The prince longs for me every night after mastering thought-reading
Chapter 252 - 251: Maxing Out Hatred Value!

Chapter 252: Chapter 251: Maxing Out Hatred Value!

Princess Xueyan looked at the two empty plates and a pile of fruit peels, lifting her head to face Shen Chuwei across from her, unable to believe she had eaten all of it alone.

Shen Chuwei, having eaten her fill, took out a handkerchief to wipe her mouth and then stood up to bow to Xiao Jinyan, "Your Highness, your concubine has matters to attend to, I will take my leave first."

Having said this, she placed Xuetuan into Xiao Jinyan’s arms, "Xuetuan is returned to Your Highness."

Then, swishing her handkerchief, she walked away...

Xiao Jinyan looked at Xuetuan in his arms, and Xuetuan, with a confused face, looked back at him. He lifted his head to watch Shen Chuwei’s retreating figure, somewhat puzzled. She’s just leaving like that?

Back in the Hehuan Hall

Lady Xu couldn’t help saying, "Lady Shen, why don’t you learn from that princess? She wanted peony flowers, you should want them too, don’t just focus on eating."

Shen Chuwei replied, "Peony flowers can’t be eaten, pastries and fruits can fill the stomach."

Lady Xu: "..."

Tao Chenghui: "..."

"I ate all the pastries and fruit, leaving only a plate of pastries that tasted bad for them," Shen Chuwei said and then laughed.

Lady Xu covered her forehead.

Tao Chenghui covered his forehead.

After dinner, Shen Chuwei took an early bath and went to bed, feeling extremely sleepy since she hadn’t napped during the day.

Just as she settled down, she saw Xiao Jinyan walk in wearing a moon-white satin robe.

"Why are you sleeping so early?" he said, already sitting at the bedside.

Shen Chuwei lazily responded, "Your concubine has nothing to do, so I thought to sleep earlier."

Xiao Jinyan propped himself on the bed with one hand and leaned closer to Shen Chuwei. As he neared her, he could smell the faint scent of peach blossoms on her.

"Why did you appear in the Peony Garden today? Hmm?"

Shen Chuwei looked at the approaching Xiao Jinyan as if she could still smell the peonies.

"Your concubine merely passed by unintentionally."

Xiao Jinyan gazed at her steadily. "Really? It wasn’t for any other reason?"

Shen Chuwei guiltily replied, "Of course, it’s true."

Xiao Jinyan lowered his eyes to look at Shen Chuwei and bent down to kiss her lips while simultaneously lowering the bed curtains.

The light inside the bed dimmed.

Shen Chuwei blinked twice, and as she reached out to push Xiao Jinyan away, he caught her hands and pressed them back onto the bed.

"Little Nine."

"Your Highness..."

Xiao Jinyan frowned slightly, "Call me Jinyan."

"...Jinyan."

Shen Chuwei truly had indescribable woes. She hadn’t slept well last night, missed her afternoon nap today, and just when she wanted to go to bed early in the evening, she ended up not sleeping well again.

Shen Chuwei was so sleepy that she could hardly keep her eyes open. Looking at the tirelessly laboring Crown Prince, she considerately advised, "Jinyan, balance work with rest."

Xiao Jinyan still only gave her two words, "Not enough."

Shen Chuwei opened her mouth, about to persuade him again, but Xiao Jinyan seized the moment to kiss her squarely.

The words she wanted to say were pushed back down.

After a long while, Xiao Jinyan looked at the person asleep beside him. Lately, he didn’t know why, but whenever he was near her, he couldn’t control himself.

The next day, Shen Chuwei slept till the sun was high in the sky, ate her breakfast, and went back to sleep.

Fortunately, Lady Xu and Tao Chenghui didn’t come to disturb her.

Lady Xu originally wanted to look for Shen Chuwei. While passing by Xinlan Hall, she thought of Lady Liang and, counting the days, realized she should be off her confinement by now.

She swished her handkerchief and walked inside.

Huai Xiang saw Lady Xu arriving and really didn’t want to let her in, but given her lower status, she could do nothing but bow, "Lady Xu."

Lady Xu waved her handkerchief, her face full of disdain, "Where is Lady Chang?"

Huai Xiang replied, "My young mistress is resting."

"I will take a look inside." Lady Xu, waving her handkerchief, walked straight in without giving Huai Xiang a chance to stop her.

Cai Xia stood at the door, glowering at Huai Xiang.

After Lady Xu entered, she saw Lady Chang sitting on the edge of the bed, reading a book. She cleared her throat lightly, "Lady Chang really has leisure time at hand, still reading a book."

When Lady Chang saw Lady Xu had arrived, she threw off her covers, got out of bed, and curtsied, "Lady Xu."

Lady Xu nodded in satisfaction, "Lady Chang, I remember your confinement ends today, why aren’t you going out for a walk?"

Lady Chang replied indifferently, "I am feeling somewhat unwell, it is not suitable for me to go out."

Lady Xu put on an enlightened expression, "Has Lady Chang also heard that Princess Xueyan is to marry His Highness as the Crown Princess?"

Lady Chang paused, incredulous as she lifted her head to look at Lady Xu, "What did you say? Princess Xueyan is to be the Crown Princess?"

During the days of Lady Chang’s confinement, things had been quiet outside. She hadn’t paid attention these last few days, and now suddenly there was a Princess Xueyan?

Lady Xu looked surprised, "Lady Chang really didn’t know? Yesterday, His Highness was taking Princess Xueyan around the Peony Garden, and the Empress also likes Princess Xueyan very much, I heard that princess brought a lot of dowry too."

Lady Chang knew that something bad was bound to happen when Lady Xu came. How could her aunt possibly allow a foreign princess to become the Crown Princess?

Lady Xu glanced at Lady Chang’s face, noting it had turned a few shades paler, and pressed on, "That Princess Xueyan is very beautiful, even I can’t help but be moved when I see her, let alone His Highness?"

Lady Chang clenched the book tightly in her hand. Lady Xu never complimented anyone, so for her to call someone beautiful, they must indeed be stunning.

How could a competitor arise out of nowhere in just over a month’s time?

Seeing that Lady Chang believed her, Lady Xu did not stay long, happily swishing her handkerchief as she left.

After regaining her composure, Lady Chang called out, "Huai Xiang, I need to bathe and change. I must visit my aunt."

"This servant will prepare the hot water right away." Huai Xiang ran out.

In the past few days, Princess Xueyan had been taken around by several princes, giving Xiao Jinyan a sigh of relief.

As for how those princes vied for attention, it had nothing to do with him.

On this day, just at the time for the midday meal, Liu Xi jogged in.

"Your Highness, Princess Xueyan has arrived."

Xiao Jinyan furrowed his brows, "Why has she come?"

Liu Xi bowed with humility, "This servant does not know."

Xiao Jinyan asked, "Where is Lu Zhaoyan?"

Liu Xi replied, "Minister Lu has not returned to the palace yet."

After pondering for a moment, Xiao Jinyan instructed, "Prepare the midday meal and invite them all."

"As you wish." Liu Xi turned and walked out.

Xiao Jinyan pursed his lips as he stood and left the study room.

Upon exiting, he saw Princess Xueyan standing in the courtyard, dressed in a white gown with a shawl of the same color on her cheeks, which added an element of mystery to her beauty.

When Princess Xueyan saw Xiao Jinyan come out, she greeted him excitedly, "Your Highness, what have you been busy with these past few days?"

Xiao Jinyan’s voice remained cold and distant, "This palace has been busy with official duties. If the Princess wishes to go out, feel free to ask Prince Cheng or Prince Rui."

A hint of coy embarrassment flickered in Princess Xueyan’s eyes, "I am looking for Your Highness."

Xiao Jinyan: "..."

Shen Chuwei was thinking about having sliced noodles for lunch, but just after she downed them Liu Xi arrived.

"Lady Shen, His Highness invites you to join him for the midday meal," Liu Xi said with a warm smile.

Upon hearing the invitation for the meal, Shen Chuwei almost instinctively nodded in agreement, "Alright."

When mealtime arrived, Shen Chuwei came out of Hehuan Hall and from a distance, saw Lady Xu and Tao Chenghui.

It was only after encountering Lady Xu did she find out that Xiao Jinyan hadn’t called just her; everyone else had been invited too.

"Princess Xueyan is pestering His Highness again, really, how can a young lady be so lacking in decorum?" Lady Xu’s eyes showed disdain.