My System Is Three Thousand Years Early

The delicate hands were tightly clasped together.

Seeing this, Cheng Guang couldn't help but chuckle and shook his head, slowing the pace of his Dragon Horned Horse and coming up beside Ning Qianxue, gently patting her head.

Ning Qianxue felt the breath of Cheng Guang right beside her.

Her originally tense emotions, for some reason, suddenly didn't feel so tense anymore.

It seemed as if she now had someone to rely on.

They took a turn outside Duke Zhen's Mansion.

Cheng Guang, leading the team and about to set off with Ning Qianxue to return to the mansion, completing the final step when—

Just in front of the mansion gate.

He suddenly noticed someone standing alone at the door, emitting a 'keep away' aura.

The surrounding crowd, many of them dignitaries, clearly startled upon seeing that person, then showed an extremely fearful demeanor.

The guards of Duke Zhen's Mansion, upon seeing that person, blocked the entrance and were also troubled for a long time, ultimately not approaching.

It was unclear whether it was the order of Cheng Zhihai or the instruction of Wu Yuemei.

Cheng Guang looked at that person's stunningly beautiful appearance, the noble and elegant Crown Prince's attire, a head of neatly combed black hair, as the hands were quietly placed in front of her.

"Wu Ling?"

Cheng Guang stopped in front of the mansion gate.

The procession behind him also came to a halt.

Under the scrutiny of Cheng Guang and the countless others around, Wu Ling nodded slightly, her clear eyes gazing at Cheng Guang, her pupils shimmering with an indefinable meaning.

Ultimately, she did not speak to Cheng Guang.

Instead, her gaze fell upon Ning Qianxue in the palanquin behind Cheng Guang, her hands resting on her knees as she sat primly.

"What is your name?"

Ning Qianxue also noticed the woman blocking the way to Duke Zhen's Mansion, and through the red brocade, she could see that the other's beauty did not lose to her own.

"Ning Qianxue."

After hesitating for a moment, Ning Qianxue revealed her name and then looked at Cheng Guang, "Princely Heir, is this lady a friend of yours?"

Ning Qianxue seemed to have sensed something and, without realizing it herself, her tone carried a hint of sourness.

Hearing Ning Qianxue's question, Cheng Guang smiled, "Yes."

Wu Ling gave Cheng Guang a noncommittal glance upon hearing his answer, "You, you have quite the fortune with women."

Cheng Guang felt a bit embarrassed and looked at Wu Ling with a smile, "You should have told me in advance that you were coming today, so I could have welcomed you properly."

Wu Ling slowly shook her head, her expression turning somewhat downcast, "No need."

"I just came to see what the Wife of Crown Prince is like."

"And also, to bring you a gift."

As she spoke, Wu Ling produced a chessboard and two boxes of black and white chess pieces from somewhere.

The chessboard and pieces were made from precious jade, and they seemed to have been painstakingly carved by hand. Although they were not perfect, effort was evident.

Clearly.

This was Wu Ling's own handiwork.

It was unknown when she had begun to carve them.

Wu Ling handed the chessboard and pieces to Cheng Guang, stuffed them into his arms with a moment's hesitation, and then whispered something into Cheng Guang's ear.

"Big liar, I don't know if I'll ever get the chance to play chess with you again."

With that, she ran off into the distance.

Midway through her run, Wu Ling, seemingly unable to contain her frustration, turned her head, made a face at Cheng Guang, and stuck out her tongue.

Soon after, Wu Ling's figure quickly vanished from Cheng Guang's sight.

Cheng Guang stood there, watching Wu Ling's disappearing figure with a puzzled look, gazing at the meticulously crafted chessboard and pieces in his hand, feeling a complex mix of emotions.

This Wu Ling.

She really put her heart into things concerning him.

The gift she gave was also so unique.

But...

Why did she call me a big liar?

I've never lied to her about anything.

Bewildered, Cheng Guang shook his head and stored the chessboard and pieces Wu Ling had given him into his storage ring.

When he turned around, Cheng Guang suddenly realized that Ning Qianxue was still watching him.

He touched his own face, "What's wrong? Is there something on my face?"

Ning Qianxue shook her head, pouted her rosy lips thoughtfully, "No, it's just that I feel that girl, she seems to have special feelings for you."

Cheng Guang chuckled, tapping Ning Qianxue's head lightly with his hand.

"What do you know about feelings? I've eaten more salt than you've walked roads."

Having said that, he took Ning Qianxue's hand and they walked towards Duke Zhen's Mansion.

Ning Qianxue covered her head, wanting to say something, but upon seeing Cheng Guang pulling her into Duke Zhen's Mansion, the looks of the crowd around them became even more pronounced.

Gradually, Ning Qianxue lowered her hand, obediently and quietly following behind Cheng Guang.

As Cheng Guang and Ning Qianxue entered Duke Zhen's Mansion,

Outside Duke Zhen's Mansion, a guest at one of the banquet tables was about to turn away, withdrawing his gaze from the figure of Town-Nation Duke's Heir and continuing to dine,

when he suddenly noticed.

A dark little hand was stealthily reaching towards the plate in front of him, slowly gripping the chicken leg on his plate.

The guest's eyes bulged, lifted the tablecloth, and looked down.

He locked eyes with a pair of pitch-black little ones.

"Hey, you little beggar, you dare to steal food from your Grandpa, huh!"

The guest made to hit the offender.

The beggar got startled, showing an incredibly agile body despite being frail, grabbing the chicken leg and then dashing under the guest's body away to the distance.

"I didn't steal, the people of Duke Zhen's Mansion said that as long as you come with good wishes, you can get food."

While running, the beggar made a face at the guest.