Nangong Ling shrugged and walked over. "Whatever makes me happy."
"...A fight?" Feng Moru clenched his fist.
“No.” He refused decisively, reaching out his slender, fair hand to smooth the stray hairs from my forehead. “It’s too hot. I don’t like sweating.”
I'm just staring wide-eyed to express my flattery. Are you kidding me? This man, whom everyone knows destroyed the Rong family because he disliked Rong Lian, actually did this in front of so many people. This guy is like a pig that can't fly or a crab that can't climb a tree!
"Then what do you say?" Feng Moru gritted his teeth, wishing he could rush forward at this moment.
"No matter what, you can either step over my dead body to get past me."
Well, although I don't know what Nangong Ling was angry about just now, I'm sure he must have been so angry that he lost his mind.
"This is outrageous! Nangong Ling, not everything in this world goes your way!"
"Are you saying this because things aren't going your way right now?" Nangong Ling smiled nonchalantly. "Besides, it was Rong Lian herself who didn't want it to begin with."
In a moment of haste, four slaps have somehow caused so much trouble.
As for the Feng family, I really don't want to go. Madam Feng dotes on her son so much, I wouldn't have a good life there. She doesn't even need to bother finding fault with my personality; I'm not virtuous or kind at all. Besides, I can't possibly watch Feng Moru writing and painting every day, could I? That would drive me crazy. I'm not going to dig my own grave.
Feng Moru looked over, her expression incredibly complicated.
"You really don't want to?"
I nodded honestly; no place was as good as Rong's.
A fleeting look of hurt crossed his face, but it was only for a moment.
"Alright, I won't force you, but one day I will make you willingly enter my Feng family."
He stood with his hands behind his back, his eyes resolute.
This person may seem indifferent, but he is actually very stubborn and once he sets his mind on something, he won't let go.
I stared wide-eyed at his nonchalant departure, feeling incredibly frustrated.
"Seeing how persistent he is, I feel a little sorry for him." Nangong Ling's eyes were unpredictable as she looked at me. "Perhaps marrying him would be a good thing. Feng Moru is so worried about you, she wouldn't let you suffer any grievances..."
Again, for no reason, I felt a surge of anger. "Are you out of your mind? Why didn't you say it earlier and now you're saying it? What kind of hindsight is this! And what's with all this talk about feeling sorry for someone? Let me tell you, even if you nodded, I wouldn't. If I wanted to marry someone, I would have done it long ago!"
I know there are very few people who dare to yell at Nangong Ling like that, but you don't have to look at him with such pity.
"And what about after that?" Nangong Ling was not angry.
"What do you mean, 'later'?"
"You might regret it later."
He lowered his eyes, and I could only see his thick, long, curly eyelashes, not his gaze.
"No, and it's impossible."
"Okay, remember what you said today."
When he looked up again, his eyes were smiling, dreamlike and misty, captivating all who looked at him.
He pulled me to sit down next to him, and I saw Yue Linghe's face turn ashen in an instant. It would be a lie to say I didn't feel a sense of accomplishment, so I sat down without a second thought.
But I started to feel sleepy after watching for a short while. Once I relaxed, the drowsiness surged up like a flood that I couldn't stop.
"Why are you so tired? Didn't you sleep well last night?"
When I was so sleepy that I was unconscious, I felt my body floating up, and I could vaguely hear someone speaking in my ear.
"Shut up, or I'll rip your tongue out!" I closed my eyes and raised my hand to knock the voice away.
"Don't move! Do you want to fall to the ground?"
A force suddenly tightened around my waist, and in my pain, I forgot to yell back.
Later, the allure of the Duke of Zhou was too great, and regardless of where I was or what my situation was, I plunged headfirst into sleep.
Chapter 26
The battle between Luo Qiu and Cang Zhe was so intense and spectacular that what should have been a two- or three-day affair was dragged out for even longer.
"How is it?" Qiongying asked Cangzhe out of the blue.
Tonight, the solemn Qingqun banquet is a grand gathering of heroes from all over the world. There are over a hundred tables inside and outside, and it's certainly lively. But I just feel uncomfortable. I can't sit or stand properly. No matter what I do, there are countless eyes watching me. Those eyes are shifting and whispering. How can I feel comfortable like that?
"That kid is quite skilled. I thought using a flute as a sword would have some flaws or weaknesses, but he managed to make up for them by taking advantage of the flute's shortness and agility. He not only put me in a difficult situation but also almost knocked me off the stage. If it weren't for the Palace Master's prior orders..."
"Come on!" Qiong Ying slapped the Heavenly One on the forehead. "It's clearly because you're not as skilled as others. I bet the Palace Master had a keen eye for talent and knew you weren't good enough, so he just gave you a way out."
"If you're so capable, why don't you go and fight him once and see what happens?"
"Do you think I don't want to? But the Palace Master has sent me to compete in the next round, so it's none of my business."
"Tch! Don't come here to nitpick if you're not doing anything, or I might just chop you up!"
"Tsk tsk tsk, I've never seen such a petty man. Besides, it's not certain who will chop whom up."
I found it quite amusing to watch them raise their eyebrows and glare at me; it made me feel a little better once my attention was diverted. I remember when my father was still the leader of the martial arts alliance, the seat in the hall for these occasions wasn't reserved for him, but mine. Back then, all I received were envious and longing glances; those below didn't even dare to show their jealousy. But now, I see people everywhere looking at me with disdain. How can I possibly feel at ease?
I picked up a piece of food and put it in my mouth. I frowned. Was it the food or my mood? Why was it so different from what I had eaten the past two days?
"Not to your liking?" The people around me only drank alcohol and didn't touch the food from beginning to end.
Don't you think the taste is too different?
He took a sip of his drink and just smiled, "If you don't want to eat, then don't. I'll take you to eat something good later."
Is it really that good? I gave him a skeptical look. This guy was incredibly unpredictable; he could get angry in an instant without anyone noticing.
"Won't there be some other conditions?"
He paused, raising his glass, and gave me a somewhat amused look.
"No, originally there wasn't, but since you've put it that way, I can't let you down, can I?"
I'm the kind of person who digs his own grave; I could only stare at him dumbfounded.
"How about this, I haven't been able to sleep well these past couple of days, how about we have another late-night snack?"
This late-night snack will definitely last until dawn, can I say no?
"Master." At this moment, Qionghua returned after walking around the tables.
"What?"
"Let me make a deal with you."
"explain."
"You'd better leave quickly. I checked every table, and not a single girl was looking this way. Their eyes were like those of predators. You know your looks and status; no one but our incredibly oblivious girl can resist you."
No, there's another one here... Still no, if I say I can resist it, wouldn't that be admitting I'm slow-witted?
Nangong Ling smiled faintly, his eyes clear and his expression slightly playful.
"Which unfortunate kid have you taken a fancy to? If you want to get rid of me, you don't need to beat around the bush. But why should I do as you please?"
Qionghua was perfectly justified and showed no embarrassment at being exposed.
“That’s easy. Just a quarter of an hour east of Yanwu Fort, you’ll reach the town. There’s a restaurant called Sixitang there. Their food and drinks are very special and much more refined and delicious than this big pot of stew.”
Originally, the food at Yanwu Fort was considered quite good compared to ordinary families, and most martial arts practitioners were uninhibited and enjoyed drinking and eating heartily. But Nangong Ling was different. He was a young master born with a silver spoon in his mouth, with a cleanliness obsession and pickiness. He would rather go hungry than touch food he didn't like.
Chapter 27
The moonlight was beautiful tonight. Nangong Ling walked slowly with graceful steps, and I unconsciously followed his pace. The night was as dark as ink, and the bright moon was as round as a plate, both of which suited him quite well. He naturally possessed an air of nobility. He always seemed nonchalant and indifferent to everything, often leaning to one side with his head propped up, saying little, quiet and dignified, like a bright moon shining alone in the vast night, watching the vast rivers and mountains, watching one drama after another unfold before his eyes, yet he could maintain that touch of purity and innocence in this mundane world.
I rubbed my eyes. It must be because the moonlight is too beautiful tonight that I have this thought.
Why didn't you invite Yue Linghe?
"Hmm?" He turned around and held out a hand. "It's too dangerous outside."
The moonlight shone on his delicately shaped, well-defined hands, which appeared so white they seemed almost transparent. Perhaps they were too beautiful, for I couldn't resist reaching out my hand as well.
His hands were smooth and soft, still as delicate to the touch, slightly cool as silk.
"The fortress is no longer dangerous?"
"My senior brothers are here."
"So I have to put myself in danger?"
He chuckled softly, "Don't you feel safer with me around?"
It's presumptuous of me to say this, but some indescribable emotion welled up in my chest. I tried to grasp it, but it vanished in an instant. And it was this delay that caused me to miss the opportunity to speak.
The two didn't speak for the rest of the journey, which was a rare and peaceful experience.
We hadn't walked far before lights began to appear. We must have reached the town by now. Come to think of it, how long has it been since I last visited a market?
Is there anything you'd like to buy?
"ah?"
"I haven't seen you wear that outfit I gave you last time. Do you not like it?"
Why is Nangong Ling suddenly so nice today?