Having shaken off those two tails, Liang Yanjun and Ziteng, as well as the Fourth Prince and Lin Zilan—that pair of kindred spirits who hit it off immediately and were chatting enthusiastically—Liang Zhe was in an exceptionally good mood.

However, he didn’t show it on his face. He had simply lost that cold exterior he displayed in front of crowds, which made him appear even more noble and refined, exquisitely beautiful.

“Shuying, the scenery here is picturesque—it’s a wonderful place.”

Qin Shuying nodded, and the two exchanged information about recent events at the traveling palace. When he heard Qin Shuying mention that Princess Fuping had helped her, Liang Zhe was also quite surprised.

Qin Shuying had no intention of telling Liang Zhe that Princess Fuping was also reborn. Such matters were too beyond human comprehension, and it might also compromise the secret of her own rebirth.

“Princess Fuping is a difficult person to fathom. Since she has shown goodwill, we should accept it graciously. However, human hearts are unpredictable, Shuying—you must be careful.”

Qin Shuying nodded in agreement, but she always felt that Liang Zhe spoke strangely, constantly saying “we” and “us.”

“Shuying, it’s getting late. I estimate it will soon be mealtime. Rather than compete for that food, why don’t we find something to eat outside? What do you think?”

Qin Shuying looked up at the sun, and indeed, it was already directly overhead.

She really wanted to say that neither of them had brought anything—where would they find food? If they were to look for wild fruits, she had spotted some scattered ones along the way, but they were all green and completely inedible.

Liang Zhe saw her confusion and laughed heartily, pointing toward the small stream and forest ahead. “There’s plenty of delicious food over there!”

He was in a particularly good mood today, laughing with exceptional cheer. Watching him, Qin Shuying felt a flutter in her heart.

Could he please not be so good-looking? Could he please not smile so beautifully?

She seemed to be losing control of her heart—what should she do?

Qin Shuying recalled her previous life, when she would stare in fascination for long periods at Lu Changxuan’s handsome and graceful appearance. But what happened in the end?

Now, she and Liang Zhe had a good beginning, and she hoped they wouldn’t reach that terrible conclusion.

Therefore, maintaining a good cooperative relationship without becoming emotionally involved would be best.

Although it was a hot day, being in the deep mountains with frequent tree shade, it didn’t feel too hot.

A gentle breeze came, and climbing high for a distant view with an open vista, Qin Shuying remembered the time she followed Princess Yongjia to that interesting place.

Princess Yongjia had said not to tell anyone, so Qin Shuying kept those words in her heart.

As the two walked and chatted, Qin Shuying didn’t notice when Liang Zhe’s hands had somehow acquired several items—one was a stone shard, and another was a wooden stake.

Looking back, they had already traveled far from the camp and couldn’t see a third person at all.

Combining both lives, this was her first time playing alone with a man.

Qin Shuying suddenly felt somewhat flustered, but seeing Liang Zhe’s brilliant smile, she couldn’t bring herself to suggest returning.

Liang Zhe was in high spirits, and she couldn’t bear to disappoint him. Especially thinking of what Princess Fuping had said, she inexplicably felt fear and a chill in her heart.

If Princess Fuping was truly reborn and knew about future events, could she change Liang Zhe’s fate?

She truly didn’t dare guarantee it.

If she couldn’t change it, then Liang Zhe’s life would be too pitiful! Now that he was so happy, how could she bear to disappoint him…

Looking at Liang Zhe’s tall figure, Qin Shuying inexplicably felt a sense of desolation.

She really didn’t dare guarantee that everything would be foolproof—life had too many unexpected changes.

Then, she would accompany him well and try to fulfill all his wishes and ideas, if doing so would make Liang Zhe happy.

Qin Shuying sighed deeply.

Liang Zhe was indeed very happy, his entire being seeming to float.

He was tall, a full head taller than Qin Shuying.

The young lady beside him was still quite young, even a year younger than Liang Qiong.

She wasn’t devastatingly beautiful—if she stood beside Liang Qiong, others would certainly notice Liang Qiong first. However, those bright eyes of hers always made him want to stare at them for long periods.

She also didn’t have what men called charm or fullness—in fact, in his eyes, she was slender. But he knew that the young lady before him was very strong and tenacious.

“Shuying, let’s sit down and rest up ahead. I see you have sweat on your forehead.”

Qin Shuying nodded. “Alright, Ziyu.”

Because she had something on her mind, Qin Shuying’s tone was very gentle—an unprecedented gentleness. Liang Zhe’s heart felt as if it had been brushed by a feather, ticklish and warm.

Liang Zhe stopped, turned, and looked down at her. She happened to look up, nearly bumping into him.

Liang Zhe was stunned, and Qin Shuying was also dazed.

The two stared at each other wide-eyed, neither speaking.

Liang Zhe raised his hand and, as if possessed, gently brushed her forehead, wiping away her sweat.

Qin Shuying’s entire body stiffened.

“Shuying…”

Liang Zhe murmured, his voice trembling uncontrollably, and his other hand reached out as well.

Just as his hand was about to touch Qin Shuying, “Ah…”

Qin Shuying screamed, pointing at the top of Liang Zhe’s head with one finger, terrified beyond measure, her eyes wide with horror.

Liang Zhe reflexively pulled her into his arms, quickly turned around, and in the instant of turning, even retreated several steps with her.

When he raised the wooden stake in his hand toward where Qin Shuying had been pointing, he discovered there was nothing there—no enemy troops, no villains, not even a butterfly. All was peaceful.

What was going on?

Qin Shuying struggled in his arms. “Bug, bug… Ziyu, there’s a bug… on your head!”

Liang Zhe was stunned. Her terrified expression just now was because she saw a bug on his head?

Liang Zhe lowered his head and shook it vigorously, then saw a colorful, striped large caterpillar as thick as a man’s middle finger roll onto the grass, the bug struggling to turn over.

Qin Shuying kept backing away and then “wa” – she vomited.

The thing she found most disgusting and hateful was colorful large caterpillars. Speaking of the reason, it still made her nauseous and want to vomit.

It was back then, when Lu Changju wanted to disgust and torment her, she placed a colorful large caterpillar at the bottom of her rice bowl. When she had eaten half her meal, she discovered a colorful bug with half its body torn, oozing disgusting fluid but still wriggling.

At that time, Qin Yaoyao couldn’t help but vomit, ran outside and retched for a long time, and from then on had an instinctive aversion to colorful caterpillars.

This was one of her weaknesses.

What had Lu Changxuan said about her then? How had Old Madam Lu looked at her with displeasure?

Qin Shuying shook her head forcefully, pressed her chest, and couldn’t stop vomiting violently. Everything she had eaten in the morning came up, and when only acid remained in her stomach, her eyes were filled with tears.

Liang Zhe hadn’t expected that a colorful bug would frighten Qin Shuying like this, and hurriedly helped her to the water’s edge where there was no tree shade.

The colorful bug on his head had probably dropped from the trees when they passed under the shade earlier.