bayedsolid Chapter 67 Red Date and Lotus Seed Soup
Chapter 67 Red Date and Lotus Seed Soup
The quiet, awkward atmosphere was broken by a series of hurried footsteps. Afu, looking flustered, ran up to Murong Yi and reported breathlessly, "Your Highness, the Emperor summons you to the palace, saying he has important matters to discuss."
Murong Yi slightly raised her eyes, her expression calm, and simply replied, "Understood!" Her tone carried an unquestionable authority.
After speaking, he strode towards the door, his clothes fluttering in the wind. Reaching the doorway, he seemed to pause for a moment, instinctively turning to look at Lin Qianqian. His gaze was deep and complex, carrying an indescribable emotion, yet he remained silent.
At this moment, Afu, with a simple and honest smile on his face, waved to Lin Qianqian, his smile full of kindness and friendliness. Then, he quickly followed Murong Yi's steps, disappearing together around the corner of the courtyard. Lin Qianqian was left standing alone, gazing in the direction they had gone, lost in thought.
Lin Qianqian sighed softly, shook her head helplessly, and slightly downturned her lips, revealing a hint of loneliness and boredom. Then, she sat down casually, propped her elbows on the table, rested her chin on her hands, and stared blankly ahead, lost in a deep daze.
A moment later, Xiaodie came in happily, carrying an exquisite blue-and-white porcelain bowl filled with tempting-looking and fragrant red date and lotus seed soup.
Her face beamed with a smile as bright as the spring sun, her steps were light, and she cheerfully said, "Miss, try the red date and lotus seed soup that Xiaodie just made. It was Xiaodie's careful preparation..." However, her words stopped abruptly when she saw Lin Qianqian's dazed figure. She couldn't help but be slightly taken aback and asked in a puzzled voice, "Huh? Miss, what's wrong?"
Lin Qianqian's eyes were fixed straight ahead, her gaze unfocused, empty and lifeless, as if all her energy had been drained away, radiating a sense of powerlessness. Hearing Xiao Die's question, she only moved her lips slightly, weakly replying, "It's nothing~"
The red date and lotus seed soup in the blue-and-white porcelain bowl was steaming, its rich, sweet aroma wafting through the air, making it even more enticing. The fragrance, like a lively sprite, gently lingered and played around Lin Qianqian's nose, teasing her olfactory nerves.
A glimmer of light gradually appeared in Lin Qianqian's previously dim eyes. She subconsciously leaned forward slightly, slowly bringing her head closer to the bowl of soup. As the distance closed, the aroma became increasingly rich and mellow. Her nostrils flared slightly, and finally, under the powerful "offensive" of the fragrance, she completely succumbed, her eyes revealing a longing for the delicious food.
"Xiao Die knew Miss would like it, hehe~~~" Xiao Die stood to the side, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Lin Qianqian, her mouth wide open, revealing a row of white teeth, her smile full of anticipation and pride.
When Xiaodie saw Lin Qianqian gently scoop up a spoonful of red date and lotus seed soup, put it in her mouth, and slowly swallow it, her eyes instantly narrowed into crescent moons, and her smile became even brighter, like a blooming sunflower. Her cheeks flushed slightly with excitement, her hands unconsciously clasped in front of her, and her body leaned slightly forward, as if she were waiting for a grand reward.
Lin Qianqian gently scooped up a small spoonful of red date and lotus seed soup and put it in her mouth. The rich, sweet flavor instantly spread across her tongue. She slightly narrowed her eyes, as if carefully savoring this wonderful taste experience. A moment later, she couldn't wait to scoop up a second spoonful. The spoon clinked softly against the porcelain bowl, followed by a third, a fourth…
Her movements quickened, as if she were completely immersed in the pleasure brought by the delicious food. Before long, the bowl full of red date and lotus seed soup was emptied.
Lin Qianqian put down the bowl with satisfaction, a radiant smile spreading across her face, as bright and captivating as the warm spring sun. She gave Xiaodie a thumbs-up repeatedly, praising her incessantly, "Xiaodie, your cooking is absolutely amazing! This red date and lotus seed soup is so sweet and soft, every bite is just right. You're truly incredible! My taste buds are completely won over! So delicious~ So delicious~"
Xiaodie blushed at the praise, her eyes filled with a mixture of shyness and joy. She lowered her head slightly, her hands unconsciously twisting the hem of her dress, and said coquettishly, "I'm glad you like it, Miss. It's all Xiaodie should do."
But joyful times are always fleeting. Just moments later, a look of melancholy returned to Lin Qianqian's brow. She slowly stood up, her steps heavy as she walked to the door, and looked up at the vast, boundless sky. The sky was as blue as a jewel, with white clouds drifting lazily by. This should have been a breathtakingly beautiful scene, but in her eyes, it all seemed veiled in a thin layer of gray.
Her heart seemed shrouded in an invisible fog, with longing and confusion surging like a tide. Uncertainty about the future and reminiscence of the past intertwined, filling her eyes with melancholy and sadness.
Xiao Die had been silently watching her, seemingly keenly aware of her inner pain. Her bright eyes darted around quickly, and an idea came to her. She hurriedly walked to Lin Qianqian's side and said in an extremely gentle voice, "Miss, look at this beautiful weather. It's not good to stay cooped up indoors all the time. Why don't we go out for a stroll? Maybe we'll find some new and interesting things, and it'll also help us relax."
Upon hearing this, Lin Qianqian lowered her eyes slightly, her long eyelashes casting a faint shadow beneath her eyelids. A hint of hesitation flashed in her eyes, as if two voices were pulling at each other in her mind. After a brief moment of thought, she gently raised her head and nodded slightly to Xiaodie, a slight movement that carried a hint of determination, as if she were making a small reconciliation with her inner turmoil.