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Xiao Jinyan said this because he hoped Shen Chuwei could muster more courage without relying on liquor for bravery.

Shen Chuwei looked at Xiao Jinyan with a blank face, what did this mean?

She harbored improper thoughts about Xiao Jinyan? Why didn’t she know about this herself?

Xiao Jinyan knew about Shen Chuwei’s fondness for sleep and reminded her, "Go to sleep, we have to rise early tomorrow."

Shen Chuwei pondered hard but couldn’t figure out what inappropriate thoughts she had towards Xiao Jinyan that he would know of.

The next day, it was Chun Xi who woke Shen Chuwei up. Groggy and discontent, she muttered, "Let me sleep a bit longer."

"Young mistress, you still have to visit Her Highness the Empress with His Highness today, we can’t afford to get up late."

Shen Chuwei slowly opened her eyes to look at Chun Xi and after a long while, she let out a sentence, "Living in the Imperial Palace, not a moment is within one’s control!"

Even sleeping until one wakes up naturally is such a struggle—

During breakfast, Liu Xi entered with a beaming smile, "Lady Shen, His Highness is waiting."

Shen Chuwei had only eaten a bowl of porridge but had to painfully set down her chopsticks.

Liu Xi added, "His Highness asked you to prepare some side dishes to bring over as well."

Shen Chuwei ordered, "Chun Xi, prepare some side dishes."

"This servant will do so right away." Chun Xi hurried to arrange the side dishes.

Before leaving, Shen Chuwei grabbed a meat bun, eating it on the way out.

Chun Xi carried a food box towards the Crown Prince’s chambers.

Not far from Xiyun Pavilion, Shen Chuwei finished the two meat buns in her hand and took out a small handkerchief to wipe her mouth.

When they arrived at the Crown Prince’s chambers, Shen Chuwei cautiously followed behind Xiao Jinyan to Fengyi Palace.

This was her second visit to Fengyi Palace, still finding it impressive.

The Empress was seated on the couch, holding a glazed cup and sipping on beauty-enhancing and health-preserving bird’s nest soup.

Shen Chuwei followed Xiao Jinyan at a leisurely pace to pay their respects.

"Your son wishes mother peace," Xiao Jinyan said.

"This concubine greets Her Highness the Empress," Shen Chuwei said.

The Empress glanced up and saw it was the Crown Prince with Lady Shen, responding lightly, "Rise."

"Thank you, mother," said Xiao Jinyan.

"Thanks to Her Highness the Empress," Shen Chuwei echoed, and rose to her feet alongside Xiao Jinyan.

Xiao Jinyan spoke, "Mother, Lady Shen brought some side dishes."

The Empress’s palate had been almost bland recently; hearing about side dishes brightened her eyes, "Is that so? Bring them here for me to see."

Chun Xi stepped forward a few paces, offering the food box with both hands.

Qing Ying took the food box, turned to the low table, opened it, and peeked inside—exactly the Empress’s favored dishes from a few days ago.

She smiled, presenting them to the Empress, "Your Highness, please see."

The Empress looked into the food box, her eyes settling on the pickled long beans and dried radish among familiar side dishes, a hint of a smile in her eyes, "Lady Shen is thoughtful. My appetite has been poor; eating these side dishes does give me an appetite."

The implication was, "This is what I like; I welcome all comers."

Shen Chuwei surreptitiously glanced up at the Empress a few times, not daring to look too long, as staring directly at royal beauty was a serious crime.

The Empress, thinking of her youngest son’s marriage, looked at the Crown Prince, "Speaking of which, Yuyu is also sixteen now, I want to arrange wives and concubines for him. As the Crown Prince, what do you think of the Left Prime Minister’s daughter?

She had two sons, certainly at least one could give her a grandchild first, right?

Xiao Jinyan bowed slightly, "Mother, the daughter of the Left Prime Minister is gentle and virtuous. However, since it is about Yuyu taking wives and concubines, it would be better to ask for his own opinion."

The Empress nodded, "The Crown Prince is also right, but in my opinion, the daughter of the Left Prime Minister isn’t bad and is suitable to be a Concubine. Yuyu should like her."

Xiao Jinyan bowed his head and did not continue the conversation.

After bidding farewell, Shen Chuwei followed Xiao Jinyan as they left Fengyi Palace.

On the way, Shen Chuwei twisted her handkerchief, unable to help but ask, "Your Highness, what kind of incense was burning in Her Majesty the Empress’s palace?"

Xiao Jinyan looked down at Shen Chuwei: "Mother burns agarwood incense in her palace, why do you ask?"

Shen Chuwei replied, "Concubine felt there was something wrong with the scent. Your Highness, it would be more prudent to have the Imperial Doctor take a look at Her Majesty."

Xiao Jinyan frowned, "How do you know there is something wrong with the incense?"

Shen Chuwei gestured mysteriously with her finger toward Xiao Jinyan, "Your Highness, could you come a bit closer?"

Due to their height difference, Xiao Jinyan had to lean down to come closer to her.

Standing on tiptoes, Shen Chuwei whispered into Xiao Jinyan’s ear, "Because Concubine has some medical knowledge and is particularly sensitive to scents."

Shen Chuwei didn’t dare to exaggerate her medical skills, she just wanted to be an inconspicuous salted fish, as in modern times.

Xiao Jinyan’s frown deepened—Who would dare to tamper with the incense in mother’s pavilion?

Seeing Xiao Jinyan fall silent, Shen Chuwei thought that without evidence, no one would take her word easily.

"If Your Highness doesn’t believe, you could first have the Imperial Doctor take a look."

Xiao Jinyan stared at Shen Chuwei for a moment, "I trust you."

Shen Chuwei’s eyes curved, "So, does Your Highness want to bring the Imperial Doctor to see Her Majesty now?"

Xiao Jinyan thought for a moment and said, "If I bring the Imperial Doctor now, it would be too abrupt and might startle the wrongdoers."

Shen Chuwei nodded in agreement.

"Your Highness, since Prince Yuyu has a girlfriend, and Her Majesty the Empress still wants him to take a wife and concubines, what about his girlfriend?"

After asking, Shen Chuwei realized she should not have asked such a question.

Prince Yuyu is a prince, having several wives and concubines is inevitable, unlike the modern era.

Xiao Jinyan asked with confusion, "What girlfriend?"

Shen Chuwei attempted to explain, "It means a romantic relationship, the relationship between a man and a woman before they’re married."

Xiao Jinyan then realized, Shen Chuwei must have also imagined him and Lady Qing Ying as a couple having a dispute.

"How do you know he has a woman by his side?"

"Prince Yuyu brought his girlfriend to Xiyun Pavilion to freeload..." Shen Chuwei realized she misspoke and cleverly corrected herself: "To dine, I have seen her, a very beautiful beauty."

"His move was quick." Xiao Jinyan then asked, "What do you think of that woman?"

Shen Chuwei replied, "Concubine thinks she seems quite nice."

Xiao Jinyan thought if Shen Chuwei only knew about eating, how could she discern if there was anything wrong with that woman?

Who do you not find nice?

Shen Chuwei took out a sachet from her sleeve pocket and handed it to Xiao Jinyan, "Your Highness, this is for you."

Xiao Jinyan lowered his gaze to the small package in her hand and asked, "What is this?"

Standing on tiptoes, Shen Chuwei came close to Xiao Jinyan’s ear and said, "Your Highness, this is Fragrant Powder, just a touch causes the face to turn red."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jinyan immediately understood Shen Chuwei’s implication and took the sachet from her palm, "I will accept it."

Then he asked, "By the way, besides the face turning red, does the Fragrant Powder have any other harmful effects?"

Shen Chuwei shook her head, "No other harmful effects. When touched by Fragrant Powder, at the very least the face turns red, and at most, the face can swell. It will fade on its own within three days. However, the swelling requires a large amount of Fragrant Powder."

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