Chapter 256: Duoduo, Stay Away from Him
“M-My lord… I…”
Nan Xun’s sitting posture instantly turned into that of a well-behaved little wife, neat and proper.
Gong Mo Ran slowly set down the teacup in his hand and said calmly, “It’s fine. When I take disciples, I only look at compatibility, not one’s past. Even if you’ve killed or set fires before, once you enter Mo Ran Hall, you can start over.”
Nan Xun’s eyes lit up at once. “My lord, your thinking is exactly the same as mine! Heroes aren’t judged by their origins or status. Many people may have committed arson or murder, but their true nature isn’t as vile as their actions suggest. Rather than killing them, it’s better to redeem them.”
Gong Mo Ran looked at her without saying a word.
Nan Xun lowered her head, hands folded obediently on her knees. “Ahem… my lord, to be honest, I have indeed met that person a few times before. But at the time, I didn’t know he was the Seventh Prince of Eastern Lin. We merely drank a few cups of wine and exchanged a few words—nothing more than a shallow acquaintance.”
Seeing that Gong Mo Ran still didn’t speak, Nan Xun smiled and poured him a cup of tea, offering it over. “My lord, please.”
Gong Mo Ran accepted the tea and drank it gracefully.
“Duoduo, this man is not simple. Stay farther away from him in the future,” Gong Mo Ran suddenly said.
“My lord, why do you say that? When have I ever been close to him?”
“I mean in the future.”
“I’m already your person, my lord. Could he still be harboring designs on me?”
Gong Mo Ran’s gaze darkened slightly. “He already is.”
Nan Xun immediately puffed out her chest. “Rest assured, my lord. In life I’m your person; in death I’m your ghost. No one else is allowed to set their sights on me.”
Gong Mo Ran glanced at her and gave a faint “Mm.”
Nan Xun had wanted to make her declaration even more explicit, but before she could speak, a stir nearby drew her attention away.
It turned out the previous song-and-dance had ended, replaced by another group.
This batch of dancers was clearly several tiers above the last. Their palace gowns were far more exquisite, and they clustered around a woman veiled in gauze. She wore a moon-white, wide-sleeved flowing dress, her figure slender and graceful, her dance movements soft and captivating.
As she spun, the small bells adorning her skirt chimed crisply, setting the rhythm of the dance and drawing everyone’s gaze.
Nan Xun blinked at the person beside her. “My lord, don’t you find this dancer rather familiar? You just demonstrated mind-reading to me earlier—let me put it to immediate use and see if I’m right.”
After a brief pause, she smiled brightly and analyzed, “The quality of her palace gown is superb—only someone of high status could afford it. The many little bells sewn onto it were clearly prepared specifically for today’s dance. As for the veil on her face, it’s either a coy tease… or she’s someone everyone already knows, using it to maintain a sense of mystery.”
As she spoke, her eyes curved with amusement. “In just the short time I’ve been talking, she’s already glanced at you three times without being obvious. Tsk—that tender, rippling gaze would make even another woman’s heart flutter. So, my lord, I suspect this dance is most likely meant for you. Rather than dancing for everyone, she’s seizing this chance to dance for you alone.”
Gong Mo Ran looked at his little disciple’s animated face, and a faint smile flickered across his lips.
Taking advantage of the fact that everyone’s attention was on the dancer, Gong Mo Ran didn’t restrain himself at all. He reached out and flicked her on the forehead. “If you recognized her at first glance, why bother putting on an act and saying so much?”
Nan Xun giggled, covering her mouth with one hand. She leaned slightly toward him and whispered, “My lord, Princess Yao really went to great lengths for you. Women usually aren’t allowed to attend palace banquets like this. Just to see you, she actually came up with such a scheme.”
Their close whispering was fully seen by the dancing beauty. A trace of shock flashed through her eyes, quickly followed by a surge of frenzied jealousy.
When the dance ended, Princess Yao lifted her veil and bowed gracefully to the old king on the high seat. With proper decorum, she said, “Father Emperor, this dance was prepared especially for you. Did you like it?”
The old king was startled at first, then broke into delight. “Yao’er? Hahaha, so it was you, girl! Come, come—quickly come to your father.”
Once Princess Yao stood by his side, the old king smiled and introduced her to the envoys of the three nations. “This is my most beloved Eighth Princess. I hope you’ll excuse her.”
Although princesses and consorts were usually not invited to such occasions, the old king was in high spirits today and did not ask Princess Yao to withdraw.
For a princess, this was an enormous favor—but Princess Yao declined it, smiling as she said she needed to return to accompany her mother.
The old king didn’t insist, quite satisfied with her sense of propriety.
“My lord, this Princess Yao is rather clever,” Nan Xun said.
“Oh? How so?”
Nan Xun replied, “If she stayed, she’d have to stand there the whole time, right? The banquet still has a long way to go—she’d be exhausted. And she wouldn’t be able to eat or drink anything, only watch us enjoy wine and food. Wouldn’t that be torture?”
Gong Mo Ran had thought the girl would say the princess knew when to stop, but he hadn’t expected this reasoning. For a moment, he couldn’t help but find it amusing.
Finding nothing else entertaining, Nan Xun began sampling the food on the table.
After a few bites, she clicked her tongue in praise. “This tastes really good—almost as good as our chef at Mo Ran Hall. Still, I prefer our own food.”
When the woman said the words “our own,” the man beside her continued to look at her calmly, though a gentle ripple stirred in his gaze.
Seeing her eat with such relish, Gong Mo Ran pushed his own dishes over to her.
Nan Xun didn’t stand on ceremony and ate his portion as well.
Of course, since this was a palace banquet, it wouldn’t be appropriate to completely clear the table. So she refrained from finishing everything, only polishing off the dishes she liked most.
Having drunk too much tea earlier, Nan Xun quietly whispered to the big boss that she needed the restroom, then left the banquet alone.
When attendees went to relieve themselves, palace maids would guide them to avoid getting lost. Nan Xun was no exception.
But as she followed the little maid ahead, winding through turn after turn, she suddenly narrowed her eyes.
Someone was scheming against her.
There was no way the restroom would be this remote.
Nan Xun turned around to leave—only for four burly palace maids to suddenly jump out from the side, blocking her path.
She let out a scoff. “Hey, surely your master isn’t stupid enough for this. The National Preceptor knows I came out to use the restroom. If I don’t return for a long time, he’ll grow suspicious.”
The four maids were expressionless. “If the young lady knows what’s good for her, she should come with us.”
Nan Xun clasped her hands behind her back and laughed. “And what if I don’t?”
