Sai Lao Die organized the team and continued their journey. Sai Ya, like a cheerful little bird, flitted around Xiao Man, chattering incessantly. Xiao Man did not find it annoying, listening with a smile. When she heard something particularly amusing, she would chime in, making Sai Ya even happier.
After another day of travel, the group finally emerged from the desert and entered an oasis. "Another two days and we'll be in Duoluo."
Xiao Man gazed out at the verdant grasslands dotted with grazing cattle and sheep. Occasionally, she saw shepherds on horseback, lazily trailing behind their flocks, flicking small whips to guide the animals to areas with richer grass and water.
Sai Lao Die led Xiao Man and her companions to the largest tribe in the oasis to seek lodging. Sai Lao Die and his group often traveled this route and were well acquainted with the people along the way.
Sai Lao Die returned shortly. "It's better to arrive at the right time than to arrive early. The tribe is having a bonfire party tonight, and the chief has already agreed to let us stay. Let's hurry; the party starts when it gets dark."
Sai Ya seemed particularly fond of bonfire parties and tugged Xiao Man along towards the gathering. Nan Gong Yu followed at a leisurely pace, with Ye Qing catching up to Nan Gong Yu unhurriedly.
"Second brother, be careful your person doesn't get snatched away."
Nan Gong Yu replied calmly, "It's no matter. What is mine will remain mine, and no one can take it away."
"Be careful not to let the wind blow your tongue away," Ye Qing grumbled. To this day, Xiao Man showed no romantic interest in Nan Gong Yu, yet he dared to be so confident that no one could steal her away. If she were to be taken, he'd have nowhere to cry!
When Sai Ya's group arrived, the bonfire had already been set up. The nomadic people were quite hospitable, and having already befriended Sai Ya and her companions, they swarmed around when they saw Sai Ya pulling a delicate, fair-skinned young man along.
"Sai Ya, is this your Agu?"
Sai Ya's pretty face flushed. She stole a glance at Xiao Man, who smiled kindly, seemingly unaware of the implication of the question. She nodded secretly. "You mustn't bully him. He's very capable; even the Sand Demon is no match for him!"
The crowd exchanged smiles. Someone immediately took a wineskin, poured a large bowl of mare's milk wine, and thrust it into Xiao Man's hand. "A warrior of the grasslands must drink the sun wine of our grasslands."
Xiao Man smiled, her eyes crinkling, as she looked at the overflowing bowl of mare's milk wine. She reached out to take it, about to drink, when a hand suddenly shot out from the side, snatching the wine bowl and draining it in one gulp.
"Eldest brother, second brother, you've arrived."
Nan Gong Yu turned the empty wine bowl upside down to show the crowd. "My third brother cannot drink, so I drank for him. Please forgive us."
Seeing three handsome young men, one of whom drank so heartily, the crowd immediately surrounded them, pouring a bowl of wine for each and pressing it into their hands. Ye Qing, being enthusiastically urged to drink by a group of grassland women, had no choice but to drink.
Xiao Man watched, stifling a chuckle. When she saw everyone looking at her, she quickly composed herself, raised the wine bowl in her hand, and was about to bring it to her lips, when Nan Gong Yu leaned over and, using Xiao Man's bowl, drank all the wine within!
The crowd, witnessing this, immediately protested. In the end, Xiao Man had to drink a bowl before they would let her go. Su Dan Novel Network.
Night fell, and the bonfire blazed. Maidens and youths sang grassland songs and danced merrily around the fire.
Xiao Man sat beside Nan Gong Yu, eating roasted meat. While others gnawed on their roast meat, hers was served in thin slices.
Sai Ya glared resentfully at Nan Gong Yu. She had intended for everyone to witness Xiao Man's bold eating style, but Nan Gong Yu had ruined it. The succulent roasted lamb leg, in Nan Gong Yu's hands, became a plate of thin meat slices, while Xiao Man ate happily.
"A man of the grasslands eats meat and drinks wine heartily."
"I am not a man of the grasslands," Xiao Man said with a smile, contentedly enjoying the attentive service from the Prince of Qin.
Sai Ya was momentarily speechless and glared at Nan Gong Yu again. "Eating like this is too dainty."
"It doesn't matter, as long as I like it."
Sai Ya found herself utterly exasperated and could only glare resentfully at Nan Gong Yu, thinking he was spoiling a perfectly good man into a pampered baby!
Nan Gong Yu paid no attention, continuing to shave the roasted meat into thin slices and place them on the plate before Xiao Man. Xiao Man ate with a look of contentment. To enjoy the service of the Prince of Qin was a great pleasure in life. Although she knew the Prince of Qin's excessive attention was for detoxification, she still felt she had gained from his considerate service!
If Nan Gong Yu knew what Xiao Man was thinking, he would likely have been spitting blood. He was giving her his all, practically laying his heart bare, and she still thought he had ulterior motives!
At this moment, an excited shout erupted from the crowd. The three turned their heads in the direction of the sound and saw a woman in a white silk dress, her face veiled, dancing in a spin. Those around her accompanied her with music, and the horse-head fiddle played a lively tune.
The woman's dance was graceful, heroic, and powerful. Having grown accustomed to the delicate dances of the Central Plains, seeing this dance suddenly brought a new brilliance to their eyes.
Xiao Man also began to tap her foot to the rhythm. Sai Ya quietly tugged at Xiao Man's sleeve. Xiao Man turned her head. "What is it?"
"That is Princess Wulan Na."
Xiao Man was startled. She instinctively reached out and rubbed her face. Her once clean face was instantly streaked with black and yellow, looking quite comical. Sai Ya, trying to suppress her laughter, quickly took a handkerchief to wipe Xiao Man's face, but this only managed to spread the dirt, making her face even dirtier.
"There, that's better."
Xiao Man winked playfully at Sai Ya, who laughed even more heartily. She scooted closer to Xiao Man. "Young Master Xiao, do you think Princess Wulan Na is beautiful?"
"Her face is veiled, how can I tell if she's beautiful or not? However, her dance is quite good," Xiao Man said candidly. "But why is she, a princess, here?"
"This is the largest pasture in the Wuyue Kingdom. I suppose she is here to find a longevity gift for the king."
Xiao Man nodded in understanding and continued to watch Princess Wulan Na dance. The young men, one by one, gazed intently at the princess. Xiao Man glanced at Nan Gong Yu, wanting to see if he was also captivated, but as soon as she turned her head, she met his gaze.
Nan Gong Yu reached out and wiped Xiao Man's face. "Why is your face dirty? Go wash it."
Saying this, he stood up and pulled Xiao Man along. The Princess Wulan Na had just finished her dance and was walking towards them. However, before she could reach them, Nan Gong Yu had already pulled Xiao Man away and turned to leave.
Princess Wulan Na stood frozen, seemingly surprised by their sudden departure. She had always been proud, the most doted-upon princess of the Wuyue Kingdom, accustomed to being the center of attention. She had thought no one could take their eyes off her, only to find that Nan Gong Yu had not even looked at her.