With Ye Muyan accompanying her, Gu Qinghan wandered even more freely.
Ye Muyan didn’t stay too close to her, maintaining a steady distance that allowed him to protect her while ensuring she wouldn’t feel his body heat.
Gu Qinghan thought to herself: He’s acting so proper now. If I hadn’t accidentally witnessed his infatuated state, I would have been completely fooled.
Even with the mask, his handsome features were apparent – his jawline clear and smooth.
She unconsciously clenched her fingers together.
Noticing her gaze, Ye Muyan stepped closer and asked: “Is something wrong?”
After pausing briefly, he added somewhat awkwardly: “My name is Luo Yan.”
Seeing his serious expression, Gu Qinghan couldn’t resist teasing him: “You’re probably older than me, so I’ll call you Yan Gege~”
The girl’s sweet, soft voice calling his name was filled with trust.
She looked directly at him, her eyes made even brighter by the lantern lights, and in her eyes there was only him.
Ye Muyan’s throat tightened, and he pressed further: “Then how should I address you, miss?”
“My name is Gu Qinghan, you can call me…”
“Qingqing”
“May I call you Qingqing?”
Ye Muyan spoke with some urgency, his deep, magnetic voice uttering “Qingqing” twice, sending shivers through Gu Qinghan’s body.
She had intended to tease Ye Muyan, but unexpectedly found herself blushing instead.
Fortunately, the bright lantern lights made it seem like the glow was reflecting on her face, and Ye Muyan didn’t notice.
“Okay~”
The girl’s steps became even lighter, and the man drew slightly closer to her.
Occasionally, she could feel his body heat.
Gu Qinghan noticed Ye Muyan positioning himself slightly behind and to her right, slowing his pace to match hers.
She asked coyly: “Yan Gege, why are you wearing a mask? Today isn’t the Lantern Festival.”
Ye Muyan lowered his eyelashes: “Perhaps because my appearance is too frightening, and the woman I admire is afraid of me. So I wear this mask to get closer to her.”
This time it was Gu Qinghan’s turn to be stunned. She hadn’t expected this reason.
She had thought Ye Muyan was trying to conceal his identity as the crown prince so he could relax and enjoy himself in the capital.
Could Ye Muyan have misunderstood her feelings toward him?
How could such a handsome face possibly frighten anyone?
In her previous life, while she had feared his innate imperial aura and been terrified by the way he looked at her – like a wild beast wanting to devour and completely possess her – whenever she saw his face, she would forget her fear and sometimes even couldn’t help but draw closer.
“If Yan Gege shows his true appearance, that woman might actually be charmed by you~”
Seeing her charming demeanor, Ye Muyan couldn’t help but chuckle lightly.
The two strolled leisurely through the crowd until they reached a stall surrounded by many people – it was an archery game where participants could win prizes by shooting floral arrows.
The surrounding crowd consisted mostly of couples, with some happily married pairs present as well.
“Darling, do you like that pearl necklace up there? I’ll win it for you!”
Other men nearby weren’t about to be outdone, each telling their sweethearts they would definitely win whatever they desired.
Gu Qinghan wasn’t particularly interested in these things initially, but she suddenly noticed some rather intriguing items among the prizes.
There were even some concealed weapons suitable for women to handle.
Jade ruyi beads, plum blossom darts, and even hairpins that could store poison.
She took a few more glances at the stall and was about to leave when Ye Muyan stopped her.
His slightly cool hand gently grasped hers, tightening for a moment as if unable to restrain his emotions.
Just as Gu Qinghan felt his hand was about to interlace with hers, he let go.
“I’ll win these for you.”
“Whatever Qingqing wants, I’ll give it to you…”
Ye Muyan blurted out, then quickly turned away upon noticing Gu Qinghan’s surprised expression, adding in an attempt to cover it up, “My archery skills are fairly decent.”
Gu Qinghan’s surprise earlier was because she hadn’t expected Ye Muyan to stop her.
Moreover, she found herself deeply moved by his touch. The moment their fingers brushed, she heard her own heartbeat—intense and restless.
She had originally thought her feelings for Ye Muyan were more gratitude than affection, but now it seemed there might be other emotions at play.
She curled her fingers into her palm and smiled sweetly, saying, “Thank you, Yan Gege~”