Harem Daily Life

Chapter 1018 You and Me, the Number One Best in the World

He Yanran looked at a group of young men not far away, her gaze falling on a handsome figure. She tugged at He Yue's hand and asked, "Second sister, who is standing next to second brother-in-law?"

He Yue looked closely and frowned: "It's one of Yu Cheng's tutors, Min'er has met him before, Editor Xiao."

He Yanran smiled slightly and said softly, "This editor Xiao is quite handsome! He has a good build, neither too tall and imposing nor too short and thin; his figure is just right, neither fat and bloated nor thin and bony."

Hua Yurong glanced at him and said, "Standing next to my second brother-in-law, his bearing is in no way inferior." My second brother-in-law, Fan Changgeng, was the third-ranked scholar in the imperial examination two years ago, and he is naturally handsome and unparalleled in the world. To be able to be on par with Fan Changgeng shows that Xiao Bianxiu's demeanor is truly outstanding.

He Min glanced at him, clicked her tongue, and said, "Being good-looking is useless; he's just a rigid old-fashioned teacher."

He Yanran and Hua Yurong exchanged a glance, both seeing a gleam of gossip in each other's eyes.

"So, Min'er, you're quite familiar with him?" He Yanran probed for information.

He Min was generous and forthright: "Of course we know each other. Didn't I offer to deliver lunch to you? If Master Xiao is here, we can have lunch together."

He Yanran: "..."

Hua Yuerong: "..."

What does it mean when people say they're about to indulge in some sweet treats?

He Yue coughed lightly: "Those two? Impossible." With one sentence, she extinguished the burning gossip fire in He Yanran and Hua Yurong's hearts.

He Min frowned slightly. Why did she feel a little depressed after Sister Yue'er said that there was no possibility between her and Editor Xiao?

"How is it impossible?" He Yanran persisted, asking again.

He Yue then had no choice but to tell the story of what the Consort Xian had asked the Second Prince Consort to inquire about.

Seeing He Min's blank expression, He Yue said, "The Noble Consort Xian was also worried about you. She noticed that you had been having lunch with a young official for several days, so she thought of inquiring about his character and family background. His character is impeccable, but his family background is really just average. The Noble Consort Xian... is not satisfied."

He Min bit her lip: "Mother, you're overthinking it. There's nothing between him and me." Although she said that, the feeling of unease in her heart grew even stronger.

He Yinuo put down the rice cake she was chewing, her brows furrowed so deeply they could trap a fly: "So... Third Sister, you've been sending meals to He Yucheng for two months, but you've never thought of inviting me along?"

He Yinuo suddenly changed the subject, startling the others.

Alarm bells rang in He Min's mind, and a guilty look quickly crept onto her face: "...Heh, well, you're not in the study, so how can I call you?" Her voice involuntarily tightened, and if her attitude was better, the little princess might let her off the hook.

He Yinuo clasped her hands together, tilted her head back at a 45-degree angle, and said with an arrogant expression, "Am I still your most beloved sister? Your Yongtai Palace kitchen has been delivering meals to He Yucheng for two months straight, and you haven't thought of me even once?"

He Min quickly stepped forward and wrapped her arm around the little princess's, shaking it gently: "Of course you are my most beloved little sister! How could I love He Yucheng but not you? You and I are the best of the best!"

He Yinuo glanced at her: "Really?"

He Min held up three fingers: "I swear to God, it couldn't be more true."

The arrogant He Yinuo said, "Starting tomorrow, the meals from the Yongtai Palace kitchen will have to be delivered to me for two months in a row, and my sister will have to come over to dine with me every day."

He Min: “…”

I'm overwhelmed...

Seeing He Min's fawning manner, He Yanran smiled and advised, "How about we invite our most adorable little princess to the study? The more people there are, the more lively it is, and the food will taste even better when everyone is eating together, won't it?"

He Min nodded frantically; this was perfect.

He Yinuo wasn't unreasonable. When she was given special treatment in the Yongtai Palace's small kitchen, she instantly stopped being jealous and continued chewing.

He Min breathed a sigh of relief, and then a maidservant came to He Yue with the day's newly written poems: "Second Princess, the Prince Consort ordered me to bring these poems over and ask all the princesses to evaluate them. He said that the poem that wins the favor of the Third Princess today will win a set of calligraphy as a reward from His Majesty."

He Min looked completely bewildered: "Me, favor me?"

He Yue gave her a push: "Who doesn't know that I'm hosting this banquet mostly for you? Your brother-in-law came up with this idea to help you find a confidant, after all, among us sisters, you love poetry the most."

After saying that, he glanced at her twice and said, "Just look at them and pick whichever poem you like."

The others didn't try to take it from her, and He Yinuo was holding food in both hands, so she didn't have time to fight her for it.

He Min raised an eyebrow and began reading through the articles one by one.

The poems and essays were unsigned; some were written in vigorous and powerful characters, others in elegant and flowing style, some were rich in classical allusions, and others were simple and straightforward yet thought-provoking, with profound artistic conception.

In the end, He Min chose a poem titled "Autumn Night Sent to the North," which uses the scenery to express feelings, depicting the longing for distant relatives on a lonely autumn night. The poem is deeply moving and brings tears to the eyes of readers.

The maid took the selected poems back, and soon after, a commotion broke out on the other side of the waterside pavilion, with cheers ringing out.

The ladies and young women all looked towards the waterside pavilion and saw the second prince consort and others surrounding a handsome young man, offering their congratulations.

"Oh, so it was Editor Xiao's poem that was chosen by Sister Min'er," He Yanran said with a smile.

He Yue's eyes darkened as she thought, "Why don't I go to the palace and discuss it with Consort Xian? Family background aside, this Editor Xiao is indeed talented and good-looking; he's a good candidate."

Xiao Nan never expected that his poem would be appreciated by the Third Princess and be rated as the best poem of the day.

He was stunned when the second prince consort sent someone to present him with the imperial calligraphy.

"Brother Xiao is indeed exceptionally accomplished in poetry and prose."

"Brother Xiao's previous poetry collection sold out in the capital, and I'm sure his impromptu new work today will also fetch a good price."

"Congratulations, Brother Xiao, on winning the favor of the Third Princess."

Xiao Nan didn't say much. After a few modest words, he turned his gaze to the other side of the waterside pavilion, where he met He Min's gaze.

Xiao Nan looked away hastily, as if burned by fire. He Min raised an eyebrow, unable to understand why this old-fashioned editor Xiao was still so shy and dared not look at her after so long.

The more he dared not look at her, the more she wanted to tease him. After all, he refused to accept her money, leaving her with no choice but to deliver meals to him every day.

He Min stood up: "I'm tired of sitting, I'm going for a walk. Does Yu Nuo want to come with me?"

He Yinuo tried to get up, but He Yanran pressed her down. He Yue and He Yanran exchanged a glance and said, "Go ahead, little sister. We'll wait for you."

He Min led Sixi and Qing'er away, heading towards the small garden.

He Yinuo continued chewing, her eyes darting around: "A bunch of older sisters, if you want to eat gossip, you have to be on the front lines. If no one goes with me, what can I see? Forget it, I'll just keep eating. Anyway, there will be plenty of opportunities in the future. I don't believe that I can't find some gossip by going to the Imperial Study for lunch with my sharp eyes."