The prince longs for me every night after mastering thought-reading
Chapter 291 - 290: The Crown Prince’s Plan and Pressure from the Emperor

Chapter 291: Chapter 290: The Crown Prince’s Plan and Pressure from the Emperor

Under the spell of those charming, assertive eyes, Shen Chuwei felt an immense pressure.

"They say true valor never bends; occasionally bending is still understandable."

"Everything Your Highness says is correct."

Xiao Jinyan revealed a look of satisfaction, "Then you’ll cooperate with me in our efforts, hmm?"

Who could stand up to such handsome features?

"How should I cooperate?"

"I’ll teach you," Xiao Jinyan said, his gaze falling to her straps, still finding them less convenient than a bellyband.

Xiao Jinyan thought through the day and prepared for the worst.

Without an heir, the journey would be filled with more obstacles, more difficult, but not impossible to walk.

If an heir was needed in the future, he could perhaps adopt the eldest son of Xiao Jinyu once he started a family.

This was the worst plan, difficult to implement, but with perseverance, there would always be a way to solve it.

Shen Chuwei had lived for so long and never anticipated she would face the embarrassing predicament of having to bear a child so urgently.

Seeing someone so tirelessly engaged, she seriously doubted his professional integrity!

On the second day, the third day... Xiao Jinyan always arrived on time.

Shen Chuwei, holding Xiao Jinyan’s hand, said earnestly, "Your Highness, aren’t we pushing ourselves too hard?"

Xiao Jinyan undressed gradually, asking at a leisurely pace, "Have you conceived?"

Shen Chuwei shook her head.

Xiao Jinyan leaned over her, "Then let’s keep trying."

Shen Chuwei was on the verge of tears.

Ancient times were really intolerable, who else has to have a baby at such a young age?

Furthermore, Xiao Jinyan is truly inexorable–

Xiao Jinyan looked down at the person with tear-filled eyes, "Chuwei, have I bullied you again?"

Shen Chuwei wiped away a tear, "Knowing it, why do you still bully me?"

Xiao Jinyan bowed his head and kissed her endlessly teary eyes, "Tomorrow I’ll prepare you a crystal elbow."

Shen Chuwei’s tears paused, "Crystal elbow alone isn’t enough."

Xiao Jinyan chuckled softly, "I’ll buy you some tea pastries."

Shen Chuwei, breaking into a smile, "That’s more like it."

Xiao Jinyan’s long fingers wiped the tears from the corner of her eyes, "You’re so easy to appease."

That remark snapped her out of it.

"I do think my demands have been too low," said Shen Chuwei in an uncompromising tone, "So add on meat patties, candied haws, meat pies, and a variety of flavors of tea pastries."

Xiao Jinyan, holding back a laugh, nodded, "Alright."

After Shen Chuwei’s wishes were fulfilled, and lethargy set in, she grabbed Xiao Jinyan’s arm, "I’m sleepy."

"It’ll be just a moment," Xiao Jinyan leaned over, his kiss on her lips soothing.

Shen Chuwei naively thought he meant immediately, but in fact, Xiao Jinyan’s version of "moment" meant waiting and then waiting some more–

The next day, at Qimeng Hall

"Princess, for the past two days, His Highness has been staying overnight in Hehuan Hall."

Xueyan, happy that her facial rash had mostly cleared up, was in a good mood. Just as her smile was about to emerge, she overheard this and her face immediately darkened.

"Doesn’t His Highness need to review memorials?"

"He goes to Hehuan Hall after reviewing memorials. It seems His Highness hasn’t been very busy lately," guessed Shuiyao.

Xueyan said indignantly, "Lady Shen is clearly taking advantage of my illness, monopolizing His Highness on purpose."

Shuiyao tried to console her, "Princess, don’t get angry. Even if Lady Shen serves His Highness for a few more nights, it’s useless if she can’t conceive. She poses no threat to you."

Still, the thought of her monopolizing His Highness for several nights enraged Xueyan, "She really has no shame."

Shuiyao spoke softly, "Princess, let me see if your face has gotten better."

Angry as Xueyan was, she took great care of her face, allowing Shuiyao to check it.

After a careful look, Shuiyao said, "Your face is much better than it was two days ago, Princess. It should heal in a few days."

"Apply more ointment," said Xueyan, growing impatient. She couldn’t let Lady Shen keep monopolizing His Highness.

*

Shen Chuwei came back to life with Chun Xi’s help and, thinking of what Xiao Jinyan did in the past few days, was more certain than ever of his ulterior motives.

She sighed deeply. Who could endure such daily exertions?

Concubine Xu entered, waving her handkerchief, and before she saw Shen Chuwei, she asked, "Lady Shen, is it true that you have difficulties conceiving, as people say outside?"

Shen Chuwei, lying on the bed and not wanting to move, looked up at Concubine Xu, "Has it spread that quickly?"

Sitting down by the bed, Concubine Xu said, "This isn’t confidential news; just spend some silver to know it."

Shen Chuwei didn’t know about spending silver to buy information before, and now that she did, she had no interest in it.

She said indifferently, "So they know, let them know."

Concubine Xu looked at Shen Chuwei with concern, mistaking her languidness as a sign of depression from being struck down.

"Has the Imperial Doctor seen you? Can it be treated?"

"It’s fine, just need to rest and recuperate." She always drank medicinal concoctions for regulation, but they met only twice a month, mainly because they were too bitter, and she disliked drinking them.

"I think it’s all slander, they’re deliberately spreading it to make His Highness share his favors more evenly," said Concubine Xu indignantly.

At that moment, in the Imperial Study Room

After morning court, Xiao Jinyan was summoned by the Emperor to the Imperial Study Room.

In the vast Imperial Study Room, only the Emperor was seated high in front of the desk.

Xiao Jinyan stepped forward to pay respects, "Father."

"The Crown Prince has arrived." The Emperor put down the memorial he was holding and looked up at Xiao Jinyan standing before the desk. "The Crown Prince has worked hard recently, reviewing many memorials for Us, handling everything in an orderly manner."

Xiao Jinyan bowed his head humbly, "Father Emperor praises me too highly. It is my honor to relieve Father Emperor’s worries."

The Emperor spoke somberly, "All that the Crown Prince has done, We have seen. The Crown Prince’s capability must not be underestimated and should be able to stand on his own."

Xiao Jinyan listened respectfully.

The Emperor continued, "Some days ago, your mother mentioned the matter of an heir; have you given it clear thought?"

Xiao Jinyan replied, "Father, right now I just want to relieve you of your worries; there’s no rush for the matter of an heir, I know how to handle it."

The Emperor’s moustache bristled. "As an heir apparent, being without a son and inviting endless gossip, should make early arrangements, lest you give grounds for ridicule."

Xiao Jinyan understood, "I comprehend."

"If Lady Shen is not easily with child, then try with Concubine Xue, Concubine Xu, and Lady Liang; distribute your favors evenly, and do not disappoint me again." With those last words, the Emperor stressed his tone, demonstrating his patience was limited.

Xiao Jinyan knew the Emperor was giving him a final warning. If there were still no news soon, perhaps...

That night, Xiao Jinyan went directly to Hehuan, taking the back door.

The back door was specially made through joining two walls, very secretive, hardly noticeable to most people.

Today, Shen Chuwei had Chun Xi help her make a summer drink, but it was not quite successful, so they planned to try again tomorrow.

When Xiao Jinyan entered, he saw Shen Chuwei sitting cross-legged on the bed. Seeing him, her eyes smiled warmly.

"Your Highness."

Xiao Jinyan approached and sat beside the bed, his gaze turning to Shen Chuwei’s stomach. His hand reached out to the flat belly.

Shen Chuwei looked down at Xiao Jinyan’s action, an action he had done several times, particularly when she had a painful period. He would place his hand there to warm her belly.