The hairpin is made entirely of gold, with the top entirely gilded and inlaid with many rubies.

The most striking feature is the golden pearl, the size of a pigeon's egg, set at the top.

The pearl was round and lustrous, with a string of smaller pearl tassels below it, which swayed slightly with Shen Hechuan's movements, making it very beautiful.

Gu Jingchun boasted that he had seen countless treasures, but he had never seen such a large gold bead.

This hairpin is no ordinary item.

Even in the imperial palace, it is not a common sight.

However, she did not want such palace items.

The real reason is that, given her current relationship with Shen Hechuan, what would it mean if she accepted this item?

One of his mistresses?

Besides, since she's planning to leave, she might as well just put an end to his hopes.

So she pushed the hairpin away and shook her head.

"I have plenty of jewelry and don't need this hairpin. Your Highness, please take it back!"

Shen Hechuan frowned.

"But you don't like it?"

Gu Jingchun was about to nod when Shen Hechuan continued:

"There are also a few hairpins inlaid with red agate and a jade hairpin that is entirely green in the palace. If you don't like them, I will bring those two hairpins to you next time."

Upon hearing this, Gu Jingchun quickly spoke up.

It's not that I don't like it.

"But such precious items are only possessed by people in the palace. If I were to wear them, it would surely arouse suspicion from others, and I would be suspected and distrusted."

Moreover, if she accepts this, based on her understanding of Shen Hechuan, she will probably send over the other hairpins as well.

Such an action would certainly arouse suspicion from others in the palace.

The situation in the palace is complicated, and she doesn't want to be discovered and cause unnecessary trouble.

Upon hearing this, Shen Hechuan immediately understood what Gu Jingchun was thinking.

He held Gu Jingchun's hand, feeling its soft touch, before gently comforting him:

"I know you want an identity that allows you to stand before me openly and honestly."

"I am no different."

"However, the situation in the palace is complicated, and your marriage to Luo Ziqian is an imperial decree, so we cannot rush this matter and must proceed slowly."

But don't worry, I will definitely find a way to make you stand before me openly and honestly.

"However, I'm afraid you'll have to endure this hardship during this period."

"As for Luo Ziqian, you don't need to worry. I will arrange everything and will absolutely not let him get close to you."

Upon hearing this, Gu Jingchun sneered inwardly.

This is Shen Hechuan.

He clearly wanted her to be his mistress.

She really overestimated him.

He had previously harbored a sliver of hope for him.

I never expected this guy to be even better at sweet-talking than before.

In the past, he would have granted her the status of a concubine.

They actually dare to dream of her becoming their mistress; it's utterly delusional.

As Gu Jingchun thought about this, his heart turned cold, and he made up his mind to leave.

However, his face remained calm.

As for Shen Hechuan's words, she could only pretend to agree and appease him first. Only in this way could she escape smoothly.

After Shen Hechuan left, Gu Jingchun went out with a cold face.

When Lanxin saw her come out, she immediately asked her with concern.

"Miss, are you alright?"

"fine."

Gu Jingchun shook his head, hurriedly led Lanxin downstairs, and headed towards the Luo residence.

However, she hadn't taken more than a few steps when she saw Luo Ziqian walking towards her in a disheveled state.

Upon seeing Gu Jingchun, Luo Ziqian immediately stopped, straightened his clothes and hair ornament, and then walked up to Gu Jingchun and slowly bowed.

"Miss Gu, I apologize for keeping you waiting. I encountered some unexpected trouble on the way, which is why I'm late."

Luo Ziqian's situation is not simply a matter of accident.

He asked to meet Gu Jingchun today for two reasons: first, he was worried about her safety and wanted to explain what happened that day.

Secondly, he also wanted to return the hairpin he had found that day to her.

Of course, the most important reason was that he wanted to see her again.

However, to his utter surprise, after leaving the Luo residence and only taking a few steps in the carriage, the carriage broke down.

Fortunately, he hadn't gone far, and he hurriedly returned to his residence to change to a different carriage.

But this time, the carriage broke down halfway through its journey.

Seeing that time was running out, Luo Ziqian gave up on the idea of ​​going back to change carriages and simply got out of the carriage to walk over.

However, the journey was far from peaceful.

First, he was bumped into by someone on the street for no reason and almost fell down.

Later, they discovered that their purse had been stolen at some point.

He was annoyed that his servants were walking too slowly, so he told them to go back to the mansion and change to a carriage so they could come and pick him up.

So now he is penniless, tired and hungry from walking.

But just then, a couple on the roadside started fighting.

Luo Ziqian listened casually for a moment and then understood the whole story.

It turned out that the wife discovered her husband was having an affair with the young widow next door and had given her all the coins he had earned recently.

Enraged, she grabbed the man's collar and unleashed a torrent of abuse.

This commotion immediately attracted a large crowd of onlookers, completely blocking the road.

Luo Ziqian couldn't get through at all, and finally managed to push his way through the crowd.

But as a result, the clothes I had specially prepared ended up with a lot of wrinkles.

He stomped his feet in anger. If he hadn't been in a hurry, he would have given those onlookers a good scolding.

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