Chapter 174 A spontaneous trip
In the bedroom, Dongfang Yuning finally cried herself tired and fell into a deep sleep in Nangong Ye's warm embrace and low soothing voice.
But even in her sleep, her brows were slightly furrowed, and tears were still hanging on her long eyelashes. She was like a little animal that had suffered a lot and finally found a harbor. She curled up in his arms, drawing the only sense of security.
Nangong Ye maintained the posture of hugging her, motionless, his deep eyes were surprisingly bright in the darkness, there was no sleepiness in them, only churning heartache and an unshakable determination.
His Ning'er, his baby, shouldn't be entangled by these dirty people and things.
Her smile should be as bright and beautiful as the sunshine in the South China Sea, instead of being soaked in tears and filled with grievances.
The air in Yanmao Port and the Governor's Mansion at this moment is filled with a factor that makes her sad!
He lowered his head and placed an extremely gentle kiss filled with infinite pity on her smooth forehead.
Then, very carefully, as if moving a fragile treasure, he pulled his arm out from under her neck and slowly stood up without disturbing her at all.
He walked out of the room, without lighting a light, and with the faint moonlight coming through the window, he quickly and silently packed up.
A few sets of light and comfortable clothes, a thick fox fur cloak, Ning'er's usual soft pillow, a few of her favorite snacks, and...
He glanced at the dressing table and carefully put away the mutton-fat jade pendant engraved with the word "lucky star" that she never took off.
His movements were astonishingly quick, yet methodical. After packing up a small, but sufficiently complete package, he walked to his desk, spread out a piece of letter paper, picked up his pen, dipped it in ink, and wrote with vigorous and powerful strokes, but there were only a few words:
Xiaoyun: "All matters concerning the palace and Yanmao are temporarily under your jurisdiction. Act as you see fit, without asking for permission. I'm taking Ning'er out for some relaxation, and I'm not sure when I'll be back."
Ye
After writing, he placed the letter in the most conspicuous place on the desk and weighed it down with a jade paperweight.
After doing all this, he returned to the bed in the inner room.
Looking at his little wife who was still sleeping on the bed but curled up as if feeling a little uneasy because of his departure, Nangong Ye's heart softened.
He leaned over and picked her up again, both her and the blanket, carefully and steadily.
This time, Dongfang Yuning seemed to be aware of something. She rubbed gently in his arms and made a kitten-like whimper, but did not wake up.
Nangong Ye held her in his arms, as if he were carrying the weight of the world, and silently walked out of the bedroom. Outside the door, two of the most capable and silent secret guards were already waiting like shadows.
They took the package from Nangong Ye's hand, one of them quickly led the way, and the other stayed behind to keep watch.
The night was as dark as ink, and the Governor's Mansion was silent.
Nangong Ye held the sleeping Ning'er in his arms, avoided the patrolling guards, and like a ghost blending into the night, quietly passed through the numerous courtyards and left the Governor's Mansion, a symbol of power and prosperity, through an inconspicuous side door.
Outside the door, a carriage that looked ordinary but was extremely comfortable and spacious inside had been waiting for a long time.
The four horses pulling the cart snorted in the night and pawed the ground restlessly with their hooves.
Nangong Ye carried Ning'er into the warm carriage, placed her on the thickly cushioned seat, wrapped her carefully in fox fur, and let her lean on his arms.
The curtains fell, isolating the car from the outside world.
"Set off."
Nangong Ye's low voice sounded in the car.
"yes!"
The leader of the secret guards on the shaft of the carriage responded in a low voice, whipped his whip and shouted.
The carriage started slowly on the quiet street, the sound of hooves clattering, gradually accelerating and heading towards the city gate.
The soldiers guarding the city seemed to have received orders long ago. Without any questions, the city gate quietly opened a crack, and the carriage was like an arrow, blending into the vast and boundless night outside the city.
Nangong Ye lowered his head and looked at Ning'er, who was still sleeping in his arms with only a slight frown on her face even in the bumpy ride. His frown finally relaxed a little.
He tightened his arms, rested his chin gently on the top of her head, and whispered softly, his voice filled with unbreakable tenderness and determination:
"Baby, go to sleep. Your husband will take you to a clean place so you can forget all the unhappy things."
The journey begins: Open your eyes and you will see a new world
The carriage traveled smoothly along the official road all night. Dongfang Yuning slept very deeply, as if he wanted to sleep away all the grievances and fatigue.
It was not until the sky was slightly bright and the morning light gently shone on her face through the gaps in the car curtains that she slowly woke up.
The moment I regained consciousness, the first thing I felt was a warm and solid embrace, and the steady, slightly bumpy swaying sensation beneath my body.
She blinked in confusion, her long eyelashes fluttering like butterfly wings. The first thing that caught her eye was the cold and hard jawline, and then... the familiar collar with a faint pine scent.
"Husband?"
Her voice was soft and hoarse, like a lost kitten who had just woken up.
"Is the baby awake?"
Nangong Ye's low and gentle voice came from above his head, with the unique magnetism of the morning.
He lowered his head and met her clear eyes that were confused and dependent, and his heart softened.
Dongfang Yuning finally woke up and found himself being held in Nangong Ye's arms, sitting in a moving carriage!
She looked around. The carriage layout was unfamiliar, and what passed by the window was not the familiar Yanmao street scene, but lush trees and the rising sun.
"Where are we?"
She propped herself up and looked at Nangong Ye in surprise, all sleepiness gone.
Nangong Ye looked at her innocent and cute appearance, and the smile in his eyes deepened with deep doting.
He picked up the soft handkerchief soaked in the basin of warm water beside him and wiped her cheeks and hands very gently, as if he was wiping a rare treasure.
"My husband is taking you out to relax."
He spoke softly, each word carrying the power to soothe people's hearts.
"Our Ning'er has been wronged and feels bad, and her husband feels bad seeing this. Yanmao is sulking, why not go out for a walk, see the world outside, and let all the unhappy things go away."
He carefully wiped her slightly cold fingers with a warm handkerchief, and gently tapped the tip of her nose: "Baby's heart is hurt, and your husband must heal her well.
All that business, management, and annoying stuff, go to hell! I let Xiaoyun take care of it, and he dare not neglect it."
Dongfang Yuning was stunned, looking at his serious eyes, feeling the tenderness and cherishment conveyed by his fingertips. The huge grievance, self-blame and exhaustion after crying last night were really dispelled by the morning sunshine and his gentle words.
A warm current, carrying with it the happiness of being unconditionally loved and protected, quietly surged into my heart, diluting the bitterness in my heart.
"So... where are we going?"
She let him wipe her hands, her voice unconsciously carrying a hint of expectation and dependence.
Nangong Ye put the handkerchief back into the basin and took her into his arms again, letting her lean more comfortably. He rubbed his chin against the top of her head, with a hint of imperceptible indulgence and ease in his voice:
"Let's go to the prairie and live on it. Baby, don't you always say you want to see the wind blowing the grass low and the cattle and sheep, and want to see the stars like broken diamonds scattered on a black jade plate? Your husband will take you there."
"real?!"
Dongfang Yuning's eyes lit up instantly, as if they were starry sky.
Grassland! Vast, free, and full of life!
This is exactly what she needs right now!
Escape from the suffocating feeling of grievance and throw yourself into the embrace of heaven and earth!
She raised her little face excitedly, with pure joy in her eyes:
"Okay! Let's go to the grassland! I'll listen to Ning'er!"
She blurted out subconsciously, then realized it was inappropriate and quickly changed her words:
"Oh no! I'll listen to my husband! As long as my husband accompanies me, we can go anywhere!"
Her cute and eager look completely pleased Nangong Ye.
He laughed low, his chest vibrating, his laughter joyful and hearty, and the gloom of the past few days was dispelled by this smile.
"Okay, I'll listen to Ning'er!"
He imitated her words, his tone full of indulgence and pampering,
"As long as Ning'er is happy, we'll stay on the grassland until you want to come back. We can watch the sunrise and sunset, ride horses and release hawks, dance around the campfire, and do whatever we want!"
He lowered his head and placed a solemn and gentle kiss on her smooth forehead, like a seal of promise.
"Um!"
Dongfang Yuning nodded vigorously, buried his face in his warm neck, and took a deep breath of his reassuring scent.
The wheels of the carriage turned and drove away into the distance.
Outside the window, the rising sun jumped out of the horizon, spreading golden light all over the earth and illuminating the two people hugging each other in the carriage.
The traces of yesterday's tears are still there, but a new journey has begun. With the relief of escape, with the expectation of being healed, and with the deep and silent love given by Nangong Ye, which is enough to heal all the pain.
Yanmao's troubles were left far behind. Ahead of them was the vast grassland, the world of freedom, and a new and hopeful chapter belonging to the two of them.
The wheels are rolling, the heart is moving towards freedom
The carriage sped along in the gradually brightening sky, and the scenery on both sides of the official road quickly receded.
The flat farmlands were gradually replaced by rolling hills, and the air became increasingly fresh and crisp, carrying the fragrance of soil and grass, completely different from the salty sea breeze of Yanmao Port.
Dongfang Yuning leaned in Nangong Ye's arms. After the initial surprise and excitement, an unprecedented sense of relaxation slowly permeated her limbs and bones.
She no longer thought about the Liu Hanzhang who had driven people to death, she no longer thought about that heavy bow, she no longer thought about the management negligence of the theater, and she even temporarily put aside her concern for Fengming Jiuxiao's huge industry.
In her world, there was only this solid and warm embrace, the steady and strong heartbeat in her ears, the constantly changing and increasingly open scenery outside the car window, and... the infinite longing for the vast grassland.
Nangong Ye felt the person in his arms gradually relax and her breathing became even and long, and he knew that her mood was gradually calming down.
He adjusted his posture to let her lean more comfortably, and his big hand was always gently covering the back of her slightly cold hand, silently conveying warmth and strength.
"Are you hungry?"
He asked in a low voice, his voice so soft as if he was afraid of disturbing this rare tranquility.
"We've got your favorite cloud cakes and milk porridge in the car, they're warm."
Dongfang Yuning shook his head and shrank back into his arms, like a small animal seeking shelter.
"I'm not hungry, it just feels a little... unreal."
She raised her head to look at him. In the morning light, his profile was clearly defined, with a reassuring calmness.
"Husband, are we just going to...leave like this? Leave all this big mess to Xiaoyun?"
Nangong Ye lowered his head, met her somewhat nervous and slightly cunning eyes, and a proud smile appeared on the corner of his lips:
"What? Are you worried about Xiaoyun? Or are you worried that he can't take care of it?"
"No!"
Dongfang Yuning immediately denied it and muttered,
"I'm afraid he'll be too busy and complain to Yue'er about me being a hands-off boss..."
"He dares?"
Nangong Ye raised his eyebrows, his tone carrying a hint of unquestionable majesty.
"Letting him take charge is a sign of respect for him. If Shen Xiaoyun can't even handle this little bit of responsibility, he should go home and take care of his child!"
He paused, looking at his wife's still worried face, and softened his tone, saying soothingly:
"Don't worry, you don't know Xiaoyun's capabilities? Yanmao's framework has already been established, and all matters have mature regulations and manpower. He only needs to coordinate and deal with emergencies. Besides..."
He squeezed her little hand, a cold light flashed in his eyes:
"The Liu Hanzhang incident gave him an opportunity to thoroughly rectify his internal affairs and establish his authority.
Those evil spirits hiding in the shadows should be cleansed out with this favorable wind. Without us, they can actually do more.”
Dongfang Yuning thought what he said made sense, and thinking of Chen Xiaoyun's swift and decisive methods, the little worry in his heart disappeared.
She leaned her head back on his shoulder, looked out the window at the passing woods and occasional villages, and whispered:
"My husband is right. Ning'er is overthinking it."
"Silly baby."
Nangong Ye rubbed her hair lovingly.
"The only thing you need to think about now is where you want to go, what you want to eat, and what scenery you want to see. As for the rest, even if the sky falls, your husband will hold it up."
These words seemed to have magical power, instantly soothing the last trace of uneasiness in Dongfang Yuning's heart.
She nestled in his arms peacefully, looking out the window at the increasingly open fields and the faint outlines of dark green mountains in the distance. Her mood became as light and airy as the carriage that had broken free from its restraints.
"Husband, look! There are wildflowers over there! So many colors!"
She pointed to a field of unknown wild flowers in full bloom outside the window and exclaimed in surprise.
"Yeah, I saw it. It's beautiful."
Nangong Ye looked in the direction she pointed with a gentle gaze.
"And the birds! They fly so fast!"
"Um."
"Husband, do you think there are more flowers on the grassland? Bigger ones?"
"Yeah, I think so. And the dandelions, when the wind blows, it looks like snow."
"Wow! I really want to get there soon!"
"It's almost there. Just two more days of walking and we'll see the edge of the grassland."
…
In the carriage, low conversations, with a long-lost sense of ease and joy, accompanied by the sound of horse hooves and wheels, headed north, towards the vast world that symbolizes freedom and healing.
Yesterday's haze is left far behind, and a new story quietly begins in the direction of the bright sunshine as the wheels roll.
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