"Let go," she said in a low voice.

Gu Zhixing then released her hand as if waking from a dream, the faint floral scent of her wrist still lingering in his palm.

He stammered, "If I... if I said I was just passing by, would you believe me?"

Upon hearing this, Shen Jintang almost burst out laughing.

"Just passing by?"

"Passing by and leaning over the wall?" Shen Jintang raised an eyebrow, then suddenly leaned close to his ear, "Your Highness, even when you lie, you should at least prepare a draft."

Her warm breath brushed against his ear, and Gu Zhixing froze.

At this moment, Lin Tingwan had already approached and asked with concern, "Is His Highness alright? Should we call the imperial physician?"

"No need." Gu Zhixing forced himself to stand up, patted the dust off his robes, and said, "I am perfectly fine."

Upon seeing outsiders arrive, Gu Zhixing naturally still had some pride, and his voice became much more normal, unlike the tone he used when he was acting coquettishly with Shen Jintang.

"Come back with me."

He then said he was about to take Shen Jintang home.

Upon hearing this, Lin Tingwan immediately became anxious, as Shen Jintang was someone she had worked so hard to keep.

"Oh, Your Highness..."

Before Lin Tingwan could stop her, she heard Shen Jintang hiss softly behind her.

Gu Zhixing turned around and saw that she was rubbing her wrist, where he had just held it and a faint red mark had appeared.

Did I hurt you?

Gu Zhixing panicked and hurriedly turned around to check.

Shen Jintang put his hands behind his back and shook his head: "Your Highness should take care of your injuries first."

She paused, then lowered her voice, "I heard you didn't change your dressing on time last night?"

Gu Zhixing was taken aback, then looked aggrieved: "How dare you ask? You promised to come back at 5 PM to change my dressing, but you didn't show up even after the palace gates were locked!"

"I sent a letter back," Shen Jintang said helplessly. "I even specifically asked them to bring you some osmanthus pastries. Did you receive them?"

“I received it…” Gu Zhixing’s voice lowered, “but…”

But it's you I want to see.

The words lingered on my tongue, but I ultimately couldn't bring myself to say them.

He hung his head, like a little dog soaked by the rain, with even the ends of his hair drooping down.

Seeing his appearance, Shen Jintang's tone softened unconsciously: "I need to take care of the wedding and really can't leave. Look, that's why I came early this morning to teach the palace servants etiquette. I'll go back to see you after I'm done."

"Don't try to fool me. This job won't be over in less than ten days or half a month." Gu Zhixing raised his eyes and looked into Shen Jintang's eyes, saying, "Besides, arranging a wedding is mentally and physically exhausting. Can your body handle it?"

"Your Highness, please rest assured, I will definitely take good care of Lord Siyan, aside from the busyness of the wedding..."

Lin Tingwan tried to explain, but Gu Zhixing only glanced at her lightly, seemingly not listening to her words. As a result, his voice gradually became softer.

"Listen to me, go back." Shen Jintang didn't explain anything further, but stared into Gu Zhixing's eyes and said quite seriously.

Lin Tingwan watched from the side, her heart pounding.

Everyone knows that Gu Zhixing is usually domineering in the palace and will not give face to anyone when he gets angry.

Even when you speak to him politely, he still doesn't give you a friendly look, let alone speak to you like this.

Lin Tingwan could almost foresee how the Crown Prince would lose his temper in a moment.

I couldn't help but feel a little worried for Shen Jintang.

Surprisingly, Gu Zhixing was not angry at all. Instead, he grabbed Shen Jintang's sleeve with a rather aggrieved expression, like a child who couldn't get candy.

The situation suddenly became awkward.

"Cough cough..."

Gu Yanqing coughed at the opportune moment and stepped out from the shadows in the corner where no one was paying attention.

"Your Highness."

Shen Jintang gave a slight curtsy, her skirt spreading out like a lotus flower on the bluestone ground.

Her voice was like a clear spring striking a rock, neither humble nor arrogant.

Gu Yanqing stood with his hands behind his back, his black brocade robe swaying gently in the spring breeze.

He nodded in return, saying, "Lord Siyan."

Shen Jintang then looked at Gu Zhixing, but spoke to the Third Prince Gu Yanqing: "Then I will trouble the Third Prince to send His Highness the Heir back."

Gu Yanqing was taken aback, and his gaze fell on Gu Zhixing.

Gu Zhixing was still reluctant to leave, but when he saw that Shen Jintang's gaze didn't seem to be joking, he couldn't help but shut his mouth, which he wanted to stay.

He simply asked, "When are you going back?"

“When I’m done with my work,” Shen Jintang replied.

Crabapple blossoms fell in the courtyard, a few petals clinging to Shen Jintang's dark blue temples.

She raised her hand to brush it away, her fingertips almost transparent in the sunlight.

"Also, you're not allowed to climb over the wall to find me."

Her gaze inadvertently swept over the few pieces of glazed tile that had been rubbed off the top of the wall, and a barely perceptible softness flashed in her eyes.

Although Gu Zhixing was dissatisfied, he had no choice but to agree.

Because he understood that Shen Jintang's words were not to be questioned, and if he did not follow her wishes, he was sure he would never be able to find her again.

Therefore, it's best to know when to stop.

"Princess."

On the other side, Gu Yanqing looked at Lin Tingwan and greeted her gently.

Lin Tingwan then came to her senses and forced a gentle smile: "Third Prince."

After saying that, his gaze couldn't help but drift towards Shen Jintang, as if afraid that Shen Jintang would not be able to resist Gu Zhixing and would leave with Gu Zhixing.

Gu Yanqing followed her gaze, a complex look flashing in his eyes, but he said nothing.

He coughed lightly: "Ah Xing, let's go."

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