noffsinger Chapter 154 Going to the Appointment
Chapter 154 Going to the Appointment
He Mingning took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down. She murmured to herself, "It was just a dream. How could the scenes in a dream come true so easily? Maybe I'm just too tired lately and that's why I'm overthinking things. I can't scare myself like this!" Thinking this, He Mingning's tense nerves gradually relaxed, and her mood became much brighter. It was as if the huge rock weighing on her heart had finally been removed, and she felt incredibly relaxed and at ease.
Meanwhile, Li Mama, Lan'er, and Cui'er, who were quietly waiting outside the door, had worried expressions on their faces. Li Mama frowned slightly and turned to Lan'er with concern, asking, "Lan'er, what's wrong with the princess? Since this morning, she's been looking preoccupied and gloomy. But now, she's suddenly like a different person, smiling so happily. Could she be feeling unwell or sick?"
Lan'er gently shook her head, her eyes filled with confusion as she replied, "Granny, I'm not quite sure either! Judging from the princess's appearance, she doesn't seem sick. It's just... she often seems lost in thought, I wonder what she's thinking." At this point, Lan'er grew increasingly anxious, her voice rising slightly, "Granny, do you think the princess might really be seriously ill? What should we do if that's the case?"
Upon hearing Lan'er's words, Granny Li was slightly taken aback at first, then seemed to suddenly understand something, a relieved smile appearing on her face. She gently comforted Lan'er, saying, "Don't worry, Lan'er. In my opinion, the princess should be alright. I can roughly guess why the princess acted this way." Cui'er anxiously pressed on, "Granny, stop being so mysterious, tell us quickly, what exactly happened to the princess?" Lan'er nodded eagerly in agreement, "That's right, Granny, please tell us!" Granny Li looked at their anxious expressions and couldn't help but laugh, slowly saying, "You little maids, can't you see? In my opinion, the princess must be related to that Lord Fan."
Lan'er blinked her big eyes and eagerly asked, "Um, Granny, what's next?" Granny Li cleared her throat and continued, "In my experience, the princess has probably fallen for Lord Fan." As soon as she finished speaking, Cui'er couldn't help but interject, "I see. No wonder the princess has been looking so anxious lately."
Lan'er looked at Cui'er curiously and asked in confusion, "Cui'er, how do you know all this?" Cui'er looked smug and laughed with her head held high, "Hehe, I naturally read similar plots in those wonderful storybooks!" Hearing this, Lan'er and Granny Li were taken aback at first, then they looked at each other and gave Cui'er a thumbs up in unison.
Meanwhile, He Mingning, inside the room, was completely unaware of the gossip among the maids outside. She was lost in her own thoughts, oblivious to the fact that these maids had already guessed almost perfectly what was on her mind.
Just then, as if a grand movie were playing in He Mingning's mind, Fan Junyu's image appeared with crystal clarity. Thinking of this, a shy blush involuntarily rose on He Mingning's delicate and charming face, like a beautiful flower illuminated by the magnificent sunset. Her pink lips, as if caressed by a spring breeze, slightly turned up, gently outlining a sweet and intoxicating smile. The thought of soon meeting the person she had been longing for instantly relaxed her tense heartstrings, like a budding flower finally receiving the caress of warm spring sunshine, slowly unfolding and blooming. Her exquisite face gradually blossomed like a spring flower, revealing a captivating radiance. The previously taut lines softened, like the shimmering surface of a lake gently rippled by a breeze, a breathtaking sight.
Just then, her rosy lips parted slightly, uttering a clear and melodious call: "Cui'er~" This gentle and melodious voice seemed to carry a magical power. Even before the sound had completely dissipated in the air, a beautiful young girl dressed in light green, like a gentle spring breeze, swiftly entered the room. This girl, named Cui'er, was exceptionally cute and charming. Her round face was like a ripe apple, rosy and endearing. On her fair and delicate cheeks were a pair of large, watery eyes, bright and captivating like twinkling stars in the night sky. At this moment, those lively eyes were filled with a gentle smile, gazing intently at He Mingning, their eyes overflowing with affection and joy.
Cui'er moved gracefully, her lotus-like steps carrying her slowly forward, until she stood respectfully at attention. She first bowed slightly, performing a standard and elegant curtsy, her movements as light as a swallow. Then, she raised her head, gazing at the princess with her large, watery eyes, and softly asked, "Your Highness, is there anything you wish to instruct me to do?"
At this moment, He Mingning sat upright in her chair, a faint, almost imperceptible smile still gracing her exquisite face. Her gaze was gentle and tender as she quietly observed the clever and charming girl before her, as if she could see into Cui'er's deepest thoughts through her eyes. After a moment, He Mingning spoke slowly and deliberately, "Cui'er, I have arranged to meet Lord Fan at the Misty Rain Pavilion tomorrow. Therefore, you should immediately send someone to the Misty Rain Pavilion to reserve a private room for me. However, this private room cannot be chosen casually; it must be carefully considered, and you must select one with a quiet and elegant environment, understand?"
After hearing the princess's words, Cui'er nodded quickly, indicating that she understood. She replied, "Yes, Your Highness! This servant has remembered everything. Please rest assured, Your Highness, this servant will do her best to handle this matter properly." Before she finished speaking, Cui'er turned around quickly, like a docile little lamb. She walked briskly towards the door, ready to immediately set off to arrange the various matters related to reserving the private room.
Not long after, Cui'er returned, her steps light as a fluttering butterfly. Smiling, she softly said to He Mingning, "Your Highness, all the private rooms for tomorrow have been arranged." He Mingning nodded slightly in approval, then replied in a gentle voice, "Yes, very well done. I understand. Now you may both leave; I don't need anyone to serve me for the time being." Hearing this, Cui'er and Lan'er, like two docile lambs, responded in unison and slowly turned to leave the room.
He Mingning watched their receding figures until they disappeared from sight before turning his attention back to the book in his hands, immersing himself once again in the wondrous world of books.
Time flew by, and the day they had agreed to meet Fan Junyu finally arrived. As the first rays of sunlight shone on the earth, dispelling the gloom of the night, Cui'er and Lan'er, like two dazzling pearls, entered the house with light steps, bringing He Mingning the toiletries she needed.
After washing up, He Mingning sat gracefully before her exquisite dressing table, resembling a delicate, blooming flower, quietly awaiting Lan'er's skillful hands to meticulously groom her. Meanwhile, Cui'er, like a tireless, diligent bee, swiftly flew to the bed and began carefully tidying it. Soon, a graceful and beautiful woman slowly approached, her appearance like a celestial being descending to earth, a sight to behold. After searching for a while, Cui'er finally found a perfectly fitting dress and presented it to He Mingning. Once He Mingning changed into this magnificent attire, Lan'er and Cui'er were instantly captivated. Their eyes were fixed on He Mingning, unwilling to look away, and they exclaimed in rapt attention, "Oh my, our princess is truly as beautiful as a celestial being! She's like a fairy from the heavens descended to earth!"
Hearing their straightforward praise, He Mingning couldn't help but smile slightly, a charming smile playing on her lips. She said softly, "Alright, you two, stop teasing me. Let's go! Don't keep them waiting too long." With that, she took the lead and walked forward.
Seeing this, Lan'er and Cui'er quickly responded in unison, "Yes, Princess!" and then followed closely behind He Mingning. At this moment, He Mingning turned to Li Mama and said, "Mama, we're off now." Li Mama's face was full of kind smiles as she gently replied, "Princess, please go without worry!" Then, Li Mama turned her gaze to Lan'er and Cui'er, and solemnly instructed them, "You two must take good care of the princess. If anything goes wrong, hmph, see how I deal with you!" Hearing this, Lan'er quickly stepped forward and respectfully said, "Please rest assured, Mama. I will accompany the princess today, and I will do my best to take good care of her." Li Mama smiled and nodded gently, saying slowly, "Hmm, having Lan'er by the princess's side, this old servant is naturally very at ease. After all, Lan'er is always steady, meticulous, and reliable. But if it were Cui'er, this old servant would probably be worried and anxious all day long!"
Upon hearing this, Cui'er, who was standing to the side, immediately became unhappy. She pouted her small mouth, her face showing displeasure, and she muttered in a low voice, "Granny, how can you talk to me like that! Humph!" Her coquettish appearance was just like that of a wronged child.
Hearing Cui'er's childish words, everyone present was taken aback at first, then burst into laughter. The laughter rose and fell, deafening, as if it would lift the roof off. Even the usually serious and dignified Granny Li couldn't help but laugh, her wrinkles appearing even deeper and more pronounced with her smile.
Having finally stopped laughing, Granny Li composed herself and looked at He Mingning with a loving expression, gently instructing, "Alright, Your Highness, it's getting late. You should set off now! Be careful out there and make sure you stay safe." He Mingning nodded slightly, indicating that she understood, and then replied in her soft, melodious voice, "I know, Granny, don't worry." With that, she gracefully turned around and slowly walked towards the palace gate.
Before long, the two arrived at the palace gate. In the distance, they saw a magnificently decorated carriage parked quietly. This carriage was like a resplendent, mobile castle, radiating dazzling light. Several sparkling gemstones were inlaid around the carriage, shimmering mesmerizingly in the sunlight; the curtains were made of the finest silk, embroidered with exquisite floral and bird patterns, lifelike and breathtakingly beautiful.
He Mingning and Lan'er walked lightly to the carriage and, with the help of maids, carefully climbed aboard. The driver was none other than Gu Qin, He Mingning's highly skilled guard. He was tall and robust, like an impenetrable fortress, sitting steadily in the driver's seat. Having such a skilled driver not only ensured absolute safety but also made the journey incredibly convenient and worry-free.
Once the three were settled, the exquisitely decorated carriage, like a gentle giant beast, first stretched its limbs slightly, then slowly and steadily began its journey. It moved slowly along the wide street towards the Misty Rain Pavilion, the wheels making a soft creaking sound, as if the beast were softly chanting an ancient and melodious song.
As time passed, the carriage drew ever closer to the Misty Rain Pavilion. From afar, the pavilion's eaves, brackets, carved beams, and painted rafters could be seen appearing and disappearing, resembling a magnificent ink painting. The carriage, at this moment, was like a dancer gracefully approaching this picturesque scene.
Before long, the carriage finally arrived at the entrance of the Misty Rain Pavilion and slowly came to a stop. Gu Qin, sitting on the carriage shaft, deftly removed a small, exquisite stool from the carriage and placed it on the ground. Immediately afterward, Lan'er gracefully jumped down from the carriage, dressed in a light green silk dress, her figure elegant and graceful. Then, she turned around and extended a pair of slender, white, jade-like hands, carefully helping He Mingning slowly down from the carriage.
He Mingning gently straightened her skirt, then looked up at Gu Qin, who had been standing beside her, and said softly, "After you've parked the carriage properly, come find us quickly! Also, since we're outside, there are many people around, so it's more appropriate for you to call me 'Miss' as usual."