Chapter 85: Your Highness, Why Can’t I Like You

“Mother!!”

The four of them walked to the depths of the secret room.

Valley Master Yun was trapped in black water by iron chains.

Xue Chen saw the confusion flashing in her eyes and explained, “This water is called Chenke (Lingering Illness); it has the effect of suppressing cultivation.”

“Pah! Shen Qinghe, that scoundrel.”

She spat fiercely.

But Xue Chen thought her fierce look was actually quite cute.

The corners of his mouth curled up where she couldn’t see.

“Yue’er…?”

A hoarse voice came.

The woman trapped by chains slowly lifted her head.

It was a face possessing extreme divinity, her lowered brows and eyes showing pity for all living beings.

Ning Shengsheng was stunned by the beauty.

Surely a Bodhisattva’s face was like this.

The book described Yun Huaiyue’s every smile and frown as gentle and compassionate, but she wasn’t as divine as Valley Master Yun.

“Mother! How dare Shen Qinghe torture you like this? How dare he trap you here?!”

“Child, don’t cry. It’s mother’s fault for trusting him too lightly. I thought since he grew up in the Hundred Herb Valley, how could he harbor malice? I never thought it was all a disguise.”

“Cough, cough…”

Yun Yun coughed weakly twice.

She looked up and saw Ning Xuan standing next to her daughter.

Ning Xuan hurriedly greeted her, “Valley Master Yun, I am Ning Xuan. I’ll get you out right now.”

“Thank you…”

Ning Shengsheng, watching the show from the back, bumped Xue Chen’s shoulder with her head, lifted her chin, and said, “Look at my brother, his hands are shaking from nervousness, see?”

She didn’t hear anyone speak for a long time.

“Xue Wuyin, I’m talking to you!”

She looked up angrily, crashing into a pair of heart-stirring black eyes.

“Um…”

Ning Shengsheng’s cheeks turned red instantly.

“If you didn’t hear, you didn’t hear, hmph~”

She lowered her head uselessly; she didn’t dare look at that burning gaze a second time.

A low laugh came from above her head.

“Your Highness, speak if you want to speak. Why do you sound like a mosquito humming?”

“?!”

You’re the mosquito!

She glared at him in embarrassment and anger.

Suddenly,

The young man leaned down slightly. His magnified, seductive eyes appeared before her face, every eyelash clearly visible.

“Your Highness, you’re blushing…”

“I…” Ning Shengsheng subconsciously wanted to refute, but her heartbeat betrayed her. “So I’m blushing, what’s it to you?”

She stood on tiptoe and bumped Xue Chen’s forehead like a little rhino, then ran away in a flash.

Xue Chen raised his hand, touching his forehead with a wry smile.

“Just teasing a little, such a big reaction.”

Fortunately.

Valley Master Yun was not seriously injured.

Being trapped in the water prison for a long time caused some superficial wounds.

Unfortunately.

Shen Qinghe escaped.

After the four of them rescued Valley Master Yun, the Mirror Demon anxiously came to report that Shen Qinghe had been rescued by a monk.

Yun Huaiyue was treating her mother’s injuries.

Ning Shengsheng, Xue Chen, and Ning Xuan sat in the pavilion.

Xue Chen: “According to the Mirror Demon, that monk’s left hand was withered bone, and there were golden patterns at the corners of his eyes. Only one person dresses like that, and only he has the strength to rescue Shen Qinghe.”

“The Lord of Du’e City, Gu Chen.”

Ning Xuan frowned tightly, his expression solemn.

Gu Chen?

Even though Shen Qinghe was exposed, and the plot was completely different from the original book, in the end…

He was still rescued by the Lord of Du’e City.

Could the ending not be changed no matter how the process changed?

Impossible.

Ning Shengsheng denied this thought. The people around her were living people, not characters in a novel.

As long as they worked hard.

Their endings would change!

“We’ll rest in the Hundred Herb Valley for a few days before going to Du’e City.” Ning Xuan rubbed his temples.

“I’m going to find Yue’er.”

Ning Shengsheng stood up. “I’m going back to my room.”

“Your Highness, wait…”

“What’s wrong?”

She looked back at Xue Chen.

“I heard the night scenery in the Hundred Herb Valley’s peach forest is beautiful. Why don’t we have a few drinks tonight?”

Ning Shengsheng didn’t want to go at first; she was a bit tired.

The young man looked at her expectantly, his usually dead eyes now misty. The words on her lips turned into, “Okay.”

“I’ll go back and catch up on some sleep. See you tonight.”

“Okay, see you tonight, Your Highness.”

Xue Chen watched Ning Shengsheng return to her room.

His pale pink lips parted slightly, whispering, “Shengsheng, I will know your secret tonight.”

…

Having been trapped in the dungeon last night, she hadn’t slept well.

Ning Shengsheng went back to her room and fell asleep immediately.

She didn’t wake up until the Huan Li got hungry and nudged her head.

“Damn it, what time is it?”

Songgao heard the movement.

She said from outside the door, “Princess, it is already the Hour of Hai.”

So late!

She hurriedly called someone in to help her bathe and change.

She changed into a light pink dress made of cloud-patterned satin. Styling a bun was too slow, so Ning Shengsheng pulled out a white ribbon.

“Xue Chen is still waiting for me. You guys go to sleep first.”

Knowing the princess was going to find Hostage Prince Xue, the two relaxed, rubbed their sleepy eyes, and returned to the side room.

Ning Shengsheng held the ribbon in her teeth.

Lowering her head, she braided her hair as she walked.

She tied it with the ribbon.

Circulating her spiritual power, she flew towards the peach forest.

The young man seemed to have waited for a long time, his elbow resting on the tea table, his right hand supporting his chin as he dozed.

The night breeze blew past.

The ribbon behind his ponytail swayed with the wind.

His green wide-sleeved robe looked exceptionally graceful in the wind. Hearing the movement, his eyelashes trembled, and he opened his eyes.

“The Princess is here?”

“Mm.”

Ning Shengsheng walked over and sat opposite him.

There was the roast lamb she loved.

“Wow, golden color, looks really good.”

“Naturally.”

Knowing she liked to eat this, Xue Chen had studied it quite a bit in private. With a faint smile on his lips, he served her meat.

“Taste it?”

“Thank you!”

After eating, Ning Shengsheng praised, “Crispy skin and tender meat, a little spicy, it’s the flavor I like!”

Xue Chen poured a cup of wine and pushed it in front of her.

“Pear Blossom Brew, I made it myself.”

“Delicious. It’s fresh and sweet at first sip, then the wine aroma becomes mellow, not harsh on the throat at all.”

“I’m glad Your Highness likes it.”

She didn’t know what got into Xue Chen.

He took care of her meticulously.

That mouth of his spoke so pleasantly. Unknowingly, Ning Shengsheng drank two pots of wine.

“No… can’t drink anymore…”

“Hiccup~”

Xue Chen saw her cheeks were flushed, just one step away from being drunk. Smiling, he brought the wine cup to her lips.

“How can Your Highness not drink? This is the clear wine I brewed specifically to thank the Princess for taking care of me.”

“Ah? F-for me again?”

Ning Shengsheng blinked hard, lying on the table hugging the wine jar and giggling foolishly, “Roast lamb for me…”

“Wine also for me?”

“Xue Wuyin, you haven’t fallen for me, have you?”

Xue Chen’s hand holding the wine cup paused. His chest heaved as he suppressed his heartbeat and asked with a smile:

“And if I say yes, then what?”

“Ha, ha!”

The girl laughed and laughed, tears flowing from the corners of her eyes.

“You can’t… like me…”

She rubbed her face aggrievedly. Seeing her rub her cheeks red, Xue Chen held her hands.

“Why can’t I like you?”

“Ca-can’t say…”

Drunk this much, yet she could still keep a secret.

Who knew her lips were so tight.

Xue Chen coaxed softly, “Be good, drink this cup.”

Ning Shengsheng groggily downed a cup of wine, completely drunk. “Hahaha, so many stars!”

She waved her hand to catch the stars.

Seeing she was truly drunk, Xue Chen asked in a seductive tone, “Your Highness, why can’t I like you?”

“Tell me about it…”

“Be good…”