“Every spare moment I have, I find something to do.” Nan Xuzong put her down and held her in his arms. “And what I like to do most is to do little things for you.”
Ji Wushang hugged his lean waist and whispered, "Everything you do touches me deeply, Nan Xuzong. Can you please not be so good to me?"
"No." Nan Xuzong gently stroked her nose and said affectionately, "I want to give you so much love that you have nowhere to escape. Everywhere you go will be filled with memories of me and my love for you." Nan Xuzong smiled, looking at the ancient pine tree, and said, "I've thought about it. If I'm not by your side for a while, and you happen to be bored, you can have the guards take down these signs one by one, and then look at them while feeling my presence beside you."
"Can I ask why those signs are so high? You know perfectly well I can't use light-body skills," Ji Wushang said reproachfully, then poked his chest with her hand. "Are you thinking of bullying me again?" Her eyes were full of laughter.
"This isn't me bullying you," Nan Xuzong smiled, then lowered his head and kissed her lips. "I'll bully you again tonight," he whispered ambiguously in her ear.
Ji Wushang was startled and immediately pushed him away. "What an improper guy!" She pouted and snorted, then turned around and circled the ancient pine tree. She stood on tiptoe, picked up a red plaque, and read it aloud, "Thank God for letting me meet you and have you. Wushang, remember our promise, and promise that even if we fall in love again in the next life, we will not forget our destiny in this life."
Ji Wushang turned to look at him. He was standing still, looking at her with a gentle smile.
"Let's promise to love each other in the next life and never forget our destiny in this life," Ji Wushang said to him.
Nan Xuzong nodded and stepped forward to seal her lips again. After a passionate kiss, he said, "Yes, we promise to love each other in the next life and never forget our destiny in this one." If we can really get through this ordeal, I will make sure you don't forget. But if I'm gone, then... forget it all! Beigong Minhao will handle all the cleanup work for me!
Ji Wushang looked at him, her face slightly flushed, and lowered her head, not daring to look up at him.
He smiled and said, "Come on, I'll show you other places."
She was surprised, but he grabbed her hand and ran into the yard.
The servants around them quickly moved away, not daring to disturb the couple's affectionate moment.
He pulled Ji Wushang into a courtyard. When she entered, she was astonished by what she saw. It was a peach blossom garden, and although it was summer, the peach blossoms were still in full bloom! Ji Wushang looked at him in surprise, "This, how is this possible?"
Nan Xuzong stepped forward, saying, "Nothing is impossible."
Ji Wushang was led forward by his hand. The two of them were surrounded by peach blossoms, which were still in full bloom. Some petals fell with the wind, and Ji Wushang reached out to catch them.
"So beautiful, so beautiful!" Ji Wushang exclaimed. "I love it so much, Cong, I love it so much!" Overwhelmed with joy, she immediately turned around and jumped onto his tall frame. She hugged his neck, gave him a big kiss on the face, and then jumped down. "I'm going to take a look!" she said, running quickly into the huge peach garden.
Her clothes fluttered in the wind as she ran, and her silhouette deeply captivated him. That ethereal beauty instantly enveloped her and touched his heart.
Nan Xuzong's eyes darkened, and he quickly caught up with her. "Don't run so fast, you'll get tired," he called out, but he used his lightness skill to catch up with her quickly and kept his distance.
Ji Wushang must have been tired from running, because she stopped and leaned against a peach tree. He slowly walked over and leaned against the trunk with her. "Are you happy?"
“I’m happy.” Ji Wushang looked at him. “This reminds me of the first time we met.” Ji Wushang lowered his head as he spoke.
He stepped forward, lifted her chin, and gently kissed her. "I can never forget every single moment we spent together."
She looked at him; his eyes were deep and filled with profound tenderness, captivating her completely.
He smiled, "Across the way is the plum garden, and I can never forget the time we spent together that winter. The way you applied medicine for me was a warmth I've never felt before in my life."
"I'm sorry, Cong, I'm so sorry. I actually hurt you back then..." Her eyes were filled with endless guilt. "Back then, you were very sad, weren't you?"
"Yes." He stroked her dark hair, letting it fall more naturally over her shoulders.
"I'm so sorry..." Ji Wushang whispered.
"Don't say sorry. Actually, I'm quite grateful to him because after that incident, I realized that love can conquer all. No matter what the situation, I can break through it with our love. No matter how difficult it is, I will try." His large hand stroked her face, making her look at him. "There's not much I can do for you. I just want to give you a beautiful time and make you happy."
"Thank you... Cong, I owe you so much, and I will definitely repay you in the future," she said earnestly.
"Having you by my side is already the best reward." Nan Xuzong held her in his arms.
"How can these peach blossoms bloom for so long?" Ji Wushang asked again.
“A very, very long time,” he said. “I don’t know how long it will last, but it will last a very, very long time.” He smiled. His story with her was very, very long, and the peach blossoms on this tree would last a very, very long time as well.
Ji Wushang nodded.
“Our garden.” He smiled slightly.
"I want to feel the breeze here a bit more," Ji Wushang said, then looked at the pink peach petals falling in front of her. The wind swirled around her, and she couldn't help but raise her hand.
Nan Xuzong smiled slightly, and from somewhere he took out a flute, placed it to his lips, and began to play it gently.
Ji Wushang turned around, her smile as bright as a flower.
"Ten Miles of Red Makeup" was a tune he played on a flower boat.
Ji Wushang couldn't help but stand on tiptoe, slowly keeping time with his rhythm, and then began to dance.
He stood to one side, playing the flute, watching the woman in front of him dance only for him. Every movement of hers stirred all his emotions; everything about her belonged to him.
The melodious and tender sounds of traditional Chinese string and wind instruments captivated Ji Wushang, who felt as if they had entered a fairyland where only the two of them existed.
The people of the Prince Zong's mansion exchanged knowing glances as they listened to the flute music emanating from the peach blossom garden. It was Nan Xuzong playing the flute for Ji Wushang! What a loving couple!
As he played the last note, Ji Wushang finished his final dance, put away his flute, and stepped forward to catch her. His eyes were filled with nothing but her image.
Ji Wushang's cherry lips moved slightly, "Cong".
He smiled, helped her stand up, and put away his flute. "This dance was truly beautiful."
"I will dance only for you twice in this life." She looked at him.
He nodded, moved. "Okay." With those words, what more could he ask for? Heaven, please open your eyes and stop tormenting them!
Just then, a petal fell into their arms. The two looked at the peach petal and smiled at each other.
Nan Xuzong took the flower petal and then stuck it on Ji Wushang's head. "It looks really good," he said, smiling at Ji Wushang.
Ji Wushang remained silent, nestled against his chest, and watched the flowers bloom and fade in front of her with happiness.
Nan Xuzong embraced her in the wind, and from a distance, it looked like a scene of celestial beings embracing.
After standing in the wind for a long time, Nan Xuzong finally kissed her lips. "Let's go back and have dinner," he said, smiling at her.
Ji Wushang nodded, took his hand, and then entered the garden.
Unexpectedly, the three characters "Moxuan Garden" came into her view from afar.
"Moxuan Garden? Good." Ji Wushang smiled and went inside.
Only then did I realize how stunned I was. This Moxuan Garden was exactly the same as the Xinyuan Courtyard in General Ji's Mansion. Now that I had entered, I could smell a faint fragrance in the air, the light scent of peach blossoms that I liked.
"Do you like it?" Nan Xuzong stepped forward. "Let's go inside and take a look."
Ji Wushang nodded and immediately went inside. Sure enough, it was exactly the same as her own boudoir. The way the windows opened, the materials of the furniture, the screens, the paintings on the screens, and the books on the desk were all identical to those in her own boudoir.
Entering this place now, I feel as if I have returned to General Ji's mansion, but the feeling here constantly reminds me that this is my room and his.
"Where are the things you like? Why can't I see them?" Ji Wushang looked at him and walked up to him. "Cong, how could you do this? You should design things you like, everything you like, instead of just things I like!" Ji Wushang pouted and looked at him. "You're so good to me, what am I supposed to do? What am I supposed to do?" Ji Wushang was about to cry as she spoke.
Looking at her, he smiled and pulled her into his arms. "No need for that! Everything you like is everything I like. I've designed everything I like, and I've also designed everything you like. It's a perfect thing!" Nan Xuzong smiled sweetly as he embraced her.
“Where did you hear that?” Ji Wushang nestled in his arms, and he gently stroked her back. “Those mechanisms are the same as those in the Jinan Prince’s Mansion, do you remember?” He looked at her. “Sometimes I’m afraid I’m not enough to protect you, not enough to keep you by my side. I once thought about building you a golden house, and then you and I would live there together, and you would never be able to leave me again.”
"I...I...will not leave you." Ji Wushang looked at him. "What are you thinking? Would I be that kind of person?"
“No, no, Wu Shang, that’s not what I meant. What I meant was, if possible, I’d like to live with you in the golden house, so you won’t get hurt in the slightest, and so no one will see a glimpse of your beauty…” He added with a hint of apology at the end, “I just don’t want anyone to see you…”
Hearing his words, Ji Wushang finally understood. She knew it! How could she have left him? He was probably jealous of some people… Okay! Ji Wushang nodded, “Don’t worry! I’ll always be by your side!” She took his large hand, “I love being with you so much.”
Nan Xuzong smiled, glanced at the sky, and said, "Are you hungry? Let's have a meal first."
"Mm." Ji Wushang nodded.
After dinner was served, Ji Wushang and Nan Xuzong began to eat. However, they hadn't eaten much when they heard footsteps outside. Nan Xuzong looked outside and said, "Come in!"
He put Ji Wushang back on his seat and then put some fried tofu on Ji Wushang's plate.
"My lord, a eunuch has come from the palace. He says that you and the Fourth Princess Consort are to attend a banquet at the palace to welcome Prince Fusang Lin." Gong Shu said with his head bowed as he entered.
Ji Wushang glanced at Nan Xuzong, whose dark eyes narrowed slightly. "Alright. Let that eunuch wait a moment."
"Yes." Gong Shu immediately withdrew.
"Prince Lin? I wonder what business he went there for?" Ji Wushang asked immediately as he looked at her.
"You'll see when you see it. But then again, I can't share dinner with you alone." He smiled and planted a kiss on her cheek. Ji Wushang only realized what he meant after being kissed and immediately scolded, "Your lips are so oily, you've got my face all over them!"
Nan Xuzong said, "Alright, then how about I wipe it off for you myself?" He then took a silk handkerchief from his robes and used it to wipe his lips. Ji Wushang exclaimed in surprise, "You, you..."
The next second, he kissed her face again, his lips moving away from her face to kiss her lips with lingering affection and tenderness. His passionate kiss almost suffocated her before he released her. "It's been so long, and you still don't know how to kiss?" he teased.
Hearing this, Ji Wushang's face turned even redder. "You, you...you're so fierce!" she scolded, then looked at his slightly amused expression and felt even more ashamed. "You, I'm ignoring you!"
Nan Xuzong immediately stepped forward. "I'll be gentler next time? Hmm? Hmm?" He teased her, gently rubbing against her, while making some funny faces on the other side of his face.
Seeing him like this, Ji Wushang nudged him, "I'm going to change my clothes. I'm going to a banquet in the palace later!"
"Okay, I'll wait for you." Nan Xuzong knew that the time had indeed come.
After everything was settled, Nan Xuzong took Ji Wushang to the main hall. The eunuch was overjoyed to see Nan Xuzong and Ji Wushang and quickly invited them to go into the palace.
Fortunately, the Prince's residence was not far from the palace, and they arrived at the palace in no time.
Ji Wushang was led into the palace by Nan Xuzong.
The banquet for Prince Fusang Lin was held in the Ganxuan Hall. Before even approaching the hall, one could hear the sounds of string and wind instruments emanating from within, interspersed with the faint sounds of laughter and chatter.
Nan Xuzong glanced at Ji Wushang, "There must be many ministers and others who have entered this palace for the banquet, so you don't need to be nervous."
"I know." Ji Wushang nodded. If he wanted to establish himself in the royal family, he had to learn many, many rules.
At this moment, an eunuch emerged from the palace and announced, "Please invite the Fourth Prince and the Fourth Princess Consort into the palace!"
Nan Xuzong and Ji Wushang entered the palace.
The music had stopped, replaced by the gazes of everyone turning to them.
Ji Wushang raised his eyebrows slightly. Emperor Zhou and Empress Yao sat on the throne, while Crown Prince Huangfu Yun and others were lined up on both sides. On the other side, the most prominent figure was the devilish Prince Lin, dressed entirely in red!
"Your subject (your concubine) pays respects to Father Emperor and Mother Empress!" Nan Xuzong and Ji Wushang bowed together.
"No need for formalities," Emperor Zhou said. "Zong'er, Wushang, you two go and meet Prince Lin. Prince Lin has come from afar, so we should treat him with courtesy!"
☆, 266 Dinner: A Battle of Wits Between Husband and Wife! (Special Offer!)
Ji Wushang sneered inwardly. He and Nan Xuzong were a prince and princess of the Great Xia Zhou Dynasty, while Prince Lin was just a prince. In terms of status and identity, they were equals. How could he ask him and Nan Xuzong to meet him? Wouldn't that lower his own status and position?
Nan Xuzong's eyes darkened slightly. He lowered his head and said, "Yes!" He looked at Ji Wushang, his eyes flashing.
Ji Wushang listened to his gaze and knew that he had humbled himself and endured.
Nan Xuzong and Ji Wushang arrived together in front of Feng Rulin. Feng Rulin was sitting at the table, looking at Nan Xuzong and Ji Wushang with a playful expression. His eyes were bewitching and charming. When he looked at Nan Xuzong, he smiled and said, "Is it the Fourth Prince?"
"Greetings, Prince Lin!" Nan Xuzong uttered these five words through gritted teeth, then cupped his hands in a gesture of goodwill. "I am Huangfu Zong."