Chapter 558 You...you are out of luck, or...
Just as I had finished eating and drinking and put down my bowl and chopsticks, a clear voice with a lazy smile suddenly rang out in the lobby, with penetrating power:
"Xiao-Yue-er-!"
Lan Xiyue looked in the direction of the voice, a flicker of genuine surprise in her eyes. "Dongfang Ming?" She looked at the man leaning against the door frame. He was dressed in an elegant purple robe—it was rare to see him in red—and his smile was as bright and dazzling as a peach blossom in March. "Why are you here?"
Dongfang Ming took a few steps forward, his naturally affectionate peach blossom eyes curved as he looked straight at Lan Xiyue: "I've been waiting in Southern Xinjiang for a long time, but I can't find any trace of Xiao Yue'er. Now that everything in Southern Xinjiang has been settled, I naturally have to come and find you in person."
His tone was filled with a hint of intimacy, but he then smiled. "What a coincidence! I've been traveling day and night, and just as I arrived in the capital, I learned that Xiao Yue'er had left. I galloped all the way here, thinking she was heading for Southern Xinjiang. Who would have thought she was heading west? I was disappointed. Fortunately, I've found her now."
Lan Xiyue stood up, crossed her arms, and asked with interest, "Oh? How did you find this inn?"
Dongfang Ming turned sideways and raised his chin slightly towards the counter.
The shopkeeper who had been busy counting the accounts immediately put down his abacus, stood up respectfully, clasped his fists deeply in the direction of Dongfang Ming, and bowed humbly.
"I see." Lan Xiyue smiled knowingly, "Is this inn your property?"
"It's just a small business." Dongfang Ming's smile became even wider. He made a "please" gesture with a stern look in his eyes. "Come on, Xiao Yue'er, I'll take you to visit Jinling City. There's a wonderful place there, I guarantee you'll like it!"
An Yi's heart instantly leaped into his throat! Why had this evil spirit appeared?! He felt his vision darken. Things were getting increasingly serious. The prince's wrath, coupled with the young master of Southern Xinjiang who was desperate for unrest...
Can the princess really save his life? An Yi felt as bitter as if he had swallowed bitter herbs, but he could only pretend to be calm on the surface.
Lan Xiyue readily agreed: "Okay."
The two walked out of the inn side by side.
Dongfang Ming's carriage had been waiting outside the door for a long time. It was luxurious but unpretentious. The wheels rolled over the snow-covered streets, leaving a clear track, and finally stopped at the entrance of a quiet valley.
After getting off the carriage, a mixture of fresh air after the snow and the cool fragrance of grass and trees hit me in the face.
Lan Xiyue looked up, and even though she was knowledgeable and experienced, she couldn't help but utter a heartfelt exclamation:
"What a nice view!"
The scene before my eyes is like a snowy wonderland isolated from the world.
Surrounded by mountains, all covered with thick silver, crystal clear.
However, in the center of this silver-clad landscape lies a deep pool.
The water in the pool is a strange, deep emerald green, so pure and translucent, as if a huge emerald is embedded in the snow.
The water in the pond was not frozen, and water vapor was rising in wisps, condensing into a fine white mist in the cold air.
A few strong old trees by the pond, despite the bleakness of winter, are still lush and green, full of vitality. The lush green is clearly reflected in the mirror-like blue lake. The water and trees complement each other, making the water seem deep, tranquil and full of green, as if it contains endless vitality.
"This place is called 'Nine Nether Pond'." Dongfang Ming's voice sounded beside him, with a hint of subtle complacency. He looked at Lan Xiyue's profile, his eyes filled with undisguised fondness. "I discovered it by accident. Few people know about it, so it's the quietest place."
Lan Xiyue was attracted by the strange and beautiful scenery, and took Chuchun and Chuxia for a stroll by the pond.
Stepping on the soft snow, it made a slight "crunching" sound.
Soon, her eyes were drawn to several plants stubbornly peeking out from under the ice and snow at the edge of the pond. They were extremely rare herbs! A flash of surprise flashed in her eyes, and she immediately crouched down cautiously, took out her dagger, and holding her breath, she brushed away the snow bit by bit as if it were a rare treasure and began to dig.
On the other side, Dongfang Ming had already skillfully taken out a set of exquisite fishing gear from the carriage.
He chose a flat rock to sit on and swung his rod into the water with graceful movements.
Ripples spread across the emerald green surface of the pond. He looked at the slightly swaying float, but his eyes drifted from time to time to the slender figure who was concentrating on picking herbs not far away, with a gentle smile on his lips.
The fish in this pond are fat and tender. When Xiao Yueer gets tired of playing, I can roast them for her to taste.
An Yi stood at a distance like the most vigilant guard, his eyes fixed on Dongfang Ming.
After much hesitation, he couldn't help but take a few steps forward and lowered his voice, warningly saying, "Young Master Dongfang, our princess has married the prince, and they are now husband and wife! You...you have no chance, or..."
"An Yi." Dongfang Mingtou's voice suddenly turned cold, as if it had been quenched by ice, instantly breaking the tranquil atmosphere.
He slowly turned his head, and his peach blossom eyes, which always smiled, were now as sharp as knives. With the unquestionable pressure of a superior, they stared coldly at An Yi's face, freezing his unfinished words.
"I never break my word." He spoke each word clearly, his voice low but unspoken, with an unquestionable determination. "If Mo Liyuan dares to betray her or make her unhappy, I will take her away. No matter where in the world, I will give her a free and unfettered place in Southern Xinjiang."
He paused, the coldness in his eyes softening slightly, a complex and indistinguishable emotion returning. He looked towards Lan Xiyue again, his tone becoming somewhat distant, as if speaking to An Yi, or perhaps admonishing himself: "I like her, but I don't want to force her. I treat her well because I wish she would be as free as a bird, with a smile as beautiful as a flower, unfettered. I can also treat her like a brother and a friend, cherishing her like a treasure, protecting her and giving her the best of everything in the world."
He retracted his gaze and looked back at An Yi. His eyes had become icy cold again. "Put away your dirty thoughts. Don't judge others by your own standards. Otherwise..." The corners of his lips curved into a chilling arc. "I don't mind letting you try the secret recipe of Southern Xinjiang's 'Forget Worry Powder'. From now on, you will never wake up again and put an end to it all."
An Yi was frightened by the undisguised murderous intent in his eyes. Although he was unwilling, he dared not say anything. He could only snort heavily, retreated to his original position, folded his arms, and stood there like a stone sculpture, but his eyes were still fixed on Dongfang Ming's every move.
Dongfang Ming no longer paid attention to him and his gaze returned to the float on the water, but the corner of his eye was always following the nimble figure picking herbs in the snow.
The person he had been thinking about day and night for so long was right in front of him. Looking at her vivid figure and listening to her occasional whispered laughter with the maid, the longing and joy that had been suppressed in his heart for so long, like the undercurrent at the bottom of the Nine Nether Pond, surged up uncontrollably and almost drowned him. The pure joy made his fingertips slightly hot.
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