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

Chapter 49 First Love (2)

He Mingfeng held Cheng Ying tightly, their lips pressed together, making no other move. This was the first time He Mingfeng had ever been so close to a girl. Inexperienced and at a loss, he could only remain quietly pressed against her, savoring her sweetness. He thought to himself, "Is this what a girl's lips are like? So soft, so sweet..."

At the same time, Cheng Ying was completely stunned the moment He Mingfeng kissed her. Her mind went blank; she couldn't believe He Mingfeng was going to kiss her. The feeling was like being in a dream, unbelievably surreal, yet the warm touch on her lips was so real, undeniable. Cheng Ying thought to herself, "His lips are cool, so comfortable, so intoxicating..."

However, just then, Cheng Ying suddenly came to her senses and realized what they were doing. She tried to break free, but He Mingfeng seemed to sense her intention and immediately stood up, separating them. He Mingfeng then realized that his behavior had been somewhat offensive and felt remorseful, feeling he had truly become a lecher.

He Mingfeng apologized to Cheng Ying with a guilty expression, "I'm sorry, it was all my fault just now, please forgive me. If you want to hit me or scold me, do it, I definitely won't fight back." After saying that, He Mingfeng mentally prepared himself for being hit and scolded. However, after a while, the beating, scolding, and pain he imagined did not come. He Mingfeng couldn't help but look down at the girl, only to find that she seemed to be deep in thought, her face flushed, and her expression very complex.

At this moment, Cheng Ying was completely absorbed in her own thoughts. She was filled with remorse, thinking to herself, "Cheng Ying, how could you have such shameful thoughts? As a girl, you shouldn't be so shameless! You actually like a boy's kiss, and even want more... God, you're such a scoundrel! If others find out about this, they'll definitely laugh at you. How will you explain then? But, it seems I can't be entirely blamed, after all, he kissed me first. Hmm, I hope no one will laugh at me."

Seeing that Cheng Ying was ignoring him, He Mingfeng knew she hadn't heard what he had just said, so he thought of repeating himself. He would accept whatever she did to him, and he figured his actions must have frightened her. Thinking of this, He Mingfeng wanted to slap himself a few times. How could he be so outrageous, taking advantage of a girl like that? Why couldn't he just be more tolerant? Wasn't his tolerance and self-control supposed to be good? How could he do something like this!

Regardless, He Mingfeng felt he should apologize again, so he said to Cheng Ying, "I'm sorry, did I scare you? I was wrong and offended you. If you're angry, hit me a couple of times." He then grabbed Cheng Ying's hand and started slapping it against his face. Cheng Ying felt his action and quickly came to her senses, disarming him. She only lightly touched his face before pulling away; it felt like she had gently brushed his cheek, tickling him.

He Mingfeng was somewhat at a loss after being touched, and his heart fluttered. The words of apology he was about to say were stuck in his throat, and he didn't know how to say them.

Cheng Ying realized her behavior was inappropriate and quickly withdrew her hand, lowering her head to avoid looking at He Mingfeng. An awkward silence filled the air between them.

He Mingfeng was stunned. He hadn't expected Cheng Ying to do such a thing. He had thought she would slap him, but now it seemed that wasn't the case. Did this mean Cheng Ying didn't dislike him? A surge of joy welled up inside He Mingfeng at this thought. He looked at Cheng Ying, whose face was slightly flushed, and cautiously asked, "You...aren't you angry?"

However, before he could finish speaking, Cheng Ying suddenly interrupted him, her face flushed with shyness, unable to meet his eyes. She stammered, "It's...it's getting late, we...we should...we should hurry back." He Mingfeng looked up at the sky and realized that it was indeed late, so he nodded and replied, "Alright, but I forgot to arrange a carriage beforehand. I'm afraid you'll have to ride back." Cheng Ying nodded gently, indicating her understanding. Then, He Mingfeng helped her onto the horse and softly apologized, "I'm sorry, I offended you." He then walked to the side, firmly grasped the reins, and rode alongside Cheng Ying.

Cheng Ying looked at him, puzzled, and asked, "Aren't you coming up?" She was wondering if this guy planned to keep leading the horse forever. Hearing this, He Mingfeng's eyes suddenly lit up. He had initially thought Cheng Ying was angry with him and didn't want anything to do with him anymore, but now it seemed that wasn't the case. However, he still wasn't sure, fearing it was just wishful thinking on his part. So, he quickly shook his head and refused, "No, I'll lead it myself."

The two continued their journey. Not long after, He Mingfeng accidentally touched Cheng Ying's hand. He was immediately startled, for her hand was as cold as ice. He quickly pulled on the reins, stopping the horse, and asked with concern, "Why are your hands so cold?" Cheng Ying was taken aback by his sudden action and didn't know how to respond for a moment. Without a word, He Mingfeng took her hand tightly in his own warm, large hands, trying to warm her with his body heat.

Cheng Ying's eyes widened, a strange feeling welling up inside her. Was this the difference between men and women? She had never felt such warmth, nor had she ever imagined that a man's hand could be so large, so warm, so comfortable. Although her brothers were also men, she had only held their hands when she was little, and not since. Even then, their hands weren't nearly as big as hers. Just as she was lost in thought, He Mingfeng's gentle voice reached her ears: "Are you cold?" She snapped out of her reverie and nodded softly, replying, "Yes... a little cold."

Upon hearing this, He Mingfeng hurriedly apologized, "I'm sorry, it was all my oversight. I should have called the carriage earlier."

Cheng Ying shook her head and said, "You don't need to apologize. It's not your fault. I sent the carriage back. I also forgot to tell you the time to pick me up. It has nothing to do with you."

He Mingfeng frowned and said, "What do we do now? How about we find a place to rest first? I'll go find a carriage to come over."

Cheng Ying shook her head and said, "No need, we'll be home soon, don't run around."

He Mingfeng thought for a moment and said, "I'm also worried about leaving you here alone."

After thinking for a moment, He Mingfeng suddenly mounted his horse, sat behind Cheng Ying, and pulled her tightly into his arms. Cheng Ying turned to look at him, puzzled.

He Mingfeng looked at Cheng Ying and said, "It's quite windy here, this way you'll stay warmer." Afraid that Cheng Ying would misunderstand, he added, "Once we get to the city, the wind won't be so strong. I'll come down then, and no one will see me. Don't worry, I won't ruin your reputation."

Cheng Ying turned back, her face slightly flushed, and softly said, "I understand."

The two rode off together on a single horse. Cheng Ying's heart pounded faster and faster, as if it were about to leap out of her throat; she could even clearly hear the "thump-thump" sound. She was terrified that He Mingfeng behind her would hear the unusual noise, so she tried her best to calm herself down, but to no avail.

Meanwhile, He Mingfeng wasn't in much better shape. He held Cheng Ying's slender waist tightly, inwardly marveling, "How can her waist be so thin?" He couldn't help but reach out and gently pinch it, thinking, "Her waist is so soft!" Then he pinched it again, muttering to himself, "Her waist is just too thin..."

However, Cheng Ying was suffering terribly. Every time He Mingfeng pinched her, her body trembled involuntarily, the strange sensation making her panic. He Mingfeng, on the other hand, seemed oblivious, still lost in his own thoughts.

Fortunately, this awkward situation didn't last long. Just as He Mingfeng pinched her one last time, Cheng Ying couldn't help but let out a soft moan, like a cute little kitten. He Mingfeng snapped back to reality, filled with regret. He was about to say something when he suddenly heard Cheng Ying's delicate moan, and instantly felt a tingling sensation run through his body. His hands trembled slightly, and he could barely hold onto the reins. He hugged Cheng Ying tighter, resting his head on her shoulder, his breath tickling her neck. Cheng Ying felt ticklish and was about to move when she heard He Mingfeng say, "Don't move, let me hold you for a while, it'll be over soon."

Cheng Ying clearly felt He Mingfeng's body tremble. She realized that the sound she had made earlier had caused his reaction, and she felt a wave of embarrassment. After all, although her interactions with Yao Yao had included some intimate moments, she had only felt ticklish then, not this intense sensation. However, now, facing He Mingfeng, everything was different. This change left her bewildered, and she began to worry about how He Mingfeng would perceive her. She thought, "Oh dear, what should I do now?" Her heart was filled with regret.

After the initial emotional turmoil, He Mingfeng quickly recovered.

The two remained silent the entire way, neither of them uttering a word.

They soon arrived at the city gate. He Mingfeng dismounted and led his horse slowly through the gate.

The two of them breathed a sigh of relief the moment He Mingfeng dismounted.

He Mingfeng thought to himself, "It's a good thing we entered the city, otherwise I'm afraid I wouldn't have been able to resist taking advantage of her."

They arrived at the general's mansion shortly afterward, and He Mingfeng helped Cheng Ying down from her horse.

Cheng Ying thanked her quietly and hurriedly went back.

After watching Cheng Ying safely enter the general's mansion, He Mingfeng turned and left.

No one knew that He Mingfeng had a dream that night, a dream about him and Cheng Ying. He had had similar dreams before, usually about the two of them playing together, with Cheng Ying's smiling face. But this night was different. He dreamed that he and Cheng Ying did something more intimate. The next morning, he secretly changed his clothes and bed sheets, thinking no one would know, but little did he know that Granny Chen discovered it that very day.

Early in the morning, He Mingfeng came to find Cheng Ying, but was told by the people in the mansion that Cheng Ying had gone to the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion early in the morning.

But in reality, Cheng Ying stayed in the mansion the whole time and didn't go anywhere else.

Her maid, Xiao Cui, asked in confusion, "Miss, why aren't you going out to play today? Is something on your mind?"

Cheng Ying said somewhat irritably, "I just want some peace and quiet, I don't have anything on my mind."

Xiao Cui pressed on, "Then why don't you go see the Fifth Prince? He came specifically to see you."

Xiao Cui asked, puzzled, "Miss, what's wrong with you?"

Cheng Ying frowned and replied, "I just have some things I don't understand, it's nothing serious."

While helping Cheng Ying tidy her clothes, Xiao Cui suggested, "Why doesn't Miss go and talk to Miss Qin? Maybe she can come up with some good ideas!"

Cheng Ying's eyes suddenly lit up, and she said happily, "That's right! How come I didn't think of that? Yao Yao is always so clever and resourceful, full of tricks. Maybe she really has a way to solve my problem! Xiao Cui, you're so smart! Let's go, let's go to the Duke's mansion now." With that, the two set off together for the Duke's mansion. Cheng Ying and Xiao Cui walked excitedly towards the Duke's mansion, hoping to get help from their friend.

However, unbeknownst to them, as they left, two figures emerged from behind a large tree. Lin Yi asked He Mingfeng, puzzled, "Your Highness, Miss Cheng was clearly at the manor, so why did she lie to us and say she went to the Duke's manor?"

Watching Cheng Ying's departing figure, He Mingfeng felt a pang of helplessness and disappointment. He sighed and said, "Perhaps it's because she's still angry with me that she doesn't want to see me..."

Upon hearing this, Lin Yi couldn't help but worry: "Should we continue searching for Miss Cheng tomorrow?"

After thinking for a moment, He Mingfeng said, "Forget it. Since she doesn't want to see me, I won't bother her. Let's go." Lin Yi asked in confusion, "Where are we going now?"

He Mingfeng looked dejected and was in low spirits. He slowly said, "Let's just take a walk." After saying that, he walked forward with his head down.

Seeing his master's distressed expression, Lin Yi felt a pang of sympathy and quickly followed, suggesting, "How about... we go talk to the Prince? He's full of ideas; maybe he can come up with a solution?"

He Mingfeng frowned, somewhat doubtfully saying, "He's a few years younger than me, can he really handle it?"

Lin Yi stamped his foot in frustration and said with exasperation, "Why not! She's engaged now, she'll definitely find a way."

Hearing this, He Mingfeng thought it made sense. After all, his uncle was already engaged and should understand women's hearts better. So he nodded and said, "Let's go find my uncle."

Cheng Ying and Xiao Cui quickly arrived at the Duke's mansion and went straight to Qin Yaoyao's courtyard. Seeing Cheng Ying rushing over, Qin Yaoyao knew exactly what the girl wanted. Qin Yaoyao thought, "It seems this girl has finally seen the light. Luckily, I learned about the Fifth Prince from Brother Yanxi last night and know he also likes Cheng Ying. That makes things easier. Let Brother Yanxi and I help you!"

Qin Yaoyao deliberately put on a stern face and said, "Sister Ying, how come you have time to come today? Didn't you say it would take three days? The time hasn't come yet!" Cheng Ying knew that Qin Yaoyao was doing it on purpose, so she said ingratiatingly, "Oh, I thought learning to ride a horse would be difficult, but I didn't expect it to be so easy. I learned it in one day, so I didn't need to go today. That's why I came to play with you."