Gu Zhixing wanted to slap himself twice, but he also knew that even if he did, it wouldn't change what had already happened.

He could only try his best to make amends and hope to salvage something.

"I……"

Gu Zhixing tried to speak, but the sound seemed to be stuck in his throat, and he couldn't get it out.

He frowned slightly, his eyes filled with conflict, and he hesitated several times before finally failing to utter a complete sentence.

Upon seeing this, Shen Jintang frowned slightly, a hint of doubt in his eyes, and asked in bewilderment, "What does Your Highness want to say?"

"I was wrong." Gu Zhixing's voice was very soft, like a mosquito buzzing in your ear, almost inaudible.

He lowered his head, not daring to look Shen Jintang in the eye, his eyes filled with shame.

Shen Jintang heard it clearly and understood the reason in her heart.

So it was *** who exposed the truth!

Although she didn't plan to reveal it at this time, there's no harm in doing so; it's just a matter of time.

However, she didn't want Gu Zhixing to get away with it so easily.

She hasn't gotten what she wants yet!

A sly glint flashed in Shen Jintang's eyes. She smiled slightly and said, feigning ignorance, "What did Your Highness say? I didn't hear you clearly."

Her eyes held a hint of innocence as she looked at Gu Zhixing, her clear black and white eyes seeming to await his explanation.

Gu Zhixing's face had already turned bright red, and he absolutely could not say it again.

but……

He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down, his voice tinged with shame and helplessness: "The mistake has been made and cannot be undone, but I will do my best to make it up to you."

Shen Jintang tilted her head slightly, a hint of mockery in her eyes, as she looked at Gu Zhixing.

Gu Zhixing suddenly looked up and saw the teasing look in Shen Jintang's eyes. He immediately realized that she had already heard it and was just laughing at him.

Gu Zhixing's face was originally only slightly flushed, but as Shen Jintang teased him, the blush gradually spread to his entire face, and even his neck turned completely red.

He was filled with embarrassment and anger, a hint of unease flashing in his eyes, his brows furrowing slightly, appearing somewhat uneasy.

But then he remembered that he was in the wrong, so he had no choice but to swallow his anger. His voice was urgent and sincere: "Your contract is binding, and it can't be changed right away, but don't worry, I will do my best to negotiate. Even if I don't succeed in the future, I will never treat you unfairly. As long as you stay by my side, if I have a bite to eat, you will have a sip of soup!"

"If you stay by my side, you'll have money and power. You can do whatever you want in the capital, and no one will dare to say anything against you!"

Shen Jintang smiled slightly, a hint of mockery in her eyes: "Just... a sip of soup?"

Her voice was soft and teasing, as if she was deliberately teasing Gu Zhixing.

Gu Zhixing's face instantly turned even redder. He gritted his teeth slightly, his heart filled with helplessness.

"Besides soup, what else would you like?"

Shen Jintang's eyes lit up, and she reached out to grasp Gu Zhixing's hand, which was resting on the table.

Gu Zhixing's gaze immediately fell on the hand he was holding, his eyes widened in disbelief, and his heart began to race.

She...she wouldn't want to...

"I want Your Highness to grant me three wishes."

"Don't even think about it!" Gu Zhixing stood up abruptly.

Before Shen Jintang could finish speaking, Gu Zhixing interrupted her.

He looked at Shen Jintang with shame, his eyes red with anger, as if Shen Jintang had said something shocking.

Gu Zhixing looked at Shen Jintang, took several deep breaths to calm his turmoil, and said with a resolute tone, "Impossible, I'm telling you, this... is absolutely impossible!"

His eyes were firm, and his brows were furrowed, as if he were emphasizing his bottom line.

Although he felt guilty towards Shen Jintang, he was definitely not so desperate as to sell himself into servitude to pay off his debts.

To him, the idea was utterly absurd.

He thought to himself, no matter what, he couldn't let things get to that point.

After saying that, he didn't wait for Shen Jintang's response and hurriedly walked out.

Perhaps he was too impatient, because he bumped his head into the door frame.

He instinctively steadied himself against the doorframe, shook his head, trying to dispel the dizziness, and then scrambled out of the house as if there were some man-eating monster inside.

Shen Jintang was the only one left in the room.

She frowned slightly, her eyes showing a thoughtful expression.

Has the young prince become smarter? He knows he can't just grant anyone's three wishes?

Three is indeed a bit too many; two is actually negotiable.

But the person had already run away, and it was too late for her to say anything.

She sighed softly, a hint of helplessness in her eyes.

We'll have to wait until next time to discuss it.

Shen Jintang watched Gu Zhixing's figure disappear around the corner before lowering her head to continue eating the rice in her bowl. She knew in her heart that her life was her only asset in the capital, and she couldn't afford to mistreat herself.

So she chewed her food while thinking about her current situation, but her hands didn't stop moving as she put mouthfuls of food into her mouth.

Before Shen Jintang could finish her meal, a series of light footsteps came from outside the courtyard.

Shen Jintang raised her head slightly and looked in the direction of the door. The person was dressed in palace attire, embroidered with intricate patterns. Only the first-class maids in the brothel could wear such elaborate stitches and exquisite designs.

“Miss Chen, His Highness requests your presence.” Shuangjiang stood to the side, her face displaying an indifferent expression, neither deliberately distancing herself nor being overly intimate, maintaining the proper reserve expected of someone from the palace.

After a moment's thought, Shen Jintang guessed the purpose of the visit. She lowered her head, composed herself, and when she looked up again, her face had softened.

"Thank you for your trouble, Aunt." Shen Jintang stood up, bowed slightly, and gave a curtsy.

Her movements were unhurried and simple yet exuded composure, with every detail perfectly executed, as if she were born with an air of nobility.

Upon seeing this, a hint of surprise flashed across Shuangjiang's eyes.

Such manners are something that ordinary families could never teach; the person who raised her must have placed high hopes on her.

"Please come with me." Shuangjiang turned slightly to the side, her tone gentler and her attitude more polite than before.

Shen Jintang followed behind Shuangjiang, walking at a leisurely pace, keeping a distance of just one step from her.

Along the way, Shuangjiang would occasionally glance back at her. They were almost at the *** hospital, but Shen Jintang still didn't say anything.

Frostfall felt a little anxious, but finally couldn't help but whisper, "Mr. Sun has arrived, and he stormed into His Highness's courtyard in a rage."

Shen Jintang raised an eyebrow slightly, a thoughtful look flashing in her eyes.