The prince longs for me every night after mastering thought-reading
Chapter 162 - 161: Xiao Jinyan Returns, and Cannot Sit Still

Chapter 162: Chapter 161: Xiao Jinyan Returns, and Cannot Sit Still

The Empress had initially intended to say "right away," but she had come today with a craving for boiled instant noodles, and moving now meant she wouldn’t be able to have them.

She’d been living here for over half a year; one more day wouldn’t make a difference.

Nothing frightened Shen Chuwei more than moving house; her entire life’s possessions were here, and she couldn’t abandon them.

She bowed respectfully, "Thank you for your grace, Empress. I am quite content living here; there’s no need to move."

This time it was the Empress who was surprised; she had never before met someone who didn’t wish to move to Hehuan Hall. Such a favorable location, right next to the Crown Prince’s sleeping chambers—others yearned for such an opportunity yet never had the chance.

"Is it the Crown Prince who told you not to move?"

Without waiting for Shen Chuwei to reply, the Empress continued, "He just doesn’t care much for women. Otherwise, how could I have not held a grandson in my arms by now?"

Her words were spoken to Shen Chuwei in the inner room.

She was the Empress; she had to act the part.

Shen Chuwei was left speechless. Empress, why bring this up with me? It’s not my fault you haven’t held a grandson; blame Xiao Jinyan for that!

The Empress didn’t wait for Shen Chuwei to speak, concluding decisively, "This matter is settled then."

"Empress, your concubine..."

Before Shen Chuwei could finish speaking, the Empress said, "Lady Shen, didn’t you mention last time that you would let me try the boiled instant noodles? You can make them now."

Shen Chuwei was speechless. She had already forgotten about that.

If the Empress wanted to eat, she’d just have to roll up her sleeves and get to work.

Boiling instant noodles was the simplest of culinary delights.

Prepare scallions, ginger, garlic; first fry an egg.

Slice sausage, and then comes boiling the noodles.

Done in ten minutes.

A steaming bowl of noodles was brought to the table.

Shen Chuwei wiped her hands and said, "You may eat now, Empress."

The Empress looked at the bowl of instant noodles—it indeed differed slightly from the ones made at Xu Bai Ma Temple. It smelled more appetizing, further stimulating the appetite.

She picked up her chopsticks, took some noodles, blew on them to cool, and began to eat.

The boiled noodles were softer than the soaked ones, with a better texture, and because of sufficient seasoning, they tasted even more delicious.

She looked up at Shen Chuwei with surprise, "Indeed, they taste better than just soaked."

After saying that, she picked up something that looked like slices of meat from the bowl and asked Shen Chuwei, "What is this?"

Shen Chuwei glanced at it and said, "That is sausage."

"You certainly know quite a few novel delicacies." The Empress said as she began to eat the sausage, finding it quite tasty.

The Empress left, full and satisfied. Before leaving, she remarked, "I will come to visit when I am free."

Shen Chuwei sighed. Only she could talk about mooching a meal in such an elegant and detached manner.

*

It was another clear day, with the temperature gradually rising.

Overcome with springtime lethargy, Shen Chuwei sat on the bed feeling sleepy when Chun Xi flitted in like a magpie, wings fluttering.

"Miss, Miss."

Shen Chuwei yawned and asked with half-closed eyes, "What is it?"

The joy in Chun Xi’s eyes was as bright as a magpie perched on a branch.

"Your Highness is back! Let’s prepare some delicious food for him."

Shen Chuwei yawned again, "I’m sleepy; let me nap a bit first."

"Miss, His Highness has been away for half a month. Now that he’s back, so many are watching. If you don’t make an appearance, others will take advantage."

Chun Xi said with some urgency.

With her eyes still closed, Shen Chuwei said, "Chun Xi, I’ve fallen asleep and can’t hear you..."

Chun Xi looked at Shen Chuwei lying on the bed, wishing she could possess Shen Chuwei’s body and go inquire about His Highness’s well-being on her behalf.

But vying for favor wasn’t something she could do in place of her mistress.

She knew Shen Chuwei too well; once her eyes closed, she’d be asleep within five seconds.

Chun Xi sighed and left for the kitchen. Looking at the golden, crispy Fried Sweet Dumplings on the stove, she decided to bring them to His Highness.

No sooner said than done.

Chun Xi sprinkled some soybean flour, drizzled a bit of Brown Sugar Syrup, then placed them into a food box and carried it to the Crown Prince’s sleeping quarters.

When Xiao Jinyan returned to his sleeping quarters, he asked Liu Xi, "Has anyone been looking for me recently?"

Liu Xi replied respectfully, "Lady Chang and the others have inquired when Your Highness would return."

Xiao Jinyan pushed open the door to his study, moved to the writing desk, and saw the figurine made from flour in the brush pot. The figurine was very old and had dried out.

The young eunuch stood at the door and reported, "Your Highness, Lady Chang has arrived."

As soon as the words left his mouth, Lady Chang entered with the food box, bowed and said, "May Your Highness live in eternal peace and happiness."

With a light smile on her lips, she approached and said, "Your Highness, this is a specialty snack from Beishu Land that my father brought back on his recent visit. I specially brought it for Your Highness to try."

Lady Chang spoke as she opened the food box and took out a package wrapped in oil paper.

Xiao Jinyan glanced down indifferently. Generally not much interested in food, when he heard "specialty snack," he would think of Little Nine, the foodie.

At that moment, another young eunuch came to report.

"Your Highness, Chun Xi from Xiyun Pavilion requests an audience."

Xiao Jinyan’s eyes halted for a moment, and an almost imperceptible smile flickered in their depths. "Let her in."

"As you wish," the young eunuch bowed and left.

Chun Xi, carrying the food box, walked in slowly and saw Lady Chang was also present, obviously having hurried over as soon as she heard of His Highness’s return.

She first bowed to Xiao Jinyan, "May Your Highness live a life of peace and harmony."

Xiao Jinyan’s gaze briefly swept over Chun Xi, landing on the food box in her hands as he asked coldly, "What brings you here?"

Chun Xi replied respectfully, "Your Highness, Lady Shen learned of your return and specifically instructed me to bring some delicious pastries for Your Highness to enjoy."

Hearing Chun Xi’s words, Xiao Jinyan’s somewhat displeased mood from the past few days lightened a bit.

Chun Xi placed the food box on the table, opened the lid, took out the Fried Sweet Dumplings, and placed them on the table, then stepped aside.

Lady Chang glanced at the snacks on the table, curving her lips into a smile as she questioned Chun Xi, "Knowing that His Highness has returned, why didn’t Lady Shen come herself?"

Xiao Jinyan also turned his gaze to Chun Xi, awaiting her response.

Clutching the food box tightly, Chuwei was sleeping soundly, completely unaware that Chun Xi had come to bring His Highness something to eat.

If her ruse was discovered, there would be dire consequences.

"Your Highness, my mistress didn’t sleep at all last night. She’s feeling unwell and is currently resting."

Lady Chang pressed on: "If she’s asleep, how could she have instructed you to bring snacks for His Highness?"

Xiao Jinyan’s brows knitted together, and he ordered Chun Xi in a cold voice, "I understand. You can go now."

Relieved as if granted amnesty, Chun Xi bowed, "This servant will take her leave," and then retreated from the study.

Watching Chun Xi hurry away, Lady Chang felt there was more to the story. She glanced up at Xiao Jinyan, just in time to see him staring at the dish of pastries on the table.

On the first night of Xiao Jinyan’s return, he went nowhere, staying only in his own sleeping quarters.

The following evening, Chun Xi eagerly anticipated His Highness’s visit to Xiyun Pavilion for dinner, thinking he’d join them. But even after Shen Chuwei had finished her meal, he did not appear.

By the sixth day, Chun Xi grew restless.

"Miss, His Highness used to visit Xiyun Pavilion every other day or so. He’s been gone for half a month and back for six days now, yet he hasn’t come once. Your servant feels something is amiss."

Shen Chuwei paused mid-sip of her tea. Including the days he was away, it had been 21 days since Xiao Jinyan had last visited Xiyun Pavilion.