Surrendering To You

Chapter12

The sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm golden hue across the lush gardens of Yunmeng Kingdom as the gates swung open, revealing Prince Ning and his sister, Princess Qing. A wave of excitement surged through the courtyard where Prince Zhan and Cheng stood, anticipation lighting their faces.

“There they are!” Zhan exclaimed, nudging Cheng playfully. “Try to contain your enthusiasm, will you?”

Cheng shot him a warning glance, though his heart raced as they approached the siblings. Qing’s smile radiated warmth, her laughter ringing like music as she greeted them.

“Cheng! Zhan!” she called, rushing forward to embrace them. Cheng’s heart soared as he inhaled the familiar scent of jasmine that lingered in her hair. “I’ve missed this place!”

“Us, you mean,” Zhan teased, his grin mischievous as he nudged Cheng once more.

“Of course! You both!” Qing laughed, her eyes sparkling. Ning, standing a bit behind, rolled his eyes in mock annoyance, though he couldn't help but smile at his sister's joy.

As the day unfolded, the group wandered through the vibrant gardens, sharing stories and laughter. General Yaun and Huai Sang joined them, regaling tales of valor and adventure from their travels. The chirping of birds and the soft rustle of leaves provided a harmonious backdrop to their cheerful banter.

“Let’s climb to Sunset Peak!” Zhan suggested as the afternoon sun began to lower in the sky. “They say it’s the best place to watch the sunset in all of Yunmeng!”

With excited nods, the group set off, Zhan leading the way. The path to Sunset Peak was lined with wildflowers, their colors vibrant against the green landscape. Cheng walked beside Qing, trying to muster the courage to express his feelings, while Ning and General Yaun shared playful jokes, keeping the atmosphere light and joyful.

As they reached the summit of Sunset Peak, the breathtaking view unfolded before them. The sun hung like a fiery orb, casting brilliant shades of orange, pink, and purple across the sky, its reflection shimmering in the distant lake. The sight was mesmerizing, and for a moment, they all stood in awe, absorbing the beauty of nature around them.

“Wow,” Qing breathed, stepping closer to the edge, her eyes wide with wonder. “It’s beautiful!”

Zhan, sensing the perfect opportunity for his brother, looked over at Cheng. “You know, this would be a great time for a drawing,” he suggested, nudging him. “Show Qing your artistic skills!”

Cheng's heart raced at the idea. He pulled out a small piece of parchment and a charcoal stick, glancing nervously at Qing. “Right… the sunset,” he mumbled, trying to focus on his task while stealing glances at her.

“I’d love to see what you create!” Qing leaned closer, her excitement evident, unaware of Cheng’s growing anxiety.

Zhan, determined to create a special moment for Cheng, called out, “Let’s play a game while Cheng draws! How about a storytelling contest?” He turned to Ning and General Yaun, eyes sparkling with mischief. “Losers have to gather herbs for the royal kitchen!”

“Deal!” Ning laughed, ready for the challenge.

With the game underway, Zhan, Ning, General Yaun, and Huai Sang gathered in a circle, animatedly sharing outlandish tales. Cheng found himself occasionally glancing at Qing, who was eagerly engaged in the stories, her laughter echoing in the air.

As the stories unfolded, Zhan noticed Cheng's nervousness. He knew his brother wanted to say something important to Qing, and this was the moment. “Hey, let’s take a break! I need to get some water,” Zhan declared. “Cheng, you stay here with Qing! Keep working on that drawing!”

Cheng swallowed hard, his heart pounding as he was left alone with Qing. The sunlight bathed them in warmth, and he knew this was his chance.

“So, um…” he began, trying to summon his courage. “What do you think of the sunset?”

“It’s amazing,” she replied, leaning in closer to get a better view of his drawing. “But I want to hear more about your travels. Have you seen anything interesting?”

“Interesting? Yes! There were… uh…” Cheng stammered, his mind going blank. “I mean, it was all very… interesting!”

Qing chuckled lightly, her smile bright. “Interesting isn’t really a great descriptor, Cheng.”

“I mean, uh, it’s beautiful!” he blurted out, his cheeks heating up. “Like this sunset! The colors are… hot?”

Qing blinked, confusion mixing with amusement. “Hot?”

“Um, I mean… bright! Like you! No, I mean, you’re not hot—uh, I mean, you’re beautiful! No, I mean…!”

Cheng’s words tumbled out in a chaotic mess. Zhan, watching from a distance, facepalmed at his brother’s clumsiness. “Come on, Cheng!” he muttered under his breath, shaking his head in disbelief.

Qing laughed, covering her mouth with her hand. “I think I get it, Cheng! You’re trying to say something nice?”

“Yes! Exactly! Nice!” Cheng exclaimed, relieved yet embarrassed. “You’re nice. And this sunset is… nice?”

At this point, Zhan couldn’t help but burst out laughing, which caught the attention of Ning and General Yaun, who turned back to see what was happening.

Cheng groaned, his face burning as he realized how ridiculous he sounded. “Why do I always mess this up?”

Qing smiled, clearly enjoying the moment. “It’s okay, Cheng. You make it fun!”

Zhan walked over, unable to contain his laughter. “Well, you did say something nice! Just maybe work on your delivery next time.”

Cheng let out a defeated sigh, but his spirits lifted as he caught Qing’s warm smile. Perhaps one day, he would find the right words. For now, he could settle for the laughter they shared, surrounded by the beauty of Sunset Peak, their friendship illuminated by the fading light of day.

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Maybe the story is quite boring😔😔