1763: Long Yin Caught Her Hand

Long Yin Caught Her Hand

In the past two years, they had met up several times. 1

Whenever Beitang You was free, he would travel all the way to Great Shang to see her, and they often communicated feelings through pigeon post as well. Therefore, their relationship did not dwindle one bit because of the distance between them. In fact, it only grew stronger.

Yaoyao and Long Yin's party was arranged to stay in a coaching inn. 

No matter how much Beitang You wanted to see Yaoyao, he had to stifle his desire.

After accompanying them to the coaching inn, he returned to the palace briskly.

As Long Yin was helping Yaoyao into the coaching inn, they caught sight of a girl in the distance sauntering toward them, clad in a pink dress. 

"Hey, isn't that Xinxin?" Yaoyao exclaimed in delight when the girl's features came into view.

Long Yin paused in his step, his deep eyes fixing on the girl's face.

Two years had gone by, and the unfledged girl from back then had grown into a lovely young lady.

"Xinxin!" Yaoyao waved to Hexin eagerly.

Hexin had already seen them, and she quickened her pace as she made her way over to them.

"Greetings, Big Sis Yaoyao, Big Bro Long Yin." She dipped into a curtsy before them.

"This again? I thought we were past all the formalities." Yaoyao frowned at her courteous behavior. 

Hexin straightened up, a smile appearing on her face. "Etiquette should always be observed. Besides, you're about two years older than me, so it's only right that I should curtsy to you."

Yaoyao broke free of Long Yin's grasp and stepped close to her. After scanning her from head to toe, she said in wonder, "Xinxin, it's only been two years, but you've changed a lot."

"Really?" Hexin burst out laughing.

"Really." Yaoyao nodded and turned to Long Yin. "Right, Royal Brother?"

Hexin's smile faded a little.

Long Yin's dark eyes were half-lidded as he nodded. "I agree." His gaze fell on the top of her head, and he added, "You've grown taller too."

"See? Even my brother says you've changed a lot," Yaoyao continued to tease Hexin.

Hexin stiffened slightly when she heard Long Yin's remark. "Both of you have changed a lot too."

"Are you trying to say we've gotten older?" Yaoyao twisted her words with a grin. She reached out to squeeze the other girl's soft and smooth cheek, but Long Yin caught her hand.

"Yaoyao, stop teasing Xinxin." Long Yin's voice was somewhat solemn.

Yaoyao whipped her head around to stare at him in bemusement. Her brother was not quite himself today.

"Royal Brother, are you saying you're closer to Xinxin than to me?" It was meant to be a joke, but Hexin's pleasant expression faltered, and Long Yin tensed up slightly as well. 

"That's enough. Weren't you complaining of exhaustion just now? Get inside and rest up."

Before Yaoyao could probe further into their strange reactions, Long Yin grabbed her arm and dragged her indoors.

Hexin hesitated for a second before following them.

Beitang You had sent her to look after Yaoyao, who was about to be married in a kingdom far from her home.

The room had already been cleaned and tidied.

Hexin was extremely thoughtful—she ordered the workers to fetch water for Yaoyao to wash up and also asked for tea to be served. 

Yaoyao let out a contented sigh. She took Hexin's hand and made her sit down next to her.

"Thank goodness you're here, Xinxin. Otherwise, I'll be all alone in the Yan Kingdom without even a friend to talk to."

"You just got here, so it's natural you'd feel like an outsider. You'll be fine once you get used to this place," Hexin reassured her.

"I guess so." Yaoyao leaned against her shoulder. Even though she had already been mentally prepared to spend the rest of her life in the Yan Kingdom, the imminence of it still filled her with trepidation. 

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