Chapter 253: Such a Sweet Mouth
Gong Moran asked her, “During the day, I had you drink tea to quench your thirst. Why didn’t you drink it? What you said might fool others, but I don’t believe it.”
Nan Xun gave a dry chuckle. “My lord really understands me. One cup of tea can’t truly quench my thirst. Either I don’t drink at all, or I drink to my heart’s content. Since I couldn’t do that, I might as well endure it to the end.”
As she spoke, Nan Xun propped her chin on her hands, elbows on the table, and inched closer toward Gong Moran, bringing her small face right up to his. Lowering her voice, she said, “My lord, the most important reason is that I don’t want to cause you trouble. I don’t want others gossiping about you.”
Gong Moran knocked lightly on her head. “At that moment you were quite sensible. Why are you usually so familiar and impertinent with me?”
Nan Xun grinned. “Because this is our own room. Of course I don’t need to be as formal as outside.”
“Duoduo.” Gong Moran suddenly called her.
“Hm? What is it, my lord?”
“Did the assassination attempt during the day frighten you?”
“At first, yes. I was afraid the assassins might hurt you. But later I wasn’t afraid anymore, because I realized you’re very powerful, my lord. Those assassins couldn’t hurt you at all.”
Gong Moran couldn’t help rubbing his brow and sighed. “I was asking about you.”
Nan Xun let out an “ah.” “I didn’t think that much. Anyway, I’ll live and die together with you, my lord.”
Little Eight clicked its tongue. “Such a sweet mouth.”
Before the two could say much more, a eunuch outside loudly announced the emperor’s arrival.
As soon as the old monarch heard the news that the Imperial Preceptor had been attacked, he hurried over. The worry on his face didn’t seem fake at all.
Nan Xun waited outside the hall and vaguely heard the old monarch inside offering all sorts of concerned words.
Finding it boring, Nan Xun simply went to the small kitchen to cook.
She made a big pot of plain rice porridge. When it was almost done, she tossed in some chopped green beans. The porridge came out fragrant with the fresh scent of the beans—refreshing and perfect for easing the heat.
Today Nan Xun didn’t make pastries. On a whim, she decided to fry flatbreads instead.
She mixed the dough a bit thinner, added beaten eggs, chopped scallions, and diced carrots, stirred everything well, then poured it straight into a large oiled pan. When the time was right, she flipped it over. Once it turned golden, it was done. She lifted the flatbread out, cut it into strips, and stacked them neatly on a plate.
By then, the old monarch had just about finished his pleasantries. Nan Xun carried the flatbread and porridge over to present them to the big boss.
“My lord, I just made these flatbreads and porridge. Will you eat with me?” Nan Xun looked at him expectantly.
Before he could refuse, she had already placed the bowls and chopsticks in front of him.
Gong Moran didn’t refuse. Having eaten delicacies day in and day out in the palace, seeing these simple home-style dishes made by the little girl unexpectedly stirred his appetite. He picked up his chopsticks and took a bite of the flatbread.
Nan Xun watched him with a smile. When he bit into it, he stiffened slightly at first, then calmly chewed and swallowed without changing expression.
Nan Xun suddenly smiled even more sweetly. “My lord, how does it taste?”
Gong Moran gave a slight nod. “Not bad.”
Though he said it was not bad, he didn’t take a second piece, instead lifting the bowl to drink the porridge.
The porridge seemed more to his liking. He finished a whole bowl very quickly.
“My lord, you should rest early tonight. You still have the Heaven-Worship ceremony tomorrow morning,” Nan Xun said, already starting to tidy up the dishes on her own.
Gong Moran replied indifferently, “No matter. I’ll go after everyone has gathered.”
Nan Xun clicked her tongue inwardly and said to Little Eight, “The big boss really is a big shot—always makes a grand finale entrance.”
Little Eight said, “Listen to that tone of yours, so envious. You might have the chance someday too.”
The next day, the formidable Imperial Preceptor indeed arrived late.
The Heaven-Worship and Blessing Ceremony was held at a drill ground beneath the imperial city walls. The highest central seat was reserved for the old monarch of Southern Yun. Though he hadn’t arrived yet, the slightly lower positions were already occupied by the envoys of the three nations and the imperial princes, followed by civil and military officials and the palace guards maintaining order.
The vast drill ground was surrounded by soldiers. Outside the perimeter, commoners crowded together, all standing on tiptoe to look inside.
Before long, the old monarch’s golden dragon palanquin arrived. Not far behind followed the Imperial Preceptor’s luxurious white palanquin. The disciples of Moran Hall surrounded it, and Nan Xun stood closest to the white palanquin.
Seeing the monarch and the Imperial Preceptor appear together, the people outside the grounds—three layers inside and out—knelt in unison, preparing to welcome this solemn and magnificent Heaven-Worship ceremony.
The old monarch stepped down from his palanquin and walked with dignified steps toward the dragon throne atop the platform. The envoys of the three nations lowered their heads in greeting, and the civil and military officials bowed.
After the old monarch took his seat, the mysterious Imperial Preceptor in the white palanquin slowly lifted the gauze curtain.
A sweep of white brocade robes appeared, followed by a pair of white boots.
The man in a white, cloud-patterned robe cinched at the waist stepped down unhurriedly.
At that moment, the newly risen sun slanted down, golden-orange light bathing his peerlessly handsome face, as if gilding him with a layer of holy radiance.
Even officials who often saw the Imperial Preceptor in the palace couldn’t help feeling stunned by his beauty upon seeing him now.
The man glanced back toward the palanquin. Several Moran Hall disciples in white short robes followed behind him, each holding ritual implements.
At the front was a white-clad beauty holding a treasured sword entwined with a flying serpent, her expression solemn. Behind her, other disciples carried talismans or incense burners.
“Please, Imperial Preceptor,” the old monarch commanded from the high seat.
Immediately after, the chief eunuch sang out loudly, “Welcome the Imperial Preceptor—”
The white-robed man, beautiful as a deity, walked step by step toward the high platform. His steps were light yet steady, as if each one landed upon a white cloud.
As the wind swept past, his white robes billowed like a surge of white waves.
All eyes were on him. At this moment, every gaze converged upon the Imperial Preceptor.
At the center of the drill ground, the ritual altar had long been prepared. Upon it stood a massive cauldron filled with brown sand.
Gong Moran walked straight to the altar and stopped, then gave a slight nod toward the old monarch.
With a gesture from the monarch, the chief eunuch called out in a loud voice, “The Heaven-Worship and Blessing Ceremony begins—”
Nan Xun presented the treasured sword in her hands. It was a very strange sword, for its blade was entwined with a lifelike great serpent. The serpent’s mouth was wide open, facing the tip of the blade.
The serpent had a pair of fleshy wings. Anyone knowledgeable would recognize it at a glance—it was the legendary divine beast, the Teng Snake.
The Teng Snake was one of the most ancient divine beasts, capable of soaring through clouds and mist. Its appearance, however, was fearsome, and it was not widely favored.
Nan Xun looked at the strange sword, her gaze sweeping over the Teng Snake coiled around the blade. Her brows suddenly knitted together.
