Chapter 107 Xue Han seems to like her

"Your Highness, once we return to the capital, remember to arrange for someone to bring gifts to the Yongqing Marquis's residence to express our gratitude," Prince Fu said to Princess Fu after putting down his wine cup.

Princess Fu nodded with a smile: "Your Highness, rest assured, I will never forget."

The meal was a pleasant one for both host and guests, and Princess Kang's lips were still curled up in a smile even after they returned to their lodgings.

Seeing his wife like this, Prince Kang laughed and said, "I told you long ago to relax. The people our Yun'er approves of can't be wrong. This shows Aheng's character, and she's brought honor to our Prince Kang's mansion."

Princess Consort Kang's lips twitched slightly: "I can feel more at ease if Your Highness doesn't mention Yun'er."

Prince Kang sighed helplessly, “What are you thinking about all day? They are siblings. Don’t you know Yun’er? He knows his limits and won’t do anything out of line.”

"Yes, Yun'er is a sensible child." Princess Consort Kang sighed, but her thoughts differed from those of Prince Kang.

It was precisely because Yun'er was too rational and indifferent to worldly affairs that she was so nervous about Qiu Heng's special nature.

Men are so carefree; once something bad happens, it's too late for regrets.

After the midday rest, everyone went about their own business, and soon the autumn sun set in the west, and evening was approaching.

Prince Kang and Lingyun went to the palace for a banquet. To express her appreciation for Qiuheng's act of saving the princess, Princess Kang specially invited her to have dinner together.

Qiu Heng said frankly, "Thank you, godmother, but I have dinner plans tonight."

"Oh, who is Ah Heng going to invite to dinner?" Princess Kang asked casually.

As long as she's not alone with her son, she doesn't really care who her adopted daughter associates with, as long as she doesn't make a fool of herself.

"Lord Xue, the Imperial Envoy."

"Imperial Envoy Xue Han?" Princess Consort Kang was initially surprised, but seeing Qiu Heng's open and honest expression, she smiled and said, "Xue Han saved you today, so you should indeed show your gratitude. This afternoon, the steward of the Prince's Mansion sent a generous gift, and it is only right that Aheng wants to express her thanks in person."

"Thank you for your thoughtfulness, godmother."

"Go early and come back early, and bring plenty of guards." Princess Consort Kang earnestly instructed, displaying a rather maternal demeanor.

"yes."

After Qiu Heng left, Princess Kang picked up a candied fruit and popped it into her mouth, feeling refreshed.

Qiu Heng, accompanied by Fang Zhou and two guards, headed to the pre-arranged barbecue location.

It was an open meadow, with a stream nearby, making it convenient to wash one's hands.

The ingredients were prepared by Fangzhou in the afternoon, and once they arrived at the destination, Fangzhou directed two guards to get busy.

Xue Han excused himself from the palace banquet and quietly headed to the agreed-upon location. As he walked, he paused and said coldly, "Come out."

Hu Si walked out with a grin: "Sir."

What are you doing following me?

“I’m not just following you, it’s just that I’m going the same way.”

"On the way?" Xue Han didn't stand on ceremony, grabbed Hu Si, and took his money bag.

Hu Si's voice shrilly: "Sir, what are you doing with my money pouch?"

"What do you mean 'your money bag'? It's clearly my money bag." Xue Han stuffed the money bag into his clothes, and with his other hand, he quickly grabbed Hu Si's hand that was reaching for the purse at his waist.

Hu Si was almost in tears: "Sir, my salary is low, and it's not easy for me to save up enough for a wife."

"Then tell me, how come we're going the same way?"

"Hehe." Hu Si sniffed, "Sir, can you smell it? It smells like roasted meat!"

Xue Han paused for a moment.

If this kid used all his cunning on doing something worthwhile, he'd surely get promoted.

"Sir, you wouldn't be going to eat barbecue, would you?" Hu Sifu suddenly realized the truth, "It must be Miss Qiu Liu who invited you to eat barbecue!"

If someone else were hosting, the lord wouldn't have avoided the palace banquet to show such respect.

Seeing Xue Han remain silent, Hu Si became even more certain and felt deeply hurt: "My lord, I've been with you through thick and thin, through rivers of blood on the battlefield! And you're not taking me with you to eat barbecue?"

Eating alone?

What happened to the brotherhood we were promised?

Xue Han, unable to bear it any longer, threw the money bag back into Hu Si's arms: "Shut up."

Hu Si hurriedly put away his money bag and followed the boy who was walking quickly ahead: "Sir, who else did Miss Qiu invite?"

He delivered so many red bean cakes, doesn't he deserve a barbecue?

When Hu Simeng finally saw the person by the campfire in the distance, he glanced at Xue Han and exclaimed in shock, "Sir, Miss Qiu only invited you!"

What's going on? How come he didn't know that the relationship between the adults and the red bean cake had progressed so rapidly?

Qiu Heng saw Xue Han and Hu Si approaching and got up to greet them.

"Lord Xue, Commander Hu."

"We're a little late, sorry to keep you waiting."

Hu Si glanced at Xue Han and thought to himself that he was acting as serious as if he were investigating a case in front of his sweetheart. If he had used the same wit he had when he was stealing money from Xue Han, he would have been eating barbecue every day.

"Miss Qiu Liu, you don't mind if I come along too, do you?"

Qiu Heng smiled and said, "How could that be? Barbecue is more lively when there are many people."

As they spoke, they reached the campfire. Fangzhou greeted the two men and handed them the grilled meat skewers, saying, "Lord Xue and Commander Hu, you've arrived just in time to eat."

Hu Si hurriedly took it, and ate a large piece of fragrant, oily roasted meat in one bite. It was so hot that he was panting for breath, but he couldn't bear to spit it out.

Fangzhou couldn't help but laugh: "Eat slowly, there's plenty of food."

Xue Han took the skewers and naturally gave two to Qiu Heng.

"It's so delicious! Fangzhou, how did you grill the meat so well?" Hu Si asked excitedly after finishing the grilled meat in a few bites.

"There's a secret recipe."

Hu Si was stunned: "There really is a secret recipe?"

Fangzhou looked at Hu Si with a puzzled expression: "Of course, knife skills and heat control can be practiced, but the secret recipe is unique. The seasonings I use for marinating and roasting meat are made with a secret recipe."

"No wonder it smells so good."

As night fell, the campfire illuminated the faces of those who had eaten their fill.

"Look, young lady, what's that?"

A faint, shimmering light appeared among the grass not far away, very faint, yet conspicuous in the darkness of the night.

"Could it be fireflies?" Qiu Heng wasn't quite sure.

It's past the time of year when fireflies are most active.

"Let's go take a look!" Fangzhou excitedly ran over.

Xue Han instructed Hu Si: "Follow Fangzhou and watch out for insects and snakes in the grass."

"Yes." Hu Si hurriedly followed.

The two guards that Qiu Heng brought stood guard at a distance, leaving only Qiu Heng and Xue Han by the campfire for a moment.

Flames leaped and reflected in each other's eyes.

"Miss Qiu Liu, why don't we go for a walk by the stream?"

"good."

The autumn breeze was cool, and the autumn water was also cool. The two washed their hands by the stream, and a fish darted by.

"We should catch a few fish and grill them." Qiu Heng casually flicked her hand, which was immersed in the stream, and accidentally bumped into her other hand.

Xue Han quickly withdrew his hand, the water droplets splashing onto his face were cool, but his heart was burning with heat.

Sensing the unusual atmosphere, Qiu Heng withdrew her hand and slowly wiped it with a handkerchief.

The night seemed to grow even darker, and the stars in the sky were brilliant, seemingly unreachable and distant.

Qiu Heng glanced at the boy who was standing close by, and a guess began to form in her mind.

Xue Han seems to... like her?

(End of this chapter)