Wen Su was taken aback, not knowing why this was happening, but seeing Dou Shiliu enter with a happy expression, her surprise vanished.
Never mind, I'll just have a sip of tea.
Wen Su poured Dou Shiliu a cup of iced tea, looking at her.
"If the prince has drunk it, he should go back soon."
Dou Shiliu, holding his teacup, smiled and said, "What if I wanted to stay here overnight?"
She wore a sly smile, her eyes seeming to draw him into the deep stars, making him realize she wasn't joking.
"Shameless..."
He blushed with embarrassment, unsurprisingly. Why did this prince give him the feeling of a dissolute and frivolous playboy?
"Just kidding, this is the money for your ransom."
He took out a pile of silver coins from his pocket and gently placed them on the table.
Wen Su was lost in thought. What does that mean?
What does Your Highness mean?
Dou Shiliu rested her chin on her hand, looking at him lazily: "Play me a piece of music, and these are yours."
She's making a legitimate deal.
Upon hearing this, Wen Su lowered his eyes and asked no more questions. He tuned the strings and played a piece for her.
Unlike the pieces he practiced, he had never heard of this piece before.
It seemed to carry a hint of gratitude.
Dou Shiliu lowered her eyes slightly; redeeming herself was of utmost importance to Wen Su.
When the song ended, Wen Su put down her fingers, which had faint red marks on them.
He practiced for so long, and now he's played an entire difficult piece without armor, so it's already a miracle he didn't get bloodied.
Dou Shiliu glanced at his fingers hidden behind his back and remained silent.
"The prince may leave."
Although she helped him, he still wouldn't open his heart to her.
What he wanted was a happiness she couldn't give him.
Simple meals, a peaceful life
It's not something that a man who marries countless women who serve him can provide.
Does it hurt?
Wen Su didn't understand: "What did Your Highness say?"
Dou Shiliu leaned over and grabbed his fingers, which were hidden behind his back; they were red and purple.
Dou Shiliu lowered her eyes, her heart aching as she gently patted his hand.
How could she have come up with such a stupid way of giving him money?
Suddenly, a slight dampness came from her fingertips, and Wen Su's eyes flashed with shock. She immediately withdrew her hand.
"Your Highness...please atone..."
The voice was a little trembling
Wen Su couldn't bear to imagine what had just happened. The prince kissed his injured fingertip with immense tenderness.
She was deeply shocked and couldn't shake off the feeling. Her eyelashes trembled, and she gently bit her red lips.
Looking at the woman's eyes, which showed her affection for him as if he were a precious treasure.
He... had actually felt a slight stirring of attraction just now.
Seeing the man terrified, Dou Shiliu didn't press him any further, but simply stroked his fine, dark hair.
"I'm leaving."
Wen Su didn't look up when she heard this, but her long, thick eyelashes trembled.
Seeing that he didn't say anything, and with many miscellaneous matters to attend to in the mansion, Dou Shiliu didn't linger there any longer and turned to leave.
As the faint fragrance around her gradually faded away, Wen Su sat on the futon, lost in thought.
The next day, Dou Shiliu arrived openly. Wen Su was still at Hua Man Lou. According to the madam, he could only leave after the full moon celebration.
When he faced the woman this time, his heart stirred slightly, but his expression remained calm and expressionless.
He calmly began tuning the piano.
Dou Shiliu sat on the futon, watching him start playing the zither again. His fingertips were still bleeding, so she pulled him up.
"I won't be playing the piano today."
Wen Su was puzzled. If she wasn't going to play the zither, what was she supposed to do?
Dou Shiliu smiled slightly, then pulled him outside. The madam didn't dare say anything; who would dare block His Highness's path?
Seeing the bustling streets and alleys, Dou Shiliu held the person in his hand tightly and weaved through the crowd.
"Your Highness, where are we going?"
She pulled him with a bit too hard, causing him pain, and his fair wrist immediately turned red.
Wen Su watched without saying anything, letting her lead the way.
When Dou Shiliu inadvertently turned around, he suddenly saw tears welling up in his eyes.
It gave her a big fright.
"System, why is Cannon Fodder crying?"
Bai Tuan silently told her the whole story.
Rudi Ren Dou Shiliu: "..."
I never imagined that the cannon fodder character in this world was so delicate and fragile; it really makes me want to protect her…
"You're in pain, but you don't say anything."
Wen Su hesitated for a few seconds, looking at the carefree woman, pursing her lips and remaining silent. He struggled several times, but she didn't seem to notice.
So I just ignored it, but little did I know that he would shed a few delicate tears.
Dou Shiliu looked at the marks left by the straps with heartache, found a random clinic to apply medicine, and then wrapped it with white gauze.
"Darling...cough cough, Miss, there's no need to make such a fuss."
Dou Shiliu ignored him, tied a pretty bow, and glanced at him.
"Next time you're in pain, you have to say so. Otherwise, how will a tough old woman like me know the pain my wife is in?"
Wen Su lowered her eyes, ignoring her nonsense.
Dou Shiliu took him out of the clinic, then took him to see the water scenery, and then to a small, poor town in Yancheng where he ate a bowl of authentic noodles.
A hand skillfully reached out to wipe his mouth.
Wen Su, unusually, did not refuse, letting Dou Shiliu...
Dou Shiliu's lips curled up slightly.
As night approached, Wen Su thought the day was over, but unexpectedly, the prince dragged him to another village.
Outside, the simple families had already started their bonfire parties, with flames shooting into the sky, and you could feel the fiery atmosphere even before you got close.
Wen Su's heart was also stirred. Dou Shiliu looked at him in the fire, stretched out her hand to him, and smiled brightly. The firelight behind her seemed to add to her radiance.
Wen Su's heart stirred slightly, and he stepped into the center of the dance floor with her.
Singing and laughing together, Wen Su had never felt so relaxed in all these years, and the restraints that bound her gentle and refined nature were now completely dispelled as she sweated profusely with unbridled joy.
Soon after, Dou Shiliu brought him a cup of tea, and their eyes met.
The burning emotions within her threatened to melt Wen Su away.
"Will you marry me?"
The smile on Wen Su's face had not yet faded when a sentence floated into his ears, leaving him slightly stunned.
Dou Shiliu's eyes crinkled with laughter. No longer caring if she had startled him, she pulled him into her arms, keeping him only a foot away, and spoke softly to him.
"Wen Su..." A woman's unique scent whispered in his ear, "Marry me, and I'll promise you a lifetime of love and devotion."
Unyielding spirit, not a single falsehood.
Wen Su stared blankly at her. The woman in front of him had nothing but his image in her eyes, and her beautiful and gorgeous appearance became even more outstanding.
This woman was courting him, promising him things he couldn't even imagine.
Anyone would be moved and fall into the woman's deep affection...
"…I…"
Warmth welled up in their hearts, but before Wen Su could utter a word, the hidden guards who had been concealed to the side suddenly knelt at their feet.
"Your Highness, Her Majesty the Empress urgently needs your assistance."
The guard's cold voice instantly punctured the pink bubble surrounding Dou Shiliu. Wen Su, who had been somewhat relaxed, immediately regained her senses and released her hand.
The Empress...
How could a woman he never dared to imagine in his entire life almost fall for sweet talk?
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