Su Mo'er looked at him, unsure if he was pretending not to notice or if he genuinely didn't care?
After some thought, she carefully took out the piece of jade given to her by His Highness and held it up towards the moon, emitting a shimmering glow. "Thank you for this exquisite gift, Your Highness."
She smiled, "The items given by His Highness are extremely precious, let alone this close-to-the-body item. According to propriety, I shouldn't entertain such thoughts. But today, in a moment of joy, I received His Highness's reward, and thus, dared to accept it. It's just that this item is too valuable, and I feel uneasy. Therefore, I earnestly thank His Highness."
This matter was never on Zhao Jinghuan's mind.
Gifts given, though they represent affection, are acceptable in the hands of others as well.
However, seeing Su Mo'er being so cautious, he almost laughed in his heart. He intended to speak, but then he thought back to a small book he had read when he was young.
It mentioned talented scholars and beautiful women, as well as life-saving favors…
He suddenly felt a mischievous impulse to tease her and, with deep eyes shining like the moon in water, he said, "As it is a heartfelt thanks, what are you planning to give in return?"
Su Mo'er was aware that the Crown Prince usually spoke little and seemed cold. But once one got to know him, it was evident that he was quite gentle, although still daunting at times.
Compared to the rumors, his behavior had improved significantly, and sometimes, he even made jokes.
Even so, at that moment, she couldn't help but be stunned by the Crown Prince's words, staring at him with wide, watery eyes, unable to hide her amazement.
For a moment, her heart raced, drowning out the surrounding noise until it gradually disappeared.
What did his words mean?
Could it be that His Highness was implying something?
Just the thought made her feel as if she was on fire, her cheeks turning rosy, shy and embarrassed.
But before she could reply, Zhao Jinghuan realized that something was wrong and inwardly scolded himself for saying something so inappropriate.
He quickly changed the subject, trying to distance himself, "You... don’t need to take it to heart. It's merely a reward, and since you've won, it should rightfully be yours. It has nothing to do with me."
He purposely kept his tone light and indifferent, as if trying to disassociate himself from the matter.
But for some reason, his ears felt strangely warm as he turned to look aside, ignoring Su Mo'er.
Su Mo'er also realized her folly and felt disappointed. She thought to herself, "Who is the Crown Prince? If he really wanted something from me, why would he need to hint at it?"
With these thoughts, she sighed lightly in her heart.
Unbeknownst to them, they had already walked down a street. The two of them, one handsome like a deity and the other delicate and graceful, looked as if they were a perfect match, inspiring both admiration and a sense of withdrawal.
As a result, though the street was crowded on both sides, it seemed as though an invisible gap separated them, and the once noisy surroundings became abruptly quiet around the two.
Zhao Jinghuan didn’t think anything was amiss, but Su Mo'er was uneasy, fearing that His Highness might be angry.
At that moment, she saw a candy vendor at a distance and brightened up, walking towards the stall.
She turned to the prince who followed her and said, "Your... Your Highness, if it's not too much trouble, may I buy a candy figure as a token of gratitude for you?"
Standing at the candy stall, Zhao Jinghuan could smell the sweet, thick fragrance. He saw the candy figures displayed, including golden melons, red pomegranates, and tiny piglets with round heads and big ears, all exquisitely crafted and adorable.
He had no real interest in them, but seeing Su Mo'er's bright eyes, he paused and nodded, "Sure."
After she got his approval, she turned to the vendor and inquired about the prices.
The vendor, pleased with Su Mo'er's appearance and demeanor, provided a price and said, "Ladies and gentleman, which one do you love? I will make it fresh for you."
The prices were not high, and Su Mo'er turned to look at Zhao Jinghuan, who waved his hand and said, "You pick."
But just as she was about to pay, she froze. She hadn’t brought any money with her, and the only valuable item she had was the piece of jade. How could she give that away?
She quickly called the vendor to stop and looked at the Prince awkwardly, "Your Highness, how about...”
Zhao Jinghuan only took a glance and understood what was going on. He didn't expose her, just asked, "Do you want it?"
Su Mo'er glanced at the cute sugar people and quickly shook her head, "No..."
Just as the conversation was getting started, the prince casually took out a silver ingot and handed it over, saying, "Do as the girl said."
The old man, upon receiving the silver ingot, was overjoyed and began making it.
Seeing this, Su Mo'er couldn't help but feel embarrassed and whispered, "Thank you, Young Master."
As the two were waiting for the sugar people to be made, a couple holding a child approached a nearby stall.
The woman had her eyes on something and was indecisive about buying it. The man, holding the child, was impatient, "Wasteful woman, wanting this and that, spending so much money."
The woman blushed with embarrassment and the man sternly said, "Don't give me that look. Just buy it quickly. You've already made a bitter face long enough."
The stall owner, seemingly oblivious to the scene, handed over the item the woman wanted and then glanced at the child in the man's arms, suggesting, "This little one of yours must be two or three years old now, right? As the weather gets colder, there will be more negative energy. It's good to buy a couple of lucky charms to ward off evil and disasters for the child."
The man looked at the small lucky charm in the vendor's hand, and then at his son, and decisively said, "Buy it."
He completely ignored the woman's hesitation.
Seeing this scene, Zhao Jinghuan couldn't help but furrow his brows slightly, then turned to the old man making sugar people and said, "Make two more sugar people."
Su Mo'er couldn't help but look curiously at him, thinking he wanted them for himself again. But she didn't expect him to point to the child in the arms of the man nearby, "For that little boy later."
The vendor happily said okay and handed the two sugar people to them.
Su Mo'er watched this scene and inexplicably felt warm in her heart.
Even though this warmth was not directed at herself, it made her feel once again that the prince in front of her, noble and precious, was a person, a living person near her.
Zhao Jinghuan, seeing her gaze at him without taking the sugar people, reached out and took them, saying thank you, and then pulled Su Mo'er away.
It was only then that Su Mo'er came back to her senses and realized that it was not right for her to stare at the prince like that.
She quietly glanced at the prince, wanting to ask him why he did what he did earlier, but ultimately stayed silent.
"Here." Zhao Jinghuan, unaware of her thoughts, handed her the sugar person. "Don't you want it?"
"I almost forgot." Su Mo'er smiled and took it, thanked him, and then curiously asked about the prince's disaster relief efforts.
Zhao Jinghuan was open about it and explained the general process to her. Su Mo'er immediately understood and thought to herself that the prince of Dayan was indeed much more sophisticated in handling the relief efforts than she had initially suggested.
He also asked her, "Speaking of which, your idea was very good. Although simple, it was not bad. How did you come up with it?"
At this point, he knew he couldn't truly believe that it was Su Mo'er's father who had come up with it. Upon careful recollection, he naturally could deduce many details and implications in the relief efforts.
Su Mo'er knew she couldn't hide it from him for long, and smiled somewhat embarrassedly, about to explain when she heard the commotion of a child behind her.
Without thinking of her plan, she took a slightly embarrassed smile, before finally turning back around and wanting to ask the prince why he did what he did earlier.
"Here." Zhao Jinghuan, not knowing what she was thinking, handed her the sugar person. "Don't you want it?"
"I almost forgot." Su Mo'er smiled and accepted it, thanked him, and then turned her curious attention to ask about the prince's disaster relief efforts.
Zhao Jinghuan was open about it and explained the general process to her. Su Mo'er immediately understood and thought to herself that the prince of Dayan was indeed much more sophisticated in handling the relief efforts than she had initially suggested.
He also asked her, "Speaking of which, your idea was very good. Although simple, it was not bad. How did you come up with it?"
At this point, he knew he couldn't truly believe that it was Su Mo'er's father who had come up with it. Upon careful recollection, he naturally could deduce many details and implications in the relief efforts.
Su Mo'er knew she couldn't hide it from him for long, and smiled somewhat embarrassedly, about to explain when she heard the commotion of a child behind her.
Without thinking, she took a slightly embarrassed smile, before finally turning back around and wanting to ask the prince why he did what he did earlier.
"What's wrong?" Zhao Jinghuan saw her complexion turn pale, and the warm, soft body in his arms couldn't help but tremble slightly. A sense of unease welled up in his heart, and he immediately followed her gaze.
But all he saw was a figure moving through the crowd, slipping through, and disappearing into the crowded masses.
Zhao Jinghuan paused and asked, "Do you know that person from earlier?"
Su Mo'er came to her senses and realized that she had shown fear. She couldn't admit it, afraid that Zhao Jinghuan would see through her. She hurriedly smiled and said, "Don't worry, Your Highness. I'm fine, just a little scared earlier."
Ever since she received the letter saying Liu Yanze had arrived in the capital of Changzhou, she knew that she would inevitably meet him again someday.
She was mentally prepared for it and knew that when they met again, it would be the opportunity to deal with this threat once and for all.
Even so, she never expected that Liu Yanzhe would be so bold and appear openly in front of her and the Crown Prince.
If she had not checked or if she had not been by the Crown Prince's side just now, wouldn't that mean...
Thinking of this, she felt even more frightened. The gloomy cloud that had been hanging over her for years seemed to descend on her again, pressing heavily on her heart and making it hard for her to breathe.
"The Mid-Autumn Lantern Festival, with so many people, one should be cautious." Only when Zhao Jinghuan looked deeply into her eyes and reminded her did she come back to her senses.
She secretly let out a sigh, thinking to herself: I absolutely cannot act recklessly. I must proceed with caution now, and as long as I endure until the right moment, I will surely be able to completely resolve this trouble.
With this in mind, she felt much relieved.
"The Crown Prince is right, this maid will be careful." She replied softly, only then did she realize that she was still being tightly held in his arms. Her cheeks blushed involuntarily: "Your Highness, you can let go of this maid now."
"Alright." Zhao Jinghuan agreed, subconsciously tightened the hold on her slender waist before letting her go, but he did not completely release her, instead, he held her hand.
His hand was well-proportioned, with long, slender fingers, distinct knuckles, and a slightly calloused palm. When he held her hand, it made her delicate skin sting a little.
But at the same time, his large palm was warm and as he held her hand tightly, a comforting feeling spread from her palm to her heart, making it feel warm.
She couldn't help but blush and shyly remind, "Your Highness..."
Zhao Jinghuan remained composed: "There are too many people, I'll hold your hand to walk."
With this said, without giving her a chance to respond, he continued forward with Su Mo'er.
His cheek muscles were tense, but he looked calm and unaffected. However, he felt nervous inside.
Ironically, for Su Mo'er, this was not the first time he had gotten close to her. Upon careful consideration, it had happened several times before.
But this was the first time he had this kind of emotion towards a woman.
It wasn't like the natural composure he displayed when he checked her injured ankle, nor was it the same as the pity he felt when he wiped her tears the last time.
It was a feeling, a premeditated, deliberate emotion. It was causing him some anxiety, not knowing what he was thinking. Was he afraid of her rejection or that she might say something irrelevant?
But no matter what, he knew he really wanted to do this.
As he let out a sigh of relief, Su Mo'er was stunned for a moment, but she didn't say anything further and silently walked alongside him.
The only sound in the silence was the thumping of their hearts in their ears.
Gradually, Zhao Jinghuan began to relax, finding it a little amusing how unlike himself he felt at this moment.
His grip on her hand became firmer, but the internal pressure reduced.
As they walked forward, they gradually veered off the usual path and the crowd slowly thinned out, even the lights dimmed. Su Mo'er couldn't help but feel anxious, fearing that the Crown Prince had led them astray again.
She couldn't help but feel a little nervous, suppressing her worries, she softly inquired, "Your Highness, where are we going?"
Zhao Jinghuan said calmly, "You'll know when we get there."
This made Su Mo'er both nervous and curious.
As they continued onward and turned into an alley, the lights disappeared, and the Crown Prince lit a lantern from somewhere and continued to lead Su Mo'er forward.
The alley was deserted, with the sound of the rushing wind, the fluttering of clothes, and even a hint of coolness in the hot summer night.
Their footsteps echoed in the alley, accompanying the sound of the wind.
Finally, they stopped, surrounded by emptiness and darkness.
The moonlight overhead couldn't illuminate the area fully, and they could vaguely see rows of swaying willows not far away, with the gentle flowing of the Willow River in front, and the buzzing of insects.
Looking farther ahead, they could see the bustling and brightly lit royal city on the other side, with a tall building standing prominently.
Su Mo'er knew that the building was the finest restaurant in the royal city, where they would go in a while.
At this moment, despite not knowing the specifics, she knew it was an opportunity.
As her mind raced, her face revealed a hint of confusion and fear, and she clutched Zhao Jinghuan's hand, leaning towards him intentionally. "Your Highness, have we arrived? This maid is afraid..."
Zhao Jinghuan's body stiffened slightly, and he lowered his gaze to look at her. In the night, her eyes shimmered with tears, looking pitiful.
"Yes, we have arrived," he breathed out gently, patting her stiffly a couple of times before softening his actions, "With me here, there's nothing to fear."
These words seemed to soothe Su Mo'er, and she gazed around, clinging to his arm. "Your Highness, why did you bring this maid here...?"
Before she could finish her sentence, she blushed suddenly, realizing her misstep.
Lucky for her, the dim surroundings didn't reveal her expression, and Zhao Jinghuan didn't dwell on it. "To show you something," he said, at the same time extinguishing the lantern in his hand.
As he did so, as if on cue, after a breath or two of darkness, a sudden burst of light illuminated the darkness around them.
Suddenly, hundreds of colorful lanterns lit up in the once quiet and dark surroundings.
Startled, Su Mo'er covered her mouth and exclaimed, "Your Highness, what is this...?"
At the same time, the twinkling lights gradually expanded, and over a hundred multi-colored lanterns slowly ascended into the sky, hovering in mid-air, reflecting the moon and stars, creating a phantasmagorical tapestry above their heads.
What was even more astonishing was that each of these ascending lanterns bore different images – be it flowers, birds, plants, or pavilions, they formed a stunning painted scene in the sky.
The images flickered and danced with life in the light of the lanterns. And at the center of all these lanterns was a variety of charming and graceful beauties.
Though a bit fuzzy, Su Mo'er could tell at a glance that the beautiful lady was herself. As she stood there, staring dumbfounded at the spectacular scene, Zhao Jinghuan's voice gently reached her ears: "Last time you said you had never seen a lantern festival. So, I specifically arranged this for you today." Pausing for a moment, he continued, "Consider it my expression of gratitude to you."
He lowered his eyes and fixed them tightly on Su Mo'er. "Do you like it?" His tone was flat, his face showing no expression, but only he knew that nothing had ever made him so nervous.
Staring blankly at the scene before her, Su Mo'er heard his words. Clearly, she had many things she wanted to say, but at this moment, she found herself unable to utter a single word, just staring blankly back at Zhao Jinghuan.
Seeing her silence, the prince's throat tightened slightly. His tone became heavy, "What? Don't you like it?"
Su Mo'er hastened to say, "Your Highness, I really like it. I just... I just didn't expect..."
She hadn't expected that her casual remark would be taken to heart. Even her request that day had been accompanied by calculations. But now, the situation had turned out like this. She felt guilt, panic, and overwhelming gratitude.
In her heart, she couldn't help but think that if it weren't for Liu Yanzé, she wouldn't have had so many calculations. Would she have faced the prince with more calmness?
Such thoughts made her even more distressed, and suddenly, hot tears welled up in her eyes.
Zhao Jinghuan couldn't help but feel a pang of unease and raised his hand to wipe her tears. "As long as you like it, don't cry."
The more he treated her well, the more Su Mo'er was moved. Remembering what had happened before, tears gushed even more.
Seeing her reaction, Zhao Jinghuan felt somewhat at a loss and furrowed his brow, feeling uncomfortable seeing her cry.
Especially when his heart was in turmoil and he failed to control the strength of his hand, rubbing her tender skin, turning it red.
Seeing the situation, he couldn't help but stop and gaze at her delicate face, then inexplicably let go of her hand and cupped her small face, gazing at her for a while.
Then, in her blurred and puzzled gaze, he leaned in and lightly kissed her cheek, pausing for a moment.
Zhao Jinghuan's eyes darkened, but soon he acted as if nothing had happened, gently kissing away every tear from her cheek. "Since you like it, don't cry."
The astonished look in Su Mo'er's eyes slowly dissipated, and she shook her head slightly, muttering, "Your Highness, I'm touched."
She looked at Zhao Jinghuan tenderly. "Your Highness, you are so good to me."
Having said that, she summoned her courage, rose on tiptoes, and lightly kissed him on the lips, then raised her face shyly and said, "Your Highness, for your kindness, I am truly grateful. I can only... I can only hope to serve you more attentively and carefully in the future."
Zhao Jinghuan suddenly stiffened all over, looking at Su Mo'er under the flickering lights, her charming and enticing face, and the faint anticipation in her eyes, a surge of impulse coursed through his body, and the depth of his eyes grew darker.
But eventually, under the night wind, he forced himself to calm down.
He exhaled a breath. "If you like it, then it's not in vain to put in this effort."
The anticipation in Su Mo'er's eyes dissipated again upon hearing this, and she smiled bitterly in her heart. What exactly does the prince mean? Why does he always hesitate at moments like this? Could it be that in the face of his actions, her thoughts were all just her own wishful thinking?
Just as she was entangled in her mind, the prince's voice rang in her ears again: "As for the future, let's see how you perform."