The prince longs for me every night after mastering thought-reading
Chapter 245 - 244: The Birthday Wish Is Actually This, Help!! (Requesting Monthly Tickets)

Chapter 245: Chapter 244: The Birthday Wish Is Actually This, Help!! (Requesting Monthly Tickets)

Shen Chuwei heard this, looked down at the steaming noodles in her bowl and hesitated before she, with a heart full of trepidation, walked over and placed the bowl in front of Xiao Jinyan.

"Concubine has prepared longevity noodles, would Your Highness care to try some?"

Spotting the steaming noodles, Xiao Jinyan froze for a moment before lifting his gaze to Shen Chuwei, "Why cook longevity noodles?"

As soon as Shen Chuwei saw Xiao Jinyan’s expression, her heart started pounding, "Because today is Your Highness’s birthday. Eating a bowl of longevity noodles symbolizes good fortune."

Xiao Jinyan frowned deeply, "Did Liu Xi tell you?"

Apart from Liu Xi, he couldn’t think of anyone else who would talk too much.

Shen Chuwei nodded, proving she had indeed caused Xiao Jinyan a second injury—

Before Xiao Jinyan could react, she quickly spoke up, "If Your Highness does not wish to eat, it’s also fine for this concubine to eat them for you."

"..." Xiao Jinyan: "Eat them for this palace to see?"

Shen Chuwei nodded vigorously.

Xiao Jinyan glanced at the noodles, "Then who were these longevity noodles cooked for?"

Shen Chuwei replied, "Of course, they were cooked for Your Highness."

Xiao Jinyan asked again, "Then if you eat them, will they still be considered as cooked for this palace?"

Looking at the steaming noodles, Shen Chuwei said with great regret, "If Your Highness doesn’t eat, and concubine doesn’t eat, then won’t they go to waste?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jinyan paused, "How could this palace waste Xiaojiu’s intentions?"

At those words, Shen Chuwei’s eyes curved into a smile as she handed over the chopsticks to Xiao Jinyan, "Your Highness, chopsticks."

Taking the chopsticks from her hand, Xiao Jinyan looked down at the longevity noodles, still steaming. Only now did he realize that this was what longevity noodles were truly like.

Seeing that he still wasn’t moving to eat, Shen Chuwei asked, "Your Highness, why aren’t you eating?"

"Um, this palace will eat now."

Clutching the chopsticks, Xiao Jinyan picked up a strand of noodle, blew on it to cool it, and carried it to his mouth. He chewed slowly and deliberately, finding the flavor even better than he had imagined.

Shen Chuwei leaned on the desk, watching Xiao Jinyan eat the noodles, and suddenly felt a craving, "Your Highness, do you have any wishes for your birthday?"

Xiao Jinyan’s actions of chewing paused, and lifting his gaze, he collided with those beautiful starry eyes, causing him to become lost for a good while, always feeling as if he’d seen this scene somewhere before.

Shen Chuwei blinked her lovely large eyes twice, "Your Highness?"

Coming back to his senses, Xiao Jinyan pondered for a while, "You bear a son for this palace."

Shen Chuwei was taken aback by his words, having never expected Xiao Jinyan to say, so seriously, that she should bear him a son?

Who ever wishes for a son on their birthday?

She protested coquettishly, "Your Highness, that wish won’t come true."

Xiao Jinyan looked at her blushing cheeks and slightly curved the corners of his lips, "This is the only wish this palace currently has."

Shen Chuwei said, "Your Highness is a man of great ambitions, how can you have only this single wish? Please choose another."

Xiao Jinyan stared at her intently, "Come here."

Shen Chuwei approached him, puzzled, only to hear Xiao Jinyan say, "A daughter is also fine."

Shen Chuwei stared at the handsome face close to hers for quite some time, searching for evidence he was joking, but that cold, frosty face gave nothing away.

Xiao Jinyan withdrew his gaze and bowed his head to continue eating the longevity noodles. When finished, not even the soup was left.

Shen Chuwei was stunned. Who was the one claiming not to be hungry just now?

After eating the longevity noodles, Xiao Jinyan was in a much better mood. Holding Shen Chuwei’s hand, he stepped out of the study.

Liu Xi was shocked to see His Highness coming out of the study, as it was customary for him to spend each birthday in the study, not allowing anyone to disturb him.

Once Liu Xi entered the study and saw the empty bowl, he happily took it to Weichi, saying, "You see, His Highness ate the longevity noodles, even finished them."

Weichi glanced at the bowl in Liu Xi’s hand, "Maybe Lady Shen ate them?"

Liu Xi insisted seriously, "It must have been His Highness who ate them; didn’t you see he was in a good mood?"

Weichi said, "It’s too dark to see properly."

Liu Xi: "..." Anyway, His Highness is in a good mood tonight.

*

Shen Chuwei looked at Xiao Jinyan with puzzlement, "Your Highness, where are we going?"

Xiao Jinyan: "To Hehuan Hall, to rest."

Shen Chuwei glanced back at the Bedchamber not far away, "Why go back to Hehuan Hall?"

Xiao Jinyan looked down at her, "Today is my birthday, shouldn’t you give me a gift?"

Shen Chuwei nodded, "Indeed." Then asked further, "What gift does Your Highness desire?"

Xiao Jinyan spoke softly, "A painting."

"A painting?" Shen Chuwei thought for a moment, her mind suddenly flashing to the painting she had recently completed. Was it that very painting Xiao Jinyan wanted?

She had spent a long time on it, and was very satisfied with the result, somewhat reluctant to part with it.

Approaching Hehuan Hall, Xiao Jinyan asked directly, "Where’s the painting?"

Shen Chuwei fidgeted with her fingers, "Your Highness, that is a painting I took a long time to finish. Could you perhaps choose another gift?"

Xiao Jinyan, seeing her reluctance, grew more curious about how she had depicted him, "First bring it out for this palace to see."

"...Alright." Shen Chuwei crouched in front of a cabinet, opened its doors, and brought out the highly satisfactory painting.

After completing the painting, she had framed it herself, choosing black rosewood for its ancient feel.

Holding the painting, she went before Xiao Jinyan. Handing it over with some reluctance, she said, "Your Highness."

Xiao Jinyan took the painting from her hands, gazing down at the image of himself. Just one glance, and he was taken aback, disbelief flickering in his eyes.

The painting depicted him with stunning realism, as if through it one could see the way he looked while reading in the horse carriage.

Each strand of hair on the shoulder was clearly defined, as if real.

The long, narrow eyes looked down, revealing his sincere focus and attention while reading.

The hand holding the book was finely detailed, almost lifelike.

This was his first time seeing such a vivid painting.

Xiao Jinyan couldn’t resist praising, "It’s very well painted."

Shen Chuwei said, somewhat sheepishly, "...It’s alright."

However, Xiao Jinyan countered, "None of the painters in the Imperial Palace compare to you."

Shen Chuwei watched Xiao Jinyan holding the painting, liking the style more and more the longer she looked at it.

Then, Xiao Jinyan suddenly smiled, "I could choose a different gift."

Relieved to keep the painting, Shen Chuwei agreed promptly, "Whatever you wish, Your Highness, if I possess it, it’s yours."

Xiao Jinyan stated deliberately, "Include both of us in the painting."

Shen Chuwei instinctively nodded, "Alright."

After speaking, she realized something was amiss.

Include both in one painting?

Wouldn’t that mean she’d have to spend another half a month or a month on the painting?

No way!

Shen Chuwei looked at Xiao Jinyan with difficulty, "Your Highness, could you choose another?"

Xiao Jinyan shook his head, "No."

Seeing the painting in Xiao Jinyan’s hand, Shen Chuwei could only grit her teeth and agree.

She felt melancholic at the thought of having to paint two people, as her aversion to painting made it quite the daunting task—

Only then did Xiao Jinyan nod in satisfaction, "It’s time to bathe."