When he decides to deal with Gu Wei'ang, he naturally has to consider Gu Jingchun's thoughts.
Hearing Gu Jingchun's words, he felt relieved.
He reached out and slowly embraced Gu Jingchun, but Gu Jingchun pushed him away.
He remained unmoved, pulling her into his arms once more, inhaling the fragrance emanating from Gu Jingchun before saying, "Jingchun, come with me to the palace."
Gu Jingchun naturally shook his head.
Shen Hechuan was already prepared and knew that Gu Jingchun was unwilling to enter the palace, so he immediately took the opportunity to make his own request.
"Then kiss me."
Gu Jingchun: ...
"Otherwise, I will forcibly bring you into the palace."
"You know I can do it."
Upon hearing this, Gu Jingchun felt utterly exhausted.
Given Shen Hechuan's current erratic behavior, he might actually be able to do it.
Gu Jingchun simply sighed, stood on tiptoe, and gently kissed him on the cheek.
Shen Hechuan, however, went further.
"No, this doesn't count."
Gu Jingchun ignored him and was about to get up when Shen Hechuan pulled her back, wrapped her in his arms, and kissed her fiercely.
Gu Jingchun's breath was once again stolen.
The cool touch was soft, which made Gu Jingchun's mind wander and his heart beat faster.
Although Gu Jingchun didn't want to admit it, her heart had softened considerably under Shen Hechuan's persistent pleading during this period.
When the kiss ended, Shen Hechuan's breathing became rapid, and his warm breath fell on her face.
The deep affection in his eyes seemed about to overflow.
He gently wiped the water from the corner of Gu Jingchun's mouth before murmuring something.
"Qingqing, I really want to bring you into the palace."
I'll hide you away, just like before.
That way, no one can see you, and you belong only to me.
Seeing Gu Jingchun frown slightly, he kissed her between the eyebrows again before saying, "But I don't want you to be unhappy."
"So, could you please show me a little more compassion and come to the palace with me?"
Gu Jingchun's heart skipped a beat.
She turned her head away, avoiding Shen Hechuan's seductive gaze, and shook her head, saying, "No... it's too dangerous around you. I don't want to get into danger."
"I can protect you."
Shen Hechuan said, "With me here, no one can hurt you."
Gu Jingchun shook his head.
"I don't want to take risks; I just want a peaceful life."
Prior to this, Gu Jingchun had wanted to leverage the influence of the Marquis of Yong'an to gain power.
But now, she has to be a coward, a deserter.
All I want is a peaceful life.
Because, more than power, she wanted her son to grow up peacefully.
Despite saying the same thing, Shen Hechuan was still injured once.
He took a step back, his gaze falling on Gu Jingchun's face, before letting out a sigh.
"In that case, I'll just have to make the extra effort to come here more often each day."
"That way, we can be together and you can both be safe. Isn't that great?"
Gu Jingchun: ...
What's the difference between this and an outer room?
Shen Hechuan naturally understood Gu Jingchun's thoughts.
Fearing that Gu Jingchun would be unhappy, he immediately said, "From today onwards, let me be your mistress, how about it?"
Gu Jingchun didn't want to talk.
Because she knew that given Shen Hechuan's erratic nature, it would be useless for her to disagree.
Let him be for now.
Several more days passed.
The weather is getting colder and colder.
Every time Gu Jingchun went out, he would wrap himself in a thick cotton coat and wear an overcoat on top to feel more comfortable.
Back then, when she gave birth to Gu Jinxi, there was an accident that left her with some health problems, making her more susceptible to cold than the average person.
So much so that every time he returned from the palace, he would have to hold a hand warmer for a long time before he felt warm again.
After Shen Hechuan discovered this, he specially sent over several mink coats. Wearing them not only kept Gu Jingchun much warmer, but also made her small face look exceptionally beautiful.
Gu Jingchun's cloak quickly caught the attention of Consort Hui.
Upon hearing the news reported by those around her, Consort Hui couldn't help but chuckle.
"So, the Crown Prince hid the person."
No wonder that her departure from the Yong'an Marquis's mansion had no impact on her life.
However, since the Crown Prince can accept this child without any reservations, there must be some reason behind it.
Thinking back on all this time, her people hadn't been able to find any information about Gu Jingchun and that child.
It is clear that news about both of them has been covered up by someone.
Only Shen Hechuan and the Empress Dowager possessed such abilities.
This, in turn, explains the child's identity.
This is extraordinary!
Upon realizing this, Consort Hui immediately made up her mind to secretly deal with the person.
She would rather kill a thousand innocent people than let one guilty person escape.
This is a critical moment, and she can't afford to take any risks.
We must not allow the Crown Prince's child to remain.
Therefore, Consort Hui can be said to have gone all out this time.
Soon, the day of the palace banquet arrived.
Gu Jingchun was also among those invited.
She wrapped herself up tightly and went directly to the palace.
Unexpectedly, upon arrival, they discovered that all the noble ladies present were dressed in thin clothing.
Their flamboyant attire accentuated their slender figures, making them exceptionally beautiful.
In contrast, Gu Jingchun, because she was wearing a thick cotton-padded coat, looked much heavier.
Because she was afraid of the cold, even with powder on her face, she could not hide her pale complexion.
But her appearance was a completely different story in the eyes of others.
"Look, Gu Jingchun has actually come."
A woman wearing a pale yellow dress spoke up.
"I heard that she was kicked out by Marquis Yong'an and is now living in a separate residence."
Look at her complexion, she looks so pale. She must have been having a very uncomfortable time lately.
Upon hearing this, another person immediately chimed in, "In this world, it's not so easy for a woman to live alone."
Given her appearance and her widowed status, she'll likely attract unnecessary trouble.
This sparked everyone's interest.
"Her marriage to the Luo family has been postponed, and there's still no news. Could it be that she's given up on herself and is doing something shady at night because of this?"
Otherwise, how would she support herself and her child?
"Judging from what she's wearing and what she's carrying, it must be expensive."
The women laughed with disdain as they spoke.
Perhaps their words were too harsh, because one of the women couldn't help but say something more.
"What are you talking about? She's a favorite of the Empress Dowager now, she certainly has these kinds of things."
However, she was outnumbered and outmatched, and they quickly refuted her claims:
"She's just a woman from the countryside, what good things do you think the Empress Dowager could bestow upon her?"
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