Chapter 90 The Black-Hearted Fox Becomes the Foreman
Xuanping Marquis Mansion, bedroom.
The door creaked shut, and the footsteps of the butler and the servant finally disappeared at the end of the corridor.
On the bed, he was drunk and unconscious, and was carried back by two guards, still mumbling all the way.
"Yuer... Little Phoenix... Don't go..."
Chen Xiaoyun suddenly opened his eyes.
Where was the slightest bit of blur in those phoenix eyes? Clear as the moon reflected in a cold pond, deep and cunning, gleaming with the brilliance of a successful scheme. Where was the slightest hint of drunkenness?
He slowly sat up, his movements nimble and unhurried, not looking like he needed help. He rubbed his shoulder, where Dongfang Liezheng's iron palm had "friendly" hit him (with force comparable to a bear's paw hitting tofu), and pressed his stomach, where it had been burned by the knife. A smug, fox-like smile played on his face.
"Hiss... The Marquis of Zhenguo's strength is well-deserved, quite strong... My aunt's wine is even stronger..."
He murmured to himself, but there was no complaint in his tone, instead it was filled with the joy of having passed the test. Then his smile deepened, like a fox's tail swaying proudly behind him.
"But..."
His slender fingers gently brushed over an inconspicuous sachet hanging around his waist, which was embroidered with a crooked little phoenix pattern. It was Nangong Yue's "horrible" masterpiece when she was just starting to learn needlework, and he treasured it and wore it close to his body.
It contains special hangover pills and heart-clearing powder, which are extremely effective and worth a fortune.
"Little Phoenix~"
He whispered silently to the void, as if Nangong Yue was right in front of him, with eyes so gentle that they could drip water.
"I passed your aunt's test...without a single blow, using explosive acting skills!"
The corners of his mouth curled up into that iconic, calculating arc.
[He plays dumb, his true feelings revealed (albeit exaggerated a bit), and he also reveals the hidden card of having already handed over the financial power... Is his sincerity enough? Is his drinking ethic good enough?]
He stood up and walked to the window, looking towards the inner courtyard of the imperial palace. His eyes were gentle yet firm, with a sharp determination to win:
"Wait for me, my little phoenix. Ten miles of red wedding ceremonies, eight sedan chairs... it's almost here. No one can stop me!"
System 118 screamed in Dongfang Yuning's mind:
[Beep! Alert! Alert! Target Chen Xiaoyun's vital signs are stable, brainwave activity is at MAX! Drunk disguise index 99.99%!]
Host! We've been tricked! This vixen is cheating! He has a hangover cure! The Oscars owe him ten statuettes!]
Dongfang Yuning's inner thoughts:
[What the hell?! 118 What did you say?! Fox Shen was pretending?! He actually managed to fool this princess and so many pairs of piercing eyes?! Ahhhh! This is a bloody loss! This loss is huge! My smugness instantly turned into naivete!]
At the same time, in the spacious and comfortable prince's carriage leading to the palace.
Dongfang Yuning was nestled in Nangong Ye's broad and warm arms without any image, her little face flushed with excitement, and she was dancing with joy as she replayed the wonderful moments of the "Panhu Victory" just now with her brother Aye, completely immersed in the sense of accomplishment of the princess's mastermind and the fox's true form being revealed.
"Brother Aye, did you see that? Fox Shen looked so silly! Hahahaha!"
She imitated Shen Xiaoyun's dazed look at the time, holding Nangong Ye's arm as a pillar,
"He grabbed onto Second Brother's sleeve and yelled 'Yu'er! My little phoenix!' He even said he'd hand over all his belongings! He even nearly blurted out the password to his safe, hidden under his shoe! Tsk tsk tsk, his ears are red like a boiled shrimp! A person's character reflects his drinking habits, this wave is a sure thing! Yueyue's future is settled! This princess is truly wise! Hahahaha!"
She shook her little head proudly, like a little mouse that had stolen oil.
Nangong Ye held her firmly, his deep eyes full of doting. He listened to her chattering quietly, occasionally rubbing his chin against the top of her soft head, enjoying this moment of warmth.
However, when he heard that "Yueyue has a place to stay for the rest of her life", a barely perceptible light flashed in his eyes.
Just as Dongfang Yuning was grinning from ear to ear and preparing to sing "Today is a Good Day", Nangong Ye suddenly moved.
He didn't say anything, but silently and slowly lowered his head, gently resting his perfectly shaped jaw on the little princess's soft hair. Then he let out a barely audible, yet extremely clear, humming sound filled with infinite grievance:
"……snort."
This "hum" is the essence! It contains three parts of loneliness, four parts of envy, five parts of grievance, and ninety-two parts of
"The baby is unhappy, the baby wants a status"!
Dongfang Yuning's laughter suddenly stopped, as if it had been paused. She raised her little face in confusion and looked at her handsome fiancé:
"Brother Aye? What's wrong with you?"
What caught her eye was Nangong Ye's icy handsome face, enough to make thousands of noble ladies in Kyoto scream. But at this moment, the usually cold lines seemed to melt a little, his thin lips slightly pursed, and his eyes, as deep as a cold pool, clearly reflected her little face, which was filled with... grievance?
Yes, it feels wronged! It's just like a big golden retriever that has been forgotten by its owner in a corner, watching others eat canned food...?
System 118 was instantly excited:
[Ding! Detecting a very high concentration of the sour smell of love! Target Nangong Ye, activate the "Grievous Golden Retriever" skin! Max out your coquettish skills! Host! Danger! Sugar-coated bullets are coming! Please be prepared to choke!]
Dongfang Yuning's heart was pounding:
[Ahhh! Brother Aye's expression! Foul! So foul! Who can stand this! The iceberg turns into a golden hair, this contrast is so cute!]
Nangong Ye looked at her with those pitiful eyes for a few seconds before speaking in a low, magnetic voice with a subtle hint of coquettishness:
"Ning'er~that fox...is going to marry Yue'er..."
He paused, his long eyelashes drooping slightly, casting a small shadow under his eyes, making him look even more "weak and helpless"
"When can I... marry my Ning'er?"
boom--!
Dongfang Yuning felt a surge of heat rushing from the soles of her feet to the top of her head, and her cheeks flushed instantly! Her heart felt like it was filled with a lively little rabbit, pounding and pounding, making her dizzy.
"Brother Aye..."
Her voice was soft and sticky, with a sweetness she didn't even notice. Seeing the strong courtship (crossed out) signals emanating from the "large humanoid golden retriever" before her, her mind got heated and she almost blurted out:
"Then... then wait until my hospital is built! Once the hospital is built, I will marry you, okay?"
As soon as the words fell, the air in the entire carriage seemed to freeze for a moment.
Then, Dongfang Yuning felt the arms around her suddenly tighten! She was lifted up by an irresistible force and sat directly on Nangong Ye's strong thighs, facing him, with their noses almost touching!
Nangong Ye's eyes, which were originally filled with grievances, suddenly burst into a dazzling light as if billions of stars were thrown into them! The light was hot, surprising, and unbelievable, almost melting her!
"Ning'er!"
His voice trembled slightly with excitement, and with incredible ecstasy,
"Really?! Are you serious?! You'll marry me once the hospital is built?!"
Dongfang Yuning was stunned by the undisguised ardor and ecstasy in his eyes. She nodded shyly and whispered:
"Yeah...really..."
"Great! Ning'er! My Ning'er!"
Nangong Ye could no longer restrain himself and hugged his beloved little girl tightly in his arms, with such strength that it seemed as if he wanted to rub her into his bones and blood. His hot lips were imprinted on her smooth forehead, with piety and incomparable cherishment.
"Tomorrow... No! Today! I'll get ready right away! Ten miles of wedding bridal ceremonies! No! Twenty miles! Thirty miles! I want the whole world to know that my Ning'er deserves the best! The phoenix coronet and bridal bridal gown will be embroidered with gold thread by the best embroiderer in Jiangnan! The wedding banquet will fill the entire street! The new house..."
The icy prince turned into a chatterbox in an instant, as excited as a child who got his favorite candy. He talked incessantly about planning a grand wedding, striving for perfection in every detail, and even wanted to pick all the stars and the moon in the sky to decorate it.
System 118 was choked to the point of garbled data:
[Beep! Warning! Warning! The sugar concentration in the car is seriously exceeding the limit! Abnormal insulin secretion! Host vital signs: heart rate 180+, body temperature 38.5°C!]
Subject: Nangong Ye: Hyperactive language center, maximal executive ability, caught in 'wedding planning maniac' mode! Preliminary diagnosis: severe premarital excitement syndrome! Suggestion to host... Never mind, the host is down, suggest sending them directly to the bridal chamber (bushi)!]
Dongfang Yuning buried herself in his arms, embarrassed as a shrimp:
Ahhh! Brother Aye is so enthusiastic! So embarrassing! But... I'm so happy! Wait! Twenty miles of red wedding?! A banquet on the main street?! Brother Aye, are you going to empty the national treasury?!
Just as Nangong Ye was immersed in the fantasy of being a "wedding planning master" and Dongfang Yuning was blushing and trying to "cool him down" mainly because she was afraid that he would collapse the economy of Yan Kingdom, the carriage stopped steadily at the gate of Fengqi Palace.
Dongfang Yuning, with a blushing face, was led by Nangong Ye into the palace of her sister, the Queen, to report on the results of the "Panhu" battle. Although it was acted out, the result was gratifying.
Queen Dongfang Qiwu sat upright on the phoenix chair, with a graceful and elegant temperament. Her eyes and eyebrows were somewhat similar to Dongfang Yuning, but she looked more mature and wise.
She had already learned everything that happened in Zhaixing Pavilion through special channels, such as the head of the secret guards who watched the whole show from the beam of the private room in Zuixian Tower, including Shen Xiaoyun's "superb" acting skills and his silly look when he "revealed his true feelings" at the end.
"Ning'er is here?"
Dongfang Qiwu smiled as he watched his sister being carefully escorted in by his future brother-in-law, a hint of mischief flashed in his eyes.
"I heard that Zuixianlou is quite lively today? Is that kid from the Shen family still behaving well?"
Dongfang Yuning immediately puffed out her chest and began to vividly describe how Chen Xiaoyun behaved in an ugly way, confessed his true feelings, and voluntarily handed over the financial power. Finally, she concluded her speech:
"Sister! Although the process was a bit... um... but the result proved that Fox Shen... uh, Master Shen is sincere to Yueyue! His drinking ability is... acceptable! Barely qualified!"
System 118 whispered:
[Host, are you sure this is just a complete embarrassment and not a movie star possessed? Is this a true confession and not a targeted attack? Is this a voluntary surrender and not a premeditated plan? Doesn't your conscience hurt?]
Dongfang Yuning pretended to be calm:
[Shut up! The result is justice! The process is unimportant! What matters is that this princess's face is saved! Yueyue's happiness is guaranteed!]
Dongfang Qiwu couldn't help laughing as he listened to his sister's "whitewashing" report and looked at Nangong Ye's doting expression next to him, as if everything Ning'er said was right.
She picked up the teacup, took a sip gracefully, and said slowly:
"Well, Ning'er, you've worked hard. Chen Xiaoyun is a bit thoughtful, but your brother-in-law and I can see his feelings for Yue'er."
She put down the teacup, a gleam of light flashed in her phoenix eyes:
"Since his drinking is 'okay', he's sincere, and he's so 'capable'... there's a job that just happened to be for him."
As soon as he finished speaking, Eunuch Gao, the personal eunuch beside Emperor Nangong Yu, came to the Marquis Xuanping's Mansion with a bright yellow imperial edict in his hand and a smile on his face.
"The imperial edict has arrived—Hereditary Prince Chen Xiaoyun of the Marquis of Xuanping receives the edict—"
Shen Xiaoyun, who had just sobered up and was leisurely sipping sobering tea in the study of the Marquis' Mansion, planning how to press on with his victory and ask the Emperor for permission to grant him a marriage, was secretly delighted when he received the summons.
He quickly tidied his appearance, went to the front hall, knelt down to listen to the order, with just the right amount of hangover and gratitude on his face.
Eunuch Gao unfolded the imperial edict and read clearly in a shrill voice:
"By the providence of Heaven, the Emperor proclaims: The son of the Marquis of Xuanping, Chen Xiaoyun, is intelligent, knowledgeable, and talented, dedicated to the country, and his loyalty and courage are commendable. Now, the Princess of Fortune, Dongfang Yuning, cares deeply about the people and petitions to build a Huimin Hospital to alleviate their suffering. This is a philanthropic act that will benefit the country and its people for generations to come!"
"I hereby appoint Chen Xiaoyun as the chief construction commander for the Huimin Hospital! He is to oversee the overall planning, construction, and completion before... ahem, Princess Fuxing's wedding! The Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Works shall fully cooperate in all necessary manpower and material resources, and no mistakes shall be made! This order!"
The hangover and gratitude on Shen Xiaoyun's face froze instantly!
Commander-in-chief?!
Construction supervisor? !
Build a hospital for... for my aunt?!
And it has to be completed before the princess's wedding? !
He suddenly looked up at Eunuch Gao's "kind" smile and instantly understood - how could this be a reward? This was clearly a joint "official certification" + "retaliatory measure" + "waste recycling" from the Emperor, Empress, and that "lucky aunt"!
System 118 set off firecrackers in Dongfang Yuning's mind:
[Ding! Congratulations, host! Your "Panhu" bonus damage has been credited! Target Chen Xiaoyun has received the official title: Blackhearted Fox (Construction Site Limited Edition)! Congratulations! Received the SSSR-level epic quest: Brick-Moving Commander!]
Mission Objective: Build a large-scale tertiary hospital before the host's wedding! Mission Difficulty: Hell Level! Additional Effect: Forced consumption of the target's energy, delaying their wedding! Host, this operation is in the atmosphere!
Dongfang Yuning put his hands on his hips and laughed wildly:
[Hahahaha! I told you to pretend to be drunk! I told you to play me! Go work for this princess! You're the infrastructure maniac! Yueyue, for your happiness, let Fox move bricks for two years! (Suddenly thought of something) Wait... 118, he's not going to turn the hospital into a branch of his business empire while moving bricks, is he?!]
Chen Xiaoyun's heart was filled with turmoil, but he still had to maintain a grateful smile on his face. He kowtowed and accepted the order:
"Your Majesty, your Majesty, and the Princess will be grateful for your grace and will not let you down!"
Every word seemed squeezed out from between his teeth. He seemed to have already seen the miserable scene of himself in the future, covered in dust, working on a dusty construction site, with his aunt holding the blueprints and making instructions, and being inspected by various "supervisors" (such as the princes' uncles).
Very good, auntie, you are really good at this trick of publicly promoting and secretly demoting, recycling waste, and settling personal grudges! The black-hearted fox thought with gnashing teeth.
But… for Little Phoenix, he'd have to accept the idea of building a hospital, even the Great Wall! And… a glint flashed in his eyes. Building a hospital? The tricks and benefits involved… might not be impossible to manipulate? Perhaps… this was an opportunity?
System 118 Alert:
[Ding! Target Chen Xiaoyun's resentment level detected at MAX! Simultaneously, the business brain is activated! The danger index is rising! Host, your hospital may be at risk of being turned into a commercial CBD by a vixen! It is recommended to activate the fox-spotting radar!]
Dongfang Yuning is ready to go:
[Don't be afraid! This princess has the ultimate killer weapon - Brother Aye! And there are also brothers and nephews! Shen Huli, you just shine at the construction site! ]
The site for the "Hui Min Hospital" was chosen to be an open area in the southern suburbs of Kyoto. As soon as the imperial edict was issued, the construction work began in full swing.
Shen Xiaoyun, the newly appointed commander-in-chief, quickly transformed from a graceful prince into a dusty and dusty foreman.
On the first day of work, the scene was extremely "spectacular".
The construction site was bustling with activity, with workers busy laying foundations, transporting lumber, and shouting one after another.
Next to the construction site, in the makeshift command shed, the atmosphere was somewhat subtle.
Chen Xiaoyun, wearing a simple (but still high-quality) dark shorts that he had changed into, was staring at a huge project blueprint spread out, scowling in thought, trying to cleverly integrate the elegance of Jiangnan gardens into this place of healing and saving lives, and by the way, to see where he could "reasonably" squeeze in a few shops that would make money in the future.
Suddenly, a fragrant breeze blew over.
Dongfang Yuning, wearing a neat goose yellow riding suit and a small veil of the same color on his head, looked like a cheerful little yellow oriole. He came for inspection under the protection of Nangong Ye, who was dressed in a black suit and had a stern face.
Behind her were her two "supervising" brothers, the Fifth Prince Nangong Yijun and the Sixth Prince Nangong Lintian. The twins folded their arms, their faces sporting the same expression of anticipation.
"Foreman Shen! Thank you for your hard work!"
Dongfang Yuning's voice was clear and her smile was dazzling.
"I'm here to check out the progress of the project! How is it? Can you understand the blueprints? If you have any difficulties, please let me know!"
The tone was exactly like that of a black-hearted small boss who came to inspect his own business.
Shen Xiaoyun looked up and saw this lineup. His eyelids twitched, and his face instantly wore an impeccable smile that was three parts tired and seven parts dedicated.
"Thank you for your concern, Princess. Everything is going smoothly. The blueprints are exquisite. Xiaoyun is studying them carefully, striving for perfection."
He specifically pointed to several areas on the drawing that he had carefully optimized.
System 118 real-time broadcast:
[Ding! Target Chen Xiaoyun activates "workplace fake smile" mode! Inner thoughts: Auntie, are you polite? Checking on me on the first day of work? Optimizing area scans... Found suspected 'future VIP ward area' and 'reserved street-side shop space'! The fox's tail is exposed! Host, quickly confront him!]
Dongfang Yuning pointed at a part of the drawing with his sharp eyes:
"Eh? Foreman Shen, you've planned such a large courtyard here, complete with rockery and flowing water? Is it for patients to do square dancing... er, health exercises? This princess has a limited budget, so it needs to be simple! Practical! Got it?"
Chen Xiaoyun's smile remained unchanged as he responded calmly:
"My princess is wise. This academy is not for pleasure, but rather, inspired by the saying, 'before a sick tree springs up,' to provide a place of comfort and tranquility for the sick."
"The lush vegetation and the gurgling water can help relieve pain and soothe the mind. As for the cost, don't worry, Princess. Xiaoyun has contacted the Jiangnan supplier. They are good quality and affordable, and we will not overspend."
He cleverly switched concepts and packaged luxury as humanistic care.
Nangong Ye glanced at the drawing coldly, without saying a word, but handed a cup of scented tea of just the right temperature to Dongfang Yuning's lips, his movements extremely natural.
That silent doting and the aura of my woman that whatever she says goes, are more effective than anything else.
Chen Xiaoyun: “…”
I feel like I've been fed a mouthful of dog food.
The fifth prince, Nangong Yijun, spoke coldly:
"Foreman Shen, I heard that the price of lumber has gone up in Jiangnan recently?"
The Sixth Prince Nangong Lintian immediately followed up:
"Yeah, Foreman Shen, don't try to save money by selling inferior products as good ones! We have to come here to study every day!"
The two brothers sang in unison, and the meaning was very clear: I’ll keep a close eye on you!
Shen Xiaoyun took a deep breath and maintained a professional fake smile:
"Your Highnesses, rest assured. Xiaoyun will select the best materials and personally oversee their selection!"
I have already started thinking about how to save this extra regulatory cost from other places.
System 118 gloated: [Ding! Target Shen Xiaoyun's blood pressure +10! Inner resentment: Are these twin gatekeepers here to defeat me?!]
Since that day, the construction site of the "Weimin Hospital" has become Kyoto's new "Internet celebrity check-in spot" - of course, only within the circle of power and wealth.
Dongfang Yuning would drag Nangong Ye to "inspect" almost every now and then, under the pretext of caring about people's livelihood projects, but in fact he was finding all kinds of ways to find fault with Chen Xiaoyun and show off his love for her.
"Brother Aye, do you think the foundation is deep enough? Will it collapse?"
The little princess pointed at the foundation pit and looked at the encyclopedia and humanoid pillar beside her with a "worried" look on her face.
Nangong Ye glanced at it and said concisely:
"Fine."
His eyes were fixed on her dusty little face, and he naturally took out his handkerchief and wiped it for her without paying any attention to anyone else. His eyes were focused, his movements were gentle.
Shen Xiaoyun reported the progress on the side and felt like an unnecessary light bulb.
System 118 Intoxicated:
[Ding! Sugar refill time! Target Nangong Ye triggers Mysophobic Pampering! Action Proficiency: SSS Level! Sweetness: Five+! Target Chen Xiaoyun receives a Love Critical Hit, SAN value -1!]
"Foreman Shen! This wall is crooked! Look, look!"
Dongfang Yuning pointed at the newly built wall and pouted.
Shen Xiaoyun quickly stepped forward, took a closer look, and his face darkened:
"Princess, this is... a matter of perspective. The wall is straight."
This is too obvious of a fault-finding move!
"Yeah?"
Dongfang Yuning blinked her big eyes, turned around and threw herself into Nangong Ye's arms.
"Brother Aye, he said my eyesight is not good! Can you help me take a look?"
Nangong Ye hugged her, his cold gaze shot towards Shen Xiaoyun, carrying invisible pressure.
Chen Xiaoyun: "...Xiaoyun is short-sighted! Have someone rebuild it immediately!"
I roared inwardly: [You two bastards! Bullying an honest man!]
System 118 (recorded):
[Ding! The host activates the "acting spoiled" skill! The effect is outstanding! The target, Shen Xiaoyun, is forced to admit defeat, and his rage value increases by 20! The host obtains the achievement: Construction Site Troublemaker!]
Of course, Dongfang Yuning wasn't just there to cause trouble. She proposed many advanced yet practical ideas for the hospital's design: bright lighting, good ventilation, separate isolation wards, a clean water system, and even a rest area for medical staff and a waiting area for family members.
Whenever she came up with these novel ideas, Nangong Ye always supported them unconditionally, immediately asking people to record them, his eyes full of pride.
And although Shen Xiaoyun was "exploited", he had to admit that this aunt really put her heart into the matter of benefiting the people and had foresight.
In the face of these true "kindness", his commercial thinking had to be restrained a little.
System 118 (Rarely Serious): [Ding! Host's career highlight moment! Medical Infrastructure Pioneer Halo activated! Target Nangong Ye's "My Wife is Great" filter thickness +10086! Target Chen Xiaoyun's forced whitewashing progress +5%!]
Nangong Ye, on the other hand, perfectly fulfilled his duties as fiancé, bodyguard, technical advisor, and humanoid pendant. His eyes always followed Dongfang Yuning, supporting her waist when she jumped, offering her just the right amount of water when she was thirsty, shielding her from the sun with his body or an umbrella, and providing silent but powerful support during her battle of wits and courage with Shen Xiaoyun.
The unspoken tacit understanding and deep affection between the two filled the entire dusty construction site with pink bubbles, blinding the eyes of a group of single dogs, especially Foreman Shen and the twin supervisors.
System 118 (daily choking):
[Ding! Today's serving of Ningye Brand dog food has been delivered! Ingredients: 99.99% pure natural, additive-free love! Onlookers are advised to bring their own sunglasses and insulin!]
As the foundation of the hospital was gradually strengthened and the main structure gradually rose from the ground, Dongfang Yuning and Nangong Ye's wedding date seemed to have entered a countdown.
Nangong Ye practically turned into a "wedding preparation maniac." During the day, he accompanied Ningning to supervise the work, and at night, he would hold small meetings with officials from the Ministry of Rites, the head of the Imperial Household Department, and even the old men from the Imperial Observatory.
From whether the East China Sea pearl is bigger or the South China Sea coral is red on the betrothal gift list, to whether gold bowls or jade plates should be used at the wedding banquet, to whether a hot spring pool should be dug in the bridal chamber... every detail is taken care of, and perfection is strived for.
"Ning'er, take a look at the design of this phoenix crown. How about inlaying it with nine hundred and ninety-nine oriental pearls? It symbolizes longevity."
"Ning'er, would you mind covering the street from the palace gate to the palace with gold foil? We can have our wedding sedan ride on gold."
"Ning'er, for the wedding day, I had them make fireworks in the shape of a flying phoenix, and set them off from midnight until dawn..."
Dongfang Yuning always felt sweet and overwhelmed when hearing this, and could only hug his arm and shake it:
"Brother Aye~ That's enough! It's too extravagant! Just keep it simple! We need to be low-key! Low-key!"
My heart was filled with sweetness, like a honeypot. What woman doesn't dream of a grand and perfect wedding? Especially when the grandeur is backed by the unconditional love of her lover.
System 118 (Accounting Mode):
[Ding! Subject Nangong Ye's wedding budget has exceeded one-tenth of the national treasury's annual tax revenue! Triggering the "Prodigal Son" achievement! Host's "Frugal" persuasion effect: Weak.]
Friendly reminder: Your future palace may need to set up a separate warehouse to store betrothal gifts... Also, Fox Shen's hospital funds may have been indirectly squeezed. He is currently drawing circles and cursing (crossing out) blessings on you at the construction site!
Dongfang Yuning (covering face):
[Brother Aye... calm down! We need to leave some wealth for our descendants! But... the phoenix crown is really beautiful... the gold foil path... seems... not impossible? (whispering)]
The days at the construction site passed quickly amidst chaos, sweetness, and Shen Xiaoyun's increasingly improved "survival skills".
Shen Xiaoyun, the "black-hearted fox commander", has been hardened into being down-to-earth after experiencing the various "interrogations" by his aunt, the occasional friendly inspections and death stares from his future uncles, the Dongfang brothers, he has been picked on by his twin prince brothers on a daily basis, and he has been bombarded with dog food all the time by Ning Ye CP.
He learned how to buy the best materials with the smallest budget, although the process may involve a little bit of "business skills", such as how to bargain with the contractor, how to speak the most ruthless words to lower the price with an elegant manner, how to appease the workers who were irritable due to the hot weather, how to pay for iced sour plum soup out of his own pocket, and even... On a rainy day, in order to rescue a batch of important medicinal materials, he jumped into the mud and water without hesitation to direct the work, making himself look very embarrassed and completely losing the style of a prince.
When Chen Xiaoyun, who was soaked and covered in mud but had successfully saved the medicinal herbs, saw Nangong Yue who had rushed over after hearing the news and was standing in the rain with an umbrella, the two looked at each other across the rain.
Nangong Yue's eyes were filled with undisguised heartache and emotion, while Chen Xiaoyun revealed a tired but genuine, slightly silly smile. At that moment, all calculations and image no longer mattered.
System 118 (Rarely Touched): [Ding! Detected target Chen Xiaoyun's "sincerity" purity has significantly increased! Brickwork for love, muddy face, five-star embarrassment index! But love value is MAX! Received Nangong Yue's "heartache + touching" critical hit! Host, your hospital seems to have accidentally opened a vixen cleansing copy?]
Dongfang Yuning (very happy):
[Hmm...it seems like moving bricks has its benefits! Labor reform...no, it's about practicing and training people! This move by the princess was brilliant! Even Yueyue looks at him differently!]
With the joint efforts of all parties, mainly Nangong Ye's financial ability, Chen Xiaoyun's forced hard work, and Dongfang Yuning's ahead-of-the-time ideas, the main building of Huimin Hospital actually stood tall within the scheduled time!
Although it will take time to complete the interior decoration and equipment filling, the prototype has already appeared and it is magnificent, attracting the people of Kyoto to come and watch and praise it.
With the hospital's completion imminent, Nangong Ye's wedding preparations entered their final sprint. The entire capital was immersed in a festive anticipation—not only looking forward to the early opening of this hospital that would benefit both the nation and the people, but also looking forward to the extraordinary wedding of their icy war god prince marrying the lucky little princess!
Imperial Palace, Imperial Study.
Emperor Nangong Yu looked at the hospital completion report submitted by the Ministry of Works and the budget list for Prince Yong's wedding, which was as thick as a book and submitted by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. He rubbed his forehead and smiled at the Queen beside him:
"Wu'er, our Ning'er has truly found a good husband. She's also found a good 'home' (referring to the construction site) for that kid from the Shen family."
Dongfang Qiwu pursed his lips and smiled:
"Your Majesty, isn't this the best possible outcome? Ning'er got what she wanted, Ye'er got her long-cherished wish, Yue'er found her soulmate, and Xiaoyun... can finally find her feet on solid ground. As for this hospital, it will benefit future generations. Everyone is happy."
Everyone is happy?
At the construction site, Chen Xiaoyun, exhausted as a dog after having just completed inspection of the main structure, looked up at the magnificent building, then glanced at the imperial decree he had just received, urging him to quickly complete the interior renovations so that the hospital could open after the princess's wedding. He then glanced at his energetic aunt in the distance, who was directing people to hang a banner at the construction site entrance that read "A Century-Long Project, Quality First"...
He wiped the dust off his face and forced out an extremely complicated smile, a mixture of fatigue, accomplishment and resignation.
"Little Phoenix..."
He whispered to himself,
"In order to marry you, I even built a palace... oh no, a hospital! This betrothal gift is substantial enough, isn't it? Auntie... I, Chen Xiaoyun... accept this 'blessing' from you!"
He raised his head and looked towards the direction of the palace, his eyes becoming firm and gentle again.
"Wait for me, my bride. This time, no one can stop me!"
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