lava

Chapter 37

"I left those for my master, in case they worry. If they find them, they might come looking for me."

"I see." Feng Ning pursed her lips and pulled out several strips of cloth from her bosom. "I didn't know, I picked them all up." She thought for a moment and then smiled. "But I brought you back, so it wasn't a waste of money. So your master still has to feed me."

Han Xiao chuckled slightly. This Third Madam Long was truly amusing; every time they met, she insisted that her master provide her with food and lodging. She asked again, "How did you come to be here? Where is Third Master Long?"

Feng Ning said, "I have some fragments of memories, some impressions of this place in the desert, so I came here. Maybe I can remember something?"

"So you're all alone? Is no one from the Long family with you? Where's Third Master Long?"

"Who cares about him? I ran away from home." Feng Ning pouted, looking unhappy. Han Xiao sighed inwardly and advised, "He must be so worried about you leaving like this."

"What are you worried about..." Before Feng Ning could finish speaking, a loud shout came from afar: "Feng'er!"

Looking up, who else could it be but Long San?

It turned out that they had already arrived near the Xilai Inn. Long San must have followed her here, but somehow he managed to contact Nie Chengyan. The two of them were sitting and standing in front of the inn, waiting. How could they not be excited to see these two women return?

When Feng Ning saw that Long San had actually come looking for her, she turned and ran. She ran away, but she also grabbed Han Xiao and ran with her.

Han Xiao was no match for her strength and didn't know what was happening, so she could only turn around and shout at Nie Chengyan, "Master." Nie Chengyan was still some distance away from them, and his two legs couldn't catch up, nor was his whip long enough, so he could only shout, "Xiao Xiao."

Han Xiao tried to answer him loudly, "Don't worry..." Before she could finish speaking, Feng Ning had already dragged her away and she disappeared from sight. The incident happened so suddenly that everyone was stunned. Cui An and the others were completely dumbfounded. They were almost at the door, how could the person in charge have run away? What were they going to do? They couldn't very well go up to her and say, "Excuse me, I kidnapped your Miss Han to treat my princess, and now she's run away. It's none of our business. But, is my princess here with you?"

While Cui An and the other two were stunned, Nie Chengyan had already started to get angry with Long San: "Why is your wife trying to steal my wife?"

Long San sighed as he looked in the direction Feng Ning had disappeared. That girl really ran fast. He wanted to chase after her, but he was afraid of leaving Nie Chengyan alone here. After all, he had sent all his men out to look for her, and he had promised to wait with her.

Nie Chengyan wasn't going to sigh. He slammed his hand on the armrest of his chair and shouted, "Long San!"

Long San helplessly spread his hands and said, "Don't worry, her husband is still being held by you."

"Well, she has to be interested." Nie Chengyan snorted coldly, pointing angrily at Long San: "Isn't it because you're standing here that she turned around and ran away? What kind of trouble are you two causing? Why are you making things difficult for me and Xiaoxiao?"

"Well, at least you saw it. Your Xiaoxiao is safe and sound, so don't get angry. With Feng'er protecting her, and the city being strictly controlled right now, she should be fine." Long San was also aggrieved. He had traveled a long way to chase after his wife, and the hardship was self-evident. But it was still hard for him to feel bad that she ran away when she saw him.

"Anyway, hurry up and find your wife. I'll settle the score with you later for taking Xiaoxiao away." Nie Chengyan became more and more furious. He turned to Cui An and said coldly, "Eunuch Cui, don't tell me that Xiaoxiao disappeared in the market because of you."

While Nie Chengyan was interrogating Cui An, Feng Ning had already dragged Han Xiao to the south of the city. She randomly picked a high rooftop, jumped up with Han Xiao, and the two girls sat on the high place, looking at the scenery of the city.

Han Xiao had never been on such a high roof before, and she found it quite novel. She had just been pulled along on a wild run, and her feet seemed to be flying without touching the ground. It felt amazing, and she couldn't help but feel envious. She realized that mastering martial arts had this kind of benefit.

"Mrs. Long, let's go back. They'll worry." Catching her breath, Han Xiao began to persuade her.

"You can call me Fengfeng, and I'll call you Xiaoxiao, just like the others," Feng Ning changed the subject. Han Xiao agreed, then continued, "I'm hungry, are you hungry?"

"Hungry." Feng Ning was fuming. She was angry just thinking about it. She should have been able to eat something delicious right now, but it was all because of that guy Long San.

"Shall we go back and have dinner?"

"No. I don't want to see that guy."

"Why?" Han asked with a smile.

“I remember a man choking me, trying to kill me. I asked Long San if he had done it, and he admitted it.” Feng Ning waved her fist. “He actually tried to kill me. I got angry and ran away. I want to get my memories back. I want to know what happened to me before? Why was I so bad?”

"Huh?" Wasn't it said that Long San pinched her? How did it become that she was the bad one? Feng Ning looked at Han Xiao's expression and explained, "I know why he pinched me. There are a lot of rumors in the manor. It is said that I gave birth to a child before my due date, obviously before I entered the manor, and then continued to cuckold him after entering the manor. I heard that Long San went crazy after the child was born."

Han Xiao was completely at a loss for words. She opened her mouth and then closed it again, finally saying, "How about we go back and eat first?"

Feng Ning didn't respond to the food this time. She hugged her knees and looked sad: "Xiao Xiao, I'm a bad woman. I listened to everything they said. I'm really bad."

Han Xiao didn't say anything. In this situation, which involved other people's private family matters, she really didn't know how to advise them.

“Xiaoxiao, I want to regain my memories. I know I’ve been here before, I have an impression of this city, I must have been here before. But they say the Feng family lives in Jiangnan, and I was raised in seclusion, so it’s impossible for me to have any impression of the desert. Xiaoxiao, maybe I was a spy, pretending to live in Jiangnan, but actually sneaking over from the desert to infiltrate the Long family to extract information. As a result, I got into trouble and lost my memory, so the mission was terminated.”

Han Xiao gasped in surprise; this was quite a bold hypothesis. Feng Ning glanced at her and pouted, "You don't believe me? I think this is the most likely possibility. It explains a lot of things. Xiao Xiao, you're a doctor, how do you think I could regain my memories?"

"I'm sorry, I don't know how to treat this illness either." Although Han Xiao had done some research, he really couldn't find any good methods.

Feng Ning sighed, leaned back without fear of falling, and muttered, "I'm really unhappy." Han Xiao looked at her, thinking, how could such a straightforward person be a spy? What secrets are hidden in her memories?

Feng Ning lay down for a while and then said, "I'm so hungry. I want to eat roast chicken, fish in vinegar sauce, duck soup, and spicy stir-fried tofu..."

"Then let's go back," Han Xiao urged again.

Feng Ning suddenly giggled and jumped up: "Okay, I'll take you back, and then you can say I'm leaving, order my favorite dishes, and secretly save some for me, okay?"

Han Xiao was amused by her and naturally agreed. The two of them went down from the roof and walked back as if taking a stroll. Feng Ning said, "Long San must have been scolded quite a bit by City Lord Nie. That's good."

Han Xiao was puzzled, and Feng Ning said, "If I drag you away, Lord Nie will naturally scold him. The husband has to pay for the wife's debts." Han Xiao thought for a moment and suddenly understood why she had to take him with her when she ran away. Han Xiao imagined Long San being scolded and finally couldn't help but burst into laughter.

The author has something to say: I didn't stay up this late on purpose, but I've been sleeping all day because I'm sick, so it's late now.

Some of you guessed right, the lovable supporting character who appears in this chapter is Long San. I know you're all waiting for General Mu, he'll be appearing soon too, don't worry.

Having a cold is awful; it just won't go away. Now I have a terrible cough and my nose is all stuffy. Everyone really needs to pay attention to the weather and avoid getting sick.

Reunion with an old friend

Han Xiao returned to the inn, where Nie Chengyan was still waiting at the door, but Cui An and the others were nowhere to be seen. Han Xiao jogged over and grabbed Nie Chengyan's hand: "Master, I'm back, I'm alright."

Nie Chengyan's face darkened, he only snorted and didn't speak, but reached out to put his arm around her. Han Xiao blushed and whispered, "Let's go inside first." After saying that, she quickly pushed Nie Chengyan towards the inn.

The inn had a separate backyard, so Nie Chengyan wouldn't have to be carried up and down the stairs, and the place was quiet, which was a major reason he chose it. As Nie Chengyan was pushed into the backyard, he grabbed Han Xiao and hugged her tightly, his grip on her shoulders causing some pain from the blows.

Han Xiao nestled against him and said repeatedly, "I'm back, I'm fine, Master, really, I'm back now."

Long San, quite tactless, circled around them and interrupted, asking, "Xiaoxiao, where's my Feng'er?"

Nie Chengyan suddenly looked up and glared at him. How could someone be so clueless? Han Xiao blushed and turned to answer, "She's gone."

"She's gone?" Long San's voice rose. "Why didn't you bring her back?"

"What are you yelling for? If you want a wife, go find one yourself. My Xiaoxiao isn't here to help you find one." Nie Chengyan was furious and quite rude.

Han Xiao smiled apologetically at Long San, then pushed Nie Chengyan back to their room, leaving Long San pacing back and forth in the courtyard, stroking his chin. After a while, Han Xiao came out to tell the waiter to prepare the food. Long San, unwilling to give up, followed her, asking several times where his Feng'er had gone, etc. Han Xiao answered that she didn't know anything. Long San looked at the menu she had prepared, stroked his chin again, and stopped asking, turning and walking away.

Nie Chengyan was quite displeased that Han Xiao asked about the princess as soon as she returned, and even more displeased that she complained of hunger immediately after asking about the princess. Why was he always put after those two things? The princess wasn't with him; the scouts said that the maid had been rescued by General Mu on the road while carrying the princess, so Cui An and the others hurried off to find Mu Yuan. Nie Chengyan was quite pleased with the outcome, as it saved him trouble. Since Han Xiao was hungry, he couldn't say anything more; serving food was the priority, and he could always give her a lecture after she was full.

The dining table was set up in the courtyard, but Long San had disappeared somewhere. Nie Chengyan didn't care and was just about to start eating with Han Xiao. But just as they picked up their chopsticks, Long San walked in, holding Feng Ning's hand.

Feng Ning pouted, looking unhappy, but when she saw the table full of dishes, she smiled, shook off Long San's hand, ran over and plopped down next to Han Xiao, and said with a grin, "Xiao Xiao, you're so nice."

Han Xiao smiled when he saw how energetic she always was when she appeared. He handed her a pair of chopsticks and served her a bowl of rice. Feng Ning took the rice with one hand and picked up some vegetables with the other, saying to Nie Chengyan, "Thank you, Lord Nie."

Nie Chengyan had a headache. This Long San's wife really thought she was being fed. He turned and glared at Long San, who innocently shrugged and sat down to freeload. His Feng'er was greedy and always complained of being hungry. He knew from the dishes Han Xiao had ordered that Feng Ning couldn't have gone far; the two girls must have conspired to annoy him. He went out and searched for her, and sure enough, he found her. He coaxed and coaxed her back for a hot meal, but as soon as she saw the food, she threw her husband aside.

Four people sat at the table, the atmosphere strange. The two men were preoccupied with their own thoughts, while the two women ate happily. There was a chicken with two legs, and coincidentally, Nie Chengyan and Long San both took a liking to one of them and grabbed it at the same time. Long San frowned, and Nie Chengyan glared; neither was willing to let go, their chopsticks locked in a stalemate, holding the chicken leg in mid-air. Han Xiao stared blankly as the two men, who seemed to be the masters of the house, fought over the chicken leg, while Feng Ning quietly and quickly grabbed the other leg, stuffed it into her mouth, and took a big bite.

Seeing her munching on the chicken leg, Long San awkwardly put down his chopsticks and offered the chicken leg to Nie Chengyan. Nie Chengyan snorted and then put the chicken leg into Han Xiao's bowl. Han Xiao was a little embarrassed; after all that fighting, it turned out to be for her. With several pairs of eyes staring at her, she blushed and didn't know how to react, so she could only give Nie Chengyan a sweet smile.

Long San turned his head and glanced at Feng Ning, but she glared at him while gnawing on a chicken leg. Long San stroked his chin. He had wanted to help her get the chicken leg, knowing she loved it, but she got a sweet smile in return, while he got glared at.

Han Xiao placed the chicken leg on the small plate in front of her. She didn't like eating meat much, so she ate the other dishes first. After a while, she had almost finished eating. Feng Ning nudged her with her elbow while holding her bowl, glancing at the chicken leg in her eyes, meaning if she didn't want it, she would give it to her. Han Xiao understood and, without thinking much, put the chicken leg into her bowl.

Long San sighed inwardly, covering his face with his hand; his wife was truly embarrassing. Nie Chengyan, however, was furious. Feng Ning was a woman, and also his friend's wife, so he couldn't scold her. He turned to Long San and shouted, "Long San!" Long San shrugged and spread his hands, looking helpless. In that moment, Feng Ning had already devoured half of the chicken leg in two bites. Nie Chengyan slammed his hand on the armrest of his chair and shouted again, "Han Xiao!"

Han Xiao was initially confused by his anger, but then it dawned on her. She, the little maid, had given away the chicken leg that Master Nie had bestowed upon her—this was indeed a serious matter! She quickly replied, "Yes, Master, I'm here, I'm here." She jumped up and grabbed Nie Chengyan's chair, saying, "Master, are you full? Let's go back to our room and rest." She quickly gave Long San and Feng Ning an apologetic smile, then pushed Nie Chengyan away.

Of the entire room, only Feng Ning remained calm and composed as she continued eating her meal. Long San, tilting his head and propping his neck up, watched his little foodie and couldn't help but poke her head, whispering a scolding, "All you care about is food." Feng Ning wrinkled her nose in protest and glared at him.

Inside the house, Han Xiao was coaxing her master: "Don't be upset, I just wasn't paying attention. I gave it to someone without thinking. I promise I won't do it again next time, don't be angry."

Nie Chengyan turned his head away from her, saying, "I shamelessly helped you snatch it."

"I was wrong, I was wrong." Han Xiao admitted her mistake readily, without the slightest hesitation. "Next time, how about I steal the chicken leg for Master?"

Unfortunately, Nie Chengyan didn't appreciate it: "This time, even without trying to take it from me, you still didn't give it to me. You just passed it on to the Long family."

"I was wrong, I won't do it again next time. Tomorrow I'll cook for you myself, okay? I'll only cook for you, no one else can touch it." These words finally made Nie Chengyan look up and ask, "Really?"

"Mmm." Han Xiao was amused by his somewhat childish expression and nodded vigorously: "I'll make it for you the day after tomorrow too."

Nie Chengyan's expression softened, and Han Xiao seized the opportunity to say, "You've been sitting all day, let me help you lie down on the bed." She pushed the chair to the side of the bed, pulled his arm around her shoulder, and skillfully lifted him onto the bed. Nie Chengyan obediently let her do as she pleased, enjoying seeing her take care of him.

"Smile."

"Um."

"Smile."

She smiled and nestled into his arms: "Your servant is here, my lord."

He stroked her hair: "Yes, you're here. You have to stay."

"Yes, Master, I've always been here. I won't leave."

Inside the room, they were deeply in love. Outside, Long San couldn't bear to be left out. He saw that his greedy little Feng had finally finished eating and was sipping tea with her eyes half-closed, looking completely satisfied. He couldn't help but drool over and say, "Feng'er, let's go back to our room too."

"No." Feng Ning refused decisively.

"You're full, you must be sleepy. Let's go back to our room and sleep," Long San said, stroking her head like a kitten to coax her.

"No." Feng Ning poured herself another cup of tea. Although she was really sleepy, she didn't want to give in to his wishes. She was determined to continue running away from home and wouldn't give up until she found the truth.

Long San wasn't in a hurry. He waited until she couldn't hold on any longer and her eyelids started to droop. Then he pulled her up and said, "Come on, let's go back to our room and rest." Feng Ning rubbed her eyes, thinking that it would be good to rest a bit. She could continue running when she had enough energy.

As they passed by Nie Chengyan's house, Feng Ning suddenly asked, "What do you think would happen if I kicked the door now?"

Upon hearing this, Long San quickly pulled her into his arms and dragged her forward, saying, "Are you asking for it?"

As Feng Ning was being dragged along, she kept turning her head to look at the door and said, "It should be fine. My hearing is so good, I didn't hear anything. They probably didn't do anything embarrassing."

"Feng'er!" Long San gritted his teeth.

Feng Ning chuckled and then hugged his waist: "So what would you do if someone kicked the door while we were doing something?"

In a moment of impulsiveness, Long San wasn't thinking about what to do if someone kicked the door, but rather about "what to do"—this brat, how dare she flirt with him! He gripped Feng Ning tightly and quickly headed towards the room he had booked: "You're really asking for it. Come on, back to the room, let's see how I teach you a lesson."

Feng Ning shook her head and giggled, hugging Long San and saying, "It's not scary at all." Long San didn't banter with her, but just led her into the house. But before they even entered, the innkeeper's waiter rushed in and ran straight to Nie Chengyan's door, knocking "knock, knock, knock."

Feng Ning was unwilling to leave now, excitedly tugging at Long San's sleeve and saying, "Knock, knock, someone's knocking." Long San flicked her head with his finger, and then, as he expected, a shout came from Nie Chengyan's door: "Get out."

The waiter trembled at the drinking and shrank back in fear, but still forced himself to say, "Uncle Nie, General Mu has arrived and wants to see you."

"Get out!" This time the shout was even louder. The waiter shrank back, not daring to actually leave. General, they couldn't afford to offend someone they ran a business with. Fortunately, the door opened after a while, and Han Xiao came out: "Which General Mu is this?"

"It's me." Before the waiter could reply, a young man's voice rang out from the courtyard gate. Han Xiao looked up and saw that it was indeed Mu Yuan.

Several years had passed since Mu Yuan and Han Xiao parted ways. He had grown taller, darker, and stronger, and looked much more imposing. If it weren't for the empty cuff on his right sleeve that evoked memories for Han Xiao, she would hardly have recognized him.

"Long time no see, Miss Han." Mu Yuan's eyes were bright, a smile played on his lips, and his voice was deep, magnetic, and pleasant to hear.