"Is something on your mind?" Xiao Ziwu held a white chess piece and slowly put it back into the chess box, noticing that she was lost in thought.
Xiao Ziwu gave her a deep look.
Thinking about someone else?
Her large hands were long and fair, with distinct knuckles. Slightly curved fingers held smooth, white flesh between them, making it difficult to distinguish which was more like warm, lustrous jade.
However, there was a hint of concern in his words.
His gaze was deep and intense, as if he could see right through her. Her cheeks flushed, and she unconsciously turned her face away.
She asked, "How do you know?"
She was just thinking about how her father looked so grim when he left home this morning.
His grandmother ordered him to make a dance costume for Shangguan Jingyi. Two embroiderers in the mansion were at his disposal, but the old lady still felt it was not enough, so she hired two more from outside. She put a lot of effort into making it perfect.
He even went so far as to say, "If Jingyi makes it to the semi-finals, wouldn't you, as his uncle, be proud of yourself?"
So confident and composed, speaking with obvious self-assurance to Shangguan Jingyi, reminded him of how his mother had berated Yun'er the day before. Master Shangguan's face turned ashen, but as a son, he had no choice but to comply!
The girl tilted her head slightly, her fair neck like a lustrous piece of jade, her soft black hair cascading down her shoulders, resembling a lady in a painting. Yet, Xiao Ziwu felt a bitter taste in his mouth.
He was lost in thought for a full quarter of an hour.
Who is she thinking of?
Tianyun avoided the important issues, not wanting him to worry. She said they were just trivial family matters, nothing worth confiding in him.
These past few days, Shangguan Jingyi has been acting arrogantly whenever he passes by her, which suggests that his dancing skills have improved.
She's clever; she only wants to master one dance and strive to become proficient through practice.
A month is neither a long nor a short period. Even without a dance background, last-minute cramming is enough. At most, the dance moves will be a bit stiff and lack some beauty. She only hopes to memorize the moves so that she won't be stage-frightened when she goes on stage.
Xiao Ziwu suddenly stood up and stood behind her.
He raised his hand and looked at her silently without saying a word.
The girl turned and looked up, obediently placing her hand in his large palm. "What's wrong?"
Xiao Ziwu gripped the soft hand tightly in his palm, and the coldness in his eyes subsided slightly.
"Is it boring to be with me?"
"How could this be!"
Her soft, delicate fingers brushed against his dry palm, soothing his low spirits. A tingling sensation spread through his heart as he heard the girl smile gently: "I was just thinking that the Hundred Flowers Banquet is a gathering of beautiful flowers, and it's also a grand dance competition."
Young women strive for captivating dance moves, requiring light and flowing costumes to avoid restricting their movements. However, this often results in their hands and feet becoming stiff from the cold. It's a losing proposition.
But this year is different; my hand warmers will come in handy! They keep me warm and help me maintain my slim figure. With so many elegant ladies attending the banquet, making a fortune won't be a problem.
When money was mentioned, the girl's beautiful eyes sparkled, like a little money-grubber. Xiao Ziwu's heart stirred slightly: "You like money?"
The gold piled up in the warehouse could have buried a small mountain if it were moved out, but he never paid any attention to it. However, if the girl liked it, he would simply hand the key to her another day.
"Of course I like it! Who in the world doesn't like money?" The girl grasped his hand in return and said solemnly, "But I will earn money to support you, so you don't need to worry about these things!"
Even a casual promise from a young girl could make him happy, his heart felt as if it were filled with warm water. Xiao Ziwu smiled lightly, his voice filled with joy.
"good."
The girl's eyes crinkled as she brushed his hand away: "Your Highness, please sit back down. Let's finish this unfinished game."
She initially thought the boy was a cold and aloof wolf, but after understanding his feelings, she realized that he was actually a cute puppy!
He longed to be close to her, never wanting to let go for even a moment.
Just like now, she was simply asking him to let go of her hand and sit across from her, but he pursed his lips tightly, looking quite unwilling, which made her chuckle.
Back then, when she broke into the palace to deliver medicine, she was stuck on the wall and couldn't get down. He was cold and ruthless, and used the hilt of his sword to "pick" her down from her waist, not even daring to touch the corner of her clothes.
Looking back now, the changes are truly earth-shattering!
She was curious to know when this change had occurred, her almond-shaped eyes filled with curiosity. She asked with a smile, "When did Your Highness begin to like me?"
"..."
Xiao Ziwu lowered his eyes slightly, seemingly concentrating intently on the chessboard.
Just when Tianyun thought he was going to remain silent as before, she heard him whisper, "The day you bought the ink." He was a cold-hearted person by nature, and he would not have helped her unless she was special to him.
But he didn't want the girl to know that deep down, he was such a cold-blooded and ruthless person.
His long eyelashes drooped, obscuring the unusual color in his eyes, and he said again, "You lost."
The game was clearly won or lost; he went on a rampage, showing no mercy and completely overwhelming her. He really is still that typical straight man at heart, not knowing how to save face for his girlfriend!
She pouted slightly, then looked surprised. The day she bought the ink?
"Wouldn't that mean we've just met?"
It's no wonder she was surprised; the young man was always self-disciplined and polite, showing her no affection whatsoever. She covered her mouth and chuckled to herself, truly unable to believe that the young man would fall in love with her at first sight.
"And what about you?" Xiao Ziwu glanced at her indifferently.
The girl said softly, "The day you saved me."
That day, he descended like a god, standing backlit at the alley entrance, his tall figure silhouetted against the crumbling wall. In a daze, she truly believed she had encountered a deity.
His movements were swift and deadly; in just a few breaths, the enemy was already in complete retreat! She heard the rapid, pounding of her heart like a drumbeat. She knew she was trapped in his web, with no way to escape.
But the next thought was: between the two of them, who is protecting whom?
If he could exist in the present world, could he also save him from his slumber? Such a thought was too far-fetched, and Tianyun couldn't help but laugh.
She came to her senses, only to find that the boy was not happy.
He had saved her life, and out of consideration for her feelings, she hadn't pushed him away. With this explanation, everything made sense… The young man's brow suddenly turned cold: “Gratitude has nothing to do with affection.” He clenched his fist tightly in front of his knees, uttering words that didn't reflect his true feelings.
What if she changes her mind now?
Should we let her go?
This winter seems exceptionally long...
What is this fool thinking now? "Why would Your Highness think that way? If it's just gratitude, there are countless ways to repay a debt of gratitude. I don't need to give myself to Your Highness." The girl blushed slightly and mustered her courage to sit down in his lap: "Your Highness, don't belittle yourself. You are the best."
Xiao Ziwu held her tightly, nestled in the crook of her neck, and mumbled, "I won't let you go!"
"I will not leave Your Highness, unless one day Your Highness no longer needs me." Her small hand gently stroked his hair, Tianyun's eyes were dark.
The young man kept a low profile, which is why everyone's attention was drawn to Xiao Ziyan. But if the young man truly ascends the throne one day, he will have three thousand concubines and be surrounded by palace maids...
That day will never come! Xiao Ziwu held her tightly in his arms.
He would give her the prosperity and enduring strength of her family, as long as she didn't leave...
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