But he knew that Shen Yue had never been interested in such things.
Shi Wei asked with a smile, "Do you want to admire it or do something with it?"
Just as he had thought, Shen Yue had no passion for such ethereal things. She was merely trying to please Cheng Qian Gong recently because his attitude had become too indifferent.
Cheng Qian Gong had always been interested in the names of famous paintings; scholars all seemed to like them.
The corners of her lips curved into a subtle arc. Her picturesque eyebrows and eyes were as beautiful as an ink painting rendered over a lifetime, exuding a noble and alluring charm.
Her voice was slightly hoarse, like the beautiful strings of a musical instrument, carrying an irresistible allure without a sound.
Though her expressions were few, each subtle shift was enough to captivate.
This was a beauty not permitted in this world.
Her slender, long, and thick eyelashes drooped, but they could not conceal the fleeting tenderness.
It was strange, she thought, that someone like this would also reveal such an expression.
So, she, too, could be gentle.
This was the beauty the world yearned for.
She said softly.
"To give to someone."
Her tone was so gentle, like lovers' whispers, that Shi Wei's face turned pale, inch by inch.
Shi Wei, who had always lingered in the world of romantic entanglements, understood the expressions that occasionally flickered across Shen Yue's face.
It was a softness like moonlight, half-hidden, as if shy and unspoken, yet every action conveyed everything.
His Highness had someone she liked?
Someone like His Highness, could also like a person?
Shi Wei's first thought was the same as Cheng Qian Gong's.
For it was truly difficult to imagine what it was like for such a proud and cold-blooded person to like someone.
And who was worthy of her affection?
Shi Wei desperately wanted to see Shen Yue lose control due to desire; it would surely be even more beautiful than it was now, more maddening.
Shi Wei looked at Shen Yue, suppressed the heat in his eyes, and asked in a low voice, "Who is Your Highness giving it to?"
A few rays of sunlight streamed through the window lattices, casting beautiful patterns of light and shadow, shimmering with iridescence.
The scent in the room was rich, like sandalwood, with faint, calming notes.
Shen Yue's hair was half-tied, with the rest falling onto her shoulders. Her slightly upturned lips bloomed into a rosy smile.
As she looked down at Shi Wei, it seemed that due to the brilliant, flowing light, her features were tinged with a faint glow, wonderfully stunning.
At this moment, Shi Wei could clearly feel that Shen Yue was "alive."
The previous Shen Yue was as gloomy as a ghost, seemingly alive but actually standing on the brink of hell.
Now, Shen Yue was more like a living, breathing person.
Her red lips and white teeth enunciated clearly.
"The one my heart desires."
She had never intended to hide it, speaking it openly as if she wished to declare to the world the person she held dearest.
Shi Wei didn't really care who Shen Yue liked, as he was only infatuated with her appearance. What Shen Yue thought in her heart was unimportant.
But now, Shi Wei found Shen Yue's expression particularly jarring, making him want to tear it to shreds.
A hint of gloom darkened Shi Wei's handsome brows, his eyes dimming like a swirling abyss of madness.
He lowered his head, concealing his neurotic smile, and let out a soft sigh.
"So that's how it is."
He repeated himself.
"So that's how it is."
Shi Wei acted quickly, sending for the painting that very evening.
Shen Yue opened it and took a glance. The style was elegant, and with the addition of two lines of poetry, it possessed even more artistic depth.
Cheng Qian Gong should like it very much.
Thinking of Cheng Qian Gong's increasingly cold attitude in recent days, Shen Yue's initially cheerful and joyous mood sank. A hint of charming indifference appeared at the corners of her eyes and brows.
Her fair, jade-like fingers gently traced the painting, but her thoughts had long since drifted away from it.
"Do you think he will like it?"
As if asking herself, Shen Yue's tone held a touch of uncertainty and confusion.
The Fourth Prince, who was haughty and proud, also became cautious and anxious in order to please the one he loved.
Huo Dao, who had been silently guarding Shen Yue's side, knew Shen Yue was asking him. His calm, deep features were even sharper in the dim, half-lit environment, like a ferocious wolf king roaming the plains.
Huo Dao looked up at Shen Yue, his voice deep and magnetic, "I don't know."
He was quite forthright, never uttering a false word or a pleasantry. His personality was as hard as stone, utterly uninteresting.
Yet, Shen Yue rather liked Huo Dao's honesty. The people around her were all two-faced, their schemes and depths of cunning growing with each passing day. Talking to such people was exhausting, and Huo Dao was a rarity among them.
Her slender and graceful body leaned slightly against the desk, her posture languid. The cinnabar mole at the corner of her eye was as vivid as a blooming peach blossom, as if she were smiling.
"You speak quite frankly."
Huo Dao's dark eyes fixed on her for a long moment before he obediently lowered his gaze, pursing his lips, and remaining silent.
He was too quiet, like the air.
Shen Yue glanced at the moon outside. She knew that Cheng Qian Gong should have finished bathing by now and be sitting on the couch reading a storybook.
Although she spoke of Cheng Qian Gong, Shen Yue did not neglect him in the slightest. She even went to great lengths to please him, spending lavishly on rare treasures without batting an eye, though most of the time Cheng Qian Gong wouldn't even glance at them.
However, if Cheng Qian Gong personally asked to leave, Shen Yue would not stop him. After all, how could she bear to make the person she held dearest, the one she cherished so much, sad? How could she bear to make him unhappy?
But Cheng Qian Gong showed no inclination to leave. Apart from his somewhat indifferent attitude, he remained composed.
This made Shen Yue both happy and subtly uneasy.
Shen Yue let out a soft sigh.
The silent Huo Dao pressed his lips together, and in the warm light, there was not a trace of warmth in his eyes.
—
The crescent moon hung diagonally in the sky, stars twinkling, silver radiance enveloping the hazy land.
The purple-gold incense burner emitted a gentle, curling smoke, and the air was filled with a light, soothing fragrance.
A man in a moon-white thin robe was as tranquil as jade. His long, well-defined fingers held a book, and his long eyelashes cast a shadow beneath his fair eyes.
The moment Shen Yue entered, she saw this scene and stood at the doorway for a while. The night wind was a bit cool, and only when she felt a chill did she quietly walk in, as if unwilling to disturb him. Shen Yue tried her best not to make any noise.
She sat beside him and watched, gazing at the man's jade-like perfect profile.
Pages of the book turned one after another. Shen Yue had been busy all day, and in such a quiet environment, she couldn't help but feel a bit weary. She closed her eyes, feigning sleep, but her ears were constantly listening to the sound of Cheng Qian Gong turning pages. Only when a long time passed without hearing it did she open her eyes.