"What are you doing? Give me the brush!" Murong Jinyun berated angrily.
"Princess, you are the princess of Xiliang. Imperial decrees cannot be violated."
Baili Xi snapped the brush in his hand in half and threw it away, keeping Murong Jinyun within his control.
"It's not your place to dictate how this princess acts!" Murong Jinyun was furious. It was the first time she had spoken to Baili Xi in such a tone.
"Before we departed from Xiliang, His Majesty had already issued an edict stating that if it was absolutely necessary, I would have to show disrespect to the princess. Princess, you must prioritize Xiliang's grand strategy."
Murong Jinyun looked at Baili Xi, who had followed her for ten years, with disbelief. At this moment, Baili Xi seemed like a stranger, making her heart tremble.
"Princess, your subordinate is following orders. I beg the princess not to make things difficult for me."
"I... I know what to do." Murong Jinyun closed her eyes and said in a deep voice. When she opened her eyes again, they were no longer as clear as before, filled with too many complex emotions.
"Princess, Young Master Gu has arrived," the guard reported from the doorway.
Upon hearing Gu Beichen's name, a flicker of surprise flashed in Murong Jinyun's eyes. She got up to walk out, but Baili Xi, who was behind her, grabbed her wrist: "Princess, do not forget what His Majesty said."
Murong Jinyun froze. She lowered her eyes to hide her true emotions: "You don't need to worry about me."
With that, she violently shook off Baili Xi's hand and pushed open the door to walk out. Seeing Gu Beichen standing alone with his horse in the sunset, Murong Jinyun's steps quickened as she ran towards him.
Beside Gu Beichen, she could shed all her pretense and simply be a pampered little girl, with Gu Beichen shielding her from all harm.
"Didn't you return to the Prince's mansion? Why are you here at this time?" Murong Jinyun buried her head in the man's chest, her voice muffled.
"My father has agreed to our marriage. I'm going to beg His Majesty for a赐婚 (cihun - imperial marriage decree) for us."
The two had been separated for three years, and Gu Beichen only wanted to marry Murong Jinyun home as soon as possible.
"I..." Just as Murong Jinyun was about to agree, her father's instructions flashed through her mind, and she became conflicted: "I... let's wait a while longer before bringing this up."
Gu Beichen looked at Murong Jinyun with confusion, finding her behavior today rather strange, though he couldn't pinpoint why. Still, he said, "Whatever you say."
"I'll take you out to explore. There are many fun places in the capital."
More importantly, the post station was full of spies. He detested living under constant surveillance, so he pulled Murong Jinyun out.
"Stop!"
As the two reached the doorway, a sharp voice called from behind: "Gu Beichen, where are you taking the princess?"
As the voice fell, Baili Xi appeared in a flash before Gu Beichen, glaring at him with burning eyes.
"The princess and I are about to be engaged. We don't need to report our whereabouts to you."
Gu Beichen's attitude was resolute, and he moved to walk past Baili Xi.
Baili Xi leaped forward, blocking their path: "The princess's safety comes first. I will never allow you to take the princess out privately."
The atmosphere between the two grew tense, with swords drawn, as if they were about to fight.
"Axie, I'm going out with him. You wait here and don't let anyone follow."
At Murong Jinyun's command, Baili Xi, however unwilling, stepped back obediently, clearing a path for the two to leave.
As Gu Beichen passed Baili Xi, he couldn't resist giving him a triumphant look.
"Let's go." Murong Jinyun also sensed the underlying tension between the two and quickly pulled Gu Beichen away.
"Baili Xi seems very concerned about you?" Gu Beichen asked sourly after a moment's pause.
Murong Jinyun, with something weighing on her mind, was startled by Gu Beichen's question. After a slight hesitation, she replied, "Axie... Axie has been with me since he was young, protecting me like an elder brother. He was just worried about my safety just now, and his words were a bit excessive."
"Is that so?" Gu Beichen raised an eyebrow and asked uncertainly. Baili Xi's gaze just now seemed to be more than just that of a brother towards Murong Jinyun.
"Of course!" Murong Jinyun replied without hesitation.
Gu Beichen wanted to ask more, but the carriage had already stopped. He would have to help Murong Jinyun alight first. There would be plenty of time in the future for him to ask.
"Yuyanfang. What is this place? Why have you brought me here?"
Murong Jinyun read the three characters on the plaque, completely unaware of the place.
"Let's go inside and see."
As he spoke, Gu Beichen took Murong Jinyun's hand and walked inside.
It was Murong Jinyun's first time here, and she was instantly captivated by the scenery. Everything seemed novel. She picked up an item, examined it, put it down, and then moved on to the next.
"What are these used for?"
Gu Beichen looked at the small black, long tube in Murong Jinyun's hand and was slightly taken aback. He knew that Feng Jin's shop sold items for women's makeup and adornment, but he didn't know how they were used, and he was momentarily speechless.
Fortunately, Cai Qing saw them and came to their rescue: "Young Master Gu, Princess, what brings you here? I've already sent someone to invite the Young Madam."
Cai Qing assumed they had come to see Feng Jin and had already sent for her.
"Young Madam?" Murong Jinyun's tone was slightly puzzled. It wasn't until she saw Feng Jin walking in that she realized what was happening: "This shop belongs to you?"
Feng Jin admitted frankly, "I opened it. I opened it when I had nothing to do. Princess, take a look and see if you like anything. I'll give it to you."
After all, everything would ultimately be charged to Gu Beichen's account, and she could ask him for it later. It would gain her face without losing anything. This deal was certainly viable.
Feng Jin's plan was working perfectly. Gu Beichen, however, thought Feng Jin had suddenly become generous today. It wasn't until Cai Qing arrived with a thick stack of account books that he understood what was happening, and from then on, he harbored a deep resentment towards Feng Jin.
"Really?"
She had looked at everything just now; each item was exquisite and very expensive. Now that someone was offering them to her, Murong Jinyun's heart leaped with joy.
Her hands were honest as she chose items. Cai Qing introduced them, completely enthralling Murong Jinyun, who wished she could pick one of everything in the store. Then she felt it was a bit inappropriate and, after some hesitation, put a few items back.
"Is that all?" Feng Jin looked at the meager number of items on the tray and immediately told Cai Qing to pack one of each.
"Young Madam, this is too much, I..."
"Very generous. Thank you."