A relieved smile appeared on Lin Tingwan's face, and a hint of tenderness flashed in her eyes.
She handed the prepared package to Shen Huaixu: "This journey will be difficult. Here are some things I prepared for you. Take them with you so I can feel at ease."
Shen Huaixu took the package, nodded slightly, and said with a hint of gratitude, "Thank you, Princess."
He then hurriedly left, his figure gradually disappearing into the distance at the palace gate.
Lin Tingwan gazed at his retreating figure, her eyes long and deep, as if she wanted to etch his image into her heart.
Only after Shen Huaixu's figure had completely disappeared from her sight did she slowly turn around and walk back.
At the same time, the sound of rapid hoofbeats came from the other end of the palace road.
Before Lin Tingwan could turn around, she saw a fine horse galloping from afar. The horse was moving at an extremely fast speed, and the strong wind it created when it passed by her almost knocked her over.
"drive--"
A sharp neigh broke the tranquility of the palace road, and the sound of hooves pounded on the bluestone pavement like a sudden rain.
"Who is so bold as to ride a horse freely in the palace?"
Lin Tingwan turned around abruptly, her gaze like a sword piercing the palace servant beside her, her voice carrying a hint of anger.
The palace servant hurriedly looked up and glanced at him, then bowed his head respectfully and replied, "That is... His Highness the Crown Prince."
When Gu Zhixing arrived after hearing the news, he happened to run into the assembled officials who had just finished their court session.
He inquired along the way and learned that Shen Jintang had been summoned by his mother, so he hurriedly went to the palace to look for her.
Upon arriving at the palace, Gu Zhixing abruptly pushed open the palace door and rushed in, looking flustered, covered in sweat, with a few strands of hair still clinging to his forehead, disheveled by the wind.
The palace was completely silent, with only the palace servants and the eldest princess present.
The person he was looking for had long since disappeared.
"Why are you in such a rush?"
The eldest princess looked up at Gu Zhixing, her brows furrowing slightly. Seeing the strong smell of alcohol on him and his recklessness, she spoke with some displeasure.
"Mother, where is Shen Jintang?" Gu Zhixing asked anxiously, his voice trembling slightly.
He couldn't care less about anything else; all he wanted was to see Shen Jintang, to see her, and to confirm that she was safe.
He only had a fight with Shen Jintang, how did it turn out like this?
The princess glanced at him coldly, her tone indifferent yet undeniably authoritative: "I'm leaving."
"Where did you go?" Gu Zhixing asked urgently.
The eldest princess glanced at Gu Zhixing's anxious appearance, a slight sneer curling her lips, her tone laced with sarcasm: "After causing such a huge mess, do you think she can still stay in the capital?"
Gu Zhixing was startled, as if he realized something, his body trembled slightly, and a trace of panic flashed in his eyes.
Seeing Gu Zhixing's dazed expression, the princess slowly said, "I have sent her out of the capital to gain experience for a year or two. Once the Yellow River fortifications are repaired, she will naturally be able to return."
Yellow River?
That would take forever to repair.
Moreover, the conditions there are so harsh, how could Shen Jintang possibly endure it?
Upon hearing this, Gu Zhixing turned to leave.
"stop!"
The princess saw through his thoughts, and her tone was cold yet stern: "Do you think it will do any good to chase after her now? Will it keep her here, or will it quell the gossip in the capital?"
Gu Zhixing stopped in his tracks, his body stiffening for a moment, his fists clenched tightly, his nails digging deep into his palms.
"Exiling her away may seem like a demotion, but it's actually a form of protection. If she stays in the capital, she'll lose her life sooner or later." The princess's voice softened, her tone tinged with helplessness and regret.
Gu Zhixing raised his head, a hint of confusion flashing in his eyes, yet also a touch of determination: "Mother, I..."
The eldest princess interrupted him, her tone stern yet tinged with concern: "After all this talk, don't you know what you should be doing? She can only return when you have the ability to speak in the court."
Gu Zhixing remained silent for a moment, his gaze gradually hardening. He looked up at the sky, took a deep breath, and then stepped out with firm and powerful strides.
The eldest princess gazed at Gu Zhixing's retreating figure, her eyes deep and unfathomable, a complex emotion flashing within them, as if she were pondering something, or perhaps praying for him.
The Eastern Palace.
"Your Highness, you cannot enter without a summons!"
The palace servants saw Gu Zhixing leading a group of people towards the East Palace from afar, looking menacing. They immediately stepped forward to stop them.
Gu Zhixing remained expressionless, coldly glancing at the palace servants without uttering a word.
He merely raised his chin slightly, and Chongyang immediately understood, ordering his men to tie up the palace servants, gag them, and throw them aside.
Upon seeing this, the guards of the Eastern Palace immediately drew their swords and stood in front of the palace gate. The blades gleamed coldly in the sunlight, and the atmosphere instantly became tense.
Chongyang led his men forward, and the guards were on high alert, their sword tips trembling slightly, but they dared not make any rash moves.
Gu Zhixing seemed oblivious, simply walking forward coldly, his gaze sharp as a knife as he swept over the crowd.
The guards were terrified. Everyone knew that the Crown Prince was the princess's most precious treasure, so who would dare to really hurt him?
At that moment, I couldn't help but slowly back away.
Chongyang stepped forward and led his men to clear a path for Gu Zhixing.
And so, Gu Zhixing entered the Eastern Palace without any hindrance.
"Your Highness, something terrible has happened!"
A palace servant ran toward the Crown Prince's palace, looking flustered and covered in sweat, as if pursued by soldiers.
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