Lingxi was startled by the sudden kiss.
Her eyes were opened as she tried to register what He Yu was doing.
"Your highness, I've brought your clothes", Nanny Zhao's voice was heard from outside the room.
Lingxi wanted to respond to her but He Yu refused to let her go.
She could not pull herself away because He Yu's hand was wrapped around her head. She tried pushing him away but it was futile.
After a few seconds, He Yu released her. There was a short pause as they stared at each other.
Nanny Zhao's voice came through again, "Your Highness, shall I come in?"
"I'll answer her", He Yu said and stood up to meet Nanny Zhao while Lingxi used the opportunity to put on her inner robe.
He Yu opened the door.
Nanny Zhao was surprised to see him there but she could say nothing.
They were a couple. Sharing a bath was not wrong.
"Your highness, Her Highness's clothes....." she said.
He Yu's gaze fell on the clothes in her hand. He took it.
Nanny Zhao remained standing. He Yu was about going in noticed, "anything else?" he asked.
"No", she answered quickly and left.
He Yu closed the door and went back to meet Lingxi.
Their eyes met and Lingxi stretched her hand forward, "the clothes"
Instead of giving her the clothes, he took her hand and pulled her closer to him. Looking into her eyes, he said in a whisper, "I'm not done yet"
Lingxi blinked as his hand gently brushed on her head. He set the clothes down and placed the other hand on her neck. He pulled her closer and planted a kiss on her lips.
He looked at her as if to get her consent. She closed her eyes. He kissed her again and this time, she kissed back.
[Duke Su's Residence]
"Your Grace, someone is here to see you", Butler Wen said from outside Sang Xue'er's room.
She wondered who would be visiting her so late at night.
"Who is it?" Qingtong asked.
"He said he's a friend", Butler Wen answered.
"Friend?" Sang Xue'er did not remember having any friends in the capital.
"Find out who it is" Qingtong bowed and went to check who the friend Butler Wen was referring to was.
She opened the gates and saw a familiar face, "Prince Ning", she quickly bowed
"Where is Her Grace?" He Xuan asked with a cheerful smile.
He was holding a meal box and his folding fan. "I will go and inform Her Grace of your presence", Qingtong said and rushed off to call Sang Xue'er.
He Xuan walked into the residence and waited for a while.
Few minutes later, he heard Sang Xue'er's voice, "Your highness has been avoiding me these past few weeks and now suddenly visits me. To what do I owe this pleasure?"
He Xuan turned in her direction, "Your Grace is dressed so simply and is still in her room. Are you planning on not celebrating this New Year?" He Xuan asked with a smile.
Sang Xue'er walked up to him, "Why are you here?" she asked.
He handed her the meal box, "my mother sent some dumplings to you to wish you prosperity in the New Year. She also sent you a gift", he added as he reached beneath his sleeves. He brought out a small box.
Sang Xue'er handed the meal box to Qingtong and opened the box. Inside was a flower shaped golden hairpin adorned with pearls.
"Do you like the gift", He Xuan asked.
"Yes, I like pearls", Sang Xue'er answered and curtsied, "Please relay my thanks to Consort Feng", she said and turned to go.
He Xuan was speechless, "Sang Xue'er", he called.
She turned to him, "Is there anything else?"
"Since you're alone, I'll spend tonight with you", he said.
"You are avoiding me so as to avoid our marriage. Aren't you afraid that if someone sees us together, His Majesty would have to finalize our wedding?" she asked.
"If worse comes to worst, I'll just run away on the wedding day", He Xuan replied.
*****
Lingxi and He Yu strolled down the streets together watching the excitement of the New Year in the air.
Lingxi who loved trying street food ordered some tofu.
"Do you want some?" she asked He Yu.
"I've eaten a lot. I'm full", He Yu responded.
Lingxi did not force him. She already knew that for him to eat that much during dinner was already a feat.
They watched the lanterns hung on each house. He Yu noticed that there were different stores playing games.
"Would you like to play a game?" he asked.
Lingxi looked around and her eyes caught the lantern riddles.
"Let's play some lantern riddles?" she suggested.
They walked up to a lantern riddle stall.
"Guess the answer to a riddle for a prize", the shopkeeper said.
"Young Miss, do you want to play?" he asked. Lingxi nodded.
"Okay. Guess a riddle and you'll win a prize", he said.
Lingxi looked at a lantern hung and read the words written, "I paint mountains without a brush, I paint rivers without ink. I cross heavens without feet, yet no hand can hold me", she read.
"Does Zhizhi know the answer?" He Yu asked.
"Is the answer 'a cloud'?" Lingxi asked.
"Miss, you are really smart. The answer is indeed a cloud", the shopkeeper smiled.
Lingxi turned to He Yu, "answer one"
He Yu smiled and proceeded to read one, "A man stands beneath the sun, yet casts no shadow. He stands beneath the moon, yet casts no shadow. He enters a house, yet the house remains empty", he read.
"What's the answer?" Lingxi asked.
"The answer should be - a man in a painting?" He Yu said.
"That's right. The both of you are truly a perfect match", the shopkeeper cheered.
He handed Lingxi a beautiful writing brush.
"Thanks for playing"
Lingxi studied the writing brush as they walked away, "the writing brush is exquisite. Isn't it too much for such simple riddles?" Lingxi wondered.
"It's the New Year. It's natural to be generous", He Yu said.
A group of children ran up them, "Brother, Sister, Happy New Year. May you be together forever" Lingxi looked at He Yu amused by them.
He Yu brought out a pouch of gold ingots and handed it to one of them, "Happy New Year"
"Thank you, Brother, Sister! Remain happy forever", they chanted as they ran back.
"They are so cute", Lingxi commented as she watched them.
"Does Zhizhi like children?" He Yu asked eagerly.
Lingxi stared at him, "don't get any ideas", and kept on walking forward.
She found a shop selling masks and decided to try them. After rummaging through the masks, she picked the one she thought was perfect.
The mask she picked covered the nose and mouth and exposed the eyes only.
She tried it on, "how do I look?"
He Yu laughed. "Why are you laughing?"
Lingxi asked but he did not respond.
Annoyed, she removed the mask, "you try it on then", she said stretching it toward him.
"I would rather not", He Yu said pushing it away slightly.
She pulled him close to her, "just try it quietly"
She wore him the mask and helped tie the strings.
When she was done, she stared at him. Just as she was about to compliment him, she noticed He Yu's eyes which was remarkably similar to someone she had met in the past.
Although the mask was different, the eyes were too similar to shake it off.
She gazed at it intently and the questions that had been growing in her mind began to answer themselves.
The way He Yu's footsteps are light and difficult to hear, his skill in handling the knife, the way he understood her so well even though they had not known each other for long.
It all clicked slowly. She removed the mask from He Yu's face slowly and in a slow but clear voice, asked, "Deceptive fox, is this really you?" she asked.
He Yu stared back at her and everywhere seemed quiet despite the endless chatters from every angle.
Firecrackers blew at every corner creating a very loud noise and sparks of flames, "Happy New Year!"
[Duke Su's Residence]
The firecrackers from the outside sounded and the loud chants of 'Happy New Year' resounded in the quiet pavilion where Sang Xue'er and He Xuan were seated.
Sang Xue'er was eating the dumplings He Xuan sent over when they heard the sound. He Xuan, fanning himself slowly as usual, looked at Sang Xue'er and wished her a Happy New Year.
"Sang Xue'er, Happy New Year", he said before adding, "this has to be the most boring New Year celebration I've been in"
Sang Xue'er looked back at him, "Happy New Year"