novelraw Chapter 731 - 711: Beautiful
Chapter 731 - 711: Beautiful
Lan Ningzhen was exceptionally adept at indulging in eating, drinking, and entertainment, and Xie Jue was well aware of this. His personality made him quick to adapt to the culture and customs of any place he was in. Back when Fang Chuning first arrived in Ningzhou, it was the same for her. The weather and cuisine in the capital were worlds apart from those of Ningzhou. For this group of children, who had grown up in the luxurious nests of the capital, it was hard to adapt to the border’s harsh climate, sandstorms, scorching sun, and freezing cold.
The food in the capital was mostly light and delicate, while Ningzhou focused on hearty meals with noodles and meats — large portions that could fill one up completely. This group of pampered nobles from the capital experienced discomfort from the change in environment and diet. It took some time for them to adjust, and Fang Chuning was the quickest to adapt. While Xie Jue was still suffering from vomiting and diarrhea, Fang Chuning had already fully adjusted to Ningzhou. By the time Xie Jue was bedridden from illness and had no military duties, she had already run all over Ningzhou with several other brothers, knowing exactly where the best food and fun could be found.
Military marches and battles were extremely grueling, with harsh conditions. When military supplies were scarce, and even the commander’s tent couldn’t get a bowl of hot soup, Fang Chuning would dive into the Shaling River with others to catch fish and cook him a steaming bowl of fish soup.
Once, during Yanyang’s famine, military supplies couldn’t meet the demand, and the army survived half a month on thin porridge and pickled vegetables. At most, some meat bones were thrown into the porridge to give it a faintly oily taste. Everyone was so hungry that they saw stars. During that time, Xie Jue caught a cold, and Fang Chuning would head to the Shaling River daily to catch fish and make soup for him. One time, she was caught red-handed by the Marquis Zhenbei. He confiscated her fish soup and distributed the pot of thick, flavorful broth among a few veteran generals, sparking a trend among the soldiers to go fishing in the river.
No matter where she went or what environment she was in, she treated herself kindly and was always able to find joy in life. Even during military marches, she maintained her good spirits. Even after seeing the blood and chaos of countless battlefields, she remained so full of life. At that time, Xie Jue thought that no matter where she went, she would always adapt completely and enjoy herself.
Lan Ningzhen led him to a small diner tucked away at the corner of a secluded alley. It was the kind of establishment that set up tables and chairs right on the roadside to serve guests. The owners were a young couple, running a modest business focused on noodle dishes. While Beiman’s noodle dishes were typically roasted or stir-fried, this place specialized in noodle soups, with their beef noodle soup being particularly famous.
However, since the shop was located in such a hidden spot, it didn’t get much traffic.
"The beef noodles here are absolutely delicious, an unparalleled flavor. I’m sure you’ll love it," Lan Ningzhen introduced enthusiastically. "Their noodles are freshly made on the spot, giving them a special chewiness. The beef is tender and well-stewed, paired with a piping-hot broth made from bone stock — truly exceptional."
The woman first brought them a steaming bowl of beef broth. Although the weather had warmed, spring still carried a slight chill. A bowl of hot soup warmed the body from the inside out. Lan Ningzhen took off the neck warmer she had been wearing and let the front of her collar fall open slightly. Xie Jue raised an eyebrow subtly, the corners of his lips curling faintly in amusement.
Lan Ningzhen...
Lan Ningzhen!
He first met her during the winter in Fox City, when the weather was bitterly cold. Not only was she heavily made up, but she had also wrapped herself up tightly. They spent several nights around New Year in the suburbs, and even when sharing a bed, Lan Ningzhen wore a neck warmer made of white fox fur that completely shielded her neck. He had once asked her about it, and she claimed her neck had been injured and couldn’t be exposed to the wind, which was why she always kept it covered.
He had seen her rub her neck in discomfort on multiple occasions and genuinely believed she had suffered a severe injury that couldn’t be exposed. Little did he know there was another layer to the story. After their arranged marriage, she had stayed home to recover, and only then did she remove the neck warmer.
"Your neck can be exposed now?"
Lan Ningzhen was momentarily stunned, recalling the lie she’d once told. With feigned nonchalance, she replied, "Yes, the doctor says it’s completely healed."
For a few months, there had been some inconvenient reasons why her neck couldn’t be seen by others—it’s not what a young lady’s neck should look like. Now, it didn’t matter anymore. Everything had been perfectly concealed.
Lan Ningzhen couldn’t help but touch her smooth neck, then looked at the man across from her, noting the prominent contours of his Adam’s apple. She silently muttered to herself, feeling oddly unaccustomed.
"As long as it’s healed," Xie Jue added thoughtfully, "it’s very beautiful."
Lan Ningzhen, "..."
Was he complimenting her face, or complimenting something else?