flamboyant - Chapter 92
He got up, poured himself a glass of water, and then found a letter on the table. Long San shook his head and smiled wryly. His mischievous Feng'er was going to keep arguing with him.
Sure enough, the letter began with a string of "I hate it, I hate it, I hate it, I hate it..." before continuing, "Third Master Long, I haven't decided to forgive you yet. Don't think that just like last night, I'll be over it. Anyway, I'm setting off again now, heading from Gusha City into the Xia Kingdom, and then to Shahu County to take a look. This time I didn't take your money, but the money you spent on drinks yesterday was hard-earned, so I didn't take it. But you won't lose out; I've paid for your room at the inn and even reserved a meal for you, enough for you to have a good meal. I noticed you've lost weight yesterday; you can't lose any more weight. You need to eat well and rest well, or I won't like you anymore. I'm leaving now, goodbye."
Long San read the letter over and over again. His wife, she clearly cared for him, she was clearly shy, she was clearly overjoyed to be with him, yet she always seemed to be throwing tantrums and being difficult. Long San stroked the delicate handwriting on the letter, the smile on his face lingering.
Long San thoroughly enjoyed a meal before continuing his journey, heading straight for Gusha City according to the route Feng Ning had given him. Although Feng Ning, worried about the difficulty of his pursuit, had clearly stated her destination, Long San was still anxious without her by his side, fearing that his mischievous son might have caused some trouble or mishap. Moreover, the closer they got to the border city, the more chaotic the situation became, and given Feng Ning's temperament and daring, it was truly unsettling. Therefore, Long San hurried along the way and finally arrived at Gusha City.
Gusha City is an important city in the desert region. To the west of Gusha City lies a vast expanse of barren sand, and it takes several days to reach the city and its green waters. Beyond that lies the territory of the Xia Kingdom. Therefore, Gusha City is a crucial hub for political and commercial exchanges between the Xia and Xiao kingdoms. Officials, merchants, vendors, and ordinary people from all walks of life gather or pass through this place.
Long San's plan was to find Feng Ning in Gusha City, because the journey to Xia Kingdom was arduous and dangerous, and he wanted to accompany her. Feng Ning would need to replenish her supplies before continuing her journey, and entering the desert region alone would require her to find caravans for companionship. Therefore, Long San planned to use these clues to find her. However, before he found Feng Ning, he discovered his friend Nie Chengyan instead.
Nie Chengyan was furious because his beloved physician, Han Xiao, had gone missing. She vanished into thin air in the bustling market in front of several guards, leaving Nie Chengyan frantic and sending everyone out to search for her.
Long San knew Nie Chengyan's temperament well. He had lost both parents at a young age, and they didn't even know where they were buried. His grandfather, the Cloud Mist Elder, was obsessed with status in the medical world and fame in the martial arts world, and his relationship with Nie Chengyan was never pleasant. This made Nie Chengyan irritable and easily angered from a young age. Years ago, he was framed, losing both legs and his lover. Long San thought he wouldn't survive, but unexpectedly, fate sent him a medical servant, Han Xiao, who pulled him back from hell. Therefore, Han Xiao was more of a threat than a blessing to Nie Chengyan. Now that Han Xiao had met with an accident, Nie Chengyan was likely to be in deep trouble.
At this critical moment, Long San couldn't just abandon this limping, irritable, and irrational man. All of his servants and guards had been sent to search for him, so Long San stayed with him for the time being, planning to go find Feng Ning later when things were settled here.
Nie Chengyan looked like a lion with its tail burned off, his face filled with rage and pain. He refused to go back into the house, instead pushing his wheelchair and guarding the street corner. Long San had no choice but to join him at the street corner like a stone statue. The two waited for a long time, until Long San was about to lose his temper and knock Nie Chengyan unconscious and take him back into the house, when Han Xiao actually returned.
Han Xiao not only returned, but she even strolled back with Feng Ning, chatting as they went. Long San, standing tall and with sharp eyesight, spotted his beloved wife immediately. He shouted, "Feng'er!"
Feng Ning was startled by the voice and looked up to see Long San. What a coincidence! She remembered how he had manipulated her that night, driving her to tears. She felt angry with herself. She had planned to find out the truth before forgiving him, but instead, she had acted this way and that. She turned around abruptly, grabbed Han Xiao, and ran.
"Xiaoxiao!" Nie Chengyan shouted as he saw Han Xiao.
"Master!" Han Xiao, having just returned from her ordeal, had intended to rush into his arms upon seeing him, but was instead forcibly dragged away as soon as she saw him from afar. The Third Madam Long, who had just saved her life, had instantly become a bandit abducting her. Han Xiao was worried about Nie Chengyan, but she was no match for Feng Ning's strength. She only managed to call out to Nie Chengyan, "Don't worry..." before being pulled away and disappearing into the crowd.
Long San was completely dumbfounded; his wife had really run away fast. Nie Chengyan was furious and yelled at Long San, "Why did your wife steal my wife?"
Long San sighed. His good wife was really good at causing him trouble. He waved his hand at Nie Chengyan and said, "Don't worry, her husband is still being held by you."
"That depends on whether people like him or not." Nie Chengyan was clearly very dissatisfied with Long San, a husband who was not well-liked by his wife.
Long San sighed inwardly, but he was also very indignant. Why was he not popular? His Feng'er loved him the most, but she was just easily embarrassed, mischievous, and prone to being difficult.
She was simply insecure; she needed his attention, his affection, and also a little space of her own to prove herself. She was such a strong yet vulnerable woman, a truly unique woman.
Long San felt that the closer he got to the Xia Kingdom, the more difficult the test that God would put him through.
69. The Long couple, each facing danger.
As dinnertime approached, Han Xiao returned alone. Long San circled around her, repeatedly asking where Feng'er had gone. Han Xiao replied that Feng Ning had left on her own. Long San seemed thoughtful, then saw Han Xiao go to order the food. Upon hearing the menu, he also left.
Long San didn't go far; he wandered around, looking here and there, until he stopped under a tall, dense tree nearby. He looked up, but the branches were too thick to see anything, yet he still called out, "Feng'er..." No one answered. Long San thought for a moment, looked around again, and walked back, calling to the tree, "Feng'er..."
Still no one answered him, but Long San didn't leave. He patiently waited under the tree and called out again, this time adding, "Wife, are you hungry?"
After a while, the tree branches swayed, and Feng Ning's head popped out: "You're so annoying, how did you know I was here?"
“Since you won’t go far, you must find a good place to stay. This tree is tall and big enough to conceal your figure and provide shade. On the other hand, from its height, you can see everything clearly. It is indeed a good place to hide. If it were me, I would definitely choose this place as well.”
Feng Ning pouted and asked again, "Then how do you know I haven't gone far?"
"It's almost lunchtime. If someone can provide me with a good meal, I wouldn't go far."
"Hmph, hmph!" Feng Ning snorted, blinking her big eyes as she perched on the tree, looking down at him.
Long San smiled at her and waved: "I saw the dishes Xiaoxiao arranged, they're all your favorites. You must have arranged it with her. Come on down, let's go back and have something hot together."
Feng Ning shook her head: "No, I haven't decided to forgive you yet."
"Then how can I forgive you?" Long San mimicked her pout: "It's all in the past, you've been angry for a long time."
Feng Ning was amused by his appearance and wanted to laugh, but she pursed her lips and held back, replying, "I will forgive you after I regain my memories."
She was being a bit unreasonable, but Long San was very patient: "What if you only remember after a very long time? What if you can't remember at all? Feng'er, are you going to abandon me and Bao'er?"
Feng Ning pouted and remained silent. Of course, she still wanted him and Bao'er. She would fight anyone who dared to take them away from her.
"Do you still remember what you said back then? That if you treat someone with sincerity, you will surely be rewarded." Long San coaxed him slowly under the tree: "Look, I treated you with sincerity, but you ignored it."
"What do you mean?" Feng Ning shifted her body; it wasn't easy to move around in the tree, otherwise she would have stomped her foot. She protested, "I do remember your good deeds. Otherwise, after what happened that night, wouldn't I have chopped you up?" She blushed as she recalled that night, her voice growing softer, "I... I also remembered you..."
Looking at her blushing yet stubborn expression, Long San couldn't help but stare at her with a smile in his eyes. The more he looked at her, the redder her face became, until it was as radiant as a peach blossom.
Feng Ning quickly hid behind the dense foliage, muttering, "Anyway, anyway, I'm going to Shahu. Once I get there, whether I remember anything or not, whether I find any clues or not, I promise I'll go home with you. Is that alright?" She thought for a moment and then poked her head out again: "I'm warning you, you're my husband, you can't go find other girls just because I'm angry with you."
Long San looked at her and still smiled. Feng Ning pouted and said, "What are you laughing at? You're the most annoying one."
"Wife, it takes two or three days to get from here to Xia Kingdom through the desolate desert region." Long San coughed after being scolded and began to explain the reality and reason with people.
"I know, I've already found out everything. I'll prepare everything that needs to be prepared, so don't worry." Feng Ning was full of confidence, almost as if she was patting her chest to make a guarantee.
“I know you can take care of yourself, but think about it, you’ll have to travel with a caravan all the way. The caravans are full of grown men, with camels and cargo. If you get tired, it won’t be convenient to find a place to rest. There will be sand and dust all the way, and you won’t be able to wash up at night. If I went with you, I could definitely take good care of you, and you could sleep soundly at night without worrying about being disturbed.” Long San knew she needed a way out, so he coaxed her gently, “If you take me with you, we can carry more food, and you won’t go hungry on the road.”
As expected, Feng Ning fell silent. She bit her lip, looking hesitant. Long San pressed on, "If you're unhappy and about to throw a tantrum, take me with you. You'll have someone to talk to, won't you? I've never stopped you from going anywhere or doing anything, have I? Look, where else can you find a husband as easy to talk to as me?"
Feng Ning admitted to herself that, putting the past aside, Long San had indeed taken exceptionally good care of her, nothing could be worse than what she had done. Aside from the things he had lied to her about, there was really nothing wrong with him. Even during her recent tantrums, he had remained calm and patient, always by her side. It felt wonderful to be pampered and indulged like this. She thought to herself that in her entire life, she feared no one else would ever treat her like this again except for Long San.
"There's another huge benefit to having me by your side."
"What is it?" Feng Ning asked casually, her face flushing as soon as she asked. If this guy dared to say anything embarrassing, she would definitely jump down and punch him a few times.
But it turned out that Feng Ning had misunderstood. Long San seemed to know this and grinned, "My second brother only sends me letters. You can't receive them by yourself. You should know that there will definitely be news about Bao'er in my second brother's letters. Moreover, this time, Bao'er drew a picture and sent it to the Empress and Father. Don't you want to see it?"
"Ah? Bao'er's letter? Bao'er can draw now?" Feng Ning exclaimed in surprise.