On the long streets of Kyoto, crowds thronged, and the festive atmosphere of the New Year grew stronger.
As the New Year approached, the tutor of the Crown Prince's Palace took leave, allowing Gu Zhixing and his classmates to escape from their busy studies.
However, Shen Jintang of the Princess's residence became increasingly busy, often working until late at night, and sometimes not even going home at night, but resting directly in the palace.
Gu Yanqing and the others often joked that the Princess's residence was different from others, with women in charge and men staying at home leisurely, as if they had become "living off their wives".
Upon hearing this, Gu Zhixing was not displeased at all; instead, he smiled slightly, his eyes revealing a hint of pride.
So what if a woman is in charge of the household?
So what if he lives off a woman?
He felt that this was actually a skill.
Since his mother and Shen Jintang were both busy with important matters, he took on the task of setting up the New Year's decorations, which was also his way of contributing to the family.
"Chongyang, what do you think girls like?"
Standing on the bustling street, Gu Zhixing looked at the dazzling array of stalls before him and asked thoughtfully.
He wanted to make this New Year special, after all, it was the first New Year he had spent with Shen Jintang, so he had to prepare carefully.
Chongyang scratched his head, looking troubled: "Master, this is a real problem for me. I've never been married, how would I know what girls like?"
He looked at Gu Zhixing with a hint of confusion in his eyes.
Gu Zhixing smiled slightly, shook his head, and a hint of tenderness flashed in his eyes: "Indeed, it must have been hard on you."
Chongyang was stunned for a moment, feeling as if he had been mocked by his master.
Was he mistaken?
He shook his head, deciding to ignore it and continue following.
Gu Zhixing strolled calmly down the street, his gaze lingering on each stall as he carefully selected items.
He was very serious, afraid of missing any little item that Shen Jintang might like.
He picked up a pink glass hairpin and examined it closely in the sunlight. The hairpin reflected a soft glow under the light, like a peach blossom just beginning to bloom in spring.
He nodded in satisfaction, turned and handed it to Chongyang, saying softly, "This is good, take it."
Chongyang's hands were already piled high with various items, and his fingers were almost invisible.
His arms trembled slightly, and sweat slid down his forehead, dripping onto the objects in his hands and leaving shallow streaks.
Even his steps gradually became heavy, each step feeling like moving a small mountain.
He was panting heavily, his lips slightly dry, but he dared not utter a complaint, because he knew that his master was going to such lengths to give Shen Jintang a surprise.
Gu Zhixing seemed completely oblivious to Chongyang's exhaustion; his gaze remained focused, and his face held a childlike excitement.
He walked past a sugar figurine stall, suddenly stopped, picked out a lifelike rabbit sugar figurine, carefully placed it in Chongyang's hand, and said, "Take this one too, maybe she'll like it."
Chongyang's hands were almost too weak to hold on. He gritted his teeth, trying to adjust the balance of the items in his hands, and forced a smile: "Master, are you really going to take all of these?"
His voice trembled with a hint of a sob, but Gu Zhixing merely smiled slightly and uttered the cruelest words in the gentlest tone: "Take it!"
He walked from the street at the Princess's residence all the way to the end of the street leading to the palace. He had explored almost the entire street, carefully selecting many things. Chongyang's hands were already full, and he was panting heavily from exhaustion.
"Master, is this... about right?"
Chongyang wore a bitter expression, his voice tinged with helplessness.
He had never carried so many things in his life, and his arms were so sore that he could barely lift them.
Gu Zhixing simply smiled faintly, his eyes showing a hint of seriousness: "This is nothing, it's still early!"
He gently patted Chongyang on the shoulder, his tone encouraging: "Hang in there a little longer. Once we've bought all these things, the New Year will be very lively."
I'll go to the palace to see Shen Jintang in a bit.
Since Shen Jintang is busy and doesn't go home, he will go find her!
Chongyang sighed. Although he was exhausted, he couldn't say anything more when he saw Gu Zhixing's earnest yet gentle eyes. He could only grit his teeth and continue to follow Gu Zhixing through the crowd.
Along the long street, red lanterns hung high, and stalls were filled with all kinds of New Year's goods, creating a lively and bustling atmosphere.
Gu Zhixing stood out in the crowd with his focused expression. As he selected items, he would occasionally turn back to discuss something with Chongyang, his face filled with anticipation, as if this New Year held special significance for him.
Just as Gu Zhixing was about to speak, he suddenly heard a commotion coming from not far away.
"Let me go!"
The woman's voice was sharp and shrill, like a wild beast driven to the brink of despair, filled with despair and anger.
He looked in the direction of the sound and saw a woman struggling frantically as she escaped from a magnificent carriage on the main road.
Her hair was disheveled, her clothes were in disarray, and her eyes shone with a desperate and crazed light.
Several maids and servants surrounded her, trying to pull her back to the carriage, but she managed to break free from them all.
"You want me to shut up? I'll talk anyway!"
The woman struggled and screamed loudly, appearing almost insane.
"If you won't let me have a good time, none of you will have a good time either!"
She suddenly broke free from the people around her, stumbling forward, her hands flailing wildly in the air as if trying to grab something, but grasping nothing at all.
Gu Zhixing frowned, immediately noticing the clue.
It's never uncommon for wealthy families to scheme and plot against each other.
The victor is king, the loser is villain. Before they die, the defeated side will naturally reveal some secrets that cannot be made public.
Even if it can't turn the tide, it can at least make the other party feel uncomfortable and prevent them from having an easy time.
He had seen and heard about this kind of thing many times, and it was nothing new to him.
However, a crowd of onlookers had already gathered around, whispering and discussing among themselves.
Some people whispered, some pointed and whispered, and some laughed gleefully.
Gu Zhixing, however, was neither curious nor interested in listening further.
He loathed such dirty dealings and didn't want to get involved in these controversies or have his ears soiled.
"Chongyang, let's go..." he said in a low voice, his tone tinged with impatience, preparing to leave with Chongyang.
"Isn't this the fourth young lady of the Grand Tutor's mansion? How did she end up like this?"
A gasp suddenly came from the crowd, the voice filled with surprise and regret.
Gu Zhixing stopped in his tracks instantly.
Grand Tutor's Mansion?
Fourth Sister?
These two words struck him like a bolt from the blue, instantly freezing him in place.
He turned around, his gaze fixed on the deranged woman, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.
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