Chapter 30 Gaining a Best Friend
On the official road outside Beijing, a carriage, seemingly plain on the outside but exceedingly spacious and comfortable on the inside, moved steadily along. The interior was covered with thick velvet carpets, and in the corners, a warm, silvery charcoal burned, dispelling the chill of late autumn.
Dongfang Yuning was wearing a goose yellow brocade jacket and skirt embroidered with magnolias, and a snow fox fur cloak specially made by Nangong Ye. She looked like a furry and warm little quail.
She leaned against the car window, her little face flushed by the wind, her eyes sparkling as she watched the golden autumn scenery passing by quickly outside the window, her excitement beyond words.
"Wow! Brother Aye, look! That maple forest is so red! It's like a sunset glow!"
"Over there! There's a persimmon tree over there! There are lots of 'little lanterns' hanging on it!"
"Oh, lambs! They're lambs! So cute!"
She chirped like a happy little lark, her clear voice filling the entire carriage. This was her first time truly "out of the palace" since her time travel, and her destination was the legendary luxurious villa with hot springs owned by Nangong Ye! Investigating the location of a milk tea shop? That was just a side note! The main thing was the hot springs! Hot springs! And the air of freedom!
Nangong Ye, dressed in a dark-colored uniform, sat across from her with an upright posture. He seemed to be holding a book, but his eyes hardly left the joyful figure by the window.
Listening to her unconcealed amazement and joy, looking at her wind-blown hair and her little face that was slightly red from the cold but still full of enthusiasm, the heartstrings that had been tense for days seemed to be gently plucked by a gentle hand, spreading layers of warmth.
He put down the book and said softly:
"It's windy, be careful not to catch a cold."
As he spoke, he stretched out his long arm and naturally closed the half-open car window for her, leaving only a gap for air to flow through.
His fingertips accidentally brushed against her slightly cool earlobe, bringing a subtle electric sensation. Dongfang Yuning subconsciously shrank her neck, turned her head and bumped into his deep and focused eyes, her heart skipping a beat for no apparent reason.
[Tong...did he just bump into me?] The little man in her heart was a little panicked.
System 118
Ding! Target's 'Considerate Window Closing' behavior triggered! Contact area: Minor; Contact duration: 0.5 seconds; Host physiological response: Heart rate accelerated (+20%), body temperature slightly elevated (+0.3°C). Conclusion: Suspected primary symptoms of 'ambiguous contact'. Suggesting the host... enjoy the journey?
Dongfang Yuning:
【……Shut up! 】
Her face felt slightly hot, and she quickly turned her gaze back to the window, pretending to continue looking at the scenery, but a blush crept up to her ears.
Nangong Ye took in her subtle reactions and inner thoughts, a barely perceptible smile forming at the corner of his lips, his mood growing happier. He picked up the scroll again, but couldn't read a single word.
The hot spring villa sits halfway up the mountain, nestled amidst lush pine and cypress trees. Its white walls, black tiles, and upturned eaves create a simple and elegant atmosphere, brimming with understated luxury. As soon as you step off the carriage, a warm, moist air with a hint of sulfur washes over you, refreshing you.
"Wow! This place is great!"
Dongfang Yuning took a deep breath and felt all the pores on her body relax. She couldn't wait to jump into the legendary hot spring pool.
Nangong Ye looked at her excited expression, and the smile in his eyes deepened.
"Don't worry, settle down first and have lunch before going to the hot springs." He led her through the exquisite corridors and courtyards. The servants of the villa were well-trained, their heads bowed respectfully, their eyes fixed on the side, obviously having received instructions in advance.
Lunch was served in a warm room overlooking the water. The dishes were refined yet unostentatious, featuring mostly seasonal wild vegetables and fresh river fish, with a light flavor, clearly taking Dongfang Yuning's health into consideration. Nangong Ye meticulously arranged the dishes and served her soup, his movements smooth and natural, as if he had done it a thousand times before.
"Try this bamboo shoot. It's freshly dug from the farm this morning. It's very tender."
"This fish soup has been simmered for a long time. It's very delicious. You're weak, so drink more."
"Eat slowly, be careful of the heat."
His low and gentle voice rang in his ears. Dongfang Yuning buried his head in his food, his mouth stuffed with food, and responded vaguely:
“Mmmmm, delicious!”
[Tong, this hot spring resort is really nice, and the food is delicious too! Nangong Ye really knows how to enjoy life! But... he's taking such good care of me, is he afraid that I'll embarrass him if I eat in such an unpleasant way?]
System 118:
[Ding! Host, this system believes the target is more likely worried about you choking. Also, please enjoy the 'Golden Thigh' feeding service without any worries (after all, you own 70% of it).]
Nangong Ye watched her eat with such relish that his own appetite improved a lot. He rarely had such a relaxing and enjoyable meal time, without having to worry about court etiquette or guess the emperor's thoughts. He only needed to watch her narrow her eyes in satisfaction, like a well-fed kitten, and his heart was filled with a strange sense of satisfaction.
After lunch and a short rest, we finally arrived at the highlight - taking a hot spring bath!
The villa's hot spring pools were built along the mountainside, with several pools of varying sizes and functions. Nangong Ye had arranged for Dongfang Yuning to have a separate "Jade Dew Pool," cleverly separated by rugged rocks and lush vegetation.
The water in the pool is crystal clear, and is shrouded in milky white mist. The air is filled with a faint scent of sulfur mixed with the fragrance of grass and trees.
Soft and comfortable bathrobes, clean towels, and even a few plates of exquisite snacks and a pot of warm fruit tea had already been prepared by the pool.
Dongfang Yuning looked at the fairyland-like hot spring pool in front of him, and felt so happy that he was about to burst into bubbles!
【Tong! Heaven! This is heaven!】
She quickly dismissed the maids, leaving only a trusted palace maid to guard at a distance, and then she couldn't wait to untie her cloak and coat.
When the warm spring water enveloped her body, she sighed with satisfaction:
“Ah… so comfortable…”
All her fatigue and troubles seemed to be washed away by the hot spring water. She leaned against the smooth stone wall, closed her eyes, and let the warmth permeate her limbs. The heat made her face flushed like a ripe peach.
Nangong Ye wasn't in the same pool with her, but in another pond, the "Songtao Pond," not far away, out of direct sight. He leaned against the edge of the pond, eyes closed, and rested. The warm water soothed his tense nerves and the depression he'd felt for days.
However, his senses couldn't help but pick up the subtle sound of water coming from next door, as well as the girl's satisfied sigh.
That voice was like a feather, gently scratching the tip of his heart, bringing a tingling sensation. His mind uncontrollably imagined what she might look like at that moment: [Her long, wet black hair, plastered to her delicate, snow-white skin, her face flushed, her eyes hazy...]
An unfamiliar heat rose from my lower abdomen and instantly spread throughout my body, even hotter than the hot spring water.
He suddenly opened his eyes, took a deep breath, forced himself to suppress his surging thoughts, and sank his entire body into the water, leaving only his mouth and nose to breathe.
Ning'er...
He called out silently in his heart, with a hint of sweet torment.
After soaking in the hot spring, Dongfang Yuning, feeling relaxed, changed into a light goose yellow embroidered skirt. She tied her hair up loosely and pinned it with a simple white jade hairpin. She looked fresh and lively, like a new lotus after the rain.
Nangong Ye also changed into a moon-white casual suit, which made him look tall, graceful, and handsome.
"Brother Aye, shall we go check out the location for the shop?"
Dongfang Yuning was in high spirits, her face rosy and shiny.
"By the way, let's see if there is a suitable shop nearby!"
Inspection is a serious matter (mainly because I want to go out and have fun)!
Nangong Ye naturally had no choice but to respond:
"Okay, as you say."
The two men did not bring too many followers, only two guards and a clever maid. They went down the mountain in a light carriage and came to "Yunxi Town", which was not far from the villa and was quite prosperous, nestled in the mountains and by the water.
The town wasn't big, but it was bustling. Shops lined the bluestone streets, and the sounds of hawking and bargaining were endless. Dongfang Yuning was like a bird out of its cage, finding everything new and exciting.
She pulled Nangong Ye's sleeve (for convenience in movement) and moved among the crowd, sometimes looking at the exquisite bamboo gadgets, sometimes tasting the fragrant pastries on the roadside, her big eyes full of curiosity and excitement.
Nangong Ye let her pull him, carefully protecting her side, blocking the crowded crowd for her, his eyes always gently following her joyful figure. Seeing her smile from buying a string of candied haws, his heart seemed to be soaked with honey.
[Tong! This candied haws is delicious! It’s sweeter than the ones in the palace!]
Dongfang Yuning bit off a hawthorn with satisfaction, and the sour and sweet taste melted in his mouth.
System 118:
[Ding! The host's 'happiness value' has been detected to have skyrocketed! It is recommended to consume more sugar and maintain a happy mood to help spark business inspiration!]
It was almost dusk when they passed by Zuixianju, the largest restaurant in town. Nangong Ye saw that she was a little tired, so he suggested:
"Go in and rest your feet, have some dinner, and then go back?"
"Okay, okay!"
Dongfang Yuning had exactly this in mind.
The two of them had just sat down in the elegant seat by the window on the second floor and ordered a few exquisite side dishes when they heard a commotion coming from the stairs.
"Cousin! How could you do this to me!"
A female voice with a crying tone sounded, full of anger and grievance.
"Pan'er, please listen to my explanation..."
A male voice sounded a little flustered.
"Explain? Explain how you were secretly having an affair with my good half-sister. Explain how you had the nerve to come to me today, on the eve of my father's birthday party, to discuss making her your co-wife on the day of the wedding?!"
The voice was clear and powerful, carrying with it a cold and murderous aura honed on the battlefield, instantly attracting the attention of the entire second floor.
Dongfang Yuning looked over curiously. He saw a man and a woman standing at the stairs. The woman was about seventeen or eighteen years old, wearing a neat pomegranate red riding suit and a leather belt around her waist, outlining her slender but powerful waist.
She was born with a bright and elegant appearance, with a heroic air rarely seen in ordinary ladies. At this moment, her eyebrows were raised, her almond-shaped eyes were wide open, and she was glaring at a young man in front of her who was wearing a brocade robe, had oily hair and powdered face, and a pale face.
[Wow! There's a melon!]
Dongfang Yuning instantly became alert.
[Command! Quick! Scan! What's going on?]
System 118 is online immediately:
[Ding! Melon-eating mode activated! Target person locked——
Liu Pan'er: The daughter of General Liu Wei, a powerful and forthright woman, she grew up with her father at the frontier, where she acquired exceptional martial arts skills. Her father, Liu Wei, disliked her biological mother (who had since passed away), and took her home as a concubine. (Liu Yuan'er's biological mother, Liu Pan'er, was a conspirator who took her in after she became drunk in her early years.) Their relationship remained distant, and she spent years stationed at the frontier.
Chen Wenbo: Liu Pan'er's cousin and fiancé, son of Chen Mingyuan, the Minister of Personnel. He is a typical playboy, who is neither good at literature nor martial arts, and lives on his ancestors' influence.
Liu Yuan'er: Liu Pan'er's half-sister, raised by her mother, she is scheming and skilled in seduction. She has been having an affair with Chen Wenbo and is now over two months pregnant.
The system speaks very fast.
Chen Wenbo found Liu Pan'er today, trying to convince her to bring the pregnant Liu Yuan'er along as his co-wife on their wedding day! Liu Pan'er had long known about their affair, but had kept it a secret to gather evidence. Today, she was completely enraged by his outrageous request!
Dongfang Yuning was stunned when he heard this, and then a burst of anger rose up:
[Fuck! It's this cliché drama again! Bad man and bitch! Dirty man! Rotten cucumber! You can't control your lower body, and you still want to enjoy the happiness of having two wives?!
Liu Yuan'er isn't a good person either! She seduced my brother-in-law and got pregnant before marriage! Bah! This couple should be locked up and stopped from causing harm to others!]
She was complaining wildly in her heart, her fists clenched, and she wanted to rush up to help Liu Paner curse.
At this moment, Liu Pan'er laughed in anger. That smile was as cold as an ice knife, carrying the murderous aura tempered by the battlefield. She stopped talking nonsense and suddenly raised her hand -
“Bang!!!”
A resounding slap landed firmly on Chen Wenbo's stunned face! The force was so great that he staggered, half of his face instantly became red and swollen, and blood oozed from the corner of his mouth!
"ah!"
Chen Wenbo covered his face, shocked and angry.
"Liu Pan'er! You! You dare to hit me?!"
"Hit you?"
Liu Pan'er shook her hands, looking at him with undisguised contempt.
"I've only dirty my hands by hitting you! Chen Wenbo, put away that disgusting face of yours! Do you really think you can hide your dirty deeds with Liu Yuan'er from the world?"
Her voice was clear and distinct, and it carried throughout the entire second floor:
"I've known for a long time that you two, a pair of bastards, are having an affair! Secret pregnancy? Ha! Want to raise your wife? Sure!"
She deliberately dragged out her tone and glanced at Liu Yuan'er, who was hiding behind Chen Wenbo, sobbing and looking like a weak little white flower, with her eyes as if she was looking at garbage.
"I, Liu Pan'er, am making this clear today! Our engagement is annulled! I will talk to my father myself! As for you..."
She pointed at Chen Wenbo, then at Liu Yuaner, and said in a resounding voice:
"You! And her! A dog and a bitch, a match made in heaven! I wish you a happy marriage, and lock them up forever! Don't let them out to disgust others!"
"puff--"
Dongfang Yuning almost spit out the tea in his mouth!
[Hahaha! The dog and the aunt are locked in a fight! This sister is so cool! She scolds well! She scolds brilliantly! She scolds so loudly!]
She was so excited that she almost slammed the table.
[Tong! I'm determined to be friends with this guy! He's just my type!]
Nangong Ye was sitting opposite her, so he naturally heard Liu Paner's "shocking" remarks, and a hint of appreciation flashed across his eyes.
This young lady from the Liu family had the demeanor of a daughter of a military family. However, he was more concerned about the little thing beside him, who was about to jump for excitement, and the deafening cheers in his heart.
Chen Wenbo was scolded to the point of being drenched in blood, especially the phrase "the dog and the bitch are locked together" which was a great humiliation! He was so angry that he was shaking all over and pointed at Liu Pan'er:
"You...you...are vulgar! A shrew! A woman like you deserves to be unwanted!"
Liu Yuan'er also cried even louder at the right moment, as if she had suffered a great injustice:
"Sister...how could you scold my cousin and me like that...we truly love each other...the child is innocent..."
"True love? Innocent?"
Liu Paner sneered, his eyes like knives,
"Having an affair behind your fiancée's back is called sincerity? Getting pregnant before marriage is called innocence? Liu Yuan'er, put away your hypocritical tears! Do you really think those despicable tricks you learned from your mother are worthy of respect? My father was blind and was tricked by them. I wouldn't do that!"
She was too lazy to watch the couple's performance anymore, so she turned around to leave, but her eyes happened to sweep across the window seat. When she saw Nangong Ye and Dongfang Yuning, she was slightly startled, and then a hint of understanding and subtle excitement flashed in her eyes.
[Princess Fuxing! And Prince Yong!]
Liu Pan'er was horrified. Before leaving Beijing, her father had solemnly warned her about the secret of Princess Fuxing's "inner thoughts," and had issued a strict order that "they must not be revealed."
She cursed heartily just now, but she also clearly "heard" the princess's excited voice and her admiration for her!
She took a deep breath, suppressed the waves in her heart, and showed a hearty and generous smile on her face. She gracefully performed a standard blessing in the direction of Nangong Ye and Dongfang Yuning:
"His Royal Highness Prince Yong is well and well, and Princess Fuxing is well and well. I'm sorry to have caused you such a commotion."
She raised her head and looked at Dongfang Yuning with a burning gaze, her smile sincere and eager:
"Princess, I'm sorry for being so disrespectful today and disturbing you and the prince. But...Pan'er, would you please be my friend?"
Dongfang Yuning was just worried about not having the chance to meet this cool sister, but when she heard this, her eyes lit up instantly! She immediately stood up, not caring about any etiquette, and walked a few steps to Liu Pan'er, her little face full of undisguised joy and admiration:
"Of course! Sister Liu! You were so handsome just now! This is how you deal with those scumbags and bitches! We'll be friends from now on! If there's anyone like this again, tell me, and I...I'll let the prince help you!"
She spoke too quickly and almost let the cat out of the bag, so she quickly pulled Nangong Ye out to act as a backer.
Nangong Ye: “…”
He rubbed his brows helplessly, but stood up and nodded slightly to Liu Pan'er:
"Miss Liu, there's no need to be so polite. Today's incident was simply a coincidence between the prince and the princess."
This was considered as tacit agreement with Dongfang Yuning's words.
Liu Pan'er was delighted as she looked at the lively and lovely Princess Fuxing with clear eyes. This Princess was indeed as her father had said, with a pure mind and a hatred for evil.
"Thank you, Princess! Thank you, Your Majesty!"
She smiled brightly,
"Pan'er still has to go back and deal with this troublesome matter. I will definitely visit you someday and have a good chat with you!"
She bowed again, and when she turned around, her eyes swept coldly over Liu Yuan'er who was still pretending on the ground and Chen Wenbo who was covering his face and daring not to speak. She snorted coldly, held her head high and chest out, and strode down the stairs like a proud phoenix.
Dongfang Yuning watched her heroic figure, her eyes full of stars:
Tong! See! This is the real heroine! So beautiful and cool! She gives a slap in the face so neatly! Love it! 】
System 118:
[Ding! Congratulations to the host for getting a 'Sassy Girlfriend'! Friendship value +50! Attached 'Face-Slapping Assist' aura (Passive)!]
Nangong Ye walked over to her and looked at her admiring and excited expression. He felt a little...sour in his heart. He coughed lightly, and his tone was filled with a subtle resentment:
"Ning'er seems to... like this Miss Liu very much?"
"Of course!"
Dongfang Yuning was still immersed in the joy of making new friends, and blurted out,
"Sister Liu is amazing! She has such a good personality! She's much better than those shy ladies!"
After I finished speaking, I realized that I had neglected the feelings of the "financial sponsor and partner" next to me, so I quickly tried to make amends.
"Uh... Aye, you're amazing too! Absolutely amazing!"
Nangong Ye looked at her eager to explain, and the jealousy in his heart instantly dissipated, leaving only full of pampering and amusement. He raised his hand and very naturally tucked a strand of her hair that was messed up by the wind behind her ear, and his fingertips brushed her sensitive earlobe again.
"Yes, I understand."
His low voice was filled with a hint of laughter.
"However, Ning'er makes friends faster than we open a shop."
The warm breath brushed past her ears, with a hint of ambiguous teasing. Dongfang Yuning felt as if the place where his fingertips touched was on fire, burning all the way to her cheek, and her heartbeat began to accelerate uncontrollably.
[Tong...he...he touched my ear again! ]
The deer in her heart began to beat wildly again.
System 118:
[Ding! Second contact! Contact location: earlobe (sensitive area); Host physiological reaction: Heart rate soars (+50%), body temperature rises significantly (+1°C), blood flow increases. Conclusion: The ambiguity index continues to climb! Host, please hold on! You are the woman who wants to be the winner in life!]
Dongfang Yuning:
[…Shut up! Eat! I’m hungry!]
Her face flushed as she pushed away Nangong Ye's hand that was still on her ear. Although the force was so light that it felt like a tickle, she ran back to her seat as if escaping, picked up her chopsticks and started eating. However, her red ears revealed her panic at the moment.
Nangong Ye looked at her back, his fingertips still seeming to linger on the delicate touch and scorching temperature of her skin. He twisted his fingers, his eyes darkened, and a determined smile slowly bloomed on his lips.
The golden glow of the setting sun streamed through the window lattice into the elegant dining room, enveloping the two of them in a warm, hazy glow. The dishes on the table exuded an enticing aroma, and the hustle and bustle of the town outside the window seemed to fade away.
In the air, the thread called "ambiguity" not only did not break after the brief interference of the "face-slapping drama", but was pulled longer and tighter under the lingering fragrance of the hot spring and the touch of fingertips, silently entwining the hearts of young men and women, weaving a naive and sweet love web.
The weeping concubine girl and the scumbag who covered his face with his hands, forgotten in the corner, had long been ignored and became an insignificant background in this sweet and warming journey. Nangong Ye sighed helplessly in his heart:
[Alas, I want to spend some time alone with my little one to warm up our relationship, but why is it that everywhere I go, there are always people and things that distract her? But... seeing how lively and energetic she is, it seems not bad either. As long as she's happy, that's all that matters.]
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