"It's such a pity about my dozens of farmlands and houses. I originally wanted to give them to you as an apology, but now I won't give you a single one."

Gu Zhixing's voice carried a hint of coldness, like a chill in the wind.

Shen Jintang simply stared quietly ahead, her gaze piercing through the drifting snowflakes and landing on the hazy mountains in the distance.

The sky was so dark that not a single ray of light could be seen, and snowflakes fell like willow catkins, without any sign of stopping.

She frowned slightly and said softly, "If we don't go back soon, we might not even be able to travel when the heavy snow closes off the mountains."

Her voice was as calm as a deep pool of water, without a ripple.

Gu Zhixing looked down at Shen Jintang's expression, but he couldn't see even a trace of regret or remorse on her face, and a nameless anger suddenly rose within him.

Doesn't she really like money?

How could she not feel any regret as such a large windfall slipped through her fingers?

Could it be that compared to losing dozens of farmlands and houses, she would rather not be with him?

Is he really that bad?

Enraged, Gu Zhixing spurred the horse hard, and the horse neighed and galloped forward, much faster than before.

However, even though he was filled with resentment, he subconsciously took off his cloak and carefully wrapped it around Shen Jintang, afraid that she would catch a cold from the cold wind.

The edges of his cloak fluttered in the wind, telling a story of his complex emotions at that moment.

When I returned to Kyoto, it was already late at night, and the palace gates were locked. Only the dim palace lanterns swayed in the wind and snow.

Gu Zhixing had no choice but to place Shen Jintang in the Princess's residence.

When he dismounted, he wanted to argue for himself a few more times, but Shen Jintang didn't expect that he wouldn't give him the chance at all.

"I suppose His Highness is magnanimous and wouldn't take back what he's given away?"

Shen Jintang stood in front of the mansion gate, tilted her head slightly, and asked deliberately.

Her voice was cold and calm, devoid of any emotion.

Gu Zhixing's face instantly turned ashen, and the veins on his forehead throbbed slightly. Shen Jintang's words had struck a nerve.

In his eyes, he was a prince, how could he be such a stingy person?

But Shen Jintang asked that question on purpose, clearly trying to embarrass him.

“You…” He pointed at Shen Jintang, his finger trembling slightly, and said through gritted teeth, “You really know how to disgust people.”

Shen Jintang, however, seemed oblivious to his anger and feigned ignorance, asking again, "Will the young master take it back?"

Gu Zhixing sneered, his voice tinged with helplessness and anger: "No."

He paused, then added fiercely, "But I will not let this matter go so easily!"

"Will His Highness target me in the future?"

Shen Jintang stood in front of the Princess's residence and continued to ask.

Hearing this, Gu Zhixing was so angry that he almost ground his back teeth to powder, and he didn't want to talk to Shen Jintang anymore.

"drive--"

He suddenly lashed his whip, striking the horse hard. The horse neighed and galloped away.

He was afraid that if he stayed any longer, he would get so angry that he would explode.

"Master, are you alright?"

Xinghui's voice was full of concern, and her eyes revealed worry.

She stood behind Shen Jintang, her head slightly lowered, her hands tightly clasped together, seemingly still shaken by what had just happened.

At noon today, when Gu Zhixing took his master away, Xinghui had no chance to follow and could only wait anxiously in the palace.

As the palace gates were about to be locked, her master still hadn't returned. Her heart was burning with anxiety, and she couldn't sit still any longer. So she hurriedly left the palace, eagerly waiting for her master's return.

"fine."

Shen Jintang answered calmly, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes, but she quickly regained her composure.

She shook her head slightly, stepped into the mansion, her steps steady and firm, as if the disputes that had just occurred had never stirred any waves in her heart.

Back in her bedroom, Shen Jintang looked around and felt that Gu Zhixing's shadow still lingered in every corner.

Those familiar decorations and places we once walked side by side have now become glaring eyes.

She gently closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and tried to dispel the turbulent thoughts.

She has always acted decisively and never regretted what she had done.

Having made the choice, there's no going back.

——

The next day, just as dawn was breaking, Shen Jintang was awakened by Xinghui.

Xinghui's voice carried a hint of hesitation: "Master, the young master did not return to the manor last night. He... stayed at Chunfeng Tower all night."

She carefully observed Shen Jintang's reaction, afraid that her master would be angry.

Shen Jintang frowned slightly, a hint of coldness flashing in his eyes.

Gu Zhixing had clearly restrained himself a lot recently and hadn't been going to those places of entertainment for a long time, but yesterday he suddenly changed his ways again.

Liu Huo, who was standing to the side, was also a little uneasy and asked in a low voice, "Master, should we go and do something about it?"

Shen Jintang remained silent for a moment, then finally said calmly, "No need, let him be."

Her voice was calm and even, as if she were talking about something insignificant.

Afterwards, she instructed Xing to go back and pack her things, preparing to return to the palace.

Gu Zhixing didn't come back because he didn't want to see her.

She left, and he naturally came back.

As for her studies, she can only manage them for a while, not forever.

Shen Jintang knew in his heart that some things he would have to figure out for himself.

Shen Jintang took all her belongings with her to the palace.

Si Yan, whose position meant she should reside in the palace, had already had her room arranged, but she hadn't gone there before.

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