A sudden pang of unease shot through her heart, but Su Mingyu still managed a calm and charming smile. "I never thought I'd earn such high praise from His Highness the King of Yu. It truly comes as a surprise."
"Let's not stand here," the King of Yu said, not the least bit annoyed by her evasive answer. "How about taking a stroll outside?"
Seeing his determined look, Su Mingyu knew she had no right to refuse. So she simply nodded and said, "Let's go."
The bustling marketplace was teeming with people. As Su Mingyu watched the crowds and carriages passing by, she couldn't help but recall what Gu Ruobai had said to her here last time. Her deep, dark eyes narrowed slightly.
Noticing her little gesture, the King of Yu frowned. "Miss Su, after visiting the clothing store, is there anywhere else you'd like to go?"
Su Mingyu was about to say no, but then she thought it might be a bit of a downer. So after a moment's thought, she pointed to a cosmetics store in the distance. "How about going over there? That store is quite famous in the capital. I can also pick out some rouge for my younger sister."
Meeting Su Mingyu's gaze, the King of Yu lowered his eyes. "I'll bring Yue'er here to buy whatever she needs. You just pick what you like."
"Is that appropriate?" Su Mingyu said, feigning nonchalance. "Although my younger sister and I rarely talk about cosmetics, I've noticed her preferences from her daily dressing."
As she spoke, Su Mingyu suddenly turned around and flashed a big smile at the King of Yu. "How about I pick out some things my sister likes, and Your Highness can give them to her personally? I'm sure it'll make her happy."
The street was brightly lit, and the candle flames flickered gently in the wind, perfectly outlining Su Mingyu's delicate features.
Especially her bright, crystal-clear eyes, which seemed to reflect the candlelight of the entire marketplace, were so beautiful that they were truly captivating.
The King of Yu felt a sudden tightness in his throat. It took him a long time to finally utter a single word, "Okay."
Seeing that he had agreed, Su Mingyu's eyes crinkled into a smile, as if compressing the surrounding scenery. She looked both cute and lively.
This was the first time the King of Yu had seen her show such a completely unguarded expression towards him. The dark corner of his heart that had never been touched seemed to loosen slightly.
By the time he came to his senses, Su Mingyu had already disappeared from the street and entered the cosmetics store.
Raising his hand to touch his chest, the King of Yu's face darkened a bit, but he still strode forward and watched from a distance as Su Mingyu carefully selected things.
After waiting for about a cup of tea's time, Su Mingyu waved at the King of Yu from inside the store. "Your Highness, I've made my selection."
The King of Yu took a few quick steps forward. Looking at the exquisitely selected items, which clearly looked expensive, he raised an eyebrow. "What about yours?"
Su Mingyu shrugged. "I don't really want anything."
"Pick one," he said, his tone calm but brooking no argument.
Su Mingyu scratched her head in embarrassment. Out of the corner of her eye, she suddenly caught sight of a small hairpin. But when she reached for it, she deliberately picked up an unassuming wooden hairpin beside it.
The King of Yu noticed all of her strange actions and couldn't help but find it amusing. "You don't think those cosmetics are too expensive, but when it comes to picking a hairpin for yourself, are you afraid of bankrupting me?"
Su Mingyu quickly waved her hands. "N-no. I just thought it might not be appropriate."
After all, he was the one paying, wasn't he?
Not only was Su Mingyu not really interested in these things, but even if she were, she wouldn't ask someone else to buy them for her.
With her current wealth, she was probably among the top in the commoner class in the entire capital.
Seeing Su Mingyu's hesitant look, the King of Yu didn't waste any words. He simply picked up the hairpin and inserted it into Su Mingyu's hair bun, then elegantly took out some silver to pay the bill.
Su Mingyu seemed a bit embarrassed and lowered her head, but a hint of triumph flashed in her dark eyes hidden behind her hair.
Although she felt a bit sorry for Gu Ruobai, since the King of Yu had come to her, it would be a waste not to take advantage of the opportunity. How could she not repay Wang Manwen and Su Yueyue for their "care" towards her?
Quietly watching the King of Yu return after paying the silver, Su Mingyu flashed him a charming smile. "It's getting quite late. If Your Highness has no other business, I'll return to the mansion first."
The King of Yu raised an eyebrow. "Why the hurry? I'll see you off."
As he spoke, several stacked boxes suddenly appeared in his hand.
Su Mingyu's eyebrows knitted together. "Your Highness, are you going to deliver these to my sister in person?"
The King of Yu lowered his eyes and looked at her. "Why not?"
Su Mingyu waved her hand. "Of course there's no problem. If my sister knows that Your Highness is so considerate, she'll surely be very happy."
She never thought that the King of Yu was so infatuated with Su Yueyue. A noble prince like him was actually delivering things to Su Yueyue in person.
She wondered what kind of expression Su Yueyue would have if she knew that these things were all selected by her.
And the hairpin on her head must definitely be seen by Su Yueyue.
Just thinking about it made Su Mingyu quicken her pace a bit.
The King of Yu walked behind and watched Su Mingyu's strange behavior. A smile suddenly appeared on his lips, as if he was in a very good mood.
The Su Mansion wasn't far from the marketplace. After walking for about twenty minutes, Su Mingyu arrived at the main gate.
Looking at the brightly lit Su Mansion, Su Mingyu bowed to the King of Yu and thanked him. "Thank you, Your Highness, for seeing me back. I'll go in now and inform my sister."
As she spoke, Su Mingyu turned around and was about to leave, but before she could take a step, the King of Yu grabbed her wrist.
Su Mingyu jerked her hand back as if she had been burned. Only then did she realize that her reaction was a bit too exaggerated. So she blushed and whispered, "Sorry... I was just startled."
The King of Yu didn't blame her. "It's okay. I was being too hasty."
After saying that, the King of Yu handed the boxes in his hand to her. "There's no need to call Yue'er."
Su Mingyu understood. "It's so late. Maybe my sister has already gone to bed. Your Highness really dotes on my sister. I'll deliver these to her right away."
As she spoke, Su Mingyu reached out to take the things from the King of Yu, but he suddenly pulled them back.
Su Mingyu missed and almost fell into the King of Yu's arms. It took her a while to steady herself.
Su Mingyu looked at the King of Yu in confusion. "Your Highness... what's wrong?"
The King of Yu raised an eyebrow and looked at Su Mingyu. "Hold out your hand."
Although she was very confused, Su Mingyu obediently held out her hand and stared at him with her bright, shiny eyes.
Looking into Su Mingyu's clear eyes, the King of Yu's tone softened unconsciously. "Actually, these are for you. Yue'er's share will be delivered to the Su Mansion early tomorrow morning."