Cai Yueshi glanced at the two of them, then tactfully lowered her head, packed her things, and smiled and bowed to Shangguan Jingci, "Since Your Highness has something to discuss with this young lady, then I will take my leave."
Shangguan Jingci sighed as if regretful, "In that case, Miss Cai, please take care on your journey. If there is an opportunity, we can discuss it together again next time."
These were just polite words. Cai Yueshi didn't say anything, just smiled and bowed, nodded to Shu Hua as she turned around, and then left.
Shu Hua didn't notice Cai Yueshi's actions; she was just staring blankly at Shangguan Jingci.
The guard behind Shangguan Jingci frowned, stepped forward as if he wanted to say something, but Shangguan Jingci stopped him with a gesture.
"Miss Shu, please have a seat." Shangguan Jingci gestured with his hand in invitation.
Shu Hua bit her lower lip and tentatively asked, "...Looking north?"
"That's me," he said with a smile. "How have you been, Miss Shu?"
"Why are you so distant from me?" This refers to how he addresses himself.
Shangguan Jingci glanced at her with his fox-like eyes and sighed slightly, "I did not mean to do so, but there are too many people around here, so I hope Miss Shu will be careful with her words and actions."
Shu Hua nodded blankly, then paused for a moment before remembering that he had asked how she was doing, and said, "I'm fine, you..."
She bit her lower lip, unsure of where to begin.
“Wangbei is the courtesy name given to me by my mother,” Shangguan Jingci said. “I never intended to deceive Miss Shu, but this matter is not easy to publicize, so I had no choice but to resort to this tactic.”
Seeing that he took the initiative to explain, Shu Hua forced a smile and breathed a sigh of relief.
"I see, I was wrong."
Shangguan Jingci shook his head, reached out and tucked a stray hair behind her ear, looking at her tenderly, "Zihui... seems to have lost some weight, could it be that you haven't been eating properly?"
Shu Hua was taken aback.
The guards tactfully moved aside, leaving only the two of them inside the pavilion.
Shangguan Jingci smiled faintly and withdrew his hand. "Does Zihui like me calling you that?"
Shu Hua lowered her head, her cheeks flushing instantly, feeling his gaze was incredibly intense. She murmured a few words, but in the end, she only murmured an "Mmm."
Seeing this, Shangguan Jingci chuckled lightly, a hint of mockery in his eyes, but Shu Hua, with her head down, didn't notice it at all.
"The woman from just now was..." she bit her lower lip, "...was she your friend?"
Shangguan Jingci raised an eyebrow. "Her name is Cai Yueshi, and she seems to be the granddaughter of the Emperor's father-in-law. Didn't Miss Qin tell you?"
Does Yizhi know that woman?
Shu Hua shook her head blankly. If she knew who it was, why didn't she tell her?
“You seem…really interested in talking to her,” she said with a forced smile.
Shangguan Jingci turned pale upon hearing this. "It's just polite talk. How can you believe that? Don't you trust me?"
Seeing his reaction, Shu Hua had no more doubts and hurriedly waved her hand, "No, no, I was just... just asking casually."
Shangguan Jingci sighed. "If you don't believe me, I really don't know what to do." He held her hand and looked at her solemnly. "Trust me, okay?"
His gaze was both sincere and profound, like a whirlpool that swept her heart away, leaving her knowing she was falling for him yet unable to extricate herself.
As if possessed, Shu Hua smiled and answered him earnestly, "Okay."
Shangguan Jingci then smiled happily, like a child who had received candy. However, if others were present, they would notice that his eyes were cold, chillingly so.
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