Translator: 549690339
He casually folded the painting and stuffed it into his sleeve, his face regaining its composure.
Jiang Ning glared at him: âDid you paint me?â
âSo what if I did?â
âWhat gives you the right to paint me?â
âBecause I am your man.â Li Hongyuan bent over to tidy up the scattered papers on the ground, helped the table up, and then turned to look at Jiang Ning, âDo you also want to ask why this Prince wanted to paint you?â
Before Jiang Ning could speak, he continued: âBecause, this Prince misses you, misses you so much that I canât help it, so I can only paint your portrait to ease the pain of longing. Are you satisfied with this answer?â
Jiang Ning:
Li Hongyuan withdrew his gaze, turned around, sat down facing the table, and silently organized the papers and brushes.
âGo back,â he said. âItâs cold here, and your leg hasnât fully healed yet, so stay at home.â
Jiang Ning nodded, but remembering that he couldnât see her, she said, âAlright.â
She didnât want to sit in the wheelchair anymore and planned to walk away, but then she heard him ask, âWho is that person?â
âWho?â
âThe one outside,â
âOh, him. Gucheng.â Jiang Ning explained, âHe is with my uncle, and from now on, he will be mine.â
âWhat do you need him for?â
âTo protect me,â Jiang Ning said. âWith me like this, itâs impossible to learn martial arts to protect myself, so I have to find the most powerful person and tie him to my side to protect me at all times.â
âWhat about Xiaoman?â
âAlthough Xiaoman is loyal and strong, sheâs not enough.â
âIs he loyal enough?â
âHe is an orphan, adopted by my uncle since he was young, so he is considered my uncleâs foster son. It took some heartache for my uncle to let him follow me.â
âI understand.â
He accepted it very calmly.
Jiang Ning laughed, âYouâre usually so jealous, but you arenât jealous today?â
âItâs just a servant. This Prince hasnât become so petty. I asked because I care about you. Or do you hope this Prince doesnât care about you?â
âI donât hope for that.â
âYouâre being unusually honest this time.â n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
Seeing her gentle and well-behaved appearance, Li Hongyuan felt a tug at his heart, got up, and came to her side. With a fingertip, he gently stroked her delicate cheek, leaned down, and gave her a light kiss on her lips like a dragonfly skimming the waterâs surface.
Only a slight warmth could be felt, and they quickly separated.
âTake good care of your leg,â he whispered in her ear.
The breath tickled her ear, making it itchy.
Jiang Ning slightly turned her head and heard Huang Yingâs voice outside.
âMaster, itâs getting late.â
After all, it was just a visit, and they couldnât delay for too long.
Jiang Ning answered, âGucheng.â
Gucheng quickly entered.
âLetâs go home,â Jiang Ning said.
Hearing these words, Li Hongyuanâs heart stirred a little.
He hoped so much that her words were directed towards him.
Unfortunately, she had never cared about him in her heart.
Gucheng extended his hand to Jiang Ning, and she leaned on him to sit in the wheelchair. Gucheng pushed her out, and Huang Ying bowed her knees to Li Hongyuan before leaving.
Li Hongyuan took a couple of steps after them and saw Li Yuanyuan come in.
âYour Highness,â Li Yuanyuan scanned the room and whispered gently, âWas everything alright just now?â
âDo you want to ask me what she and I were doing in the room?â
âNo, thatâs not something a concubine like me has the right to question.â Li Yuanyuan lowered her head, âI just care about Your Highness.â
Li Hongyuan didnât say anything and took out the paintings from his sleeve, placing them on the table. He carefully unfolded them one by one.
Li Yuanyuan watched quietly, her face unchanged..