Chapter 102: Holding the Little Princess to Court
The sunlight once again shines through the window lattice, trying to wake up this mansion shrouded in sweetness and fatigue.
Inside the bridal chamber, the devastated remains of the battlefield silently told how "tragic" the past six days and six nights had been.
The priceless shark silk gauze and flowing brocade fragments were scattered on the expensive Persian carpet, the footstool, and even on the leaves of the precious black orchid hanging in the corner, as if swept by a hurricane, shining with broken light in the morning light.
The enchanting fragrance of the "Double Blossoms·Blissful Worry-Free Cream Plus Pro Max" in the air has become extremely thin after seven days of "high-intensity consumption", and is almost completely covered by another more primitive and richer scent - that is sweat, lust and some kind of... hormone smell called "Nangong Ye" emitted after the perpetual motion machine is running.
On the huge rosewood bed, Dongfang Yuning was like a pitiful rag doll that had been completely drained of all its strength, sinking limply into the soft bedding.
She was only casually wearing a loose middle-length coat of Nangong Ye's, with the collar slightly open, revealing a large patch of ambiguous bright red marks on her neck and collarbone that had not yet faded, extending deep into the fabric.
Her long black hair was spread messily on the pillow, making her beautiful little face look pale and almost transparent. There were deep bruises under her eyes, as dark as a panda's. Her lips were slightly red and swollen, and at this moment they were unconsciously slightly open, making extremely subtle breathing sounds with a strong sense of fatigue.
His entire body, from hair to toes, exuded an extreme sense of exhaustion, as if every joint in his bones had been squeezed dry and his soul had been out of his body for days.
System 118? That cowardly Tongzi who failed at the crucial moment? Ever since being forced offline by Nangong Ye's SSS+-level life force on his wedding night, he had completely fallen into a deep state of autism and hibernation. No matter how Dongfang Yuning called out to him affectionately, cursed him, or cried out for his parents in his mind, nothing came to his ears.
[118! You traitor! Coward! You ran faster than a rabbit at the crucial moment! Leaving me alone to face this... this insatiable beast! Wuuwuwu... My waist... My legs... It feels like they're not mine anymore...]
Dongfang Yuning wailed in the remaining fragments of consciousness, but unfortunately no one responded.
At that moment, a large, bony hand with thin calluses gently touched her slightly cold cheek. The gesture was incredibly gentle, filled with an inextricable tenderness.
"Ning'er...baby...wake up?"
Nangong Ye's low and hoarse voice, yet full of satisfaction and pampering, sounded in his ears.
Dongfang Yuning didn't even bother to lift her eyelids. She only let out a very weak hum from her nose, which was full of resistance and grievance. She subconsciously shrank her little head into the quilt, trying to block out the source of the sound that disturbed her sweet dreams, even though she had never woken up.
Nangong Ye looked at the pitiful appearance of his little princess, who had completely lost her temper due to being loved so much. Instead of feeling any guilt, his icy face was filled with a smile that could be described as smug and refreshed.
He leaned over, and his hot lips landed on her smooth forehead with a soothing look. Then he moved his lips along the bridge of her nose, gently pecking at her slightly swollen lips, rubbing them together, trying to wake her up gently but forcefully.
"Be good, you can't sleep anymore."
His voice was like the most mellow wine, with a coaxing
"Today I have to go to court with my husband and serve tea to my mother."
Going to court?! Serving tea?!
These words were like thunder, instantly splitting Dongfang Yuning's chaotic consciousness!
She suddenly opened her big bloodshot eyes filled with confusion about who she was, where she was, and why she was still alive. She stared in disbelief at the handsome face in front of her, which looked like a "death warrant" to her!
[Going to court?! Serving tea?! Nangong Ye! Are you still human?!]
Dongfang Yuning's heart exploded instantly.
You've trapped me in this 'Pansi Cave' for seven days and seven nights! I drank enough ginseng soup, chicken soup, and blood swallows to start a chicken farm! My bones are almost falling apart! You actually want me to go to work now?! And see my mother-in-law?! Do you think I'm a perpetual motion machine?! I'm going to fight you!!!"
A flood of grief, anger, and grievance instantly washed over her! Seven days of accumulated "blood and tears" flooded her mind—those battle armor torn to shreds, the Empress's painstaking efforts! Those ten bottles of Worry-Free Ointment, sold out, the one she both loved and hated, why had she been so eager to study it over a glass of wine? Those long nights when no matter how she protested, begged for mercy, or even feigned death, it was all in vain, only to be met with even deeper instruction...
"Wow..."
Physiological tears instantly filled his eyes. Dongfang Yuning pouted and wrinkled his face. He looked extremely aggrieved, as if he had been abandoned by the whole world. It was really pitiful to see him.
Nangong Ye looked at the little princess' eyes that were instantly filled with tears and her aggrieved and accusing look. His heart felt like it was gently scratched by a kitten's claws, and he felt numb and a little... guilty?
But he didn't show it at all, his shamelessness and clinginess were at their peak at this moment!
“Baby, don’t cry…”
He immediately transformed into a large loyal dog, stretched out his long arms, and scooped up the limp little woman, both her body and her blanket, into his arms. He rubbed his chin against the top of her soft hair, and his voice was so gentle that it could drip water.
"It's my husband's fault. Ning'er is tired."
As he spoke, he very naturally wiped away the tears that were about to fall from the corners of her eyes with his fingertips, his movements as gentle as if he were treating a rare treasure.
"But serving tea to the Queen Mother is a courtesy that cannot be omitted. The Queen Mother has been looking forward to meeting her new daughter-in-law for a long time."
He brought up the Queen Mother's mountain, and spoke sincerely.
"Besides, my husband is reluctant to leave Ning'er alone in the mansion and doesn't want to be apart for a moment."
He paused, leaned close to her ear, and whispered in a whisper that only the two of them could hear, with a hint of coquettishness:
"Ning'er, can you bear to let your husband go to court alone? Hmm?"
[Bah! You shameless bastard! Who kept me from leaving this room for seven days and seven nights?! Who blocked my sister and Yueyue from the yard?! And you're all alone?! I see you're full of energy! Your face is rosy! You look radiant! You look like you've taken a tonic!]
Dongfang Yuning was complaining madly in her heart, but her tears fell even more fiercely because of her extreme physical fatigue and the "gentle offensive" of this bastard.
Nangong Ye seemed not to "hear" her inner roar, and continued to coax her:
"Be good, your husband will carry you there later, and Ning'er will continue to sleep in the carriage. When we get to the palace, your husband will also hold you and will never let you get tired, okay?"
As he spoke, he motioned for the maids who had been waiting outside the door, watching closely, to come in.
So, with Dongfang Yuning having no desire to live and cooperating like a puppet, or rather giving up struggling, she was dressed up by the maids.
A bun? A simple, lazy bun with two low-key pearl hairpins.
Makeup? Just a light layer of powder to cover the dark circles under her eyes and her pale complexion, and a touch of rouge on her lips to brighten her complexion.
Clothes? She chose a relatively comfortable set of soft fabrics, with a bright red base and delicate dark patterns embroidered on the princess's daily clothes. It was both polite and took care of her comfort to the greatest extent.
During the entire process, Dongfang Yuning kept his eyes closed, his body as soft as cooked noodles, and he relied entirely on the maid for support.
It was not until she was picked up by Nangong Ye and wrapped in a thick and soft snow fox fur cloak that she reluctantly opened her eyelids.
The low-key and luxurious black prince's carriage from Prince Yong's Mansion was driving smoothly on the imperial road leading to the palace.
The carriage was covered with thick velvet blankets and filled with soothing warm incense.
Nangong Ye held the little princess, who was wrapped like a silkworm, firmly in his arms, letting her nestle in his arms in the most comfortable position.
Dongfang Yuning rested her head on his chest, listening to his steady and powerful heartbeat, with his unique fresh scent lingering around her nose. The fatigue of the past few days swept over her like a tide.
The gentle rocking of the carriage became the perfect lullaby. Almost immediately after the wheels began turning, she fell into a deep, sweet dream again, her mouth slightly open, her breathing steady and long.
Nangong Ye lowered his eyes and looked at the peaceful sleeping face of the person in his arms, with deep doting and satisfaction in his eyes.
He adjusted his position to allow her to sleep more peacefully, his fingertips unconsciously entwining a strand of her loose black hair.
However, outside the carriage, the scene was completely different!
When Prince Yong's carriage appeared on the familiar imperial road in front of the palace gate, all the ministers, palace maids, and guards who were preparing to go to court seemed to have pressed the pause button!
The air is dead silent!
There is no deafening public bombardment of voices!
There were no wails of "bitter tea murder"!
There is no nagging about accusing the “black-hearted capitalist brother-in-law”!
There wasn't even a slight energy fluctuation!
This…this is so abnormal! So weird! So…disturbing!
The elites of the Yan Kingdom, accustomed to attending court every day with the "Symphony of the Heart" of Princess Fuxing, now felt a hollowness in their ears and hearts. Something was wrong with their bodies! They felt lightheaded even when they walked!
[Hiss! Why is it so quiet today?]
An old minister scratched his ears, wondering if he was hallucinating.
[The princess, not the princess...didn't come today?]
Another minister craned his neck and tried to peek through the crack in the window of the prince's carriage.
[That's not right! The prince's carriage has clearly arrived! Could it be... that the princess is still sleeping?]
The Minister of Revenue felt a pang of anxiety.
[It's over, it's over. Has the princess been...sucked dry by the prince? She doesn't even have the energy to turn on her phone?!]
[Amitabha… Your Majesty is mighty… Princess, take care…]
The Minister of Rites silently lit a candle in his heart for the poor little princess.
My gossip radar...isn't working? First day without the melon field. Thinking about it...
A certain young censor felt empty, lonely and cold inside.
In this eerie and oppressive silence, Prince Yong's carriage stopped steadily at the palace gate.
The car curtain opened.
The first thing that caught everyone's eyes was Prince Yong Nangong Ye's handsome face, which was still stern, but with a hint of satisfaction and gentleness, which seemed to everyone to be the smug face of "having eaten and drunk enough".
Then, everyone's gaze, like searchlights, suddenly focused on his arms - the figure wrapped tightly in snow-white fox fur, with only a rosy sleeping face exposed!
Dongfang Yuning! Princess Fuxing! The walking Bagua machine and auspicious sign of Yan Kingdom! At this moment, like a sleeping kitten, she curled up unconsciously and trustingly in Prince Yong's broad arms! Sleeping so soundly!
Her little mouth was slightly open, her long eyelashes cast a faint shadow under her eyes, her breathing was even, and she was completely unaware of the hundreds of shocked, curious, sympathetic, and hilarious glances from all around her!
Nangong Ye carefully lifted the person in his arms up again to make sure she would not slip. Then, in full view of everyone, with an attitude of absolute possession and declaration of sovereignty, he held his sleeping little princess in his arms and walked steadily, step by step, into the palace gate!
Wherever he passed, the crowds automatically made way for him, like Moses parting the sea. Everyone held their breath, their eyes wide as bells, their hearts instantly filled with comments!
[Holy crap! He really came here with me?!]
[Your Majesty! You really don't treat us as outsiders!]
[Is the princess... so 'loved' that she can't even walk?!]
[Seven days! I haven't left my room for seven whole days! Your fighting power, Your Highness... is terrifying!]
[Look at the princess sleeping like that...tsk tsk, how badly must she have been tortured? My heart aches (but I really want to laugh)!]
[It's over. I feel like the court is going to lose its only source of joy today... The prince's old house is on fire, burn the little princess hard...]
The men of the Dongfang family were also among the crowd. Grand Tutor Dongfang Yanru, watching his precious daughter, unconscious, being held in the arms of his son-in-law, felt a sharp pain in his heart. His graying beard trembled with anger, and the ivory tablet in his hand seemed to be nearly shattered.
[Nangong Ye! You inhuman bastard! How old is my Ning'er?! Can she withstand your constant torment day and night?! You beast! Worse than a beast!]
The old father was roaring in his heart and tears were almost coming out.
The boss Dongfang Liezheng clenched his fists so hard that they made a clattering sound, and the murderous intent in his eyes almost solidified into substance!
[Lord Dog! Let go of my sister! I want to fight you one on one!]
If the second brother Dongfang Qi Chen had not held his arm tightly, he would probably have rushed forward and staged a scene of uncle beating up his brother-in-law.
The second son, Dongfang Qi Chen, also had a gentle face filled with gloom and heartache at this moment. Looking at his sister's pale face and the bruises under her eyes, his heart was broken.
[The palace is as deep as the sea... You are not lying to me! Prince Yong... you... Alas! Ning'er has suffered!]
He was already thinking about whether he should go to the Imperial Hospital to get some thousand-year-old ginseng to nourish his sister.
Nangong Ye ignored the complicated looks from all around him. He held the little man in his arms as if he were a rare treasure and walked straight towards the Golden Throne Hall.
There was only one thought in my mind: to quickly send Ning'er to her sister in Fengyi Palace so that she could have a good sleep.
The atmosphere inside the Golden Throne Hall was even more eerie than at the palace gate.
Emperor Nangong Yu sat upright on the dragon throne, watching his younger brother walk in holding his unconscious sister-in-law. The corners of his mouth twitched imperceptibly, and a mischievous smile of "as expected" and "well done" flashed across his eyes.
[Tsk, this A-ye kid... is pretty good! It seems the 'Nine-Transformation Golden Crow Revitalizing Pill' is incredibly effective! And Ning girl looks so peaceful despite the loss of her essence... tsk, tsk, she's so peaceful!]
The emperor's brother-in-law silently gave a thumbs up in his heart.
The ministers watched each other intently, trying to maintain the solemnity of the court, but their eyes couldn't help but glance towards Prince Yong.
Nangong Ye was seen holding Dongfang Yuning and walking straight towards the small stool belonging to Princess Fuxing in the corner of the hall?!
Nangong Ye's brows furrowed slightly. This little stool? How could it possibly match the dignity and fragility of his Ning'er at this moment?
Just as Nangong Ye was about to sit down on the ground with the person in his arms (which was impossible of course), the emperor on the dragon throne spoke, his voice carrying a barely perceptible smile and thoughtfulness:
"Someone! Give Prince Yong and Princess a seat! Get a sturdy and spacious armchair! Princess... um... feels unwell and needs to rest."
Feeling unwell! These four words exploded like thunder in the hearts of the ministers! Everyone's expression control almost collapsed collectively!
Soon, a large, thickly cushioned armchair was brought up and placed a little in front of where Prince Yong usually stood (to make it easier for the prince to watch over him).
Nangong Ye was satisfied. He held Dongfang Yuning in his arms and sat down on the armchair very naturally, letting her sit sideways on his lap in a comfortable position, her little head resting on his solid chest, her body covered with his prince's cloak, only half of her rosy face exposed from sleep.
Dongfang Yuning seemed to sense the change in environment. He rubbed himself in Nangong Ye's arms in dissatisfaction, uttered a subtle moan filled with sleepiness, and then fell into a deep sleep again, even smacking his lips unconsciously.
Nangong Ye immediately adjusted her position to allow her to sleep more soundly, and his big hands gently patted her back, as if coaxing a baby.
That movement, that look, was so gentle that it could drown someone! He was completely different from the usual icy and fierce image!
In the Golden Palace, you can hear a pin drop.
All the ministers lowered their heads, their shoulders shrugged suspiciously, and they used all their life's skills to suppress their laughter! The memorials in their hands became the best artifact to cover their faces. In their hearts, they were already shouting:
[The princess is not feeling well! Hahahaha! Your Majesty, you are so good at talking!]
[The prince's attitude of 'protecting his son' (crossed out) and 'protecting his wife' is amazing!]
[The Grand Master's Chair! Sleeping in the throne room while holding the princess... This is absolutely a first in this dynasty!]
[The princess is sleeping so soundly... she must be exhausted... Your Majesty is mighty! (Thumbs up silently)]
[I feel like today's morning court... the style is strange and eerie... without the princess's "voice" accompaniment, I'm not used to it! ]
The Dongfang family father and son stood in the queue, watching their precious daughter/sister being held in Prince Yong's arms like a large pendant, sleeping soundly in the solemn and dignified Golden Throne Hall. Their emotions were so complicated that they were hard to describe.
Heartache, helplessness, bitterness, and a hint of... humiliation? Old father Dongfang Yanru almost pulled a few hairs out of his beard!
As this strange and quiet atmosphere, with only the faint sound of someone's breathing, continued to ferment—
[Sizzle…Sizzle…]
[Beep! Beep! Strong external interference detected, temporarily entering low-power operation mode...]
[System energy is recovering... 10%... 50%... 100%! ]
[Ding! The Melon Scratch-Off System 118 is back online! Reconnecting to the host... Connection successful!]
An electronic child's voice, with a guilty conscience and pretending to be calm, finally timidly sounded in Dongfang Yuning's mind:
Host?! Calling host! Are you okay?! Are you still alive?! Can you hear me?! 118 is back! These days... uh... the computer room is undergoing routine maintenance! Yes! Maintenance! The signal isn't very good! Are you... are you suffering?!
This familiar, cowardly and asking-for-a-beating voice was like the last straw that broke the camel's back, instantly igniting Dongfang Yuning's pent-up grievances, anger and grief of "surviving a disaster" for seven days and seven nights!
Dongfang Yuning, whose phone was forcibly turned on and whose consciousness was still struggling on the edge of sleepwalking and wakefulness, trembled suddenly in Nangong Ye's arms! His tightly closed eyes suddenly opened!
Although her body was still as soft as noodles and she didn't even have the strength to lift a finger, her beautiful big eyes instantly filled with crystal tears. With accusations, grievances, anger, and strong condemnation of the "traitors", she roared in her heart, shaking the world:
[118! You traitor! You coward! You're a fence-sitter! You still dare to come back?!]
[Wuwuwuwuwuwu… I’m dying! I’m really dying! ]
Seven days! Seven whole days! Do you know how I spent those seven days?! My bones are falling apart! My voice is hoarse! I've used up all the worry-free ointment! My battle suit is in rags!
[That bastard... he... he's not human! He's a perpetual motion machine! He's a glutton! He's... he's a monster that sucks people's energy!]
[How could you do that! You failed at the crucial moment! Maintenance?! Maintenance?! You're just a coward! You're just afraid of him! Leaving me alone to face the storm! Wuuuuu… My life is so miserable…]
This "inner accusation" filled with grief, indignation, and tears was like a bolt from the blue, instantly exploding in the minds of all the ministers who were almost hurt by the silence!
Everyone froze! Here it comes! A familiar recipe! A familiar taste! Princess Fuxing's "Voice of the Heart Radio Station" has finally resumed broadcasting!
That content… the amount of information was immense! The level of horror was off the charts! Everyone's shoulders were shaking even more, their abdominal muscles cramped from trying to hold back their laughter, and their faces flushed the color of liver!
The look he gave Prince Yong was filled with awe. He thought, "The prince is truly a god!" and sympathy for the princess.
Nangong Ye naturally "heard" the crying of the little woman in his arms clearly. His arms around her tightened instantly, and the smugness and satisfaction on his handsome face froze instantly, replaced by a hint of panic and heartache.
Oh no! Ning'er is so wronged! She's even started calling him a monster!
Attention must be diverted immediately!
"Ning'er~"
Nangong Ye immediately lowered his head, put his thin lips close to her ear, and used a whisper that only the two of them could hear. His voice was so gentle that it could squeeze out water. With twelve thousand points of flattery and coaxing, he instantly switched back to the "clingy big dog" mode:
"Are you awake? Are you hungry, baby?"
As he spoke, he naturally took out a delicate and small brocade bag embroidered with lotus flowers from his spacious prince's sleeve pocket, like a magic trick, and stuffed it into Dongfang Yuning's weak hand like offering a treasure.
"Here, take it. Your husband prepared this especially for you. It's filled with your favorite pine nut candies, candied plums, and freshly made rose pastries from the imperial kitchen! If you get hungry later, just take it out and secretly have a couple of bites to fill your stomach. Don't let your little darling go hungry!"
His tone was so natural, so considerate, so calm! The one who had just attracted everyone's attention by holding the Sleeping Beauty Princess in the court was not him, and it seemed that he was not the one who had "lost control" in the past seven days!
Dongfang Yuning was stunned by his sudden and extreme tenderness and feeding. Holding the warm, sweet-smelling little brocade bag in his hand, his heart full of grief and accusations was stuck in his throat, and he even forgot to continue denouncing her for a moment.
Tears were still hanging on her eyelashes, refusing to fall, her little mouth was pouting, and she looked aggrieved and a little confused, so cute that it was unfair!
However, this scene was like adding fuel to the fire in the eyes of the Dongfang family father and son who were secretly observing not far away!
Taifu Dongfang Yanru was so angry that he was shaking all over and roaring in his heart:
[Nangong Ye! You bastard! Stop pretending! You think you can get away with just some snacks?! Does my Ning'er need a bite from you?! You've squeezed her dry! Squeezed dry! Look at her pitiful state! The men of the Nangong family are no human beings! No human beings!]
Boss Dongfang Liezheng:
[My fists are hard! I want another one-on-one fight! Let me go!]
The second one, Dongfang Qichen:
[Alas… Your Highness… Your gentle knife… cuts flesh with every stroke… I’m afraid Ning’er will never be able to escape…]
Nangong Ye's heart melted as he looked at the cute little woman in his arms, pouting, tears in her eyes, clutching a small bag of snacks, looking extremely aggrieved and a little confused. He felt so distressed.
He completely ignored the death stares from his father-in-law and uncles that almost pierced through him, and continued to coax them as if no one was around:
"Baby, be good. Don't feel wronged anymore."
He patted her back gently, like coaxing a child.
"After the court is dismissed, your husband will carry you back to Fengyi Palace and let you have a good nap at your sister's place! Sleep until you wake up naturally! You won't feel uncomfortable after a good sleep, okay?"
His voice was not loud, but in the Golden Throne Hall where one could hear a pin drop, it was clearly heard by the ministers in the front row.
“…”
Your Majesty, isn’t your doting on your wife a little too…shocking?
Dongfang Yuning was slightly comforted by his "promise". In addition, he was extremely tired, and was tempted by the sweet fragrance wafting from the brocade bag, so his attention was indeed diverted.
She sniffed, and with a strong nasal sound, she hummed softly and aggrievedly in Nangong Ye's arms:
"...I also want to eat the crystal shrimp dumplings from my sister's palace..."
"Okay! Okay! Eat! Eat as much as you want!"
Nangong Ye agreed immediately, as if he had been pardoned, and held her hand tighter.
Seeing that the little princess finally stopped complaining and started thinking about food, Nangong Ye quietly breathed a sigh of relief.
He adjusted his posture to let her lean more comfortably, his big hands still patting her back gently and rhythmically.
Under her husband's low heartbeat and gentle comfort, the huge fatigue once again surged over her like a tide.
Dongfang Yuning's eyelids, which had been strained to stay open, began to droop again, and his consciousness gradually blurred. He still clutched the small brocade bag tightly in his hand, and nuzzled his little head into the warm crook of Nangong Ye's neck, finding a more comfortable position. His breathing became even and long again.
Fell asleep again...
The Golden Throne Hall once again fell into an extremely strange yet inexplicably harmonious silence.
Only His Royal Highness Prince Yong, holding his delicate and powerless little princess who had fallen asleep again, sat upright on the cushioned armchair specially given by the emperor. His posture was upright and his face was still stern, but deep in his eyes, there was a gentle and warm current called "satisfaction" that was enough to melt an iceberg.
The ministers continued to play the background role, but their inner comments never stopped:
[Okay, at this morning's court, the main point is for the princess to sleep peacefully while the prince protects him...]
[Worry-Free Ointment in urgent need? Battle suit reimbursed? Hiss—The prince is mighty!]
[This dog food… makes me choke… but it’s also strangely sweet?]
[Dispersed, dispersed. No more gossip today, only the shocking secrets of Prince Yong's inner residence...]
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