Chapter 7 Lift High
The next day, at the beginning of the Yin hour, the sky was still a thick dark blue.
“Woo… woo woo woo…”
The suppressed, hopeless wails, accompanied by the subtle sound of wheels rolling over the palace road, echoed faintly in the silent imperial city.
Inside the luxurious sedan, Dongfang Yuning was like a kitten that had been forcibly pulled out of its warm nest. He huddled listlessly on the cushion, his eyelids feeling as heavy as if a huge stone had dropped on him.
[Wuwuwuwu~~Tongzi! This life is unbearable! I want to go home! I want to lie back on my Simmons mattress!]
She was swiping the screen crazily in her heart,
The roosters haven't even crowed yet! Are the roosters' ancestors still napping?! What national events are I, a young, beautiful girl who hasn't even reached marriageable age, supposed to be watching?
My brother-in-law is absolutely crazy! It's unjust! He's exploiting child labor! I'm going to the Labor Bureau... oh no, I'm going to the Dali Temple to file a complaint! [Unclear context - possibly a typo or error]
This voice of resentment, like its own loudspeaker, began broadcasting the moment she stepped out of Fengyi Palace, reaching the ears of everyone who had been waiting outside the Golden Palace without any obstruction.
Without watching, everyone can automatically generate the picture in their mind:
[That stunningly beautiful little ancestor must be looking so pitiful at this moment, wanting to cry but unable to, wishing she could just roll around on the ground.]
Prince Yong, Nangong Ye, dressed in a dark-colored princely robe and standing tall as a pine tree, stood at the steps with his hands behind his back. Hearing this familiar and vibrant wail, a faint curve curved up his thin lips, and a smile flashed across his eyes, one he himself hadn't noticed.
But soon, he forced himself to suppress that smile and returned to his usual cold and serious self.
However, the newly appointed Marquis of Zhenguo, Dongfang Liezheng, Dongfang Yuning's elder brother, who came in a hurry, was not so calm.
He had just rushed back to Beijing the day before to report on his work. At this moment, he changed into a dark purple court robe with a kirin pattern, which symbolized the majesty of a marquis, and tied a jade belt around his waist. Although he had shed the fierce killing of the battlefield, his tall and straight body and the firmness between his brows still carried an aura of majesty without anger.
Upon hearing his sister's miserable voice, this strong man was immediately distressed and frowned.
As soon as the sedan chair came to a stop in front of the palace, without waiting for the palace servants to come forward and lift the curtain, Dongfang Liezheng rushed forward and with a "swish" of his big hands, he lifted the heavy curtain!
I saw my little sister lying in the corner of the sedan like a cabbage wilted by frost, limp and listless, her little head nodding as if she would fall asleep in the next second.
That pitiful look instantly touched Dongfang Liezheng's heart of being a tough guy who loves girls!
"Ning'er!"
He let out a low cry, his heartache overriding all manner of courtesy. Relying on his height and strength, he slipped his large hands directly through Yuning's armpits and, like a newborn, defenseless kitten, easily slid her out of the sedan chair!
Then, under the watchful eyes of the entire court, the emperor, the crown prince, and Prince Yong, Nangong Ye, the soon-to-be-promoted Marquis of Zhenguo did something that nearly made everyone's eyes drop out of their sockets.
He exerted force with his arms and lifted the slender and petite Dongfang Yuning high above his head! Just like when he teased her with the lifting game when they were little!
Time seemed to stand still at this moment.
Dongfang Yuning was frightened by the sudden feeling of floating in the air, and the remaining sleepiness instantly flew away.
She tilted her head, blinking her bright eyes blankly, looking at her brother's resolute face, which was filled with the expression of "brother loves you". Her mind was blank, and only the frantic connection with the system remained:
[Tongzi! Tongzi! Hurry! Tell me this isn't an illusion! I'm being... lifted up high?! At... at the entrance to the Golden Throne Hall?!]
Melon-eating system: [Ding! Master Host, you read that correctly! Your beloved elder brother, the soon-to-be-appointed Marquis of Zhenguo, Dongfang Liezheng, is expressing his deep, sea-like, and passionate brotherly love to you in the most primitive, direct, and... socially deadly way possible! Although... the situation may be a little awkward... but... love must be expressed courageously! Please... digest it yourself!]
After a brief downtime, Dongfang Yuning finally came back to her senses. Seeing the pure joy and affection in her big brother's eyes, a warm feeling surged through her heart, dispelling the resentment of being forced to wake up early. Her little face instantly blossomed into a smile brighter than the morning sun, sweet enough to ooze honey. She called out to Dongfang Liezheng tenderly:
"Big brother~"
The voice is soft and sticky, with a lazy nasal tone of just waking up, which can penetrate into one's bones.
Ouch!
The call of "big brother" was like igniting the most secret barrel of aged vinegar in Prince Yong Nangong Ye's heart!
The little girl he had his eyes on, with that delicate, soft voice, should have been calling him "Brother Ye"! Although... the one holding her up was his own brother... although... he understood the truth! But! No! Just no!
Nangong Ye's handsome face darkened at a visible speed. The cold aura that had been so well restrained around him spread uncontrollably, and the air temperature around him plummeted, as if it had suddenly entered the coldest days of winter. Several officials close to him couldn't help but shudder and subconsciously shrink their necks.
Dongfang Liezheng, whose nerves were as strong as steel, also felt this sudden, tangible, cold murderous aura! His arm, which was holding his sister, stiffened slightly, and an inexplicable chill ran down his spine.
[Hiss... Why is it so cold all of a sudden? ]
System Alert: [Host! Extremely high concentration of dangerous acid detected! Danger Level: SSS! Recommended to stop current action immediately! Repeat! Stop immediately!]
Dongfang Yuning was confused: [Danger? Murderous intent? Is there an assassin?!]
On the high platform, Emperor Nangong Yu and Crown Prince Nangong Chengqian, who had a panoramic view of the entire process, would have thought that an assassin had suddenly appeared and would have directly summoned the Imperial Guards to protect them if they had not heard Yu Ning's thoughts in advance!
Nangong Yu looked at his brother's face, which was so black that ink could drip out of it, and then looked at his sister-in-law who was held high up and smiled brightly, and the silly big Dongfang Liezheng who said "My sister is so cute" on his face, and his heart was filled with joy:
[Hahahaha! The thousand-year-old iron tree has blossomed! And it's so sour! Wonderful! I was just worried about this little lucky star coming of age in a few months. Who should I marry her to so that I can feel at ease and not treat her unfairly?]
Good things should be kept within the family. Although this iceberg brother of mine is... ahem... a little old (Nangong Ye:???), at least I know him well. It's better than letting those stinky boys outside take advantage of him! This jealousy is delicious, delicious!]
He cleared his throat, and his majestic voice broke the eerie silence in front of the hall:
"The time has come, go to court!"
---
Inside the Golden Throne Hall, the atmosphere was solemn. All officials stood in a state of complete silence, with only the Emperor's voice and the occasional report echoing.
Dongfang Yuning sat hopelessly on the small soft stool specially provided under the dragon throne of the emperor's brother-in-law. He yawned continuously, his eyelids drooped, and he looked as wilted as a dehydrated cabbage.
She tried hard to maintain her sitting position, but her little head kept moving up and down, and she almost fell down several times.
[Tongzi, save me... I feel like my soul has drifted away to play chess with Zhou Gong... My body is still suffering torture...]
She wailed inwardly.
System: [Host, hold on! Think about the crystal plum blossom cakes freshly made in the imperial kitchen last night! Think about the newly ripe peaches in the imperial garden! Think about... Huh? The wig of the Minister of Revenue in the front row seems to have been blown askew by the wind?]
At that moment, a draft playfully slid in from the palace gate. Precisely and with a hint of playfulness, it brushed past the meticulously combed, sleek head of Lord Wang, the Minister of Revenue, who was standing in the front row.
I saw that the expensive wig used to cover up his extraordinary intelligence, as if gently pushed by an invisible hand, very slowly and clearly slid from the center of Lord Wang's head, which was not very wealthy to begin with, to the left... about an inch!
The originally neat hairline instantly turned into a funny side bangs, revealing a small piece of scalp underneath that was smooth and reflected the faint light of the candlelight!
Mr. Wang (inner thoughts):
【!!! My hair!】
His face instantly turned an ugly liver-colored color. He happened to be in the court, in full view of everyone. He could neither reach out to help nor scream in surprise. He could only keep his neck stiff and try to keep looking straight ahead. His eyes desperately slanted towards the top of his head, trying to use his mind to pull the damn wig back into place. The veins on his forehead bulged.
[Puff——]
Dongfang Yuning's sleepiness was instantly dispelled by this funny scene. He almost couldn't help laughing out loud. He quickly covered his mouth with his little hands, and his shoulders shrugged suspiciously.
[Tongzi! Hahaha! Did you see that? Did you see that?! It's really crooked! It's so crooked! Lord Wang's face has turned purple! Like a ripe purple eggplant!]
Hahaha! Even the peaches in the Imperial Garden aren't this funny! Hehehe... Since Brother-in-law Zhou Paopi is torturing me like this, I'm going to go steal all the peaches from his tree to make it up to myself!
Her gloating voice was like a stone thrown into a calm lake, echoing clearly in the minds of everyone who could hear it.
Puff…Puff…
Although all the officials had received strict etiquette training, at this moment, several muffled laughs that were suppressed but still leaked out were heard in the hall, as well as more strange sounds similar to choking and coughing caused by trying hard to hold back laughter.
Several officials lowered their heads tightly, their shoulders shaking violently, and some even pinched their thighs secretly, trying to use the pain to distract from their smiles.
The originally solemn atmosphere in the court became subtle and filled with a strange joy because of this little wig incident and Yu Ning's inner voice.
Nangong Ye glanced over faintly:
[Stealing peaches from the Imperial Garden? The little thing has grown bolder. We'll catch the peach thief soon.]
Nangong Yu sat on the dragon throne and began the day's agenda in a good mood. The first thing he did was to commend the heroes who had won the great victory in the North.
"Prince Yong, Nangong Ye, for his masterful planning and decisive victories thousands of miles away, is rewarded with ten thousand taels of gold, ten hu of East China Sea pearls, and a thousand acres of fertile farmland!"
Nangong Ye looked calm and composed as he stepped out of the group and thanked the emperor calmly.
"Your Majesty, thank you for your grace."
When returning to the train, his eyes vaguely swept over the little figure who was covering his mouth and laughing secretly.
"Marquis of Zhenguo, Dongfang Liezheng, is the bravest of the three armies. He killed the general and captured the flag. He was awarded the purple gold fish bag and was promoted to the title of Prince's Guardian. He was awarded... um..."
Nangong Yu paused, glanced at his sister-in-law who seemed to be more energetic, and added with a smile,
"Give the Imperial Kitchen ten boxes of special snacks, including candied haws...cough, fifty bunches!"
【??? Dim sum? Candied haws???】
Dongfang Liezheng was immersed in the thoughts of coaxing his sister and resisting the inexplicable chill. When he suddenly heard his name and reward, his mind was stunned.
[Marquis Zhenguo? Promoted to the title of Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince? And... candied haws? Your Majesty, are you serious? Give them to me?]
He subconsciously touched his waist, as if it were already covered with invisible candied haws sticks. It was not until his colleague next to him quietly poked him that he suddenly came to his senses. He hurriedly stepped out of the line, knelt on one knee, and spoke in a loud voice with a subtle sense of confusion:
"Your Majesty, I thank you for your grace!"
I was still muttering in my heart:
[This candied haws... is it for Ning'er? It's definitely for Ning'er! Your Majesty is wise!]
When it was Nangong Ye's turn to thank him, he did not retreat, but took a step forward, his voice cold and steady:
"Your Majesty, I thank you for your grace. However, I dare to ask for something else."
Nangong Yu raised an eyebrow, having already expected this: "Oh? What is it that the Emperor wants?"
Nangong Ye's eyes were calm, but his tone was firm and unquestionable:
"I, your Majesty, beg you to grant me a blank imperial edict. It should be complete with the seal, but the field for marriage partner should be left blank."
As soon as these words were spoken, the entire palace erupted in an uproar! A blank imperial edict! A marriage decree! This was simply unprecedented! Even the officials, who had just been agonizing over their wigs and chuckling, were instantly stunned by this bombshell news, forgetting everything else and turning their gazes to the stern prince.
Nangong Yu looked at the determined glint in his brother's eyes, then looked at Dongfang Yuning, who was stunned by the sudden "blank imperial edict" and had her mouth slightly open. He understood:
[Good boy! So direct! So scheming! He's trying to cook raw rice into a royal meal! Sister-in-law, you're on your own! Your brother-in-law can only help you so far!]
His face remained expressionless, he stroked his beard and pondered for a moment, then said loudly:
"allow!"
A bright yellow imperial edict, stamped with a bright red jade seal, with only the space for the marriage partner left blank, was respectfully presented to Nangong Ye by the eunuch.
Nangong Ye took the imperial edict, brushed his fingertips lightly across the blank space, and his eyes seemed to unintentionally sweep over the petite figure who was still trying to digest the information, with her head drooping a little. Deep in his eyes, a glimmer of determination flashed across his face.
Dongfang Yuning: [ZZZ… Hmm? Candied haws… stolen peaches… delicious…]
(The overwhelming amount of information and constant sleepiness finally overwhelmed her. She tilted her head and leaned against the cold pillar... and fell asleep completely.)
Emperor Nangong Yu looked at this scene, and a fox-like smile appeared on his lips:
[I've already collected the betrothal gifts for you, my royal brother. Now, it all depends on your ability!]
He seemed to have seen how the iron tree in his own home gradually brought the naive little cabbage back home to a bright future.
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