"Your Highness?"

Shen Jintang called out softly again, her voice carrying a hint of amusement, as if she were teasing him.

Gu Zhixing snapped out of his reverie and looked at her with deep eyes. In the moonlight, her features were exquisite, like a fairy who had stepped out of a poem.

He smiled slightly, his voice low and gentle: "Today I saw a poem in a book, 'The sound of the sheng and xiao fades into the clouds and water, the song of the Rainbow Feather Dance is sung again and again.' Almost all poets have praised the Rainbow Feather Dance, but I have always been curious about what kind of dance it is that can make so many people remember it so fondly?"

Shen Jintang smiled slightly, handed the sword in her hand to Gu Zhixing, turned to face him, and slowly retreated step by step, creating some distance between them.

Gu Zhixing reached out and took the sword, about to follow, when Shen Jintang gently pressed a finger against his shoulder.

She raised her eyes slightly, gesturing for him to stop, her voice soft yet firm: "The beauty of the Rainbow Feather Dance lies not in the astonishing movements, but in the dancer's state of mind. Different states of mind lead to different dance intentions."

She paused, met his gaze, and her eyes seemed to sparkle like stars: "Your Highness, I rarely dance, but since you want to see me, I will dance once, just for you."

After saying that, Shen Jintang moved lightly and began to dance gracefully.

The moonlight, like water, bathed her in its soft glow, outlining her gentle silhouette.

Her dance was light and graceful, with each movement flowing naturally.

She tilted her chin slightly, raised her arm, and her sleeves fluttered gently with the movement, like a breeze rippling across the water.

With light steps, sometimes moving slowly forward, sometimes spinning lightly, each step was precise and elegant, as if perfectly in sync with the rhythm of the moonlight.

Gu Zhixing's gaze followed her closely, his eyes reflecting her dancing figure.

Shen Jintang's dance moves have a unique charm. Her body leans back slightly and then turns back lightly in an instant. Her long hair flies gently with the movements, and every spin is extremely beautiful.

Her expression was focused and serene, with a hint of coolness in her eyes, yet also an unintentional gentleness.

Sometimes she leaps lightly, her skirt swaying like petals in the night breeze; sometimes she crouches down slowly, her hands gently caressing her skirt, her movements soft and elegant, as if conversing with the moonlight.

Her dance doesn't have complicated techniques, but it has a natural rhythm. Every movement seems to flow from the bottom of her heart, natural and moving.

Gu Zhixing looked at her, his gaze gradually becoming more focused and infatuated.

He didn't speak, he just stood there quietly, completely captivated by her dance.

Shen Jintang's dance moves appeared even more graceful in the moonlight. Every movement of hers seemed to be telling the story of emotions that were suppressed in her heart and could not be expressed. Gu Zhixing's gaze also became more profound in this silent storytelling.

Gu Zhixing's gaze followed her intently, his eyes fixed on her alone.

At that moment, the whole world seemed to stand still, leaving only the beautiful woman dancing lightly in the moonlight and his deeply moved heart.

After the dance ended, Shen Jintang slowly turned around, her gaze falling on Gu Zhixing's face.

Perhaps it was the beautiful moonlight, or perhaps her heart was moved, but Shen Jintang smiled slightly and walked slowly toward Gu Zhi.

Her smile looked especially gentle in the moonlight, as if even the night breeze was warmed by it.

When she tiptoed and gently kissed his lips, a barely perceptible look of shock flashed in Gu Zhixing's eyes, which was then replaced by a deep and passionate emotion.

His eyes seemed to be bathed in moonlight, becoming even more profound, like the brightest star in the night sky, yet carrying a somewhat unfathomable light.

He slowly raised his hand, gently pressing his palm against the back of her head, and tenderly embraced her. His movements were gentle yet firm, as if he were afraid of disturbing this rare tranquility.

The kiss deepened, carrying an indescribable tenderness and persistence, as if silently telling a story, or responding to some deep longing in the heart.

The moonlight grew stronger, like a soft veil falling on the two of them, enveloping them in a hazy light and shadow.

Shen Jintang's breathing gradually became rapid, and her fingers gently hooked Gu Zhixing's collar, as if she was looking for something to lean on.

Her fingertips trembled slightly, yet they conveyed an indescribable sense of peace.

Gu Zhixing held her tightly, his movements carrying an almost domineering tenderness, as if silently declaring that at this moment, she belonged only to him, and he belonged only to her.

His embrace was warm and strong, like a safe harbor, allowing her heart to find its home amidst its gentle trembling.

At this moment, everything around them quietly faded away, leaving only their intertwined breaths and resonant heartbeats.

This scene under the moonlight was serene and beautiful, as if time itself stood still, leaving only two hearts quietly drawing closer in the night.

The Grand Tutor's Mansion.

A faint aroma of wine permeated the Shen family's courtyard, mingled with a sense of desolation and helplessness.

Shen Huaixu sat at the stone table with a wine pot in front of him. The surface of the pot was warm from his grip, but the wine inside was dwindling.

His eyes were fixed blankly on the ground, as if the bluestone slab was engraved with some answer he couldn't understand but was struggling to find.

Grand Tutor Shen's coffin was transported back to the Shen family in the afternoon.

The heavy coffin weighed on his heart, casting a somber white shadow over the entire mansion.

Having to attend two funerals within a month, Shen Huaixu seemed to have lost all his energy and spirit; his former vigor had vanished.

He originally thought that with the help of Grand Tutor Shen and Princess Lin Tingwan, at least the matter could be exposed and the people could be freed from their suffering.

However, even sacrificing Grand Tutor Shen's life was of no use; nothing could be accomplished.

Shen Huaixu sat in the courtyard, drinking his sorrowful wine in silence. He, who always preferred to be sober, could only escape reality by drinking in silence.

The liquor slid down his throat, bringing a slight burning sensation, but it couldn't warm his cold heart.

"Huai Xu!"

A woman's voice suddenly rang out beside me, breaking the silence in the courtyard.

Shen Huaixu looked up, but his gaze dimmed again when it met the newcomer.

A hint of weariness flashed in his eyes, as if he barely had the strength to lift his head.

He rose, swaying slightly, and managed a weak bow: "Princess... why have you... come?"

Shen Huaixu was not a good drinker to begin with, and now that he was extremely depressed, he naturally got drunk even faster.

His voice was slightly hoarse, as if it had been soaked in alcohol.

When Lin Tingwan saw Shen Huaixu's current state, a hint of heartache flashed in her eyes.

Disregarding all rules, she quickened her pace and stepped forward to support Shen Huaixu.

She gently placed her hand on Shen Huaixu's shoulder and could feel his body trembling slightly.

She said softly, "What time is it now? Let's not worry about these rules."