The prince longs for me every night after mastering thought-reading
Chapter 259 - 258: Who is Your Family? A Direct Overwhelm!

Chapter 259: Chapter 258: Who is Your Family? A Direct Overwhelm!

Xiao Jinyan lowered his gaze to look at the mixed-nut mooncake in front of him and shook his head, "I don’t like mooncakes."

"Oh, then I’ll eat it myself." Princess Xueyan awkwardly retracted her hand, biting into the mooncake. The crust was soft, the filling somewhat hard, and the taste somewhat strange—not to her liking.

She looked down at the mooncake in her hand, her eyes full of confusion, "Aren’t mooncakes supposed to be delicious? Why don’t I find it tasty at all?"

Shen Chuwei and Xiao Jinyu exchanged glances, tacitly choosing to remain silent. After all, mixed-nut mooncakes are generally not a favorite; although some people do like them.

Anyway, neither of them liked it~

Shen Chuwei was about to take a bite of a Mung Bean Cake when she saw Xiao Jinyan continuously drinking tea. She glanced at the Mung Bean Cake in her hand, thought for a moment, and then offered it to him, "Your Highness, would you like a Mung Bean Cake?"

"Mm." Xiao Jinyan’s slender fingers took the Mung Bean Cake from her hand, biting into it. It was on the sweeter side and didn’t taste as good as when Chun Xi made it.

Shen Chuwei, pleased, picked up another piece of Mung Bean Cake and took a bite.

Xiao Jinyu’s hand swiftly reached out, taking the last piece of Mung Bean Cake, "Sister-in-law, what do you think of the Mung Bean Cake?"

"Not bad." Shen Chuwei took a bite of the Mung Bean Cake and looked at Xiao Jinyan, who was eating slowly and thoughtfully, and suddenly felt that she was eating too fast~

Xiao Jinyu looked at the Mung Bean Cake in his hand and said, "I also think it’s alright, just a bit too sweet."

Princess Xueyan, holding her mooncake, managed to force another bite before she couldn’t eat any more. She put it down and reached for a Mung Bean Cake, only to realize that in such a short time, all of them had been eaten.

She glanced at Shen Chuwei and Xiao Jinyu—they had serious opinions, those twelve pieces of Mung Bean Cake, and the two of them had finished them all.

Having missed out on the Mung Bean Cakes, Princess Xueyan looked towards the pastries, only to find that they too were gone...

Shen Chuwei drank a few sips of hot tea and felt full, so she took out a small handkerchief and wiped her mouth.

Seeing Shen Chuwei’s content after having eaten and drunk her fill, it was clear that the mooncakes and Mung Bean Cakes had almost all ended up in her stomach.

"Lady Shen, just now, His Highness and I recited two poems. How about you recite one?"

Having eaten and drunk to satisfaction, Shen Chuwei was ready to leave, but upon hearing Princess Xueyan’s suggestion, it wasn’t so easy to withdraw.

"I’m of limited learning and talent; I’d rather not join such an advanced topic as reciting poetry."

Princess Xueyan chuckled behind her hand, "Lady Shen, you’re too modest. To be selected for the East Palace, you naturally have exceptional talent."

Xiao Jinyu looked at Shen Chuwei with anticipation, "Sister-in-law, come on, dazzle us with a poem. You’re sure to overshadow all others."

Xiao Jinyan frowned, "Jinyu, Lady Shen doesn’t enjoy reciting poetry. Drink your tea."

Xiao Jinyu obediently responded, "Oh." Then he turned his head to Shen Chuwei, "Sister-in-law, are you feeling shy?"

Shen Chuwei couldn’t help but roll her eyes, "..." Shy, my foot!

"So Lady Shen is just being shy." Princess Xueyan laughed softly, "We’re all family here, no need to be shy, Lady Shen. I’m really looking forward to your poetry."

Shen Chuwei looked curiously at Princess Xueyan, "Does Princess Xueyan really enjoy reciting poetry that much?"

Princess Xueyan smiled lightly, "Of course. My mother said that as a princess representing Xueyue Country, whether it’s manners or arts like music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, I must stand out from ordinary people."

Shen Chuwei nodded in agreement, "Well then, I’ve eaten quite a few mooncakes tonight; I should at least recite a couple of poems to do them justice."

Princess Xueyan giggled, "Lady Shen has such a sense of humor. I’m so looking forward to your poem."

Xiao Jinyan glanced at Princess Xueyan and then turned his gaze to Shen Chuwei, noticing her acceptance; she presumably knew her stuff.

Shen Chuwei took a sip of tea.

In her mind, she was screaming, Li Bai, Li Baba, lend me two poems for this emergency!

After finishing her tea, she stood up and walked to the railing of the pavilion, looking up at the bright moon hanging in the night sky. She cleared her throat to find the right feeling.

Amidst flowers, a jug of wine, I drink alone, without close friends.

I raise my cup to invite the moon and my shadow makes us three.

Though the moon doesn’t know how to drink, my shadow only follows me in vain.

For now, I will accompany the moon with my shadow, making merry until the spring."

I sing, the moon lingers to and fro, I dance, my shadow scatters in disarray.

Wakefulness brings shared merriment; inebriation leads us to part ways.

Bound forever in heartless revelry, we vow to meet beyond the clouds.

Shen Chuwei’s voice flowed smoothly, mingling with the cold moonlight and gaining a touch of emotion.

Astonishment flickered in Xiao Jinyan’s eyes—Shen Chuwei clearly possessed extraordinary talent, so why did she always claim to be good for nothing?

Princess Xueyan was stunned for a long time, not reacting at all. Was this a poem composed by Shen Chuwei?

Xiao Jinyu was the first to respond, clapping in admiration, "Sister-in-law, in a word, peerless!"

Shen Chuwei smiled slightly at Xiao Jinyu, "Thank you for the compliment!"

Oh immortal poet, do you see? Your poetry, no matter where, reigns supreme!

Shen Chuwei cleared her throat and continued reciting.

"When will the azure sky welcome the moon again? I pause my drink to ask.

Men yearn for the bright moon, unattainable, while the moon accompanies humans in their journey.

Bright as a mirror soaring near the vermilion tower, extinguishing green smoke reveals a pure radiance.

One sees the evening rise from the sea, but who knows when the dawn descends among the clouds?

The white rabbit pounds the elixir from autumn to spring; with whom does Chang’e share her solitary abode?

The moon that illuminated the ancients now shines on us; unseen by people of the past, the present moon once bathed the old.

Ancients and moderns are like the flowing water, both gazing at the same moon in wonder.

My only wish when singing and toasting—may the moonlight forever fill the golden cup."

Princess Xueyan was speechless, for these two poems effortlessly overshadowed her own.

Xiao Jinyan’s gaze remained fixed on Shen Chuwei, listening to her recite, drawn into the world within her poetry, and suddenly realizing the gap between them.

Xiao Jinyu wished he could clap his hands to pieces, unable to describe the excitement swelling in his heart, "Sister-in-law, brilliant!"

Shen Chuwei remained politely understated, "You flatter me."

The luster of the immortal poet, so easy to bask in—one touch ensures perfection!

She smiled at Xueyan, then came over and sat beside her, "Princess Xueyan, have you had your fill? If not, I have plenty more."

Xueyan, just recovering from the poems, shook her head vigorously, "Plenty, plenty."

Shen Chuwei flashed a deadly smile, "It’s rare to find someone with shared interests; if you wish to listen again sometime, I have many more."

Xiao Jinyu looked at Xueyan with a grin, "Princess, what do you think? I didn’t lie, did I? Aren’t my sister-in-law’s poems exceptionally stunning?"

Xueyan nodded awkwardly, "Lady Shen, your poetry recitation is indeed very impressive."

Originally planning to outshine Lady Shen, who would have expected the tables to turn?

The appreciation of flowers, the moon, and the poetic exchange came to an end.

Carrying a sense of defeat, Xueyan left the East Palace dejectedly.

Xiao Jinyu wanted to have another chat with Shen Chuwei, but Xiao Jinyan mercilessly kicked him out of the East Palace.

Xiao Jinyu, holding his backside, grumbled all the way back to Qiancheng Hall.

Just as he entered, he saw Lady Han Yan sitting at the table; he quickly drew back his hand and straightened up as he walked in.

"Lady Han Yan."

Seeing him return, Han Yan set down her teacup and asked softly, "Where have you been?"

"I was at my brother’s place," Xiao Jinyu came over, flicked his robe and sat down, then immediately sprang up again.

Han Yan’s gaze shifted questioningly, "What’s wrong?"