Cheng Qian Gong had seen Shen Yue in her cold, her brooding, her arrogant moods, but this silent gentleness, this quiet acceptance, was new to him.
Golden sunlight shimmered on the lake, as still as silence. Willow branches swayed, their delicate flowers adorning the lush, verdant trees. Occasionally, a gentle breeze would rustle through them, scattering petals downwards.
Shen Yao Jin tugged at Shen Yue’s sleeve. Though possessing a refined and handsome appearance, he acted like a spoiled child in front of Shen Yue, creating a jarring dissonance.
As if amused by his simple charm, Shen Yue reached out and tapped his forehead. "So ugly. Do you think you're a beautiful maiden?"
Shen Yao Jin, after being playfully struck, leaned closer to Shen Yue.
Cheng Qian Gong’s gaze remained fixed on Shen Yue’s face, captivated by a smile he had never seen before. For some reason, this expression struck him as profoundly moving.
Petals drifted down slowly. With a stronger gust of wind, it was like a rain of flowers, dazzling the eyes.
A small petal was carried by the wind to his face, landing silently on his shoulder.
Cheng Qian Gong’s vision was blurred by the profusion of petals. When the wind stopped, he looked again and met those dark, expressive eyes.
His heart skipped a beat. Cheng Qian Gong took a step back, feeling an urge to flee in disarray. He clenched his fists, his palms sweating.
Shen Yue did not look away, her gaze unwavering. It was Cheng Qian Gong who, with a sense of defeat, finally shifted his eyes.
He could barely breathe.
Unbeknownst to him, Shen Yue had already walked up to him. Shen Yao Jin had departed, leaving only the two of them.
Shen Yue’s face held no smile. Shadows played on her long eyelashes, and a ripple of emotion stirred in her dark eyes.
"Cheng Qian Gong, you still have the audacity to stand before me."
The words were laced with a potent sarcasm.
For the first time, under Shen Yue’s scornful gaze, Cheng Qian Gong averted his eyes.
He naturally missed the fleeting glint of light that flashed in Shen Yue’s eyes.
Cheng Qian Gong slowly calmed his racing heart, his expression turning cold. "I was merely passing by. I will leave now."
With that, he turned to leave. But his hand, hanging at his side, was suddenly grasped by another soft, cool hand. The contact sent a tingling sensation through his skin, and his heart, which had begun to settle, started to pound again.
He feigned composure, not pulling away. "Fourth Highness, what are you doing?"
Shen Yue’s gaze fell upon his flushed earlobe. She raised an eyebrow, her deep tear mole seeming to possess an irresistible allure. "Cheng Qian Gong, don't play dumb with me."
Cheng Qian Gong’s heart sank. So intelligent was she, how could she not understand the meaning of his words? This suffocating feeling made him desperately want to leave. It seemed that whenever he encountered Shen Yue, everything spiraled out of control.
His hand was held loosely. With a ruthless tug, he could break free, but his entire arm felt stiff, paralyzed.
"Let go—" His voice lacked its usual firmness, sounding somewhat like a paper tiger.
Shen Yue slowly drew closer, placing a hand on Cheng Qian Gong's shoulder. Her dark, moist eyes mirrored his image. Her alluring, elegant features were breathtakingly beautiful. Her full, vibrant lips parted slightly, her breath carrying a rich fragrance.
"Cheng Qian Gong, you must take responsibility for me."
At these words, Cheng Qian Gong trembled all over. His eyelashes fluttered, and the composure on his face finally shattered, revealing a look of shy panic. Shen Yue could feel the man's hand shaking in hers.
His handsome face flushed crimson, but he managed to squeeze out only two words.
"Fourth Highness, please have some self-respect."
Seeing his unresisting demeanor, Shen Yue's lips curved into a smile. Far from retracting, she became even bolder.
The fingers on his shoulder slowly moved upward. Cheng Qian Gong's eyelashes trembled more violently, his breathing quickened, and his eyes darted nervously.
Her cool fingers stopped at the corner of his mouth.
His thin lips were pressed tightly together, forming a taut line, as if suppressing surging emotions.
Despite being a head taller than Shen Yue, his demeanor was significantly weaker at this moment.
Then, a soft touch from another person graced his lips. His pupils dilated, and he looked at the face so close to his in disbelief.
She closed her eyes. Her eyelashes were long, appearing serene, yet they quivered like autumn butterfly wings.
In truth, her nervousness was no less than his.
And then, he was gently embraced.
A rich, sweet aroma washed over him, incredibly enticing.
It was a very innocent kiss, a brief touch of lips, and Cheng Qian Gong remained motionless from beginning to end, like a lifeless sculpture.
When the delicate fragrance receded, Cheng Qian Gong’s mind was a blank slate. His thoughts were empty, save for that fair, beautiful face.
Shen Yue's dark eyes seemed veiled with a thin mist. "Do you like it?"
Cheng Qian Gong felt a surge of heat rush to his head, like a flame threatening to incinerate his entire rationality.
He felt he should be disgusted. How could he possibly like it?
And how could he?
His dry, hoarse throat felt as though it were filled with a sharp needle, preventing any sound from escaping.
Shen Yue touched his burning cheek, a smile in her eyes. "Don't follow the Crown Prince. Follow me."
Her faint smile seemed veiled by a thin gauze. Her skin was fair and translucent as snow, her eyes tinged with a delicate pink at the corners, as if silently beckoning.
A nascent, hazy seed in his heart seemed poised to break through the soil and grow wild.
"I…" His throat raspy, he uttered a single, muffled word before abruptly stopping. His mind cleared in an instant.
Shen Yue continued to smile, her voice soft, seemingly laced with a hint of tenderness. "Cheng Qian Gong, what the Crown Prince can give you, I can give you too. In fact, I can give you even more."
As she spoke, she licked her lips. It was a simple gesture, but it made her appear exceptionally alluring, seductive. For anyone else, their very soul might have been captivated.
Cheng Qian Gong had regained his composure. He was ashamed of his momentary lapse, straightening his back. His gaze was cold and sharp. "Is this how you win people over?"
His words were deeply sarcastic, demeaning Shen Yue's status.
The air became silent, the atmosphere heavy.
Cheng Qian Gong's eyes were sharp and piercing. His entire being exuded a powerful aura. He looked down at Shen Yue, his gaze laced with mockery. "Fourth Highness, if this is your way of ensuring I keep that secret, there is no need. Do you truly believe I, Cheng Qian Gong, ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, ahhhhh, ahhhhh, ahh"