freenovelworld Chapter 106 A sumptuous lunch
Chapter 106 A sumptuous lunch
He Yanxi shook his head slightly after hearing this, and then explained, "That's not the case. A-Ning would never act like that. Once, a woman wanted to befriend her, but even for such a simple matter, she was too afraid and insisted on dragging A-Yan along. She's so cautious when dealing with women, let alone when facing a man today!"
Upon hearing this, Qin Yaoyao was slightly taken aback at first, then thought about it carefully before nodding in agreement: "Hmm... now that you mention it, it does make some sense. Logically speaking, even if the two parties have slightly different identities, since the other party is a man, the princess should have someone accompany her."
He Yanxi nodded slightly in agreement, saying, "That's right. The reason she dared to act this way was simply because she was certain that Fan Junyu wouldn't do anything to her. However, if it were anyone else, she would never dare to act so recklessly. This shows that her attitude towards Fan Junyu is indeed different from others."
Upon hearing this, Qin Yaoyao's face lit up with a joyful smile. She excitedly exclaimed, "This is fantastic! I've been racking my brains trying to figure out how to help Xiaoyu, that blockhead. Now that I know they have feelings for each other, things are so much easier! We should invite them out as often as possible, creating more opportunities for them to spend time together. When the time is right, we can then subtly encourage them."
He Yanxi couldn't help but chuckle, replying with a smile, "Haha, you're absolutely right. Now, let's hurry up and have our meal!" Qin Yaoyao nodded happily, "Okay, speaking of which, my stomach is actually rumbling." With that, He Yanxi naturally took Qin Yaoyao's hand, and the two walked side by side, slowly heading towards the dining room. Along the way, they chatted and laughed, seemingly forgetting all the noise and disturbances around them, focusing only on the warm and cozy time they shared.
The spacious and brightly lit dining room was bustling with people, every seat filled, like a grand banquet. People whispered and laughed, or exchanged pleasantries with smiles. All eyes, like spotlights, frequently turned towards the door, as if anticipating the arrival of some important figure. Time, like sand in an hourglass, slipped away second by second. Finally, a soft footstep, like a spring breeze, approached from afar. Everyone stopped talking and turned to look.
He Yanxi walked ahead, tall and imposing, like a majestic mountain, with Qin Yaoyao nestled close to him like a joyful little bird. As soon as they entered the dining room, Qin Yaoyao's bright eyes were instantly drawn to the table laden with delicious food. The table was like a vibrant, colorful painting, a feast for the eyes and the palate, each dish looking exquisite and appetizing. What surprised Qin Yaoyao even more was that all the dishes were her favorite flavors, as if they had been tailor-made for her!
Qin Yaoyao softly recited the names of the dishes, as if chanting a beautiful poem, "Today's dishes are truly abundant! Mapo tofu is as fiery as flames, boiled fish is like a surging river, Kung Pao chicken is like sparkling pearls, poached chicken is as translucent as white jade, roast meats are as shimmering as gold, sweet and sour carp is as vibrant as a rainbow, braised sea cucumber with scallions is like a treasure from the deep sea, braised pork intestines are like a delicate work of art, braised lion's head meatballs are like a majestic lion, braised pork ribs are like a burning flame, pickled pepper bullfrog is like dancing musical notes, crystal dumplings are like sparkling gems, and hibiscus cake is like a blooming flower."
Qin Yaoyao was overjoyed, like a happy little deer, she skipped and looked at He Yanxi. Her eyes sparkled with excitement and emotion, like the bright stars in the night sky. She asked in a sweet voice, "Brother Xi, did you prepare all of this especially for me?" He Yanxi's lips curled up slightly, his smile like the gentlest spring breeze, softly caressing Qin Yaoyao's heart. He replied indulgently, "Of course! As long as Yaoyao likes it, I will do my best to satisfy her, like a diligent gardener. Come on, try it and see if it suits your taste."
Upon receiving a positive reply, Qin Yaoyao's mood brightened even more, like a blooming flower. She eagerly picked up her chopsticks, carefully selecting a piece of food, treating it like a precious work of art, gently placing it in her mouth and chewing it slowly. Suddenly, her eyes lit up, shining like luminous pearls, and a radiant smile bloomed on her face, like spring flowers in full bloom. She exclaimed repeatedly, "Wow, so delicious!" Then, she enthusiastically continued to sample other dishes, like an explorer who had discovered a treasure, full of enthusiasm and curiosity, warmly inviting those around her to join in. For a moment, the entire dining room was filled with laughter, the sound as clear and melodious as silver bells, creating an exceptionally harmonious and pleasant atmosphere, like a beautiful painting.
Qin Yaoyao's beautiful eyes, as clear as autumn water, swept across the maids, including Qiu Ye, who were busily pouring wine for everyone. Her lips parted slightly, and she spoke in a voice as melodious as a nightingale's song, "You little maids, stop fussing! Come and sit down to enjoy this feast." Then, she turned her warm gaze to Lan Feng and the others, saying gently, "And you all, please take your seats too."
However, this was not their own residence. If they were at the Duke's mansion, Qiu Ye and the others would have readily taken their seats like cheerful little birds upon hearing their young lady's instruction. But now, not only princes and princesses were present, but if they were to sit down so casually, they would likely be criticized like withered flowers in a storm, accused of lacking manners and respect. Therefore, Qiu Ye quickly replied, "Miss, please enjoy your meal with these distinguished guests. We will eat later. As long as you are happy and content, we are as joyful as blooming flowers!"
Witnessing this scene, Qin Yaoyao understood perfectly what the maids were worried about. She turned to look at Banxia beside her, and saw that the girl, like a startled fawn, hesitated to speak, confirming her suspicions. Therefore, Qin Yaoyao smiled gently, a smile as radiant as spring blossoms, and softly asked He Mingfeng and the three princesses present, "Your Highness, Fifth Prince, and my three beautiful elder sisters, would you please allow my maids to join us for the meal?"
Upon hearing this, He Mingfeng's handsome face lit up with a warm smile, like sunlight piercing through the clouds. He readily replied, "Of course I don't mind! It will only add to the liveliness and fun!" He Mingxuan, standing beside him, nodded repeatedly, her voice as sweet as a nightingale's song, "Yes, yes! This way, everyone won't have to be so cautious. We can relax and speak freely. Sitting so formally like this all the time, I'm almost suffocating!"
He Mingyan's lips curved into a slight smile, like a spring flower in bloom, as she echoed, "Yes, I also think it's best to be more natural." Her bright eyes, like twinkling stars in the night sky, shone with a gentle light, as if she wholeheartedly agreed with this view. At this moment, He Mingning, like a silent mountain, watched her sisters pour out their hearts. Only after they finished speaking did she slowly open her mouth, her tone as calm as still water, and said, "Well, I have no objection to what she said about you." This simple sentence, like a spring breeze, revealed her respect and support for her sisters' ideas. At this moment, He Yanxi turned to Qiu Ye and the others, warmly inviting them, "Please sit down, everyone. Let's all sit down and eat together, otherwise your young lady will be sitting on pins and needles." Hearing this, Lan Feng was about to reply when He Yanxi added, "Just sit at the table over there!" Upon hearing this, Qiu Ye and the others felt a huge weight lifted from their hearts. They quickly bowed to He Yanxi in thanks and then hurriedly found seats. The large table was as spacious as an endless grassland, large enough to accommodate everyone. The first to sit down were He Yanxi himself and the beautiful Qin Yaoyao. Qin Yaoyao had deliberately chosen a rectangular table, and the two of them sat side by side in the middle of one side of the table, looking like a match made in heaven.
Then, He Mingfeng declared in a booming voice, "I absolutely must sit with my Ah Ying!" Without hiding his affection for Cheng Ying, he pounced on her like a hungry tiger, grabbing her soft hand tightly and quickly walking to the seat next to He Yanxi, where they sat down together. Immediately afterward, He Mingyan, like a shy little bird, took Qin Zejun's arm and said coquettishly, "Then let's sit together too." And so, the two of them sat down intimately opposite Qin Yaoyao.
Seeing her second sister so sweetly intimate with her fiancé, He Mingxuan couldn't help but laugh and tease, "Oh dear, second sister, you're really blatant about it!" He Mingyan, far from taking it to heart, raised her chin and replied with a hint of smugness, like a peacock spreading its tail feathers, "What's wrong? If you're envious, you can be just as blatant! Oh, I forgot, you don't have anyone you can be so blatant with yet. Let me tell you, I learned this from our fifth brother." As she spoke, she playfully winked at He Mingxuan. He Mingxuan pouted and grumbled like a child, "Hmph, is having an engagement so great? I don't care to sit with you, I want to sit next to Yaoyao!" With that, she angrily moved to the empty seat on Qin Yaoyao's other side and plopped down like a proud peacock.
Qin Zeyu, like an arrow released from a bow, rushed without hesitation to the seat opposite He Mingxuan, then sat down steadily next to his older brother, Qin Zejun. At this moment, the spacious room, which had been empty, was now empty except for four seats, like fallen leaves swept away by the autumn wind.
Just then, Qin Yaoyao's mind started racing like beads on an abacus. Determined to bring He Mingning and Fan Junyu together as a perfect couple, she quickly gave Shen Xiaoran, who was still standing, a wink that seemed like a secret signal. The quick-witted Shen Xiaoran instantly understood and immediately replied, "Oh dear, then I'll have to sit next to Xuanxuan like a little bird!" Then, she turned to Qin Zefei, smiling sweetly, and continued, "Qin Zefei, didn't you keep saying like a monk that your cousin just came back and you have so much to talk about with him? Why don't you sit next to Qin Zeyu? Wouldn't it be more convenient for you brothers to chat?" Qin Zefei hesitated, but the eldest princess hadn't sat down yet; he couldn't very well sit in front of her. He Mingfeng said, "It's alright, there's no hierarchy today, sit wherever you like." Shen Xiaoran raised an eyebrow and said, "See? You sit when I tell you to."
Although Qin Zefei felt a slight ripple of doubt, he ultimately nodded obediently like a lamb to the end, faced with Shen Xiaoran's earnest and melodious words, and walked towards Qin Zeyu's direction. A short while later, Qin Zefei settled comfortably beside Qin Zeyu like a bird returning to its nest.
Now, only He Mingning and Fan Junyu remained in the room without suitable seats. Initially, He Mingning had planned to sit with her younger sister, He Mingxuan. However, things didn't go as planned; the other seats had already been snapped up by hungry wolves, leaving her with no choice but to give up, like a deflated balloon. In utter desperation, He Mingning had no choice but to steel herself and slowly, like a snail, walk to Fan Junyu's side, then awkwardly sit down in the empty seat next to her.
When she saw the two of them slowly take their seats like two light shooting stars, Shen Xiaoran turned her head slightly and glanced at Qin Yaoyao without leaving a trace, like a dragonfly skimming the water. This subtle movement was like a mysterious code, but unfortunately, it fell right into the eyes of Qin Zefei, who was as sharp as an eagle.
Qin Zefei's heart skipped a beat, and he instantly understood why Shen Xiaoran had deliberately arranged for him to sit next to his younger brother, Qin Zeyu. So, she harbored ulterior motives, wanting the eldest princess to sit with her cousin! Thinking of this, Qin Zefei couldn't help but chuckle to himself, thinking that this little girl was as clever as a cunning little fox, working seamlessly with her aunt; she was truly a delightful character.
Unbeknownst to him, a smile, as lovely as spring blossoms, crept onto Qin Zefei's lips. This smile was caught by Qin Zeyu, who was standing nearby. Qin Zeyu, as curious as a kitten, blinked his jewel-like eyes and leaned closer, asking in a childish voice, "Brother, what are you laughing at?" Faced with his younger brother's question, Qin Zefei simply shook his head mysteriously and replied softly, "I won't tell you." His expression was as if he were harboring some earth-shattering secret, making everyone even more curious and eager to find out the reason.