Chapter 73: Chapter 69: Just a Taste

Shen Jingxian already felt guilty, so when faced with Wen Ranchen’s friendly gesture, she reached out and picked a candied fruit to place in her mouth.

The slight sweetness spread through her mouth, easing some of the discomfort in Shen Jingxian’s heart.

She was just about to say thank you when she raised her eyes and happened to meet Wen Ranchen’s smiling gaze.

Shen Jingxian was stunned. Even though the person in front of her had transformed from the little boy who used to stay by her side into this tall man, the gentleness in his eyes remained exactly the same as before.

Inexplicably, she wanted to believe in the man in front of her, just a little.

“Brother Ranchen, I’m not a child anymore.” Saying this, Shen Jingxian ate another piece of candied fruit and naturally handed one to Song Yan nearby.

Song Yan did not refuse and ate the candied fruit directly from Shen Jingxian’s hand. Afterwards, she even stuck out her tongue to lick her rosy lips, seeming unsatisfied, “Your Highness, it’s very sweet.”

Oh, I also think the candied fruit is quite sweet.

Song Yan’s appearance, while not as stunning at first glance as Shen Jingxian’s, was still that of a definite beauty.

She was described like this in the original text: the kind of beauty that comes naturally, not only elegant and delicate but also alluring and charming; this Miss Song, however, carried three parts heroism and three parts grandeur in her beauty, simultaneously stately and noble, naturally commanding respect and admiration, making people not dare to look directly at her.

Who could withstand such a beauty licking her lips? Anyway, she couldn’t, and the princess was shy.

Shen Jingxian came clean; she was a die-hard looks fan, which was why since earlier she hadn’t dared to look at Wen Ranchen too much, afraid that her mind would follow her heart uncontrollably.

Indeed, the quote “form is emptiness, emptiness is form” came to her mind.

Shen Jingxian did some psychological self-work: Stay calm! Don’t panic! As the number one beauty, how could she still be so vulnerable to the lure of good looks when she sees her own face every day, which is adored by everyone? Embarrassing!

After giving herself a thorough scolding, she calmed down.

Yet, as soon as she turned her head, she saw Wen Ranchen’s eyes filled with tenderness so thick it could smother her. His deep voice, tinged with a smile, reached her ears, “How has Your Highness stopped being a child?”

The string in Shen Jingxian’s mind snapped.

Wen Ranchen, this man, is absolutely incredible.

Having been through time for many years, to protect herself and maintain the princess’s image, Shen Jingxian had mastered the skill of remaining as unmoved as a mountain.

Specifically, whenever she zoned out, her face would automatically display a perfunctory yet flawless smile.

This move worked well on everyone, but Wen Ranchen easily saw that Shen Jingxian was absent-minded. He wasn’t in a rush either; the princess had just awoken, and he didn’t want to push too hard.

Placing the remaining candied fruits back in Shen Jingxian’s hands, Wen Ranchen softly coaxed the still-distracted Shen Jingxian, “Your Highness, would you like to go somewhere livelier?”

Shen Jingxian had come back to her senses. She cursed herself for being weak, wanting to avoid Wen Ranchen, but also fearing a recurrence of what had just happened, so she obediently nodded, allowing Song Yan to take her hand and follow beside Wen Ranchen.

Wen Ranchen was very tall, and Song Yan was also tall.

Sandwiched between them, Shen Jingxian felt like a short pumpkin.

She looked at Song Yan, finding herself only at her neck, then at Wen Ranchen, only up to his chest.

Speaking of his chest, Shen Jingxian suddenly remembered the male nanny Dongwu Country had sent her a long time ago. She wondered how he was doing now, whether he had eaten, and where he was living.

She must visit and see for herself when she returns to the palace.

After all, he was hers!

Before Shen Jingxian could withdraw her gaze, Wen Ranchen suddenly turned his head and met her eyes.

Stunned by Wen Ranchen’s good looks, Shen Jingxian hesitated for a moment, but she wasn’t going to fall in the same place a third time!

So she steadied her nerves and flashed a playful smile at Wen Ranchen.

A perfectly high, cool flower-like youthful boy suddenly blushed and awkwardly turned his head away.

Seeing Wen Ranchen like this, Shen Jingxian suddenly felt that this boy, who always seemed to strategize calmly in the original text, had become much more approachable.

No matter what the future holds, at least at this moment, Wen Ranchen seemed like a youth just discovering love.

Shen Jingxian wasn’t being narcissistic; she was quite sure that Wen Ranchen blushed just because of her, for that smile she gave was praised by the Empress as the best smile, second to none!

On the side, Song Yan, seeing the amorous atmosphere between the two, seemed slightly unhappy about being left out. She bought a skewer of candied haw from a vendor nearby and naturally swapped the candied fruit in the little princess’ hand for the candied haw, saying, “Your Highness, try this.”

Unaware of anything amiss, Shen Jingxian compliantly handed over the candied fruits.

Wen Ranchen glanced indifferently at Song Yan’s hand holding the candied fruit, his eyes deepening slightly.

The evening breeze carried a slight chill, but it also swept up the faint sweetness on the little princess and seeped into their hearts.

The two exchanged a glance, needing no words to express the meaning in their eyes.

Shen Jingxian was still grappling with the candied haw; the green fruit wrapped in sugar was too large, and she struggled to bite off half.

The crispy sweetness of the sugary coating mixed with the chewy tartness of the green fruit created a taste with layers of complexity.

Delicious! She never knew Yunyi Country’s candied haws could taste so good!!

Spectral laughter suddenly rang out from beside her, and she saw Song Yan lean down, enveloping Shen Jingxian in a scent of white mugwort blooming from all around. She leaned close to Shen Jingxian and suddenly asked, “Your Highness, may this humble girl taste it?”

Before Shen Jingxian could react, her hand was held secure by Song Yan, leaving her unable to move, only able to watch as Song Yan easily bit off the remaining half of the candied haw right before her eyes.

Song Yan, seeing Shen Jingxian’s body stiffen, reached out her hand to caress the little princess’ head, but it was suddenly brushed away with great force.

She looked over and saw Wen Ranchen’s hand retracting, along with a satirical look in his eyes, “Does Miss Song know her place, to share food with the princess? Is that the Song Family’s upbringing to transgress ranks?”

Song Yan, unusually, did not bicker with Wen Ranchen, instead looking to Shen Jingxian with a hint of expectation in her eyes, “Will Your Highness be angry?”

Shen Jingxian’s body was still held rigid; she had a strong feeling she wanted to express in words, but first, it seemed she had to answer this question.

“It doesn’t matter.”

The answer made Song Yan beam with joy, as if showing off something to Wen Ranchen.

Wen Ranchen glanced at her and said lightly, “If Miss Song doesn’t know when enough is enough, she might suffer greatly in the future.”

Song Yan seemed completely indifferent to Wen Ranchen’s words and giggled, “Well, then, I will take Young Master Wen’s kind advice.”

The undercurrent between the two went unnoticed by Shen Jingxian.

She hesitated to speak, hesitated again.

She thought this wasn’t good, but she really wanted to tell Song Yan that the remaining half of the candied haw had her saliva on it!!!!

She doesn’t like others eating her saliva!!!

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