Rebirth of the Duke's Daughter and the Little Imperial Uncle

Chapter 64 He Mingxuan and Qin Zeyu (2)

As soon as He Mingxuan entered the courtyard, her gaze was drawn to the abundance of flowers and plants, and her face beamed with joy. In truth, as a princess, what kind of exotic flowers and rare plants hadn't she seen? But normally, she hadn't seemed to show much interest. However, her current delight stemmed from the fact that all the flowers and plants in the garden were the work of Qin Zeyu.

After circling the courtyard, He Mingxuan suddenly stopped in front of a room, pointed at the door, and turned to Qin Zeyu, asking, "Qin Zeyu, is this your room?" Qin Zeyu looked in the direction she was pointing and nodded, replying, "Yes, it is." At this moment, He Mingxuan was filled with curiosity about Qin Zeyu's room.

Qin Zeyu noticed He Mingxuan's gaze and said, "Princess, how about I take you to see other places?" However, He Mingxuan wasn't very interested. She lowered her head and pondered for a moment, then suddenly had an idea. She looked up at Qin Zeyu and smiled, suggesting, "May I go inside and take a look?" Qin Zeyu asked in surprise, "My room?" He Mingxuan smiled and nodded to confirm, "Yes, is that alright?" Qin Zeyu looked embarrassed and hesitated, saying, "It's possible, but..." Before he could finish, He Mingxuan thought he didn't want her to see the room, and quickly said, "If it's inconvenient, then it's alright, no problem."

Seeing He Mingxuan about to enter, Qin Zeyu, though a little nervous, still forced himself to say, "Actually, there's nothing you can't see, it's just that it might be a bit boring. Princess, please feel free to look around."

Upon hearing Qin Zeyu's words, He Mingxuan immediately smiled happily and replied excitedly, "In that case, this princess will not stand on ceremony!" After saying that, she pushed open the door and went inside without hesitation.

Upon entering the room, He Mingxuan looked around curiously like a child, muttering to herself, "So this is what a man's room looks like! How interesting..."

Seeing He Mingxuan's reaction, Qin Zeyu felt a little disappointed. He had originally thought that He Mingxuan would express her dissatisfaction with his room, so he said in a slightly dejected tone, "I've already said that my room is nothing special. Princess, why don't you go and look around somewhere else?"

However, He Mingxuan sensed the disappointment in Qin Zeyu's words. She quickly turned around and walked up to him, explaining with a smile, "You misunderstood. I think your room is very nice! I was just curious because it was my first time entering a man's room. Besides, Qin Zeyu, I've been calling you by your name, but you've been calling me 'Princess.' Isn't that a bit too formal? It's not very polite!"

Qin Zeyu was somewhat taken aback by He Mingxuan's words, and he asked in confusion, "Then how should I address you?"

He Mingxuan rolled her eyes at Qin Zeyu, annoyed: "Are you stupid? I call you by your name, so of course you should call me by my name too!"

Qin Zeyu quickly shook his head and waved his hands, saying, "Princess, you are joking. You are a princess, how could I possibly call you by your maiden name? That would be extremely disrespectful!"

He Mingxuan walked quickly to Qin Zeyu and said seriously, "I told you to call me that, so just call me that. We're so familiar with each other, don't always call me princess, it makes us seem so distant! Do you understand?" After saying that, she stared straight at Qin Zeyu, as if trying to see something from his face.

Qin Zeyu felt a little embarrassed by her gaze, blushed, nodded obediently, and whispered, "Okay..."

He Mingxuan suddenly found it amusing to tease this shy guy, so her mischievous side kicked in. She smiled wickedly and said to Qin Zeyu, "Then say it now!"

Qin Zeyu's eyes widened instantly as he stared at He Mingxuan in astonishment, stammering, "Now? Now?"

He Mingxuan nodded vigorously, then stopped talking, staring intently at Qin Zeyu, her expression seeming to say, "You won't let this go until you call me!"

Forced into a corner by her, Qin Zeyu could only shyly press his fist against his lips, his eyes darting around as he softly called out, "He, He Ming, He Mingxuan..." His voice was as soft as a mosquito's hum.

After shouting, Qin Zeyu's face turned bright red, just like a ripe apple.

He Mingxuan responded crisply, overjoyed to see Qin Zeyu so obedient. He found his shy expression adorable. But not wanting Qin Zeyu to remain awkward, she changed the subject.

"Qin Zeyu, is there any water? I'm thirsty," He Mingxuan said to Qin Zeyu.

Qin Zeyu then realized that he had forgotten to have tea served, and said, "I'm sorry, I'll have someone make tea right away."

After saying that, he summoned his personal servant, Fang Qing. Fang Qing walked to the door and saw his young master standing there. He said, "Young master, why are you back so soon? Is the banquet over?"

Qin Zeyu shook his head and said, "Not yet. I had something to do and came back first. Go make me a pot of tea!"

Fang Qing agreed and turned to leave, but was stopped by someone.

Qin Zeyu said, "Wait a minute, let's brew some Lapsang Souchong!"

Fang Qing looked at Qin Zeyu in surprise and said, "Young Master, what's wrong with you today? When Fifth Master brought this tea over, didn't you say that it was for a woman and you wouldn't drink it? Why are you like this today..."

Qin Zeyu interrupted impatiently, "Just go when I tell you to. Stop talking nonsense."

Fang Qing quickly agreed, but secretly thought to himself: Young Master is really strange today. He usually hates this kind of tea, but today he actually asked to drink it.

Qin Zeyu smiled and replied, "I still don't really like drinking this kind of tea; I only use it to entertain guests." Fang Qing looked inside and suddenly realized that the young master was keeping a mistress! He happily agreed and then turned to prepare the tea.

After giving his instructions, Qin Zeyu turned and went back into the house. He looked at He Mingxuan and said softly, "Please, Princess..." However, before he could finish speaking, he saw the resentful look in He Mingxuan's eyes. So, he quickly changed his words and said, "He Mingxuan, please wait a moment!" Hearing this, He Mingxuan immediately smiled happily and said, "That's more like it."

Qin Zeyu asked curiously, "You just said it's your first time entering a man's room. How is that possible? Haven't you ever been to your brothers' rooms?" He Mingxuan shook her head and explained, "No, when I was old enough to remember, my eldest and second brothers were already married with children. When I went to their rooms, I only stayed in the living room for a while; I never went to their bedrooms. My fourth brother likes to travel around, and my fifth brother is always with our uncle at the military camp, rarely in the palace. So, I never had the chance to go to their rooms! As for my third brother, I don't like him, so I wouldn't go. So this is your first time here!" He Mingxuan said happily. "I see," Qin Zeyu smiled indulgently.

After looking around the room, He Mingxuan exclaimed in surprise, "Your room is so simple! Are all boys' rooms like this?" Qin Zeyu smiled and replied, "Probably! I just like things to be a little simpler." He Mingxuan nodded in understanding.

Just then, Fang Qing brought over the brewed tea and placed it on the table, along with some snacks that Qin Zeyu liked. He Mingxuan had never seen them before, so she asked curiously, "What are these?" Fang Qing glanced at her young master and said, "Your Highness, these are the snacks that our young master usually likes to eat. He was a bit of a picky eater when he was little, so this is what Fourth Miss researched, and I didn't expect him to like them so much."

He Mingxuan turned to look at Qin Zeyu and said with a smile, "I didn't expect you to be a picky eater when you were little! I thought you ate everything! I never saw you being picky at the academy!" Fang Qing was about to say that everything was prepared according to the young master's taste, so of course he wasn't picky. But Qin Zeyu stopped him with a look, and he could only shut up silently.

But seeing the young master's gaze, he instantly cowered; his life was more important. Qin Zeyu coughed lightly and said, "That was all in the past." Then he said to Fang Qing, "Go ahead and get busy!" Fang Qing acknowledged and left.

Qin Zeyu turned his head and saw He Mingxuan looking at him with her chin resting on her hands. Qin Zeyu asked, "What's wrong? Why are you looking at me like that? Is there something on my face?"

He Mingxuan shook her head, squinted her eyes, and said with a grin, "There's nothing there, it's very clean."

Qin Zeyu continued, "Then what are you doing...?"

He Mingxuan said with a smile, "I just want to look at you like this."

Qin Zeyu choked for a moment, not knowing what to say, so he picked up the teapot and poured himself a cup.

"This is Lapsang Souchong, have a taste." Qin Zeyu placed a cup of hot tea in front of He Mingxuan.

He Mingxuan loved Lapsang Souchong the most. As soon as she heard the name, she immediately got up from the table, picked up the teacup, took a sip, and said with her eyes lit up, "Mmm, it's so delicious! It's better than anything I've ever had!"

As she spoke, she took a few more sips, then closed her eyes, enjoying the pleasant sensation brought by the aroma of the tea.

Qin Zeyu looked at her satisfied expression, and the corners of his mouth turned up slightly. He liked seeing her happy; it made him feel that everything he had done was worthwhile.

He Mingxuan picked up another snack and took a bite. Her eyes lit up even more, and she said happily, "This snack is so delicious!" Qin Zeyu smiled and said, "If you like it, eat more. These other snacks are also quite tasty. You can try them." Hearing his words, He Mingxuan couldn't wait to pick up the other snacks and taste them. She praised each one highly.

Looking at He Mingxuan's bright, expectant eyes, Qin Zeyu couldn't help but laugh: "Is it really that exaggerated? It's just some tea and snacks, right? And there are two different flavors!" However, He Mingxuan didn't pay any attention to his teasing and continued to enjoy the pleasure brought by the food.

"It's so delicious, so good!" He Mingxuan exclaimed between bites. "Putting the tea aside, I've never seen these snacks anywhere else. Yao Yao made this especially for you, it's one of a kind!" Then, she excitedly pointed to a plate of food on the table and said, "And look, this is made with okra! I hate okra because I think it's sticky and has a terrible texture. But I never expected that after Yao Yao's skillful hands, it would become so delicious. Not only is it not sticky at all, but it also has a slightly sweet taste, it's so good! You can't buy this kind of unique preparation anywhere else!"

At this point, He Mingxuan took a sip of tea and continued, "I love this tea the most, but I don't get that much in the palace."

Upon hearing this, Qin Zeyu said, "Is it not enough? Why don't you have them send you some? The Emperor dotes on you so much, surely it won't be a problem for you to ask for some tea!"

He Mingxuan shook her head and said, "No, it's because there weren't enough in the palace. My mother, eldest sister, and second sister don't like this tea. They think it's too weak and a bit sweet. So they gave it all to me."

Qin Zeyu looked at the little girl and said, "Since you like it so much, then I'll give it to you!"

He Mingxuan asked with sparkling eyes, "Is it okay?"

Qin Zeyu then said, "Sure, I don't like drinking it anyway, it would be a waste for me."

He Mingxuan took Qin Zeyu's arm and said, "Thank you."

After He Mingxuan finished speaking, she suddenly thought of something and asked, "Wait a minute, if you don't like drinking it, then why did you buy it? Don't think that just because I say I like it, you can give it to me. I won't take what belongs to someone else."

Qin Zeyu explained with a smile, "I didn't buy it; my uncle gave it to me, so don't worry."

He Mingxuan said with some surprise, "Your uncle gave it to you, and now you're giving it to me? Isn't that a bit inappropriate?"

Qin Zeyu replied easily, "There's nothing wrong with it. My uncle said that if I don't like it, I can give it away, so this is just right."

Hearing this, He Mingxuan's worries finally disappeared. At this moment, Qin Zeyu turned to Fang Qing and said, "Go and bring over the rest of the Zhengshan Xiaozhong tea."

Fang Qing quickly returned with two packets of tea. He Mingxuan's eyes widened when she saw them, and she excitedly asked Qin Zeyu, "So many! Are they all for me?"

Qin Zeyu nodded and said, "Yes, these are all yours."

He Mingxuan counted them; there were two large bags in total. She remembered that when she was in the palace, there were only a few small bags of Zhengshan Xiaozhong liquor, and they were very precious. And now, she actually had two whole large bags! She could hardly believe her eyes.

He Mingxuan asked doubtfully, "I heard that this kind of tea has a very low yield, and even an ounce is worth a thousand gold pieces! Are you really going to give me all of it?"

Qin Zeyu nodded firmly and said, "Of course, I have no use for it, it just takes up space."

He Mingxuan jumped up excitedly, hugged Qin Zeyu tightly, and said coquettishly, "Qin Zeyu, you're so good!"

After saying that, she kissed Qin Zeyu on the cheek. Both Qin Zeyu and He Mingxuan were stunned. He Mingxuan didn't expect to do such a thing, and her face instantly turned bright red. She looked up to explain, but when she saw Fang Qing standing not far away, her face turned even redder. She quickly grabbed a packet of tea leaves and stammered, "I...I'll take half of the tea leaves. I'll drink the rest when I get back." After saying that, she turned and ran, shouting as she ran, "I...I'll go back first. Goodbye."

By the time Qin Zeyu came to his senses, He Mingxuan had vanished without a trace. He shook his head helplessly, thinking that this woman was always so reckless. Suddenly, he realized that He Mingxuan's scent still lingered on his face, and a strange feeling welled up inside him. However, he quickly suppressed this feeling; after all, their social statuses were vastly different, and he couldn't afford to have too many thoughts about it.

Qin Zeyu turned around and found Fang Qing grinning at him. He frowned and asked, "Why are you still here?" Fang Qing leaned closer and said, "I have to serve you, young master!" Qin Zeyu glared at him, then turned and went inside. Fang Qing grinned mischievously and said, "Young master, does the princess like you?" Hearing this, Qin Zeyu's face darkened, and he said seriously, "Don't talk nonsense, or you'll ruin the princess's reputation." Fang Qing stuck out his tongue, realizing he had said the wrong thing.

Fang Qing looked around and said, "Don't worry, young master, no one can hear us."

"But, if the princess likes you, why would she kiss you just now?" Fang Qing's voice grew softer and softer, as if she had already realized that she had said the wrong thing.

However, Qin Zeyu interrupted him without hesitation: "No, you're mistaken." Then, he waved for Fang Qing to leave the room and told him that he needed to rest for a while.

Fang Qing agreed and left the room. As he walked, he wondered, "Could I have really seen wrong? That can't be..."

Qin Zeyu sat alone in the room, his fingers unconsciously stroking the spot where he had just been kissed. He recalled what had just happened, and a slight smile crept onto his lips.

Suddenly, he realized that his behavior was inappropriate and quickly berated himself in his heart: "Qin Zeyu, what are you thinking! The princess just lost her mind because she was too excited. She didn't mean anything by it. You absolutely cannot let your mind wander, and you must not take this to heart."

So Qin Zeyu forced himself to calm down and shift his attention to other things.

After running away, He Mingxuan went straight back to the palace. As soon as she entered, she went to her own chambers, closed the door, and sat down in a chair, thinking about what she had just done. She was incredibly embarrassed and thought to herself, "He Mingxuan, how could you do such a thing! How shameful!" As she thought this, she couldn't help but cover her face with her hands.

After a while, He Mingxuan let go, revealing a flushed face, and muttered to herself, "Oh dear, what have I done?" She remembered the scene of her taking the initiative to hug Qin Zeyu just now, and couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed.

Then, He Mingxuan started to worry again. She frowned and whispered, "Does he think I'm a very reckless woman?" Thinking of this, He Mingxuan couldn't help but slap her head in annoyance, secretly lamenting her misfortune.

Finally, He Mingxuan sighed, shook her head helplessly, and thought to herself, "What should I do?" The little princess was really worried.