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Qiukui’s eyes, previously dull, instantly lit up when she heard that the eldest Prince had arrived.

Xiao Jinyan watched Qiukui for a moment before instructing Weichi, "Take her away."

Weichi, strong and not the kind to pity fragrant beauty, gripped Qiukui with a large hand and dragged her out of the Interrogation Room.

No sooner had they left than Xiao Yunxuan entered, sweeping a glance over the Interrogation Room but only seeing Xiao Jinyan seated at the writing table, unclear about the progress of the interrogation.

Xiao Jinyan lifted his phoenix eyes to coldly regard the uninvited Xiao Yunxuan, "Big brother, what brings you here?"

Xiao Yunxuan said, "I heard the poisoner was caught, so this Prince came to see who had the audacity to plot against the Crown Prince."

Xiao Jinyan responded indifferently, "It’s a Palace Maid named Qiukui, she’s being interrogated, and we should have the results soon."

At these words, a flicker of panic passed through Xiao Yunxuan’s eyes. If Qiukui implicated him, he would be finished.

"The Crown Prince is truly swift, catching the poisoner so quickly. People with such malicious intent must be severely punished."

Xiao Jinyan coldly watched Xiao Yunxuan, who had all but revealed his inner turmoil in those few words.

He knew Xiao Yunxuan was impetuous, but he hadn’t expected him to be this anxious. The empress had only recently been sent to the Cold Palace, yet he was already eager to strike at the New Year’s Eve family banquet.

Having failed to bring Xiao Yunxuan to justice last time, this time he would not let him slip away.

"As brother said, once I find out who’s behind all this, I will surely report to Father and ensure they are strictly dealt with."

"Of course." Xiao Yunxuan’s heart was filled with guilt, yet he maintained a facade of disinterest and composure on the surface.

After Xiao Yunxuan left, when Xiao Jinyan questioned Qiukui again, she insisted that she acted alone, disliking the Crown Prince’s ways and taking it upon herself to poison him.

He then left the interrogation to Weichi.

Today is New Year’s Eve, and the family banquet had to end prematurely due to the unexpected incident.

Shen Chuwei, having slept for an hour and awoken hungry, sighed, "It’s a pity about that crab, dead and still coveted by others."

Chun Xi was still up for the New Year vigil. Hearing her young mistress sigh, she leaned nervously over the bed to check on Shen Chuwei.

"Miss, are you feeling unwell? Should I go call for Imperial Doctor Wen?"

Shen Chuwei touched her stomach and proposed, "Chun Xi, let’s have hot pot."

Chun Xi earnestly replied, "Miss, we should focus on recovering your health first. There will be plenty of opportunities for hot pot later."

Shen Chuwei said, "Haven’t I been cured of the poison? I’m fine, look, I’ll keep vigil with you, and we can have some hot pot while we’re at it."

Chun Xi deflated her real intentions without mincing words, "You pretend to keep vigil, but in truth, you just want to eat hot pot."

Shen Chuwei didn’t feel the slightest bit embarrassed, "It’s all the same."

Chun Xi stated, "Still, you can’t eat hot pot. I can make you something else."

"My mouth tastes of Traditional Chinese Medicine, bitter and awful. Hot pot would mask the bitterness."

"How about I get you a piece of crisp pastry instead?"

"What time do you think it is now, still thinking about crisp pastry?"

Shen Chuwei and Chun Xi turned toward the door and saw Xiao Jinyan stride in, still dressed in his elaborate attire from the New Year’s Eve banquet, regal and restrained, as if he had stepped out of a painting, noble and ascetic.

As soon as Xiao Jinyan walked in, he heard Chun Xi offer to get some crisp pastry for Shen Chuwei, and being a man of discipline himself, he naturally felt the need to lecture.

Chun Xi announced His Highness’s arrival, performed a bow, and then stepped out.

Shen Chuwei said, "Your Highness, I don’t want crisp pastry right now; I want hot pot."

She had just saved Xiao Jinyan again; having one hot pot meal wasn’t too excessive, was it?

Xiao Jinyan flicked his robe and sat down on the edge of the bed, raising his eyes to Shen Chuwei. He observed her still somewhat pale complexion; the poison was inherently harmful to the body, and even if it was cured, she needed time to recuperate properly.

"Getting better before eating isn’t too late."

Chuwei retreated to her second option, "Then, I can eat Fried Rice, right?"

"Fried Rice?" Xiao Jinyan had never heard of it before.

Chuwei nodded, "The small kitchen should still have some leftover rice. Do you want some, Your Highness?"

Upon hearing ’leftover rice,’ Xiao Jinyan frowned, "Why use leftover rice? Chun Xi can just cook some fresh."

Chuwei thought for a moment, "Then I’ll follow Your Highness’s wish. The leftover rice can be given to the chicks and ducklings tomorrow. It won’t be wasted that way."

It was then that Xiao Jinyan realized she was using leftover rice to avoid waste, which was something others would disdain.

Xiao Jinyan instructed Chun Xi to make Fried Rice.

Chun Xi wasn’t doing this for the first time. Knowing Chuwei’s preferences well, she got some bacon and picked some fresh young greens.

The rice was prepared in advance, so frying it would be quick.

It wasn’t long before the fragrant Fried Rice was served at the dining table, along with two side dishes.

Chun Xi carried a small bowl for each Master, serving them both.

Xiao Jinyan looked at the steaming Fried Rice in front of him, noticing bits of bacon, young greens, and ingredients he didn’t recognize.

He looked up at Chuwei, saw her eating deliciously, then picked up his spoon and took a bite. He chewed slowly and thoughtfully; the taste was surprisingly good.

On New Year’s Eve, he had only drunk a few sips of wine and eaten a few bites of the meal, so he was hungry now.

After taking a few bites, Chuwei looked up at Xiao Jinyan. His elegant and refined manner of eating was also very pleasing to the eye.

"Your Highness, how is the taste?"

Xiao Jinyan nodded and praised, "Not bad, but a bit dry."

Chuwei turned to Chun Xi, "Bring two cups of fresh tea."

On her order, Chun Xi withdrew, and soon returned with two cups of fresh tea for Chuwei and Xiao Jinyan, then stepped back and waited.

Xiao Jinyan took a few bites of the Fried Rice, then picked up his tea cup, blew on it to cool it, and took a few sips before continuing his meal.

After eating her fill, Chuwei contentedly patted her bulging belly. She still craved hotpot, and the yearning remained.

Staying up until dawn is a traditional custom for New Year’s.

Chuwei couldn’t stay up. She raised her eyes to look at Xiao Jinyan across from her. It was probably his first time eating Fried Rice. Coupled with not drinking water for several hours, he was leisurely sipping tea from his cup.

She wondered if Xiao Jinyan would stay up through the night.

"The person who poisoned has been caught, but refuses to disclose the mastermind," Xiao Jinyan said. He was reluctant to coerce a confession to avoid Xiao Yunxuan’s accusation of being forced into confession.

Chuwei also wanted to know who was trying to poison Xiao Jinyan, as his safety was tied to hers.

However, being Crown Prince was a high-risk position, and many desired his downfall.

"You don’t have to worry; I have ways to make the culprit confess on their own." Xiao Jinyan couldn’t miss this opportunity, especially after Chuwei risked her own life to save him.

"I trust in Your Highness’s capabilities."

Chuwei was getting sleepy, but since Xiao Jinyan wasn’t leaving or sleeping, she didn’t dare sleep openly.

Xiao Jinyan put down his tea cup, looked up at her, and said, "Weiwei, come here."

Supporting herself on the bed with some effort, Chuwei moved closer to Xiao Jinyan with a puzzled look. Seeing his unparalleled handsome face so close, she couldn’t help blushing faintly.

Xiao Jinyan’s slender fingers lifted her chin and he leaned down to kiss her lips.