Chapter 78

"Zhong Wen, this is..."

Yin Ning'er looked curiously at the milky white sphere in Zhong Wen's hand, which emitted a faint glow.

"This is a treasure that has existed since the birth of heaven and earth." Zhong Wen leaned close to Yin Ning'er's ear and softly explained the effects of the 'Tai Sui Pearl.'

"Is... is this real?" The usually cold expression on Yin Ning'er's face rarely showed surprise.

She occasionally listened to Zhong Wen tell stories from "Journey to the West" with Xiaoluoli and others. The book mentioned several powerful treasures that were born at the beginning of the universe, and she had long been impressed by them. Now, hearing that the Tai Sui Pearl could accelerate the growth of medicinal herbs, her eyes brightened.

"Tested and effective, fake one, pay ten." Zhong Wen, with a playful smile, handed the faintly glowing milky white pearl to Yin Ning'er, "Ning'er, from today on, this treasure of heaven and earth will be in your care."

"No, no, it's too precious." Yin Ning'er was greatly startled and tried to refuse repeatedly.

"Aren't you very fond of helping plants grow?" Zhong Wen's voice was filled with temptation, like that of a devil, "With this pearl, you can make them grow as fast as you want. Just imagine..."

"But, but..." Even a girl who usually had a clear and detached mind felt a hint of greed in front of such a treasure. However, she was different from others and managed to resist, shaking her head, "No, you not only saved me but also taught me so much about medicinal herbs and alchemy. How can I take your things?"

What a pure and kind girl!

"Ning'er, I want you to help cultivate some high-level medicinal herbs, so I'm temporarily entrusting the Tai Sui Pearl to you." Zhong Wen admired her and stopped teasing her, his expression turning serious, "Are you willing to help me?"

"I, I am willing." The girl lowered her head, her face flushed with two patches of red, and her usually cold eyes showed a rare excitement.

Although he knew she was mostly excited by the power of the treasure, hearing a beautiful and elegant girl stand before him and say these three words in a soft tone still made Zhong Wen's heart flutter.

"I need some ten-thousand-year-old ginseng, ten-thousand-year-old dragon ginseng, five-thousand-year-old blood essence grass..." He gently patted the girl's shoulder and smiled, "Also, please test the detailed effects of the Tai Sui Pearl, see how long it needs to be soaked to produce the desired effect."

The medicinal herbs he mentioned were all precious materials for refining the "Yijing Ximi Pill."

"Okay." Yin Ning'er nodded slightly, agreeing happily.

"These medicinal herbs should be cultivated by me, but I have too many things to do and can't manage them all." Zhong Wen felt a bit apologetic, feeling guilty for using a beautiful girl as labor, "I can only trouble you to put in more effort."

"It's not a bother." Yin Ning'er shook her head and said softly, "I really enjoy planting medicinal herbs."

In recent days, she often discussed the study of medicinal herbs and alchemy with Zhong Wen, and her tone when speaking to him had unconsciously become different from how she spoke to others.

A bit less cold, a bit more gentle.

"Brother Zhong Wen, Brother Zhong Wen!" Suddenly, the anxious voice of the little girl Siqi came from outside.

"What's wrong?" Zhong Wen opened the door and asked.

"That man is looking for Elder Shangguan again." Seeing Zhong Wen, Siqi's eyes lit up, and she ran over, pulling his sleeve and speaking hurriedly.

"Oh, he's really asking for it again." Zhong Wen smiled, but his eyes turned cold, "Let me deal with this scumbag."

Only then did he realize that Nangong Ling was standing not far away. Thinking about how she had been caught in the act of cursing her relatives, his face turned red, and he felt a bit awkward, "Sister Nangong, this..."

"Don't worry about me, I've been annoyed by this playboy for a long time." To his surprise, Nangong Ling smiled, showing no offense.

She thought for a moment and added, "Just don't kill anyone."

"Sure thing!" Seeing that Nangong Ling didn't mind and even seemed to be encouraging him, Zhong Wen felt relieved. He quickly ran back to his room, changed into a set of high-end clothes he had bought in the morning, held a folding fan, and admired himself in the mirror for a while. Then, with his right hand fanning, he walked briskly towards the gate.

Shangguan Junyi was already waiting outside. Today, she had dressed up, wearing a light blue dress, a white chiffon over her shoulders, and a golden belt around her waist, accentuating her graceful figure. Her long hair was tied up, and a shiny, colorful hairpin adorned it, making her look noble and charming. The sight of her alluring back made Zhong Wen's heart beat faster.

His gaze passed over Shangguan Junyi and landed on the handsome middle-aged man in front of her.

Indeed, he was a handsome old man, only slightly less attractive than me. No wonder Sister Shangguan was so infatuated with him back then.

Looking at Nangong Ling's handsome face and carefully coordinated outfit, Zhong Wen secretly criticized him, feeling a hint of jealousy.

"Junyi, these are some fresh peaches I brought for you." Nangong Ling's voice was magnetic, and his face showed a gentle expression, easily making people feel close to him, "I remember you loved fresh peaches the most back then, so I had them specially brought from Nantian City."

Nantian City's peaches and Beikun Mountain's grapes were known as the two best in the land, and they were very expensive.

Nangong Ling didn't have anyone else carry the peaches; he personally carried two baskets up the mountain, showing his thoughtfulness in the details.

He elegantly lifted the blue cloth covering the baskets, revealing the bright red peaches inside, each one large and plump, very tempting.

Knowing that Shangguan Junyi's family was incredibly wealthy, Nangong Ling didn't bring any rare treasures but instead prepared her favorite fruit, which was both thoughtful and not cliché.

A woman he had abandoned for many years, Nangong Ling could still clearly remember her taste preferences.

Truly a master of seduction!

If I were a woman, I might fall in love with such a man.

Zhong Wen silently observed Nangong Ling's every move, feeling a sense of defeat. He felt that compared to Nangong Ling's appearance and demeanor, he was just a rough, straightforward man.

"Try one, these peaches are very sweet. I washed them with mountain spring water on my way up." Nangong Ling said, carefully picking the best peach from the basket and offering it to Shangguan Junyi.

Even though he despised Nangong Ling, Zhong Wen had to admit that the atmosphere at the gate was gentle and the scene was very beautiful.

"I can't accept them." Shangguan Junyi finally spoke, her voice melodious and soft.

"Junyi, can you still not forgive me?" Nangong Ling's face darkened, and his voice carried a hint of crying, "I know, the Nangong family wronged you, and you have every right to hate me..."

"Mr. Nangong, I no longer hate you." Shangguan Junyi interrupted his self-pity, speaking calmly, "There were some entanglements back then, and I was emotionally stirred when I saw you yesterday. Please forgive me."

"Junyi, this makes me feel even worse." Nangong Ling said with deep emotion, "I know you still resent me. You could hit me, scold me, anything is better than keeping the pain inside."

"Mr. Nangong, I am already married. Let's not talk about the past." Shangguan Junyi's face showed a complex expression, a mix of nostalgia and a hint of helplessness.

"What, you're married?" Nangong Ling's face changed, sweat appearing on his forehead, his voice trembling, "Junyi, you must be lying, right!"

"Mr. Nangong, please be respectful." Shangguan Junyi said softly, "Let the past be the past."

Just as Nangong Ling was about to speak, he heard a man's voice from behind Shangguan Junyi: "My lady, I've been looking for you everywhere. You're here entertaining!"

Then, a young man of about sixteen or seventeen years old swaggered out from the gate.

The young man's face was quite handsome, but his demeanor was arrogant and domineering. His expensive silk coat was too large for his body, making it look very uncoordinated. His head was tilted, and he wore a hat crookedly. His ten fingers were adorned with rings and other accessories. He quickly waved a jade fan, trying to mimic the manners of a noble young man, but it looked more like a caricature, and his walk was exaggerated, exuding the air of a nouveau riche.

"Husband." Seeing this young man, Shangguan Junyi seemed somewhat fearful and responded with a lowered head.

"Junyi, is, is this your husband?" Hearing the fairy-like Shangguan Junyi call this uncultured young man her husband, Nangong Ling couldn't believe his ears.

"Mr. Nangong, allow me to introduce him." Shangguan Junyi came to the young man's side and gently held his arm, "This is my husband, Zhong Wen."

"My lady, who is this old man?" The young man stared at Nangong Ling, frowned, and asked loudly.

Hearing the words "old man," Nangong Ling's eyebrows twitched, and his right hand's veins bulged.

"Husband, this is Mr. Nangong Ling from the Nangong family." Shangguan Junyi spoke softly, "An old acquaintance from my time in the capital."

"Oh? A young master from the capital, nothing special." The young man glanced at Nangong Ling again, shook his head, and showed a look of disdain, "Old... Mr. Nangong, what brings you to our home?"

"Junyi, are you acting? Did you bring him here to upset me?" Being looked down upon by someone he despised, Nangong Ling could no longer contain his anger, and his tone was no longer as gentle as before, "How could you possibly marry such an ignorant young man?"

"What did you say, old man? Who is an ignorant young man?" The young man, hearing this, flew into a rage, and his crooked hat fell off his head, "Watch out, or I'll make you pay!"

Shangguan Junyi quickly picked up the hat and put it back on the young man, gently patting his back to calm him down. After a while, she turned to Nangong Ling and said, "Mr. Nangong, please don't insult my husband. My illness was cured by his father, and his family has done a great deal for me."

As she spoke, a hint of pain flashed in her eyes.

Nangong Ling suddenly understood, imagining a melodramatic scenario where the young man's father had forced Shangguan Junyi to marry his uncultured son under the pretext of curing her illness.

"Come, my lady, ignore him." The young man's face showed impatience, and he grabbed Shangguan Junyi, pulling her into his arms, "I feel my earwax is getting too much. Hurry up and clean it for me."

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