The prince longs for me every night after mastering thought-reading
Chapter 569 - 471: Bringing the family to sponge off Xiao Jinyan, starting to worry about him_2

Chapter 569: Chapter 471: Bringing the family to sponge off Xiao Jinyan, starting to worry about him_2

Shen Chuwei: "..." Finally remembered why she was here; it wasn’t just to freeload meals and drinks.

"The newly honored Top Scholar, you’ve heard of him, right?"

Xiao Jinyu sipped his tea, "Of course, the youngest Top Scholar. Everyone in the Capital knows."

Shen Chuwei asked again, "Then you know that many people want to take him as a son-in-law, right?"

Xiao Jinyu nodded, "I’m aware. Top Scholar Song Qing is highly learned and good-looking; countless prominent families desire him for their daughters."

The movement of Shen Chuwei cracking melon seeds paused, "Doesn’t that make Song Qing the dream lover of all the Capital’s young women?"

Xiao Jinyu continued to nod, "You could say that."

Shen Chuwei cracked six melon seeds in rapid succession. With Song Qing so in demand, how could Lady Tao possibly compete with all the young women in the Capital?

"That’s not right, though," she said. "In terms of looks, aren’t you considered the most handsome man? It shouldn’t be Song Qing’s turn, should it?"

Xiao Jinyu’s tea-drinking paused as he looked at the shocking Shen Chuwei and said, "So you’re hoping that my brother becomes the dream lover of all the young women in the Capital?"

Shen Chuwei corrected him, "Of course not. I’m talking about Your Highness’s appearance."

Xiao Jinyu said, "Even so, you have to consider status. My brother is the Crown Prince, the future sovereign. How could they dare to aspire to him?"

... Shen Chuwei: "That makes sense."

"Why is sister-in-law paying such close attention to the Top Scholar?" Xiao Jinyu’s tea-drinking paused again, and he suddenly looked up at Shen Chuwei very seriously, "Sister-in-law, you can’t play around with hearts in my brother’s absence. No matter how outstanding Song Qing is, he can’t compare to my brother."

Lady Han: "..."

Shen Chuwei: "..." What kind of thought process is that?

Nevermind such a handsome and devoted husband, to covet Song Qing?

Her mind was perfectly fine.

"What nonsense are you spouting?"

Xiao Jinyu’s peach blossom eyes curved, "I was just joking. Sister-in-law isn’t stupid; my brother is excellent."

Shen Chuwei coughed lightly, "I have a friend who fancies Song Qing, but she feels he’s too outstanding and not a good match for her, so with so many people competing for Song Qing... we have to help her."

Xiao Jinyu casually asked, "Who’s your friend? Is she ugly?"

Shen Chuwei seriously replied, "Of course she’s not ugly."

Not ugly? Then, she’s not beautiful?

That’s a tough favor to fulfill!

"So how can I help?"

Shen Chuwei shared the key point of today’s discussion, "Just when someone proposes matchmaking for Song Qing, you go and sabotage it."

Xiao Jinyu honestly replied, "That seems rather unkind."

Shen Chuwei didn’t deny it, "It is a bit."

Xiao Jinyu waved his hand, "No matter, your business is my business. I will meet Song Qing tomorrow and have a thorough talk."

Upon hearing these words, Shen Chuwei knew she had found the right person for the task.

"If you do a good job, I’ll send you an old hen."

Xiao Jinyu, thrilled at the promise of an old hen, happily took on the task. Old hen stewed with ginseng was perfect for nourishing his wife.

At lunch, Xiao Jinyu certainly didn’t see himself as an outsider, keeping busy by serving dishes to his wife.

Lady Han watched the small mountain of food in her bowl grow. Looking up at Xiao Jinyu, who was still serving her, she said, "That’s enough."

Xiao Jinyu noticed the full bowl and stopped serving, "Then eat up quickly so I can serve you more."

... Lady Han ate the food in her bowl slowly and methodically.

Shen Chuwei, having consumed a hearty serving of dog food, lowered her head and ate her rice quickly to comfort her aggrieved heart.

After lunch, Xiao Jinyu, well-fed and content, casually picked up his wife and strode out of the Hehuan Hall.

Watching Xiao Jinyu in his whipped-husband manner, Shen Chuwei longed for Xiao Jinyan; it had been three months since she saw Xiao Jinyan, and he hadn’t said when he would return.

She rested her hands under her chin, wondering, "The family letter for this month is also late."

After Xiao Jinyan left, he would write a family letter every month to report his well-being, but this month it was delayed by several days.

Shen Chuwei picked up a teacup, took a few sips, then put on her shoes and stepped out. Just as she reached the courtyard, she saw her subordinate, Chun Xi, and Qin Xiao.

They were talking and laughing as if they were discussing something joyous.

Qin Xiao liked Chun Xi, but who did Chun Xi like again?

In the Hehuan Hall, Qin Xiao was the only real man; the few others were all eunuchs.

Watching Qin Xiao and Chun Xi, Shen Chuwei actually thought they were quite compatible.

While embroidering, Chun Xi said, "I’ve been idle recently and made you a pair of shoes. Try them on later."

"Alright," Qin Xiao replied, glancing at his shoes which Chun Xi had made for him last year. The soles were worn out, but he was reluctant to throw them away and continued to wear them.

Shen Chuwei approached; she really didn’t want to interrupt their conversation, but she wanted to know why Xiao Jinyan hadn’t written back.

"Qin Xiao."

Turning and seeing Shen Chuwei, Qin Xiao promptly stood and paid his respects, "Crown Princess."

Shen Chuwei asked, "Why hasn’t His Highness’s family letter arrived this month?"

Qin Xiao answered, "I’m not sure, but I will inquire later."

Shen Chuwei felt a tinge of loss, "Alright, let me know as soon as you find out anything."

Qin Xiao bowed his head in acknowledgment, "Your command is my duty."

Since then, Lady Tao’s visits hadn’t been as frequent. When she did come, she only went to the Hehuan Hall to chat with Shen Chuwei.

Shen Chuwei told Lady Tao about Xiao Jinyu’s willingness to help, "Prince Jinyu is reliable."

"I’ve thought about it a lot these days; maybe Song Qing and I are simply not fated to be," sighed Lady Tao, somewhat reluctant to accept missing out on someone she truly liked.

Shen Chuwei didn’t know what was going through Song Qing’s mind and couldn’t make decisions for Lady Tao.

"You haven’t seen Song Qing for some days. Come on, let’s go next door to the Study Room and have a look."

Lady Tao hesitated, but yearning after not seeing Song Qing for several days, she nodded and followed Shen Chuwei.

This time, she wouldn’t put pressure on Song Qing by being alone with him.

Having not met for a few days, she wondered if Song Qing would be happy or...