Fu Zhen comforted Mrs. Bai for a while, then got up and intended to return to her own courtyard.
The garden was a riot of colors. Occasionally, a butterfly would alight on a branch. Even though the outside world was in turmoil, this little corner remained serene and peaceful.
"Zhenzhen." The sudden voice startled Fu Zhen, who was admiring the flowers. She turned around and saw Xie Yan smiling at her.
Perhaps he had come in a hurry. Today, he simply tied his hair up high with a big red ribbon embroidered with gold patterns, looking every bit the high - spirited young man.
Fu Zhen took two steps back and lowered her head shyly. "Greetings to the Second Prince."
Since Xie Yan had distanced himself from her before, Fu Zhen had also seemed to follow suit. Whenever she saw him, she would address him as the Second Prince.
Hearing this distant address and seeing her take two steps back, the smile on Xie Yan's face faded. He sighed inwardly, and a hint of disappointment appeared on his face. "It's been a long time. Have you become so unfamiliar with me, Zhenzhen?"
Fu Zhen pursed her lips and kept her head down without looking at him. "Your Highness is joking. I've only met you a few times. It was my rudeness before. Please forgive me, Your Highness."
The smile on Xie Yan's face completely disappeared. Why was she so sensitive and over - reactive?
Every time he took a step back, she would take a hundred steps back, retreating to a point that he could hardly bear.
"Have I ever been angry with you?" Xie Yan stepped closer, his eyes fixed on her. "Or did I do something to upset you?"
He knew the answer but still asked.
Fu Zhen's drooping eyelashes trembled slightly. She slowly shook her head but still pursed her lips and said nothing.
After a long while, Xie Yan sighed. "Fine. It's all my fault."
Fu Zhen's eyelashes fluttered. She couldn't help but look up at him and met his somewhat disappointed eyes, which softened her heart. She heard him say, "I'll be leaving the city soon. Do you have anything to say to me, Zhenzhen?"
The emperor's edict had come in a hurry. They had to set out on a campaign tomorrow.
Fu Zhen was silent for a while. Just when Xie Yan thought she wouldn't speak, he heard her say, "I like that hairpin very much."
Xie Yan suddenly looked at her. The disappointment in his eyes vanished, and a glint of light seemed to appear.
Fu Zhen blushed at the ears and turned her head away.
Xie Yan laughed twice, his heart pounding with excitement. He unconsciously reached out his right hand, plucked a flower, and said, "Like it... That's good! I've just got a piece of excellent jade. It'll make perfect earrings for you. Wait for me... When I come back, I'll give it to you!"
At this moment, he looked like a young man in the first flush of love, his face slightly reddening. He was excited by just one word from the girl he loved and wanted to give her all his good things, fearing that she might be wronged.
Fu Zhen also blushed slightly but didn't remain silent. She nodded gently.
The two looked at each other in silence, surrounded by a sweet atmosphere.
"By the way," Xie Yan was about to take his leave when he seemed to suddenly remember something. He scratched the back of his head and said hesitantly, "Your father was released not long ago."
Fu Zhen frowned slightly and looked up at him.
Xie Yan waved his hands repeatedly. "Don't worry. I've threatened him. He'll never come to look for you again."
Fu Zhen's heart skipped a beat. The temple fair that day had been too chaotic. She had only heard Chen Tingfeng say that he would handle it for her, but there had been no follow - up. Could it be that Xie Yan had taken care of it?
Thinking of this, she bowed to Xie Yan. "Thank you, Your Highness."
"Hey," Xie Yan quickly bent down to support her but stopped his hand just before touching her. Seeing Fu Zhen stand up on her own, he heaved a sigh of relief and said, "You don't have to be so polite. He doesn't deserve to be your father, nor does he deserve to use your name to deceive others and ruin your reputation."
Fu Zhen lowered her eyes. Before she could say anything, she heard Fuyun, who was behind Xie Yan, step forward and say softly, "Your Highness, it's getting late. It's time for us to go."
Since they were leaving the city tomorrow, Xie Yan still had a lot of things to take care of. Hearing this, he didn't delay any longer. He just looked at Fu Zhen seriously and said, "Wait for me to come back."
It seemed that he wouldn't leave until Fu Zhen nodded.
Fu Zhen found it a bit funny but still nodded gently.
Only then was Xie Yan satisfied and left.
Fu Zhen didn't really take this matter to heart. In her mind, the hairpin that Xie Yan had given her meant that she had a place in his heart.
Moreover, in front of her these times, he had no longer pretended to be the dissolute young man he had first appeared to be.
When a man starts to pay attention to his image in front of a woman, it itself means a change in his feelings.
But it wasn't until nightfall that when Fu Zhen saw the tall and handsome man in front of her courtyard gate, a look of doubt slowly appeared in her eyes.
"... Cousin?" She widened her eyes slightly. "Is there something wrong?"
Since she had come to the Marquis Mansion, Chen Tingfeng had visited her courtyard only a few times. His sudden visit now made her feel flattered for some reason.
Chen Tingfeng looked at the person in front of him with a rosy complexion and a surprised look. All the words he had in his mind suddenly seemed to stick in his throat.
If he were to tell that news now, the color would instantly drain from the face of the person in front of him, leaving only the pale and panicked look she had had on the night of the temple fair.
... He didn't want to see such a scene.
Chen Tingfeng opened his mouth but finally didn't say the news he had just received. He just took out a small wooden box from his sleeve.
"This is for you."
Fu Zhen was taken aback and subconsciously took the thing in front of her. "What is it?"
A look of uneasiness flashed across Chen Tingfeng's face. "You lost a hairpin at the temple fair. This is my apology."
That night, he hadn't arrived in time. He almost let that scoundrel harm her. It was his fault. Moreover, with her father's current situation... In any case, this apology was due.
Fu Zhen was a bit confused. She had deliberately thrown that hairpin to Xie Yan, so it had nothing to do with Chen Tingfeng. But... This hairpin obviously wasn't cheap. Since Chen Tingfeng had brought it to her, there was no reason for her not to accept it.
She might as well take it as an apology for his previous sarcasm.
Thinking this way, Fu Zhen calmly accepted the hairpin and gave him a faint smile. "Thank you, cousin."
Chen Tingfeng nodded slightly. The two looked at each other, and for a moment, they didn't know what to say.
The atmosphere was a bit awkward. Fu Zhen looked at him questioningly. He had given her the hairpin, so why didn't he leave? Was there something else?
She kindly asked, "Thank you for the gift, cousin. Is there anything else?"
Chen Tingfeng looked at her and then suddenly shifted his gaze. He said indifferently, "I'll be going out tomorrow. It'll probably take three to five days."
... And then?
Fu Zhen looked at him inquisitively. Chen Tingfeng sighed softly. "Wait for me to come back. I have something to tell you."
After saying that, he actually turned around and left.
Fu Zhen stood there stunned, glaring at his back for a long time. She was so angry that she laughed.
How come she didn't know that Chen Tingfeng had the habit of speaking halfway?
Couldn't he tell her what it was now?
He piqued her curiosity but didn't let her know. She had just thought that his temper had improved recently, but it turned out he was still as annoying as ever!
How hateful!