A pure heart in a jade pot

Chapter 82

Ning Wangshu laughed and said, "How would I know? If you want me to choose, you might as well line up the zithers and I'll close my eyes and pick whichever one I happen to pick."

"Not judging by appearances and going with the flow is a good approach." Nangong Ruoxu actually nodded in agreement.

"You'll just make fun of me."

The two chatted and laughed as soon as they entered the music room, oblivious to everyone else. People in the Song Dynasty were very polite, and even husband and wife rarely showed such intimacy in public. Not only did the owner of the music room not know whether he should go up and greet them, but Zhao Yu also glanced at them sideways.

"Guard Zhan," Zhao Yu whispered to Zhan Zhao, who was bent over looking at the zither beside him, "do you see that woman with a curved knife at her waist? Is she a member of the martial arts world?"

Zhan Zhao then turned around and met Nangong Ruoxu's gaze.

"Master Zhan."

"Young Master Nangong".

The two greeted each other at the same time, both feeling ashamed in their hearts, but the play had just begun and they had no choice but to continue.

Seeing that Zhan Zhao recognized them, Zhao Yu stepped forward and asked in surprise, "Guard Zhan, do you know them?"

"When Zhan Zhao was handling a case in Suzhou, he received help from Young Master Nangong, and he has always been grateful to him," Zhan Zhao replied.

Nangong Ruoxu hurriedly replied, "Lord Zhan, you flatter me. It was nothing more than a small favor. It is truly my honor to be able to contribute my humble efforts to the court. And who is this gentleman?"

Zhan Zhao hesitated for a moment, then looked at Zhao Yu, who nodded at him. Only then did he say, "To be honest, this is the princess of the Yu Kingdom of the current dynasty. Today she is traveling incognito to observe the people's conditions."

Upon hearing this, Nangong Ruoxu and Ning Wangshu immediately bowed in unison: "This humble subject greets Your Highness."

"No need for formalities. I'm traveling incognito, and I just don't want everyone to be too formal," Zhao Yu hurriedly said. He had just heard that the man had served the court diligently, which made him feel a bit more favorably toward the couple. He smiled and said, "Since you are Lord Zhan's friend, you are naturally my friend as well."

"Your Highness's kindness is too much for this humble subject."

Seeing the couple's unusually affectionate relationship, Zhao Yu asked with a smile, "You look like a rich young master, but I noticed your wife has a curved sword at her waist. Is she a member of the martial arts world?"

Ning Wangshu stepped forward and replied, "Your Highness has a good eye. Before I was married, I wandered the world, but now I have cultivated myself and no longer concern myself with worldly affairs."

The author has something to say: The lion has already signed the contract, selling himself for five years.

Actually, an editor approached me for a signing before the Lunar New Year, but I declined at the time.

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So... I won't say much more. I believe those who understand don't need further explanation, and for those who don't understand, further explanation is useless.

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Secondly, for those who are unwilling to write reviews or unwilling to wait for the V to be released, there's nothing I can do.

P.S.: I forgot to mention, older articles and chapters will not be available for purchase (VIP), so don't worry.

Chapter Sixteen

"You really are a person of the martial arts world." Zhao Yu's eyes lit up, and he quickly pulled her over, saying happily, "Then tell me quickly, what is it like for a young woman to roam the martial arts world? Is it fun?"

Upon hearing this, Zhan Zhao coughed lightly and whispered, "Princess."

Zhao Yu realized that she had slightly lost her composure, so she let go of her hand and adopted a dignified posture: "It's just that I often hear the palace guards talk about the affairs of the martial world, how they don't follow etiquette and live for their friends, so I'm very curious."

"I understand," Ning Wangshu said with a smile.

Noticing the unusual curved sword at her waist, Zhao Yu asked curiously, "Your curved sword is interesting. May I take a look?"

Ning Wangshu had no reason to refuse, and immediately unsheathed his scimitar, handing it to her. Zhao Yu took the scimitar and examined it closely. The scimitar was exquisitely crafted, and the carvings and gemstones on the scabbard were unlike anything from the Central Plains. Drawing the scimitar from its sheath, the blade shimmered with light, its silver gleam dazzling, its spiritual aura captivating.

She reached out to touch the blade, but Zhan Zhao said from the side, "The blade is sharp, Princess, be careful."

Helpless, Zhao Yu had no choice but to withdraw his hand, then fondled it for a while before returning it to Ning Wangshu. Ning Wangshu took it with a smile, and as he hung it back at his waist, he slightly drew the blade, seemingly unintentionally making a cut in his palm. Blood seeped out, the blade bled, a dark glint flashed, and then it was sheathed.

She did this very discreetly, but it did not escape Nangong Ruoxu's eyes. He took out a silk handkerchief from his bosom, took her hand, and carefully bandaged it, his eyes revealing helplessness and heartache.

Upon seeing this, Zhao Yufang exclaimed in surprise, "Your hand... what is this?"

"Therefore, the demonic nature of the sword has not been eradicated. It must be drawn to draw blood, and only by drinking blood can its demonic nature be subdued." Ning Wangshu disregarded his hand injury, knelt down and bowed, "This humble subject deserves to die ten thousand times, for causing the princess to be frightened."

Zhao Yu quickly helped her up, saying apologetically, "Why didn't you say so earlier? I shouldn't have pulled it out to check."

Ning Wangshu smiled and said, "Your Highness is too kind. It's just a minor injury, nothing to worry about."

Seeing her beauty and gentle nature, Zhao Yu couldn't help but feel a sense of closeness to her. He smiled and said, "As a princess, I can't afford to be known for bullying others. Are you here to choose a zither? Whichever one you like, I'll buy it and give it to you as my apology."

"How dare a commoner like me accept such an honor?"

"It's alright. I've been staying outside the palace these past few days. If you have some free time, tell me some interesting stories from the martial world, shall we?"

Ning Wangshu smiled and said, "If the princess wants to hear it, this humble subject will naturally speak frankly and without reservation."

After hearing her words, Zhao Yu turned to Zhan Zhao and smiled, "Guard Zhan, Madam Nangong is here to see me. You won't stop her, will you?"

"Zhan Zhao dares not."

Zhan Zhao lowered his eyes and head to answer, secretly exchanging glances with Nangong Ruoxu: the princess's request to borrow a knife was not what they had expected, but it had inadvertently brought them a big step forward, showing that the princess had a good impression of the couple.

After the zither was chosen, the owner of the zither shop changed the strings and tuned it before inviting Nangong Ruoxu to play it.