Chapter 140

Her heart skipped a beat, and her heartbeat soared in an instant.

The man's gaze lingered for a moment before he calmly said, "We've arrived, get off the carriage."

After locking eyes with his exquisite phoenix eyes for a moment, she finally reacted and averted her gaze, preparing to disembark from the carriage.

Zhao Changdu stood by the carriage, and it felt as natural as an old married couple when he instinctively reached out his large hand.

Gu Ying glanced at it, pondered for a moment, and then extended her small hand.

The snow on the ground was thick, and the man's palm was warm, scorching hot. Zhao Changdu effortlessly moved his hand and lifted her up.

Gu Ying blushed, and when she looked up, she saw that they were in front of a jewelry store called "Imperial View Pavilion."

"Sir, why are we here?" she asked.

If she recalled correctly, Yanliu Avenue, where Imperial View Pavilion was located, was several streets away from Changning Avenue, where the Duke's Residence was. Did he bring her all the way here just to buy jewelry?

"Aren't you reaching the age of maturity?" the man's expression remained calm as he spoke indifferently, "I'm giving you a coming-of-age gift."

Inside the store, Gu Ying hurriedly got down from his embrace, her face flushed, feeling somewhat uneasy.

She didn't understand, but she stared at his distinct profile and realized for the first time that a man wanted to give her something...

This feeling was subtle and strange.

The shopkeeper warmly greeted them and caught sight of Zhao Changdu and Gu Ying, two exceptionally good-looking men and women. His eyes lit up, unable to help but praise, "What an outstanding young couple! Miss, you can take a look at the jewelry in my shop. Our pieces are the most exquisite in all of Bianjing. Since the young master wants to give you something, would you like to see our most precious items?"

Before Gu Ying could respond, Zhao Changdu lazily said, "Hmm, bring them all for her to choose from."

As soon as he said that, the shopkeeper hastily called over a few assistants and placed all the exquisite jewelry in front of Gu Ying.

Gu Ying sat at the table, looking somewhat helpless.

"Sir... actually... I don't need it," she said.

"This is a coming-of-age gift," Zhao Changdu sat beside her, his eyes carrying a hint of amusement as he turned his head to look at her, "Other girls have it, so naturally, you should have it too."

At her age, she had long lost interest in these flashy gold and silver jewelry. However, Zhao Changdu's words still warmed Gu Ying's heart. "Then..."

"Choose whatever you like, don't worry too much," he said.

Gu Ying tilted her head. Did he know what she was worried about?

The man's gaze was calm, and when he looked at her, his icy pupils contained a hint of gentleness.

He raised an eyebrow and asked, "Why would I show you the jewelry? What's the point?"

Gu Ying chuckled, thinking he was truly clueless about romance.

Avoiding his gaze, she focused her attention on the jewelry presented by the shopkeeper. The dazzling gold, silver, and jade hairpins didn't stir any interest in her, but she casually picked a butterfly hairpin with embedded pearls, raising a smile. "Sir, I'll take this one."

Zhao Changdu's eyebrows twitched imperceptibly.

This young girl was different from the others. While other girls spent their lives pursuing luxurious clothing and jewelry, she remained indifferent, without a trace of worldly desire in her eyes.

"Do you like this?" he asked.

"Mhmm."

"Why aren't you choosing from all these exquisite jewelry?"

"If the prince wishes for me to select some luxurious ones, I can reconsider."

Zhao Changdu fell silent for a moment.

The young girl's sensible behavior touched his heart, so he didn't say much. He took out a silver ticket and paid for the butterfly hairpin, then instructed the shopkeeper to pack a few sets of gold and silver accessories to be sent to Dongping Earl Manor.

The shopkeeper's eyes brightened as he finally realized the identities of the young couple.

With a sweet tongue, he finished arranging the jewelry and turned around to see the prince from the Duke's Residence, Zhao Changdu, inserting the butterfly hairpin into Miss Gu's hair bun. He quickly smiled and bowed, "Congratulations to the prince and Miss Gu on your joyous wedding! This sheep-fat jade bracelet is a little token from our shop, I hope the prince will accept it!"

Saying so, he respectfully presented the bracelet to Zhao Changdu.

Zhao Changdu raised an eyebrow coldly and asked, "Shall I put it on for you?"

Gu Ying's face blushed slightly, unsure of how to refuse. "Alright, alright..."

In front of others, she had to give him face. After all, in everyone's eyes, he was her fiancé and her husband.

If he gave her something and she still rejected it, it would be disrespectful. But the way he earnestly put the bracelet on her wrist was truly captivating.

Her heart thumped in her chest, as if it wanted to break free, a feeling of complexity and bitterness that couldn't be expressed.

Both being men, the prince and Jiang Yin were truly different. ...

As they left the Imperial View Pavilion.

Originally, it was said that she would accompany him back to the Duke's Residence, but now he said he would take her back to Dongping Earl Manor.

Gu Ying couldn't help but laugh and cry. After getting off the carriage, she saw the man swiftly mount his horse and looked up, "Prince, is it necessary to go through all this trouble?"

Zhao Changdu chuckled lightly, "How can it be a bother to escort you back?"

Gu Ying's heart fluttered and she pursed her lips. "Next time, there's no need for that. I'm not a child anymore. After seeing you off, I can return home by myself."

Zhao Changdu lightly nodded, "Next time, we'll go back together."

With just these words, Gu Ying stood still at the entrance for a long time, her mind lost in thought, not even realizing when the man had walked away.

Home...

Could she really have a home of her own?

Living a lifetime, thirty years of life's journey, she had poured all her love and hatred into Jiang Yin, loving him passionately, only to die in a miserable state.

A home and love were things she didn't dare to hope for.

Hadn't she already suffered a setback with a man before? She didn't dare to experience a second setback with Zhao Changdu.

She smiled self-deprecatingly, feeling a discomfort in her chest, and turned to enter the main gate.

The atmosphere in the Earl Manor, without Mrs. Liu and her daughter, felt much fresher. Gu Ying strolled leisurely, holding an umbrella as she walked in the snow. Just as she stepped into the backyard's drooping flower gate, she saw Mama Li, who had always been steady and composed, hurrying towards her.

Seeing her, Mama Li smiled and said, "Miss Gu, we have been eagerly awaiting your return. The matriarch is currently in the Yongshou Hall, waiting for you."

Gu Ying looked at the sky in confusion.

After bidding farewell to the Crown Prince, the day was nearing dusk, and the evening snow had just cleared, revealing a rare streak of twilight on the horizon.

At this moment, her grandmother asked her to go to Yongshou Hall for something.

Seemingly understanding the confusion on her face, Mama Li added, "Miss Gu, please hurry. The guests at Yongshou Hall are still waiting to see you."

Gu Ying furrowed her brows, feeling puzzled in her heart, but she could only follow Mama Li to Yongshou Hall.

As she stepped into the main hall of Yongshou Hall, she looked up and saw a familiar figure sitting on the round chair inside the room.

The curtain was pulled back, and the person in the room quickly noticed the movement at the door, immediately getting up and turning around.

"Gu Ying!"

The man took a few quick steps, eagerly walking up to her with a pair of bright peach blossom eyes, as if he had a thousand words to express to her.