Even though the carriage had already traveled some distance away from Qingye Village, the interior remained eerily silent.
Leaning against the carriage wall, Tang Ning stared intently at the curtain that was constantly being blown up and then falling back down by the wind, as if she were lost in thought.
Sitting at one end of the carriage, Yan Xingzhi's gaze never left Tang Ning's face after she boarded. He watched her eyebrows, drawn thin and long with dark ink, her slender, thick eyelashes casting light shadows on her eyelids, the light and shadow trembling slightly with the swaying of the carriage. He watched her lips, adorned with red rouge, as delicate and beautiful as flower petals, her fair face flushed with a subtle pink, neither too heavy nor too light, the color just right...
Tang Ning was aware that Yan Xingzhi was watching her, but it wasn't the right time for her to speak, so she ignored him and continued to daydream.
As she continued, perhaps because the carriage was swaying too rhythmically, or perhaps because she had gotten up too early to put on makeup, Tang Ning, who was leaning against the carriage wall, blinked less and less, until she finally couldn't help but fall asleep.
Yan Xingzhi noticed Tang Ning's movement and immediately placed his hand on a cloak beside him. After waiting for a long time until Tang Ning's breathing gradually became steady and even, he very gently picked up the cloak and slowly draped it over Tang Ning's body. As soon as the cloak was draped over her body, a small breeze from outside the car window ruffled the hair on her forehead.
Seeing this, Yan Xingzhi paused for a moment before slowly raising his hand. The moment his cool fingertips touched Tang Ning's forehead, she immediately opened her eyes.
Her cool, clear eyes met Yan Xingzhi's dark, deep eyes directly.
On a midday in early summer, the sunlight is not too strong. It filters through the gaps in the leaves, casting dappled light on people without making them feel hot.
However, after a brief eye contact, Tang Ning looked down and saw the thin cloak covering her body, and a smile suddenly appeared on her lips.
“I was still somewhat useful before, and I could understand your kindness and gentleness towards me, Master Yan. But now that Ye Xiao’s poison has been cured and my Frost Jade Body has been almost completely destroyed, I may not even live for long. I don’t understand what Master Yan’s intention is in doing this.”
Tang Ning looked at Yan Xingzhi with a hint of mockery in her eyes.
Before Yan Xingzhi could answer, she seemed to have thought of something and said with some surprise, "Could it be... that you, Master Yan, were right about my ramblings after I was stimulated that day? You were really moved by my foolish words and actions before, and even tempted..."
At this point, she paused slightly, her eyes fixed on the man, before continuing, somewhat flattered, "No, please don't! I'm afraid I'm not worthy of such good fortune!"
After saying that, she stopped smiling, threw off her cloak, and reverted to her previous cold demeanor.
"Now that we've left Qingye Village, have the carriage pull over and let me down. Don't worry, I never intended to marry Fang Yunyang today. He only allowed you to take me away when I was under the influence of the 'Pulling Silk Gu' because of his guilt towards you. This so-called marriage is just me retaliating in kind. You don't need to worry that I'll bring shame upon you by marrying someone else while bearing the identity of your wife. Stop the carriage."
Upon hearing this, Yan Xingzhi did not order his subordinates to stop the car.
Seeing this, Tang Ning turned to look at him with a frown, "I told you to stop the car."
Only then did Yan Xingzhi slowly speak, "Only the medicinal spring at Yangyue Manor can counteract the 'Insensory Poison' in your body. You should rest here in the manor for now, and I will do everything in my power to find an antidote for you..."
"Ha ha ha ha……"
Before Yan Xingzhi could finish speaking, Tang Ning burst out laughing as if she had heard a funny joke.
She laughed until her eyes reddened, and tears quickly welled up in them.
Realizing this, she quickly and discreetly turned her head away, while still stubbornly raising the corners of her mouth.
"Trying every possible way to find an antidote for me? If you could really find one, Ye Xiao probably wouldn't need my Frost Jade Body to...exorcise the poison for him, would he? Why bother telling me these lies to make me happy, Master Yan!"
"no……"
Just as Yan Xingzhi was about to speak, Tang Ning on the other end closed her eyes, showing that she did not want to talk to him anymore.
Because of the action of closing her eyes, a tear slid down her smooth, jade-like face, all the way to her delicate chin, where it hung there, about to fall, translucent and glistening.
At the same time, she slowly pulled her feet back, stretched out her arms and gently hugged them, and remained motionless in a self-protective posture at the corner of the carriage.
Seeing her like this, Yan Xingzhi moved his lips, but didn't say another word.
For the remainder of the journey, the two remained at peace.
It wasn't until the noisy voices outside the car reached her that Tang Ning finally opened her already clear eyes. She reached out and lifted the curtain, and saw the setting sun and the pedestrians on the road with bright smiles.
Seeing this, Tang Ning's lips also curled up slightly, infected by their smiles.
"Want to go down for a walk?"
When Yan Xingzhi's voice rang out, Tang Ning's smile subconsciously faded, but she was still somewhat tempted by his suggestion.
After all, being able to go out for a walk is much better than being huddled in the small space of the carriage with Yan Xingzhi.
After getting off the car, Tang Ning, who had a familiar look of confusion on her face as she looked at the pedestrians coming and going on the street, was already cursing in her heart.
That bastard Yan Xingzhi, taking advantage of her not knowing the way, actually led her on a detour back to Lanzhou City, which the two of them had visited before.
You ask how Tang Ning knew that Yan Xingzhi took a detour?
As soon as she saw the familiar streets and shops of Lanzhou City, she immediately had 54088 display the carriage's route for the day. Sure enough, it had taken a detour, and a huge one at that.
You know, she was almost fooled by Gou Yan's act of being so guilty that he couldn't control himself. In reality, he was indeed guilty, but after understanding his own feelings, his instincts compelled him to still want her heart.
If this world were a book, Fang Yunyang would undoubtedly be the leading male hero. He is so kind-hearted that it's outrageous, and his actions and ways of thinking are all based on righteousness, kindness, and loyalty. He follows a very orthodox and proper path, which is the main reason why he was able to defeat Yan Xingzhi in the end.
But Yan Xingzhi's overly extreme personality, whether it was innate or influenced by his upbringing, meant that he would do anything, and he always insisted on holding onto what he wanted. Even knowing that Tang Ning was about to die, he still wanted her to have him in her eyes and in her heart.
After all, he never had much, but he always held onto what he wanted.
For example, Tang Ning, who has already captured his heart.
What is this called?
This is what they call knowing there are tigers in the mountains, yet still venturing into the tiger's den!
She was just worrying, even though she felt guilty and touched. Yan Xingzhi's 95% favorability rating was different from Ye Xiao and Fang Yunyang's. His was actually fake. So Yan Xingzhi's choice of Lanzhou City was really like a pillow being thoughtfully delivered to Tang Ning just as she was about to fall asleep.
Thinking this to herself, Tang Ning's pupils instantly shrank after she recognized where she was. Just as she was about to turn to Yan Xingzhi and say something, a hearty female voice rang out in her ear.
"Huh? Aren't you... aren't you the young couple from last time? What a coincidence, we've run into each other again..."
Upon hearing the sound, Tang Ning turned her head sharply and saw the same farmer couple she had encountered when she and Yan Xingzhi entered Lanzhou City last time.
She saw that the woman was still wearing the same blue dress she had worn when she last came to the city. There wasn't a single patch on it. It was probably the best dress she had, which was why she wore it every time she came to the city. When Tang Ning looked over, she gave her a warm and bright smile, a smile full of love and joy for life.
The farmer standing next to her was still carrying a shoulder pole, and his baskets were still filled with odds and ends. But unlike last time, this time his two baskets contained two bright-eyed children, a boy and a girl, who were staring at her without blinking.
When the woman on the other side saw Tang Ning looking at the child in the basket, she cleverly instructed her husband to put the child down and pull him in front of her. Pointing at Tang Ning, she smiled and said, "Da Ya, Shuan Zi, come here and greet Madam!"
"Greetings, Madam!"
The two girls called out to her in a clear voice, and the little girl with her hair in two buns added with bright eyes, "Madam looks just like a goddess from a temple! So beautiful!"
Upon hearing this, Tang Ning was stunned for a moment, then burst out laughing.
Seeing her smile, Yan Xingzhi's brows relaxed, and he then gestured to the Blood Guard beside him. The guard understood and took out two small gold fish from his sleeve, handing them to the two children.
The couple were stunned when they saw the little goldfish.
"Take it, consider it a gift from my husband and me to our child."
Yan Xingzhi said with a gentle smile.
"This...this won't do, this won't do!"
The couple repeatedly refused, but under Yan Xingzhi's insistence, they had no choice but to let the child accept only one piece, and Yan Xingzhi agreed.
After thanking Yan Xingzhi, the family excitedly headed out of the city. It was getting late, and if they didn't go back soon, they might not be able to leave the city. Staying in the city for one night was no small expense.
Even after walking a distance, Tang Ning could still see that the woman, perhaps out of concern for her husband, was supporting him with one hand while wiping the sweat from his forehead with the other. In the twilight, the two smiled happily and sweetly.
Even the corners of Tang Ning's mouth, which were turned up, never fell down.
She completely forgot what she was going to say to Yan Xingzhi, and simply turned around and walked forward in silence.
Yan Xingzhi quietly followed behind her.
Then he saw Tang Ning's gaze suddenly pause for a moment, but she quickly looked away, trying to cover it up, and even quickened her pace.
He followed the spot where her gaze had just fallen and saw a row of jade rabbits embracing the moon hanging at the entrance of a lantern shop.
Tang Ning and Yan Xingzhi may not know that since the last Lantern Festival, due to the way Yan Xingzhi removed the lantern for Tang Ning, and the two of them being extremely good-looking, the sales of the Jade Rabbit Embracing the Moon lantern in the lantern shop have skyrocketed. It has even become another token of love for young men and women in Lanzhou City to express their affections under the moon.
The shopkeeper, who had previously harbored deep resentment towards Yan Xingzhi, almost burst out laughing.
Upon seeing the Jade Rabbit Embracing the Moon Lantern, a profound meaning unconsciously flashed in Yan Xingzhi's eyes.
After having dinner in the inn lobby that evening, Tang Ning, who had nothing to say to Yan Xingzhi, went straight back to her room.
But just as she finished making her bed and was about to rest, someone knocked on the door from the outside.
Upon hearing this voice, Tang Ning immediately raised an eyebrow.
Those destined to die have arrived.
She waited in the room for a while before gently opening the door. There she saw the innkeeper's waiter standing outside her door with a jade rabbit holding the moon, smiling broadly. "Miss," he said, "someone asked me to give you this and then tell you to follow this path."
As he spoke, he made way for him.
It was at this moment that Tang Ning was surprised to find that there were two rows of people carrying jade rabbit moon lanterns behind him, leaving a path in the middle, from her door to the stairs, and then winding from the stairs to the outside of the inn.
Tang Ning subconsciously glanced at the window on one side and then noticed that there was also a line of lanterns with the Jade Rabbit Embracing the Moon outside the inn.
Under the cover of night, it appeared exceptionally bright and distinct.
At first glance, it seems to stretch on endlessly.
Before she could look away, a lamp was shoved into her hand.
I stood there and looked at the lanterns and the smiling people carrying them; they must all be city dwellers.
It has to be said that Yan Xingzhi really went all out. Whether it was the original owner who had mixed feelings of love and hate for him, or Tang Ning who wanted to win him over, they would all choose to go.
So, after hesitating for a while, Tang Ning still carried the lantern and walked down the lantern path amidst the gratified and joyful gazes of everyone. The further she walked, the longer she realized that the path was. She even began to suspect that the entire population of Lanzhou City had been summoned by Yan Xingzhi to form this lantern path.
She didn't know how far she had walked, but when she looked up, Tang Ning saw that the end of the lantern-lit path was actually the riverbank. As soon as she saw the riverbank, Tang Ning roughly knew what Yan Xingzhi wanted to do. Sure enough, as soon as she stood by the river, the next second, with a bang, fireworks bloomed all over the sky above her head, one after another, one after another, colorful and dazzling.
Even the sound of fireworks exploding could not drown out the excited cheers of the people in Lanzhou City behind them.
Those people weren't lying to them after all; as long as they stood there with their lanterns, they would see fireworks that night.
Fireworks soared into the sky, blooming again in her eyes.
All I could hear were all sorts of discussions, cheers, and screams.
Tang Ning glanced at it only once before releasing the jade rabbit holding the moon, letting it fall into the river in front of her with a splash. It quickly ignited and then went out.
She then squeezed through the bustling crowd, searched around but couldn't find the person she was looking for, and ran frantically toward the inn.
To watch the fireworks, there was no one else in the inn except for a waiter who was guarding the door.
As soon as she entered the inn, Tang Ning ran to Yan Xingzhi's room without hesitation. She pushed open the door, looked at the empty room, and then stepped back out. Then, as if she had thought of something, she looked directly at the ceiling.
"come out!"
She shouted.
"I know you're with me, Yan Xingzhi, come out here!"
No matter how she called out, no one responded, but Tang Ning's tears fell uncontrollably.
"What exactly do you want? Haven't you played me enough from the beginning? Why did you come here! Why did you give me the Jade Rabbit Embracing the Moon Lantern! Why did you set off fireworks! Why did you do all these unnecessary things! Yan Xingzhi, how long are you going to keep playing me?! I have nothing left. My master is gone, Medicine God Valley is destroyed, Cold Jade Ice Body is ruined, my innocence is gone, and now I can't even save my life. I really have nothing left. What else do you want from me? Did I owe you something in my past life? Why are you doing this to me? Why!"
Tang Ning shouted this loudly, her voice trembling with tears.
She had barely finished shouting when her face turned pale. She instinctively pressed her hand to her chest, swayed for a moment, and then her legs gave way, and she was about to fall down the stairs.
"Oh, young lady..."
Upon seeing this, the waiter was so frightened that he almost jumped out of his skin and tried to rush forward to help her.
The next second, a black figure flew in from outside the inn, caught Tang Ning, and without hesitation took her into his room and began to channel his inner energy into her.
Unexpectedly, just as his palm touched her chest and her head rested on his shoulder, Tang Ning, who was about to fall into a coma, opened her mouth and bit down on his shoulder.
"Hmm."
Despite the pain in his shoulder, Yan Xingzhi did not withdraw his hand from channeling internal energy to suppress the poison. Instead, he endured the pain and continued to increase the flow of internal energy.
Tang Ning, who was biting his shoulder, had a fierce look in her eyes and kept clenching her teeth, getting tighter and tighter. Even though she could already taste the man's flesh and blood in her mouth, she still didn't let go. At the same time, tears streamed down her face, and the blood mixed with her tears quickly stained their clothes red.
Her teeth only loosened slowly after she fell into a complete coma.
"Yan Xingzhi, I hate you..."
These were the last six words she left for Yan Xingzhi before she fell into a coma.
It was unclear how much time had passed before the poison raging in Tang Ning's body finally subsided slightly. At this time, Yan Xingzhi's internal energy, which he had accumulated in his dantian, was almost completely depleted. As soon as he withdrew his hand, the man collapsed palely beside Tang Ning.
Just then, Tang Ning, who was in a coma, seemed to be dreaming. At first, she just silently shed tears, but soon she began to sob softly, like the mournful cry of a kitten that had just been abandoned after birth, one cry after another.
And then—
"Brother Xingzhi, it hurts...it hurts so much..."
He heard her cry out like that, her voice trembling with tears.
In an instant, Yan Xingzhi's eyes reddened, and he subconsciously leaned forward and gently kissed Tang Ning's blood-stained lips.
Ningning...
Yan Xingzhi's current favorability rating: 96.
Tsk.
Author's Note: Tang Ning: You're asking for it!
Gou Yan: *sobs* I thought I could do it...
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