Chapter 396: Chapter 396
"Nanyan, this is the bridal gown I had specially commissioned for you. Take a look, do you like it?"
Lu Shangxing’s eyes were filled with a smile. He held an exquisitely embroidered dress, adorned with golden threads that wove a magnificent phoenix pattern. Under the candlelight, the golden phoenix seemed to come to life, undergoing nirvana amongst the flames.
Si Nanyan sat upright before a vanity mirror, her gaze unwavering and fixed ahead.
Reflected in the mirror, she wore a light pink gauze dress, her features as picturesque as a painting, and possessed a remarkable presence.
The bedroom they occupied was elegantly decorated. Red silk and ’Happiness’ characters adorned the surroundings, filling the entire room with a festive atmosphere.
Yet, not a hint of a smile could be found between Si Nanyan’s brows.
She looked at the luxurious garments before her, her lips pressed into a straight line, before curling up slightly at the corners, revealing a mocking smile.
"Don’t you like it? Then I’ll have someone make you a new one."
Seeing this, Lu Shangxing’s face immediately took on a disappointed expression. Upon noticing that Si Nanyan still had no reaction, he shook his head and chuckled at himself derisively.
Indeed. What was he even doing? Si Nanyan was still someone else’s puppet, a person with a master. No matter how hard he tried to please her, she would not appreciate it. His efforts were futile.
"Junior Sister Nanyan, rest well. Soon, I will give you your freedom."
Lu Shangxing sighed, gently placing the item he was holding onto the bed beside him, and prepared to leave.
For the past few days, he had refrained from taking any liberties. He disdained such actions. If he truly wanted women, he could have any type of woman he desired.
"Wait, what do you mean by that?"
At last, Si Nanyan looked up at Lu Shangxing, a hint of wariness flickering in her eyes.
Something about his words was off. From Lu Shangxing’s perspective, ’giving her freedom’ could have two meanings.
"You will know soon enough."
When Si Nanyan finally spoke to him, the corners of Lu Shangxing’s mouth curved slightly upward. He didn’t wait for her to say anything further.
Outside the room, a maidservant called out in a gentle voice, "Sir..."
Lu Shangxing turned his head, his gaze deepening. In front of others, his demeanor regained its authority.
A figure, bowing her head respectfully, peered in from outside the door and said, "Sir, Shao Zhengze has emerged."
The one speaking was none other than Xianger.
"Has he now?" Lu Shangxing frowned slightly, his displeasure with Shao Zhengze growing.
In his mind, Shao Zhengze was firmly categorized as someone incapable of achieving great things.
"Tell him to wait for me in the secret chamber."
Dislike flashed in Lu Shangxing’s eyes, but he decided to meet with him nonetheless.
The grand ceremony for both couples was scheduled for tomorrow; he couldn’t allow Shao Zhengze to ruin important matters.
Xianger nodded slightly and stepped back.
"Junior Sister Nanyan, rest well," Lu Shangxing said without leaving right away. Even though he knew Si Nanyan did not want to see him, he still spoke softly and gently.
Of course, he was still met with silence in response.
The door was gently closed.
Lu Shangxing’s gaze shifted from affectionate to chilly.
He raised his hand, signaling to the others, "Keep a close watch on her."
From the shadows around them, several muffled, deep voices could be heard.
Lu Shangxing looked back one more time at the silhouette visible through the window, fell silent for a moment, and then turned to leave.
After Lu Shangxing left, Si Nanyan emotionlessly surveyed the festive decorations inside the room.
Yet anxiety flickered through her heart. She had also refrained from informing Wen Zhixing about this matter. Although she believed Wen Zhixing was capable of anything, rationally, he couldn’t save her now. The opposing force was simply too substantial. How could Wen Zhixing, who was alone and weak, be a match for the Lu Family and the Qin Family? It was clear to her that their main target was Wen Zhixing, and she was merely an accessory. In such circumstances, she chose to keep silent.
"I must not burden Sir with troubles."
Si Nanyan raised her eyes to her reflection in the mirror and whispered softly.
How she fared was of no significance. She had already decided: tomorrow, she would detonate her Blood Pill. Let everything return to dust, to earth. It was just a pity that there would be no future chance to serve by Wen Zhixing’s side...
「Meanwhile, inside a tavern in Linlang City.」
Wen Zhixing was drinking with a man whose face was covered in a scruffy beard and whose hair was a messy tangle.
The stranger did most of the drinking, while Wen Zhixing merely accompanied him, occasionally joining in for a bowl.
Earlier, as the two exchanged glances, Wen Zhixing had sensed something extraordinary about the man.
Despite the man’s disheveled appearance, he exuded an air of carefree elegance, utterly unaffected by the world around him, as if he lived within his own universe. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ n͟o͟v͟e͟l͟f͟i͟r͟e͟.net
He truly possesses a certain free-spiritedness.
Wen Zhixing’s mind stirred, and he decisively collected the Fortune Fragments.
[Blue Fortune Fragment +1, current Gray Fortune Fragment: 1/3.]
[Purple Fortune Fragment +3, current Purple Fortune Fragment: 4/4.]
[Golden Fortune Fragment +1, current Golden Fortune Fragment: 1/5.]
[Life-span -2, current life-span: 1964.]
Seeing the bounty of Fortune Fragments he had just obtained, Wen Zhixing was somewhat taken aback.
One blue, three purple, one gold.
This harvest was almost beyond imagination. Those 20,000 life-span points were indeed well spent. He couldn’t tell if it was his own good luck or if the person before him simply had an abundance of high-level Fortune Fragments.
[Purple Fortune Fragment (4/4) collected. Expend one month of life-span to synthesize and receive one of the following fortunes:]