, while Ning Fei was still youthful. This world has completely erased all traces of Ning Fei's previous existence. Everything has truly changed.
***
After Seris came back from talking with the Duke, he looked at Ning Fei with a strange look in his eyes.
Ning Fei: "Mr. Bartley?"
"Sometimes, blood is a magical thing." Seris sighed, "My father asked who you are. He never asked about my lover, nor did he bother to find one himself. The church would give him 'dedication' toys, and the girls would take the initiative to surround him. He couldn't lack these, you know."
Ning Fei: “…”
It’s really amazing that appearance preferences can be passed down from generation to generation. Moreover, over the years, the Duke's taste has remained consistent, which in a sense makes him quite "loyal".
But Ning Fei didn't want to dwell on this, and just replied: "I'm not your lover, Mr. Bartley."
"You can be." Seris smiled with his eyes downcast, twisting the big gem ring on his finger, "Doctor Ning, since Earl Andrew has a new lover, why do you have to hang yourself on this tree? What he can give you, don't I need it? And with your looks, coming and going in the homes of nobles, sometimes others are not as gentlemanly and patient as me. For example, my father was whipped by his whip and vomited blood more than once... You are a smart person, right?"
Ning Fei thought that the Duke had changed, and had become even more evil. These thirty years had not been wasted.
——But he has also started to use props, so he can’t be in trouble…
However, it is normal that most nobles who indulge in lust suffer from kidney failure early.
Ning Fei thought jokingly, and turned his head to look at Seris: "Mr. Seris, I have to admit that you did scare me a little. But I don't like to deal with two people at the same time, it's a bit too busy."
"If I take you to the Queen's birthday party, you will be mine. Earl Andrew will not be stupid enough to compete with me for a lover in front of the royal family." Seris was confident. "Besides, I guess he will definitely go with Miar. If you want to show off with him, I don't mind."
Ning Fei: “…”
At first glance it may sound like a show of affection, but in fact, what is the difference between letting your lover compete with each other for beauty and cricket fighting?
"I don't think I've lived too long." Ning Fei replied calmly, "I'm just a commoner, it's not appropriate for me to show off at the Queen's banquet."
"Then go and have some fun." Siris felt that Ning Fei's attitude had finally softened, and subconsciously tugged at his tie. "Also, I promise not to share you with anyone else. How about that? Even if you don't like it, I can't bear to let you go."
Ning Fei raised an eyebrow: "Including when the Duke explicitly proposed it?"
Seris: “…”
Ning Fei: Ha, the words of the nobles are deceiving.
"I'll try my best, dear little doctor. If it really doesn't work, at least I promise not to let you suffer in his hands, and to keep you from getting torn to pieces. My father will still give me this bit of face, and even only give it to me." Seris took off the big gem ring, held it in his palm and handed it to Ning Fei, and encouraged him again, "You have seen many little beauties being tortured, but you should know that there are not many people as patient as me..."
Ning Fei finally raised his hand and took off the ring.
Seris' eyes lit up, and just as he was about to say something, Ning Fei twisted the ring around and smiled, "Find an empty room."
Seris's smile widened. He immediately left the others and took Ning Fei out of the hall. The other guests didn't say much. They all cast ambiguous glances at him, as if they knew everything.
Walking through the corridor, away from the laughter and joy, the depths of the castle became quiet and cold. Seris was indeed quite concerned about Ning Fei's (first time), so he did not take her to the guest room where she could hear the noise from next door, but instead brought her to her own master bedroom.
As the door slammed shut, Seris impatiently grabbed Ning Fei's wrist and tried to push him against the door.
Ning Fei covered his mouth with her backhand and smiled slightly: "Shh, listen——"
Buzz——! ! !
There was a sudden roar, like a huge bell echoing in the air, and Seris fell to his knees with a thud.
***
A week after Seris's party was the Queen's birthday party.
Since the banquet, Ning Fei and the duke's youngest son have never met again. Of course, this is the effect of the "Oracle". When the white light shines, your heart becomes clear and your desires are few. In the short term, let alone not looking for Ning Fei, he probably wouldn't look for other lovers, maids, or even his own right hand.
But this did not stop Seris from continuing to send gifts to Ning Fei, and the trend was getting even more "crazy". It’s just that his gift changed from being full of ambiguity and suggestion to something increasingly holy and bright. He even began to customize white robes and cloaks with gold edges for Ning Fei, which looked exactly like the saints and priests of the church. Needless to say, he had been brainwashed by Ning Fei's false "divinity", and the influence of light magic on him was lasting and profound. When Seris sent things to Ning Fei, he had completely forgotten that Ning Fei's main color scheme was usually gloomy and dark. Even if he remembered, he would only think that these shabby things from the common people were not worthy of Ning Fei.
On the day of the Queen's birthday party, Seris even wanted to go to Minmin Street to pick up Ning Fei in person. Ning Fei immediately rejected the servant who came to notify her in advance. He joked that if Seris's fancy carriage came, Ning Fei would never have a peaceful life in the future. With thieves and robbers coming and going all the time, you can't expect to sleep well at night.
Ning Fei chose to take his own car to meet up with Seris.
As dusk approached, an inconspicuous black carriage stopped at the gate of Seris's castle.
Seris's carriage was waiting here, and he himself couldn't help but come and open the door for Ning Fei himself. The attentive look made the butler who was following nearby tremble with fear, and he felt that his noble master had lost his mind.
Seris didn't care what the servants were thinking. He looked up at the people in the carriage with admiration and eagerness, and was stunned.
"Why are you wearing this today?"
Ning Fei was actually dressed quite luxuriously today. The main color was purple, and the fabric was made of high-quality suede, with exquisite workmanship and high-end aesthetics. It is relatively low-key in the dark, and only reflects an elegant purple glow under the light. The accessories also match the outfit, there are more darks than brights, but every sparkle is a finishing touch. Ning Fei also wore the ring that Seris had taken off her hand and given to her, and also added a large gem brooch of a similar style, which made him look more noble and mysterious.
"I think this one is the most suitable." Ning Fei thought to herself that this was the most low-key set of clothes this guy sent, so what else could she choose if not this one. Is she really going to wear all light-colored clothes to steal the spotlight from Miar's candidates for the Son of God? It's not like I'm sick.
And in comparison, this set is indeed Ning Fei's favorite, and it is also a lucky coincidence for Seris.
"But this is not..."
"Okay, let's not dwell on this topic. We are running out of time." Ning Fei interrupted him and helped him get off the carriage. "Let's go."
"Oh, yes, please get on my carriage... You are wearing the ring I gave you!" Seris saw Ning Fei's hand clearly, and his eyes lit up immediately, "Is it going to become a holy object?"
The housekeeper simply didn't listen and felt that his master's love words were becoming more and more out of tune.
Only Ning Fei understood what Seris was talking about. He got on the luxurious carriage and smiled.
"Yes, loyalty and devotion will be rewarded with holy relics."
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