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He raised his chin and added, "What about that plum tree over there?"

Pausing for a moment, he continued, "You'd better lead the way. It wouldn't be good if we got lost."

When had this man ever gotten lost before?

Rong Shu parted her lips, hesitated for a few breaths, but ultimately said nothing. She took a hand warmer and led him in that direction.

Walking side by side in silence, after a short while, Rong Shu pointed to the oldest plum tree at the edge of the grove and said, "Let's stop here."

Gu Changjin hung the wooden cage on the tree, then gently tapped it. The cage swayed slightly, causing the tiny ice sculptures inside to scramble towards the door.

Through the cage's lattice-like door, the adorable little ice sculptures gazed at the two of them with their translucent big eyes, exuding a wild charm.

A smile tugged at the corners of Rong Shu's lips.

The small wooden cage above their heads swayed gently, and delicate snowflakes drifted down from the branches.

Standing under the old plum tree covered in pure white snow, Gu Changjin asked softly, "Rong Zhaozhao, are you still sad?"

Rong Shu was taken aback.

"If not for you, the Rong family would have been locked up in prison long ago. I'm giving them time to make their choice because of you," Gu Changjin said slowly. "You owe them nothing."

Of course, Rong Shu knew that she didn't owe the Rong family anything, just as she had told Rong Xun. She had already repaid her debt of life.

But whenever she thought of her elder brother, or her third sister, Third Brother, and Fourth Brother, her heart inevitably sank with gloom.

These past two days, she had locked herself in the Minglu Yard, poring over account books and managing Mother's shops in the capital city, all to avoid thinking about it.

She had hidden her emotions so well that even Yingyue and Ying Que, who had served her since childhood, couldn't detect a hint of her distress, let alone Chang Ji or Luo Yan.

How did Gu Changjin know?

He was clearly far away in the capital, busy with official duties.

Why had he gone through the trouble of traveling all this way just to carve small ice sculptures and hang them under the trees to amuse her?

That chilling yet scorching sensation in her palm returned once more.

She suppressed thoughts of her past life, refusing to think about that winter day when a wooden cage dangled from a parasol tree, swaying in the whistling snowstorm, or about all the things he had silently learned and done for her behind the scenes.

He seemed to understand her thoughts and didn't bring them up, simply continuing to act quietly.

Rong Shu lifted her gaze slightly, looking at the wooden cage under the old plum tree. She softly said, "Your Highness has a myriad of responsibilities; there's no need to waste time in the Minglu Yard doing these things."

Exhaling gently, she continued, "I'm fine. It'll be better in two days."

He had merely taken a small step forward, yet her address of him changed instantly from "Gu Changjin" to the more formal "Your Highness."

In reality, she knew very well that he was Gu Changjin, nothing more than Gu Changjin.

Clearing his throat, the man beneath the tree stretched out his well-defined hand to nudge the wooden cage, speaking warmly, "Because I'll soon do something that will make you angry, I need to do more now to make you happy. This way—"

Looking at her, he raised the corners of his lips slightly and spoke slowly, "When Rong Zhaozhao gets angry, she might remember my kindness now, and her anger will subside faster."

Chapter 87

Gu Changjin and his entourage finished their dinner in the bamboo pavilion before departing for the capital.

Inside the carriage, Xiao Huaian sat silently with his eyes lowered, holding the rabbit toy that Rong Shu had given him that day. His slender, fair fingers stroked its soft fur gently and intermittently.

Gu Changjin was still recalling the girl's slightly widened eyes beneath the old plum tree, and a smile tugged at the corners of his lips uncontrollably. Her rosy lips had moved as if she was about to question what he had done to provoke her.

But then Lan Xun appeared, and the girl swallowed her words forcefully.

Opposite him, Xiao Huaian lifted his gaze to study him. His stare was straightforward, leaving Gu Changjin unable to ignore it.

"I've heard palace folks talk about Sister Rong before," Xiao Huaian said abruptly.

Gu Changjin raised an eyebrow and asked, "What did they say?"

Recalling the unflattering remarks, Xiao Huaian frowned slightly and replied, "Nothing good."

Gu Changjin could easily guess the content of those conversations.

It was likely about her birthdate being a subject of gossip, and perhaps also whispers regarding their divorce.

Everyone believed their divorce was due to his weariness of her.

He had even abused his authority to "invite" several gossipy noblewomen to the Board of Censors for questioning, causing those families great embarrassment.

Now that he had taken over the Eastern Palace, the suppressed rumors resurfaced with renewed vigor.

There will always be people who maliciously speculate about others, Gu Changjin thought. He could already foresee that once the stories about the Rong and Shen families became public, she would undoubtedly be showered with slander.

Some might say her fate was inauspicious, that her ill omen brought misfortune upon both the Rong and Shen households. Others might claim she offended the Crown Prince, provoking his retaliation and thus causing calamity for both families.

But he had long prepared for such situations.

"Why is the Crown Prince seeking her out today if they have already divorced?" Xiao Huaian asked. "If others see, there will be gossip."

Gu Changjin looked at Xiao Huaian calmly.

The young lad usually kept to himself, but now he seemed unburdened by the effort of speaking, launching into a lengthy monologue with hidden meanings, trying to probe him.

Gu Changjin leaned back slightly, closing his eyes. "I will marry her. I'll make those in the capital who have spoken ill of her retrieve every word they've said. And I will ensure that no one in this world dares to look down on her again."

He would propose to her in front of the entire Rong family, letting those who had once belittled her understand just how gravely they had misjudged her.

Even if they were to exchange the entirety of the Rong family's fortune for her peace, he would ensure that their days would be filled with incessant anxiety and no respite.

Since she was forced to leave the capital at the tender age of four, spending nine solitary years in Yang State Prefecture, these so-called closest relatives of hers showed no concern. Upon her return to the capital, they never treated her kindly either.