Chapter 33 Xiyao Valley
Chapter 33 Xiyao Valley
Meanwhile, He Yanxi was patiently teaching Qin Yaoyao how to ride a horse. At first, Qin Yaoyao showed some fear, but she wasn't really scared. Instead, she cleverly used this opportunity to get closer to He Yanxi.
Qin Yaoyao said softly to He Yanxi, "Brother Yanxi, I'm a little scared." Seeing Qin Yaoyao's frightened appearance, He Yanxi felt pity for her and replied with concern, "Maybe we shouldn't learn it?"
Qin Yaoyao pretended to be pitiful and said coquettishly, "But I really want to learn!" He Yanxi looked at her helplessly and finally decided, "Alright then, I'll teach you myself while riding on horseback."
Before he finished speaking, He Yanxi nimbly mounted his horse and sat steadily in the saddle. He gripped the reins tightly, carefully shielding Qin Yaoyao in front of him, his posture making it seem as if he were embracing her tightly from behind.
Qin Yaoyao deliberately moved closer to He Yanxi, making the distance between them extremely intimate, as if they would be pressed tightly together with the slightest movement. When He Yanxi nimbly leaped onto the horse's back, Qin Yaoyao slyly raised the corners of her mouth, revealing a smug look of satisfaction at her successful plan.
Because of their current posture, He Yanxi felt a little shy, and Qin Yaoyao's deliberate closeness only made him more embarrassed. He initially thought Qin Yaoyao was genuinely afraid, which was why she was clinging to him so tightly, so instinctively, he pulled her into a tight embrace. Because He Yanxi was sitting in the back, he couldn't see Qin Yaoyao's expression. Afterwards, they rode their horses around the riding arena, initially at a slow pace, but gradually increasing in speed. He Yanxi skillfully controlled the horse's speed, neither too fast nor too slow.
After riding for a while, He Yanxi said to Qin Yaoyao, "Yao'er, let me take you somewhere." Qin Yaoyao replied, "What place is it?" He Yanxi answered, "It's a very beautiful place." As soon as he finished speaking, he spurred his horse and galloped off. Before long, they stopped in front of a valley. The beautiful scenery before them astonished Qin Yaoyao. The scenery was picturesque, with lush green mountains, babbling brooks, birds singing, and flowers blooming—it was as if they were in a fairyland.
The valley is ablaze with flowers, each vying for attention with its own unique beauty. Some are vibrant and dazzling, worth a fortune; others are unassuming, yet equally beautiful in their own way. These blossoms intertwine, creating a breathtakingly beautiful scene. Far away, a babbling brook flows, its waters so clear you can see the tiny fish swimming within. Surrounded by verdant mountains, the emerald stream flows on and on, its murmuring waters mingling with the melodious birdsong, like a symphony of nature. The banks are adorned with a profusion of wildflowers, a breathtaking sight, like a vibrant painting that captivates the viewer.
Qin Yaoyao asked He Yanxi with great joy, "Brother Yanxi, what is this place? Does it have a name?" He Yanxi smiled and replied, "This is my own world. It's called Xiyao Valley, and it's my secret base."
Qin Yaoyao excitedly asked, "Xiyao Valley? Did Brother Yanxi name it?" He Yanxi nodded gently and said softly, "Yes, what do you think of the name, Yao'er?" Qin Yaoyao nodded hurriedly, beaming with joy, "I love it! I love it so much! I love it so much!" Looking at Qin Yaoyao's ecstatic expression, He Yanxi felt a sense of satisfaction. He said softly, "Let's go, I'll take you inside to see it." Qin Yaoyao asked hesitantly, "Really?" He Yanxi answered without hesitation, "Of course!" As soon as he finished speaking, he took Qin Yaoyao's hand and they walked forward together. As they gradually ventured deeper into the valley, Qin Yaoyao grew to love the scenery more and more. Every step revealed a new and beautiful view, making her reluctant to leave.
Qin Yaoyao's lips were constantly turned up in a smile; she seemed to be in a very pleasant mood, as if enveloped by an invisible joy. Her gaze was fixed on the beautiful scenery before her, her eyes revealing a deep sense of intoxication and satisfaction.
The scenery unfolded before her like a magnificent painting, making her feel as if she were in a dream world. Qin Yaoyao felt like a free bird, soaring high in the vast sky. She could feel the gentle breeze caressing her face, bringing a refreshing scent; the sunlight bathed her, warm and comfortable. This carefree feeling made her feel relaxed and happy, as if all her worries had left her behind.
At the same time, she was like a beautiful butterfly, gracefully flitting through the colorful sea of flowers. The flowers bloomed like a poem or a painting, each exuding a captivating fragrance. Qin Yaoyao fully enjoyed the wonderful experience that the sea of flowers brought her; her figure and the flowers complemented each other, creating a stunning picture.
He Yanxi stood quietly to the side, silently watching Qin Yaoyao. Seeing her so happy and content, he felt an overwhelming sense of satisfaction. He felt that as long as he could see Qin Yaoyao's happy smile, his life would be perfect. At this moment, he was willing to accompany her through every beautiful moment and create more unforgettable memories together.
He Yanxi held Qin Yaoyao's hand and walked slowly forward. After walking for a while, they came to a huge courtyard. Qin Yaoyao stepped into the courtyard out of curiosity and was immediately attracted by the scene before her.
This courtyard is filled with all sorts of buildings, from towering pavilions and towers to exquisite little courtyards; there are elegant landscapes with flowing streams and bridges, and a pleasant atmosphere filled with birdsong and fragrant flowers; the garden is full of lush fruit trees, some with comfortable lounge chairs under their branches, while others have adorable swing sets. Not far away, a small and exquisite bridge spans the crystal-clear stream, creating a picturesque scene.
He Yanxi led Qin Yaoyao on a stroll through the courtyard, admiring the unique scenery of the front and back yards. Every view was breathtaking, as if they were in a fairyland. Next, they arrived at another place, a vast and boundless medicinal herb field. Various rare and exotic herbs grew there, a dazzling array that was truly awe-inspiring. Qin Yaoyao's eyes widened, sparkling with excitement; she was filled with intense interest in this magical medicinal field.
He Yanxi and Qin Yaoyao wandered around the area for a long time, but still hadn't seen everything. Looking at the somewhat tired Qin Yaoyao, He Yanxi said with concern, "Are you tired? Why don't we go inside and rest for a bit, and see if you like the environment?" Qin Yaoyao was overjoyed and immediately replied, "Okay!"
Then, the two walked hand in hand into the house. As soon as they stepped inside, Mu Feng and Mu Yu greeted them, carrying freshly brewed hot tea and carefully prepared snacks and food, which they gently placed on the table. After setting everything out, they respectfully bowed to He Yanxi and Qin Yaoyao, saying in unison, "Greetings, Your Highness; greetings, Fourth Miss." He Yanxi nodded slightly in response, then turned and gently pulled Qin Yaoyao to sit in a chair. He then pushed the snacks and tea towards Qin Yaoyao, saying softly, "Try these snacks and tea, see if they suit your taste. If you don't like them, I'll have them bring you some more." His eyes were full of care and doting, as if he would unhesitatingly fulfill any request Qin Yaoyao might have had.
Qin Yaoyao was overjoyed. She picked up the teacup, took a sip, and her eyes lit up instantly. It was her favorite Cloud Peak Snow Tea! Looking at the pastries on the table, she saw her favorite crystal cakes. Qin Yaoyao was as happy as a child, sipping her tea and eating the pastries while mumbling, "Mmm, such delicious tea! And the pastries are my favorite too! So delicious, even better than the ones at Brother Yanxi's Yaoxi Pavilion!"
Before He Yanxi could even respond, Mu Yu eagerly interjected, "Of course! This was personally cooked for you by our Prince, so it's naturally much more delicious than what other people outside make!"
Upon hearing this, Qin Yaoyao looked at He Yanxi with surprise, seemingly asking if the matter was true. He Yanxi hadn't originally wanted Qin Yaoyao to know this; after all, it wouldn't sound good if word got out that a prince was personally cooking. However, Mu Yu, that big mouth, had blurted it out without any restraint, leaving him somewhat helpless. He glared at Mu Yu, afraid Qin Yaoyao would think he was neglecting his duties. So, he hurriedly tried to explain, "Yao'er, I just..." However, he was interrupted halfway through his sentence by Qin Yaoyao's smile. Qin Yaoyao's eyes sparkled with excitement as she stared intently at He Yanxi, asking expectantly, "Did Brother Yanxi really prepare this especially for me?" Looking at Qin Yaoyao's ecstatic expression, He Yanxi's lips curled slightly, and he nodded gently, replying, "Yes, Yao'er, do you think I'm neglecting my duties?"
Qin Yaoyao gazed at He Yanxi, paused slightly after hearing his words, then shook her head and said, "How could that be? Why would Brother Yanxi think that way? Cooking isn't just something women do! Many men become chefs, some to make a living and support their families, others out of personal interest and passion. But you, Brother Yanxi, are cooking especially for me, just as I've always longed to make all sorts of delicious food, drinks, and daily necessities for you." With that, Qin Yaoyao nestled into He Yanxi's warm embrace, then whispered, "This is how we express our love for each other, and I love it! So, Brother Yanxi, will you still cook delicious meals for Yaoyao in the future?"
Looking at the little girl nestled in his arms, He Yanxi's heart was instantly filled with a sweet sense of satisfaction. He held the girl tightly, gently stroking her hair, and said tenderly, "Yes, I will do my best to make anything Yao'er likes."
Upon hearing this, Qin Yaoyao was as happy as a little elf who had received candy. She snuggled against He Yanxi and said sweetly, "Okay, I like Brother Yanxi the most!" Perhaps it was the satisfaction after a hearty meal, or perhaps it was the fatigue after playing all morning, plus the reassuring aura emanating from He Yanxi, that made Qin Yaoyao fall asleep without realizing it.
He Yanxi was afraid that she would be uncomfortable sleeping like this, so he gently patted her shoulder and said softly, "Yao'er, let me take you to bed. Sleeping like this will make you uncomfortable." However, Qin Yaoyao replied softly like a lazy kitten, "I don't want to. I don't want to move."
Seeing Qin Yaoyao's adorable appearance, He Yanxi was both amused and exasperated. He shook his head helplessly, then gently said to her, "In that case, let your brother Yanxi carry you to bed."
Qin Yaoyao remained lying quietly on the bed with her eyes closed. Due to the angle, He Yanxi couldn't see her expression clearly. However, the corners of Qin Yaoyao's mouth were slightly upturned, revealing a sly smile. She secretly rejoiced, "Haha! Great! This way, I can continue to be cheeky and make Brother Yanxi sleep with me! Just thinking about it makes me so happy! I'll do it right away!" So, she deliberately pretended to be very sleepy and drowsy, and mumbled an "Mmm..." Then, as if she were really asleep, she kept her mouth tightly shut and didn't make a sound.
As soon as the words left his mouth, He Yanxi reached out without hesitation and gently pulled Qin Yaoyao into his arms, then steadily walked towards the bed inside the room. This room was clearly He Yanxi's temporary lodging; the entire room was filled with his unique scent, especially the bed, where the scent was even stronger. He Yanxi carefully and gently placed Qin Yaoyao on the bed, then carefully covered her with the blanket. He originally intended to leave the room, but just as he made a move, he was surprised to find his hand firmly grasped by the little girl. He heard the little girl mumble indistinctly, "I want Brother Yanxi to sleep with me... Brother Yanxi, don't go..."
He Yanxi looked troubled, but could only continue to gently comfort her, "Yao'er, be good, okay? I'll sit here with you, okay?" Unfortunately, before he could finish speaking, Qin Yaoyao seemed afraid that he would suddenly leave, so she not only gripped his hand tighter, but also deliberately pulled him closer to her. He Yanxi looked at the charming and adorable little girl in front of him, his heart filled with endless affection and helplessness.
readytorunbook