Suddenly someone came over and whispered something in Wei Huaixu's ear.
He then said, "Yongning, I have some official business to attend to now. Come find me at Juxian Pavilion when you're done playing."
"Alright, Crown Prince, please go ahead. I'll be fine with the Grand Tutor by my side."
He cupped his hands in greeting to Jin Heng, saying, "I'll trouble the Grand Tutor to look after Yongning for me."
Jin Heng nodded, "Your subject will certainly do his utmost."
As soon as Wei Huaixu left, Wei Yinqiu pulled Jin Heng along, clutching his sleeve tightly, claiming she was afraid of getting lost.
Jin Heng let her hold on, and followed closely beside her.
They came to a stall selling masks. Wei Yinqiu picked up half a fox mask, put it on, and turned to ask him, "Does it look good?"
A fox mask outlined in red and white covered most of her face, revealing only her bright, watery eyes and lustrous red lips, making her look somewhat like a cunning fox.
Jin Heng thought she looked better with the mask on than with her natural appearance, but he still nodded and said, "She looks good."
Wei Yinqiu then picked out a rabbit mask for him and told him to wear it too.
The man, who usually had an ethereal air about him, was now wearing an adorable white rabbit mask, giving him a unique and endearing charm.
She couldn't help but burst out laughing.
Jin Heng froze on the spot, a hint of confusion showing in his star-like eyes. "Am I... ridiculous?"
"No, no." Wei Yinqiu leaned forward and reached out to hook his chin, teasingly saying, "Now I'm the little fox and you're the big white rabbit. You're going to be eaten by me."
Actually, she only reached his chin when she was standing, so she had to stand on tiptoe and lean forward, almost touching him.
Jin Heng realized that the two of them were being too close, so she took a step back. However, she lost her balance and fell forward.
He quickly reached out to take it.
Wei Yinqiu let herself go and threw herself straight into his arms.
He had a pleasant cedar scent, faint and not overpowering. He was warm to the touch, and his collarbone bumped against her nose, making it tingle and ache.
"Princess, are you alright?"
Jin Heng's voice came from above her head, making her chest feel a dull thud.
Wei Yinqiu took a long, reluctant breath before slowly pulling away from his embrace. She looked up, her eyes still wet, and said with a pitiful expression, "You're so hard, you bumped into me and hurt."
He smiled, a seductive glint in his eyes, "You lost your footing, and now you're blaming me? Hmm?"
"It's because you suddenly stepped back that I was caught off guard and fell."
"Oh? Then tell me, Princess, why did I retreat?"
Her face flushed, and she pouted, "Okay, it's my fault."
Jin Heng raised his hand and ruffled her hair, his expression a mixture of doting and helplessness. "It's still my fault. Beauty can be a dangerous thing."
When Wei Yinqiu first heard him say such narcissistic things, she really wanted to see what his expression was like, but unfortunately it was hidden by his mask.
The two continued walking forward, and Wei Yinqiu suddenly said, "Grand Tutor, I always thought you didn't have a clear understanding of your own appearance, but I just realized that you know it very well."
Jin Heng remained noncommittal, saying, "I have a bronze mirror in my room."
The implication is that he is not blind and can see things himself.
Wei Yinqiu was quite displeased, "Do you know how many girls stared at your face on the way here?"
"I don't know..." he said, then belatedly realized, "So that's why you suddenly took me to buy masks?"
Having her secret exposed, she was neither angry nor ashamed, and frankly said, "Yes, I'm afraid you'll end up like Wei Jie, being watched to death."
"I'm not weak."
His words were nothing in particular, but they made Wei Yinqiu feel inexplicably hot.
Fortunately, no one could tell because of the mask.
They walked to the bridge, where they could see boats rowing on the Lan River that flows through the city, and people releasing lanterns into the water. The lotus-shaped lanterns drifted slowly with the river, like stars dotting the surface.
"Grand Tutor, my grandmother has allowed me to leave the palace and establish my own residence after I come of age, so I can visit you more often from now on."
Jin Heng shook his head. "A princess is of noble birth and should not frequently enter and leave a man's residence."
"Then you can come to Yongning Residence to find me."
"This would probably damage the princess's reputation."
Wei Yinqiu was extremely distressed. "This won't work, that won't work, so... how about you marry me, after we get married..."
Before she could finish speaking, she was interrupted sharply: "Princess... Your Highness and I are not suitable for each other!"
“What’s inappropriate about it? You’re not married, and I’m not married. We’re clearly a perfect match.” Wei Yinqiu was very puzzled.
Jin Heng looked at her stubborn appearance, and his eyes suddenly turned cold. "The princess has not yet come of age, so it is a bit too hasty to talk about marriage."
"It'll be soon. My coming-of-age ceremony will be in four months and seven days."
“Princess, marriage is a serious matter and should not be taken lightly.” Meeting her hurt gaze, Jin Heng lowered his eyelashes, his tone softening as he comforted her, “You are still young and have only seen a handful of men. Your feelings for me are just a passing fancy. Once this interest passes, you will no longer be so attached to me.”
"It's getting late. I'll escort the princess to Juxian Pavilion." With that, he turned and walked down the bridge.
Wei Yinqiu stood still, watching his figure gradually disappear into the bustling crowd. The tears that had been welling up in her eyes could no longer be held back and streamed down her face.
Jin Heng was extremely agitated and didn't know how to face her for a moment. He didn't even notice that she hadn't followed him. After walking for a while, he turned around and saw unfamiliar faces all around him. He froze for a moment and then panicked.
He hurriedly ran back to the bridge, where people were still coming and going, but there was no trace of that familiar figure.
"Where did the princess go?" he asked coldly, grabbing the collar of the guard beside him.
The other person shook his head and waved his hands in a panic, "I was waiting by the bridge, and I followed you as soon as you left, I didn't notice..."
Before he could finish speaking, Jin Heng shoved him aside, saying, "What nonsense are you spouting? Hurry up and go find it! If you can't find it, you can forget about having your head!"
"Yes, yes, I'll go right away." The guard stumbled away.
Just then, Wei Yinqiu's maid ran over crying, knelt down at his feet, and sobbed, "My lord, something terrible has happened! The princess has been kidnapped by thieves!"
"What did you say!" he exclaimed in shock, grabbing the maid by the collar and lifting her up. "How have you been taking care of the princess?!"
The maid was stunned by his cold and frightening appearance, and for a moment she opened her mouth but could not say a word.
"Are you mute? I'm asking you where the princess has been taken!"
The little maid pointed in a direction and stammered, "East... southeast..."
Jin Heng left her behind, turned around with a sullen face, and strode away.
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