The prince longs for me every night after mastering thought-reading
Chapter 295 - 294: The Secret Only He Knows, Do You Still Need Your Highness?

Chapter 295: Chapter 294: The Secret Only He Knows, Do You Still Need Your Highness?

Xiao Jinyan had never thought of making his father, the Emperor, understand him; despite the busyness of reviewing petitions, there was indeed time for consummating the marriage—it was just a matter of willingness.

"No, Father," he replied.

The Emperor hadn’t stayed up late reviewing petitions for some days and felt much more relaxed, which also meant more time spent with the Empress.

Hearing the Crown Prince’s words, he felt greatly comforted, but when he thought of how the Crown Prince had yet to consummate the marriage with Princess Xueyan, his brow furrowed involuntarily.

"Then why not make time to consummate the marriage with Princess Xueyan?"

Xiao Jinyan fell silent for a moment before responding, "Your son does not wish to."

As a man himself, the Emperor believed he understood men; even if she was not a beloved, what difficulty could there be in consummating a marriage?

"Princess Xueyan has the support of Xueyue Country behind her. If you let Xueyan feel wronged and make Xueyue think that Daxia has treated her poorly, it’s merely a matter of consummation."

The Emperor’s implication was clear: a consummation would suffice as an explanation; there was no need for her to become pregnant as well.

Even so, Xiao Jinyan did not want to consummate the marriage with Xueyan.

He couldn’t be like his father, who, despite having deep affection for his mother, could still embrace others and revel in the company of many women within the three palaces and six courtyards.

In the eyes of others, the Emperor’s favoritism towards Lady Ning was seen as love for his heart’s desire.

But the reality was not so; the Emperor’s feelings for the Empress were incomparable to those for any other women.

The contradiction lay in the fact that even though the Empress was the cinnabar in the Emperor’s heart, that did not stop him from sharing the bed with other women.

This secret was not even known to the Empress; Jinyan had learned of it only by inadvertently hearing the Emperor’s heartfelt words.

The Emperor, with a stern face, said, "You shall make time to consummate the marriage with Princess Xueyan in the next few days. You are the Crown Prince; you should understand the serious implications without needing my reminder."

Xiao Jinyan bowed his head in assent, "Your son understands."

Upon leaving the Imperial Study Room, Xiao Jinyan still felt an invisible pressure, pressing down on him, making it difficult to breathe.

Being forced to consummate a marriage with a woman, he was likely the first.

Upon returning to the East Palace, Xueyan came to see him, her eyes red and swollen as if she had been crying.

The last person Xiao Jinyan wanted to see right now was Xueyan, yet she insistently approached him.

"Your Highness, this Concubine has come to admit her faults," Xueyan sobbed.

Xiao Jinyan coldly watched her feign remorse, "What fault are you admitting to?"

"This Concubine went to see the Empress today to chat about daily affairs, but I accidentally let something slip. When the Empress asked repeatedly about the consummation, this Concubine could not deceive her and had to tell the truth. Little did I expect that the Emperor would visit the Empress at that time and hear the truth."

As Xueyan spoke, tears streamed down her face as she looked at Xiao Jinyan, "Your Highness, this Concubine truly didn’t do it deliberately."

Inside, however, she felt triumphantly pleased; as long as the Emperor applied pressure, Xiao Jinyan had no choice but to consummate the marriage with her.

It was one thing for Shen Chuwei to have exclusive access to Xiao Jinyan in the past days, but now even when Xiao Jinyan was busy, Lady Shen still managed to usurp his time for dinner.

What was Lady Shen? Why should she contend with her?

Even though Xiao Jinyan was accustomed to the dark and scheming hearts of women, hearing Xueyan slander "little nine," his eyes darkened instantly, "Go back. This hall has more important matters to attend to."

Xueyan dabbed at her tears, a look of aggrievement in her eyes as she gazed at Xiao Jinyan, "Your Highness, are you still angry with me?"

Xiao Jinyan looked at Xueyan coldly, "Why should this hall be angry?"

Xueyan was taken aback, failing to grasp Xiao Jinyan’s thoughts, and inquired cautiously, "Your Highness is truly not angry?"

Xiao Jinyan said, "After I have dealt with the next couple of days’ business, I will come to your place for dinner."

Xueyan’s heart lifted upon hearing this, and she softly responded, "This Concubine understands and will prepare in advance."

Indeed, only with the Emperor’s intervention would it be possible; otherwise, with Xiao Jinyan’s attitude, who knew when she could serve in his bedchamber and conceive a child.

Xueyan left the Crown Prince’s bedchamber in high spirits.

Returning to Qimeng Hall, Princess Xueyan placed the lucky pouch from under her pillow over her heart, determined to bear a son in one fell swoop and show Shen Chuwei—who’s the real winner with an heir.

News of Princess Xueyan’s impending service in the bedchamber spread quickly throughout the East Palace, whether by intention or accident.

Concubine Xu rushed to Hehuan Hall as soon as she heard, her handkerchief fluttering rapidly.

Cai Xia, already accustomed to such dramas, followed closely with small, hurried steps.

Shen Chuwei had just finished her lunch and was planning to rest when, without even having removed her shoes, she heard Concubine Xu muttering curses as she came in.

"What’s happened?"

"I heard that His Highness is going to Qimeng Hall for dinner and to stay the night in the coming days," said Concubine Xu as she walked over to the bed.

Shen Chuwei asked, "Who did you hear it from?"

Concubine Xu couldn’t help but raise her voice, "Everyone knows by now, how can you not?"

Shen Chuwei, who paid no heed to palace rumors, wouldn’t have known if not for Concubine Xu’s words.

"Is that so?"

"Of course," Concubine Xu grabbed Shen Chuwei’s hand, "His Highness isn’t clean anymore."

A few days prior, Xiao Jinyan had still been telling her to trust him.

It couldn’t be, that in just a few days, he had changed his mind.

"It can’t be true, I trust His Highness," Shen Chuwei continued to take off her shoes.

"It’s what His Highness personally told Concubine Xue," after saying this, Concubine Xu leaned in close to Shen Chuwei’s ear and whispered, "I heard the Emperor flew into a rage and even summoned His Highness to the Imperial Study Room for a lesson."

Shen Chuwei’s action of removing her footwear paused.

Concubine Xu continued, "The Emperor himself enjoys the company of many, no doubt he wants His Highness to consummate the marriage quickly."

Shen Chuwei realized, "What His Highness is facing now isn’t just the pressure for an heir, but also the pressure to consummate the marriage."

Concubine Xu nodded vigorously, "Yes, and Princess Xueyan is a princess of Xueyue Country, the Emperor will surely intervene. Under the Emperor’s pressure, His Highness might be unable to resist."

Now Shen Chuwei sincerely said, "His Highness must be under so much pressure, and I can’t help relieve his burden."

Concubine Xu sighed, "Even if His Highness is unwilling, it’s no longer an option."

Shen Chuwei also sighed, "His Highness is in a tough position."

Concubine Xu lamented, "Since ancient times, Emperors have often been callous. It’s uncertain whether His Highness is the unfeeling sort or a man of deep emotions."

That night, the Emperor, as usual, had Eunuch Li deliver a large batch of memorials to the East Palace, and then he went to Fengyi Palace.

The freshly bathed Empress heard that the damn Emperor was coming again and figured he must need something from her; otherwise, why would he frequent Fengyi Palace these days?

Pretending to sleep was out of the question, so she had no choice but to rise and greet him.

The Emperor walked in and saw the Empress, her hairpins already removed and wearing a bright red dress that complimented her fair skin.

"Empress, you haven’t rested yet?"

The Empress couldn’t help but roll her eyes—At this hour, who goes to bed so early?

"Your Majesty isn’t busy today?"

The Emperor said, "Ever since the Crown Prince started reviewing the memorials, I’ve had some free time. Now, I can spend time with you. Are you pleased?"

The Empress: "..." It’s because Consort Ning is pregnant and can’t serve you, right? Otherwise, why would you come to Fengyi Palace?

The Emperor took the Empress’s hand and sat down beside the bed, "Empress, there’s something I need to discuss with you."

"What do you wish to discuss?" If it’s about promoting Consort Ning to Noble Consort, you can roll as far away as possible!

The Emperor got straight to the point, "It’s about the Crown Prince and Lady Shen."