Chapter 87 Inspection
The red silk of the Zhenguo Marquisate's mansion had not yet faded from its festive hue, and the afterglow of the bustling atmosphere still lingered over the capital. Meanwhile, just across the wall, deep within the bustling city, another silent, fiery "goods inspection" was quietly unfolding at the Xuanping Marquisate's mansion.
As night fell, only two elegant lanterns hung in front of the Xuanping Marquis's residence, forming a stark contrast to the bustle of the daytime, exuding a sense of understated nobility. A carriage, bearing the imperial emblem but otherwise unassuming, quietly pulled up.
The carriage curtain opened, revealing Princess Nangong Yue, dressed in a neat pomegranate-red riding uniform (a modified version of her regular uniform), and a dark-black cape embroidered with dark gold cloud patterns. She stepped down from the carriage shaft with a straight figure. She had no attendants with her, only two calm female guards following behind.
Looking up at the four simple and vigorous characters "Xuanping Marquis Mansion" on the lintel, there was no ripple on Nangong Yue's bright face, only a very faint, hunter-like sharpness flashed in the depths of her eyes.
My aunt said, love is like a pair of shoes. Only you know whether it fits your feet or not.
She silently recited Dongfang Yuning's heretical theories in her heart, and her red lips curled up into a smile.
[Chen Xiaoyun? Black-hearted fox? Purehearted loyal dog? Haha… Whether it's a mule or a horse, we'll know after we take it out for a walk. Today, I'll personally inspect the goods!]
The gate of the mansion opened silently, and Shen Xiaoyun came out to greet him personally. He had changed out of the moon-white brocade robe he wore during the day and put on a dark blue casual gown. His hair was tied up with a jade hairpin. He was less romantic and more calm and reserved than during the day.
He had a perfect, gentle smile on his face, but his eyes were like a cold pond soaked in the night, clearly reflecting the figure of Nangong Yue.
"Your Highness's arrival brings honor to our humble home."
Shen Xiaoyun bowed slightly, his voice clear and melodious, especially distinct in the quiet night. He didn't use overly flattering honorifics; the unhurried "minister" instead conveyed a sense of intimacy, neither humble nor overbearing.
Nangong Yue nodded slightly, her eyes swept across his face, scrutinizing him:
"Mr. Shen, you're very polite. Where is the painting?"
Be straightforward and don't waste time.
"The painting is ready and in the study. Your Highness, please follow me."
Chen Xiaoyun stepped aside to lead the way, his movements smooth and natural. The two walked side by side through the courtyard. The mansion's scenery was tranquil and elegant, with rockery, flowing water, and swaying bamboo shadows. It exuded a settled scholarly air and understated luxury, seemingly at odds with the owner's reputation as a "black-hearted fox."
[118! Environmental scan! Is there an ambush? Are there any traps? Are there any suspicious incense?]
Although Dongfang Yuning was not present at the scene, her "melon-eating radar" had already been turned on and connected to the system remotely.
[118: Beep! Environmental scan in progress... No physical ambush! No trigger! Air composition analysis: Normal sandalwood mixed with ink fragrance, no aphrodisiac ingredients! Verdict: Safe! But... Host, please note, the highest-level traps often don't require physical means! Target Chen Xiaoyun himself is a walking hormone trap! (System Serious Warning.jpg)]
Nangong Yue walked calmly, her eyes seemingly casually sweeping over the calligraphy and paintings hanging in the corridor and the antiques placed on the desk, but in fact she took in every detail.
She could sense the faint, cool fragrance of pine and cypress emanating from the person beside her, as well as his calm aura. There was no forced flattery, no unnecessary small talk; this comfortable distance actually relaxed her tense nerves a little.
The door of the study was pushed open.
The crisp scent of ink and settled paper filled the air. The room was enormous, three walls lined with floor-to-ceiling rosewood bookshelves, densely packed with ancient scrolls, creating a magnificent atmosphere.
In the center lies a spacious rosewood desk, meticulously arranged with brushes, inkstones, and paper. A few profound landscape paintings hang sporadically on the walls, showcasing the owner's taste.
The most eye-catching thing is the huge drawing table by the window. On it is spread a long scroll, which is the "Silk Road Smoke and Clouds".
Nangong Yue's gaze was instantly drawn to it. She approached the painting table and leaned over to examine it closely. The painting was painted with powerful and vigorous brushstrokes. The desert was filled with solitary smoke, camel caravans were winding, and the trade routes opened up through the towering mountains were faintly visible. The overwhelming sense of vastness and the hardships of the pioneering work made her, who had personally experienced the development of the tea ceremony, feel a slight tremor in her heart.
“Nice painting.”
She praised sincerely, her fingertips subconsciously wanting to touch the brushstrokes that had gone through vicissitudes of life, but stopped before touching them.
"Your Highness has good eyesight."
Shen Xiaoyun's voice sounded beside her, not too far away, just close enough for her to smell the refreshing scent on him.
"This painting depicts not only trade routes, but also the backbone and courage of pioneers. Just as Your Highness opened up the Southwest Tea Road, forging a path through thorns and brambles, his courage and vision are truly impressive."
His praise was still precise, but less polite than during the day and more sincere. He stared intently at her profile reflected in the candlelight.
Nangong Yue stood up straight, not being carried away by the praise. Instead, she met his gaze with a hint of inquiry in her smile:
"Master Shen invited me here, I'm afraid it's not just for the appreciation of the painting? The business path in this painting is difficult, and I believe you are well aware of it. How about... talk about 'Tao'?"
She pronounced the word "Tao" clearly, with a sharpness honed by the ups and downs of the business world.
The smile in Chen Xiaoyun's eyes deepened slightly, as if he had been waiting for her to ask this question. He didn't answer directly, but walked to the small table beside him and picked up a simple glass wine pot and two wine glasses of the same material. The wine was a beautiful amber color, shining with an alluring luster under the candlelight.
“The new tea road in the southwest has just begun. It may seem like a smooth road, but in fact it is full of hidden dangers.”
He poured the wine calmly and spoke in a low voice, but every word was clear.
"First, the numerous tax checkpoints along the way, layer upon layer of exploitation, make merchants and travelers miserable. Second, local tyrants take advantage of this opportunity to monopolize transportation and storage, and arbitrarily raise prices. Third, although the new tea is of high quality, it suffers from excessive transportation losses, and the high cost of bringing it to the capital makes it difficult to compete with the old tea."
He accurately pointed out the three most difficult problems Nangong Yue was currently facing, and like the most astute accountant, he cleared the fog in an instant.
Nangong Yue's heart trembled slightly, but her expression remained calm. She was naturally aware of these issues, but she hadn't expected Chen Xiaoyun to see so clearly. She took the wine glass from Chen Xiaoyun, and her fingertips accidentally brushed against his, bringing a slight cool touch.
"Oh? What do you think, Master Shen?"
She swirled the wine in the glass and took a sip with her red lips. The wine was refreshing, with a unique fruity aroma and a subtle hint of spiciness, leaving a long aftertaste.
Chen Xiaoyun also took a sip of wine, his eyes falling on the flickering candlelight, while considering his words:
"I'm not worthy of your wise suggestion. However... the root of these elaborate tax cards is profit. Your Highness could petition His Majesty to emulate the old system of 'tea permits' of the previous dynasty, but with some innovations. Royal trading companies should uniformly print and sell tea permits, clearly indicating that taxes and dues have been paid. Upon seeing the permits along the way, they will be released without further collection. These permits themselves can also serve as proof of merchant transport and sales, allowing for multiple uses and transparency. As for the local tyrants..."
He paused, a familiar cold light that belonged to the black-hearted fox flashed across his eyes.
"Your Highness holds the Ministry of War's dispatch order (though it can't directly mobilize troops, it's enough to deter them). Why not use the name of 'suppressing bandits' to actually 'clear the roads'? A single, swift move would be enough to deter the scoundrels. As for the losses..."
He leaned forward slightly, moved closer, and lowered his voice, with a kind of allure as if sharing a secret:
"In my early travels in the Western Regions, I encountered a method of transporting goods using a double layer of oilcloth lined with fine sand to prevent moisture. Combined with a specific strapping method, this method can greatly reduce damage from bumps and jolts. While crude, it's extremely effective. The blueprints... are in the third drawer on the left side of the desk."
He pointed in the direction of the desk, his eyes frank, as if he was talking about a very ordinary little thing.
[Holy crap! 118! Is this vixen cheating?! Tea permit reform! Pretending to suppress bandits, but actually clearing the roads! And there's even a secret method for transporting goods to the Western Regions?! Did he just shove the strategy book directly into Yueyue's hands?!]
Dongfang Yuning was frantically scrolling through the screen in her own boudoir in the Dongfang Taifu Mansion.
System 118: [Ding! Detected: Target Chen Xiaoyun is giving away core business secrets to Princess Nangong Yue! Behavior Analysis: 1. Demonstrates value (top think tank + resource pool); 2. Establishes deep trust; 3. Closes the distance (physical + psychological)! Outstanding results! Host, this fox is spending big! (System code flashes excitedly.gif)]
Nangong Yue's fingers tightened slightly around the wine glass. Every one of Chen Xiaoyun's proposals hit the nail on the head, hitting the mark! Especially the tea-inducing plan, it was a masterstroke in simplifying the complex!
The fake bandit-suppression scheme is a masterful manipulation of power! That transport blueprint is worth a fortune! What is he asking for by sharing it so freely?
She raised her eyes, and under the candlelight, half of Shen Xiaoyun's face was reflected in a warm yellow halo, and the other half was hidden in deep shadows. Those deep eyes were staring at her without any hesitation, and there was a strong and sincere emotion in them that she had never seen before - was it appreciation, admiration, determination to win, and a hint of cautious expectation?
That look was so penetrating, like a warm hook, easily piercing Nangong Yue's sturdy defenses. She felt her heart skip a beat, and an unfamiliar warmth creep up her ears. She subconsciously averted her gaze, focusing on the swaying amber liquor in the glass, trying to conceal the momentary throbbing.
“Master Shen…why is this so?”
Her voice was a little deeper than usual, with a barely perceptible hoarseness.
Chen Xiaoyun didn't answer immediately. He put down his wine glass and slowly walked over to the huge painting of "Silk Road in Smoke and Clouds." His slender fingers gently brushed across the jagged rocks in the painting. His voice was deep and clear, like the sound of a cello, echoing in the quiet study:
"Because, Your Highness is worthy."
He turned around and locked his gaze with Nangong Yue again. His eyes were so hot that they seemed to ignite the air:
"Your Highness is a phoenix reborn from the ashes, destined to soar into the heavens, overlooking the mountains and rivers. Those demons and monsters, those obstacles, should not become thorns that restrain Your Highness's wings. Xiaoyun is not talented, but I only wish to be the sword in Your Highness's hand and the stone under his feet, smoothing the way forward for Your Highness and paving a smooth path."
His words were not flowery, but they carried a decisive force, almost like an oath. Every word struck Nangong Yue's heart.
She's been reborn, her hands stained with blood, having walked on the corpses of her enemies and the turbulent waves of the business world to reach this day, accustomed to carrying everything alone. No one has ever said to her so bluntly and firmly: You deserve the best, and I'm willing to pave the way for you!
A sharp, sour taste and an unfamiliar warmth suddenly rushed to her nose. Nangong Yue gripped the wine glass tightly, her knuckles turning slightly white. She tilted her head back and gulped down the remaining amber liquid in the glass! The pungent taste rushed straight to her throat, bringing a burning shudder and suppressing the moisture that suddenly welled up in her eyes.
"Oh……"
She set down her wine glass and chuckled, her voice unclear. When she looked up again, her phoenix eyes had regained their usual sharpness and brilliance, but deep within them, something had completely melted, igniting a small, flickering flame. She walked towards Chen Xiaoyun, her pomegranate-red sleeves drawing a neat arc in the candlelight.
"Chen Xiaoyun,"
She stood in front of him, so close that they could feel each other's breath. She tilted her head slightly, staring into his deep eyes, her red lips curled up in an almost provocative, deadly arc.
"I've seen your fox den. I've also inspected your 'goods.'"
She stretched out her hand, but her fingertips didn't touch him. She just lightly tapped his heart.
"The goods...are acceptable."
Chen Xiaoyun's breath suddenly stopped! He could clearly see the flames dancing in her eyes, and could feel the aggressive scent emanating from her, a mixture of the aroma of wine and a unique fragrance.
His pride in his self-control was on the verge of collapse under her almost sovereign gaze and her "okay" assessment. A burning urge rose from his lower abdomen, instantly spreading through his limbs and bones, clamoring to completely embrace this proud phoenix in front of him and devour it!
He suddenly reached out and grabbed Nangong Yue's slender yet powerful wrist, which was touching his heart! His movements were irresistible, his palms burning hot, and his knuckles turned slightly white from the force.
Nangong Yue did not struggle, but just raised her eyebrows and looked at him, with a playful look and a hint of "as expected" in her eyes.
Shen Xiaoyun tightly grasped her wrist, his Adam's apple rolled violently, his voice hoarse, with unprecedented solemnity and an almost paranoid seriousness:
"It's okay... not enough!"
He stared into her eyes and declared clearly, word by word:
"Nangong Yue, what I want is a wedding with a formal ceremony and a grand ceremony! I want you to be my, Chen Xiaoyun's, wife in a dignified and glorious manner! I want everyone in the world to watch you step on my back and ascend to higher heights!"
His eyes were filled with a surging possessiveness and an almost pious promise:
"You deserve the best. And I will give you the best."
The air in the study seemed frozen, leaving only the crackling of the candlelight and the mingling, increasingly scorching breaths of the two. The scorching heat from her wrist and the undisguised fire in Shen Xiaoyun's eyes, which threatened to consume her, set Nangong Yue's heart beating like a drum.
The familiar thrill of fighting on the battlefield and in the business world swept through his body again, but this time, it was mixed with an unfamiliar, heart-pounding numbness and anticipation.
She didn't say anything, but turned her hand and, with equally strong fingers, clasped Shen Xiaoyun's hand, which was tightly gripping her wrist. Her fingertips dug into his slightly cool skin, a silent response and contest.
In the candlelight, their shadows stretched and overlapped on the bookshelf, like two beasts locked in a fierce struggle. A raging fire, ready to ignite at the slightest touch.
The storm in Chen Xiaoyun's eyes was about to burst out. He suddenly lowered his head, and his hot breath sprayed on Nangong Yue's forehead and temples, pressing towards those tempting red lips with a clear target!
Nangong Yue did not dodge, but raised her chin slightly, like a phoenix welcoming the storm, her eyes sharp and bright, with provocation and a hint of hidden expectation.
At the moment when those scorching lips were about to capture the target——
“Ahem!”
Outside the study, a deliberate, old cough was heard. It was the old steward of the Marquis's residence, Uncle Zhong.
The extremely tense and explosive ambiguous atmosphere was like a balloon punctured by a needle, and it deflated with a "poof".
Shen Xiaoyun's movements suddenly stopped, and the desire in his eyes receded rapidly like the tide, leaving only regret and a trace of interrupted gloom.
He took a deep breath and slowly released Nangong Yue's wrist, but his fingertips lingered on her delicate skin with strong suggestiveness.
Nangong Yue also withdrew her hand, her fingertips still lingering the touch of his skin and the beating of his pulse. She quickly stepped back and adjusted her slightly disheveled temples. The blush on her face was even more charming in the candlelight, but her eyes had regained their clarity, and even held a sly smile, as if she had succeeded in a mischievous trick.
“It seems that Mr. Shen’s fox den is not a monolithic entity?”
She spoke teasingly, her voice slightly hoarse with a hint of emotion.
Chen Xiaoyun closed his eyes helplessly. When he opened them again, he had regained his usual composure. However, the flame deep in his eyes had not extinguished, but instead burned even more vigorously. He said solemnly to the outside of the door:
"Uncle Zhong, what's the matter?"
"My Lord, the sobering soup you requested...I have brought it to you." There was a barely perceptible smile in Zhong Bo's voice.
Chen Xiaoyun: “…”
When did he ask for hangover soup?!
Nangong Yue couldn't hold it in any longer and let out a low laugh. The sound was like jade beads falling on a plate, crisp and melodious, with a sense of relief and joy. She walked to the desk, picked up the blueprint that recorded the secret method of transportation from the Western Regions, and rolled it up with a quick movement.
"The wine is good, the painting is great, and the Tao... we had a great time chatting."
She turned her eyes back, her gaze darting around Shen Xiaoyun, and then she opened her red lips slightly, leaving behind a meaningful sentence:
"As for this promise of ten miles of red makeup...I've made a note of it."
She raised the blueprint in her hand, like a victorious general holding a trophy:
"Thanks for the blueprints. We'll talk some other time."
After saying this, she no longer looked at his eyes which had suddenly become deep and unfathomable. She turned around, her cloak drawing a dashing arc, and she pushed the door open and walked out, leaving behind the lingering warmth of the charming scene in the room and a Chen Xiaoyun who was so angry that he wanted to devour her from behind.
Uncle Zhong came in with a tray and saw his own young master standing stiffly in place, staring at the empty doorway. His facial expression kept changing unpredictably, and finally turned into a helpless sigh filled with incomparable doting and determination.
"Old fox..."
Uncle Zhong muttered softly, put down the tray, and quietly retreated.
Chen Xiaoyun walked to the window and watched Nangong Yue's fiery red figure neatly board the carriage in the night and disappear at the end of the long street. He stroked the fingertips that had just held her wrist, as if he could still feel the burning heat and throbbing.
He picked up the glass of wine on the table that Nangong Yue had left behind, still bearing her lip prints, and drank the remaining amber liquid in one gulp. The spicy liquid rolled down his throat, but it couldn't extinguish the fire that was burning more and more fiercely in his heart.
"My little phoenix... Yue'er~"
He whispered, his voice hoarse and full of magnetism,
"Now that you've entered my den, do you think... you can escape?"
He turned around, his eyes falling on the "Phoenix's Ultimate Marriage Proposal Plan" on the desk, and the corner of his lips curled up into a determined smile that belonged to a top predator.
"Ten miles of red makeup? It's just the beginning."
The night is still long, and the game between the hunter and the phoenix has just begun.
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