novelhk Chapter 126 Going to the Misty Rain Pavilion
Chapter 126 Going to the Misty Rain Pavilion
Fan Junyu lowered his voice, as softly as a gentle breeze, and said to He Mingning, "Your Highness, it is a rare opportunity for you to leave the palace today. How about I host a sumptuous lunch for you?"
Upon hearing this, He Mingning frowned slightly, a hint of embarrassment on her face. After hesitating for a moment, she slowly replied, "I'm afraid this will take up your precious time..." Her words were full of worry and concern.
Seeing this, Fan Junyu's lips curled up slightly, forming a faint, ambiguous smile. He explained gently, "Princess, please don't worry. Although I dare not call myself an iron man, I am not without fatigue. Besides, after a busy morning, it is indeed time to replenish my energy. Once I have dealt with this tricky case, I will immediately take you to enjoy some mouth-watering delicacies. You only need to wait here for a while, okay?" After saying this, he unexpectedly extended his right hand, his movements extremely gentle, as if handling a docile and adorable kitten, and carefully stroked the top of He Mingning's head.
He Mingning was clearly startled by this sudden action, completely stunned. She instinctively wanted to dodge, but her body seemed to freeze in place, as if it wouldn't obey her. At the same time, a strange feeling welled up inside her—wasn't this a little too intimate? However, despite these thoughts, a faint blush involuntarily rose to her cheeks, like the sunset reflecting on the clouds, making her appear exceptionally shy and charming. Finally, she simply nodded gently, replying in a voice barely audible, "Okay, then you go ahead and get busy. I'll wait here obediently for you to come back."
Fan Junyu stood there quietly, his eyes like deep lake water, gazing intently at the gentle and lovely princess before him. A subtle, elusive tenderness flickered in his eyes, like ripples on a lake surface stirred by a gentle spring breeze.
He Mingning's cheeks flushed slightly, her shy demeanor as endearing as a newly blossoming flower. Seeing this, Fan Junyu's lips curved into a gentle, warm smile. However, just a moment later, without hesitation, he turned away, his steps firm and resolute, returning to the desk piled high with official documents.
As soon as he sat down at his desk, Fan Junyu immediately threw himself into his busy official duties. His head was bowed, his brow slightly furrowed, and his brush moved incessantly in his hand, as if he wanted to pour all his energy into these unfinished tasks. His mind was completely absorbed in his work, so much so that he never once looked up.
Meanwhile, He Mingning was experiencing such a long yet thrilling wait for the first time. She would occasionally look up and steal glances in Fan Junyu's direction, her heart filled with anticipation mixed with a touch of nervousness and unease. At first, she only cautiously stole glances, but as time passed, her gaze gradually became bolder, increasingly blatantly fixed on the figure busy at the desk.
He Mingning stared intently at Fan Junyu, who was focused on his official duties. His head was lowered, and his serious expression and focused posture acted like a powerful magnet, firmly drawing He Mingning's gaze. Gradually, He Mingning became more and more captivated, as if the entire world had shrunk to include the man before her who had so deeply moved her. She didn't even notice that Fan Junyu had risen and was slowly walking towards her.
Fan Junyu finally finished her busy work. She stretched her stiff body and looked up to relax her tired eyes. Just then, she caught a glimpse of He Mingning staring at her with deep, focused eyes. That gaze seemed to penetrate her soul, causing her heart to involuntarily tremble slightly.
Fan Junyu composed himself and slowly walked up to He Mingning. He lowered his head slightly, looking at the captivating woman before him, a gentle smile playing on his lips as he said softly, "Let's go, I'll take you to have a meal." His voice was as gentle and warm as a spring breeze.
He Mingning seemed still lost in thought when Fan Junyu spoke, and she snapped out of her reverie. A faint blush instantly spread across her fair face, making her look as lovely as a ripe apple. She replied shyly, "Are you... done with your work?" Her tone carried a hint of uncertainty and nervousness.
Fan Junyu smiled and replied, "Yes, I'm all done. Let's go." As soon as she finished speaking, she turned and slowly walked towards the closed door. Seeing this, He Mingning didn't dare to delay and quickly quickened her pace to follow closely behind.
Just as the two were about to push open the door, there was a creak, and the door was gently pulled open. In an instant, familiar faces came into view—Zhang Yi, Lu Xia, and several other yamen runners in official uniforms stood straight at the door, as if they had been waiting for a long time.
Seeing this, Fan Junyu stopped in her tracks. Her clear, watery eyes glanced back at the crowd behind her. After a moment's hesitation, she gently waved her hand and said softly, "Alright, everyone, please go and have your meal." Ignoring the complex expressions of surprise and confusion on the faces of those behind her, she resolutely took He Mingning's hand and once again took firm steps out of the solemn gates of the Dali Temple.
As the two approached the gate, they saw a simple yet elegant carriage with the character "Fan" on it parked there. Fan Junyu's servant stood respectfully to the side. When he saw his master appear, he immediately stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Young Master, the carriage is ready." Then, he carefully and slowly opened the carriage door.
Fan Junyu and He Mingning exchanged a knowing smile, a smile brimming with unspoken understanding and warmth. Then, hand in hand, they stepped into the elegantly simple carriage. This carriage was Fan Junyu's personal carriage. Fan Junyu said to He Mingning, "The carriage is simple; please don't find it offensive, Princess." He Mingning shook her head and said, "How could I! I think it's quite nice. It suits your temperament perfectly; both of you appear simple on the outside, but possess great inner strength." Fan Junyu smiled and said. After He Mingning boarded the carriage, she pondered for a moment, remembering that she would be going to the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion later, and said to her coachman, "You go back to the palace first. I might be a little late returning; you can come and pick me up then." The guard acting as the coachman, Han Pei, replied, "Yes, Princess."
Lan'er and Fan Junyu's servant, A-Ming, sat side by side outside the carriage, which slowly drove away like an elderly man. After they left, Zhang Yi, Lu Xia, and the others were so shocked that their jaws almost dropped. Zhang Yi exclaimed, "Hey Lu, the boss and that woman must know each other, right?" Lu Xia chimed in, "They're more than just acquaintances! They're practically inseparable!" The others nodded in agreement.
Zhang Yi asked suspiciously, "What could their relationship be?" Lu Xia pondered for a moment and replied, "Of course, she's the one the boss admires. Otherwise, when have you ever seen the boss treat any woman so well? Not only did he let her into the house, but he also took her out to eat, and most importantly, he let her ride in his carriage. You know, the boss has never let anyone step into his carriage." The others echoed his sentiments. Lu Xia thought for a moment and then said, "Do you think she might be the boss's fiancée? Otherwise, who could make the boss act so strangely? Did the boss just smile?"
Zhang Yi said, "Now that you mention it, I saw it too, just as we came out." The others also confirmed they had seen it. Zhang Yi continued, "I remember the boss's fiancée is the current Grand Princess, so does that mean that woman just now was the Grand Princess?"
Lu Xia nodded slightly in agreement, then said slowly, "Hmm, it's almost certain, probably close to 80 or 90 percent." Upon hearing this, Zhang Yi's heart skipped a beat, his face turned deathly pale, and he exclaimed in a trembling voice, "Oh my god, thank goodness I didn't dare to put on airs or act out! Otherwise, if I had really offended this princess, it would have been a disaster! Forget what the others would do to me, our boss alone would probably skin me alive!"
Lu Xia gently placed a hand on Zhang Yi's shoulder, earnestly comforting him, "Brother, you need to be more careful in the future. Remember when the boss came out of there not long ago? His eyes were like he wanted to eat you alive, so fierce and terrifying! I think you probably offended him somewhere again. Even if you didn't offend Her Highness the Princess this time, you might have angered the boss somehow. So, you can only pray for good fortune!"
Zhang Yi grew increasingly terrified as he listened, feeling as if countless steel needles were piercing his buttocks. Beads of sweat rolled down his forehead, and he stammered, "I'm doomed. When the boss comes back, I'm dead meat..." Lu Xia patted him on the back and laughed, "Alright, alright, stop thinking like that. It's no use. Let's hurry up and fill our stomachs!" Before she finished speaking, the two of them walked arm in arm toward the cafeteria. However, Zhang Yi was so worried about the impending punishment that even though there was a feast in front of him, he ate it like chewing wax, unable to taste anything.
At the same moment, Fan Junyu and He Mingning arrived at the renowned Yanyu Tower. This Yanyu Tower was extremely famous in the capital, considered one of the most luxurious restaurants, always a place frequented by high-ranking officials, nobles, and literati. Due to its immense popularity, seats here usually needed to be booked a full day in advance to secure a table.
With a slight jolt, the carriage came to a smooth stop in front of the Misty Rain Pavilion. Fan Junyu nimbly leaped down, his feet landing as lightly as a dragonfly skimming the water. He then turned around, a smile on his face, his movements as elegant as a true gentleman, and slowly extended his right hand to He Mingning, who was still seated in the carriage. At this moment, Lan'er, who was standing beside him, had initially intended to help her master down, but seeing Fan Junyu's proactive and perfectly timed action, she hesitated for a moment, then silently withdrew her outstretched hand, obediently stepping aside and quietly awaiting her master's next instruction.
Through the carriage window, He Mingning's gaze fell upon the hand reaching out to her. She was slightly startled, a strange feeling instantly welling up inside her. After a moment's hesitation, she finally shyly extended her slender, delicate hand. Seeing this, Fan Junyu quickly and carefully took He Mingning's hand, as if holding a priceless treasure, afraid of damaging it with the slightest care. And so, he led He Mingning slowly down from the carriage, every movement so gentle and considerate.
The two walked hand in hand into the Misty Rain Pavilion. As soon as they stepped through the gate, a smiling, enthusiastic waiter immediately greeted them. He respectfully bowed to Fan Junyu and said, "Lord Fan, please come in!" He gestured for them to enter and then led them up the stairs. Soon, they arrived at a private room on the third floor. The waiter gently opened the door and said, "Sir, please come in."
With a smile and a slight nod, Fan Junyu led He Mingning slowly into the room. Once they were seated, Fan Junyu turned to the waiter standing nearby and methodically ordered, "Please bring us a pot of plum tea first, then prepare a sweet and sour pork ribs, a cold pork trotter salad, a steamed sea bass, a plate of braised chicken wings, and a stir-fried vegetable dish, plus a shrimp and jade soup." After ordering, he cast a gentle gaze at He Mingning sitting opposite him and softly asked, "I wonder if the princess would like any other dishes?" He Mingning gently shook her head, indicating she had no other requests. Fan Junyu then looked at the waiter again and added, "Oh, and please bring us two bowls of rice as well. That's all for now. Hurry and prepare the dishes!"
Hearing the long list of dishes Fan Junyu had just ordered, He Mingning couldn't help but imagine a table full of delicacies. A worry crept into her heart, and her brow furrowed slightly. She said anxiously, "We've ordered so much food! How can the two of us possibly finish it all? It would be such a waste if so much was left uneaten!" Before she finished speaking, one delicious dish after another, each with its own unique color, aroma, and flavor, was brought to the table in a flowing stream. Soon, the once empty table was completely filled, leaving almost no space. Looking at He Mingning's troubled face, Fan Junyu felt a pang of sympathy. She thought of her as a pitiful little white rabbit and couldn't help but laugh, comforting her, "Don't worry, Princess, trust me, these dishes won't go to waste."