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It had been a long time since Princess Xinyang had laughed so heartily. The little guy reminded her of a young Ah Heng.
"Jing Kong is just like you were when you were a child." She laughed and remarked.
Xiao Heng retorted with a snort, "I wasn't as boastful as him."
"Oh? Who was it again that used to rush to the imperial audience hall to show off by reciting poems?" Princess Xinyang teased.
Xiao Heng's expression suddenly stiffened as a shameful memory surged from the depths of his consciousness—— a little adorable figure trailing behind the Emperor, hopping along with both hands and feet, and climbing up one step at a time. He climbed so vigorously that his hat was all crooked by the time he reached the top.
He stood up, clumsily adjusted his slightly crooked hat, and gazed at the crowd of civil and military officials. In a childish voice, he said, "I... I'm going to recite a poem today. This time, I memorized..."
That wasn't him!
He refused to admit it! He didn't remember it at all! He didn’t!
......
Princess Xinyang stayed until late at night before leaving, and Xiao Heng walked her to the gate.
She had said what needed to be said, and those that were left unsaid, Xiao Heng had probably guessed them already given his intelligence. However, she was still somewhat worried.
Before getting into her carriage, she gave Xiao Heng a deep look and said, "At present, you..."
"I understand." Xiao Heng nodded in understanding, "Don't worry about the future. I'll handle it."
He couldn't reveal his true identity yet, but there would come a day when he would openly appear before everyone as Xiao Heng!
He would catch the mastermind behind the poisoning and arson, whether it was an individual or a force. No matter how difficult it would be, he wouldn't back down or run away.
If it was a mountain, he would carve it!
If it was a river, he would fill it !
Even the small mayflies could shake a tree!
Princess Xinyang looked at the determination in Xiao Heng's eyes and was finally certain that he had truly grown up. Over these four years, she had worried countless times about his situation and regretted her decisions, especially when she learned that Xiao Su had contracted leprosy not long after leaving the capital, and Xiao Heng had tirelessly cared for him for two whole years. Her heart had nearly stopped at that news.
But it was only at this moment that she realized every step had been worth it.
All the pain he had experienced would become an indestructible armor on his body.
Ah Heng, I'm proud of you, my son.
After Princess Xinyang's carriage departed, Xiao Liulang returned to the courtyard. He closed the courtyard gate, bolted it, and turned to find someone sitting on the swing.
The crescent moon hung gracefully in the sky.
The moonlight gently shone on her shoulders, and her flowing skirt swayed lightly in the night breeze.
Xiao Heng glanced at her petite figure on the swing and walked over. It was late at night, and everyone else had already gone to sleep, making the night unusually quiet.
He lowered his voice and said, "Still not sleeping?"
Gu Jiao gripped the swing ropes and turned her head to look at him, her eyes sparkling like a starry sky, "Are you happy?"
Xiao Heng froze for a moment, then soon realized she was referring to the mutual recognition between Princess Xinyang and him. He nodded. "Yes, I'm happy."
Gu Jiao released her left hand and shifted to the right, making some space for him.
This swing was made for Little Jing Kong. He requested it to be slightly larger, but considering he was small himself, it was still just a slightly bigger single-seat swing.
Xiao Heng sat beside her, and their bodies had to be pressed closely together. On this cool and breezy night, it felt oddly warm.
"Thank you." He said.
"Hmm?" Gu Jiao looked at him in confusion.
Thank you for pulling me out of the quagmire, for urging me to come to the capital, and for forcing me to face the past I dared not confront, ultimately leading me to the truth.
In the end, he was too shy to say these words out loud. He simply gazed at her with gentle eyes, then changed the subject, "You seem happy too."
Gu Jiao tilted her little head, "I'm happy if you're happy!"
The soft spot in Xiao Heng’s heart was touched. He raised his hand and gently stroked her head.
She seemed to really like having her head petted as she nuzzled her head into his palm again.
Her hair emitted a faint scent of fresh flowers and soap, and each strand of her hair seemed to issue a silent invitation, as if saying, ‘I've just washed my hair, feel free to touch.’
Xiao Heng couldn't help but let out a low chuckle.
As he laughed, Gu Jiao became momentarily entranced.
He didn't laugh often, but whenever he did, it felt like it could stop anyone's heart.
Gu Jiao stared at him in a daze, and suddenly, a wicked thought flashed through her mind—— she wanted to hide him away, lock him in her own secret cage where no one else could find him!
Hmm.
She was very bad.
"JiaoJiao." His voice interrupted her thoughts.
Gu Jiao blinked, "Hmm?"
Xiao Heng turned to face her and looked at her intently, "Is it hard being with me?"
Gu Jiao shook her head vigorously, "Not hard at all."
Xiao Heng continued, "But perhaps, it might become difficult in the future."
Gu Jiao replied seriously, "I'm not afraid of difficulties."
A trace of emotion passed through Xiao Heng's eyes, and he gently tucked her wind-blown hair behind her ear.
Gu Jiao lowered her gaze and fiddled with her fingers, "So, are you going to kiss me?"
Xiao Heng was momentarily stupefied, his hand that had been tucking her hair froze in mid-air.
"No." He said solemnly.
"Oh." Gu Jiao's little face collapsed at a speed visible to the naked eye.
Xiao Heng almost burst into laughter. He suppressed the mischievous smile in his eyes as he gently cupped her fair neck with his large hand, supporting the back of her head. In a husky voice, he said, "JiaoJiao, close your eyes."
Gu Jiao obediently closed her eyes.
He gently cupped her head and leaned down to kiss her soft lips.
Unlike their previous brief kisses, this time he wanted more.
"JiaoJiao." He murmured against her lips.
"Hmm?" The heated breath made Gu Jiao's cheeks flush, and her little face turned as red as a ripe shrimp.
"You're too good." He whispered gently against her forehead.
"I also think I'm too good."
Xiao Heng let out a laugh, a pleasant and magnetic laughter which caused his shoulders to tremble lightly.
He pulled her slender waist tightly into his embrace and kissed her once more with a lingering passion, leaving a sweet and lingering scent in the air.
On the roof, Little Nine shyly covered its head with its wings.
……
When the sky began to lighten, Xiao Heng got up as usual. He approached the table, poured himself a cup of tea, and then opened the wardrobe to retrieve his Hanlin official's attire.
Since he had already appeared in the palace, there was no need to play hide and seek anymore.
He was going to the Hanlin Academy for his duties.
As he tidied his official attire, he had a vague sense that something was amiss, but he couldn't pinpoint exactly what was wrong.
He went to the backyard to wash up.
Yuya’er was drying the quilts and greeted him, "Guye, good morning."
"Good morning." Xiao Heng nodded and walked past her.
Yuya’er continued to lay out the quilts but suddenly turned to look at Xiao Heng again, "Guye! Your leg——"
Raz P.'s Thoughts
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