Qiuzhi chuckled softly, “I understand, Miss. This is what they call ‘a woman adorns herself for the one who appreciates her.'”
Qin Xue teased from the side, “Don’t worry, Miss. No matter how you look, the Prince won’t even glance at anyone else.” Over the years, countless women had tried to get close to her master, yet the Prince had never given any of them a second look. Only Miss Gu was truly cherished in his heart.
Qin Xue had sent word early that morning that Gu Nanyin would be visiting the Prince’s residence. Upon hearing this, Yuan Jue didn’t even attend court. Liu Feng stood respectfully nearby, watching his usually stern master try on outfit after outfit, his jaw nearly dropping in shock.
“Liu Feng, which set suits me best?” Hearing his aloof master ask such a question, Liu Feng was even more astonished. When had he ever been consulted about what clothes to wear? If he hadn’t been by his master’s side day in and day out, he would have suspected his master had been replaced by an imposter.
“How about… this one?” Liu Feng pointed tentatively with a trembling hand at one of the outfits. The Prince usually preferred wearing white, and all these sets were white—he really couldn’t see any difference between them.
Yuan Jue looked at him coldly. “What use are you to me?” Liu Feng felt wronged. He was a shadow guard, trained in protection and assassination. Choosing clothes for his master was not part of his training. Besides, if the Prince didn’t dislike having maidservants around, this task wouldn’t have fallen to him. Liu Feng dared not voice his grievances.
Meanwhile, Qiuzhi and Baishao spent a full hour fussing over Gu Nanyin’s appearance. Nanyin propped up her chin, watching the two maids bustle around her head. She felt utterly exhausted, having woken up early that day with little energy to begin with.
After enduring a while longer, she looked weakly at the two maids, who were as energetic as if they’d been injected with adrenaline. “Isn’t this enough?” she asked. She was only going to meet someone, not getting married.
Qiuzhi and Baishao were arguing over which hairpin would be more suitable and didn’t even glance at her. “That won’t do. Today, Miss must outshine everyone else.”
Gu Nanyin wished she could go back an hour and slap herself for saying she wanted to dress up beautifully. She wanted to say that she was going to the Prince’s residence, not a beauty contest—why would she need to outshine everyone? Besides, she would be traveling by carriage the whole way. Who besides the people at the Prince’s residence would even see how she looked?
But it was clear the two maids weren’t listening to her at all. She simply adjusted to a slightly more comfortable position and let them have their way.
Another half hour passed before the two maids were finally satisfied with their young lady’s appearance. Only then did Gu Nanyin bid farewell to her mother and board the carriage to the Prince’s residence. Several maids crowded into the carriage with her, chattering and talking nonstop. Qiuzhi, naturally lively, was joined by the equally talkative Qin Xue, and even the usually quiet Baishao began to grow restless. Despite heading to the Prince’s residence, the atmosphere felt more like they were off on a leisurely outing.
As the carriage arrived in front of the Prince’s residence, Gu Nanyin looked at the gates now within reach and suddenly felt a sense of disorientation. This was a place she had dreamed of escaping in her past life, yet now it had become a place she was eager to enter. Between her past life and this one, only a moment seemed to have passed, yet her feelings toward it were worlds apart.Liu Feng had been waiting at the entrance for quite some time. Watching Gu Nanyin step down from the carriage, his expression remained cold and indifferent. “What does Miss Gu wish to gain from my Prince?”
In Liu Feng’s eyes, his master was of noble status and wielded immense power. Not just within the Inky Moon Kingdom, but across the entire world, it would be difficult to find another man as exceptional as his master. Yet, such a favored son of heaven had repeatedly faced rejection from Gu Nanyin. Now, with her sudden feigned closeness to his master, she must surely harbor ulterior motives.
“I wish to gain the Prince himself,” Gu Nanyin replied without a hint of anger. She knew she had been in the wrong before. Yuan Jue had treated her so well that even a stone would have warmed to him. It was only natural for his subordinates to feel indignant on his behalf.
Liu Feng did not believe a word Gu Nanyin said. He had seen clearly how she had treated his master before. What puzzled him even more was why, among all the noble and accomplished young ladies in the city—some well-mannered, others highly learned—his master insisted on favoring Gu Nanyin. Though she was indeed beautiful, Liu Feng refused to believe his master was shallow enough to judge by appearance alone.
Just as he was about to say more, Qin Xue quickly stepped forward and covered his mouth. “Liu Feng, if you don’t speak, no one will mistake you for a mute.” Seeing that the Prince and the young lady were making progress, she couldn’t let Liu Feng’s sharp tongue ruin it.
Yuan Jue had been delayed by some matters and had only just arrived at the entrance, so he missed Liu Feng’s remarks. He looked at Gu Nanyin, and a gentle smile appeared on his usually calm face. Though faint, Gu Nanyin caught it immediately and couldn’t help but curl her lips upward as well.
“Let’s go have a meal first,” he said. Having received word from Qin Xue that Gu Nanyin hadn’t eaten breakfast, he had ordered preparations in advance. He then led the way, with Gu Nanyin following quietly behind. Watching the sunlight fall upon him, she felt a sense of peace settle in her heart. She noticed that Yuan Jue’s pace was slower than usual and realized he was accommodating her. This was a man so attentive that he even considered her walking speed.
As Gu Nanyin entered the main hall, she saw the table laden with a dazzling array of dishes. With just a glance, she knew they were all her favorites. She and Yuan Jue washed their hands with the assistance of the maids. Just as Qiuzhi was about to step forward to serve her mistress, Yuan Jue waved his hand lightly, signaling her to step back.
He then picked up his chopsticks and silently began serving food to Gu Nanyin, who watched him quietly. Here was the Regent—a god of war who struck fear into the hearts of enemies on the battlefield, a ruler who strategized with ease in the court, a man of such noble status that even the emperor had to yield to him. Yet now, he was willingly taking on the role of a maid to serve her. How could she not be moved?
Gu Nanyin’s gaze followed Yuan Jue’s movements back and forth. She noticed that not only was Yuan Jue handsome, but his hands were also fair and flawless. Even the simple act of serving food was performed with such grace that it was a pleasure to watch.
“Your Highness, please stop serving me. If you keep going, I’ll be full just from watching,” Gu Nanyin said softly and sweetly. Only now did she realize that the phrase “feast for the eyes” was truly apt.
Yuan Jue obediently set down his chopsticks and gazed at her intently. After a long moment, he uttered softly, “The first time.”Gu Nanyin understood, her eyes growing slightly moist. This was the first time the two of them had shared a meal at the same table. Yet she knew it was the first time across two lifetimes. In her previous life, although she had been married into the prince’s mansion for a year, she had avoided Yuan Jue at every turn. Wherever Yuan Jue might be, she would not go. Over time, to spare her distress, Yuan Jue rarely appeared before her, let alone shared such intimate moments as dining together.