"As a human being, you only need to be worthy of heaven and earth!"

Mu Xin's eyes moistened slightly, and he raised the cup in his hand and toasted her.

"To have a true friend in life is a blessing!"

Gu Qing also responded by raising his glass. After they drank it all, they smiled at each other. The feeling of alienation was gone, and instead they felt unusually close.

Mu Xin took off a string of eight-treasure necklaces from her waist and handed it to Gu Qing.

"I didn't bring anything valuable on this trip, except this necklace, which my eldest brother gave me when I was a child. I treasure it dearly. Today, we hit it off, so I'm giving it to you as a token of my love."

Gu Qing did not refuse. He took it and tied it around his waist with great care. At the same time, he also took off the white jade pendant with Pisces pattern that he wore all year round.

"This was given to me by my mother personally when I came of age. Now I give it to you, Princess."

"Why call me Princess? That's too strange. Since we're close friends, how about you call me Ah Xin and I call you Qing'er?"

Mu Xin was quick-witted and Gu Qing agreed readily without pretense.

The two then gathered with three other people to barbecue around the fire. They were relaxed and comfortable, and their relationship became closer.

"Deer meat is cold, so don't overeat no matter how much you like it."

Chen Zhizhou watched Gu Qing eat happily, one piece after another, and reminded her worriedly, while handing her a cup of chrysanthemum tea that had just been brewed with melted snow water.

"Um."

Gu Qing took the hot tea, took a sip, and the fragrance of chrysanthemums filled his mouth.

"Brother Zheng, you eat too!"

Mu Zheng was busy grilling meat. The Ninth Princess saw it and immediately came over with a look of concern. She handed him a piece of venison that was grilled to perfection and put it into his mouth.

"No……"

Mu Zheng wanted to refuse, but was stuffed all the way in, choking him and making him cough.

"Brother Zheng, are you, are you... okay?"

The Ninth Princess's face was full of guilt. She tried to make amends in a hurry, but she accidentally knocked over Mu Xin's teacup. The slightly hot tea spilled onto her cloak, soaking it.

Mu Zheng finally calmed down. Looking at the Ninth Princess with tears in her eyes and looking aggrieved, a trace of helplessness flashed in his eyes, but he still had to endure his temper and coax her.

Mu Xin saw all of this, curled his lips, stood up and walked towards the plum blossom forest on the mountain.

…

As the sun set in the west, Chen Zhizhou and his wife safely sent Mu Zheng and his sister and the Ninth Princess away before finally returning to the mansion.

At this time, Gu Qing's face was full of fatigue, and he raised his hand to pound his sore calf.

“I didn’t expect such a pleasant thing to be so tiring!”

Chen Zhizhou smiled faintly, pursed his lips and said nothing, then walked straight towards her, picked her up sideways, and placed her gently on the bed.

"you……"

Gu Qing instinctively thought that he was going to have sex with her, her face flushed red, and she raised her hands to cover her chest.

"I, I'm hungry. Can we wait until after dinner?"

She couldn't go on.

Chen Zhizhou stared at her in confusion. "Didn't you keep saying you were too full on the way back? Why are you hungry again?"

"Digested!"

Gu Qing said embarrassedly.

"It's okay, there's still some time before dinner!"

Chen Zhizhou was serious, and his broad palm kept groping downwards.

Gu Qing swallowed his saliva hurriedly, "I, I'm a little tired, can we wait until tomorrow..."

Her voice was as soft as a mosquito's, and she held Chen Zhizhou's hand tightly.

"That's why I do this because I'm tired!"

Chen Zhizhou forcefully pulled her hands away.

Gu Qing took a deep breath and could only close his eyes and accept his fate.

She felt Chen Zhizhou's hand moving downwards, and finally stopped at... her calf?!

It shouldn't be...

She suddenly opened her eyes, with a hint of confusion in her eyes.

Chen Zhizhou was completely unaware. He was staring at Gu Qing's calf with a serious expression, massaging it gently. Then he raised his head and asked, "How does it feel? Is the strength appropriate?"

Gu Qing looked at him, and thought about his own little thoughts just now. He was so embarrassed that he wanted to find a hole to crawl into.

"It's appropriate, it's appropriate."

She nodded randomly, feeling her cheeks getting hotter and hotter, as if they were being roasted by a stove.

However, it must be said that Chen Zhizhou's massage skills are unique.

Under his manipulation, Gu Qing hummed in comfort, and her eyelids couldn't help but twitch.

"You seem to get along well with Princess Huafeng?"

Chen Zhizhou pondered for a long time before speaking.

Gu Qing heard his deep tone, which seemed to indicate concern, and she could not help but force herself to open her eyes. She looked at him questioningly, with a puzzled look on her face.

"Ah Xin has a free and easy personality. It's hard for anyone not to like her, right?"

She tilted her head and asked back.

Chen Zhizhou paused his movements, his eyes dark and unclear.

"Sometimes, you can't judge things by appearances. The Marquis Mu's Mansion may appear respectable and dignified, and trusted by the Emperor, but in reality... you should be more careful and avoid getting involved in the affairs of the Marquis Mu's Mansion. Don't get too close to Mu Zheng and Mu Xin either."

Gu Qing naturally knew what he wanted to say.

Lord Mu holds military power, and Chen Ba is on one side, which has already made the emperor wary of him. Otherwise, the emperor would not have taken the trouble to summon Mu Zheng to Beijing to be his tutor.

Mu Zheng was nominally a tutor, but in reality he was a hostage.

He is a chess piece used by the emperor to control Marquis Mu!

Gu Qing pursed her lips and made up her mind after a long while: "You told me not to get involved in the affairs of the Mu Hou Mansion, but what about you?"

In the competition for the crown prince, he had already established himself on the team.

They are husband and wife, no matter what, she can no longer stay out of it!

Chen Zhizhou was silent.

The two of them were silent for a long time, and they turned their backs to each other until they went to bed.

…

Two days later, Chen Zhizhou was on leave, and Gu Qing took him to the morning market, bought a lot of meat and vegetables, and went to Mr. Huang's residence.

"Little girl, you're finally here!"

When Mr. Huang heard the noise, he couldn't wait to stick his head out. When he saw Gu Qing, he grinned with a smile.

Seeing this, Chen Zhizhou frowned tightly.

When did Mr. Huang and Gu Qing become so close?

"Something delayed me a few days ago."

While talking to Mr. Huang, Gu Qing gestured to Chen Zhizhou to put the things away.

"As soon as I finished my business, I came to see you. I bought a lot of good things today, which will definitely satisfy your appetite."

Mr. Huang nodded repeatedly, his tone revealing a hint of complaint: "What else can I say! Ever since I ate the food you cooked, nothing else tastes good anymore!"

"I've finally fallen into the hands of a girl like you!"

Gu Qing smiled and winked at Mr. Huang playfully.

"If you like it, I will make it for you every day."

Mr. Huang laughed heartily.

Chen Zhizhou listened to the conversation between the two and his mind moved slightly.

I have been married to her for almost a month, but I never knew that she could cook. According to Mr. Huang, her cooking skills are very superb.

While I was surprised, I couldn't help but look forward to it silently in my heart!

Gu Qing rolled up his sleeves and asked Chen Zhizhou to help without hesitation. In less than half an hour, he had prepared a whole table of food.