pdf-ebookys Chapter 146 Sisters Chat
Chapter 146 Sisters Chat
The moment I stepped into the dining room, the first thing that caught my eye was the busy Li Mama and Lan'er. The two of them moved swiftly between the tables and chairs like two flashes of lightning, like two graceful and agile butterflies, their movements elegant and extremely skilled.
Just as they were engrossed in their work, they suddenly noticed someone entering the dining room. Immediately, Granny Li and Lan'er stopped what they were doing and simultaneously curtsied slightly to the newcomer, their posture dignified and respectful. After the curtsy, they moved with the agility of busy bees, quickly and efficiently instructing the servants to bring a fresh set of bowls and chopsticks.
At this moment, a smile instantly spread across Li Mama's wrinkled face. She spoke respectfully, "This old servant is truly ashamed! I had no idea Your Highness would come, and thus failed to prepare the tableware beforehand. But please rest assured, Your Highness, this old servant has already dispatched someone to fetch the tableware. It may just require a little while for you to wait." Hearing these earnest words, He Mingyan, standing to the side, couldn't help but smile gently. Her slightly upturned lips resembled a crescent moon hanging high in the night sky, radiating a soft and friendly aura. Then, she softly replied, "It's alright, it's alright. I was just in such a rush that I didn't have time to inform you beforehand."
Before long, time seemed to fly by under a magical spell. In the blink of an eye, a set of exquisite tableware miraculously appeared on the previously empty table. The tableware was arranged neatly, like dancers who had been carefully rehearsing, waiting for the start of a grand performance.
At this moment, as if by magic, Li Mama and Lan'er transformed into two gentle, considerate, and meticulous maids. They moved gracefully between the tables, their movements elegant and skillful, every detail displaying professionalism and dedication. They carefully attended to the two noble princesses, ensuring everything was perfect.
Sitting to the side, He Mingning's sharp eyes, like lightning flashing across the night sky, immediately spotted the braised pork ribs on the plate, their color as vibrant as a jewel and their aroma as rich as a hundred flowers in bloom. She swiftly reached for her chopsticks, accurately picking up the mouthwatering dish, and then, as if handling a rare and precious treasure, gently placed it in He Mingyan's bowl. After completing this series of actions, He Mingning playfully blinked her large, bright eyes, a mischievous yet friendly smile playing on her lips, and teased He Mingyan, "Hey little sister, why did you come to my place so early today? Did you just come here to mooch a delicious meal?"
Upon hearing these words, He Mingyan trembled like a startled rabbit, instinctively releasing her grip on the chopsticks. Her delicate face flushed crimson, as adorable and charming as a ripe apple. Immediately, she plastered on a fawning smile, replying in a soft, melodious voice, "Oh my, my dear sister, you are so incredibly clever and insightful! Nothing escapes your discerning eyes!" She then gave He Mingning a slightly coquettish wink. He Mingyan's obsequious demeanor was truly endearing, filling the room with laughter and joy, as if her innocent charm had brought a smile to everyone's face.
Meanwhile, He Mingning, sitting opposite her, had calm, deep eyes, as still as a still pool, quietly gazing at her sister who seemed overly attentive. He Mingyan smiled broadly, fiddling with her handkerchief, her gaze frequently glancing at He Mingning. This sight made He Mingning ponder inwardly.
What exactly is He Mingyan's true intention behind this action? He Mingning's mind raced, but on the surface, she remained calm and composed, merely raising the corners of her mouth slightly and replying indifferently, "If that's the case, then let's not beat around the bush anymore. Just say what you have to say."
Upon hearing her sister's words, He Mingyan nodded repeatedly as if she had received permission. Then, she leaned forward slightly and cautiously spoke in an almost fawning tone, "Um... I heard that you, eldest sister, actually left the palace yesterday." As soon as she finished speaking, she stopped talking and fixed her gaze on He Mingning's exquisite face, carefully observing the subtle changes in her expression, seemingly trying to glean any information that would be of her own advantage from the other's expression.
Just then, everyone saw He Mingning slightly raise her long, graceful neck, as elegant and light as a swan. Her gaze, like two sharp arrows, shot straight at He Mingyan. At this moment, He Mingyan, due to her inner tension, had a somewhat stiff face, and even her smile became unnatural.
However, He Mingning's gaze did not linger on his younger sister for long. Her eyes, beautiful as stars, narrowed slightly, as if instantly transforming into those of a cunning fox, revealing a glint of shrewdness that was difficult to ignore. This glint, like a cold star twinkling in the night sky, was not dazzling, yet impossible to overlook.
Then, He Mingning parted her lips slightly, her tone calm yet carrying an undeniable authority as she slowly spoke: "Hmph, you little brat, do you think your little schemes can escape my notice? Don't think I don't know what you're really up to! You just want to find out about what happened between me and Fan Junyu!"
As soon as she finished speaking, He Mingyan, whose thoughts had been immediately exposed by her sister, was taken aback for a moment, but quickly recovered. Like a nimble little rabbit, she hopped to He Mingning's side and hugged her sister's arm tightly, her face beaming with a flattering smile. She giggled and said sweetly, "Hehe, big sister understands me best! You truly are our family's genius! Since you've already guessed it, tell me already, okay?" As she spoke, He Mingyan gave He Mingning's arm a little shake, then blinked her big, bright eyes, gazing expectantly at her sister—a look that could melt anyone's heart.
Seeing He Mingyan's expectant, sparkling eyes, as bright as twinkling stars in the night sky, He Mingning couldn't suppress her laughter and chuckled softly. She gently shook her head, her movements as gentle as a breeze rustling willow branches, and said with a hint of teasing, "Alright, alright, second sister, stop staring at me with those pleading eyes. To be honest, about this matter, I never intended to hide anything from you from the very beginning. But..." She paused, as if suddenly remembering something amusing, and deliberately stopped speaking for a moment.
Impatient He Mingyan couldn't stand being teased like this. She eagerly moved closer to He Mingning, her face full of anxiety, clutching her sleeve tightly, and pressed, "Oh, but what is it? Big sister, please tell me quickly!" He Mingning's gaze shifted to her younger sister's flushed face, her eyes filled with worry and eagerness for an answer. Seeing her adorable expression, a beautiful, charming smile involuntarily curved her lips. Then, she slowed her pace, speaking softly and gently, "Don't rush, don't rush, my dear sister. I haven't finished speaking yet. Although I'd be happy to tell you everything, before that, you have to obediently answer a few questions I have. As for what those questions are, don't be impatient, I'll tell you myself in a moment, okay?"
Without even a moment's thought, He Mingyan nodded rapidly in agreement, like a chick pecking at rice. Seeing her sister's quick agreement, He Mingning's smile widened, her ambiguous expression seeming to conceal some secret. She said softly, "Alright, since you've already agreed, you absolutely can't go back on your word!"
Hearing her sister say this, He Mingyan patted her chest without hesitation and replied firmly and confidently, "Oh, big sister, don't worry! How could I possibly go back on my word? Absolutely not!" However, at this moment, the innocent He Mingyan was completely unaware that she had already unknowingly fallen into the trap carefully set by her cunning sister.
Immediately afterward, the two sisters began to enjoy the sumptuous meal before them. They ate heartily and ate voraciously, their laughter echoing throughout, creating a remarkably harmonious atmosphere. Just then, the curious He Mingyan suddenly looked up and asked He Mingning with a face full of curiosity, "Big sister, how do you get along with that Lord Fan? I see he's incredibly attentive to you!"
Faced with her sister's sudden question, He Mingning was somewhat surprised and puzzled. She frowned slightly and asked, "Huh? Where did you get this idea? What makes you think he's so good to me?" He Mingyan quickly swallowed the food she was chewing and eagerly explained, "It was a few days ago at that villa. I saw with my own eyes how meticulously he cared for you!" After hearing her sister's words, He Mingning couldn't help but smile slightly and softly asked, "Oh? Then tell me in detail, exactly how did he show such meticulous care?"
He Mingyan's face was full of excitement, and her voice unconsciously rose eight octaves as she said eagerly, "It's him! It's him who put those dishes on my eldest sister's plate, and they're all her favorites! Think about it, apart from us close relatives and the servants who take such good care of her, no outsider could possibly know her dietary preferences! Yet Fan Junyu understood so quickly and accurately just from a few glances from my eldest sister. Doesn't that just show how meticulous and considerate he is towards her?"
Standing to the side, He Mingning pursed her lips and stubbornly retorted, "What does that matter? He served as governor for three whole years, handling all sorts of complicated matters every day. Naturally, he developed incredibly sharp eyes and an extraordinary ability to observe! So, it's not surprising that he can discern my preferences. Besides, he might have just been putting food on my plate because of our engagement, a small gesture of goodwill." After saying this, He Mingning turned her head away seemingly indifferently, but her slightly flushed ears betrayed her true inner turmoil.
He Mingyan tiptoed closer to He Mingning, her bright eyes darting around, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. She said playfully, "Really? Just because of that marriage contract? Big sister, can you really believe that yourself? Hehe, I've heard quite a bit about Lord Fan. Apparently, he's famously averse to women, never even glancing at women who throw themselves at him. But now, he's willing to be so intimate with you in public..." Doesn't contact speak volumes? In my opinion, he's been eagerly awaiting your arrival! Otherwise, why would he be so impatient to get to know you? And he's not just doing this for himself; he also hopes you'll understand him better. If he didn't care about you, why would he go through all this trouble? He could simply wait for the wedding day like any other man. After all, you two have never even met before!
Upon hearing this, He Mingning's face showed a look of suspicion. She frowned and asked in confusion, "Why would you say that?" He Mingyan put her hands on her hips, looking at her with a disappointed expression, and scolded her playfully, "Oh dear, my silly sister! Do you even need to ask why? It's obvious! Lord Fan doesn't want you to suffer even the slightest grievance, so he's going to great lengths to cultivate a relationship with you first, and then marry you in a grand ceremony. Only in this way can he ensure that you marry him willingly, and not under the pressure of a marriage contract."