The prince longs for me every night after mastering thought-reading
Chapter 302 - 301 Difficult decisions, true feelings shine in adversity,

Chapter 302: Chapter 301 Difficult decisions, true feelings shine in adversity,

Xiao Jinyan abruptly raised his head to look at the Emperor and retorted, "Father, Lady Shen has done nothing wrong. Why should she be sent to the Cold Palace?"

Compared to Xiao Jinyan’s tension, Shen Chuwei was much calmer. She stole a glance at the Emperor, who bore an air of daunting authority.

He must be furious.

The Emperor gave Lady Shen a glance. Having seen her several times, he noted that in terms of appearance, she was in no way inferior to Princess Xueyan, and the vivacity in her eyes was something the Princess’s beauty could not match.

This must be the charm that captivated the Crown Prince.

"Lady Shen’s only fault," the Emperor said with icy authority in his voice that demanded attention, "is her inability to bear children, yet she has enchanted the Crown Prince into favoring her exclusively, leaving the Crown Prince without an heir."

Xiao Jinyan was stunned upon hearing this. He tried to explain, but thinking of Chuwei’s lack of pregnancy, any explanation would only anger the Emperor further.

To prove Chuwei had no issues, she needed to become pregnant.

Xiao Jinyan suppressed his dissatisfaction and looked up at the Emperor, "Father, what about the second option?"

The Emperor replied coldly, "You do not wish for Lady Shen to enter the Cold Palace, unless you are willing to renounce your position as the Crown Prince. For now, I can overlook the issue of your lack of heirs."

Although Xiao Jinyan had anticipated the Emperor might use his position as the Crown Prince to threaten him, his lips tightened. It had taken him five years to secure his position—how could he give it up so easily?

Shen Chuwei was no fool and realized the Emperor was using the Crown Prince’s title to threaten Xiao Jinyan.

She raised her hand, but remembering this was ancient times, not a classroom, she lowered her hand and stepped forward to give a respectful bow.

"Your Majesty, I am willing to go to the Cold Palace."

The Emperor showed a surprised look, not expecting Lady Shen to volunteer for the Cold Palace, "You wish to enter the Cold Palace of your own accord?"

Shen Chuwei bowed her head in response, "Your Majesty, I am willing to enter voluntarily."

Even though Xiao Jinyan tried hard to contain himself, he could not let Chuwei be sent to the Cold Palace. He stepped forward and made a formal bow.

"Father, the Cold Palace is for women who have erred; Lady Shen is blameless. The fault lies with me. I am ready to accept punishment."

Shen Chuwei looked up at Xiao Jinyan with her delicate face, surprised that he was ready to give up his position as Crown Prince, which he had fought hard to obtain.

"Your Highness, I can go to the Cold Palace."

Xiao Jinyan said coldly, "You will keep quiet."

Shen Chuwei: "..." He’s scolding her again~

She glanced at the Emperor, then edged closer to Xiao Jinyan and whispered, "Your Highness, it’s easier for me to go to the Cold Palace than for you to be punished."

In the presence of the Emperor, she could not say much.

Going to the Cold Palace didn’t frighten her; at worst, she would expand on agriculture there, clearing land and planting vegetables~

The Emperor looked down at the Crown Prince, equally shocked—shocked that his son would give up his position for a woman. Should he be angry or pleased that his son was so devoted?

Devotion is not a fault, but the mistake lies in forgetting one’s royal duty as a Prince, as the Crown Prince—to not prioritize romantic affairs.

"Crown Prince, have you thought this through?"

Shen Chuwei tugged at Xiao Jinyan’s sleeve and whispered, "Your Highness, once inside, you can still get me out. But if you give up your title, it will be much harder to do so."

Xiao Jinyan paused.

He was only temporarily giving up his title as Crown Prince, not surrendering it forever.

Yet what Chuwei said was not without reason; if he gave up everything for her sake, it might only infuriate the Emperor more.

If the Emperor became angry, he might take it out on Chuwei...

The Empress thought the dog Emperor had just raised the issue in passing and hadn’t expected him to actually give the Crown Prince such a choice.

Upon receiving the news, she hurried to the East Palace, and having heard what the dog Emperor said, she didn’t rush in, so she heard bits and pieces of the latter half of the conversation.

They say adversity reveals true love, and Lady Shen’s willingness to enter the Cold Palace was something not everyone could do.

The Crown Prince was willing to take the second path for Lady Shen, which truly surprised her. Whose foolish devotion had he inherited?

That dog of an Emperor certainly didn’t have such excellent genes.

With a flick of her handkerchief, the Empress walked in and greeted with a curtsy, "May the Emperor live for ten thousand years, in peace and safety."

Xiao Jinyan and Shen Chuwei stepped aside to pay their respects to the Empress.

The Emperor had been given the cold shoulder by the Empress two or three times. Seeing her now, he snorted internally, thinking your pleas will be useless, I won’t listen to you!

He picked up his teacup and sipped it leisurely, asking indifferently, "What brings the Empress here?"

The Empress took two steps forward to stand by the Emperor’s side, afraid and yet unafraid.

It was probably because she had the strong backing of her maternal family that she dared to be so bold.

"I heard that the Emperor has been in a poor mood lately, so this Concubine came to see how you were faring."

The Emperor snorted internally again, thinking now you’re concerned about me? Let me tell you, it’s too late!

He said faintly, "My mood is exceptionally good, putting the Empress’s mind at ease."

The Empress inwardly exclaimed, Good mood? Yet he’d visit the Fengyi Palace daily to find fault with her, comparing everything she did unfavorably to Consort Ning, that dog of an Emperor was sick in the head!

"Then that’s good. This Concubine was also worried that the Emperor might be driven to anger."

Xiao Jinyan listened to the veiled argument between his father and mother, thinking if Mother only knew how deep Father’s affection for her was, perhaps she wouldn’t so readily call him that dog of an Emperor.

He turned his head to look at Shen Chuwei, sure that she wouldn’t call him that in the future.

Shen Chuwei lifted her head and caught Xiao Jinyan’s gaze, rewarding him with a soft smile.

Seeing that smile, Xiao Jinyan somehow had a bad premonition.

The Emperor and Empress finished their open and secret fight by discussing whether Xiao Jinyan had any offspring and the problem of favoritism.

The Empress insisted that Lady Shen simply had difficulties conceiving and had no serious misconduct, and that sending her to Cold Palace was inappropriate.

In the end, the Emperor conceded a step, "Lady Shen has no serious faults. She will be confined to Xiaoxiang Pavilion, and the Crown Prince must not visit. Once there is offspring, the restriction will be lifted."

After speaking, the Emperor looked toward the Empress, "What does the Empress think?"

The Empress couldn’t help but roll her eyes, thinking, You’ve already decided, why ask me?

"We will follow the Emperor’s command."

After speaking, the Empress looked at Shen Chuwei and let out a helpless sigh. That’s the way of the Imperial Family, no offspring and excessive favoritism; naturally, the Emperor couldn’t stand it.

After the departure of the Emperor and Empress, only Xiao Jinyan and Shen Chuwei remained in the dining hall.

Shen Chuwei pulled Xiao Jinyan to sit down at the peach wood round table and served him a bowl of rice, "Your Highness, let’s continue our lunch."

Xiao Jinyan had no appetite at this point. He raised his eyes to look at Shen Chuwei, only to see her serving herself a bowl of rice, taking some dishes, and starting to eat, as if her dining was never to be interrupted by anything.

With her mouth full of rice, Shen Chuwei saw Xiao Jinyan staring at her continuously, which prompted her to force the food down her throat.

"Your Highness, don’t just watch me eat. People are iron and food is steel, without a meal you will feel panicked. Your Highness is busy all day; eat well so you have the energy and strength to deal with those matters."

Xiao Jinyan was silent for a long time, then asked, "After a while you’ll move to Xiaoxiang Pavilion, why aren’t you the slightest bit worried?"

Shen Chuwei had just eaten a piece of braised pork, "Why should this Concubine worry? It’s not like going to the execution grounds, but merely changing living places. And what matters most is that Your Highness is still the Crown Prince."

...

...

PS: The much-anticipated boy and girl twins have been arranged for.

Emperor: I’m here to see my grandson and granddaughter.

Empress: Get lost!