The prince longs for me every night after mastering thought-reading
Chapter 253 - 252: Tricked Badly

Chapter 253: Chapter 252: Tricked Badly

The Crown Prince’s dining hall in the sleeping quarters housed a super-large peach wood round table that could accommodate ten people.

The palace maids gradually brought dishes to the table.

As soon as Shen Chuwei entered, she saw Xiao Jinyan seated at the head of the round table, with Princess Xueyan taking the place next to him.

As everyone filed in, the spacious dining hall suddenly felt a bit crowded.

Everyone bowed to Xiao Jinyan and exclaimed, "Your Highness, may you have good health and peace."

Once Xiao Jinyan nodded, everyone began to take their seats one after another.

Shen Chuwei was pushed by two people from behind to Xiao Jinyan’s side, as if they were afraid she wouldn’t go there herself.

Xiao Jinyan looked up at her, "Sit down."

Shen Chuwei obeyed and sat down.

Over here, Lady Li was keen to sit next to Princess Xueyan. But she was pulled over by Concubine Xu.

Tao Chenghui helped by pushing Lady Li over there.

This was Lady Li’s first time meeting Princess Xueyan, and she had been planning to sit next to her, so when someone pushed her, she didn’t object.

Once seated, Lady Li sneakily observed Princess Xueyan next to her, who had a pair of autumn eyes that could make any man’s heart flutter just by looking at her.

Even though she wore a veil, her eyebrows and eyes were beautifully delicate and charming.

No wonder the moment Concubine Xu arrived, she praised Princess Xueyan, who indeed was beautiful.

A few days prior, Lady Li went to see the Empress, and from the Empress’s words, she understood that if Princess Xueyan chose Xiao Jinyan, then she would become the Crown Princess.

How could Lady Li be content with that?

Entering the East Palace, she had only one goal, which was to become the Crown Princess.

If she couldn’t be the Crown Princess, then what was the point?

After Concubine Xu had settled things, she sat down next to her, very pleased with herself.

Once everyone was seated, Xiao Jinyan began to eat, and then everyone else followed suit, each with their elegant dining manners, making not a sound.

Except for Shen Chuwei, who occasionally made a little noise.

Shen Chuwei, holding her chopsticks, ate eagerly, as lunchtime was when she felt the hungriest.

Most of the people at the table hadn’t seen Xiao Jinyan in a long while, so meeting him now, they were obviously overjoyed, trying to catch his attention.

Shen Chuwei ate merrily, and Xiao Jinyan occasionally served her food, which made her eat even more heartily.

After the meal, only Shen Chuwei, Concubine Xu, and a few others were fully satiated.

After finishing lunch, they went to stroll in the Imperial Garden.

Everyone hurried to walk beside Xiao Jinyan.

Whether intentionally or not, Concubine Xu and Tao Chenghui pushed all the women who were crowding around Xiao Jinyan to one side, including Princess Xueyan.

Originally walking shoulder to shoulder with Xiao Jinyan, Princess Xueyan, draped in complex robes, was pushed away when jostled by others.

Lady Li also wanted to get closer to Xiao Jinyan, but times had changed, and no one made way for her anymore.

Shen Chuwei had no interest in wandering the garden and wanted to sleep after lunch.

Even as she walked, it didn’t stop her from feeling sleepy.

Suddenly, a hand slipped into her wide sleeve and took hold of her soft hand.

Shen Chuwei immediately woke up and, lifting her head, saw Xiao Jinyan looking down at her.

She blinked her pretty big eyes a couple of times, puzzled.

Xiao Jinyan smiled but said nothing.

Concubine Xu glanced at Princess Xueyan and Lady Li, and deliberately mentioned, "I hear Princess Xueyan is proficient in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting. I wonder if she would be willing to have a friendly exchange with the talented women of Daxia?"

Princess Xueyan smiled and replied, "Concubine Xu, you flatter me. I merely know a little."

Concubine Xu responded, "Princess Xueyan is too modest."

At that moment, a loud and powerful voice came from behind, "I too would like to see."

Upon hearing this, everyone turned around to see the Emperor standing not far behind them.

Xiao Jinyan stepped forward to salute, "Long life and peace to Father Emperor."

In unison, everyone else said, "Long life and peace to the Emperor."

The Emperor waved his hand, "Rise, all of you."

The Emperor was actually on his way to Fengyi Palace and did not expect to meet the Crown Prince and his company.

Princess Xueyan said, "Since the Emperor has spoken, I shall respectfully comply."

The Emperor laughed heartily twice, "Then let’s have a contest of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting."

After finishing speaking, he turned toward the woman behind the Crown Prince, "Which of you will come and have a friendly match with Princess Xueyan?"

Upon hearing this, Shen Chuwei instinctively took two steps back.

Seeing this, Concubine Xu also moved back two steps.

There was no need to mention Tao Chenghui; following suit was the right thing to do.

Xu Chenghui, unaware of the situation, hesitated for a few seconds but then followed the majority and stepped back two steps as well.

Lady Li thought it over and then stepped back as well.

The Emperor saw that Lady Chang was the closest to the front, pointed at her, and decided, "Since Lady Chang is taking the lead, it shall be Lady Chang!"

Lady Chang, who had always harbored her own thoughts, only realized what had happened after the Emperor had spoken, and stood there dumbfounded. How did she become the chosen one?

She looked around and saw that she was standing at the very front.

She was clearly standing with the others—

Concubine Xu’s eyes were full of schadenfreude. She snorted, "Don’t you like showing off your talents? This time, let’s see you show off to your heart’s content!"

With the Emperor’s command issued, how could Lady Chang dare to refuse?

She had no choice but to grit her teeth and step forward.

Music, chess, calligraphy, and painting were all strengths of Lady Chang, but she wondered how they would stack up against Princess Xueyan?

The contest began with the zither.

A young eunuch brought over two zithers.

Princess Xueyan and Lady Chang took their seats in turn.

Shen Chuwei, uninterested in the contest, hugged Xiao Jinyan’s arm and hid behind him, starting to doze off.

Xiao Jinyan looked down at Shen Chuwei, noticing her cheek resting against his arm and her eyes tightly closed, looking extremely sleepy.

With the Emperor present, he couldn’t let her go back, so he let her secretly lean on his arm to take a nap.

In the first round of zither playing, neither of the two women outperformed the other.

The second round was a match of chess skill.

The Emperor stood by the chessboard, watching Lady Chang and Princess Xueyan play.

Lady Chang, a bit nervous, ended up losing.

The third round was calligraphy.

Despite her young age, Princess Xueyan could write a beautiful hand.

Lady Chang, having been somewhat disheartened lately due to the issue of the cancelation of her appointment as Crown Princess, did not write as well as usual.

Unsurprisingly, Princess Xueyan won.

The Emperor’s expression was a bit displeased because Lady Chang represented Daxia and losing was also a loss of face.

The fourth round was painting.

Shen Chuwei was sleeping soundly when suddenly she was yanked by Concubine Xu, "Lady Shen, stop sleeping, and watch the show."

Although Concubine Xu spoke very quietly, Xiao Jinyan heard her quite clearly.

Shen Chuwei, groggy with sleep, opened one eye to look at Concubine Xu, "Watch what show?"

Concubine Xu saw that Lady Chang was about to be disgraced and was very excited.

"You see, Lady Chang is going to lose."

Shen Chuwei tightly clutched Xiao Jinyan’s arm, her drowsy self struggling to focus on the competition scene.

Princess Xueyan laid down her brush, stepped forward two steps, and bowed, "Your Majesty, I have made my humble attempt."

The Emperor praised generously, "Princess Xueyan truly lives up to the reputation of a talented woman of Xueyue Country; this painting is very meaningful."

Lady Chang stood dejectedly to one side, not even daring to raise her head; she looked very downcast.

Without a doubt, Lady Chang had lost this time.

Xiao Jinyan looked at the two paintings, which didn’t hold a candle to even one ten-thousandth of Shen Chuwei’s work.

...

...The update is late because I was too sleepy.

Plus, I was stuck on the writing; these two Chapters aren’t written very well, dear readers; please bear with me.