Chapter 83 16th Birthday
Moonlight poured down like water over the slumbering capital, illuminating the bluestone pavement like flowing silver threads. The clamor of the daytime Dongfang Mansion, ready to decorate with lanterns and invite guests to celebrate the sixteenth birthday of the Dongfang family's youngest daughter, Yu Ning, was completely silenced by her crisp, "I don't like it."
At this moment, this tranquility and brilliance that belongs only to her is quietly blooming on the Yongdingmen Tower in the south of the capital.
The towering city wall stood majestically, commanding its dominance. Yet, at this moment, it was no longer merely a cold defensive structure, but ablaze with a warm and brilliant light, becoming the brightest star in the night sky. Thousands of sky lanterns, freed from the constraints of the mortal world, soared like awakened galactic spirits, transforming the dark sky into a vast, flowing ocean of gold.
This ocean of light flowed silently, drowning the cold moonlight and shrouding the entire capital city in a dreamy and sacred halo.
Each lamp is meticulously crafted from the toughest mulberry paper, its walls as thin as a cicada's wing, almost transparent. Gold powder outlines a phoenix ready for flight, a vibrant peony, and the intertwining branches of a tree... The lines flow seamlessly, the images vividly resonate, casting a gorgeous, dynamic halo under the light.
The candlelight in the lamp danced gently, emitting a soft and sacred light through the delicate paper wall, illuminating every ancient brick and stone, every flying eaves and brackets of the Yongdingmen Tower as if they were a palace in the sky, so beautiful that it seemed beyond the mortal world.
On the highest observation deck of the tower, a scarlet velvet carpet was spread out, its intricate twin lotus embroidery faintly visible in the shadows of the lanterns. Nangong Ye wore a dark princely python robe. The four-clawed python pattern embroidered with gold thread shone with a restrained and noble luster under the thousands of lights, making his figure even more upright, like a pine tree on a cliff. His face was unparalleled in its handsomeness, and he exuded an imposing aura and deep gentleness.
He lowered his head slightly, his eyes like the hottest lava, with a concentration that could burn a person, firmly locked on the gorgeous color in his arms.
Dongfang Yuning snuggled up to his strong chest. The bright red brocade skirt specially made for her birthday tonight seemed to have absorbed the essence of all the lights, shining brightly like a burning flame.
The collar, cuffs and hem were trimmed with a fluffy, soft, pure white fox fur, which made her already stunning face look even more white and delicate, like a dewy peony just blooming under the moon.
Her long black hair was tied into an exquisite flying fairy bun, and the red gold hairpin in her hair, with phoenix feathers inlaid with tiny rubies, was designed by Nangong Ye.
As she tilted her head slightly, the phoenix feathers trembled, reflecting tiny and bright rays of light, which complemented the starlight in her eyes.
She tilted her head back, gazing infatuatedly at the sea of sky lanterns rising into the sky, a galaxy pouring back into the sky. Her peach blossom eyes, which usually gleamed with cunning calculations or heart-wrenching destructiveness, were now consumed by pure shock and boundless emotion. The shimmering water in her eyes shone brighter than the brightest stars in the night sky. Thousands of lights danced in the depths of her clear pupils, as if crushing the entire universe's starlight into a single sphere.
"Ning'er,"
Nangong Ye's deep and magnetic voice rang out above her head, with a gentleness that could drown people and an unquestionable cherishment.
"Happy birthday."
He tightened his arms around her, pressing her petite body even closer to his chest. He lowered his head, his warm lips almost touching her sensitive earlobe, and in a whisper that only the two of them could hear, he spoke each word with such weight:
"My little girl."
"I hope that for the rest of my life, every birthday, I will be by your side."
"Year after year, never leave or abandon."
His words, like a mellow wine aged a thousand years, mingled with his unique, crisp, pinewood scent, permeating Dongfang Yuning's body with a domineering yet gentle warmth, reaching the depths of her soul. A huge, indescribable warmth, tinged with bitterness, instantly broke down her defenses. Her nose suddenly felt sore, and her eyes quickly and uncontrollably flushed, a thin layer of mist forming.
[Ding! Ding! Ding! Host! Host! Highest level romance alert!]
The electronic sound of System 118 screamed like a madman in her head, with excitement and excitement enough to shatter her brain.
[Look! A sky full of stars is nothing! This man built you a Milky Way on earth! These Kongming lanterns! The number! The craftsmanship! The display! Host! This system's screenshot button is about to explode! Memory crisis! Memory crisis!]
The ultra-high-definition 4K holographic immersive image of "His Royal Highness Prince Yong's Galaxy Confession" has been forcibly saved! Ahhhh! The sweetness index is off the charts! This system's core processor is overheating! Urgent insulin injection required! Quick! Say something! Don't just focus on dropping gold beans, stupid host! Opportunity! Opportunity!
Dongfang Yuning's head was buzzing with the noise of the system, but the surging emotion that almost drowned her was so real, like a tide lapping against her heart.
She sniffed, trying to suppress the sobs welling up in her throat. She raised her wet eyes, as if veiled by the misty rain of Jiangnan, and gazed at Nangong Ye's handsome face, which was so close to her, filled with an intense and unbreakable love and concentration. The lights danced and burned in his eyes, as deep as a cold pond, like two clusters of eternal flames, reflecting only her figure.
"Brother Aye..."
Her voice trembled slightly, soft and sticky like a newly peeled lotus seed in early spring, full of complete dependence.
"Thank you…"
This thank you was as light as a feather, but it carried the deepest touch in her heart.
Thank you for everything you have done for me, thank you for cherishing me so much, thank you for appearing in my life which could have been cold and boring.
However, beneath this surging torrent of emotion, a cold and hard undercurrent, like a silent reef in the deep sea, quietly surfaced on the surface of her heart. She looked into Nangong Ye's eyes, which were filled with deep affection, but in her heart, there was an extremely clear and resolute voice shouting silently:
[Brother Aye, thank you for this surprise and promise... It's really beautiful, like a dream that I don't want to wake up from.]
【but…】
I, Dongfang Yuning, believe in the burning sincerity you offer me right now, but I also believe in the unpredictable nature of this world and the subtleties of human nature.
[You said you would never leave me, never abandon me, I remembered it and engraved it in my heart.]
You said you would stay together year after year, and I look forward to it, praying day and night.
[But you must also remember——]
[In my eyes, Dongfang Yuning, there is no room for even a grain of sand! I cannot tolerate even a trace of filth!]
[What I want is a lifelong relationship with one person! A relationship that is complete, pure, and without any trace of a third person!]
[If you can do this, I, Dongfang Yuning, will give you everything I have, and be with you through life and death. Even if it means burning the heavens and destroying the earth, I will have no regrets!]
If you can’t do it…
The voice in my heart suddenly became harsher, tempered with the coldness of the Arctic ice and the determination to destroy the world:
[Then don't blame me for being ruthless and cruel!]
[What childhood sweethearts, what royal dignity? To me, Dongfang Yuning, all of this is worthless shit!]
[I, Dongfang Yuning, can take it and let it go! ]
【You take your sunny path, and I'll cross my single-plank bridge! 】
[From now on, the mountains are high and the rivers are long, and all friendship is severed! ]
[Old age and death——no contact! ]
"If you dare betray me, I'll let you experience firsthand what true... world-destroying widowhood is like! I'll make you understand that Yunjiang's trap was just a warm-up for me to try my hand at it!"
Nangong Ye clearly "heard" the thrilling, murderous, and heart-wrenching declaration in her heart!
His arms around her stiffened slightly, almost imperceptibly! A layer of cold sweat instantly broke out on his back, and the night wind blew, chilling him to the bone!
The words "world-destroying widowhood" were like poisoned ice cones, carrying with them the destructive scene of the huge glass pit with a diameter of 200 miles in the Yunjiang Gobi Desert, and pierced into his heart!
He knew too well how terrifying this seemingly delicate and tender little girl in his arms could be when she got angry! The shadow of the huge pit was still deeply imprinted in his mind, and she had lightly said that it was just a warm-up for the "little fireworks"!
【……】
Nangong Ye only felt a chill rushing from the soles of his feet to the top of his head, and his scalp felt numb!
[My dear little ancestor! My dear little ancestor! The flag you set is taller and thicker than the walls of Yongdingmen! And you're a 'world-destroying widow'?! I still want to keep this life, to watch you... to watch you live in peace and joy year after year! If this surprise turns into a shock...]
He was wailing and roaring madly in his heart, but his face was like the most sophisticated instrument, not daring to show any abnormality. Only the muscles in his arms that were clasped together tensed instantly, revealing a hint of the turmoil in his heart.
He forced himself to suppress the fear that was surging in his heart, and tightened his arms around her, as if he wanted to completely rub her petite body into his own bones and blood, and use the most direct heat of his body to convey his unwavering determination.
He lowered his head, resting his forehead gently against hers, his nose nuzzling intimately against hers. Their hot, pine-scented breath mingled and entwined. His eyes were unprecedentedly solemn and pious, as if he were facing the most sacred oath. In a whisper, barely audible to the two of them, he responded silently but firmly, like a brand, deep within her heart:
[Ning'er...don't be afraid.]
Look at me, believe me.
[In Nangong Ye's life, there is only Dongfang Yuning.]
【In life, we shall sleep together; in death, we shall study together.】
If I break this oath...
He paused, a trace of the same icy cold ruthlessness as hers flashed across his amber eyes. It was the determination of a superior who controlled life and death.
[You don't need to do anything to dirty your hands. I, Nangong Ye, will kill myself in front of you!]
[Even in the underworld, I will never let you down! My soul will be waiting for you!]
This silent oath, like the hottest brand, carried the weight of his life and instantly smoothed out the sharp, cold thorns in Dongfang Yuning's heart.
She clearly felt the tension, strength, and weight of his promise emanating from her body. Her eyes suddenly heated up, and the tears she had been holding back for so long finally rolled down like pearls falling from a string, hitting the luxurious black python robe on Nangong Ye's chest, leaving a small dark patch of color, a trace of her warmth. She stopped talking, only hugging his sturdy waist even tighter, burying her burning face deep in the crook of his neck, which carried the familiar, cold, pine-scented scent, absorbing the warmth and determination that brought her peace of mind.
The sky is filled with bright lights and the silently flowing golden galaxy reflects the figures of the couple hugging each other tightly on the city wall. Time seems to stand still at this moment, forming a beautiful picture that can make the heaven and earth pale in comparison.
Deep in the Imperial Palace, Imperial Garden, Moon-Lantai
At the same time, on the highest moon-viewing platform in the imperial garden of the palace, the night breeze blew with the slightly chilly breath of early spring.
Empress Dongfang Qiwu wore neither the elaborate nor heavy phoenix robes of the imperial court, but only a simple, clean, moon-white silver fox fur cape. She leaned against the railing, aloof and detached. The night breeze lifted her long, jewel-free black hair, revealing her smooth, full forehead and a profile as calm as water.
She tilted her head slightly upward, her gaze piercing the palace walls and the night sky, gazing far into the distance toward Yongding Gate, at the endlessly rising golden galaxy that illuminated almost half of the capital's night sky as bright as day. Her eyes were filled with a complex, unreadable expression of relief, blessing, and a hint of indescribable melancholy.
Her eyesight was sharp enough to discern the blurred outlines of two figures huddled together atop the tower. The bright lanterns rising in prayer for her little sister, the meticulously decorated, brilliantly illuminated tower, the undisguised, deep affection that nearly pierced the night sky... all this was the cherishment and love that her little sister, who had been lawless and daring since childhood, yet whom she cherished to the core, deserved.
Ning'er...
Dongfang Qiwu called silently in his heart, his eyes gradually covered by a gentle halo like water, with deep, almost overflowing relief and blessings,
[You must be happy... a thousand times happier than your sister...]
The cold and besieged marriage made her understand more deeply than anyone else that what a woman wants in this world is nothing more than a pure and sincere love that will never leave her and can be trusted with life and death.
Her Ning'er is braver than her, more resolute than her, and luckier than her. She deserves the best and purest things in the world.
However, when her gaze seemed to penetrate the space and accurately swept across the tall and powerful dark figure belonging to Nangong Ye on the city wall, all the tenderness in her eyes instantly faded away and froze into ice!
Instead, there was a deep, cold scrutiny and warning like ten-thousand-year-old black ice, like the sharpest and most ruthless ice blade, penetrating the long distance, carrying invisible pressure, and nailing it hard into Nangong Ye's back!
[Nangong Ye…]
The Queen's heart turned cold, with the extreme protectiveness of an elder sister like a mother and a hint of murderous intent that was barely perceptible but enough to freeze the soul.
[You better... remember what you said tonight! Keep your word!]
[Every promise you make to Ning'er should be worth a thousand gold and sincere! Guarantee it with your life!]
If you dare betray her... dare make her shed a tear because of you... dare let her suffer even the slightest injustice...
The corners of Dongfang Qiwu's lips slowly curled up into a faint arc, so faint that it was almost invisible, but cold enough to pierce through the bone marrow. The awe-inspiring pressure that emanated from his body, the kind of awe-inspiring pressure accumulated over many years of occupying the throne, ruling the harem, and deciding life and death, made the air around them seem to stagnate for a moment.
[I don’t care whether you are the noble Prince Yong or some future…]
[I will let you know clearly...]
What does it really mean to be unable to live...to be unable to die! What does it mean to be in despair deeper than hell!?
[This sky full of Kongming lanterns...]
She looked at the dazzling golden sea of light that symbolized the deep affection at the moment, but her eyes were as cold as the Nine Nether Frost:
[…Just enough to light a perpetual lantern on your grave! To illuminate your path to the eighteen levels of hell…the Yellow Springs!]
Emperor Nangong Yu, who was standing beside her, was subconsciously rubbing his hands and breathing heavily. He looked towards the tower with undisguised envy, and sighed in admiration at his brother's amazing pursuit of people:
"Tsk tsk, that kid Aye is really going to great lengths to please that little ancestor Ning'er! Look at all the pomp and circumstance! These Kongming lanterns...hiss, I'm afraid they've emptied out the capital's entire stock of high-quality mulberry paper for the next three years, right? Really...hiss—"
Before he could finish his words, he suddenly shuddered violently! A sudden, cold murderous aura from the lowest depths of the Nine Nether Hell, like countless tangible ice needles, pierced the skin on the back of his neck without warning!
Nangong Yu's hair stood on end! Every muscle in his body stiffened! Like a rusty puppet, he turned his head very slowly and with extreme caution to look at his beloved wife, who was still looking up at the lanterns.
Under the cold moonlight, Dongfang Qiwu's profile is still calm and gentle, with soft lines. Even the slightly upturned corners of her lips have a subtle, gentle and quiet curve, and she is as beautiful as a fairy in the Moon Palace.
However, as the person who had lived with her day and night and slept in the same bed with her for many years, Nangong Yu could clearly feel the terrifying murderous aura emanating from that seemingly frail and gentle body, which was colder and more biting than the cold wind blowing from the Siberian ice field for thousands of years, and more frightening than the most vicious curse in the legendary Middle Eastern magic!
The murderous aura was not directed at him, but it made him feel as if he was stripped naked and thrown into an ice cave in the coldest days of winter. He felt cold from the hair to the heels, and even his blood seemed to be frozen!
【……】
Nangong Yu swallowed hard, his Adam's apple rolled with difficulty, and he felt a chill running from his tailbone along the spine to the top of his head, and his scalp felt numb!
[Wu…Wu’er…this murderous aura…this look…oh my god…]
He was terrified and didn't dare to move his eyes. He used all his life's acting skills to maintain his composure on the surface, and carefully looked in the direction where Dongfang Qiwu's "gentle" gaze fell - the target was accurate, it was the back of his younger brother Nangong Ye on the city wall!
Thinking of the Queen's unprincipled, deep-seated doting and love for her younger sister, Dongfang Yuning, and then thinking of Ning'er, who was well-known among the noble ladies in the capital, and whose "fierce" temper could easily explode and destroy others at the slightest provocation...
Nangong Yu suddenly had a flash of enlightenment, and he completely understood! He felt his scalp buzzing, as if it was about to explode, and his back was instantly soaked with a layer of sticky cold sweat! The inner garment under the dragon robe clung tightly to his skin, bringing a cool and wet feeling.
[It's over, it's over, it's over! Ah Ye, ah Ah Ye! Usually, I'm just threatened by Ning'er with the muzzle of a gun... But you... you've been tortured to death by Wu'er's eyes! Like being cut into pieces by a thousand cuts!]
Nangong Yu roared silently in his heart.
This isn't just about viewing the lanterns! This is clearly an excuse to pick a Feng Shui location for Aye... Ugh! This is picking a grave site! And one of those luxurious perpetual packages that comes with a perpetual lantern! Help! When did my gentle, virtuous Wu'er become so murderous?! This look... this aura... is even more infuriating than Ning'er's 'multicolored black'! These two sisters... each one is more terrifying than the other...
He subconsciously wanted to move a small step to the side without leaving any trace, to get away from the center of this invisible murderous storm that was almost freezing him, even an inch away.
However, as soon as he made the slightest move, a chilling chill locked onto him, freezing him in place, unable to even move a toe. Like a wooden stake nailed to the spot, he forced a stiff smile, uglier than crying, while silently lighting countless white candles on the tower, wishing his brother, who was still unaware of the situation, a "good journey."
[Aye... I can only help you up to this point... The rest... depends entirely on your own waist... cough... I'm on my own... I'm also in a difficult situation... Being an emperor these days is too hard... Not only do I have to constantly be on guard against my sister-in-law's hidden, wielding cannons of destruction, but I also have to be constantly vigilant against my own queen's silent, deadly gaze... It's so hard for me...]
The night wind carried the faint clamor of voices from a distant city wall and the subtle crackling of burning Kongming lanterns, sweeping across the silent imperial garden. On the moon-gazing terrace, the emperor and empress stood side by side, one radiating a murderous aura that could freeze a thousand miles into the distance, while the other trembled in fear at the person wielding that aura, her inner drama thick with emotion. Under the moonlight and lanterns, the atmosphere was eerie and yet permeated with a strange "harmony."
On the city wall, the hug that seemed warm and sweet on the surface but was actually turbulent (for Nangong Ye) finally ended.
Nangong Ye carefully held Dongfang Yuning's slightly cold little hand, as if holding a rare treasure, and walked to the white marble table that had been arranged in the center of the observation deck.
There were no delicacies from land and sea, or fine liquors placed on the table. Instead, there was an exquisite vermilion lacquer food box painted with a lotus pattern, which looked particularly simple and thoughtful.
"Ning'er, birthday gift."
Nangong Ye's voice was filled with a barely perceptible nervousness. He stepped forward personally, and with his slender fingers, he gently unfastened the delicate copper buckle of the food box and slowly lifted the lid.
An alluring aroma, a blend of the sweetness of milk, the mellow aroma of honey beans, and the sweet and sour aroma of fresh fruit puree, instantly filled the air, permeating my nose with a domineering warmth and happiness. Inside the food box wasn't some priceless treasure, but rather a... hmm, rather uniquely shaped... pastry?
The base is made of snow-white and delicate milk steamed cake that looks like fine mutton-fat jade, and is stacked layer upon layer with crystal clear, plump sweetened red beans and mashed, brightly colored fresh fruit puree (if you look closely, you can see traces of strawberries and cherries).
The top layer was covered with a thick layer of pastry, as white as freshly fallen snow. On top of the pastry, a cheesy, round, abstract pattern was scribbled with vibrant berry jam, clearly handcrafted. Next to it, a few large, equally crooked characters were written in pure white icing sugar.
"Ning'er, you are sixteen years old, happy birthday."
This design…isn't exactly refined and elegant; it even has a clumsy, childish, doodle-like cuteness. It's obvious at first glance that it wasn't the work of a royal chef or a master chef from a prestigious restaurant.
Dongfang Yuning looked at the ugly, yet cute, yet unique "cake" in the food box, then looked at Nangong Ye's handsome face, which was now showing a complex expression of nervousness, anticipation, and a subtle embarrassment. He couldn't help laughing. The moisture in his eyes had not yet completely faded, and now this sudden smile forced a little crystal, sparkling like broken diamonds under the light.
She pointed at the abstract "round shape" on the cheese, and laughed so hard that she could hardly straighten her back:
"Ah...Brother Aye...this...this couldn't have been made by you...yourselves, right?"
Nangong Yeruyu's ears instantly turned a light red, and a rare look of embarrassment and shyness, typical of a young man, appeared on his usually calm and stern face.
"Ahem... well. This is my first... attempt, and my skills are really poor. I apologize for the poor performance."
He cleared his throat and tried to remain calm, but his eyes were filled with anticipation.
"But... I guarantee that the ingredients are all the best. I... I've tried it several times, and the taste... is quite acceptable."
He picked up the specially made silver knife that had been prepared nearby. The handle was inlaid with a small ruby. He handed it to Dongfang Yuning with a gentle and focused look in his eyes.
"Ning'er, cut the cake and make a wish?"
Dongfang Yuning gradually stopped laughing. Looking at the funny-looking cake in front of him, which was filled with the clumsy love of this man, the last trace of cold defense in his heart caused by the "world-destroying flag" completely melted away, and was replaced by a warm and full feeling of sweetness.
She nodded, her smile faded, her expression becoming serious and reverent. She clasped her hands together before her chest and slowly closed her radiant peach blossom eyes. Her long eyelashes cast thick shadows under the light, like butterfly wings.
[Tongzi, get to work! Write this down for me! Don't miss a single word!]
Deep in her consciousness, she gave instructions to the noisy system.
The first wish is:
Her determination was unwavering.
I hope my 'world-destroying fireworks' technology will continue to improve and reach new heights! I hope to soon overcome the challenges of 'directional energy collapse' and 'zero aftermath pollution', and create a perfect giant blast that's rounder, more dazzling, and even more colorful (like a multicolored glass effect?)! I hope to contribute to the world of 'art'!
System 118's electronic voice carried a mixture of helplessness, "As expected," and accustomed excitement:
[…Received! Host, your wishes are always so hardcore and constructive! This system has activated the highest priority recording module! +1 for the special wish of "rounder, more dazzling, and more environmentally friendly pit"! Database is being updated synchronously! Please continue to work hard and contribute to world peace and aesthetics!]
The second wish is:
Dongfang Yuning's thoughts continued to flow,
May my Fengming Nine Chamber of Commerce prosper and spread far and wide, and may Yueji Pavilion's wealth flourish and reach the three rivers! May my sister earn a fortune, giving her more confidence in the palace and letting her confront anyone she wants! May Yue'er be able to follow her heart and live the life she desires most, without any constraints! May my mother live a more fulfilling life!
System 118 responded with a stylized passion:
[Ding! 'Career Fortune' & 'Sisterly Love' Combined Wish +1! Emotional Analysis Module Display: Touching! A touching story! This system has activated a business simulation. Wishing the host great wealth and the sisters great success!]
The third wish...
Dongfang Yuning paused, tightened her clasped fingers slightly, and her long eyelashes cast a deeper shadow under her eyelids. There was an imperceptible softness and...stubbornness in her thoughts, which she herself might not have even considered deeply.
[I wish... Brother Aye will always be just my Brother Aye. Just like tonight, in his eyes and heart, there is only me.]
This thought was like the sweetest honey. However, beneath the sweetness, the coldness and hardness buried deep in the soul, with zero tolerance for betrayal, quietly emerged, like a thorn hidden under the petals:
[But if there really is a change... fate is fickle, or people's hearts are fickle...]
May my 'Cannon of Truth' always remain at peak condition! It will fire wherever it's pointed, never misfiring! Its accuracy is less than one thousandth! Its efficiency is so high that even those who betray their hearts won't have time to regret it!
System 118: […Zizizi… (Signal interference)… Host, the system has detected a logical paradox and high-risk trigger words in the third wish! Emotional intensity of the first half: SSS-level sweetness!]
The second half... triggers a red alert for the security protocol! This system has activated automatic coding and fuzzy archiving procedures! Friendly reminder: The high-risk flag has been set by the host himself. Your Highness, Prince Yong, please cherish your life and avoid suicide! The system will continue to monitor the target's vital signs (psychological shadow area) for you!
Dongfang Yuning suddenly opened her eyes, and a smile as bright as the stars instantly burst out from them, mixed with a hint of cunning and cleverness, as if she had succeeded in a mischief. She slightly pursed her plump, bright red lips and gently blew at a small, equally adorable (round) candle that Nangong Ye had just handed to her lips.
The warm orange candlelight flickered and went out quietly, leaving only a wisp of light smoke. Then, she picked up the silver knife inlaid with rubies and, guided by Nangong Ye's warm hand, cut the unique, ugly-cute cake with an almost sacred sense of ritual.
She deftly used a silver fork to pick up a piece of cake mixed with snow-white yogurt, fresh cranberry jam and soft milk steamed cake, and handed it steadily to Nangong Ye's lips.
Her smile was as beautiful as a flower, and her eyes were full of brilliance, as if all the stars in the sky were contained in her eyes:
"Brother Aye, the first piece is for you. Thank you... for preparing all this for me."
This smile is pure and bright, enough to melt the hardest ice in the world.
Nangong Ye looked at her bright smile that was enough to captivate everyone, and felt that the cold sweat on his back that had just been dried by the night wind was seeping out again in an instant.
His smile was gentle as water, as if it could drown the entire spring. Without hesitation, he opened his mouth and took the cake, which was a little sweet but full of infinite love. The delicate yogurt and sweet and sour jam melted on his tongue, just like her smile at that moment.
“Very sweet.”
He stared at her, his amber eyes filled with an insoluble rich affection, like the mellowest honey wine, and in the deepest part of that honey wine, a barely perceptible but extremely alert light, like a star in the dark night, twinkling firmly.
"Just like Ning'er...sweet to the heart."
His voice was low and hoarse, carrying a hint of satisfaction after tasting sweetness and... a certain deep-rooted awareness.
【sweet? 】
Dongfang Yuning hummed in his heart with pride, like a little fox that had eaten honey.
Sweet is the way to go! Brother Aye, remember this sweetness. This is the one and only 'Yuning Special Sweetness'! If you dare to change the taste... hehe, I'll let you taste it for yourself and see what 'world-destroying' bitter despair is like! I guarantee you'll have an unforgettable aftertaste!
System 118's alarm rang in her head, with a hint of gloating electronic trill:
[Alert! Alert! Host continuously outputs high-intensity high-risk flags! Real-time monitoring of His Royal Highness Prince Yong's psychological shadow area: Has exceeded the safety threshold! Continuously expanding! Core temperature (referring to the desire to survive) is rising sharply! This system strongly recommends: Immediately! Immediately! Continuously replenish high-sugar substances (cake) to neutralize the concentration of murderous aura! Quick! Fill his mouth with cake! Physically block the flag transmission channel! This is an order!]
The starry sky, a sea of lights, silently illuminated the pair atop the city wall, sharing an ugly cake. One smiled sweetly and harmlessly, yet her mind was clattering, repeatedly calculating various "precise and efficient" plans for world destruction. The other ate with trepidation, treading cautiously on thin ice, yet relishing the treat, as if savoring the world's most precious delicacy.
The invisible murderous aura in the distant Imperial Garden and on the Moon-Catching Terrace seemed to become even more solid and icy because of this scene of "sharing food." Emperor Nangong Yu silently and inconspicuously wrapped his dragon robe tighter around him. He gazed toward the city tower, his heart filled with only one deeply devout thought:
[Aye... I support you morally... The rest... depends entirely on your own luck... Pray for the best, my dear brother!] The night wind blew, and His Majesty the Emperor felt the back of his neck grow even colder.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
