He shouldn't have said anything, but once he did, it seemed to hit the depths of Su Mo'er's heart. Her eyes became even redder and tears fell more freely.
Zhao Jinghuan felt a headache from watching her. He had to say again, "Don't cry, I didn't mean to blame you."
This time his tone was slightly heavier. Su Mo'er, though wanting to show her weakness, also knew when to stop.
Seeing him like this, she calmed down slightly and said, "If Your Highness didn't mean to blame me, then why question me like this?"
For a moment, Zhao Jinghuan was speechless. "......"
The maidservants on the side were alarmed, feeling that this Su Miss was like a demon, so captivating!
The way His Highness had looked just now seemed terrifying, but after she cried a few times and exchanged a few words, his anger seemed to have dissipated?
Suddenly they were even more frightened, fearing that if His Highness got angry, he would take it out on them.
The two leading maidservants exchanged a glance and then kneeled down again, crying out loud, "Your Highness, forgive us! While we shouldn't have gossiped behind your back, every word we said was true! This Miss Su before she entered the mansion, indeed had some unclear entanglement with the young master Liu of the Longzhou Liu family. There have been rumors throughout the mansion. If Your Highness doesn't believe us, you can send someone to investigate and find out for yourself."
The two of them quickly recounted the whole story.
Su Mo'er heard it and her eyes flashed with a hint of understanding. They had come prepared; it was hard to believe they weren't doing it on purpose.
With these thoughts in mind, she couldn't help but look at the man in front of her. He had been holding his chin up, a pose she found uncomfortable.
There was a hint of expectation in her eyes. Would he, a person like him, see through a simple and clear situation like this at a glance?
Unexpectedly, her movement made Zhao Jinghuan look at her and then, with a slight flash in his icy eyes, he sighed lightly in his heart and said to her, "Get up."
But Su Mo'er didn't move, still looking at him. "If Your Highness doesn't trust me, I won't get up today."
Her words carried a strong sense of grievance and tenderness, and her eyes seemed to cut into his heart bit by bit.
He frowned and fell silent, but no longer spoke, instead lifting her up.
Su Mo'er exclaimed in surprise as she was embraced by him.
The maidservants on the ground were shocked, "Your Highness, she's a trickster..."
Before they could finish, they saw Zhao Jinghuan's gaze sweep over them, and they fell silent one after another.
At this point, Li Gonggong arrived and was startled by the scene. "Your Highness, this is..."
Zhao Jinghuan interrupted him, his voice cold. "Tie up those who are gossiping behind my back and send them to Mr. Yang's place. This mansion needs a thorough cleaning up."
Without needing further explanation, Li Gonggong knew what to do. Although he didn't know what exactly had happened, these people in front of him had truly angered His Highness.
Li Gonggong immediately beckoned for people to tie up the maidservants on the ground like zongzi. The maidservants wanted to beg for mercy, but the guards didn't give them the chance.
After that, these people were sent to magistrate Yang's place, which naturally surprised and angered the magistrate. He punished these people severely, and several of them reportedly died on the spot. The rest were all sent to the prison.
Then, immediately after, the rumors about Su Mo'er in the mansion were thoroughly investigated, and afterwards, everyone who saw Su Mo'er treated her as if she were a debt collector.
These are stories for later. For now, they are not to be mentioned.
Zhao Jinghuan stared at the delicate and charming girl in his arms, and although she hadn't cried like before, there were still occasional tears on her cheeks.
He silently sighed, and reached out to wipe the tears from her cheeks. "If you cry again, it won't look good."
Feeling his rough thumb brush across her cheek, a little painful but also feeling sour and bitter in her heart, Su Mo'er said, "I don't want to cry, but I'm distressed. I just want to know why, Your Highness? What did I do wrong? Did I offend you in some way?"
She seemed to be taking a step back, not pursuing the topic, but instead blaming herself. But how could Zhao Jinghuan not hear the underlying reluctance and unyieldingness behind her words?
Exactly because of this, her compromise only made him feel more stifled.
He fell silent, and as he felt his palm on her cheek, it made her delicate skin blush, and he couldn't help but sigh again.
Retracting his hand, he looked closely at Su Mo'er, and then, staring at her widened eyes and slightly parted rosy lips, he said earnestly, "No, you did well. I already said, I didn't blame you, and I meant it."
His tenderness embarrassed her, and she awkwardly said, "In that case, just now, Your Highness..."
Zhao Jinghuan interrupted her, "First, it was you who knelt down of your own accord. Secondly, when I asked you that question, it was giving you a chance to deal with them. But you didn't say a word, so I have to deal with them for you. How do you still feel wronged?"
"..." Su Mo'er opened her mouth, not knowing what to say for a moment, "So, Your Highness really trusts me that much?"
For a long time, she heard Zhao Jinghuan say, "Do you really think I am the kind of person who just follows others' opinions?"
Su Mo'er quickly said, "No, Your Highness, it's just that I care about you, so I didn't understand your good intentions."
Zhao Jinghuan looked deeply into her eyes and said, "Sometimes, I believe more in what I see in my eyes than what I hear, and I believe more in what I feel in my heart than in my eyes."
"What if what you feel in your heart is also not true?" she countered.
He vaguely tugged at his lips and pointed to Su Mo'er's head, "If what you feel in your heart isn't true, then you should use your brain to think."
Su Mo'er couldn't help but be stunned for a moment, but then quickly started to think.
Just now, she seemed unyielding, but in fact, she wanted to prove her innocence in a clumsy way, and she also wanted to use this matter to bring trouble to Liu Feifei.
Now it seemed that the Crown Prince had his own considerations, and he probably saw through her little tricks, but didn't say anything.
Thinking about these, she felt a subtle sense of comfort and care in her heart. This was the second time she felt concern from him since the last time the Crown Prince treated her ankle.
She hesitated for a moment, but suddenly said, "Your Highness, in fact, those words just now, although not true, do have some connection with Young Master Liu from the Liu family."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Jinghuan did not speak, but only stared at her.
She felt a bit nervous, but still tried to calm herself, and explained the matter between herself and Liu Yanzai.
After today, if such a thing happens again, no matter what, she won't be as passive as today.
Of course, it would be best if she could serve the Crown Prince as soon as possible and become his woman completely.
"Are you done?" After hearing, Zhao Jinghuan's eyes revealed a trace of scrutiny, but he didn't mention it.
Su Mo'er anxiously waited for his response, but to her surprise, he completely ignored her and simply nodded, "Finished."
Zhao Jinghuan nodded, "It's getting dark. After you're done, you can go back."
The two returned to the Di-Xi building. From the initial uneasiness to the final calmness, Su Mo'er completely settled down.
She also figured it out. She had explained everything, and if the Crown Prince still had any thoughts, she couldn't do anything about it.
In this way, she felt much more relaxed.
After returning to the Di-Xi building, Zhao Jinghuan suddenly stopped, turned around with his hands behind his back, and asked, "Regardless, helping with disaster relief was a big favor. Do you have any requests?"
Su Mo'er realized, to her annoyance, that she had almost forgotten about this matter.
She hesitated for a moment before speaking softly, "I shouldn't take credit for it, but since Your Highness is so kind, I can only accept it with gratitude. I don't have any other needs. I have been in the Commandant's Mansion for some time now, but I have never left the mansion. I heard that the Mid-Autumn Festival in Changzhou is very lively. If possible, may I ask Your Highness to allow me and the other ladies to go out and enjoy the festival together that day?"
Zhao Jinghuan was surprised by the simplicity of the request, "That's all?"
The blush on Su Mo'er's face deepened as she shyly said, "It's simple to Your Highness, but I have never seen such a scene in my life."
After a moment of silence, Zhao Jinghuan nodded and said, "In that case, I will make the decision and allow it."
Su Mo'er was immediately delighted and expressed her gratitude. Then, with a bit of courage, she asked, "I heard that Your Highness will also be spending the Mid-Autumn Festival in the mansion. If possible, may I ask Your Highness to accompany us?"
Whether the Crown Prince agreed or not was related to her future plans.
She was like a child, getting a little and asking for more. When it came to asking from the Crown Prince, she was like a small and persistent creature, never satisfied.
Looking at her nervous and expectant eyes, Zhao Jinghuan, who was accustomed to being tough, inexplicably softened. With a gentle tone he hadn't even noticed, he nodded in agreement.
The petting tone was not strong, but it made Li Gonggong, who was nearby, almost drop his eyeballs in astonishment.
Crown Prince, please, come to your senses. Aren't you the cold and unsmiling Crown Prince who never jokes?
Having received Zhao Jinghuan's approval, Su Mo'er's tightly held heart instantly relaxed. She genuinely smiled and expressed her gratitude.
Then, as Du Zhong and others came to find Zhao Jinghuan for discussion, Su Mo'er did not want to disturb them and took her leave.
Watching her graceful departure, illuminated by the lanterns in the dark night, Zhao Jinghuan couldn't help but think of her words just now. Thinking that she had never seen a lantern festival in all these years made him feel a bit uneasy.
He took a few steps forward, then suddenly stopped. Li Gonggong was puzzled, but he heard Zhao Jinghuan instruct, "Since I have agreed to her request, I should not neglect it. Since I agreed to go to the lantern festival, it should be properly arranged."
Seeing Li Gonggong's surprised expression, he couldn't help but sigh and said, "In this way, it can also be seen as some compensation for her."
Li Gonggong immediately smiled and replied meaningfully, "Your Highness, rest assured, I will make proper arrangements."
Zhao Jinghuan didn't bother to pay attention to him, and before leaving, he specifically instructed, "Deal with this matter privately, and don't let any news leak out."
...
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Author's notes:
The Crown Prince said: Being short on sweet moments, I ask for the support and subscription of you all, and I will continue to share the sweetness in the future~ As for the wedding night... I am also looking forward to it, cough cough.