The prince longs for me every night after mastering thought-reading
Chapter 235 - 234: Surprise? Does the light bulb know?

Chapter 235: Chapter 234: Surprise? Does the light bulb know?

"Chun Xi, once it’s roasted, send some to King Yu,"

Shen Chuwei thought for a moment and then added, "Also send some to the Concubine Xu, Tao Chenghui; Xiyun Pavilion too—let them try something new. And don’t forget Eunuch Liu."

Chun Xi looked up at Shen Chuwei and noticed that the young mistress was quite generous today. The whole roasted lamb was sizable, yet with some sent here and some sent there, not much would remain.

If Missy was happy to share, it wasn’t her place as a maidservant to say much else.

Shen Chuwei stared at the whole roasted lamb turning to a golden brown in Chun Xi’s hands, unable to tear her gaze away. She licked her lips, urging, "Chun Xi, it’s already cooked; we can eat now."

"Missy, the roasted lamb isn’t going anywhere. Please wait a little longer, let it cool for a bit," Chun Xi replied, raising her head only to see Your Highness standing not far off. She blurted out in surprise, "Your Highness."

Shen Chuwei’s attention was fixed on the roasted lamb the whole time; without looking up, she said, "Today is the important day for the Crown Princess’s investiture—Your Highness wouldn’t have time to come here."

Xiao Jinyan stood less than two meters away from Shen Chuwei, watching as she sprawled on the rattan chair. Although he couldn’t see her face, he could guess her eyes were fixated on the roasted lamb.

Seeing Shen Chuwei remain seated, Chun Xi anxiously tried to signal with winks and grimaces—Missy, His Highness really did come...

Noticing Chun Xi standing still, Shen Chuwei looked up confusedly only to see Chun Xi’s eyes twitching, "Chun Xi, are your eyes cramping up?"

Chun Xi: "..." My heavens! Mistress, does my eye look like it’s cramping?

Realizing something was amiss with the atmosphere, Shen Chuwei saw Chun Xi and the little rabbit both stand up and bow towards someone behind her.

She asked Chun Xi in a barely audible whisper, "Has His Highness really come?"

Chun Xi was on the verge of rolling her eyes. Can’t you just turn around and see for yourself?

Xiao Jinyan cleared his throat lightly: "Shaojiu."

At the sound, Shen Chuwei turned to look behind her and saw Xiao Jinyan dressed in dark morning court attire standing less than two meters away. She paused for a second.

"Isn’t today the Crown Princess’s investiture day?" she asked. So, why is he here at the Hehuan Hall?

Xiao Jinyan’s reply was concise, "It’s been canceled."

"Canceled?" Shen Chuwei took a while to process. Just last night, she heard that the Ministry of Rites was busy making preparations; now it was called off?

Xiao Jinyan glanced at the now-cooked roasted lamb, then looked back at Shen Chuwei, "This palace hasn’t had breakfast yet."

Busy until the fourth watch of last night, he had woken at the fifth watch and, without time for breakfast, went straight to Jinluan Hall to expose Lady Chang.

Now, indeed, he was hungry.

Shen Chuwei swiftly got up from the rattan chair, stepped forward, and gripping Xiao Jinyan’s sleeve, she said, "Your Highness, the roasted lamb is ready; let’s have some together."

Xiao Jinyan looked down at her hand that always reached for his sleeve, and he took her hand in his, "Alright."

Shen Chuwei looked down at the hand he held; his palm was very warm.

The two of them took their seats at the table. The round table was already prepared with sauces and fresh lettuce.

Chun Xi had started slicing the roasted lamb, as per Shen Chuwei’s instructions, separating a portion for them, and sending it through.

Only then did she start slicing it.

Shen Chuwei picked up some disposable gloves she had prepared earlier, looked up at Xiao Jinyan, and said, "Your Highness, please extend your hand; I’ll put on the gloves for you."

Xiao Jinyan did as bid, extending his hand. He watched Shen Chuwei slip the transparent disposable glove onto his hand, then she rolled up his sleeves very high, revealing a lot of his fair wrist.

After she put on both gloves, Shen Chuwei rolled up her sleeves and efficiently put on her own gloves.

Xiao Jinyan watched Shen Chuwei’s movements, noting how skilled she was at putting on disposable gloves—obviously, she had done it many times before.

Eager to taste it, Shen Chuwei grabbed a piece of grilled lamb, not bothering with lettuce, and stuffed it directly into her mouth.

Seeing Xiao Jinyan watching without eating, she spoke with her cheeks puffed out, "Your Highness, eat it while it’s hot, it’s not as good when it cools down."

Xiao Jinyan looked at her gluttonous appearance and nodded in agreement, "Mhm."

"Lady Shen, Lady Shen, I’ve got great news for you. Not only did Lady Chang fail to become Crown Princess, but she also got demoted to..." Lady...

Concubine Xu, waving her handkerchief with her voice arriving before she did.

When she entered and saw Xiao Jinyan was also there, the rest of her words stopped short in her throat.

Concubine Xu had rushed over as soon as she heard the news, thinking she was quite prompt, only to find that Xiao Jinyan had arrived even more swiftly.

Xiao Jinyan and Shen Chuwei turned around almost at the same time just in time to see Concubine Xu briskly walk in, then abruptly come to a halt—evidently because of Xiao Jinyan’s presence.

Behaving so gleefully at others’ misfortune in front of Xiao Jinyan, Concubine Xu felt she had committed social suicide on the spot.

She awkwardly waved her handkerchief as she came forward and curtseyed, "Wishing Your Highness peace and prosperity."

Xiao Jinyan replied indifferently, "Rise."

With her mouth full of grilled lamb, Shen Chuwei’s words were muffled, "Since Concubine Xu is here, join us for the roasted lamb; it saves having someone else send it."

Concubine Xu glanced at Xiao Jinyan, and seeing that he didn’t object, she agreed, "...Alright."

She sat down at the round table, put away her handkerchief, and automatically put on the disposable transparent gloves.

Xiao Jinyan glanced at Concubine Xu, noticing her adeptness—not her first time, indicative of frequent visits.

Concubine Xu had come for visits countless times, scavenging meals just as often—she was a pro at putting on gloves now.

After putting on her gloves, Concubine Xu looked at the grilled lamb, then at Xiao Jinyan, feeling somewhat frustrated inside. Why did His Highness have to come at mealtime, of all times? It made her uncomfortable to eat freely.

Xiao Jinyan had just wrapped a piece of lamb when he overheard Concubine Xu’s complaints. From her first day in the East Palace, it was either this or that, her mouth always quick to retort.

Xiao Jinyan had actually grown accustomed to Concubine Xu’s sharp tongue—sometimes her retorts were very much on point.

However, this time, he noted that she was annoyed at his untimely arrival.

It was Concubine Xu’s first time eating lamb in this manner, mimicking Shen Chuwei by placing two slices of meat on a lettuce leaf, smearing some spicy sauce, and rolling it up before taking a big bite, momentarily forgetting Xiao Jinyan’s presence due to the taste.

Only after biting into it did she notice Xiao Jinyan sitting nearby. Not knowing whether to keep eating or not, she felt awkward.

She couldn’t help but silently reiterate a point from a book she’d read, which was absolutely correct—one’s speed of eating is indeed affected by the presence of men.

Xiao Jinyan’s chewing paused as he cast a sideways glance at Concubine Xu. Seeing her head lowered and her cheeks puffing rhythmically, it was evident she had filled her mouth generously, probably keeping her head down to avoid being seen.

He remembered how Concubine Xu used to eat in small, refined bites to maintain an image of grace and elegance.

Men affect the speed of eating?

Xiao Jinyan turned to look at Shen Chuwei, who was big-mouthed, biting off a large piece of lamb, cheeks bulging, clearly savoring the food.

He suddenly understood why Concubine Xu’s way of eating seemed familiar—it somewhat resembled Shen Chuwei’s.