novelhk Chapter 109 Sending He Mingning Home (2)
Chapter 109 Sending He Mingning Home (2)
Upon hearing this, Fan Junyu's handsome face instantly showed a hint of doubt. His bright, star-like eyes were filled with confusion, and he asked with a slight frown, "Does Your Highness really despise me so much?" His words carried a hint of disappointment and unease.
Upon hearing this, He Mingning, who was standing to the side, shook her head gently again, her silky smooth hair swaying slightly with the movement. She parted her lips slightly and replied in a voice as soft as a gentle breeze, "Why do you say that, young master?"
Seeing the princess's reaction, Fan Junyu was even more puzzled, but he still continued to explain earnestly, "If the princess does not dislike me, then why has she repeatedly refused to let me escort you back to the palace? Every time I have requested, the princess has refused, which truly puzzles me." After speaking, he stared intently at He Mingning with his deep eyes, as if trying to find the answer from the changes in her expression.
He Mingning lowered her eyes slightly, her long eyelashes casting a faint shadow on her fair cheeks. She paused for a moment, as if carefully considering her words. After a short while, she slowly raised her head, looking sincerely at Fan Junyu, and said softly, "To be honest, young master, there are many people here, and if they see us together, it will inevitably cause some gossip. With your status, these rumors may not have much impact on you, but I don't want to cause you any unnecessary trouble because of myself. Therefore, I hope you can understand my good intentions and not insist on seeing me off any further."
Upon hearing He Mingning's words, Fan Junyu's slightly furrowed brows instantly relaxed, replaced by a resolute expression. He raised his eyebrows and replied without hesitation, "I am not afraid of being seen by others! Princess, you need not worry about this. To have the opportunity to accompany you is the greatest honor of my life."
He Mingning frowned deeply, his gaze firm and unwavering as he loudly retorted, "How could that be? Have you forgotten? Miss Qin asked you to escort me, and you said it wasn't appropriate, that you were afraid of being seen together. Things are different now. This is a bustling city, full of people coming and going. No one can predict when they might unexpectedly run into someone they know. Although I don't know many people here, you are different, young master! With your status and position, you must know quite a few people. If they really see us together and then spread the word, especially to the ears of those young ladies, it would likely have a significant impact on your reputation. Therefore, in my opinion, it's more prudent for us to go our separate ways."
As soon as she finished speaking, it was as if all the strength in her body had been drained away in an instant. She deflated like a punctured balloon and slowly lowered her head. Her once straight back gradually hunched over, making her look extremely frustrated and disappointed.
Fan Junyu looked at her with suspicion, her bright, star-like eyes blinking rapidly as she asked, puzzled, "Miss? What kind of girl are you? Even if someone else happens to see you on the way home, how much of an impact would it have on me? My concern is that you might run into someone you know on the way. You may not have any feelings for me yet, and I don't know if you want to reveal our identities. If you don't, and people ask out of curiosity, I'm afraid you might find it difficult to answer, which could damage your pure and innocent reputation."
Upon hearing these words, He Mingning felt as if she had been struck by lightning, her body trembling involuntarily. She then abruptly raised her head with lightning speed. Her beautiful eyes were now fixed on Fan Junyu, filled with undisguised urgency and doubt. She parted her lips slightly, impatiently pressing for an answer: "So, you're not afraid of your beloved's misunderstanding, but merely worried about my reputation being damaged?"
At the same time, Fan Junyu was also staring intently at He Mingning, who was looking shy and bashful. Seeing her nervous yet adorable expression, he couldn't help but chuckle inwardly. This little girl actually thought she had fallen for someone else; how innocent and endearing! Thinking this, Fan Junyu's lips curled into a gentle smile. Then, in a voice so soft it seemed to melt hearts, he slowly said, "So, Your Highness, do you think I have someone else in my heart?"
Upon hearing Fan Junyu's question, He Mingning's face instantly turned bright red, like a ripe apple. Her heart began to race, and her breathing became rapid. Faced with Fan Junyu's direct gaze and slightly teasing tone, He Mingning panicked for a moment, completely at a loss for words. So, she could only stammer and incoherently reply, "I... I was just guessing." However, although she said it was just a random guess, her shifty eyes, avoiding Fan Junyu's gaze, had already revealed her truest thoughts.
Seeing this, Fan Junyu deliberately bent down and brought his face close to He Mingning, continuing teasingly, "I am engaged to the princess, so how could I like someone else? Do you think I am such a heartless and fickle person in the princess's eyes?"
Just then, He Mingning suddenly looked up, as if to explain something. However, since Fan Junyu was already very close to her, her head movement instantly reduced the distance between them to almost a finger's width. He Mingning felt a warm breath wash over her, and then her nose brushed against Fan Junyu's lips, as if an electric current had run through her body.
For a moment, time seemed to freeze. Both of them stared wide-eyed at each other, speechless. The air seemed to grow heavy, and the only sounds around them were their breathing and heartbeats.
Finally, He Mingning was the first to come to her senses. Like a startled deer, she took a step back, her face flushed, and lowered her head, stammering, "Um... let's hurry up and go!" Without waiting for Fan Junyu's reply, she hurriedly turned and walked away. Fan Junyu stood there, watching her retreating figure, his face still bearing that ambiguous smile.
Fan Junyu's gaze was fixed on the woman's shy appearance, and he felt as if his heart had been gently brushed by a feather, tickling him and filled with an indescribable joy. The corners of his mouth unconsciously turned up, revealing a doting smile, and then he stepped forward to follow the beauty who was walking slowly ahead, walking side by side with her on the bustling street.
The street was bustling with activity, lined with all sorts of stalls. Having grown up in a temple, this was He Mingning's first time in such a vibrant and bustling place. A wave of novel sights overwhelmed her. Everything was so unfamiliar and intriguing, but due to her shy and introverted nature, despite her curiosity, she only gazed at the stalls from afar, not daring to approach and look closely. However, her bright eyes betrayed her inner longing; her undisguised curiosity shone like twinkling stars in the night sky, dazzling and captivating.
Fan Junyu, who had been silently observing the person beside him, naturally didn't miss the curiosity in He Mingning's eyes, and his heart stirred slightly. He quickened his pace and walked towards a sugar painting stall not far away. The stall owner skillfully scooped up a spoonful of syrup and quickly sketched various exquisite patterns on the board. Before long, a lifelike butterfly sugar painting was presented to everyone. After paying, Fan Junyu carefully picked up the sugar painting, turned back to He Mingning, and gently handed it to her.
He Mingning was slightly taken aback at first, then felt a sweet scent wash over her. She looked up at Fan Junyu and saw him gazing at her tenderly, his deep eyes seemingly able to pierce her soul. In an instant, her cheeks flushed a vibrant red like a ripe apple, even her ears turning a light pink. She lowered her head shyly and whispered in a voice barely louder than a mosquito's hum, "Thank you, Young Master Fan..."
In that instant, the once peaceful street was suddenly thrown into turmoil as if a boulder had been thrown in, creating a huge uproar. A deafening cacophony, like a surging tide, swept in, instantly shattering the tranquility. Everyone was stunned by this sudden turn of events, speechless and bewildered, only able to look in the direction from which the sound came.
In the distance, a group of arrogant and domineering young men, dressed in fine clothes, rode up on tall, powerful horses. They stood with their heads held high, completely disregarding everyone else, as if the entire street were their own private domain. The magnificent horses strode with powerful strides, charging through the crowds as if they owned the place, utterly oblivious to the safety of passersby.
The people lining the road turned pale with fright at the sight. Some screamed, while others scattered in panic, trying to escape the menacing and arrogant group. Chaos reigned, with people pushing and shoving each other, fearing they would be trampled by horses or injured by the riders if they were even a step too slow.
Witnessing this scene, Fan Junyu was filled with rage. His brows furrowed tightly, and a flash of anger and dissatisfaction crossed his eyes. He cursed inwardly at the lawlessness and recklessness of these spoiled brats, who utterly disregarded the law. However, the situation was critical, and he had no time to think. He immediately shouted at the top of his lungs, "Everyone, be careful! Run!" At the same time, his eyes quickly scanned his surroundings, checking on the safety of those around him.
In the blink of an eye, just as a wild horse was about to collide with He Mingning beside him, Fan Junyu rushed forward, swiftly extending his right arm to grab He Mingning's wrist, and then pulled him back with a sudden burst of strength. With a "whoosh," He Mingning was pulled into Fan Junyu's embrace like a light butterfly.
Fan Junyu held He Mingning tightly, feeling her delicate body tremble slightly, his heart filled with tenderness. He looked down at the beauty in his arms and asked anxiously, "Are you injured? Is anything bothering you?" He Mingning looked up at Fan Junyu's handsome face, which was full of concern, and gently shook her head, softly replying, "I'm fine, thank you for saving me, young master. If it weren't for your timely help, I'm afraid..." Before she could finish speaking, her eyes were already red, and tears welled up in them.
However, just when the two thought they could relax a little, fate seemed to like playing tricks on them. The guy who was leading the group was casually looking around, but suddenly, as if drawn by a magnet, his gaze landed precisely on He Mingning's elegant, refined, and beautiful figure.
In a mere instant, a flash of amazement crossed the man's eyes, like lightning. Then, a repulsive smile curled at the corners of his mouth, and he spurred his horse, propelling it straight toward He Mingning with lightning speed.
As they drew closer, the man's undisguised frivolous expression became clearly visible. Upon reaching them, he brazenly pulled on the reins, causing the horse to rear up and neigh. Then, looking down at He Mingning, he spoke with a frivolous grin, "Oh ho, this young lady is truly a beauty! Her eyebrows, her figure—she's practically a fairy descended from heaven! I wonder which noble family's daughter she is? If we could get to know each other, it would be quite a delightful story!" His words were filled with disrespect, rudeness, and unbridled arrogance.
Upon seeing this, Fan Junyu felt a surge of anger. Without hesitation, he stood firmly in front of He Mingning. His face was as cold as frost, and his eyes flashed with a chilling light, like two beams of cold light piercing straight at this arrogant and reckless fellow.
Fan Junyu gritted his teeth and forced out a chilling sentence: "You don't need to know who she is, you just need to understand one thing—she's someone you absolutely can't afford to mess with! I advise you to get lost right now, or don't blame me for being impolite!"