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Xiao Jinyan was, for the first time, so closely observing a woman’s jade feet, which were as petite and delicate as her own person.

In Xiao Jinyan’s heart, Shen Chuwei was his woman, so there was no harm in looking.

For Shen Chuwei, who came from the modern era, exposing her bare feet was perfectly normal, as was showing her shoulders and thighs.

Thus, when Xiao Jinyan was taking off her socks for her, she was greatly surprised at Xiao Jinyan’s humbling gesture.

When had the Crown Prince ever done such a thing?

She felt somewhat overwhelmed by the favor.

Xuetuan had been nestled atop the blankets sleeping soundly, but upon hearing movement, it opened its eyes and, seeing Shen Chuwei, happily leaped down and scurried into her arms.

Lifting its eyes, Xuetuan called out in an ingratiating tone, "Meow."

The moment Shen Chuwei heard it, she knew Xuetuan was craving some ham sausage.

She caressed Xuetuan, "Stop calling, Xiao Jinyan is here, I can’t give you ham sausage to eat, otherwise we’ll be exposed."

Xiao Jinyan glanced at Xuetuan before shifting his gaze away, his pristine hands rolling up her trousers above her knees,

The girl’s skin was tender, and after kneeling for such a long time, it had turned red.

Xiao Jinyan picked up the ointment, twisted open the lid, dabbed some onto his fingertip, and applied it on her knee, gently pressing to help it absorb.

During the day, Xiao Jinyan had seen Shen Chuwei in so much pain she could hardly walk properly, so he had sought out the Imperial Doctor for medicine.

Just as Shen Chuwei was astonished by Xiao Jinyan’s actions, she saw someone standing at the door. Raising her head, she saw Lady Chang holding some pastries, looking at her and Xiao Jinyan with a surprised expression.

It’s over, Lady Chang must be misunderstanding.

She whispered a reminder, "Your Highness, Lady Chang has arrived."

Xiao Jinyan thought to himself, it’s not Lady Chang who’s misunderstanding, it’s you!

Without lifting his head, he said, "Let her come, you sit still and don’t move."

Seeing Xiao Jinyan’s stubborn tone, Shen Chuwei decided not to care anymore. Whoever it was, it was none of her business.

Lady Chang watched as Xiao Jinyan humbled himself to apply ointment to Shen Chuwei, her fair, slender leg resting on his. The scene seemed incredibly intimate no matter how you looked at it.

She had planned to use the delivery of pastries as a pretext to ask Xiao Jinyan out for a stroll, not expecting to witness such a scene.

Xiao Jinyan was the dignified Crown Prince, how could he humble himself so?

Shen Chuwei was truly a bewitching vixen, with remarkable seductive skills.

She had even bewitched Xiao Jinyan to this extent.

With clenched teeth, Lady Chang walked in, bowed, then set the pastries on the table. Only then did she lower her gaze to Shen Chuwei’s leg, where the knee was reddened.

It was merely red, yet she acted vulnerable to seduce Your Highness.

"Your Highness, with your noble status, how can you do the work of a lowly servant? Allow me to assist you," Lady Chang offered.

Xiao Jinyan flatly refused with a cold voice, "No need, Lady Chang’s skin is delicate, I will attend to it personally."

Feeling intense jealousy, Lady Chang thought about how Xiao Jinyan hadn’t personally applied medicine for her when she was injured the day before. What made Shen Chuwei worthy of such personal care from Xiao Jinyan?

Xiao Jinyan: "..." It pleases me!

Lady Chang glared at Shen Chuwei with a spiteful look, accusing her of seducing Your Highness with her beauty.

Shen Chuwei felt Lady Chang’s gaze, filled with a hatred that as if she wanted to devour her. It wasn’t as if Shen Chuwei had forced Xiao Jinyan to apply ointment to her.

Xiao Jinyan’s actions were clearly for Lady Chang’s eyes, see how it infuriated the beauty, her face almost contorting.

Xiao Jinyan: "..." Can’t you let go of those thoughts?

Unable to endure Lady Chang’s gaze any longer, Shen Chuwei, seeking fresh air and a walk outside, then said, "Your Highness, I’m much better now, there’s no need to apply more."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jinyan looked at her with cool eyes and replied, "This looks quite severe to me, applying more ointment will speed up the recovery."

"...Really?" she drew out the end of her question, as if inquiring.

"When has this palace ever lied to you?" Xiao Jinyan said as he picked up the ointment, dabbed it with his fingertip, and reapplied it to the reddened area.

Sitting on pins and needles, Shen Chuwei wondered if Xiao Jinyan was doing it on purpose?

Just then, the Empress entered and, seeing the scene, asked in confusion, "What is happening here?"

Seeing the Empress, Lady Chang promptly took her arm in a soft voice, "Aunt, you’ve arrived. I was just about to apply ointment for Lady Chang on behalf of His Highness, but she..."

Lady Chang purposefully left her sentence incomplete, aiming to lead the Empress towards the misconception that Shen Chuwei, in her gentle vulnerability, had enticed His Highness to lower himself to such a task.

As Lady Chang anticipated, the Empress asked with some displeasure, "Crown Prince, what are you doing?"

At this moment, Shen Chuwei wished she could become invisible. Yet every time she wished to disappear, Xiao Jinyan would shine a spotlight on her, leaving her no place to hide.

Xiao Jinyan let go of Shen Chuwei’s leg, stood up, and calmly replied, "Mother Empress, Lady Chang caught cold some days ago, and her legs can’t endure prolonged kneeling, causing her great pain currently."

Shen Chuwei sneakily glanced at Xiao Jinyan; he was speaking up for her.

Xiao Jinyan: "..." Good that you understand.

Concerned by his words, the Empress inquired, "Is it that serious? Why didn’t you say so earlier?"

Xiao Jinyan said, "It’s because Lady Chang didn’t want me to bother Mother Empress, fearing it would disrupt your prayers for blessings."

Shen Chuwei secretly gave him a thumbs-up, Xiao Jinyan, you’d have wasted your talent not being an actor! I am impressed!

The Empress, upon hearing this, looked at Shen Chuwei with renewed respect, offering her praise with her gaze, "With the Crown Prince and me praying for blessings, you should not worsen your injury, as it might leave a lasting weakness.

You do not need to attend the prayer ceremony tomorrow, rest well and recover, understood? "

Shen Chuwei, who had been fretting over an excuse to miss the prayer ceremony the next day, naturally welcomed the Empress’s words.

"I shall faithfully obey the Empress’s noble decree."

Lady Chang had barely managed to turn the heat onto Shen Chuwei, only for it to be so easily dismissed in a few words?

And Shen Chuwei even came out of it with a good reputation?

Clearly, Shen Chuwei was faking it; it couldn’t have been that serious.

Xiao Jinyan, in his mind, snorted coldly, thinking it was just about using the same tactics to gain a good reputation.

Whether it’s serious or not is not for you to decide, it’s serious if I say it’s serious.

The Empress didn’t stay long before departing.

Lady Chang left as well, accompanying the Empress while holding back her anger and dissatisfaction.

Shen Chuwei heaved a sigh of relief, thrilled at the thought of missing the prayers the next day and being able to sleep in.

Now, only the two of them remained in the room, and Xiao Jinyan called out, "Xiao Jiu."

Shen Chuwei’s eyes and brows were all smiles, "Your Highness, do you have any instructions?"

Xiao Jinyan advised, "Keep your distance from Lady Chang in the future, do not confide in her."

Shen Chuwei nodded; she knew Lady Chang disliked her and saw her as a rival, so naturally, she wouldn’t involve herself further.

Xiao Jinyan added, "Also, what you think between Lady Chang and this palace is not as you imagine."