The prince longs for me every night after mastering thought-reading
Chapter 345 - 339: Out the Door and Discovered, The Emperor’s not Scared with the Empress Behind Him

Chapter 345: Chapter 339: Out the Door and Discovered, The Emperor’s not Scared with the Empress Behind Him

Shen Chuwei looked at the blushing Chun Xi and comforted her, "We just need to be careful. We’re bringing food to the Empress."

"This servant understands." Chun Xi, puffing with anger, would probably not hesitate to beat up the Emperor if given the chance.

Chun Xi prepared some snacks, all handmade by herself. With a gourmet at her side, failure was difficult.

When it was time to leave, Chun Xi glanced at Shen Chuwei’s belly for a while and suggested, "Young Mistress, let’s wrap your belly with cloth. That way, it’s less likely to be noticed."

Chun Xi went to fetch the cloth as she spoke.

Shen Chuwei cooperated by lifting her skirt, watching as Chun Xi brought over a roll of white cloth, which was thin and breathable.

Watching Chun Xi wind the cloth around her round belly, she took a deep breath to suck in her stomach, which immediately appeared smaller.

After wrapping the cloth and letting down her skirt, her belly indeed looked smaller.

Only then did Chun Xi, with relief, hold the parasol over Shen Chuwei and they left the Xiaoxiang Pavilion.

Shen Chuwei looked at the lavish East Palace. It had been nearly five months since she had left the gates of the Xiaoxiang Pavilion, and suddenly she felt like a country bumpkin entering the city for the first time.

Since the Xiaoxiang Pavilion was adjacent to the Cold Palace, which had been uninhabited for years, it was in a state of disrepair.

Like a country bumpkin entering the city, Shen Chuwei looked around, lamenting the sight of the old lotus seeds in the pond, "Such a pity for these lotus seeds. They matured without meeting their destined picker."

Chun Xi, extremely nervous, then heard Shen Chuwei’s lament. Having spent so much time together, it was easy for her to understand the hidden meaning in Shen Chuwei’s words—regretting not being able to eat the matured lotus seeds.

"Young Mistress, what time is this to still be thinking about eating?"

Shen Chuwei smiled, "I was just making a comment."

As soon as they left the East Palace, they encountered someone familiar, Lady Chang.

Chun Xi, holding the food box, instinctively shielded Shen Chuwei’s belly, afraid that Lady Chang would notice the Young Mistress was pregnant and then devise schemes against her.

In contrast to Chun Xi’s nervousness, Shen Chuwei was far more composed as she greeted the approaching Lady Chang.

The things we worry about the most are often what happens next. This is Murphy’s Law.

Lady Chang was initially taken aback at seeing Shen Chuwei. Wasn’t Shen Chuwei confined? How come she was out?

Thinking she had the Empress’s backing, did she dare to act recklessly?

Lady Chang approached and curtsied, "Lady Shen, weren’t you confined?"

Shen Chuwei replied calmly, "The Emperor just lifted the Imperial Edict."

Lady Chang had wanted to make an issue of it, hoping to get Lady Shen punished again, but learning it was the Emperor’s decree, she naturally could not say anything.

"No wonder I didn’t hear about it. Where is Lady Shen going?"

Shen Chuwei’s voice remained placid, "To pay my respects to the Empress."

Upon hearing this, Lady Chang scoffed internally. Having just been released, Shen Chuwei was already eager to ingratiate herself with her aunt, her cheek thicker than city walls. No wonder the aunt spoke so fondly of her.

"I’ll be on my way," Shen Chuwei dropped the three words and continued with Chun Xi toward the Fengyi Palace.

Lady Chang stood still, watching Shen Chuwei’s retreating figure. Clutching the handkerchief in her hand, she thought about how Shen Chuwei exploited her innocent and harmless appearance for sympathy, such deep scheming.

She observed for a while and noticed that Shen Chuwei’s way of walking was somewhat strange, different from Chun Xi’s gait.

Huai Xiang, seeing that her mistress had walked far away and was still gazing at Lady Shen, asked, "Young Mistress, what’s wrong?"

"Nothing much, just a little curious," Lady Chang looked back again before returning to Xinlan Hall.

When Shen Chuwei arrived at the Fengyi Palace, the Empress was selecting fabric for her grandson’s clothes.

There were fabrics of all colors spread across the table, all of the finest quality, dazzling to choose from.

Shen Chuwei was led directly in by Qing Ying without prior announcement.

She stepped forward and curtsied, "Empress."

The Empress, busy with the fabrics, looked up to see Shen Chuwei and was extremely surprised, "Lady Shen, what brings you here?"

She then stood up and took Shen Chuwei by the hand to sit down at the table.

Shen Chuwei said, "I was released just today and came right away."

"Now that you are pregnant, it’s easy for others to spot if you just come out like this. Next time don’t come. I should visit you instead," the Empress said. She was happy that Shen Chuwei came to see her, but with Shen Chuwei being pregnant, she felt it wasn’t safe; she feared those with ulterior motives might do something.

Shen Chuwei nodded, "Then next time I won’t come. I’ll wait for the Empress in the Xiaoxiang Pavilion."

"That’s more like it," the Empress said, smiling as she pulled Shen Chuwei over. Pointing to the fabrics on the table, she said, "I plan to make some clothes for the babies in advance. My eyes are almost dizzy from the choices. You, as a mother, come help pick."