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

Chapter 136 Confessing My Feelings

He Mingxuan felt her heart pounding wildly under his unabashed and undisguised gaze, completely losing its rhythm. Her breathing quickened involuntarily, becoming short and rapid, and her chest heaved like a startled rabbit. This feeling made her both shy and uneasy, and she didn't even know what to do with her hands and feet.

Finally, her intense curiosity, like a burning flame, completely consumed her composure. Unable to endure the agonizing silence and stare any longer, she mustered her courage and asked again, "Why are you staring at me like that? Is there something dirty on my face? Or is there some strange foreign object stuck to it?" As she spoke, she unconsciously raised her hand, gently stroking her delicate, pink cheek, carefully searching for anything amiss or unusual.

Just then, Qin Zeyu, who had been silently watching her, suddenly froze as if struck by a spell. But only for a moment, the corners of his mouth slowly turned up, forming a faint smile. Then, that smile spread like ripples, eventually bursting out in a hearty laugh.

The laughter was crisp and loud, like a gentle breeze sweeping through the mountains in spring, carrying endless joy and happiness, instantly dispelling the tense and oppressive atmosphere that had been lingering around them. However, perhaps realizing that his laughter was too unrestrained and somewhat impolite to the person in front of him, Qin Zeyu quickly understood his lapse in composure. So he hurriedly stopped laughing, coughed lightly to cover it up, and then quickly adjusted his expression, reverting to a serious and earnest demeanor.

His eyes, as deep as a still pool, were like two burning flames, fixed intently on the charming and beautiful He Mingxuan before him. His gaze held a sincere and unwavering emotion, seemingly capable of transcending time and space. His voice was deep and magnetic as he slowly said, "No, really, there's nothing else. It's just that I simply want to gaze at you quietly like this, watching your every smile and frown, observing your joy and sorrow. Even if you're not happy about it, so what? What can you do to me?"

He Mingxuan was clearly taken aback by such direct and bold words, and for a moment she was at a loss for words. Her originally fair and delicate face instantly flushed with a shy blush, like a ripe apple, radiating a captivating charm. She parted her lips slightly, trying to respond, but her throat felt as if it were blocked by cotton, and she could only stammer out a few words with difficulty: "You...you...how can you be so shameless!"

At this heart-pounding moment, Qin Zeyu seemed to suddenly make some important decision. He bent down slightly, leaning forward, his movements as gentle as a breeze across a lake. As he drew closer, the distance between them grew shorter and shorter, and He Mingxuan could even clearly feel the faint warmth emanating from him, as well as his unique aura.

Finally, Qin Zeyu stopped, now only centimeters away from He Mingxuan's delicate ear. He then gently exhaled a warm breath, the warm air brushing against He Mingxuan's sensitive earlobe like a feather, causing her to tremble and feel an indescribable, strange sensation.

Immediately afterward, Qin Zeyu leaned down slightly, brought his lips close to He Mingxuan's ear, and whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear, "I've fallen for you, what should I do?" These words were like a sudden thunderclap, exploding in He Mingxuan's ears without warning.

She froze instantly, as if time had stood still. Her mind went blank, completely unable to comprehend the words that had just reached her ears. After a long while, she seemed to wake from a dream, her body trembling violently, and she instinctively turned her head. Her beautiful eyes were now wide open, filled with astonishment and disbelief, staring straight at Qin Zeyu, her mouth slightly agape, stammering, "Wh...what?!"

However, in that panicked turn of her head, fate seemed to be playing a cruel trick on them. Their lips met again, as if two red threads, drawn together by invisible silk, were intertwined.

He Mingxuan felt a buzzing in her head, and two red blushes instantly rose to her cheeks. As if waking from a dream, she frantically tried to back away. But Qin Zeyu, like a hungry tiger that had spotted its prey, was not about to let it go easily. With lightning speed, he pulled He Mingxuan tightly into his arms, leaving her nowhere to escape.

Before He Mingxuan could recover from this series of unexpected events, Qin Zeyu's burning lips pressed against hers again like a sudden storm. She was so shocked that her eyes widened, almost popping out of their sockets.

Qin Zeyu had only intended to take a brief, fleeting taste, to savor the soft touch he had longed for. However, when he truly touched He Mingxuan's warm, moist lips, he seemed to be drawn in by a powerful magnetic force, unable to extricate himself. The desire within him surged like a flood bursting its banks, surging uncontrollably. He involuntarily deepened the kiss, greedily sucking and exploring, yearning for more.

He Mingxuan, on the other hand, was as if struck by a bolt from the blue. She froze on the spot, her eyes wide open, completely shocked by the sudden scene before her. Her mind seemed to freeze, and she couldn't come back to her senses for a long time.

Qin Zeyu's heart was racing and his face was flushed. After all, this was the first time in his life that he had made such an intimate move with a girl! With no experience, he simply pressed his lips lightly to He Mingxuan's lips and then didn't know what to do next, so he could only remain motionless.

Time passed slowly, and finally, after a long while, the two slowly separated. Qin Zeyu continued to gaze intently at He Mingxuan, his eyes filled with doubt and inquiry, before asking in an almost whispered voice, "Why...didn't you reject me?"

At this moment, He Mingxuan's mind was truly like a blank sheet of paper, completely empty, and she had even temporarily lost her ability to think. Upon hearing Qin Zeyu's question, she first asked blankly and helplessly, "Wh...what?"

Qin Zeyu took a deep breath, composed himself, and then repeated what he had just said: "I said, I just kissed you, so why didn't you push me away?"

These words struck He Mingxuan like a hammer blow to her heart, making her already flushed cheeks turn even redder, like a ripe apple. She lowered her head, her hands unconsciously fidgeting with the hem of her dress, and muttered shyly, "I... I just didn't realize it for a moment."

He Mingxuan looked like a frightened fawn, her large, watery eyes filled with panic and unease. She looked up at Qin Zeyu timidly and stammered, "Then...then why did you suddenly want to kiss me?"

Looking at the shy and lovely girl in front of him, Qin Zeyu smiled sincerely. He bent down slightly, leaned close to He Mingxuan's ear, and whispered, "Because... I like you." His voice was extremely gentle, like a warm spring breeze gently blowing by, stirring He Mingxuan's heartstrings.

Qin Zeyu's eyes burned like flames as he gazed intently at the beautiful woman before him—He Mingxuan. His hands clenched into fists, trembling slightly, and he said in a low, solemn voice, "Xuan'er, please believe me! Give me a year. When I pass the imperial examination next year, I will personally come to propose to you. What do you say?"

Upon hearing these words, He Mingxuan's previously calm eyes instantly sparkled with a dazzling light, like the brightest star in the night sky. She parted her lips slightly and asked softly, "Brother Zeyu, is what you said true? You're not just trying to fool me, are you?" Although her voice was soft, the anticipation and nervousness within it were clearly audible.

Qin Zeyu nodded without hesitation, his expression as serious as if he were making a vow to the emperor in the imperial court, and solemnly replied, "Of course it's true, Xuan'er. Since I couldn't help but kiss you, I've made up my mind that I will be responsible for you for the rest of my life!"

Upon hearing this, He Mingxuan's heart trembled slightly, like ripples spreading across a lake in a gentle breeze. However, she did not stop there. Instead, she frowned slightly and continued to press, "Then why must we wait until you've finished the imperial examinations to propose marriage? What if... what if you fail? Will we just drop the matter? Actually, whether you achieve academic success or not is unimportant to me. So, you must promise me that no matter what the results are next year, even if you fail, you must come to propose marriage." As she spoke, her gaze became increasingly fervent, like two bright torches, firmly fixed on Qin Zeyu.

Qin Zeyu met He Mingxuan's clear, affectionate gaze and felt a surge of emotion. He took a deep breath and slowly replied, "Alright, Xuan'er, I promise you! Whether you pass the exam with flying colors or fail miserably, I will keep my word and never break it!"

As soon as she finished speaking, a radiant smile bloomed on He Mingxuan's pretty face, as dazzling as spring flowers in full bloom, as warm and touching as the first rays of sunlight piercing through the clouds and falling on the earth. That smile seemed to illuminate the entire world, even igniting a fire in Qin Zeyu's heart. His magnetic and incredibly gentle voice rang out: "Let's go, let me escort you safely back." With that, he gently reached out and intertwined his fingers with hers. Hand in hand, they seemed like a match made in heaven. They walked slowly and gracefully towards the palace.

He Mingning and Fan Junyu's figures, side by side, gradually disappeared into the distance, as light and agile as two birds soaring freely in the sky. Qin Yaoyao quietly gazed at their departing backs until they vanished from sight. Then, she turned around and walked towards her own residence. As soon as she stepped into the courtyard, she immediately saw Qin Zejun leisurely strolling around.

At this moment, Qin Zejun also noticed Qin Yaoyao. A warm smile, like the spring sun, immediately appeared on his face, and he took the initiative to greet her, "Aunt, why are you back so late at night?" Hearing her nephew's concerned greeting, Qin Yaoyao tilted her head slightly, looked at Qin Zejun with gentle eyes, and replied in a voice as soft as a breeze across a lake, "Sister Ning and the others just left, and I went to see them off. As for you, why aren't you resting in your room at this hour? What are you doing here?" Qin Zejun smiled slightly and explained, "I just had dinner, and I feel a little indigestion, so I came out for a walk to digest."

Upon hearing this, Qin Yaoyao couldn't help but smile, a smile as beautiful and charming as a flower blooming in spring. She asked sweetly, "I heard that the Emperor has appointed you as the commander of the Capital Garrison. I wonder if everything went smoothly today?" Qin Zejun's lips curled up slightly, revealing a smile as bright and warm as the spring sunshine. He said softly, "It was alright. When I first arrived there, those guys were all very arrogant, like a flock of proud peacocks. They wouldn't submit to anyone, let alone cooperate with my work." Qin Yaoyao was very clever and naturally knew that he must have more to say. So she didn't interrupt, but sat quietly to the side, her beautiful eyes fixed on Qin Zejun, patiently waiting for him to continue.

Sure enough, Qin Zejun continued, "However, I didn't tolerate their bad habits later. I directly engaged in a thrilling and fierce battle with all the generals in the Jingji Camp! Hehe, what happened in the end? One by one, they all fell to my hands. Now they are completely convinced and admire me wholeheartedly!" As he said this, a smug look unconsciously appeared on Qin Zejun's face.

Upon hearing this, Qin Yaoyao nodded slightly in approval. A hint of reproach and amusement flashed in her beautiful eyes as she said sweetly, "Hmm, not bad, little nephew. Now that you've got such a rare opportunity, you must seize it and not let the Emperor down. However, you must also pay attention to balancing work and rest. After all, your body is like a precious piece of porcelain, requiring careful protection." She then gently patted Qin Zejun's shoulder.

Hearing his aunt's concern, Qin Zejun felt a warmth in his heart and quickly replied with a smile, "I know, Auntie, don't worry! I'll take good care of myself." Qin Yaoyao nodded in satisfaction and softly added, "Okay, that's good. It's getting late, go back and rest." Qin Zejun smiled and said, "Okay, Auntie, you should rest early too!" After speaking, Qin Yaoyao nodded slightly, then turned and left with graceful steps. Her elegant figure resembled a butterfly fluttering in the moonlight, tracing a beautiful arc before gradually disappearing into the night.