The spring day was bright, the sky clear and sunny, perfect weather for an outing.

Gu Zhi in the hall was already getting a bit impatient, especially since she had an imperial decree to meet Liu Ming for a play later. She absolutely couldn’t delay.

Otherwise, not only would the Phoenix Empress nag her endlessly, but even her plans to take Shen Yuan as her secondary husband might be put on hold.

Now hearing familiar footsteps behind the screen, Gu Zhi’s face showed anxiety. She took a few steps to greet him, her eyes roaming over his body for half a day.

She saw the young man with celestial beauty, a pair of phoenix eyes full of joy. It made her can’t help but curl her lips and soften her gaze. “Shen Lang.”

Shen Yuan was born beautiful, with especially long and slender hands, unlike Liu Ming, whose face looked fine but had a pair of chubby hands, completely ruining the aesthetic.

Gu Zhi was full of affection, and reached out to hold his hand.

Shen Yuan was slightly displeased. Putting Liu Ming aside, even with their childhood friendship, she shouldn’t be so reckless.

His mother was right, the women of the royal family cannot be touched.

They may have true feelings, but unfortunately their hearts are like thousand-petaled lotus flowers, each petal given to a different young man.

That bit of affection can be given to a hundred people, or a thousand people.

Affectionate everywhere yet truly affectionate nowhere.

Shen Yuan slightly turned his body, avoiding her approach, and smoothly placed the book he was carrying into her palm. “You’ve come at the right time, quickly explain this ‘Wen Yu Ke Xue’ to me.”

“Shen Lang, although men entering the palace need to be virtuous and talented, you don’t need to be like this.”

Gu Zhi casually tossed the book onto the table, grasped his hand, and said affectionately, “What’s all this talk about virtue and talent? Those favored in the palace, which one doesn’t have a good appearance? Shen Lang, to me, you are the young man growing on the tip of my heart. You only need to smile at me, and I would give you my heart if you asked.”

“You mean?”

Shen Yuan smiled lightly, his phoenix eyes like a starry river at night, his gaze rippling, bewitching.

Gu Zhi was dazzled, nodding without thinking, “Anyway, men reading books is just a waste of time. Rather than spending effort on this, it’s more practical to carefully groom yourself and be in harmony as a couple.”

“Moreover, even to add fragrance to the study.” She moved half a step closer, the ambiguity in her eyes open and unabashed. “It also requires a good appearance.”

Being so close, he could smell a sweet, cloying fragrance on her, very similar to the scent of the rouge A Liang had offered earlier.

Who knows which attendant left it this time.

Pulling his hand from Gu Zhi’s grasp, Shen Yuan’s expression cooled. “I’m tired.”

After all, Gu Zhi had a noble status. Suddenly being given the brush-off, the affection on her face faded, revealing faint anger. Remembering that he was just a handsome young man, she forcibly held back. “Shen Lang, since you’re not feeling well, I’ll come to see you another day.”

It was almost time for her appointment with Liu Ming anyway. Although they were parting on bad terms, since Shen Yuan was willing to study for her sake, Gu Zhi still felt warm in her heart.

Mounting her horse, she glanced at the young man with lowered eyes and silent lips. Her lips moved slightly, but she didn’t linger as she had before.

The sound of hooves gradually faded into the distance.

A Liang never expected such a scene. He cautiously approached, “Young master, you… Ah, young master, where are you going? Wait for your servant!”