At that moment, he didn't want to think about anything else but being with her, putting all the grudges and grievances behind him.

"I'm sorry, it was my fault."

Gu Zhixing buried his chin in Shen Jintang's shoulder, his voice muffled, tinged with hoarseness and sobs.

Shen Jintang was held by Gu Zhixing, her body stiffening slightly. She didn't speak or push him away, but her hands clenched into fists, her nails digging deep into her palms, as she resisted the urge to hug him back.

Her mind was in complete turmoil, filled with struggle and contradiction.

She still remembers that on the third day of the Lunar New Year, although it was a time of joy and celebration, Shen Jintang's heart couldn't find peace.

She had a feeling that Gu Zhixing had arrived.

The feeling was subtle, like a gentle touch on the heart; though the reason was inexplicable, it was undeniable.

Logically speaking, it was too risky for Gu Zhixing to come looking for her at this time.

Given his status, the eldest princess would never allow him to appear here.

But she had a feeling that Gu Zhixing had come to find her.

"Shen Jintang, I won't force you anymore. Whether you want to tell me or not, I won't force you anymore. As long as you're by my side, that's enough."

Gu Zhixing's voice was low and tired. He hugged her tighter and tightened his arms slightly, as if to confirm her presence.

Lies and sincerity don't matter, as long as Shen Jintang is by his side and they don't separate, that's enough.

"Will you come back to Kyoto with me?"

His voice trembled slightly, and his tone was full of pleading.

This place is too dangerous, it's not good at all.

He originally thought that as long as he kept an eye on the Crown Prince in Kyoto, Shen Jintang would be safe and sound in Yanzhou.

But he did not expect that Yanzhou would be so poor, with nothing available and even the most basic food scarce, and now an epidemic has broken out.

The thought that Shen Jintang might contract the disease gripped his heart tightly, and he dared not think any further.