Rebirth of a Lost Nation: Princess, Please Respect Yourself

Chapter 135 The feeling of having your beloved destroyed

"Okay." Jiang Lige agreed readily, and then said, "It's just that I'm not good at painting."

"That's fine." Ning Luyang said, and excitedly took out the pen and ink he had prepared earlier. "Let's work together to give the children a bright future."

Ning Luyang said this with a bright smile on his face, and "inadvertently" revealed his hands that were scarred by sawdust, which made Jiang Lige...

Feeling a little nauseous.

Pretending to be pitiful, innocent, and seeking sympathy, people like Ning Luyang, once they have a goal, what can't they do to achieve it?

What's more, it was Jiang Lige who paid for the construction of the charity hall, and it was also Jiang Lige who worked hard to paint the pictures. Ning Luyang is just an actor, so who is he comparing himself to?

It’s shameless to force yourself on me!

Jiang Lige pretended not to notice Ning Luyang's injury. He picked up the pen and painted flowers while secretly complaining.

Under the shade of the tree, Ning Luyang held the carving knife and struggled to polish the shape on the wood, while Jiang Lige lowered his head and carefully drew the pattern, occasionally turning his head to ask Ning Luyang for some advice from time to time.

The two of them cooperated very well, like a beautiful picture of a golden boy and a jade girl.

But behind the beautiful picture, there is an unknown secret.

Behind Ning Luyang's smile lies his ambition and desire; behind Jiang Lige's focused brushstrokes lies his wariness and suspicion of Ning Luyang.

After another two sticks of incense, the picture drawn by Jiang Lige was almost completed. Ning Luyang came over and was stunned when he saw the picture on the drum.

The pattern on the drum surface is not a simple one, but a vivid realistic picture. In the green garden, a man in blue is holding a carving knife and should be doing carpentry work. Occasionally, a leaf falls on his head, causing him to look up involuntarily. The sunlight falls into his eyes, casting a warm light.

"This..." Ning Luyang reached out to touch the edge of the drum, then quickly retracted his hand as if afraid of breaking it, his words filled with disbelief. "It's me?"

Jiang Lige just smiled, "Yes, it's Master Ba."

"So lovely."

Ning Luyang stared blankly at the drumhead, the words choking in his throat again and again, with a hint of bitterness when he spoke out.

"To be honest, Princess, this is the first time someone has painted me, and it's also my first painting in this world."

Jiang Lige knew that Ning Luyang was not lying to her.

Ning Luyang's biological mother, Lady Ying, caught the late emperor's eye with a painting. However, it was later discovered that the painting was not created by Lady Ying, but was stolen from someone else. The original painter was also killed by Lady Ying.

The late emperor was furious and had the pregnant beauty Ying banished to the cold palace. This is how the story of Ning Luyang being born in the cold palace came about.

It was also because of his mother's fault that even the court painters would deliberately ignore Ning Luyang when painting for the royal family every year with the tacit consent of the late emperor. This habit has continued to this day and has not changed.

The reason why Jiang Lige knew this matter so clearly was because...

She also painted the first portrait of Ning Luyang in his previous life.

However, the painting was eventually used as ominous evidence to frame her. Ning Luyang set it up and set it on fire in front of everyone, turning it into ashes.

It was also after that day that Jiang Lige was punished to atone his sins in front of the Bodhisattva, eating vegetables and white porridge, and kneeling in the Buddhist temple for a full 9981 days. He developed a chronic illness where his legs and feet felt like they were being pierced by thousands of needles on rainy days.

During the days when she knelt in front of the Buddha, her "kind" sister Jiang Chuchu entered the palace many times under the guise of begging for mercy, but in fact she was openly having an affair with Ning Luyang.

It's ridiculous.

At this moment, Ning Luyang didn't know that Jiang Lige was thinking about the past. Seeing her silence, he thought she was feeling sorry for him, but he didn't know how to comfort himself.

Then he curved his lips and smiled, and comforted her instead:

"Princess, don't worry about me. I'm doing well now and will be even better in the future."

Jiang Lige was also brought back to reality by Ning Luyang's words, and nodded with a smile.

"Yeah, I believe it."

After saying this, Jiang Lige lowered her head and continued to fiddle with the things in her hand. She was afraid that if she faced Ning Luyang again, she would not be able to hold back the hatred in her eyes, which would make people notice something.

Obviously, Ning Luyang did not notice Jiang Lige's thoughts. He secretly looked at Jiang Lige's eyes and couldn't help but smile slightly, silently imagining the near future in his heart.

Even though his current methods are not fair, he has good intentions towards Jiang Lige. If Jiang Lige marries him in the future, he will naturally not treat her unfairly.

She would be his concubine, enjoying wealth and prosperity forever, he swore.

After Jiang Lige finished coloring the painting, he thought to himself that it was about time, so he stood up and said.

"Master Ba, this painting is still missing one pigment to be complete. I'll go back and get it now."

Ning Luyang probably didn't expect this to happen. When he thought that the time he had agreed with Princess Jingyu was almost up, he couldn't help but persuade her.

"It's so hot out here, why bother the princess to come here in person?"

Jiang Lige waved his hand. "This place is not far from Qingge Cottage. It only takes an incense stick to go back and forth. What's the trouble?"

"It's still not appropriate." Ning Luyang said anxiously, "How about asking Miss Songyue to run this errand for me?"

"No." Jiang Lige refused decisively. "There are countless similar colors among these pigments, but when you actually use them, a slight mistake can lead to a huge error. Song Yue, who doesn't paint, can't tell them apart."

"Can……"

"This is Mr. Ba's first portrait, so I have to finish it well." Jiang Lige said sincerely, "It's the first time in my life, so I can't leave any regrets."

Ning Luyang didn't know whether he was touched by Jiang Lige's sincerity or he wanted the portrait too much, the words of rejection rolled in his throat several times, but in the end he didn't really refuse.

"Well, thank you, Princess."

"That's all right." Jiang Lige said as he started to move. After walking a few steps, he turned back and said to Ning Luyang, "Eighth Master, painting on the drum surface is a delicate job. I'll be away for a while. I hope you can help keep an eye on it. But be sure not to bump the drum surface, otherwise the painting will be damaged and difficult to repair."

"Don't worry, Princess." Ning Luyang nodded solemnly, "I will protect you with my own life."

Jiang Lige didn't respond, but smiled shyly and walked away with Song Yue.

The master and servant turned through the bamboo forest and quickly hid behind a large banyan tree at the corner, ready to watch the fun.

Sure enough, after a while, a man in gorgeous clothes came over aggressively with a group of servants.

The man in fancy clothes kicked over the table that Ning Luyang had set up under the shade of a tree, then rushed forward and pushed Ning Luyang hard, then gave an order.

"What are you still standing there for? Smash them all!"

Ning Luyang subconsciously stepped in front, "Who are you? How have I offended you?"