12dz Chapter 101 He Mingyan's Childhood Sweetheart
Chapter 101 He Mingyan's Childhood Sweetheart
He Mingyan's beautiful eyes darted around and she looked directly at Qin Zejun, laughing sweetly, "Haha, no need for introductions, I already know who he is! Young General Qin Zejun, right?" Qin Yaoyao was taken aback at first, then laughed along and nodded in agreement, "That's right, that's right, it's my nephew Zejun, he just came back from the frontier."
At this moment, Shen Xiaoran, who had been silently observing from the side, curiously approached He Mingyan and blinked her big eyes, asking, "Second cousin, you haven't seen each other for eight whole years! How did you recognize Brother Zejun at a glance?" He Mingyan gently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, proudly raised her chin, and explained, "Although so much time has passed, Brother Zejun hasn't changed much since childhood. Besides, look at that crystal-clear jade pendant on his waist. That was a gift I personally gave him back then, so of course I'm very familiar with it. It would be hard to mistake him. Do I look like a fool?" After saying that, she giggled to herself.
A radiant smile, like spring blossoms, bloomed on Qin Yaoyao's delicate face. Her gaze, gentle as water, fell upon He Mingyan. Her lips parted slightly, uttering a voice as melodious as a nightingale's song: "Oh my, I never expected you to know me too! This is such a delightful surprise! This is our first time here, and everything feels so new and interesting. How about this, we all wander around together? Maybe we'll discover some unexpected beautiful scenery and fun things!" As she spoke, she raised her arms high, waving enthusiastically to the people around her like a fluttering butterfly, gesturing for everyone to gather around.
Immediately afterward, Qin Yaoyao tilted her head slightly, a playful yet considerate expression on her face, and said softly, "I've already thought of everything! I've reserved comfortable and cozy rooms for everyone in advance. If your legs and feet ache or you're exhausted from walking around later, you can simply walk to the back and find your own room to rest for a while. It's very easy to find, so don't worry about getting lost or not being able to find the place. Okay, okay, I can't wait to experience the fun of horseback riding with my Xi-gege! You all stay here and have fun!"
However, Qin Yaoyao paid no attention to the reactions of others after hearing her words. She turned around lightly, her feet seemingly treading on a cloud, and quickly ran towards the door with light and agile steps. When she passed Qin Zejun and Fan Junyu, she deliberately slowed down, leaned forward slightly, and whispered in a voice only the three of them could hear, "Hey, you two better be smart! Make sure you seize this golden opportunity to get close to the princess and have a good chat! You have to hold on tight, understand? Hehehe, I'm off now!" After saying that, Qin Yaoyao disappeared from everyone's sight in the blink of an eye, like a gust of wind.
After they stepped out of the room, He Yanxi, who had been silently following behind like a shadow, saw the mischievous smile on Qin Yaoyao's face, which she couldn't hide as it bloomed like a spring flower. He raised an eyebrow and asked with a half-smile, "What, thinking about watching the show again?" Qin Yaoyao was startled by his words, like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, creating ripples. Her eyes widened, and she asked incredulously, "Huh? How did you know?" He Yanxi smiled slightly, a smile as warm and gentle as the spring sun. He reached out and gently pinched Qin Yaoyao's small nose, resisting... Jun couldn't help but say, "Hmph, do you think I don't know what you're thinking? It's not the first time you've done this." Qin Yaoyao, her thoughts exposed, tilted her head like an adorable kitten, thought for a moment, then playfully stuck out her tongue and replied with a grin, "Hehe, it seems that's really the case." Immediately afterward, she blinked her large, bright eyes, like stars, and looked at He Yanxi expectantly, her gaze seemingly sparkling with starlight, and asked coquettishly, "Then, Brother Xi, do you know whose story I really want to see this time?"
He Yanxi narrowed his eyes slightly, rested his chin on his right hand, and pondered for a moment like a wise man before slowly saying, "Hmm... if I'm not mistaken, you must want to see what interesting things happen between Ming Ning and Ming Yan, right?" His tone was somewhat teasing, as if he was mocking Qin Yaoyao's little thoughts.
Upon hearing this, Qin Yaoyao's eyes lit up like sparkling stars, shimmering with excitement. She clapped her hands excitedly, like a joyful little bird, and showered her with praise: "Wow! Amazing, Brother Xi! You even guessed that! You truly are my good brother!"
Looking at the lively and adorable Qin Yaoyao, He Yanxi couldn't help but smile, like a flower blooming in spring. He explained softly, "What's so difficult about that? You've heard so much gossip and interesting stories about other people these past few days that you're practically sick of them. But you've never heard a single story about Ming Ning and Ming Yan. It's only natural that you're curious about the unknown and want to find out more."
After hearing this, Qin Yaoyao nodded repeatedly like a chick pecking at rice, and then eagerly asked, "Then Brother Xi, do you know whose opinion I should listen to first?"
He Yanxi, seemingly confident, smiled slightly and replied, "In my opinion, you definitely want both of them to listen at the same time. After all, it's more fun to know about both of them at the same time, isn't it? And I bet you deliberately arranged for their rooms to be together, so that you can sneak around like a ghost to 'eavesdrop' on everything."
Upon hearing this, Qin Yaoyao's face blossomed with a smug smile, as bright as spring flowers. She proudly raised her head, like a haughty little peacock, and said coquettishly, "Hehe, Brother Xi understands me best! That's right, just as you predicted, that's exactly how I arranged it. They're probably already flying off to their rooms like birds, so we have to hurry over there like the wind, don't miss this wonderful show!" Before she finished speaking, she grabbed He Yanxi's hand tightly like a hungry tiger pouncing on its prey, and dashed towards the room behind them like an arrow released from a bow.
He Yanxi carefully held Qin Yaoyao's hand, as if holding a precious pearl, and led her through a dimly lit, narrow corridor, finally stopping in front of an inconspicuous door. He gently pushed the door open, revealing a small, secluded room with dim lighting but exquisitely decorated like a dreamlike fairyland.
It turns out that this seemingly ordinary, hidden room is like a dazzling pearl buried deep in the center of He Mingning and He Mingyan's room. It is like a mysterious space hidden between the two rooms, and no one has ever unveiled its mysterious veil.
Upon entering the room, He Yanxi and Qin Yaoyao sat facing each other, like two dazzling stars shining in the tranquil space. Before them sat a pot of steaming fragrant tea, its aroma rising like wisps of smoke; and several plates of exquisite and delicious pastries, each a work of art, exuding an enticing fragrance.
Qin Yaoyao sipped her tea lightly, her movements as graceful and elegant as a breeze across a lake. A hint of anxiety flickered in her eyes, like an ant on a hot plate. She asked, "Brother Xi, why haven't they arrived yet?" He Yanxi smiled slightly, a smile as warm and gentle as the spring sun, and softly replied, "Don't worry, they're here."
Almost the instant he finished speaking, a creak was heard, and the previously closed door to the room was slowly pushed open from the outside, like a shy young girl. Then, He Mingyan's delicate figure, like a butterfly fluttering in the air, came into view first. Following behind her, Qin Zejun entered, looking like a refined gentleman, elegant and charming.
Seeing the two suddenly appear before her, Qin Yaoyao's eyes widened in surprise, her gaze shining like the brightest star in the night sky. She turned to He Yanxi beside her, her face full of astonishment, and asked curiously, "Brother Xi, how did you know they were coming?" He Yanxi's lips curled into a smile, like a blooming flower, and he confidently explained, "I heard their approaching footsteps; the sound was like a beautiful melody echoing in my ears."
Upon hearing this answer, a flash of admiration crossed Qin Yaoyao's eyes, a look as fleeting as a shooting star across the night sky. She couldn't help but give He Yanxi a thumbs-up, exclaiming sincerely, "Wow, Brother Xi is amazing!"
However, just then, a faint whisper suddenly came from inside the room. Like a curious kitten, Qin Yaoyao couldn't suppress her impulse and instinctively got up, preparing to tiptoe to the wall to eavesdrop. He Yanxi reacted quickly, reaching out to pull her back tightly, as if protecting a rare treasure. He gently led her to the table and sat her down again, softly comforting her, "Don't rush. Even sitting here, we can hear the sound clearly. Why must we cling to the wall like geckos?" With that, he elegantly picked up the teapot, like a skilled dancer, and poured Qin Yaoyao a cup of fragrant tea.
Qin Yaoyao nodded obediently like a docile sheep, picked up the teacup with both hands as if holding a rare treasure, blew on the steam from the rim a few times, and then carefully sipped the tea.
Inside, He Mingyan and Qin Zejun walked in slowly, like two shooting stars. Their steps were light as if they were walking on clouds, yet slightly hesitant, as if each step carried a heavy heart. After entering the room, the two walked to the antique table as if by unspoken agreement and sat down quietly on either side of it.
As soon as Qin Zejun looked up, his gaze was immediately drawn to the dazzling array of food on the table, as if by a magnet. The exquisite porcelain plates held fragrant tea, like graceful young women; the tempting pastries resembled the colorful clouds on the horizon; and the various small and delicate snacks were like sparkling pearls, making one's mouth water.
Qin Zejun carefully picked up the teapot, as if holding a precious pearl, poured a cup of hot tea, and steadily handed it to He Mingyan. A warm smile, like a spring breeze, graced his lips as he softly said, "Long time no see."
He Mingyan nodded slightly, like a shy water lily, and took the teacup with her slender, jade-like hand. Her red lips parted slightly, and she responded like a nightingale singing, "Long time no see." However, before she finished speaking, the atmosphere between the two of them suddenly became heavy, as if time had been magically frozen at that moment.
Finally, He Mingyan broke the suffocating silence like a hammer breaking the ice. Her slightly furrowed brows resembled the surface of a lake ruffled by a gentle breeze, and the dissatisfaction and expectation in her eyes were like the swaying water plants on the lake. She asked softly, "It's been so long since we last met. Don't you have anything you want to say to me?"
Qin Zejun paused for a moment, then a faint smile appeared on his lips, like a peach blossom in early spring. He said slowly, "The Second Princess has grown into a graceful young lady. She is becoming more and more beautiful and charming, just like a blooming peony, delicate and beautiful."
Upon hearing this, He Mingyan felt a surge of inexplicable anger, as if the burning flames instantly consumed her reason. Her eyebrows furrowed, resembling inverted crescent moons, and she glared at Qin Zejun with a coquettish expression, saying irritably, "Who wants to hear what you're saying! Do you need to judge whether I'm beautiful or not? Besides, this isn't what I want to hear. Do you have nothing else to say besides this?"
Faced with He Mingyan's questioning, Qin Zejun was momentarily at a loss, like a deer lost in the forest. He stared blankly at the beautiful yet fiery woman before him, muttering helplessly, "What...what should I say?"
He Mingyan said angrily, "So, you don't even want to say a word to me now? If that's the case, then forget it, I'm leaving!" With that, she turned and made to leave, her back view resembling a withered lotus swaying in the wind, lonely yet resolute. Qin Yaoyao, standing beside her, was as anxious as an ant on a hot pan, complaining to He Yanxi, "Oh dear, how can Xiaojun be so stupid! Such a good opportunity is right in front of him, and he doesn't even know how to seize it! He's so stupid! Qin Zejun, are you trying to drive me crazy?! You're such a blockhead!"