Dongfang Heng did not stop, his face cold, and strode past Su Yuting without looking to the side.
A white robe fluttered past him, and the faint scent of pine resin gradually dissipated. Su Yuting's expectant gaze instantly darkened. He didn't even glance at her, let alone help her up!
Suddenly standing up, Su Yuting looked at Dongfang Heng's back. He was tall, upright, and charming, but cold and devoid of any human warmth. Her small hands clenched into fists, and a trace of resentment flickered in her cold eyes. Did he hate her that much that he wouldn't even help her up?
Ten meters away, a white figure emerged from the dense green foliage of a large tree. The fiery red vines on her chest were alluring, and she wore a white bamboo hat. Looking at the disheveled Su Yuting and the ever-moving Dongfang Heng, she gently shook her head. "This new war god, Prince An, and that old war god, the War King, are both indifferent to women. How did Qingyan cultivate them?"
In the exquisite courtyard, Shen Lixue was fast asleep on the bed when a familiar voice called out, "Shen Lixue, Shen Lixue..."
Shen Lixue opened her blurry eyes, looked around, slowly put on her shoes and got out of bed. Still a little dazed, she gently rubbed her forehead and walked slowly outside: "What is it?"
The moment she stepped out of the room, the familiar call abruptly stopped. Shen Lixue was startled and looked up to see Dongfang Heng standing three meters away, his brows furrowed, glaring at her angrily: "What's wrong with you?"
Dongfang Heng's angry gaze fell on Shen Lixue. Her light green strapless dress, reaching her knees, outlined her exquisite figure. White crystal swallows dangled in front of her chest, complementing the green dress perfectly.
But it revealed her porcelain-white chest, smooth arms, and rounded shoulders.
"Why are you dressed like this? Your arms are exposed, your shoulders are exposed, and a lot of skin is exposed!" Dongfang Heng scolded angrily, and instantly came to Shen Lixue's side, took off his coat and put it on her.
"Dongfang Heng, it's summer now, aren't you hot wearing so many layers?" Understanding why Dongfang Heng was angry, Shen Lixue frowned and grabbed her outer garment, trying to tear it off.
People in ancient times wore many clothes in the summer, which was very hot. Shen Lixue was not used to it. This strapless dress was modified from a modern evening gown. Except for the skin above the chest, no other parts were exposed. It was already very conservative. She did not intend to wear it in front of others. She only thought of wearing it to cool off in the bamboo garden. Dongfang Heng did not allow it.
"Today is a banquet at the Minister's residence, with many guests. How could you wear such clothes?" Dongfang Heng's deep voice was tinged with resentment. It was one thing for him to wear such revealing clothes in private, but how could he wear them in front of other men?
“This courtyard is separate, no one will come!” Shen Lixue said with a smile, reaching out to pull off her outer garment, revealing a dark red cinnabar mark on her fair arm.
The unique, elegant fragrance emanating from Shen Lixue, mixed with the delicate scent of a virgin, wafted into Dongfang Heng's nostrils, causing his sharp eyes to darken slightly: "Take off your outer garments after you enter the room!"
"Fine!" Shen Lixue couldn't win against Dongfang Heng, so she chose to compromise, turned around and walked towards the room. Once inside, she could take off her outer clothes and wear only a strapless dress.
As Shen Lixue stepped into the room and was about to take off her outer garment, a clear and joyful voice rang out from outside: "Lixue, Lixue..."
Shen Lixue was taken aback: "Ye Qianlong!"
As Shen Lixue paused slightly in taking off her coat, just as she was about to go out to meet someone, Dongfang Heng appeared in front of her, blocking her way. His jade-like fingers reached to her chest and quickly buttoned her coat, a cold glint flashing in his deep eyes: "Put your clothes back on!"
Shen Lixue said dismissively, "I'm meeting a friend..."
"Ye Qianlong is a man!" Dongfang Heng glared at Shen Lixue, his hands still fastening his buttons, his cold voice seemingly suppressing his anger.
Shen Lixue: "..." Aren't you a man too? You're about to undergo your coming-of-age ceremony!
"Li Xue!" As Dongfang Heng finished buttoning the last button, Ye Qianlong also entered the room. Her beautiful face was filled with a pure smile, and her gaze towards Chen Li Xue was as clear as a spring.
"Qianlong, what are you doing here?" Shen Lixue was somewhat surprised. Ye Qianlong was staying at the post station and was protected by many people. He could not leave easily, so why would he come to the Minister's residence?
"I've come to find you!" Ye Qianlong smiled gently, as pure as a white lotus, and reached out to tug at Shen Lixue's sleeve.
Shen Lixue raised an eyebrow: "What do you want?"
---Aside---
~（>_
Chapter 093 Jealousy and rivalry
"I've brought you this!" Ye Qianlong took a small round bucket, about half a meter long, from behind him and handed it to Shen Lixue as if to show off, his handsome face beaming with a pure smile.
"What is this?" The round barrel was made of some unknown material, with a vermilion-blue exterior and a lid on top, so Shen Lixue could not see what was inside.
"Look!" Ye Qianlong quickly removed the lid, and a blast of cold air rushed towards him, causing the surrounding temperature to drop rapidly. The hot air instantly turned into a cool and refreshing sensation, making him feel clear-headed and relaxed.
Shen Lixue was taken aback: "It's ice!"
"Mm!" Ye Qianlong nodded, grabbed Shen Lixue's arm, and handed the wooden bucket to her. His clear eyes sparkled with a sincere smile: "It's hot, so I brought this especially for you!"
"Thank you!" Shen Lixue was taken aback again. She knew that noble families had the habit of storing ice in winter and using it to cool down in summer, but she did not expect Ye Qianlong to come all the way from the post station to deliver ice to her.
"Qianlong, where did you get the ice?" The ice bucket was icy cold, dispelling the heat in the room. The bucket was thick, blocking most of the cold air. Holding it in your arms, you wouldn't feel cold; it was extremely comfortable. A chill wafted out. Shen Lixue remembered that Ye Qianlong was staying at the post station, where there was no secret room and no way to store ice.
"It was prepared for me at the inn!" Ye Qianlong couldn't lie, and he told the truth as soon as he opened his mouth.
Shen Lixue frowned: "You gave me the ice, so you're not going to have any ice to cool down?"
"It's alright, they'll prepare more for me!" Seeing Shen Lixue smile, Ye Qianlong also smiled warmly. He placed his large hand above the ice bucket, and wisps of cold air swirled around his hand, seeping into his skin through his palm and the back of his hand, slowly circulating through his body, gradually calming his turbulent blood.
Ye Qianlong and Shen Lixue chatted as if no one else was around, using ice to cool each other down, completely ignoring Dongfang Heng. His handsome face instantly darkened, and cold glints appeared in his deep eyes as he looked at Ye Qianlong.
Ye Qianlong was only focused on talking to Shen Lixue and ignored the cold warning he was shooting at her.
"Li Xue, are you very hot?" Ye Qianlong and Shen Li Xue stood very close, and through the rising wisps of cold air, he could clearly see the fine beads of sweat on her forehead.
"It's hot outside, but with the ice bucket, it's not too hot!" The weather had become quite hot. Shen Lixue was wearing a strapless dress and an outer coat, which was more than the average person, making her feel even hotter than usual.
With Ye Qianlong nearby and Dongfang Heng watching intently from the side, Shen Lixue couldn't take off her outer clothes to cool down, so she could only hug the ice bucket tightly and rely on it to cool off.
Ye Qianlong looked closely at Shen Lixue: "Lixue, you're wearing too many layers. Take off your coat and you won't be so hot!"
Shen Lixue was petite, but the white coat she wore was baggy and oversized, trailing on the ground. It was men's clothing, embroidered with exquisite cloud and sea patterns, grand and imposing. It was obvious at a glance that the clothes were not hers.
"It's okay, I'm not particularly hot!" The temperature behind her dropped instantly, and two sharp gazes shot through Shen Lixue to Ye Qianlong. Without turning around, she knew that Dongfang Heng's face was terrifyingly gloomy.
Qianlong is simple-minded, yet she always manages to easily provoke Dongfang Heng's anger...
"Li Xue, is it inconvenient for you to hold the ice bucket? Let me help you take off your clothes!" With that, Ye Qianlong grabbed Shen Li Xue's coat by the collar and ripped it open. The silk coat tore open instantly, revealing her porcelain-smooth skin, slender arms, delicate collarbones, and rounded shoulders.
A cool sensation washed over her. Shen Lixue looked down and saw that her silk outer garment had fallen to the ground in tatters. The white crystal swallows against her light green strapless dress complemented each other perfectly, making her look extremely beautiful.