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It’s probably because of that last incident.

Because that was the first time Xiao Jinyan left in a huff, she had never seen him so angry.

Shen Chuwei sighed, continuing to sip her tea.

Chun Xi was beside herself with worry, "Miss, His Highness hasn’t come to Xiyun Pavilion for 21 days, and you’re not even anxious."

Shen Chuwei said indifferently, "He has gone two months without visiting Xiyun Pavilion before."

"Back then, Miss, you weren’t favored, so it was normal for His Highness not to come. But now that you are in favor, it’s very abnormal for him to suddenly stop visiting," Chun Xi emphasized her point heavily with her last sentence.

Seeing Chun Xi anxious like an ant on a hot pan, Shen Chuwei hesitated whether to reveal the truth to her.

"He’s probably angry, I guess."

"How did His Highness get angry?" Chun Xi, as if having an epiphany, widened her eyes at Shen Chuwei, "Could it be that you made His Highness angry?"

Shen Chuwei nodded.

Chun Xi came to a sudden realization, "No wonder His Highness stopped visiting. I thought it was Lady Chang whispering in His Highness’s ear."

Chun Xi only knew that Lady Chang had dinner with Xiao Jinyan that night and naturally assumed that Lady Chang stayed overnight in the Crown Prince’s sleeping quarters.

Shen Chuwei continued to drink her tea.

With a concerned look, Chun Xi asked, "How did you anger His Highness?"

"I didn’t say much, it’s all in the past and not worth mentioning," Shen Chuwei replied while continuing to drink her tea.

Chun Xi took Shen Chuwei’s hand, seeking clarification, "If you don’t tell me, how can I think of a way to solve the problem?"

Shen Chuwei patted Chun Xi’s shoulder, "It’s unsolvable."

His Highness wants me to be a woman of both virtue and talent, but I just want to eat and drink without doing anything~

Upon hearing this, Chun Xi realized the seriousness of the situation.

She asked cautiously, "Is His Highness extremely, extremely angry?"

Shen Chuwei nodded, "Very angry, very angry."

At that moment, Chun Xi looked as wilted as a frostbitten eggplant.

One would think she had fallen out of favor~

Chun Xi stared intently at Shen Chuwei.

Feeling a bit uneasy, Shen Chuwei asked, "Chun Xi, what are you trying to do?"

Chun Xi leaned in with a mischievous grin, "Miss, why don’t you go and coax His Highness?"

Shen Chuwei stated, "I can flatter, but I don’t know how to coax."

Chun Xi whispered into Shen Chuwei’s ear, "Coaxing is actually pretty simple. I can prepare some appetizers. You can bring them and have dinner with His Highness, and then stay the night. The elders always say, ’Fight at the bed’s head, and make up at the bed’s end.

’ There’s nothing that can’t be resolved in bed. "

She blushed after saying it herself.

Shen Chuwei put down her teacup, crossing her arms defiantly in front of her with a posture that said she’d rather die than submit, "Are you suggesting I sell my charms?"

Chun Xi nodded emphatically, "There’s no better way than this."

Shen Chuwei flatly refused, "I won’t do it."

No matter how Chun Xi pleaded, Shen Chuwei simply would not agree.

Unless it was absolutely necessary, she did not want to share a husband with other women.

Chun Xi felt helpless; she couldn’t take Shen Chuwei’s place in the bedchamber.

Previously, His Highness used to visit Xiyun Pavilion frequently, but now, not having gone for ten days, all the East Palace was abuzz.

"Miss, His Highness hasn’t visited Xiyun Pavilion for ten days now; Lady Shen must definitely have fallen from grace," Huai Xiang said, beaming with joy.

Hearing this, Lady Chang rarely revealed a smile, "With her delicate and pretentious nature, His Highness won’t indulge her forever."

"You’re right, Miss. His Highness prefers gentle and sensible women, and you are just such a woman," Huai Xiang agreed.

Lady Chang looked at her reflection in the bronze mirror, the smile in her eyes deepening. The Guanyin of Bai Ma Temple was especially efficacious. As long as she was granted the opportunity to share the bedchamber, the chances of conceiving the Dragon Descendant were high.

As long as she bore the Dragon Descendant, the position of Crown Princess was secure.

"Prepare some appetizers; I’m going to His Highness’s place," Lady Chang declared.

"This servant will go prepare them right away," the attendant responded.

*

Tao Chenghui and Xu Concubine came to Xiyun Pavilion to comfort Shen Chuwei when they heard about the situation.

When they entered Xiyun Pavilion, they expected to see a Shen Chuwei either washing her face with tears or in a state of despondency.

However, contrary to their expectations, Shen Chuwei was sitting on the couch gnawing on a chicken leg, showing no sign of heartbroken despair.

Yet, tears streamed down her face.

The two almost simultaneously exclaimed, "Lady Shen, are you alright?"

Shen Chuwei paused in her gnawing, looked up at them, and wiped away her tears, "I’m fine."

With an empathetic tone, Xu Concubine consoled her, "Don’t put on a brave face in front of us. So His Highness has been neglecting you? I don’t even know how long I’ve been neglected."

Tao Chenghui also comforted her, "Xu Concubine is right; His Highness hasn’t even once visited my place."

"It’s all the same," Shen Chuwei replied, her mouth burning unbearably as she wished for some water to drink, but unfortunately, it had just been poured and was still too hot.

Today, Chun Xi had accidentally added a devilish amount of chili to the chicken legs while distracted. Who could withstand such spiciness?

She had tearfully finished one leg and was now gnawing on the second.

Seeing her cry so fiercely, Xu Concubine felt pity for her, "It’s okay, sister. Let’s play Landlord, and forget all about this."

Tao Chenghui took out a handkerchief to wipe Shen Chuwei’s tears, comforting her, "Tomorrow my father will send some delicacies into the palace. I’ll bring some to you."

Shen Chuwei, her mouth full of chicken leg, watched the two kindhearted women. She had wanted to ask why they were suddenly so empathetic.

But when she heard Xu Concubine mention bringing delicacies, she ignored their strange behavior.

After taking turns to comfort her and seeing that Shen Chuwei had stopped crying, Tao Chenghui and Xu Concubine left Xiyun Pavilion, reassured.

After finishing the chicken leg and taking a big gulp of water to ease the spiciness, Shen Chuwei’s tears finally stopped.

Just as she was about to take a nap, Shen Chuwei saw Chun Xi hurry in, "Miss, the little rabbit is gone."

Shen Chuwei looked puzzled, "How can ’Little Rabbit’ just disappear? He’s such a big person."

Chun Xi was almost frantic, "Miss, it’s the little rabbit His Highness gave you that’s missing."

Without a thought for sleep, Shen Chuwei hurriedly put on her shoes and ran outside.

As she ran, she asked, "When did you notice it was missing?"

Chun Xi followed, out of breath, "Just now. The little rabbit is usually all over the place, it loves to sneak into the Vegetable Garden to steal vegetables. But it’s weird today; it’s not there."

The little rabbit His Highness gave to Miss was no ordinary pet; if something happened to it and His Highness blamed them, it would be no small matter.

With the little rabbit gone, everyone in Xiyun Pavilion began thoroughly searching for it in every nook and cranny.

They searched through the bushes and the Vegetable Garden but found no trace of the little rabbit.

Chun Xi speculated, "Could it have run outside?"

"Then let’s go outside and split up to look for it," Shen Chuwei responded.

After speaking, Shen Chuwei lifted her skirts and stepped out of Xiyun Pavilion. She walked along the stone-paved road, searching everywhere, not even overlooking the bushes.

Walking along, she didn’t notice someone ahead and bumped right into their embrace.

Looking up, she met the gaze of an exceptionally handsome face; those deep, enchanting eyes were looking back at her.