The man shrugged nonchalantly.
"And you call me a fool, but I think you’re not much better!" Gan Yuan glared at him, then immediately turned to a servant beside them, "Prepare supper for the gentleman right away, and remember to keep it light!"
The servant agreed and went into the dining room to get it ready, while Huangfu Jue supported her knee and lifted the corners of his lips lightly.
For the first time in his life, he had been admonished, yet his mood was exceptionally bright.
"Why are you not resting this late?"
"I..." she took a sip of tea to conceal her nervousness, "I’m not sleepy."
Noticing her pale complexion, he worriedly raised his hand to touch her forehead. The skin under his palm was slightly cool and smooth, with no sign of fever.
"Are you feeling unwell somewhere?"
"Not at all." She reached out to pull him up to sit beside her and asked with a smile, "Is work going well?"
The man nodded, his gaze still attentively on her face, "Did someone come by again today?"
Gan Yuan pondered for a moment, "I... I stepped out for a bit, you... you don’t mind, do you?"
Huangfu Jue had come back earlier than expected, ruining her plan to escape. There was no way to hide her attendance at the banquet from him today, and it would be better for her to bring it up proactively rather than him finding out from the bodyguards.
"Of course not!" Huangfu Jue raised his hand to adjust her slipping jacket, "You are my lover, not a slave."
In the past, he had restricted her movements because she always sought to flee.
Now, since she had clearly chosen to be with him, he certainly wouldn’t confine her like a golden bird in a cage anymore.
His leniency did not make Gan Yuan feel any happier, but rather it made her feel even more ashamed.
If she had the choice, she would rather have him upset, have him throw a fit... perhaps her guilt would be a little less then.
A torrent of words rushed to her lips, but as she looked at the man’s face, she couldn’t bring herself to speak.
If he knew what kind of person she was, what kind of identity she had... what would he think?
Would he still love her?
Would he still insist on her becoming his queen?
Even if, by some miracle, he truly didn’t mind, what about others?
His parents, his subjects... no one would support their union, their love was destined to be unblessed!
She swallowed the truth that had reached her throat and forced a smile on her lips.
She reached out to touch his face and leaned in to gently kiss the corner of his lips.
"Go have your dinner, I’m going to take a bath upstairs."
He was still a bit worried, feeling as though she had something on her mind.
"Are you really okay?"
"Actually... there is something."
She blinked like a little girl.
"I’m a bit excited that you came back early."
The man let out a light laugh and reached out to caress her face.
"Wait for me upstairs, I’ll be right there."
Giving him a smile, she got up and headed upstairs.
At the turn of the staircase, she looked back to see the man standing in his original spot, watching her intently, his gaze filled with affection.
Seeing her turn to look, Huangfu Jue smiled and waved to her, signaling her to go upstairs.
A sour feeling in her nose, she forced a smile and quickly ascended the stairs.
Once back in the room, she immediately closed the door behind her, stuffed the pack of sorted items on the table back into the wardrobe, and took a dagger out of her pocket, tucking it into her backpack.
Looking at the bulging backpack, she closed the door firmly and leaned weakly against the wardrobe door.
Moses would certainly not let things lie; if she stayed, he would definitely come looking for her.