The prince longs for me every night after mastering thought-reading
Chapter 270 - 269: Have you fallen for her, treating her like a child?

Chapter 270: Chapter 269: Have you fallen for her, treating her like a child?

Xiao Jinyan said in a cold voice, "Shut your mouth."

He clearly remembered how last autumn during the hunting trials, Shen Chuwei almost lost her life trying to save him.

He also remembered the night of New Year’s Eve, when Shen Chuwei nearly died from testing poison for him.

He could not let such a thing happen again.

"Why so fierce? Your attitude could dampen my enthusiasm for speaking up in the future." Shen Chuwei’s hand awkwardly hung in midair, and with her other hand, she grasped it and pulled it down.

Xiao Jinyan realized his tone had been too harsh and moderated it, "I only wish to keep you out of danger."

With the assassin’s high kung fu skills, he feared he wouldn’t be able to protect her.

Shen Chuwei meekly said, "Master Lu claims that I bring good fortune and can turn peril into safety."

Xiao Jinyan retorted, "Did that good fortune prevent you from getting shot by an arrow, or poisoned by eating crabs?"

Shen Chuwei was counting on her fingers, glanced at Xiao Jinyan, seeing his serious expression, "... it’s because of that very good fortune that I had no concerns for my life."

Xiao Jinyan eyed Shen Chuwei for a while before slowly saying, "I won’t let you take risks."

Seeing Xiao Jinyan’s deep, emotional gaze, Lu Zhaoyan felt somewhat helpless... He belatedly turned to Xiao Jinyan; surely that fear of Shen Chuwei getting hurt meant that he was smitten?

Definitely smitten.

Lu Zhaoyan felt as if he had discovered a new world as he turned his head to look at Shen Chuwei. Though they had met several times, he couldn’t resist evaluating the woman who had Xiao Jinyan’s heart.

Her beauty was beyond question, to say she could bring a nation to its knees was an understatement.

Her features indicated great wealth and honor... No, that’s wrong, he noticed that Shen Chuwei’s features seemed to have changed slightly.

Xiao Jinyan noticed Lu Zhaoyan’s soft gaze fixed on Shen Chuwei. Previously wanting to touch Shen Chuwei’s hand, now he was glaring intently at her.

He said gravely, "Master Lu."

Lu Zhaoyan, about to read Shen Chuwei’s features once more, looked at Xiao Jinyan with confusion, "Your Highness?"

Xiao Jinyan coldly spit out, "You may leave."

Lu Zhaoyan, focused on Shen Chuwei’s features, didn’t notice Xiao Jinyan’s dark expression, "Wait, let me have another look."

Another look? Xiao Jinyan scoffed, "Liu Xi, see Master Lu out."

At the command, Liu Xi stepped forward with a slight smile, "Master Lu, please."

Lu Zhaoyan felt a chill down his spine. Looking at Liu Xi, it was obvious he was being sent away.

When the Crown Prince was displeased, of course, he had to leave.

Following Liu Xi out of Hehuan Hall, Lu Zhaoyan was still sulking.

Had he said something wrong?

Otherwise, what had angered Xiao Jinyan?

*

Xiao Jinyan learned about Princess Xueyan’s willingness to enter the East Palace as a Concubine that evening.

The Emperor came to check on his injuries and brought it up in conversation.

Xiao Jinyan hadn’t expected Xueyan to step down; he thought Xueyan might wait for a year.

After a year, he was confident about having Shen Chuwei become the Crown Princess.

"Crown Prince, with Princess Xueyan entering the East Palace as a Concubine, you must not treat her poorly."

That was the last thing the Emperor said before leaving.

Xiao Jinyan sneered. He had made his lack of interest in her known, both directly and indirectly, yet she still wanted to enter the East Palace. Treat her poorly?

If she did not cause trouble, he could let her occupy the position of a Concubine.

But if she used schemes and manipulations to hurt others, she couldn’t blame him!

Xiao Jinyan shared this news with Shen Chuwei.

"It was Xueyan who insisted on entering the East Palace, and Father has agreed."

"I understand," said Shen Chuwei, mixing medicines with valuable ingredients, soon to be used by Xiao Jinyan after his bath.

Xiao Jinyan watched Shen Chuwei’s indifferent reaction. Although he had informed her in advance, seeing her apparently uncaring now, he felt an oppressive sensation in his chest.

"Chuwei?"

Shen Chuwei looked up at Xiao Jinyan, "Your Highness, what’s the matter?"

"Nothing," he instructed. "After Xueyan enters the East Palace, keep your distance from her. She’s not as simple as she seems."

Xiao Jinyan had interacted with Xueyan a few times. She seemed innocent, but that was not the case.

Every word she spoke was designed to stir trouble between him and Shen Chuwei.

Shen Chuwei stared at Xiao Jinyan, watching that solemn handsome face for a good while, feeling he was treating her like a child. She wasn’t foolish!

She obediently nodded her head, "I understand."

Lady Xu heard the news and blew up, flinging her handkerchief all the way to Hehuan Hall.

Tao Chenghui followed closely behind Lady Xu, reminding her, "Lady Xu, slow down."

"How can I slow down when this is urgent?" Lady Xu didn’t look back and marched on, clomping into Hehuan Hall.

Tao Chenghui shook his head helplessly and followed her in.

"Lady Shen, that shameless woman is entering the East Palace to compete with you for Your Highness," Lady Xu’s voice preceded her arrival.

It was loud enough for many to hear.

The people of Hehuan Hall had grown accustomed to it.

Unfortunately for them, Xiao Jinyan was resting in the room, just woken up and changing clothes.

Hearing the voice, Xiao Jinyan guessed it was Lady Xu.

The shameless one, was she referring to Princess Xueyan?

When Shen Chuwei heard Lady Xu’s unrestrained rant outside, she was mortified, thinking to herself, Big sister, before you holler, can you please confirm whether Xiao Jinyan is there or not?

Look, Xiao Jinyan has overheard now.

Xiao Jinyan watched Shen Chuwei, "Does Lady Xu often act like this?"

"Not always." Shen Chuwei attempted to explain, "Your Highness, Lady Xu is just straightforward and outspoken."

Xiao Jinyan huffed, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

After Lady Xu’s outburst, not getting a response, she assumed Shen Chuwei was probably resting and continued to walk inside.

Lady Xu called as she walked, "Lady Shen, how can you still sleep? Your man is about to be taken."

Inside the room

Xiao Jinyan knew Lady Xu often ranted and sniped behind people’s backs, but this time, he witnessed firsthand Lady Xu’s unrestrained new talent.

Shen Chuwei heard it and covered her face with her hands, Big sister, please stop yelling, Xiao Jinyan is here...

"Lady Shen, still sleeping?" As Lady Xu walked in, lifting her skirt, she saw two figures by the bed—one Shen Chuwei, whom she would recognize even if she turned to ash, the other Xiao Jinyan, recognizable even in ash form too.

She froze at the doorway, unsure whether to step forward or retreat.

Lady Xu saw Xiao Jinyan raising his eyes to look at her with glossy phoenix eyes; he was easy on the eyes.

But now, to Lady Xu, it was as terrifying as seeing a ghost, that chilling.

Xiao Jinyan coolly watched Lady Xu, who stood frozen at the door, looking like she had been frightened.

Realizing Xiao Jinyan was inside, Tao Chenghui nudged Lady Xu from behind in confusion, "Lady Xu, why don’t you go in?"

Lady Xu felt embarrassed as if she wanted to crawl into a crack in the ground.

Go in?

To court death?

As Tao Chenghui walked past Lady Xu and into the room, his level of astonishment matched hers upon seeing the two people inside.

Why was Your Highness here?