The water surface rippled slightly, carrying a hint of morning chill.
Shen Jintang glanced at the basin of cold water, frowned slightly, as if weighing something.
A moment later, she turned around, picked up a handkerchief from the side, and gently dipped it into the cold water.
The handkerchief slowly soaked in the water, absorbing the cool moisture.
Once the handkerchief was completely soaked, she slowly picked it up, gently shook it, and then placed it on Gu Zhixing's face.
"Who is it?!" Gu Zhixing was startled awake by the sudden chill and sat up instantly.
He was already tired from going to bed late the night before, and the cold water jolted him awake, instantly igniting a nameless anger within him.
He was about to lash out when he looked up and saw Shen Jintang's calm and serene eyes, clear and peaceful, as if they could see right through people's hearts.
In an instant, Gu Zhixing's anger was extinguished like a spark doused with cold water.
"Your Highness, the tutor is already waiting for you in the study." Shen Jintang's voice was gentle yet firm.
However, Gu Zhixing's temper flared up again upon hearing this.
He really doesn't like reading. He patiently read all day yesterday, which was already his limit.
This is driving him crazy!
"I'm not going!"
Gu Zhixing suddenly lay down, pulling the blanket over his head, as if this would block out all sound and light, allowing him to continue immersing himself in his dreams.
Liu Huo and Xing Hui exchanged a glance, and were about to step forward to pull Gu Zhixing out of bed, but Shen Jintang stopped them with a look.
Shen Jintang nodded slightly, signaling them to step back.
Liu Huo and Xing Hui understood each other perfectly and quietly withdrew, leaving the space to Shen Jintang and Gu Zhixing.
"Your Highness, I have the answer to the question you asked me to think about yesterday." Shen Jintang's voice remained calm, yet carried an undeniable seriousness.
Gu Zhixing was slightly taken aback when he heard this.
To be honest, he had long forgotten what questions he had discussed with Shen Jintang, let alone what the answers were.
He groggily peeked out from under the covers, looking at Shen Jintang with unfocused eyes.
Shen Jintang smiled slightly and continued, "A person without integrity, what can he be good for? A large cart without a linchpin, a small cart without a linchpin, how can they move?"
She paused, then explained, "This quote comes from the Analects, Book 2, Chapter 2. It means: If a person doesn't keep his word, what can he possibly do? It's like a large cart without a linchpin, or a small cart without a linchpin—how can it move?"
"Among them, 'big cart' refers to an oxcart, and 'small cart' refers to a horse-drawn carriage. '輗' is the wooden pin that connects the front of the shaft of a big cart to the crossbar, and '軏' is the wooden pin that connects the front of the shaft of a small cart to the crossbar. The saying 'a big cart without a 輗, a small cart without a 軏' is used to describe a person who has lost credibility, just as a cart is unable to move due to the lack of a key component."
Shen Jintang's gaze fell on Gu Zhixing, her tone slightly more forceful: "I remember His Highness promised me yesterday that he would definitely study with me. Only one day has passed, and His Highness is already going back on his word?"
These words struck Gu Zhixing's heart like a heavy hammer.
He immediately felt guilty, and his sleepiness had long since vanished because of the cold handkerchief.
Under Shen Jintang's gaze, he lay on the bed, restless and unable to sit or lie still.
"Alright, alright." Gu Zhixing sat up helplessly, rubbed his sleepy eyes, and said to Shen Jintang with a wry smile, "I'll listen to you, I'll study, I'll study right now!"
Shen Jintang smiled slightly, stood respectfully to the side, and presented the plain-colored long robe that she had prepared to Gu Zhixing.
Gu Zhixing frowned upon seeing the clothes and asked, "Why are they so plain?"
Shen Jintang replied softly, "Your Highness's clothes have already been sold to pay off debts, so all that's left are these simple garments. But Your Highness, rest assured, I personally selected the fabric for these clothes, and I guarantee they will be soft and comfortable."
Gu Zhixing sighed, reluctantly took the clothes, and was about to get up and put them on when he was startled by Shen Jintang's actions.
She seemed about to come over and help him get dressed, but Gu Zhixing instinctively grabbed the clothes, looked at Shen Jintang warily, and said, "I can do it myself."
Shen Jintang was slightly taken aback, but quickly understood what Gu Zhixing meant.
She didn't press further, but simply smiled and said, "Very well, Your Highness, please make yourself at home."
She stepped aside and quietly watched Gu Zhixing.
Gu Zhixing breathed a sigh of relief.
It wasn't that he wasn't used to being served, but when Shen Jintang served him, he always felt something was different.
He always felt that Shen Jintang would do something to him. Whenever she touched him, he would tense up all over and feel very uncomfortable.
After Gu Zhixing got dressed and washed up, he went to the study with Shen Jintang.
For four consecutive days, he felt like he was getting up earlier than the chickens and going to bed later than the dogs. Except for going to the toilet, he was with Shen Jintang almost every moment.
She never hit him or scolded him; she simply looked at him with those calm eyes.
But he felt sorry for her and was filled with guilt, so he didn't dare to utter a single complaint.
After all, he ruined her future; all she wanted was for him to accompany her in her studies.
If he can't even do this small thing, what right does he have to make amends?
That day, Gu Zhixing finally emerged from the outhouse and was leisurely walking towards his study.
Suddenly, Chongyang's voice rang in my ears: "Master!"
Gu Zhixing was startled and instinctively pretended to kick him, feigning anger as he said, "What are you doing sneaking around like that?"
Chongyang hurriedly nodded and bowed, smiling obsequiously, "Master, it's not that I'm being sneaky, it's just that if I didn't do this, I wouldn't be able to see you at all."
Ever since Shen Jintang obtained the Princess's token, she has been in charge of the entire Princess's residence.
In particular, Chongyang was placed in the most remote place by Shen Jintang, the purpose of which was self-evident—to sideline Gu Zhixing and deprive him of the opportunity to communicate with the outside world.
"Get to the point," Gu Zhixing said, frowning.
He wasn't stupid, and besides, he had been inseparable from Shen Jintang these past few days, so how could he not know what she had been doing in the mansion?
"My lord, I have found out what you asked me to investigate some time ago," Chongyang said in a low voice.
What he was referring to was the incident five days ago when Shen Jintang went out to look for Gu Zhixing, and Gu Zhixing noticed that she had an injury on her shoulder.
Gu Zhixing immediately realized that the wound was definitely not left by the assassin shooting a hidden arrow, and Shen Jintang clearly did not want to mention it, so he could only ask Chongyang to investigate in private.
"What happened?" Gu Zhixing asked in a deep voice, his tone tinged with urgency.
“It was Young Master Chiyang…” Chongyang briefly recounted what had happened that day.
The more Gu Zhixing listened, the more his brows furrowed, and a hint of coldness appeared in his eyes.
Prince Chiyang?
That arrogant and domineering guy actually dared to lay a hand on Shen Jintang?!
He was burning with rage and said through gritted teeth, "So, he dares to touch my people? Does he really think I can't do anything to him?"
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