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Gu Changjin's lips curved slightly as he said, "I'll try harder then."

As he leaned in to kiss her, a faint sound of footsteps came from outside the door. Rong Shu quickly pushed him away, jumped off the table, and pretended to read an album.

Gu Changjin watched her nimble and seamless actions with a smile. Perhaps his amusement was too obvious, because Rong Shu couldn't help but glance at him reproachfully.

Just then, Ying Que's voice echoed, "Miss, Lady has asked me to bring some soup for you and His Highness."

Rong Shu sighed in relief.

Thankfully, it wasn't Mother coming.

She was already married and in her own room, but if her mother were to catch her being intimate with Gu Changjin, she would feel as if she had done something wrong.

"Come in," she put down the album.

Yingyue and Ying Que entered the room and served the soup before tactfully leaving.

Rong Shu lifted the cover of the soup in front of Gu Changjin, recognizing the familiar herbs inside. She couldn't help but giggle.

Gu Changjin was well aware of the reason behind her smile. In his previous life, he had bled from his nose after devouring this soup until late at night.

"Sir Gu, please enjoy it while it's hot," Rong Shu said playfully as she handed him a spoon.

After finishing the soup, Yingyue and Ying Que entered to clear the bowl, swiftly exiting the room and heading towards the corridor outside.

However, before they had gone too far, they heard some commotion inside the room. It sounded like something had fallen off the table.

Assuming that something had simply dropped, the two paused in their steps, straining their ears to listen for a moment. Upon realizing what the noise actually was, their faces flushed bright red.

Yingyue couldn't help but recall the full moon night two years ago when the young lady had gotten married. On that silent night in the Songsi Courtyard, there were no signs of any newlywed activities, causing both her and Ying Que to fret like ants on a hot pan.

She looked at Ying Que with a grin, saying, "Do you still remember that full moon night two years ago? You were so anxious that your face turned pale."

Reminded by her, Ying Que recalled how eagerly they had waited for the young lady to call for water that night. To their surprise, no one had requested it until dawn.

"How could I forget?" Ying Que wrinkled her nose and hummed proudly, "Back then, when we entered the room, His Highness had a cold expression on his handsome face. He sat aside with a book, not even sparing the young lady a glance. Unlike now, his eyes follow her wherever she goes."

Yingyue pondered, and indeed, it was true.

It was clear that last year, before Miss went to Yangzhou, His Highness had been restrained and courteous towards her. But after returning from Yangzhou, even Ying Que, with her simple nature, could see the fiery passion in His Highness's heart for Miss.

Recalling the nourishing soup that Lady had ordered to be prepared earlier, Yingyue quickened her pace and said, "Let's hurry and boil more water to cool; we don't know how many times we'll be called for it today."

That night, two rounds of water were requested for the western wing.

Exhausted, Rong Shu didn't even have the energy to lift her arms, and she fell into a deep sleep the moment her eyes closed. When she woke up the next morning, the sun was already high in the sky.

She was clutching a crescent-shaped pillow in her arms, but the man she had used as a pillow the night before was nowhere to be seen.

Yingyue brought in a basin of water and helped her wash up while saying, "His Highness took Prince Huai'an hunting in Minglu Mountain early this morning."

Rong Shu removed the cloth from her face and asked, "Why didn't you wake me up earlier? Was it His Highness's order?" She had originally planned to go to Minglu Mountain with Gu Changjin to watch them hunt.

Ying Que replied with a smile, "His Highness instructed me not to disturb you, saying that you didn't sleep well last night. It won't be too late for you to join Princess Danzhu in Minglu Mountain when she arrives."

Only then did Rong Shu remember that Danzhu was due to arrive today.

On this visit back to her family, she had received the favor of Empress Qi, allowing her to stay in Minglu Yard for three days. The first day was for meeting the Rong family, and the second day was reserved for meeting Nijing.

Mu Nijing rode directly over, and Rong Shu, upon seeing her in a brilliant sapphire riding attire, couldn't help but praise, "This riding outfit suits you! I'll change and join you for a ride." Though Rong Shu's horsemanship was not proficient, she could manage to make the pony trot a little.

Mu Nijing agreed, "Alright, back in Da Tong, you were always busy with the stables and had no time to learn archery and riding. Today's a fine day; I'll teach you myself."

Ying Que followed behind, and seeing Mu Nijing's enthusiasm, she couldn't resist remarking, "Miss Lian Yan once confided in this servant that General Mu had intended to personally teach you archery and riding. Unfortunately, you left for the capital with His Highness after just two days. Otherwise, you'd be out hunting with His Highness and the Crown Prince now."

Ying Que was like a chatterbox, unable to stop talking.

The more Ying Yue listened, the more her brows knitted, and she shot a glare at Ying Que, motioning for her to be quiet.

Why did this girl have to bring up such sensitive matters?!

General Mu was, after all, an outsider, and he had feelings for Miss. Even if Miss hadn't been betrothed then, it was best not to mention how General Mu wanted to teach her archery and riding. Even Dan Zhu County Princess kept this a secret.

Upon hearing Ying Que's words, Rong Shu, who was ahead, suddenly paused in her steps, lost in thought.

She recalled that bitter remark made at the inn:

"I could handle a bow at three and hunt small game with Father in the mountains before turning five. Since leaving Floating Jade Mountain, I've never stopped practicing my equestrian and archery skills. Rong Zhaozhao, I could also teach you to shoot arrows, ride horses, and do many things you wish to do."

Back then, she found his words utterly perplexing, but now, after hearing Ying Que's explanation, she felt as if a veil had been lifted from her mind.

So Gu Changjin's jealousy was all because of Elder Brother Mu?

Truly... amusing.

A subtle smile adorned Rong Shu's features.

Dressed and ready, Mu Nijing gave her an appraising look from head to toe before laughing. "You look stunning in that riding attire too. Come on, while you have the time, I'll teach you how to ride today."

Rong Shu chuckled. "I already have someone teaching me today."

Mu Nijing raised an eyebrow. "Who?"

Pausing for a moment, she quickly realized, "His Highness the Crown Prince?"