Lin Xihe turned around and sat down gently. The venue was almost full, and people around her were exchanging pleasantries or flattering each other.

Occasionally, someone would greet Lin Xihe, and she would respond politely, but she never took the initiative to start a conversation with anyone.

Lin Xihe only knew that a prince was sitting to her right, but she knew nothing about the identities of the others.

A moment later, Gu Qinghuai arrived leisurely and slowly.

"Greetings, Prince Jing, Lord Li, Lord Tang." Gu Qinghuai greeted everyone with elegant manners.

Upon seeing this, the two officials on the left immediately stood up to return the greeting, not daring to show the slightest disrespect.

At this moment, Prince Jing, who was standing to the side, jokingly said, "General Gu has arrived so late, making the beauty wait alone for a long time. Why don't you apologize quickly?"

As Gu Qinghuai approached, Lin Xihe was about to get up to greet him when Gu Qinghuai gently pressed her shoulder down and made her sit back down.

"Some things have been delayed."

Gu Qinghuai remained calm as he spoke, taking a seat beside Lin Xihe.

"What could you possibly have to do? I saw you standing at the hunting grounds for half an hour today, staring at the prey. Were the prey really that good-looking?" Prince Jing continued to tease.

"Just browsing," Gu Qinghuai replied casually.

Upon hearing this, Lin Xihe realized that Gu Qinghuai's stubborn nature had led him to stand at the hunting grounds for so long.

Although she didn't look up, she could still feel Ji Zhuo's gaze coming from the opposite side and landing directly on her.

So Lin Xihe neither looked up nor spoke to Gu Qinghuai, but just sat there quietly.

This somewhat somber atmosphere did not last long before His Majesty arrived.

The banquet officially began. His Majesty first gave a few opening remarks, and then commended the best hunter of the day, Prince Jing, who was standing next to him. He was His Majesty's younger brother.

His Majesty was still speaking eloquently on the stage, but Lin Xihe's stomach had already begun to rumble softly.

Gu Qinghuai, who had been silent all along, finally lowered his head slightly and asked softly, "Are you hungry?"

Lin Xihe nodded slightly.

Gu Qinghuai picked up a piece of pastry that had just been served from the plate in front of him and put it in Lin Xihe's hand. Only when he touched it did he realize that Lin Xihe's hand was ice cold.

Lin Xihe held the pastries but did not eat them. After all, no one present had touched them yet, so she naturally had to adhere to basic etiquette.

"Eat up, this isn't a palace banquet, it's alright. You're young, you get hungry quickly," Gu Qinghuai gently advised.

Lin Xihe shook her head again.

Seeing Lin Xihe's insistence, Gu Qinghuai did not force her. However, thinking of her cold hands, he couldn't help but reach out and hold Lin Xihe's hand in his palm.

Although Lin Xihe was unwilling, she couldn't free her hand.

Finally, His Majesty finished his speech, and everyone raised their glasses to celebrate the fruitful results of the day's hunt.

Lin Xihe also raised her glass, took a small sip, and made a show of it.

Once everyone was seated, the palace maids began to move about in an orderly fashion to serve the dishes.

At the same time, the melodious sounds of traditional Chinese string and wind instruments filled the venue, and a group of graceful dancers moved lightly and gracefully in the center of the hall.

Taking advantage of the cover of the singing and dancing, Lin Xihe quietly raised her eyes and found that Ji Zhuo's gaze was still firmly locked on her, but his expression was calm and unwavering.

Knowing that Lin Xihe was hungry, Gu Qinghuai picked up a few pieces of food with his chopsticks and gently placed them in Lin Xihe's bowl, saying in a gentle voice, "Eat it while it's hot. It's not like being indoors outside; the food will get cold soon."

Lin Xihe had no other choice at the moment. She slowly withdrew her gaze and ate the food that Gu Qinghuai had put on her plate in small bites.

Most girls attending such occasions would only take a small bite, but Lin Xihe, being pregnant, ate a few bites and still wasn't hungry.

Seeing that she was about to put down her chopsticks after eating a few pieces, Gu Qinghuai picked up a few more and urged, "Keep eating, what's the point of eating just a few bites?"

Lin Xihe lowered her voice and said, "Everyone else only eats a few bites."

Although she never paid attention to these things at home, she still remembered some of the etiquette she had been taught in the past, so she always paid attention to etiquette when she was out.

"Why do you care what others do? Just eat."

Just then, Lin Xihe's stomach growled again, and she looked around somewhat embarrassedly. She figured that apart from Ji Zhuo, no one should be paying attention to her, so she ate a few more bites without worry.

Seeing this, Gu Qinghuai chuckled softly, "Later, I'll send someone to deliver some food to your tent."

As he spoke, Gu Qinghuai's gaze never left Lin Xihe, making her feel uneasy.

To break the slightly awkward atmosphere, Lin Xihe casually asked, "Aren't you going to eat?"

I'm not hungry, I just want to look at you a little longer.

Gu Qinghuai spoke frankly, and upon hearing this, a hint of panic flashed across Lin Xihe's face.

"With so many people around, what nonsense are you spouting?" she scolded playfully.

"Don't worry, they can't hear us from this far away." Gu Qinghuai said, then poured himself a glass of wine and drank it all in one gulp.

After finishing his drink, he poured himself a full glass, turned to look at Lin Xihe, and asked with a hint of expectation in his eyes, "Want to have a drink with me?"

Lin Xihe glanced at the wine glass next to her bowl and quickly waved her hand, "I don't drink."

“Even when I told you not to drink, you would still sneak a sip.” Gu Qinghuai said, his gaze fixed on the wine glass in his hand, lost in memories.

Images of the past flashed before his eyes like a revolving lantern. Back then, Lin Xihe had bright, lively eyes with a touch of playful stubbornness. The way her cheeks flushed slightly when she secretly sipped wine was the most treasured memory he cherished deep in his mind.

But now, the person in front of me clearly has the same face, yet he says he is not that person.

"It was just that one time." Lin Xihe carefully recalled the original owner's past, and indeed it only happened once.

Gu Qinghuai picked up his wine glass again, tilted his head back and gulped it down. The wine was spicy and choking, just like the bitterness in his heart at that moment.

His hand fell limply to his side, the wine glass swaying between his fingertips, and he thought to himself: How come this isn't the Lin Xihe he used to know?

She clearly remembers everything, so how could it not be her?

Are those days filled with laughter and joy truly destined to be sealed away in the past, never to return?

Every attempt to get closer only brings deeper disappointment. Where should all this affection go?

But after much thought, Gu Qinghuai still had no answer, leaving only a deep sorrow that silently spread through the noisy banquet.