Gu Zhixing was unwilling to let her see it, so he quickly hid the book behind his back and waved his hand while saying, "No...it's nothing, just some boring stuff."

Shen Jintang moved gracefully closer, her gaze fixed intently on him. She parted her lips slightly and said, “Sincerity is the way of Heaven; to strive for sincerity is the way of man.” Didn’t Your Highness promise before that you would concentrate on your studies? It’s only been a few days, and you’re already going to break your promise?

She didn't try to snatch the book, but simply looked up at Gu Zhixing quietly, her eyes clear and bright, as if she could see straight into his heart and see through his little thoughts.

"You little girl, at such a young age, you're more old-fashioned and mature than that old scholar."

Although Gu Zhixing felt a little guilty, he still pretended to be calm and a teasing smile appeared on his lips. "How about I call you 'Little Master'?"

“If you really want to call me Master, I am worthy of that title.”

Shen Jintang looked at Gu Zhixing with a half-smile, her eyes full of mockery and provocation, and retorted defiantly, "Right, Tuanzi?"

Dumplings?

Dumplings!

Gu Zhixing, who had been lazily lounging on the bed, jumped up from the bed like a firecracker the moment he heard these words, his eyes wide with surprise and annoyance.

"Shen Jintang, you!"

He was furious, and the books behind him fell to the ground with a "clatter" due to his sudden movement, their pages scattered haphazardly on the floor.

Shen Jintang bent down, picked up the fallen book, and casually flipped through a few pages. He then realized that it was a collection of folk detective stories, filled with bizarre and intricate tales.

"Don't look around!"

Upon seeing this, Gu Zhixing reached out to snatch the book back.

Shen Jintang did not stop him, but handed the book back to him and said softly, "Your Highness, don't forget that the imperial examination will be held in three months. If you don't do well then, you will lose face."

"Don't call me Tuanzi."

Gu Zhixing did not take the book; he just stood there, brooding over how Shen Jintang addressed him.

Shen Jintang was slightly taken aback, seemingly not expecting Gu Zhixing to care about this.

Immediately afterwards, Gu Zhixing emphasized, "Did you hear me? You're not allowed to call me Tuanzi!"

Shen Jintang frowned slightly, feeling somewhat helpless, but still maintained a faint smile on her face, and said in accordance with his words, "It's fine if you don't call me that, then Your Highness must study hard and strive for excellence, how about that?"

Gu Zhixing frowned, glanced at Shen Jintang, and muttered irritably, "All you ever do is nag about my studies. Is that all you care about?"

These days, Shen Jintang seems to have focused only on his studies, never asking him how he is doing, whether he likes the food in the manor, or if he has any worries. This makes Gu Zhixing feel a little uncomfortable.

Seeing that Gu Zhixing was not speaking, Shen Jintang assumed that he was still angry about the nickname "Tuanzi" (meaning "dumpling"), so she took two steps forward and looked at him with concern.

Gu Zhixing was still sulking when he noticed Shen Jintang approaching. He immediately looked up and his gaze met hers.

The two were extremely close, so close that Gu Zhixing could even see the fine downy hairs on Shen Jintang's eyelashes and smell the faint fragrance emanating from her. The fragrance was like a delicate orchid, fresh and elegant, lingering around his nose, making Gu Zhixing's heart pound wildly.

He stared at Shen Jintang, his eyes unblinking, as if he wanted to etch her face into his heart.

"What has Your Highness decided? Are you going to focus on your studies?"

Shen Jintang felt a little uncomfortable under his gaze, so she turned slightly to the side and asked tentatively.

She knew that although Gu Zhixing had a good temper, he could be a little stubborn at times, but as long as she coaxed him, there would be no problem.

"Don't push me too far. If you push me too far, I'm capable of anything."

Gu Zhixing kept staring into Shen Jintang's eyes, his voice carrying a hint of threat, but his gaze was not fierce at all, instead revealing a childlike stubbornness.

"Really? You're capable of anything?"

Shen Jintang deliberately took another step closer to Gu Zhixing, and their breaths almost mingled together.

Gu Zhixing froze instantly. He felt the fragrance of Shen Jintang filling his mouth and nose, which made him feel dizzy. He could only stare intently into Shen Jintang's eyes, refusing to back down in the slightest.

He could study hard, but he didn't want to be forced like this by Shen Jintang.

He was tired of the only relationship he had with Shen Jintang, which was one of urging him to study. He longed for more different ways of getting along.

"Then go and write me three policy essays, before you go to bed tonight. How about that, Tuanzi?"

Seeing his expression, Shen Jintang smiled slyly and deliberately brought up the nickname "Tuanzi" again, wanting to see how Gu Zhixing would react.

"Say it again?"

Gu Zhixing's expression darkened, and a hint of anger flickered in his eyes.

How can you call him Tuanzi (dumpling)?

This nickname is soft and childish, which is completely out of place with his spirited young image.

Shen Jintang found this quite interesting. His eyes darted around, and he opened his mouth to shout again, but before he could utter a single word, he was caught off guard.

"Hmm!"

Her lips were sealed.

Gu Zhixing's movements were so fast that she was caught off guard, her mind went blank for a moment, and she stood there stunned, forgetting even how to react.

Gu Zhixing acted on impulse; he simply didn't want to hear that annoying nickname again, and his body reacted faster than his brain.

When he came to his senses, he felt Shen Jintang's soft touch on his lips, which was warm and made his heart beat faster.

"World……"

Shen Jintang snapped out of her daze, backed away, and reached out to push Gu Zhixing away.

Gu Zhixing was not willing to give up. He slowly raised his hand, his slender fingers precisely gripping the back of Shen Jintang's neck, while his other hand forcefully and irresistibly seized her hands, forcing her to keep retreating until her back pressed against the cold, hard wall, leaving her with nowhere to go.

He lowered his head slightly, his gaze locking onto Shen Jintang's usually lively peach blossom eyes, which were now filled with confusion and helplessness, staring straight at him, oblivious to everything else.

Despite not having been intoxicated at all, Gu Zhixing felt dizzy, as if he were drunk.

He gazed at her, his eyes growing ever deeper, his voice hoarse and urgent without his own awareness, whispering as if in a dream: "Teacher, I've finished teaching you the basics, could... could you teach me something else?"

At this moment, Gu Zhixing's eyes were tinged with a faint blush. He looked at Shen Jintang pitifully, like a droopy-eared puppy that had been neglected by its owner for a long time, its eyes full of expectation and pleading.