"What, Yu Chengxuan is leaving?"
The news that Yu Chengxuan had entered the palace to bid farewell to Ji Hong quickly reached Nan Shiying's ears. Yu Chengxuan had previously seemed intent on causing trouble, yet now he was leaving Lin Yuan without having accomplished anything?
Didn't he want to stay for Hui'an's wedding? Why had he changed his mind?
And, didn't he want to marry Nan Yuan'er anymore?
Nan Shiying was completely perplexed. Could all his previous words and actions have been mere feints?
Nan Shiying recalled Yu Chengxuan's actions since his arrival in the capital.
Aside from his confrontation with Jin Mo and his apparent interest in Nan Yuan'er, he seemed to have done nothing. He hadn't even interfered with Hui'an's wedding!
If he had been slightly more assertive when he brought the Da Li dynasty officials to question Ji Hong, Hui'an would never have smoothly betrothed herself to Nan Yujin. At that time, even she had assumed Yu Chengxuan would seize the opportunity to propose marrying Nan Yuan'er, but he hadn't. Before and after Hui'an agreed to the marriage, Yu Chengxuan had made no demands.
This was a stark contrast to his previous attitude.
What exactly was he here for?
Just as Nan Shiying was racking her brain, Jia Huan announced that the Da Li prince, Yu Chengxuan, had come to pay a visit.
To visit Feng Luan!
Nan Shiying: "..."
Damn it!
"Seventh Prince, please sit!"
Nan Shiying donned Feng Luan's persona and greeted him with a smile.
The little flower in Yu Chengxuan's arms perked up its neck, broke free from his embrace, and leaped into Nan Shiying's arms.
Yu Chengxuan couldn't help but laugh and curse, "What a little fox spirit, abandoning its master for a pretty face!"
Nan Shiying's lips twitched slightly, and she didn't engage with the remark. Yu Chengxuan adjusted his robes and sat opposite Nan Shiying. Nan Shiying freed a hand and poured him a cup of tea.
"I heard the Seventh Prince is leaving?"
Nan Shiying asked directly as she watched Yu Chengxuan lift his teacup.
Yu Chengxuan took a sip of tea and chuckled, "You really don't hold back! I'd barely bid farewell to His Majesty, and you already have the news. It seems Ji Jin Mo has planted quite a few nails in the palace!" Yu Chengxuan's smile was alluring, with a veiled meaning. Nan Shiying, unfazed, patted the little flower's fluffy head and retorted, "And doesn't your Da Li imperial palace have a few nails from your own residences?"
Yu Chengxuan swirled his teacup, gazing at the rippling water. There was no trace of anger on his face; he still wore a smile. Nan Shiying couldn't tell if he was genuinely not angered by her retort or if he had reached a point where he could maintain a smile regardless of what he heard. Nan Shiying disliked his smile; it was too fake!
"Do you want to hear the truth or a lie?" Yu Chengxuan suddenly dropped his smile and asked.
Nan Shiying was momentarily stunned by his abrupt change, then smiled and replied, "Naturally, the truth!"
"There is no truth!"
Nan Shiying heard this, and the smile on her lips deepened. No truth? He was lying to a ghost!
However, what Yu Chengxuan said next caused Nan Shiying to freeze in place. He said, "Because the Da Li imperial palace has long been under my control, there are no nails."
"You..." Nan Shiying's throat felt dry, and she was momentarily speechless. She couldn't quite discern whether Yu Chengxuan's two statements were true or false, or if they were all true or all false!
Yu Chengxuan suddenly smiled again, changing his tune. "I was joking with you."
He paused for a moment, then continued, "If I said, if you are willing to return to Da Li with me and assist me in ascending the throne, I am willing to bestow upon you the title of King of a Different Surname. Would you be willing to abandon everything here, abandon... Ji Jin Mo, and return to Da Li with me?"
His tone was quite serious, the false smile gone from his face. His eyes, which seemed to perpetually hold a playful glint, now conveyed immense solemnity and sincerity.
Nan Shiying's hand, which was stroking the little flower, froze mid-air. The little flower raised its head, stretched its neck, and tilted its head, rubbing its face against Nan Shiying's palm as if urging, "Keep stroking me, hurry up and stroke me!"
The sensation in her palm brought Nan Shiying back to reality. She patted the little flower's head, not answering Yu Chengxuan's question. Instead, she curved her lips and said with a smile, "The Seventh Prince has lofty ambitions. To have the certainty of ascending the throne while the Emperor of Da Li is still in his prime, I truly don't know whether to admire Your Highness's bold aspirations or to silently pray for the Emperor of Da Li."
"Either is fine!" Yu Chengxuan remained unangered. Even when facing mockery, he maintained an imperturbable demeanor. However, his thumb's nail was unconsciously rubbing the seam where the fan ribs met. Nan Shiying's gaze fell upon his hand, and her expression subtly shifted.
Sensing Nan Shiying's gaze, Yu Chengxuan stopped the movement of his hand.
"What?" he asked.
Nan Shiying shook her head, "Nothing. It's just that I have a friend who also likes to rub things with their fingernails, just like you."
"Friend?"
For some reason, Yu Chengxuan raised his tone, then seemed to realize it might not be appropriate, and lowered his voice. "A very good friend?"
Nan Shiying nodded, her face showing a hint of reminiscence.
If at the beginning, she and Yue Sinan were using each other, then in the end, they became kindred spirits, allies who supported each other, and close friends who advanced together.
"A close friend!"
Actually, the development of her relationship with Yue Sinan was similar to her initial partnership with Ji Jin Mo, but it later diverged in two different directions.
One became a close friend, the other, true love.
Yu Chengxuan seemed to be lost in thought, looking down at his reflection in the teacup. Seeing his silence, Nan Shiying didn't break the calm. After a long while, Yu Chengxuan suddenly stood up and said to Nan Shiying, "I came today merely to bid farewell. I will be leaving Lin Yuan soon to return to Da Li. The journey is long, and I don't know when we will meet again. Since you are unwilling to return to Da Li with me, I will not force you. However, if you have the chance, I hope you will visit Da Li... Outside Da Li, there is a field of irises. I believe you will like it."
As soon as he finished speaking, Yu Chengxuan turned to leave, as if he couldn't bear to linger any longer.
He had just stepped out of the room when his figure froze.
Nan Shiying followed the direction of his gaze and saw Ji Jin Mo standing in the corridor, his hands clasped behind his back.
Who knew how long this fellow had been standing there!
"Regent!"
Seeing Ji Jin Mo, Yu Chengxuan put on a smile again, cupped his fists in a salute, and then turned to glance at Nan Shiying. As if deliberately saying it for Ji Jin Mo to hear, he said to Nan Shiying, "If you are unhappy in Lin Yuan, feel free to come to Da Li and find me. Whether you come to practice medicine or to sightsee, I am willing to accompany you to every corner of this world. The sky is high, the sea is vast, fish leap, birds fly, and you will always be free."