Great Zhou World
Xiao Yumin's gaze, like a sticky spider's thread, passed over her and lingered on Nangong Xi, who was a few steps away, absorbed in his recollections. Sure enough, the drunkard's real intention lay elsewhere! Ning Yangyang sneered inwardly.
At that moment, the figure of Shangshu Chen Gongming, clad in a deep crimson official uniform, approached with rapid steps, like a hawk sniffing a scent. His face solemn, his eyes piercing, he meticulously bowed to Xiao Yumin. His voice steady, he said, "Your Highness's presence is a great honor to our humble home. Do you also enjoy tending to the flowers and plants?" His gesture was like a pebble dropped into a lake. The well-dressed dignitaries around him instantly switched to respectful greetings, one after another, their hypocritical courtesies drowning out the fragrance of the garden's flowers.
Ning Yangyang watched with cold eyes as the expressions shifted faster than the pages of a book, her contempt growing even stronger. "Oh, currying favor with the powerful!" She turned to look for Nangong Xi, but found her still lost in her own thoughts, oblivious to the sudden shift in the atmosphere. Nangong Xi wore a simple, moon-white skirt, overlaid with a pale blue half-sleeve. Her dark hair was loosely tied up with a single white jade hairpin, a few strands of black hair cascading down her neck. She was frail, her face a pale, almost translucent pallor, a faint hint of melancholy between her brows. Her sleeves seemed to fall naturally, but within them she clutched a small, leather map.
Seeing Xiao Yumin's hand, adorned with a large jade ring, using the excuse of receiving the flower as an excuse, he reached past her and directly towards the collar of Nangong Xi's slender neck, intending to flirt with her! Ning Yangyang's mind buzzed, and her anger instantly ignited: "Shameless! How dare you do this in public?!"
"If you want to see it, just take it!" She lost all patience. Having never paid much attention to the casually made artificial flowers in her arms, she shoved them into Xiao Yumin's outstretched hand with a quick, decisive gesture, clearly dismissing him. However, the moment the artificial flowers slipped from his hand, Xiao Yumin's hand suddenly turned, aiming directly at Nangong Xi!
In a flash, Ning Yangyang acted without hesitation, her movements as fast as lightning. With her left hand, she swung the thin bamboo basket she was holding—still holding scraps of cotton cloth—upside down onto Xiao Yumin's carefully combed bun, sending cake crumbs scattering. Simultaneously, her right leg, like a whip, delivered a fierce backspin kick, striking the opponent's knee with pinpoint accuracy!
"Ah!" Xiao Yumin was caught off guard, letting out a scream like a butchered pig. He completely lost his balance and, with a loud clang, knocked over the tall flower table behind him that held the prized "Er Qiao" peony. The porcelain basin shattered, sending dirt flying. The delicate pink and white peony petals, along with the tumbling prince, fell into the mud and sharp porcelain shards, leaving them a veritable mess of "withered flowers and withered willows."
"How dare you! You're rebelling! You... you you you... you have such a big guts! How dare you attack the prince!" Xiao Yumin's followers finally reacted and shouted harshly, their voices changing in tone.
Xiao Yumin struggled desperately in the mud and debris. His luxurious royal blue brocade robe was torn in many places, his carefully maintained face was covered in mud, and his carefully combed bun was weighed down by a crooked bamboo basket. He roared in frustration.
Ning Yangyang, however, straightened her back, chin slightly raised, like a small red maple tree standing in the wind. Her voice, clear as falling pearls, pierced through the chaos, with a hint of ironic intimacy: "Then why did you attack the princess, cousin?" Her gaze was as sharp as a torch, coldly staring at Xiao Yumin, who was struggling to get up, and she clearly declared: "Regent Xiao Ziyi's biological sister, Ning Yangyang!"
"Regent… Regent?" Xiao Yumin's struggle to get up faltered, his arrogance replaced by suspicion and a hint of hidden fear. Regent Xiao Ziyi's reputation was far superior to that of a mere prince.
Ning Yangyang saw the fear in his eyes, and her heart grew stronger. She pointed her delicate finger directly at Nangong Xi, bluntly saying, "Hurry and apologize to my maid! If she forgives you, it's fine. But if she doesn't... hmph!" Her voice rose, a threat thickening in her voice. Before she finished speaking, she had quickly stripped off her snow-white, fluffy fox fur coat, which carried a refreshing plum scent, and, without a word, firmly wrapped it around Nangong Xi's slender neck, shielding him from the tugged collar and any potential malicious glances. The sudden warmth made Nangong Xi, who had just recovered from the shock of the tug, instinctively clutch the edge of the fur coat. A warm current, mixed with gratitude, surged through his heart.
However, Xiao Yumin's true weakness was fully exposed. He dared not shout at Ning Yangyang anymore, instead venting his resentful gaze and anger on the seemingly more vulnerable Nangong Xi. His voice was sharp and vicious: "Nangong Xi! Why are you pretending to be so noble? Your father once offered you to me as a concubine!" He tried to save some of his pitiful dignity with the most vicious words.
The insult of "concubine" and the unfinished title were like a poisoned ice cone, piercing Nangong Xi's heart!
"Concubine..." The word exploded in her mind! The humiliation she had deliberately forgotten, the indignation of her father's unjust imprisonment, the despair of her innocence being tarnished...instantly, it washed over her like an icy tide. Her entire body trembled violently, and her already pale face instantly lost its last trace of color, turning as pale as paper. Intense pain and confusion welled up in her clear eyes: "Who...harmed Master? The Imperial Concubine...Xiao Ziyi...the young lady before me and her brother...are they enemies or friends?"
"I think your mouth really deserves a slap!" Ning Yangyang's fury was completely ignited, even more intense than before! She raised her right hand, her knuckles slightly white from the force, and with an indomitable aura, she was about to slap that disgusting face! Her eyes burned with pure rage, and she wanted nothing more than to tear apart that mouth that couldn't spit out ivory.
Faced with this thundering force, Xiao Yumin turned his head to the side like a rogue, with a provocative look in his eyes, as if he was sure that the other party would not dare to really hit the prince.
At this critical moment, a hand wearing a large jade ring, well-maintained yet imbued with undeniable strength, suddenly grabbed Ning Yangyang's raised wrist like an iron clamp! The force was so great that her arm felt numb.
It’s Chen Gongming!
He stood motionless between the two, his deep crimson official uniform accentuating his solemn and majestic features. He didn't glance at Ning Yangyang, his gaze sweeping across the room with a cold glare. His voice wasn't raised, but each word was clear and piercing, like a verdict: "No one associated with the Regent is welcome here." He paused deliberately, his gaze like an icy needle, piercing the pale, fox-fur-wrapped Nangong Xi with pinpoint accuracy. He added, even more damningly, "Even less welcome are the entertainers who want to have their fun."
He uttered the word "actress" clearly and forcefully, like the most vicious curse, striking Nangong Xi's wound, which hadn't yet scabbed over. She swayed again, her knuckles gripping the fox fur until they turned white.
"You old idiot! You're so rude!" Ning Yangyang was completely enraged by this blatant insult and obstruction, and a fury of anger shot up her head! With a sharp twist of her wrist, she used her clever strength to forcibly break free from Chen Gongming's grip, her movements as nimble as a slippery fish. The moment she broke free, she had already quietly grasped a sharp-edged piece of broken porcelain between her fingers. A cold glint flashed in her eyes, and she aimed at Chen Gongming and Xiao Yumin and was about to throw it fiercely! This blow was fast and fierce, with a ruthless determination to destroy both the good and the bad!
“Whoosh!”
A sound so subtle that it was almost unnoticeable passed by.
"Puff." A soft sound.
The sharp cold light in Ning Yangyang's hand strangely turned into a cloud of fine white powder halfway through its flight, floating in the dazzling afternoon sunlight, as if it had never existed.
Ning Yangyang was stunned.
"Miss! Let's go!" Almost at the moment the silver needle shattered the porcelain, Nangong Xi had already forcibly freed herself from the immense pain and confusion! Tears welled in her eyes, yet she remained remarkably lucid and resolute. She suddenly hugged Ning Yangyang tightly from behind, her arms gripping her with all her might. Her voice trembled slightly, yet was remarkably clear and resolute. She ignored Ning Yangyang's still-raging cries of "Let me go! I'm going to rip his mouth apart! No one can kiss her!" Half-carrying, half-pushing, she used almost all her strength to resolutely lead the young woman who had stood up for her towards the relatively sparsely crowded entrance.
The warmth of the fox fur enveloped her, and the rage and strength emanating from Ning Yangyang also sustained her. She lowered her head, her long hair hiding the pain and humiliation swirling in her eyes, as well as a deeper, burgeoning determination—this place couldn't be stayed for long.
The sun was blazing, but the old locust tree in the backyard cast a thick shade, shielding the ground from the heat. The deafening chirping of cicadas only added to the coolness of the shade.
Ning Yangyang, the chosen worker, reclined on a bamboo mat, her bare feet tapping the cool stone slabs. She held a bright red, juicy winter melon, nibbling on it with small bites, the juice staining her fingers, her posture languid. Glancing at Nangong Xi, who was kneeling beside her, she mumbled, "Nangong, want to take a break and eat some melon?"
Nangong Xi, wearing an old blue cloth shirt with her sleeves rolled up, lowered her head, intently grinding licorice in the bluestone mortar before her. The ebony pestle rose and fell with a soft, "thump, thump" sound, and the dry grass gradually became a fine powder, emitting a refreshing and bitter herbal aroma. A slight sweat beaded her forehead, and her movements were respectful and steady as she replied softly, "Miss, grind this roasted licorice finely and mix it with well water later. It will help you clear your heart heat and relieve your summer heat."
The sound of the ebony pestle striking the bluestone mortar was particularly clear in the sweltering afternoon, carrying a subdued rhythm. Nangong Xi lowered her head, the strands of hair on her forehead, damp with sweat, clinging to her smooth skin. Her slender, calloused fingers gripped the pestle's center, her knuckles turning slightly white from the pressure. The grinding was faster than before, and the finely ground licorice accumulated at the bottom of the mortar. The bitter, herbal aroma seemed even stronger, silently revealing the frustration and struggle swirling within her.
Ning Yangyang lazily lounged on a bamboo chair, her bare feet unconsciously tapping the cool stone slabs. A hint of bright red melon juice still lingered on her fingertips. She stared at Nangong Xi's tense profile, the silence between them like an invisible boulder pressing down on them.
Ning Yangyang, however, was beginning to tire of life here. Ancient Chinese stories were the most untouchable existence in the fast-travel world, no different from primitive society. The previous fantasy world did have some novelties. "System, can you give me more things to do, or can you fast-forward the story to the day of the Oiran Contest? It's so boring!" Ning Yangyang complained about her boredom, but she continued to eat the cold melon.
Finally, the rapid grinding sound paused. Nangong Xi didn't look up. Her voice seemed to be squeezed out from the depths of her throat with difficulty, with a barely perceptible tremor. "Miss, my Nangong family has been practicing medicine for generations... How could we be so foolish as to put Hedinghong in a labor-inducing drug? This... isn't this like using a butcher knife to kill fish?" Her hand gripping the pestle trembled slightly, and her knuckles tightened.
Ning Yangyang let out a soft breath upon hearing this, as if she had anticipated it. She casually dropped the remaining melon rind into the stone tray beside her, making a soft "thump." She adjusted her reclining position, resting her elbows on the armrests of the bamboo chair, her chin resting on her palms. Her gaze fell on Nangong Xi's drooping hair, and her tone was calm, as if she knew everything: "So, there must be something fishy going on here, right?"
"Miss!" Nangong Xi suddenly raised her head, the long-suppressed emotions in her eyes like a flood about to burst the dam - pain, injustice, and a desperate plea. She even leaned forward slightly, the pestle still unconsciously grasped in her hand, the pestle head hovering above the stone mortar. "If you... if you can give me a chance to find out the truth..." Her voice was filled with a desperate determination, and every word seemed to be exhausted. "I am willing to do anything for you! Anything!"
Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the locust leaves, dappling onto Ning Yangyang's face. She looked down at Nangong Xi, who was kneeling on a bamboo mat, gazing up at her. His cold and beautiful face, now filled with fragility and courage, held a breathtaking beauty in the bright light.
Ning Yangyang screamed inwardly, "Don't be too beautiful!" This kind of high-class heroine is really unbearable.
"Nangong, let me tell you something," Ning Yangyang sat up straighter, putting away some of her laziness. Her tone became serious, with a hint of eagerness to share a secret. "Actually, the instigator of all this is Xiao Ziyi! He wanted to consolidate Xiao Yuhuan's position as the crown prince, so he pinned the blame for the concubine's miscarriage on your grandfather..."
The system prompt sounded sharply. Warning! Serious OOC (character corruption) and core spoilers detected! The host's speech has been forcibly blocked! The content has been replaced with silent airflow.
Ning Yangyang felt as if her throat were being strangled by an invisible hand. The last half of her words were stuck in her trachea, transforming into a few indistinct whispers. Her brow furrowed, a trace of surprise and anger crossing her face.
"System! Didn't you say no spoilers? And it won't affect the direction of the story, right? The heroine already hates Xiao Ziyi. If he hadn't used his status to rob her, how could she possibly compromise?"
The system's cold prompt rang in her mind: Host, be aware of your identity! You are the hero's sister, Ning Yangyang! You have no evidence and are accusing the powerful of the dynasty. The heroine will not believe you will kill your relatives for the sake of justice! This move is extremely OOC and will easily cause confusion in the world line logic!
Ning Yangyang rolled her eyes. "Oops, I forgot about that. I have bigger things to do later... Okay, okay, I won't spoil the story, but I can just guide her a little bit, okay?"
She cleared her throat in a disingenuous manner, suppressing the discomfort, as if the previous stuttering had simply been caused by choking on melon seeds. Her gaze swept across Nangong Xi's tightly gripped pestle and his face, filled with confusion and anticipation. Ning Yangyang reached for her waist and quickly adjusted her thoughts and tone.
Her slender fingers deftly untied a smooth, mutton-fat white jade waist plaque. Carved with intricate patterns of phoenixes and peonies, it shone with a restrained and noble luster in the sunlight, a testament to her status as a young lady from a marquisate. She weighed the plaque twice between her fingers, feeling its heft and coolness.
"The Crown Prince's birthday is in three days." Ning Yangyang's voice returned to calm, with a hint of unquestionable meaning. She stretched out her arm and handed the jade badge directly to Nangong Xi, the jade badge almost touching her chest, which was slightly heaving with excitement. "Then you will come to the palace with me." She paused, looking directly into Nangong Xi's eyes, which suddenly widened with astonishment and disbelief. "Take this badge and go to the Imperial Hospital. Whatever evidence you need, go find it yourself."
"I hope she can find that key witness!"
The system prompt sounded again: "Key witness? Host, where did you find him? It's not clearly marked in the script!"
"Oh, you still haven't understood the script thoroughly!"
The jade token lay quietly in Ning Yangyang's fair palm, emitting a warm and attractive luster, like a key to the abyss of truth.
Nangong Xi's eyes were fixed on the waist badge, and her breathing seemed to have stopped. Her hand holding the medicine pestle finally loosened slowly, and the ebony medicine pestle made a light "click" sound and fell beside the stone mortar. She raised her slightly trembling hands, and with an almost pious solemnity, she carefully took the cold jade badge with both hands. It felt warm to the touch, but it weighed more than a thousand pounds. Her cold fingertips touched Ning Yangyang's warm palm, and a shudder aroused like an electric current. She clenched the waist badge tightly in her palm. The hard edges and corners poked the tender flesh of her palm, bringing a clear pain, but it made her chaotic mind settle strangely.
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