Minglong

Chapter 161 The Ghost Bride and the Ice Block...

Under the bright autumn sun, the banks of the Fengyi River are filled with the faint fragrance of osmanthus.

Xie Jinhuan, dressed in a white brocade robe, waited outside the two-story building with a stick of malt candy in his mouth, his eyes showing a hint of helplessness.

After all, he had come here countless times without finding anyone.

Could it be that he went to the Lin family to look for him again...?

……

Ye Hongshang stood to the side, not carrying a small umbrella, but with her arms crossed and leaning against the door. Although she was still wearing a fiery red dress and was incomparably beautiful, the sleeves of her arms, which were crossed over her chest, had slipped down a little, revealing her fair wrists.

A new red jade bracelet appeared on her wrist, with a golden dragon coiled inside; it was so beautiful it seemed otherworldly…

Ugh~ that damn competitive spirit of the ghost...

Xie Jinhuan did indeed want to marry the ghost wife, but the jewelry he bought for the ghost could only be worn on his own head; he simply couldn't give it to her.

After waiting for such a long time, Ye Hongshang turned around first:
"Oh dear~ it seems that the girl doesn't want to see you."

Xie Jinhuan glanced around and saw a dark figure flash across the autumn-tinged riverbank and disappear behind the building. He immediately turned and knocked on the door.

dong dong~
Wow…

The sound of a sliding door opening came from the second floor, followed by footsteps approaching from afar. The window opened, revealing a stern, imposing face, brows slightly furrowed, and eyes that of a cold, aloof female CEO glaring at the blond-haired man who had tricked her into going to the rented apartment yesterday.

"What are you doing here?"

Xie Jinhuan raised her right hand, holding the small medicine bottle:
"I'll bring you medicine, won't you take it?"

Even though Nangong Ye's Yang poison was in a calm period, she still felt a burning and hot sensation in her body. Seeing the miraculous medicine that could alleviate it, she clearly still wanted it and made way for him.

"What happened yesterday is in the past. If you still have ulterior motives, then our relationship ends here."

"We agreed not to take it to heart, but it seems that Lady Mu is still holding a grudge."

"..."

Xie Jinhuan leaped lightly through the window onto the second floor, landing in the spacious living room.

"I've found the antidote. I'll have it in three to five days at most, and I guarantee it will cure the poison."

Nangong Ye's eyes flickered slightly: "What method?"

"I'm having a friend concoct the medicine. She says it's possible, so it's definitely possible. You've tried the Yin Yang Wei Qi Powder; her skills are absolutely reliable."

Nangong Ye knew that it was the Great Immortal Zisu who had made his move again. With internal and external troubles looming, a sense of anticipation rose in his heart. He turned and walked towards the small table.
"Every medicine has its side effects. What are the downsides?"

Xie Jinhuan sat down opposite him:

"It's better than death anyway, so I should be able to accept it."

Nangong Ye felt that what happened yesterday was already an unbearable price for her, and said earnestly:

“There are many things in the world that are more important than death. I am not a woman who would do anything for a life.”

"clear."

Xie Jinhuan felt that Bing Tuozi was being a bit too distant today, so she took out a small box from her pocket:

"I passed by Chang Le Street yesterday..."

ha? !

Nangong Ye sat up a little straighter, her beautiful phoenix eyes first showing shock, then, like an iceberg patriarch who saw through everything, she looked at him with a hint of disdain:

"I guess this is a bracelet, it matches my skin tone perfectly?"

Xie Jinhuan was taken aback: "You've been following me again?"

"..."

Nangong Ye could no longer stand this blond-haired guy who kept flirting with her and treated her, her apprentice, and even her confidantes the same. He pointed towards the terrace:

"Young master, please return. I'll count to three, one..."

You'd never guess even if I followed you.

Xie Jinhuan, slightly pleased, opened the small box:

"This is a pottery flute, produced in Jiangzhou Porcelain Town. Su Baiyu is also skilled at this. I noticed you have many musical instruments in your room, but none of them are this one. Is it because you don't know how to play it, or is there another reason?"

"?"

Nangong Ye glanced into the box and indeed found a black ceramic flute inside, its surface decorated with gold lacquer depicting flying immortals; it was very beautiful.

The xun is an essential instrument for Taoist music, and she couldn't possibly be without it, but she hid her own one, which had the emblem of Ziwei Mountain on it.

Discovering that Xie Jinhuan was adept at judging people based on their status and possessed exceptional insight—having noticed something missing after only one visit—she couldn't help but frown slightly, thinking to herself—is this what they call boldness, meticulousness, and thick skin...?

Why did you give this bracelet to your confidante but this to me?

Xie Jinhuan was slightly surprised:
"Giving bracelets and hairpins is a way of expressing love, while giving musical instruments is a way of connecting with like-minded people. If Miss Mu wants a bracelet, then I'll..."

"I didn't mean that."

Nangong Ye realized he'd been tricked and slightly raised his hand:
"We only met by chance, and our entanglement was not of our own volition..."

“I know. We were just talking about music.”

Xie Jinhuan picked up the ocarina as he spoke:

"Waaaaah~ Waaaah~~~"

A melodious and gentle tune filled the clean and simple living room.

Nangong Ye had been feeling extremely uncomfortable, but the music was quite beautiful, and she hadn't heard it before, so she remained silent for a while. Only after the piece ended did she pick up the kettle and pour water for Xie Jinhuan.

"What song is this?"

"The love of my life".

"?"

Nangong Ye took back the water glass that had been handed to him and took a sip himself.
"Are you talking about music?"

Xie Jinhuan activated the icy energy to help the somewhat agitated ice block release its heat:

"That's the title of the song, it doesn't mean anything else."

You have!

Nangong Ye knew that Xie Jinhuan was flirting with her relentlessly, but as time went on, the Yang poison became more and more agitated. Facing the oncoming cold, he poured the soft powder into a glass of water and drank it all in one gulp, then closed his eyes and silently absorbed the icy energy.

Huhu~
Seeing that Bing Tuozi was silent, Xie Jinhuan didn't disturb him and picked up the ocarina:
"Waaaaah~ Waaaah..."

The melodious tune echoed in the living room, and time flew by, nearing noon.

Nangong Ye closed his eyes and remained silent. The soothing melody echoed in his ears, but he couldn't calm down at all. His mind was filled with thoughts of yesterday.

And the person who corrupted her Daoist heart was right there...

I can withstand the Yang poison, how could I compromise like this... This kid came over early this morning, picking out gifts and playing tunes, he must have designs on me...

Even if he didn't know who I was, he should still behave with propriety towards women. If he can't control his impulses and dares to hold my hand again, don't blame me for being ruthless...

What is he doing?
Why is it playing this tune without making any noise...?

……

"Waaaaah~ Waaaah..."

Xie Jinhuan circulated his internal energy while playing a tune, his gaze fixed on the center of the living room.

In the spacious hall with its mahogany floors, the fiercely competitive ghost wife, perhaps jealous again, conjured up a bright red phoenix-embroidered robe, over which a loose gauze skirt covered her, and through the light, one could vaguely see her stockings...

That's not all; red ribbons also hung from the top of the living room, and alluring ghosts, with their natural charm, swirled around the ribbons and performed a celestial dance to the rhythm.

Her long legs kicked up her skirt, and her jade-like feet, wrapped in red stockings, occasionally swayed in front of her, exuding an astonishing allure from head to toe...

Xie Jinhuan didn't deny that the iceberg-shaped cart was very beautiful, but since he was keeping quiet and focusing his energy with his eyes closed, Xie Jinhuan didn't want to disturb him.

As the ghost bride, hanging on the ribbon, bent back and said:

"Is my sister pretty?"

Xie Jinhuan almost forgot that there was someone sitting next to her, and nearly blurted out "Beautiful, beautiful".

After observing for a while, the big ice block perhaps felt neglected, and moved its hand slightly.

?

Xie Jinhuan turned his head and looked around. Seeing that Bing Tuozi wasn't rewarding him, he continued to accompany the ghost wife.

Nangong Ye was clearly a little confused.

Under the combined effects of the icy aura and the "softening powder," she remained conscious. By listening to Xie Jinhuan's breathing, she could tell whether Xie Jinhuan's mind was as still as water.

Your mind is unsettled, yet you're still playing the piece so earnestly, without overstepping any boundaries...

Could it be that you knew your limits and helped me save face yesterday, but I really couldn't handle it? Being hesitant and indecisive would only do more harm than good...

Today, I managed to get through it by not doing anything reckless. So even though it was very uncomfortable, I kept my emotions in check and did not let lust drive me to do anything I shouldn't have.
Thinking of this, Nangong Ye's heart, which was as still as ice, showed a few traces of hesitation.

A young man of eighteen or nineteen, who had some physical intimacy yesterday, is surely full of anticipation today.

But I didn't agree, and he remained calm and composed, refraining from offending me, which is commendable...

I was suffering from the toxins of yang, and he was also suffering from suppressing his desires...

Yesterday, the yang poison was quickly suppressed, and I felt better, and so did he...

Win-win and lose-lose...

Nangong Ye's mind was in turmoil...

"Waaaaah~ Waaaaah..."

Xie Jinhuan watched the beautiful ghost playing her tune with such abandon that he was completely absorbed in it. Just as he was enjoying himself, he suddenly realized something was wrong. Looking down, he saw that the big ice block seemed to have been driven mad by the Yang poison.

He tried to observe her, but the ghost wife was extremely competitive. She noticed that when she was performing seriously, his gaze could be drawn to the other girls, and her dance became increasingly fiery, almost like she was spinning while wearing magical artifacts.

Damn it...

Xie Jinhuan's tune had completely gone astray, and his gaze was darting back and forth, as if he were overwhelmed.

Fortunately, Bing Tuozi also dotes on him!
Nangong Ye noticed that Xie Jinhuan's mind was clearly very unstable, yet he stubbornly refrained from offending her, and he actually felt a little soft-hearted.

A gentleman judges by actions, not intentions. To be able to restrain oneself to this extent, what more can be said about him?

Yesterday, you were on the verge of death and asked for help; today, you're holding back and sticking to your principles. That's not called having an iron will; that's just being selfish...

If I were to die today, would I lose my iron will and compromise again?

Isn't this a selfish and self-serving witch...?

Thinking of this, Nangong Ye took a deep breath, forcefully opening his eyes slightly to look at Xie Jinhuan:
"Xie Jinhuan, are you feeling very bad?"

"Ok?"

Xie Jinhuan felt quite pleased with himself, but was also somewhat bewildered:
Am I feeling unwell?

Judging from Xie Jinhuan's shifty gaze, Nangong Ye knew that Xie Jinhuan's heart was unsettled. He sighed inwardly, remained silent, and maintained his icy demeanor, taking out a black veil to cover his eyes.

rustling~
Xie Jinhuan was taken aback and turned around:

"Lady Mu, what are you doing...?"

"I know what you're thinking. You saved me yesterday, so I'm returning the favor today. From now on, we're even."

"what?"

Is that really so kind?

Xie Jinhuan was flattered and was about to say something when he noticed the black-clad female warrior kneeling beside him, looking somewhat reserved and slightly disdainful, moving closer.

The ghost wife narrowed her eyes slightly and stopped jumping.

Xie Jinhuan hurriedly continued playing the tune, but he was a bit stuck on one thing and the other side. His gaze couldn't help but turn to Bing Tuozi, who was kneeling beside him.

Seeing that she couldn't even control herself while dancing, Ye Hongshang's competitive spirit was ignited. She took a few graceful steps and moved to sit to Xie Jinhuan's right, snuggling under his arm and snuggling into his embrace, her breath sweet as orchids.

"My dear husband, are you comfortable?"

My mom...

Xie Jinhuan glanced at the ghost leaning against his chest, then looked at the iceberg cart. Seeing that it was far away with its head tilted to the side, not at all happy, he put down the ocarina and reached out to pull it.

Thump~
"you?!"

Nangong Ye, blindfolded, was caught off guard and leaned against him. He tried to get up, but arms were already wrapped around his neck, and a clear voice sounded in his ear:

"You're not feeling well, so I'll let you lean on me for a bit while I continue playing. Waaah~~..."

It's blowing like a train...

Nangong Ye leaned into his arms, his eyebrows furrowed in a cold expression, but when he realized that the brat wasn't pushing his luck, he remained silent for a moment before continuing to repay the favor without saying a word.

Xie Jinhuan looked around and felt his whole body almost bursting with blood. In this blissful state, the demonic cultivator could refine him instantly without using any medicine!

But why should I be rewarded?

I'm talking about the love of my life, not double happiness...

Never mind, let's enjoy ourselves first...

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Please give me a monthly ticket or2!

(End of this chapter)