She paused for a moment, then realized that it was candy.
"sugar?"
Shen Jintang looked up at Gu Zhixing, her eyes filled with surprise and curiosity.
She was surprised that Gu Zhixing would suddenly give her candy.
Gu Zhixing nodded and said, "I've chosen these few dishes over the past day, and they're all quite delicious. I've packed them all for you. Eat them whenever you want."
His voice carried a hint of doting and concern, and his eyes were full of tenderness.
"That's all, I'll pack you another one." Gu Zhixing took out the purse he had taken from Shen Jintang earlier from his sleeve and handed it to Shen Jintang.
The purse had been cleaned and was filled with candies that Gu Zhixing had carefully selected.
Shen Jintang looked down, her fingers clutching the purse turning slightly white, lost in thought.
"What's wrong? Are you touched?"
Seeing that Shen Jintang hadn't spoken for a long time, Gu Zhixing tilted his head to look at her, his eyes filled with a hint of teasing and concern.
A smile played on his lips as he explained, "It's just a tiny, insignificant thing; there's no need to be too moved."
Shen Jintang snapped out of her daze, her eyes crinkling with a smile, and said, "Then thank you in advance, Your Highness. I also have a gift to give to Your Highness."
Following Shen Jintang's gaze, she saw Liu Huo carrying clothes in. After arranging the clothes, he respectfully withdrew, his movements fluid and careful.
"clothing?"
Gu Zhixing stood up, walked over, and carefully examined the area, a glint of light flashing in his eyes, filled with curiosity and surprise.
"You didn't make this yourself, did you?"
But once the words were spoken, Gu Zhixing felt it was unlikely.
Shen Jintang is so busy, where would she find the time to make clothes?
Moreover, since she ate and slept with Shen Jintang, she had no idea that Shen Jintang had any intention of making clothes.
“I didn’t make it myself, but it is a gift I gave to His Highness the Crown Prince.”
Shen Jintang picked up a piece of clothing and held it up against Gu Zhixing's body, her movements gentle and careful.
"Does Your Highness like it?" Her eyes held a hint of anticipation.
Gu Zhixing looked down and felt that the face looked familiar, but he couldn't remember where he had seen it before.
A hint of doubt flashed in his eyes, but he quickly concealed it.
"Actually, I like anything you give me."
Gu Zhixing took the clothes and said, "I would like them even more if you made them yourself."
His voice carried a hint of doting and playfulness, while his eyes were full of sincerity.
"Your Highness thinks too highly of me. I really don't know how to do needlework."
Shen Jintang replied, his voice tinged with helplessness and self-deprecation.
"Never learned it before?" Gu Zhixing frowned, his eyes filled with doubt and confusion.
He found it strange that Shen Jintang had been working for other people's families since she was six years old, but she didn't know how to do needlework.
The things he knows how to do are things like playing the zither and reading books...
"If Your Highness wishes, I can learn it too."
Seeing the suspicion in Gu Zhixing's eyes, Shen Jintang quickly changed the subject, saying, "I probably can't learn to make clothes as complicated as these, but I can try some simpler ones."
The night outside the window was as still as water, and the moonlight shone through the half-closed curtains, casting a hazy silver glow.
The room was quiet and still, with only the occasional crackling of the candlelight adding to the tranquil atmosphere of the night.
Shen Jintang carefully put away the purse, and her movements as she stood up were so light that they were almost silent.
She leaned forward slightly, the two of them separated only by a thin garment. The faint distance seemed to be lengthened by the moonlight, yet they were so close that they could feel each other's breath.
"Your Highness, what do you desire?"
Shen Jintang's voice was low, with a hint of gentleness.
She asked the question casually, yet it made people unable to help but speculate on its deeper meaning.
Gu Zhixing's heart skipped a beat. All his previous thoughts had long been forgotten, and only Shen Jintang's words, "I want to make things for you by hand," remained in his mind.
His expression changed slightly, and he subconsciously turned around, trying to hide his embarrassment with his back, but his ears were already as red as if they had been dyed by moonlight.
He could feel Shen Jintang's presence, warm and gentle, like a spring breeze rippling across a lake.
Gu Zhixing lowered his eyes slightly and said softly, "I... let me think about it."
Shen Jintang smiled slightly, her tone remaining calm as ever: "Then Your Highness should think it over and tell me."
Her voice was like a whisper in the night wind, carrying a hint of detachment.
Gu Zhixing stood there, his heart filled with confusion.
Shen Jintang's attitude seemed to change subtly in an instant; just a moment ago she was full of concern, but now she was somewhat indifferent.
He wanted to ask her why she did this, but he was afraid that his words would seem too sensitive and that she would laugh at him.
This unspoken conflict made him increasingly tormented.
Shen Jintang turned around and tidied up her desk, her movements slow and methodical.
Her figure appeared exceptionally serene and aloof in the moonlight, as if she had blended into the tranquil night.
She said softly, "Your Highness, please rest early and don't catch a cold."
With that, he turned and went to the bed, without saying another word.
Gu Zhixing watched her retreating figure, his heart filled with complex emotions.
In the night, she is like a tranquil painting, making people want to get closer, yet dare not touch her easily.
He stood there, his heart filled with turmoil, until Shen Jintang fell asleep. Only then did he slowly lie down, but he could no longer calm down.
This unspoken tension kept him tossing and turning all night, his dreams filled with Shen Jintang's enigmatic expression.
The next morning.
As dawn broke, Shen Jintang got up as usual, quickly tidied herself up, and prepared to go to the palace.
The carriage started slowly in the cool morning breeze, and Xinghui brought back news about the refugees that Shen Jintang had told him about yesterday.
"Master, something is not right."
Shen Jintang remained calm and gestured for Xinghui to continue.
She sensed something was wrong when she heard the news yesterday, but it was just a guess at the time, which is why she sent Xing back to investigate.
Xing Hui said in a low voice, his tone tinged with seriousness: "There are far too many refugees; it's not like a typical disaster. When I went to investigate yesterday, the scene was truly shocking."
She frowned slightly, as if still reliving the unsettling scene: "Moreover, those refugees were stopped by a large number of soldiers when they reached within thirty miles of the capital, and were not allowed to get any closer to the capital."
The large number of displaced people was not the biggest problem; the strangest thing was that government officials and soldiers were also involved.
Shen Jintang narrowed his eyes slightly, tapping his knees lightly with his fingers, as if he was thinking about something.
The carriage continued its steady journey, but suddenly came to a stop with a "whoosh!"
Shen Jintang swayed slightly, her eyes snapping open with a sharp gaze.
"Liu Huo, what are you doing..."
Xinghui lifted the curtain, about to question the coachman, but her voice suddenly stopped.
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