Chapter 127: The Dark Second Brother
The most lively "Fuxing Hotpot" top floor private room in Yanguo Capital
Outside the window is the bustling Suzaku Street, and inside the window is the steaming, spicy and fragrant shuangyuan hotpot.
Dongfang Yuning was like a contented kitten, nestling comfortably in the arms of his own human-shaped cushion - Prince Yong Nangong Ye.
Nangong Ye held her waist with one hand and skillfully basiled her tripe with the other hand, stirring it up and down with precise control of the heat. He then dipped it in a specially prepared dish of sesame oil and minced garlic and brought it to her mouth.
“Ah!”
Dongfang Yuning swallowed it with satisfaction, her mouth reddened from the spiciness, but she still did not forget to give orders.
"Brother Aye, duck intestines! The duck intestines need to be crispy!"
"good."
Nangong Ye responded in a low voice, his eyes focused, as if cooking duck intestines was more important than handling state affairs.
On his handsome face, which was so handsome that it infuriated both humans and gods, there was only doting on the person in his arms. His slender fingers pinched the jade chopsticks, and his movements were so elegant that it seemed like he was painting.
[118! See?! This is life! Hot pot with a beautiful woman! A beautiful woman with a handsome man! And the handsome man is even responsible for feeding her! I am the winner in life! (Show off)]
Dongfang Yuning was showing off crazily in his mind.
System 118:
[Ding! Host's happiness index has been detected to be off the charts! Feeder Nangong Ye's 'Male Vixen·Homely and Virtuous Version' skin has been successfully loaded!
Charm value +MAX! Host, I suggest you be more restrained. Sprinkling too much dog food can easily cause indigestion. (The system displays a Q-version figure holding its stomach and burping)]
Dongfang Yuning was about to refute the system, but his eyes casually glanced at the window facing the street downstairs and froze instantly!
“Huh?!”
She suddenly sat up straight from Nangong Ye's arms, her little head almost sticking out of the window, her eyes wide open, flashing with the gossip of discovering a new world!
[118! Quick! Turn on the HD telescope mode! Scan the third table downstairs by the window! The one wearing the moon-white gown, with a gentle back like jade! Is that my second brother?!
The one next to her… the one wearing a fiery red outfit, a high ponytail, and a heroic profile… Oh my god! Is that Sister Pan'er?!
System 118 responds instantly:
[Ding! Target locked! Target A: Dongfang Qichen. Status: Gentle and elegant, with a faint smile and focused gaze (Target B locked). Target B: Liu Pan'er (daughter of General Liu Wei, the host's best friend).]
Status: Sitting stiffly, twisting the corners of his clothes with his hands, his cheeks flushed (suspected of having a high fever?), his eyes wandering and he dares not look directly at Target A.
Comprehensive Verdict: Large-scale mutual crush/social death scene! Abnormal energy fluctuations in the Red Luan Star! (System displays a GIF of two hearts pounding)]
"Husband! Husband!"
Dongfang Yuning excitedly pulled Nangong Ye's sleeve, his voice low but filled with uncontrollable excitement.
"Look downstairs! Wow! Shocking news! My second brother! The Red Luan star has moved! The target is actually Sister Pan'er!"
Nangong Ye followed her gaze and saw the slightly... weird pairing.
Dongfang Qichen, the Minister of Rites, who usually behaved with propriety and spoke as gently as spring breeze in the court, was now looking at the woman in red opposite him with a smile.
His posture was still elegant, but in his gentle eyes there was a light that would never appear in official occasions, a light that was so focused that it was almost locking onto its prey.
His slender fingers tapped lightly on the tabletop, as if he were patiently listening to something. A faint, almost... mischievous, curve played at the corner of his mouth.
And opposite him, the daughter of General Zhenjiang, Liu Pan'er, who could knock down three strong men with one hand in the military camp, had a quick-tempered personality and was known as the little hot pepper in the capital, seemed to be cast under a spell of immobilization and shyness at this moment!
She sat straight (stiffly), her hands nervously twisting the corners of her clothes, her heroic little face flushed red, even her ears were red!
Her eyes darted left and right, but she didn't dare look at the gentle man opposite her.
Occasionally, she would muster up the courage to look up and meet Dongfang Qichen's smiling eyes, then quickly lower her head like a frightened deer. Her shy and coquettish appearance formed a cosmic contrast with her usual image of wielding swords and guns, riding horses and waving whips!
Nangong Ye raised his eyebrows, and a hint of interest flashed in his eyes. He lowered his head and looked at his wife, whose face was shining with excitement, and the corners of his lips curled up:
"Ning'er is very happy?"
"Happy! Of course I'm happy!"
Dongfang Yuning nodded vigorously, his eyes shining like stars.
"Sister Pan'er is my best friend! She has a straightforward personality, noble character, and decent kung fu! Second brother is a gentle gentleman, his talent and character are both top-notch! The two of them are simply made for each other! And!"
She leaned close to Nangong Ye's ear and smiled slyly.
"My second sister-in-law is Pan'er's sister. I will feel more at ease when I go back to my parents' home in the future! I don't have to worry about my second brother being deceived by those pretentious ladies anymore!"
[Host! Your abacus beads are hitting my face!]
System 118 Tucao,
[However…this system votes in favor of this marriage! A cute contrasting couple, it's worth investing in! (The system displays a comparison image of Dongfang Qichen's gentle smile vs. Liu Pan'er blushing and pointing at her finger)]
Nangong Ye looked at his wife's relieved expression, as if the cabbage in his house was finally taken away by a good pig, and the smile in his eyes deepened.
His slender fingers gently curled up a strand of her hair and played with it. He spoke casually, his voice lazily, with a hint of excitement:
"Ning'er is done worrying about second brother, so what about third brother?"
He tilted his head slightly, his eyes seemed to be able to penetrate the wall, and saw a figure sneezing on a distant trade road.
"Third brother has been doing business abroad for many years, traveling far and wide, and has a wide range of knowledge... Ning'er doesn't care about it. Does he have a girl he likes? Of the three brothers of the Dongfang family, he can't be left out, right?"
Thousands of miles away, in the prosperous Jiangnan water town, inside the Fengming Jiuxiao Chamber of Commerce
Dongfang Linyuan, who was clacking away on his abacus and checking huge accounts, suddenly sneezed loudly!
“A-choo!”
He rubbed his itchy nose, a hint of doubt appeared on his handsome face, and he muttered:
"Caught a cold? The weather in Jiangnan isn't cold..."
He inexplicably felt a chill on his back, as if he was being stared at by something extremely passionate and dangerous.
Dongfang Yuning was awakened by Nangong Ye's words, and instantly felt like he was injected with chicken blood!
"That's right! Third brother!"
She slapped Nangong Ye's thigh suddenly, it felt firm and elastic, she couldn't help but touch it again, her little face was burning with the fire of matchmaker!
[118! Immediately! Immediately! Create a new project: 'Save the older (?) golden bachelor Third Brother - Dongfang Linyuan's Single Life Plan'! Codename: Matchmaker No. 3! Priority: Highest!]
She ordered passionately in her heart.
System 118:
[Received! Project established! Codename: Yue Lao No. 3! Target: Dongfang Linyuan (Yan Nation's richest man, host's third brother).]
Risk Factor: SS (due to the overly enthusiastic nature of her sister host). Scanning for potential matches... (System database running frantically)]
"Brother Aye! Hurry! Go back home! No, go straight back to my parents' home!"
Dongfang Yuning pulled Nangong Ye and rushed out, not even caring about his favorite duck intestines.
"I'm going to tell my mother this amazing news right now! And then form a marriage-enhancing alliance!"
Nangong Ye readily followed suit, put his arm around her waist, and almost half-carried her down the stairs.
When passing by the table of Dongfang Qichen and Liu Paner, Dongfang Yuning deliberately slowed down, winked at his second brother, and made a mouth shape that said "Come on, I'm rooting for you."
She then gave Liu Pan'er, who wanted to bury her head under the table, a wink as if she understood her sister, and was then contentedly taken away by her clingy, vixen husband.
Dongfang Qi Chen was left looking at his sister's hurried back, shaking his head and laughing helplessly and dotingly.
When he looked at Liu Pan'er, who was almost fuming with embarrassment, a very fast but unmistakable determination flashed across his gentle eyes.
Taifu Mansion, main courtyard.
First-rank imperial wife Li Zhener is leisurely arranging flowers, with a gentle and graceful temperament.
When she finished listening to her little daughter's dancing and vivid description of Liu Pan'er's cosmic contrast and shyness, the golden scissors in her hand fell "click" on the precious Ru kiln flowerpot!
"What?! Qi Chen and... General Liu's Pan'er?!"
Li Zhen'er's beautiful eyes widened, and then a startling light burst out! That light was exactly the same as the matchmaker's fire burning in Dongfang Yuning's eyes!
"That Pan'er girl?! Great! That's great!"
Li Zhener slammed the table excitedly.
"That girl is honest! She's straightforward! She doesn't think too much! Her kung fu is pretty good! She can protect Qi Chen! Qi Chen's personality is too gentle, so he needs a strong-minded girl like Pan'er to be with him!"
The mother and daughter instantly reached a strategic alliance!
"Ning'er! Quick! Tell me, what details did you see? Did Qi Chen take the initiative? How shy is Pan'er? What did they say?"
Li Zhen'er held her daughter's hand, her eyes shining, her gossip spirit burning, no longer having the dignity of a noble lady.
Dongfang Yuning immediately transformed into a gold medal intelligence agent, and described vividly the details he saw, such as the affectionate eye contact, the gentle whispers, and Sister Pan'er's face as red as a boiled shrimp.
System 118:
[Ding! The 'Marriage Urgency Alliance' is officially established! Core members: Li Zhener (General Commander), Dongfang Yuning (Frontline Intelligence Officer and Executive Director).
Objective: Conquer the Dongfang Qichen & Liu Paner Fortress! Strategy: Share intelligence, accurately feed, and create opportunities! (System displays battle plan diagram)]
A few days later, Dongfang Qichen happened to be on his way home when he ran into Liu Paner, who was forced by her mother to go out to buy rouge and powder, but was actually facilitating the encounter.
"Miss Liu, what a coincidence."
Dongfang Qichen's smile was warm, like a spring breeze.
"Dongfang-sama... yes, what a coincidence..."
Liu Pan'er lowered her head, her voice as thin as a mosquito, and she was holding a rouge box in her hand, her knuckles turning white.
"The weather is very nice today. I wonder if Miss Liu would be so kind as to accompany me for a walk?"
Dongfang Qichen extended the invitation in a gentle tone that carried a tone that could not be refused.
"Ah? Let's go? Okay, okay..."
Liu Pan'er's mind went blank and she could only nod.
The two walked slowly along the willow path beside the moat.
Liu Pan'er was so nervous that her hands and feet were at a loss, her eyes darting around. Dongfang Qichen, on the other hand, remained calm and composed, occasionally pointing at the water birds flying over the river and reciting a few elegant poems.
Suddenly, Liu Pan'er accidentally stepped on the loose hem of her skirt. She had changed it specially for the "chance encounter" and was extremely uncomfortable with it. She screamed and fell forward suddenly!
In a flash!
A slender, strong hand with distinct joints firmly grasped her wrist!
The force was so great, with an unquestionable strength, that it instantly stopped her from falling!
Liu Pan'er looked up in shock and met Dongfang Qichen's face very close to her.
He was still smiling, as gentle as jade, but the usual gentle spring breeze was gone from his deep eyes. Instead, there was a focused light that was almost aggressive!
He even tightened his grip on her wrist slightly, and his calloused fingertips caressed the delicate skin of her wrist, bringing waves of shivers.
"Miss Liu, be careful."
His voice was a little deeper, with a strange magnetism, and his breath brushed past her ears.
Liu Pan'er's heart started beating wildly, almost as if it was about to burst out of her throat!
Her face flushed red! The burning sensation on her wrist and the strong gaze made her feel weak all over and her brain completely shut down!
All the hustle and bustle, all the heroic spirit, has vanished into thin air! Only the fluttering of the heart and the bewilderment are left!
[He…he grabbed my hand! And…he touched it! His eyes were so fierce…and so gentle…what should I do?!]
Liu Pan'er was in a state of confusion.
Dongfang Qi Chen looked at the girl in front of him who had instantly turned into a red tomato, with wet eyes like a frightened little animal. The smile in his eyes deepened, with a hint of malicious triumph.
Instead of letting go, he exerted a little force, pulling her closer to him, his voice bewitching:
"Pan'er... is always so careless. Looks like I need to keep a closer eye on you from now on."
System 118 (simultaneously broadcast and dubbed in Dongfang Yuning's mind):
[Beep! Target Dongfang Qichen activates skill: 'Strong Wrist Lock Under a Gentle Mask'! Outstanding effect! Target Liu Pan'er falls into 'Severe Shyness + Tachycardia' state!
SAN value reset to zero! Contrast cuteness maxed out! (The system displays a GIF of a Q-version Liu Paner figurine with smoke coming out of its head and its heart beating out of its chest)]
Under the careful planning of the marriage-urging alliance, Dongfang Yuning tricked Liu Pan'er into coming to the Taifu Mansion on the pretext of discussing the formula of a new skin care product. Liu Pan'er once again ran into Dongfang Qichen who was admiring a painting in the pavilion in the garden.
In the pavilion, a painting of...winter plum blossoms was spread out on the stone table?
Dongfang Qichen was holding a soft cloth, slowly and methodically wiping a... gleaming long sword?!
Liu Paner: “…”
This style of painting...is there something wrong?
"Pan'er is here?"
Dongfang Qichen raised his head, his smile still warm.
"You've come just in time. Help me check if this Qiu Shui sword is still sharp."
He casually swung his sword in a flower-like motion, his movements flowing like flowing water, with a sharp edge that was completely different from his scholarly temperament!
Liu Pan'er was an expert. One look at the cold light of the sword and the force of the sword's swing told her that this was definitely a weapon that could cut through hair! She nodded subconsciously.
"Good...good sword!"
"Yeah?"
Dongfang Qichen's smile deepened. He put down his sword, picked up the soft cloth, and walked in front of Liu Pan'er.
Before Liu Pan'er could react, he suddenly stretched out his finger and gently brushed the corner of her mouth.
Liu Pan'er froze, as if she had been pricked!
"It's got some pastry crumbs on it."
Dongfang Qichen's tone was so natural, as if he was doing something very ordinary. His fingers were warm, and with a lightly calloused touch, they brushed across her sensitive lips.
He looked at Liu Pan'er, who was petrified instantly and blushed from face to neck. His eyes darkened and his voice deepened with a hint of danger:
"Pan'er... is always so defenseless. It makes people... want to bully her."
Before he finished speaking, he suddenly exerted force with his arms, and in front of Liu Pan'er's astonished eyes, he picked her up by the waist and placed her steadily on the mahogany rack where weapons were placed next to him!
The height was just right to be at eye level with him!
"Dong-Dongfang Qichen! Put me down!"
Liu Pan'er was both embarrassed and anxious, and finally she managed to find her voice again, but with a hint of fear inside.
Dongfang Qi Chen placed his hands on the racks on either side of her body, trapping her between himself and the weapons rack.
He leaned over slightly, his warm breath spraying on her face. His gentle and handsome face approached, his eyes filled with undisguised possessiveness and a hint of teasing:
"Put you down? Pan'er, from the first time you blushed in front of me... you can't run away."
His slender fingers gently lifted her chin, forcing her to look directly into his deep eyes. Each word he spoke was clear and powerful:
"I've already asked your father to formally propose marriage. I've also submitted a petition to the Emperor. Pan'er, you are destined to be my wife, Dongfang Qichen. Escape? Even to the ends of the earth, I will bring you back."
Liu Paner: “!!!”
She looked at the familiar yet unfamiliar handsome face in front of her, listened to the strong and almost overbearing declaration, and her mind went completely blank!
My heart felt like it was being tightened by an invisible force, making it feel sore and swollen, but strangely, I felt a huge, indescribable sense of sweetness and belonging.
The remaining struggle and shyness collapsed in an instant after his straightforward and forceful declaration.
"Who... who is trying to escape..."
She muttered softly, her voice filled with a hint of coquettishness that she herself was unaware of, but her eyes softened involuntarily, and were filled with tears.
Dongfang Yuning and Li Zhener, who were hiding behind the rockery and peeping the whole time, covered their mouths excitedly and almost screamed!
[118! Did you record this?! Did you record this?! Second Brother is so handsome! Such a contrast! Such dominance! Such possessiveness! Ahhhh! Sister Pan'er is being completely taken advantage of! I'm going crazy! (Crazy cheering)]
System 118:
[Ding! Full HD, uncensored recording (storage in your brain)! The famous scene of 'the gentle scholar transforms into the domineering wolf king' has been saved! The cute contrasting couple is officially announced! Spread the flowers! (The system plays the background music of "Today You Are Going to Marry Me")]
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