"Are you cold?" Ji Wushang thought he was cold when he heard him say that, so he shook his head. "I'm afraid you're cold."
Ji Wushang gently shook his head, "With you here, it's not cold."
"I'll take you to see the cycads bloom, and also, I want to take you to the Snow Palace of Buda." Nan Xuzong said after a long silence, "The Old Man of the Snow Mountain has left with his medicine boy."
"You're gone? Good." Ji Wushang nodded. "Have you recovered?"
"I'm fine, everything's alright." Nan Xuzong picked her up. "Let's have our meal first, and then we'll go see the iron tree in bloom and the Buda Snow Palace."
Ji Wushang obediently got up. He looked at her legs and couldn't help but ask, "Wushang, does it hurt?"
"It hurt at first, but it doesn't hurt now." Ji Wushang looked at him, and he picked her up in his arms, his tenderness meeting her bright eyes.
"I'll carry you down the mountain like this later," Nan Xuzong said, then immediately walked through the beaded curtain, placed her on a chair in the outer room, and kissed her lips.
Ji Wushang took a while to react, "No, I can walk down the mountain. I'll walk down the mountain with you, so don't worry about me."
“I heard your voice. You said you like it when I hold you, so I’m going to hold you forever.” Nan Xuzong said with a wicked smile, then walked out. “Bring up all the food.”
"Yes." Hongfei and Cuiwu, who were waiting outside, immediately brought up all the food.
"Madam, Master." The two maids, seeing Ji Wushang and Nan Xuzong being so sweet together, were delighted and went to keep watch.
Ji Wushang looked at Nan Xuzong sitting beside her, his eyes filled with tender affection that warmed her heart. Just as Ji Wushang was about to pick up her chopsticks, he preemptively said, "I'll feed you."
"This...isn't that necessary?" Ji Wushang looked at him. "Even if I'm injured, it's only my leg, and it's almost healed now." The old man from the snow mountain didn't know what kind of medicine he had applied, but he felt his leg recovering very quickly.
Nan Xuzong laughed, "Good girl, don't say anything, just open your mouth and eat." As he spoke, Nan Xuzong pulled Ji Wushang onto his body, his left hand around her waist, holding her waist, while his right hand held chopsticks. Ji Wushang exclaimed in surprise, thinking of struggling, but he moved his hand, "Hmm? Don't move."
Ji Wushang turned his head and saw his smile, his eyes filled with an indelible warmth.
Ji Wushang didn't move. "I'll be in the way of your meal," she said. "You're hungry too, aren't you?"
"Let's eat together, no need to worry too much." Nan Xuzong said, picking up a bite of food and putting it to her lips. "There's not much good food on the top of this snow mountain, mostly vegetarian dishes. When we come down the mountain, I'll have someone make something nice for you."
Ji Wushang looked at him, opened her mouth and swallowed the food, "I'll eat whatever you give me, no need to be so particular."
Nan Xuzong was secretly delighted to hear this. He picked up another bite of food and placed it to her lips, but Ji Wushang shook her head, her breathing unclear. "It's your turn to eat. I'm eating right now!"
Nan Xuzong nodded, put the food in his mouth, and chewed gently. Then, looking at the food in front of him, he asked, "Wu Shang, would you like to find a place?"
"I like it." Ji Wushang nodded. "After coming here, I felt much calmer. Occasionally, at night, I seemed to hear the wind and bells from the Buda Snow Palace—not noisy, but very pure. I felt that this was probably exactly what I liked!"
"Cong, do you like it?" Ji Wushang asked him in return, then turned her body slightly to look at him.
"If you like it, then I like it too." Nan Xuzong smiled. "It is indeed very quiet here, but it's too cold. I can't bear to let you suffer from this cold."
"Yes, that's right." Ji Wushang nodded.
Nan Xuzong then placed a piece of food in her mouth and asked, "Wu Shang, have I been formally designated as the Fourth Prince?"
Ji Wushang ate her food, nodded, and after swallowing, immediately said, "Yes, you are the Fourth Prince, Huangfu Zong, courtesy name Xu Cong, given name Zongzheng." Then, Ji Wushang recounted what had happened, but she glossed over the matter of Huangfu Xuan impersonating her and acting with her.
Nan Xuzong listened without expression, and finally asked, "Then those past few days must have been about my second and third brothers choosing their consorts?"
"You've probably chosen it!" Ji Wushang asked tentatively after carefully observing his expression, "Are you unhappy?"
"No," Nan Xuzong said, "I had no choice but to make you act with my third brother. I'm sorry to have wronged you." Nan Xuzong hugged her tightly. "Are you alright?"
Ji Wushang shook his head.
"Didn't Empress Yao and the Second Prince suspect anything?" Nan Xuzong looked at her.
"I had my doubts, but my third brother helped resolve them," Ji Wushang said.
"He..." Nan Xuzong's lips curled up, "...is a fierce wolf. Don't be fooled by his appearance!"
"I know," Ji Wushang said, then looked at the dishes on the table. He had eaten very little, while he himself had eaten a lot. "You eat more, I'm already full."
"Okay." Nan Xuzong didn't refuse, picking up some food and starting to eat the leftovers. Ji Wushang felt guilty watching him eat his own leftovers... "Should we ask them to make some more? You seem a little hungry. I ate all your food."
"No need, I like eating what you leave behind." Nan Xuzong handled the situation quickly and elegantly, while keeping his other hand firmly around her slender waist.
After the meal, Nan Xuzong had the food removed. He carried her and placed her on the bed, saying, "You should rest."
"Where are you going?" Ji Wushang called out as he saw him about to leave. Didn't he just say he was going to take her to see the iron tree bloom?
"I'll go get my cloak; it's a bit chilly and windy outside." Nan Xuzong smiled at her. "You rest for a while, I'll be right back." With that, he went out. Ji Wushang watched his retreating figure before finally falling asleep.
Ji Wushang sat there quietly, just like on her wedding day, after being led into the bridal chamber, she sat by the bed waiting for him.
A short while later, before Ji Wushang could even begin to think, Nan Xuzong entered with a cloak. Ji Wushang immediately tried to stand up, but he stepped forward, saying, "Don't move. Don't exert yourself, or your legs will hurt." He then picked her up and placed her back on the bed, draping the cloak over her shoulders. What he noticed then was the phoenix jade hairpin he had given her in her hair. But wasn't he wearing one too? He had heard Hongfei and Cuiwu say that Nan Xuzong had done all his hair and makeup himself, so he had assumed she had deliberately placed the hairpin in his hair.
Seeing him pause, Ji Wushang immediately said, "There are actually two phoenix jade hairpins. One was a gift from you, and the other was a gift from my grandmother on my wedding day." Ji Wushang added, "I feel there must be some story behind them."
Nan Xuzong was taken aback. There were actually two? "Who was your great-grandmother?" he asked. Could this be the location of his mother's secret from back then?
"Yuan Xianjing." Ji Wushang took the liberty of uttering these three words.
"Hmm." Nan Xuzong pondered for a moment, memorizing these three words. He would have someone investigate this person's background and everything about him.
"Is there a problem?"
"No, don't worry." Nan Xuzong kissed her forehead. "Is it warm? I've already helped her put on her cloak."
Ji Wushang nodded. "And you?"
"The robe my wife sewed is very warm." He smiled, then picked Ji Wushang up in his arms. Ji Wushang nestled in his embrace, listening to his heartbeat. "I love listening to the sound of your heartbeat. It's so strong, so exciting."
"Mm." Nan Xuzong nodded, gently kicked open the door, and then led her out.
At this moment, Ji Wushang saw many snowflakes falling around her. Just as some were about to land on her, Nan Xuzong's powerful aura blew all the snowflakes away.
Nan Xuzong led her toward the Buda Snow Palace. Hong Fei, Cui Wu, and the others knew that the two of them didn't want to be disturbed, so they went down to pack their things, ready to descend the mountain at any time.
From afar, Ji Wushang saw the blooming flowers in front of the Buda Snow Palace, with petals nestled among the snowflakes as they drifted down.
"So this is an iron tree? I passed by this palace when I visited you before, but I didn't have time to go into the Potala Palace. Now I see these beautiful flowers falling again. How beautiful."
"Hmm." Nan Xuzong nodded, then put her down on the ground. "Can you stand?"
"Yes." Ji Wushang replied, standing on the ground, watching the snowflakes and bright red petals fall around him.
"So beautiful." Ji Wushang exclaimed softly, reaching out her hand, and the bright red petal landed in her palm.
Seeing the smile on her face, Nan Xuzong felt very happy. He took Ji Wushang's hand, then gazed at her affectionately, waiting for the passage of time.
He held her in his arms, smiling as he watched the snowflakes fall. It was as if they, along with the flowering iron tree, the Snow Palace, and the snowflakes behind them, formed a beautiful picture that was intoxicating.
After a long while, Nan Xuzong sensed that the wind seemed to be picking up, so he lowered his head slightly and asked, "Are you cold?"
Ji Wushang shook her head. Nestled in his arms, it felt so warm and cozy.
"Let's go into the Snow Palace." It was as if the world consisted of only the two of them, undisturbed by anyone, quiet and peaceful, with only his heartbeat, his own heartbeat.
Ji Wushang narrowed his bright eyes. "Hmm."
Entering the Potala Palace, it felt much warmer. Nan Xuzong took her hand, and they slowly walked in together. After entering the main hall, they saw many prayer wheels, as well as many Buddha statues, Arhats, and so on.
Ji Wushang looked around and then at Nan Xuzong, "What a peaceful place."
Nan Xuzong gently touched the prayer wheel, then looked at her. "Do you like it? Let's go over there!"
Ji Wushang smiled and agreed, then walked with him. As they approached, Ji Wushang was about to kneel before the Buddha, but Nan Xuzong stopped him, saying, "Don't kneel."
"I'm afraid this isn't a good idea?"
“You’ve knelt enough, I’ll kneel!” Nan Xuzong said, kneeling beside her. “You stand. Buddha won’t blame you.” If he does blame you, blame yourself!
Ji Wushang could only nod in agreement, wondering if he would get hurt if he knelt down.
After praying for a while, Ji Wushang opened his bright eyes and looked at the Buddha in front of him, saying, "I, Ji Wushang, am willing to follow Nan Xuzong for the rest of my life. If one life is not enough, I hope to follow him in the next life, and the life after that."
Nan Xuzong looked up and saw the blood lotus on the back of her neck. His heart ached, and when he heard her words, his eyes were filled with bitterness. He turned his face away and unconsciously wiped away his tears.
"I, Nan Xuzong, am willing to be with Ji Wushang forever, even if it means eternal damnation, I will stay with her and never be separated!" Nan Xuzong said solemnly, looking at the Buddha statue. Even if it means defying the heavens, he will protect their happiness! If anyone stands in his way, he will slay gods and Buddhas alike!
Nan Xuzong looked at the Buddha in front of him with clear, cold eyes, and closed his eyes slightly, "Wu Shang".
"Mm." Ji Wushang knelt down beside him.
“Let’s go!” Nan Xuzong stood up. “It’s time to go down the mountain. If you like, how about we go up again later?”
"Okay." Ji Wushang nodded, knowing he was busy and not wanting to hold him back. She tried to move, but Nan Xuzong had already bent down and picked her up. "Let's go."
"Don't do this in front of Buddha." Ji Wushang tried to break free from his embrace, but he wouldn't allow it. "If Buddha has eyes, he should bless us." Nan Xuzong smiled wickedly and carried her out.
The path down the mountain wasn't easy, but Nan Xuzong carried her, cherishing the most precious thing in the world, with Gong Shu and the others following behind. A smile remained on his face the entire time; holding her was like holding the whole world.
Ji Wushang blushed and let him carry her down the mountain.
Nan Xuzong smiled and strode forward into the bright sunshine.
Suddenly, a voice shattered the tranquility and warmth, "I, the King, have been waiting for you here for a long time." The voice was arrogant, tinged with a mocking, wicked laugh. Everyone stopped in their tracks, staring at the haughty man.
☆、242 Honesty and openness prevail, a love as sweet as mandarin ducks! (Heartwarming!)
The man's gaze fell on Ji Wushang and Nan Xuzong. Seeing Nan Xuzong tightly embracing Ji Wushang, his dark purple eyes filled with rage. This man dared to hug Ji Wushang like this in front of so many people? Was he deliberately trying to anger him, to provoke him?
Ji Wushang looked at Nan Xuzong with some surprise. "Cong, put me down first?" This wasn't a good idea. Ji Wushang asked him, worried that being held like this might further provoke the anger of Yiyun City. If they started fighting, who knew what the scene would be like? Nan Xuzong had only recently recovered; if they fought like this, who knew who would win! She didn't want to worry about that again, and she didn't want to endure that pain again!
Nan Xuzong smiled slightly and, without any hesitation, lowered his head and kissed her lips in front of so many people. Then he looked at Yiyun Shangcheng and said, "I wonder what brings the King of the Western Regions here? Why are you treating our journey down the mountain like this?"
He emphasized the words "husband and wife" heavily, clearly intending to tell Yiyun Shangcheng that he was still plotting against Ji Wushang! If he wanted to fight here, he was ready! He refused to believe that Ji Wushang's sword wound would heal faster than his own! The outcome was uncertain! So what if Ji Wushang had more men? Did he think he had fewer? If he needed anything, Gong Shu and the others would secretly send a signal!
However, the fact that he is still alive is an extremely thorny issue. The fact that his festering wounds can heal shows that he is no ordinary person!
However, Nan Xuzong was no pushover!
Yi Yun Shangcheng's eyes darkened; his words had indeed struck a chord with her. She would always be his wife; the only way to change that was for him to die and for her to remarry! Thinking this, Yi Yun Shangcheng's lips curled into a smile. Nan Xu Cong was destined to die, and then she could marry him and make him her queen!
"Don't you know this is the Western Regions? Entering the Western Regions without going through the checkpoint, you have quite the nerve! If I were to use this as grounds for trespassing, I think even the Zhou Emperor wouldn't dare utter a single word in his defense!" Yi Yun Shangcheng's lips curled up. "Furthermore, how can you not kneel before me? And hugging and embracing! I don't care if you're husband and wife or not; if you don't know etiquette, you deserve to be punished! Guards, lock you in the dungeon!"
Ji Wushang's lips twitched as she listened. This was just a trap set for her and Nan Xuzong. She was about to speak and refute him scathingly when Nan Xuzong had already freed a hand to touch her lips. He said tenderly, "No need to speak, just watch your husband." He smiled and kissed Ji Wushang's lips again, which pleased Nan Xuzong's men, while Yiyun Shangcheng was furious! Hao Yueyi and the others brought by Yiyun Shangcheng were even more annoyed. What kind of man dared to look down on their Western Regions?
Nan Xuzong's lips curled into a smile as he looked at Yiyun Shangcheng's eyes, which were practically spitting fire. He said, "By order of the Emperor, the Fourth Prince Huangfu Zong, accompanied by the Fourth Princess Ji Wushang, is on a mission to the Western Regions to strengthen the alliance between our two nations! As far as I know, the official dispatch should have arrived in the Western Regions three days ago. I wonder if the King of the Western Regions has received the dispatch?" He watched with a good mood as Yiyun Shangcheng's face showed surprise, and then continued, "As envoys, we are not required to kneel. Therefore, we pay our respects to the King of the Western Regions!" He said it simply and casually.
Yiyun Shangcheng was astonished. When did he become the Fourth Prince? And Ji Wushang was his principal wife! Even more shockingly, he was actually here on a mission to the Western Regions? She hadn't received any official notification! Damn it, he must have been sent here at the last minute!
She knew that it was Ji Wushang who led them up the mountain to seek medical help! It was Ji Wushang who knelt for ten miles along the mountain path before Nan Xuzong was able to receive treatment! It was because she defeated the Snow Mountain Elder in a game of chess that Ji Wushang was spared the rest of the journey from kneeling!
He's actually washing his hands of everything now? Yi Yun Shangcheng glared at Nan Xu Cong, gritting her teeth in hatred! He thinks he can just wash his hands of everything? I won't let him!
However, before Yiyun Shangcheng could speak, Nan Xuzong preemptively added, "My wife and I are very understanding that the Western Regions Kingdom is busy with its affairs, so we entered the territory on our own. However, we found the snow-capped peaks to be exceptionally beautiful, so we decided to go up the mountain to see the scenery first, and then inform the King of the Western Regions after we come down to discuss border development and strengthen the friendship between our two countries!"