C35

Gu Yiqing noticed her nervousness. He turned his gaze back and asked her some random questions like how she was used to living here.

Gu Jinzhu heaved a sigh of relief. It was normal for the two of them to ask and answer each other's questions.

Gu Jinzhu looked at his face nervously. Although he had not woken up that day, she was not at ease in her heart. Only when she saw his calm appearance and his usual expression did she feel at ease.

While the two of them were talking, someone shouted from outside, "Third Prince has arrived. The chief soldier and the county lords have arrived."

Everyone in the hall stood up and Gu Yiqing led the crowd to welcome them. Gu Jinzhu was a little surprised. She didn't expect that a prince and a soldier would come to this remote place. She silently followed the crowd and bowed to them.

At the front was a man in royal blue brocade, with a jade belt around his waist and a golden crown on his head. In his hand was a plastered fan.

Gu Jinzhu had only taken a glance when she was suddenly shocked in her heart. Wasn't this the "noble person" she met that day? He didn't expect him to be a prince, no wonder he was able to order the Prefect around with just a password.

He was followed by several officials, who appeared to be the military chief of Binzhou and the officials of the surrounding counties. The crowd made a racket as they greeted her, and she hurriedly retreated, afraid that the prince would recognize her.

However, the more he feared something, the more it seemed to increase in intensity. The prince's gaze shifted to her as he lifted his foot and walked over.

The moment Xiao Qi entered the hall, he saw the girl in a green skirt and a white blouse. She was as clean and fresh as a drop of dew.

Her attire today was clearly different from that of the previous day, but it was even more exquisite. A look of amazement flashed across Xiao Ling's eyes as he laughed, "Miss, I didn't expect to see you here again. What a coincidence …"

Gu Jinzhu bent down to bless him, but didn't say anything. She didn't want to admit in public that she had had anything to do with this strange man, even if he was a prince.

Xiao Qi was about to say something when a shadow covered his vision. Gu Yiqing's black eyes swept over with a smile that was not a smile. "I didn't think that Your Highness would actually know my Zhu. What a coincidence."

Xiao Qi stopped waving his fan and smiled. "Zhu? "It's a good name, but I didn't expect it to be the young lady of the Gu family. No wonder."

He looked deeply at her once again and actually didn't say anything, only being escorted by the crowd.

Gu Yiqing did not ask Gu Jinzhu how she met Third Prince. The banquet had already begun.

Since it was a special occasion, there was no seating for a man and a woman. Gu Jinzhu sat beside Gu Yiqing and was still immersed in the words "my family's Zhu".

The banquet was very lively. Gu Jinzhu wasn't used to such occasions, so she only ate a few mouthfuls before she put down her chopsticks. Gu Yiqing turned around to take a look, then he exchanged the several plates of fruit dessert in front of him.

Gu Jinzhu was amazed at his meticulousness once again. Even though he had been socializing with everyone, the first thing he did when she needed something was to notice who was not human. His attitude towards her immediately became more attentive and friendly.

If it wasn't for the fire burning in her eyes, Gu Jinzhu would have felt a lot more at ease.

The local officials took turns toasting to Gu Yiqing. He didn't refuse or drink to the bottom of his glass. Gu Jinzhu was worried that he would get drunk, but after a dozen cups, his cold face remained the same.

She was slightly relieved and was about to find an excuse to go back when Third Prince came over with a glass of wine. He chatted with Gu Yiqing for a bit before suddenly turning to her and smiling, "I didn't know that the person we met that day was the Gu family's young miss. I was a little impolite. I would like to apologize to young miss."

As she spoke, she drained the cup of wine in one gulp. A pair of peach blossom eyes stared at her with a smile.

Without waiting for Gu Jinzhu to speak, Gu Yiqing took the wine cup from her, just like he did just now, and said with a smile, "Fifth Prince is too courteous. Zhu is young, I'll drink this wine for her."

However, before he could do anything, Xiao Qi pressed a hand on his own and raised his eyebrows. "Hey, this is my apology to Miss. Miss Gu, are you still blaming me for not drinking it yourself?"

He looked over at Gu Yiqing with a smile that wasn't a smile. The smile on his lips slowly disappeared and his dark eyes looked at him with a hint of coldness.

The surrounding people noticed that the atmosphere had become a little stiff and tried to smooth things over. The mayor's wife smiled sweetly and said, "This wine is too strong, no wonder the ladies aren't used to it. But there is still rouge wine that has been stored in the cellar for three years.

The madame ordered people to go down to get some wine. When the maid brought the wine up, Gu Jinzhu knew that there was nothing she could do to avoid it. She simply picked up her cup and smiled at Third Prince.

He finished the wine in one gulp. The soup was fresh and sweet, but it had a strong aftertaste. Gu Jinzhu pursed her lips and blushed like a peach after the rain. It was gorgeous.

The surrounding people were all staring at her, but Xiao Qi was still not satisfied. He smiled lightly and said, "Miss Gu is still the best. How can just one cup be enough? "I'll have to finish three cups in a row no matter what."

Gu Jinzhu had no other choice but to drink another two cups. The surrounding people were cheering and cheering. She was so intoxicated that her vision blurred and her body swayed uncontrollably.

Xiao Qi was standing very close to her, and seeing her blushing face and her sparkling eyes, which were very different from the previous coldness, Xiao Qi could not help but reach out to help her. Gu Yiqing held her by the waist and asked, "What's wrong, are you not feeling well?"

He frowned slightly. He had an indescribable handsomeness in his profile. The two of them were very close, and she could see his long and clear eyelashes. Her shadow was clearly reflected in those dark eyes, and there was a hint of worry.

Leaning into his embrace, she suddenly felt that the hand around her waist was a bit hot. It was unknown if it was because of the alcohol or something else, but the heat on her face was extremely strong.

"I'll send you back first." He took her in his arms and led her out.

Xiao Qi's hand was still stretched out in the air and he quietly withdrew it. His expression instantly returned to normal, as if the awkwardness just now was just an illusion.

Seeing Gu Yiqing walk past him, his eyes flashed and he suddenly laughed out loud, "Master Gu is so young and has very few achievements, Sixth Prince is truly blessed."

Gu Yiqing didn't stop his footsteps. He didn't even bother to look over. Xiao Qi waved his folding fan, but a cold ray of light flashed across his normally smiling peach blossom eyes.

Outside the main hall, Yun Xiang and Biwan came out to welcome them. When they saw Gu Jinzhu's reddened face, they were shocked. Yun Xiang couldn't help but ask, "Miss, did you drink?"