Are you unhappy?

Gu Zhixing asked deliberately, but his eyes were fixed on Shen Jintang.

How could he not see her awkwardness?

He just wanted her to say what was on her mind, even if it was just a complaint.

Shen Jintang subconsciously denied it: "No."

Her voice was soft, and her eyes were indifferent, as she tried to conceal the turmoil in her heart.

"Really not?"

Gu Zhixing loosened the reins and gently pulled Shen Jintang's shoulders with both hands, forcing her to look directly into his eyes.

His gaze was deep and earnest, as if he wanted to read the truth from her eyes.

Shen Jintang raised her eyes, her gaze calm yet carrying a hint of aloofness: "Really not."

She lowered her eyes slightly, trying to avoid his gaze.

Gu Zhixing sneered and released his grip.

He had long known that getting the words he wanted to hear from Shen Jintang was harder than climbing to heaven.

She's always like this, keeping all her emotions hidden in her heart and never easily revealing them.

"So you don't have anything you want to ask me?"

Gu Zhixing approached Shen Jintang step by step, his tone low and suppressed.

There was something wrong with his eyes; they seemed to hold a flame, as if they might explode at any moment.

Shen Jintang couldn't understand why he was angry.

He's found a new love and is riding high, but now he's brought her to this plum garden to sulk. What's going on here?

But his gaze was truly frightening, and Shen Jintang could only retreat step by step until his back hit a plum tree, leaving him nowhere to go.

She frowned slightly, tilted her head back, and tried to appear more composed: "Your Highness brought me to this plum garden to admire the plum blossoms?"

Her voice remained calm, yet carried a hint of probing.

"What's the point of admiring plum blossoms every year?"

Gu Zhixing did not stop, but continued to approach her.

The two grew closer and closer, so close that Shen Jintang could feel the warm breath of his on her neck.

This unprecedented closeness made her heart race.

Shen Jintang's brows furrowed more and more, her hands clenched into fists at her sides, her nails digging deep into her palms, but she was completely unaware of it.

She forcefully suppressed the urge to push him away and tried her best to appear calm.

"How about we do something fun here?"

Gu Zhixing stared intently into Shen Jintang's eyes, his voice low and dangerous.

His eyes held a hint of inquiry, as if he were forcing her to break her silence and speak her mind.

He wanted to see just how far Shen Jintang could endure.

Even though she was feeling incredibly uncomfortable inside, she still forced herself to put on a brave face in front of him, determined to make herself sick before she would finally give up.

The distance between the two grew closer and closer, and Shen Jintang could clearly feel Gu Zhixing's presence, warm and ambiguous, with the unique chill of winter.

His eyes were deep and inquisitive, as if he were waiting for her reaction.

Shen Jintang's gaze swept over his slightly upturned lips, the color of which stood out particularly in the cold wind.

Suddenly, her heart tightened, and the image of the new bride he had brought home that day flashed into her mind. Although the woman's image was blurry, she couldn't help but wonder: had he kissed her like that before?

The moment their lips touched, Shen Jintang's body stiffened slightly, and she subconsciously looked up at Gu Zhixing.

His eyes held a hint of urgency, yet a complex expression flickered when they met hers.

Shen Jintang did not push him away, but her hands hanging by her sides clenched tighter and tighter, her nails digging into her palms, yet she seemed not to feel the pain.

Her breathing was a little rapid, and she could feel Gu Zhixing's breath mingling with her own.

Gu Zhixing only wanted to test Shen Jintang to see how much she could endure.

But when their lips actually touched, he couldn't help but deepen the kiss.

His arms gently encircled her slender waist, the movement tender yet firm, holding her tightly in his embrace.

His kisses went from tentative to passionate, almost demanding, and quite domineering.

Shen Jintang felt her body being tightly surrounded by him, his breath engulfing her.

Her heart was filled with contradictions. On the one hand, she couldn't deny his attraction to her; the familiar touch made her heart race. On the other hand, she couldn't help but think of that vague figure and how his tenderness towards her might not be the only one.

Gu Zhixing noticed her struggle and his kiss became even more urgent.

His hand gently stroked her cheek, his fingertips slightly cold.

He didn't understand what Shen Jintang was thinking.

Why can't I ever open up to him?

Shen Jintang closed her eyes, trying to calm herself down.

She knew she couldn't lose herself in his kiss, couldn't let herself fall into that ambiguous emotion again.

She bit her lip lightly, using the pain to remind herself to stay awake.

The snow continued to fall slowly, landing on their hair and shoulders. The red plum blossoms swayed gracefully in the wind, their petals covered with glistening snowflakes.

Under the tree, the two embraced and kissed. The scene should have been romantic and beautiful, but Shen Jintang's heart was filled with confusion and struggle.

Gu Zhixing could clearly sense Shen Jintang's reluctance.

Her body stiffened slightly, and her breathing became somewhat disordered. Although she felt uncomfortable, she refused to express her thoughts.

He couldn't help but feel a tightness in his chest.

Does Shen Jintang always have this tolerant look no matter what he does?

Kissing someone you like should be a happy thing.

But when the person you like is unwilling to open their heart to you, that joy is completely washed away, leaving only anger.

Gu Zhixing's anger ultimately overwhelmed his joy. He released her and then punched the plum tree behind him hard.

"Thump—"

The branches trembled, and wisps of snowflakes mixed with plum petals fell like a sudden rain of flowers in winter.

"Why don't you say you're upset?" Gu Zhixing's voice was tinged with anger.

He gripped Shen Jintang's hand, staring intently at the bloodstains she had scratched, and said, "If you don't like my kisses, you shouldn't endure hurting yourself; you should hit me instead!"

His voice was a bit loud: "Didn't you beat me up pretty badly before? Why aren't you beating me up anymore?"

Through the swirling snow and plum blossoms, Shen Jintang gazed at Gu Zhixing's retreating figure with a complex expression.

She lowered her eyes slightly, a self-deprecating feeling welling up inside her.

I've gotten so carried away lately that I've completely forgotten who I am.

He was a prince, of unparalleled nobility; while she was merely a servant, how could she possibly have the right to be angry with him?

She's really lost her mind; she's forgotten who she is.

After he said that, would I really dare to do it?

Shen Jintang closed her eyes briefly, and after a moment, she regained her composure and said softly, "Your Highness, please calm your anger. If..."

However, before she could finish speaking, Gu Zhixing suddenly pulled her into his arms.

His embrace was filled with urgency and warmth, and his voice was low and earnest: "I'm sorry."

Shen Jintang was slightly taken aback and looked up at him.