Mu Ange stood there, stunned, and for a long time she even forgot to breathe.

The gilded mask felt like a branding iron, constantly pricking his skin.

He didn't know how Anning recognized him, nor did he know how much Anning would resent him if she knew the truth.

"no."

In a panic, Mu Ange chose the worst possible option: to lie.

'Will she believe me if I say that?'

Anning sighed: Of course not, I wouldn't believe that!

"no?"

As she spoke, An Ning reached out towards Mu Ange's mask.

Mu Ange abruptly took a step back: "No, I..."

He wanted to say something more to cover up his lie, but Anning didn't give him the chance. Her light voice came crashing down on him like a barrage of bullets:

"So, the person I fell in love with at first sight that night was you, Mu Ange! The person who helped me conceal my identity in the palace was you, Mu Ange! The person who taught me to ride a horse was you, Mu Ange! And the person who took me out of the palace today was still you, Mu Ange! So from beginning to end, I have only ever been in love with you, Mu Ange, right?"

An Ning looked at him with red eyes and said, word by word.

Mu Ange seemed frozen in place, her eyes fixed on An Ning, unable to do anything but breathe rapidly.

"Love at first sight?" He repeated the phrase blankly.

Any further words seemed to drift away from my ears like clouds, leaving only the phrase "love at first sight" lingering in my mind.

An Ning chuckled softly and shook her head slightly: "Yes, I did like you, but that was in the past!"

After saying that, An Ning turned to leave.

Mu Ange grabbed her hand and, without saying a word, tore off his own mask.

A burning palm pressed against An Ning's hand, as if scorching her. She frowned slightly as that extremely familiar face appeared before her eyes, followed by Mu Ange's deep voice:

"Yes, it was me. The first time we met, I put the Golden Cicada Gu on you and tried to get rid of you. I was the one who risked my life to get the antidote when the Golden Cicada Gu flared up. I was also the one who saved your life that night at Yichun Garden while wearing a mask. But that one face was like a brand etched into my heart, becoming the reason for the sleepless nights I spent tossing and turning in the evening. Later, I was afraid that your identity would be exposed, afraid that you would be hurt and sad, afraid that you would like me, and even more afraid that you would not like me. Everything you used to hate, like, despise, and complain about was me!"

An Ning's tears finally gathered in one spot and dripped down.

She tried to pull her hand back, but Mu Ange's large hand held it firmly, preventing her from moving an inch.

The more she struggled, the harder he used his strength.

"Xiao Ning, I like you, whether you are Mu Ange wearing a mask or Mu Ange disguised as Hei Feng, I like you."

Mu Ange stubbornly continued speaking, gripping her wrist tightly, as if afraid she would run away at any moment.

Every word he uttered was like a bomb exploding in An Ning's mind, leaving her completely blank and feeling like an ant on a hot pan, extremely anxious.

She didn't know what to do!

“Mu Mu Mu… An Ge.” An Ning stammered out his name.

Everyone inside poked their heads out to see what was going on.

"Wow, the Third Prince actually likes Xiao Ningzi!"

"My God, a forbidden love?"

"Do you think it's possible that Xiao Ningzi is a woman?"

"Hey, you know what, it's actually possible. Look at Xiao Ningzi's fair and delicate skin, she's even more beautiful than a girl."

"Oh, stop talking, stop talking! Don't you think the Third Prince is about to kiss Xiao Ningzi?"