The prince longs for me every night after mastering thought-reading
Chapter 87 - 86: Your Highness Climbs Over the Wall to Borrow Things at Midnight

Chapter 87: Chapter 86: Your Highness Climbs Over the Wall to Borrow Things at Midnight

"Your Highness, my name is Luluo, and I do various chores at Lanyue Hall," Luluo said cautiously.

Xiao Jinyan sized up Luluo a few times. Her eyebrows were curved like crescents, and her bashful demeanor lent her a touch of charm. She was certainly above average in looks.

"I see you are quite clever. From today on, you’ll serve in the sleeping quarters."

Luluo bowed deeply in thanks, "Thank you for Your Highness’s grace."

Shen Mingzhu glanced at Luluo. She hadn’t paid much attention to her before, but now she noticed that Luluo was quite striking. Could it be she was trying deliberately to catch Your Highness’s favor?

Had she known Luluo harbored such intentions, she should have sent her to the Laundry Bureau for hard labor from the beginning.

Xiao Jinyan: "..."

Now, Shen Mingzhu felt so regretful that her guts were turning green. She turned her head towards Xiao Jinyan and inquired attentively, "Your Highness, the time for the noon meal is approaching. Will you stay and dine with us?"

Xiao Jinyan raised his hand in refusal, "No need, I have other matters to attend to."

Shen Mingzhu was somewhat disappointed. It had been half a year since Your Highness’s last visit, and before she could even get comfortable, he was already leaving.

In the East Palace, where there were so many women, only Shen Chuwei was allowed to serve in his sleeping quarters.

Shen Mingzhu’s eyes widened as if she had stumbled upon a scandalous thought. Could it be that Your Highness was incapable in that regard?

Xiao Jinyan: "..." Full of filthy thoughts!

Xiao Jinyan left almost without lingering.

Luluo followed Liu Xi out of Lanyue Hall with great care.

After bringing Luluo back to the sleeping quarters, Xiao Jinyan ordered, "Weichi, keep an eye on her every move."

Weichi saluted and accepted the command, "Your subordinate obeys."

Xiao Jinyan then gave another order, "Qin Xiao, send some men to watch over Lanyue Hall. If you spot anyone suspicious, seize them immediately."

Qin Xiao saluted and accepted the command, "Your subordinate obeys."

After three days with no unusual activity, Xiao Jinyan lost his patience and went to Xiyun Pavilion.

Shen Chuwei had just bathed and was drying her hair when she saw Xiao Jinyan stride through the door.

When alone, Shen Chuwei was accustomed to wearing just a bellyband and shorts.

Upon entering, Xiao Jinyan caught sight of Shen Chuwei dressed so lightly, her skin whiter than snow, her cheeks flushed, and even her usually short legs didn’t seem as short as he had imagined, but rather white and straight.

Shen Chuwei tried to remain composed as she picked up her clothes to put on, while asking, "Your Highness, what brings you here so late?"

Xiao Jinyan gave an uncomfortable cough, "I’m here to borrow something."

Shen Chuwei looked curious, "What would Your Highness like to borrow?"

Xiao Jinyan leaned closer and whispered something into Shen Chuwei’s ear.

Shen Chuwei’s eyes lit up, "Your concubine has something even more lifelike. Would Your Highness care for that instead?"

Xiao Jinyan nodded, "Yes."

"Alright then."

Shen Chuwei got dressed and went to prepare the item. In no time, she brought it to Xiao Jinyan.

"Your Highness, it’s ready."

Xiao Jinyan looked curiously at the item in his hand, then at Shen Chuwei, and the scene he had just witnessed flashed through his mind. He averted his gaze unnaturally, "Then I will take my leave."

Shen Chuwei’s eyes curved into a smile, "Your Highness, good night."

At her words, Xiao Jinyan’s eyes paused. He remembered ’good night’ meant ’I like you’, "I understand."

After speaking, he left Xiyun Pavilion.

Shen Chuwei shrugged and picked up the towel to continue drying her hair.

*

Ever since several maids and servants arrived at Xiyun Pavilion, Chun Xi also became a managing palace maid, and there were many tasks Shen Chuwei and Chun Xi no longer needed to do together.

For example, building a chicken coop.

"Make it larger, the chicken coop can’t be too small."

Shen Chuwei supervised the work, directing the little rabbits as they labored.

Chun Xi brought over a cloak and draped it over her, "Young Mistress, the wind outside is strong. You should return to the room to avoid catching a cold."

Without much thought, Shen Chuwei stated, "For dinner, let’s have cold mixed glass noodles, it’s been a long time since I’ve had them."

Chun Xi had followed Shen Chuwei for quite some time now, often unable to keep up with her pace. She hadn’t even mentioned food, had she?

"...This servant will go and prepare it."

"Right, and add some smoked meat stir-fried with sausage and green peppers."

Chun Xi nodded, "This servant has noted it down."

"Lady Shen, the wind is strong outside. What are you doing here?"

Shen Chuwei turned her head and saw Liu Xi coming over with a warm smile on his face.

"Is Eunuch Liu here for something?"

Liu Xi cheerfully said, "Lady Shen, His Highness has invited you to dine with him this evening. You must prepare well, this kind of favor is not enjoyed by other young mistresses."

Shen Chuwei replied, "Eunuch Liu, rest assured, I will prepare properly."

"Then I shall return to report." Liu Xi left with a faint smile on his face.

Shen Chuwei patted Chun Xi’s shoulder, "This task is yours now, we cannot let His Highness be disappointed."

Chun Xi nodded vigorously, "Young Mistress, rest assured, this servant will go to the Internal Affairs Office and bring back some fresh petals. After the Young Mistress has bathed, your body will be fragrant with flowers. I guarantee His Highness will be utterly enchanted."

Shen Chuwei spoke earnestly, "Chun Xi, His Highness doesn’t like such frivolities. What we need is sincere effort. Culinary delights can truly showcase my sincerity, understand?"

Chun Xi felt it wasn’t reliable no matter how she heard it, "...Young Mistress, why does it feel like you’re just indulging your own taste buds?"

Shen Chuwei smiled to cover the awkwardness, "It’s all the same, all the same!"

Chun Xi sighed and turned away to prepare the so-called sincerity~

At the time of lighting the lamps, Shen Chuwei went to the Crown Prince’s sleeping quarters with full "sincerity."

When she arrived, maids were serving dishes one after another. The Crown Prince’s meals were always excellent, and tonight’s dishes were almost all new to her.

Shen Chuwei stepped forward and curtsied, "Your Highness, may you be blessed with peace and health."

Xiao Jinyan glanced up at Shen Chuwei, "Sit down."

"Thank you, Your Highness." Shen Chuwei adjusted her skirt and sat on a round stool. Looking at the food box in Chun Xi’s hands, she said, "Your Highness, your servant has brought two dishes for Your Highness to try."

Chun Xi, carrying the food box, opened the lid and placed two dishes from inside onto the round table, then stepped aside with the food box.

Xiao Jinyan’s gaze fell on the two dishes. He recognized both, smoked meat with glass noodles—just prepared differently.

Shen Chuwei picked up the serving chopsticks and put a piece of sausage into the bowl in front of Xiao Jinyan. Smiling, she said, "Your Highness, try this."

Xiao Jinyan looked at the unfamiliar food in his bowl, picked up his chopsticks, and took a bite. The first flavor was that of the smoked meat. He looked up at Shen Chuwei, "What kind of meat is this?"

Shen Chuwei took a bite herself and, while chewing, replied, "Your Highness, this is sausage. How does it taste?"

Xiao Jinyan nodded, "Not bad."

Shen Chuwei’s speed at devouring meals was always impressive, and now that she was more familiar with Xiao Jinyan, she dispensed with many of her inhibitions.

Chun Xi watched her own mistress, shaking her head helplessly, no longer holding any expectations for her.

She noticed a maid standing next to her who looked a bit older and quite presentable.

She remembered that His Highness didn’t have a maid attending him before. Why was there suddenly one now?

While they were dining, Xiao Jinyan suddenly spat out fresh blood, the bright red blood staining the floor, startling everyone present.