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He had been somewhat hesitant before, but once he actually did it, he found it was better than he had imagined.

The soft touch was almost identical to that night.

The only difference was the scent of tea instead of wine.

Shen Chuwei’s eyes widened, and in front of her was a handsome face magnified, so close that their nose tips touched, allowing her to see his long eyelashes, clear and distinct, even thicker and longer than those of a girl’s.

It was only after a delayed realization that Chuwei understood Xiao Jinyan was kissing her.

Shen Chuwei was like someone struck by lightning, her body stiffened there, her hands unable to support herself, instinctively grasping Xiao Jinyan’s lapel.

Xiao Jinyan’s kiss was brief, his eyes lowered to view Shen Chuwei, whose little face had turned redder than before, as if she had drunk wine, surprisingly attractive.

Shen Chuwei had been so shy just a moment ago; who would have thought that Xiao Jinyan would kiss her without warning?

"Your Highness has bitten others before..."

Shen Chuwei muttered softly, a sound no louder than a mosquito’s hum, which Xiao Jinyan didn’t catch a single word of.

"What did you say?"

Shen Chuwei raised her head, blinked her pretty eyes, and spoke insincerely, "Your concubine was saying, thank you for Your Highness’s gift."

After she had spoken, she wanted to knock herself on the forehead – did she just say thank you?

She must be out of her mind to say thank you!

In Xiao Jinyan’s eyes, Shen Chuwei’s expression seemed nothing but a shy little girl’s mannerism, also an indicator of her delight.

It wasn’t surprising that Xiao Jinyan misunderstood. After all, Shen Chuwei had boldly declared her feelings before, followed by kisses and risking her life to save him – if that wasn’t like, what was it?

"You need not be so overly cautious; my palace allows you to be bolder."

Shen Chuwei looked at Xiao Jinyan, her face filled with confusion. She couldn’t quite understand his words; what did he mean by asking her to be bolder, and in what ways?

Before Shen Chuwei could figure it out, she suddenly found herself enveloped in a warm embrace, which startled her, making her heartbeat quicken.

Her hands, now unsure where to rest, either hugging his waist or resisting against his chest – too late – hung awkwardly in the air.

Finally, she simply clutched onto Xiao Jinyan’s brocaded robe, seeking a sense of security.

"Your Highness, what’s wrong?" While held, she couldn’t see Xiao Jinyan’s face, but her own felt redder than before, uncertain if it was from nervousness or warmth.

Xiao Jinyan had just wanted to embrace her, which he did, and even he wasn’t clear why such a desire had arisen.

His actions tonight had all been beyond his expectations.

The one thing he was sure of was that Shen Chuwei was the only person willing to risk her life to save him, and he didn’t want to lose such a woman who treated him with true sincerity.

"Next time you encounter such a situation, you must tell me. Do not act on your own, understand?"

Not every time could they be so fortunate to escape danger, what if the next time...

Xiao Jinyan dared not continue that line of thought, nor would he allow such an event to happen again.

Xiao Jinyan was dressed in a brocaded black fox fur today, with black fox fur around the collar.

Shen Chuwei’s face and mouth were just touching the fox fur; when she opened her mouth, she accidentally inhaled a few strands, causing a ticklish sensation.

She sneakily extended her hand, trying to remove the fox fur from her mouth, "This concubine understands."

Xiao Jinyan didn’t hold on for long; after he had spoken, he let go of her, "It’s Chinese New Year’s Eve today; my palace must stay up late for the vigil. If you feel tired, go to sleep first."

Shen Chuwei nodded.

Xiao Jinyan picked up a book to read.

Shen Chuwei sneaked a glance at Jinyan, finding his actions tonight very strange, with both kissing and holding her.

She suddenly recalled that a man feels very vulnerable when disappointed in love, and she just happened to be by Xiao Jinyan’s side.

So was Xiao Jinyan seeking comfort?

At first, Shen Chuwei could vividly imagine the scenario, but as sleepiness overcame her, she had no energy left to think about such things, and her head drooped as she fell asleep.

Xiao Jinyan only felt his shoulder sink and turned his head to see Shen Chuwei resting her head on his shoulder.

He didn’t wake her, but reached out to lie her back down in bed and properly covered her with the blankets.

Before dawn, Xiao Jinyan left the Xiyun Pavilion.

Weichi was waiting at the door. Seeing his master emerge, he stepped forward to report, "Master, the prisoner has still not confessed."

Xiao Jinyan’s brow furrowed, uncertain of what promises Xiao Yunxuan made her to face death so unafraid.

Weichi was also very anxious and suddenly suggested, "Master, should your subordinate extract a confession through torture?"

"Not appropriate."

Xiao Jinyan dropped two words before striding away from the Xiyun Pavilion.

Weichi quickly followed.

At breakfast, a jailer brought in a bowl hollering gruffly.

"Get up, get up, it’s time to eat."

Qiukui had been interrogated all night and had barely fallen asleep when she was woken up, naturally feeling exhausted.

Looking at the fish and meat in front of her, she thought that she would only get leftover food in the Dungeon.

Could it be that the Crown Prince had secretly instructed them to prepare this?

She looked up at the jailer with a hint of surprise, "Is this for me?"

The jailer scoffed, "Of course, it’s for you. Who else would be here?"

Qiukui happily got up, took the bowl, and stared at the plentiful breakfast, overwhelmed with excitement. She happily began to eat with her chopsticks.

The Crown Prince would surely save her.

"Ah!!!"

Suddenly, a sharp pain pierced her stomach, and Qiukui clutched her belly as a stream of black blood flowed from her mouth, dropping onto her legs. Disbelieving, she lifted her head to look at the jailer and strained to spit out three words, "You poisoned me?"

The jailer’s laugh was sinister, "It wasn’t my idea to poison you. I’m just being paid to do a job. Pass away peacefully, and if you want revenge, go find the Crown Prince, you understand?"

Qiukui’s face twisted with the intense pain, her body collapsing onto the cold Dungeon floor, black blood oozing from the corner of her mouth as she closed her eyes in resentment.

The jailer leaned over to check her breath, ensuring she was thoroughly dead before standing and leaving.

Exiting the Dungeon, the jailer went to a prearranged meeting place.

At the end of the corridor stood a tall figure dressed in black fox fur, his back turned, his face unseen.

The location was quite secluded, seldom visited by people.

The jailer approached with a flattering grin, "Prince Yunxuan, the deed is done."

Xiao Yunxuan pulled a bag of gold from his sleeve and threw it into the jailer’s hands with the air of alms giving, "Well done. This is your reward from me. Pretend you’ve never seen me."

The jailer didn’t care about proprieties; he groveled to catch the bag of gold, weighed it – a whole fifty taels – and beamed, "Thank you, Prince Yunxuan. I will never speak of this to anyone."

Before his words finished, and while his grin lingered, a severe pain shot through his abdomen. He looked down in disbelief to see a broken sword being withdrawn from his waist, blood splattering everywhere.

Xiao Yunxuan’s lips curled into a blood-thirsty, cold smile, "Only dead people keep their mouths shut forever."

...

...Regarding the Crown Prince’s fox fur brocade robe, this humble author’s writing is limited. You, dear readers, can refer to the outfit worn by Xiao Sese in "The Disguiser" for a close reference.