Bu Li was a man from the southern border region. He was rescued by Li Hua when he traveled to the south. He was the inheritor of secret arts in some secluded villages in the southern border region. His mother was the chief of that village, but she fell in love with a man who had mistakenly entered the mountains and was tricked into leaving the world. In the end, she died tragically because of the secret arts.
When Bu Li's mother fell in love with that man, she became pregnant with Bu Li. She promised the two of them that they would never leave each other, which is why she named Bu Li.
He had no surname because the man's surname was fake from beginning to end.
Before her death, Aniang risked her life to send Buli back to the village. However, the village's secret arts, such as the human skin mask that could transform people into living beings, were too tempting. If the person in power were to obtain them, it would be like adding wings to a tiger.
So not long after, Bu Li's biological father, who had visited the village once before, found him with his men.
Bu Li was only ten years old at the time. He led the villagers in a fierce resistance and killed his father with his own hands. However, the village's location was exposed as a result, and they could no longer stay in the mountains.
They were chased all the way by those people, and if it weren't for the poisonous miasma as cover, they would have been completely wiped out.
At that time, Li Hua also happened to be caught in the poisonous miasma. He was about the same age as Bu Li. He led a group of merchants and tested each other for a long time. They also overcame many difficulties together before he gained their trust.
Li Hua led them out of the mountains, teaching them how to survive in the human world and helping them make a living. In return, they provided Li Hua with poison, human skin masks, and... medicine to cure the poisonous miasma.
Bu Li always felt that Li Hua was so intelligent that he was almost supernatural, and would never be fooled by love or romance.
But I never imagined that one day he would be so confused.
However, as Bu Li said, his life, the lives of his people, and their current peaceful life were all given to him by Li Hua. Whether he wanted to indulge in love or seek his own death, Bu Li would not care and had no right to care.
When Gan Qiongying returned after circling around, the wicked young master no longer showed the subtle hostility he had yesterday. He introduced himself to Gan Qiongying, saying, "My name is Buli. Lihua wants me to teach you how to make human skin masks. Come with me."
Gan Qiongying introduced herself and then followed Bu Li into the house to see the complicated production process.
After glancing at it briefly, Gan Qiongying felt a little relieved.
After all, the name "human skin mask" was quite frightening, and Gan Qiongying was afraid that they would actually have to use human skin. Fortunately, the raw material for human skin masks is a kind of resin.
"This tree grows in the poisonous miasma of southern Xinjiang and can only be harvested in the summer each year. But don't worry, Li Hua will provide you with the raw materials. He happens to have a group of people who take turns entering the poisonous miasma forest throughout the year."
Gan Qiongying nodded, studying very diligently and even trying to get started.
They didn't leave or stop me, and taught me very seriously. I studied for two or three days, but to be honest, I didn't make much progress.
If it were truly that easy to learn, it wouldn't be considered a unique skill.
Li Hua would occasionally come over to check on things, but most of the time she wouldn't bother Gan Qiongying. Aside from bringing her water or food, or calling her back for a meal, she would let Gan Qiongying do as she pleased.
Every time the two met, they were sweet and affectionate, spending a long time together. On the third day, when Gan Qiongying went out for some fresh air, Bu Li said to Li Hua, "I might as well give her some semi-finished products, put them on her face, and draw her own makeup according to her own wishes. It will last for a few days. If she keeps learning like this, it will be difficult for her to learn in less than a year or two."
Li Hua remained noncommittal, ultimately only saying, "You should discuss it with her yourself."
On the fourth day, Gan Qiongying received two large bottles of semi-finished resin and went down the mountain with Li Hua in a horse-drawn carriage.
She didn't have time to learn for a year or two, and she was just about to get some finished products these past few days. Luckily, Bu Li gave her this and even taught her how to use it.
“He’s quite good-looking, and he’s not young anymore. Why doesn’t he come down the mountain?” Gan Qiongying asked Li Hua. “Is he married?”
"He told me that even if this resin isn't used as a mask, it's excellent for skincare. He said that when women apply it, their faces become rosy and glowing, even more effective than the finest rouge!"
"He seems to know a lot of things, he can even treat illnesses, he's like this..."
"You've been talking about him the whole way," Li Hua's expression softened, and she looked at Gan Qiongying with a hint of resentment. "You've spent so many days with him, haven't you gotten tired of him yet?"
Gan Qiongying was stunned for a moment, then burst out laughing.
Are you jealous?
Li Hua did not deny it, but instead readily admitted, "You haven't paid much attention to me these past few days, and you haven't asked me what I've been doing. All you ever say is 'I'm not leaving you, I'm not leaving you.'"
"Hahahaha..." Gan Qiongying almost fell over on the carriage.
Finally, she collapsed onto Li Hua's lap: "You really are... hahaha, so cute."
Gan Qiongying hooked her arm around Li Hua's neck, pulled him down, and kissed the corner of his mouth, his lips, and the tip of his handsome nose.
Don't be jealous.
"I just thought he was pretty capable, and since Manyue hasn't found a partner yet, maybe he could play matchmaker and it could lead to a happy marriage."
“His clan’s marriage system is very bad, and Man Yue couldn’t stand it.”
“He’s from southern Xinjiang. Didn’t you see he was raising some insects?”
Li Hua said, "He also knows how to use Gu poison. If the full moon falls into his hands, you won't even know if he eats it."
"Huh?" This time it was Gan Qiongying's turn to be stunned.
Li Hua chuckled again: "Just kidding."
"Their clan leader knew how to use Gu poison, but his mother died before he could teach him how to make Gu worms. He only knew how to raise some poisonous insects."
"However, their tribe does have many requirements for brides, and they are very xenophobic."
“Isn’t Man Yue in love with Chen Wa?” Li Hua said.
"Huh? What? She's having an affair with Chen Wa?" Gan Qiongying knew that Li Hua wouldn't make things up without reason, so she immediately moved closer to him and shook his arm, saying, "Tell me in detail what's going on between the two of them!"
"That brat Man Yue won't tell a single truth!"
Li Hua looked at Gan Qiongying's hand shaking his arm, thinking about the things he had found out, and picked out some things that Gan Qiongying would find terrifying if she knew them.
“Last year before the Lunar New Year, Man Yue embroidered a mandarin duck purse for Chen Wa, and Chen Wa showed it off to everyone she met after receiving it.”
Gan Qiongying: "!" There's such a thing!
What Li Hua didn't say was that the purse was incredibly ugly, resembling two crippled ducks. Moreover, Chen Wa later lost the purse. Later still, a cousin from Chen Wa's maternal grandfather's family came to visit him after the New Year.
After that, Man Yue ignored Chen Wa.
As expected, Gan Qiongying didn't mention Bu Li at all during the rest of the journey. She kept saying that Chen Wa and Manyue were really good at hiding things, and that she would definitely dig out all their secrets when they got back!
Then the carriage swayed and rattled as it entered the capital city of Yin and headed towards the princess's residence.
As soon as they stood at the gate of the princess's residence, before Gan Qiongying could even get out of the carriage, she saw a person rush out of a carriage not far from them.
It was already getting dark when Gan Qiongying saw the man's figure. Before he even got close, her heart skipped a beat.
"Princess!"
The figure scrambled over and collapsed right next to Gan Qiongying's carriage.
"The princess is back! Please come with this old servant to the palace! His Majesty... His Majesty..."
Li Quan's voice stopped abruptly when he saw Li Hua emerge from the carriage.
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