The next morning, Qingyin boarded the pleasure boat that Duan Heng had chartered for her, quietly admiring the beauty of the moat and feeding the fish in the river some snacks.
Duan Heng, who had dressed up carefully, looked helplessly at the girl on the boat who was almost half-turned over to look at the water. Could it be that he was really not good-looking enough to be compared to this river?
Duan Heng felt somewhat defeated. After meeting Ahua, he had realized his own feelings. He loved Ahua and wanted her to be his only wife. But now that he was in the capital, he vaguely felt that his relationship with Ahua was not as close as it had been on the road.
Given Duan Heng's domineering nature, he should take this opportunity to express his feelings and speak frankly with Ahua.
The deeper the feelings, the harder it was for Duan Heng to speak.
He was afraid of hearing from the girl that the outcome would not meet his expectations, and he was also afraid that he would lose control of his actions and upset her.
Therefore, Duan Heng suppressed the emotions surging in his heart.
Wenrou stepped forward, stood behind the girl, bent down, and draped a fox fur coat over her shoulders from behind. "It's windy by the river, be careful not to catch a cold."
"Duan Heng, you're so kind," the girl said with a simple and innocent smile.
His eyes showed no trace of the emotions Duan Heng desired, and he lowered his head in disappointment.
The girl spoke sweetly, but Duan Heng noticed that her mind was completely focused on the water. Even as he approached, her fair and jade-like face remained unmoved.
His ears turned red simply from the mere sight of the girl.
Duan Heng felt no resentment at this injustice; he only felt a little down because of the girl's indifference.
Duan Heng remained silent for a while, calming himself down, before feigning composure and saying, "Ahua, don't you think there's something strange about our behavior?"
"Something's wrong? What's wrong?"
The girl continued to slowly break open the pastries in her hand and throw them into the river to feed the hungry little fish. She turned her head and looked at Duan Heng with her clear, almond-shaped eyes, which were like spring water.
Under the sunlight, the girl was as pure and innocent as a newborn baby, without a trace of shadow.
Duan Heng turned his head away almost in a flustered manner, "It's nothing, I just mean that our Ahua is too beautiful, everyone likes Ahua."
"Oh, I see." The girl stretched lazily and winked playfully at Duan Heng.
"Of course! I'm so pretty and cute, of course everyone likes me!" Even though the girl was narcissistic, she was still incredibly adorable.
Duan Heng smiled gently, almost unconsciously.
Fine, if she doesn't get it, she doesn't get it. He has time to wait for Ah Hua to get it. As for the other hands that reach out, he'll just cut them off.
Just like this moat, the river surface, which he had specially cleared out, was occupied only by him and the girl.
At dusk, Duan Heng, having had his fill of fishing with the young girl, returned to the palace with Qingyin and received a message from the eunuch sent by the Emperor.
Mid-Autumn Festival Feast, Ahua.
Duan Heng clenched his fist. He knew that his recent actions had brought Ah Hua into the Emperor's sight, but he didn't know how much the Emperor knew about Ah Hua.
For example, Ahua's face, or rather, the Flower Goddess of the Eastern Suburbs.
Duan Heng tried to calm himself down. Things hadn't gotten to the worst yet. He had also remembered a lot of things. Perhaps he could use Lao Qi and Lao Da to attract some attention and get revenge for what he had done before.
Ah Hua absolutely could not show her face to the Emperor. After thinking it over, Duan Heng walked to the gate of Qing Yin's courtyard and knocked on the door.
"Ahua, it's me."
Qingyin opened the door and looked at Duan Heng, who had just left and then ran back, and asked in confusion:
"Duan Heng, what brings you here again?"
Duan Heng took a deep look at the girl's exquisite face, which seemed even more beautiful than yesterday, and his bad premonition grew stronger.
"Ahua, let me in first."
Qingyin nodded obediently, making way for Duan Heng to come in.
When Duan Heng first entered Ahua's boudoir, he smelled the fresh fragrance emanating from Qingyin, and his face flushed, his ears turning red.
He wasn't here to keep Ahua company; he was here to discuss serious matters with her. As he thought about it, the jumbled thoughts in Duan Heng's mind dissipated, and he calmed down, pulling the girl down to sit with him.
"Ahua, will you be attending the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet held at the palace this year?"
It's not a question, it's a statement of certainty.
Qingyin's eyes widened, and she said somewhat flusteredly, "But I'm just a commoner, how can I attend this kind of banquet?"
"Father Emperor sent you here especially to thank you for saving me. Don't worry, Ahua, I'm here."
"But His Majesty already thanked me, with so much money," Qingyin said, dumbfounded.
Looking at the girl's bewildered and innocent expression, Duan Heng's lips curled slightly. "Ahua, my life as a prince cannot be replaced by money."
Qingyin nodded as if she understood, looking at the man with a mix of nervousness and curiosity: "Then do I need to do something, like learn some manners or something?"
Duan Hengrou smiled gently, "Don't be afraid, just learn the kneeling etiquette. It's okay if you don't learn it well. You can just sit next to Jiang Lingya."
"Really?" The girl visibly relaxed after realizing that the person she was sitting with was someone she knew.
Duan Heng patted the girl's head. "Of course."
"But this time, Ahua also wore a veil on her face, lying that she had an allergic reaction on her face, you know?"
"Why?" Qingyin asked in confusion. Why would a village girl like her cover her face?
Duan Heng didn't answer her, but instead patted her head reassuringly, "Don't be afraid, I'll let you show your face openly in the future."
Seeing the unusual seriousness in Duan Heng's eyes, Qingyin nodded.
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