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Chun Xi had no choice but to resort to her trump card.

Shen Chuwei loved meat the most, but the chickens and ducks in the coop were still young, and it would take another two months before they could be eaten.

Shen Chuwei said indifferently, "It’s okay, don’t we still have cured meat? If worse comes to worst, we can hold out with rabbits for a while."

Chun Xi: "...How long can cured meat last? The rabbits were given by Your Highness, would you bear to eat them? We need to plan ahead!"

Shen Chuwei was stunned, she glanced at the gray rabbit in the corner; it had grown uglier since maturing and was no longer as cute as a pet rabbit.

She licked her lips, it had been a long time since she had a roasted rabbit head, and she indeed missed it.

But she dared not eat it, afraid that Xiao Jinyan would be angry.

Having no other options with Shen Chuwei, Chun Xi could only take the fox fur to put on her and dragged her out the door.

Shen Chuwei, with a puzzled face, asked, "Chun Xi, where are you taking me?"

Chun Xi said, "I’m taking you to see how the women in the Cold Palace live out their days like years, madly and hysterically."

Shen Chuwei was taken aback; why did those words sound so familiar?

At the time of lamp lighting, the palace lanterns along the path were already lit.

Chun Xi was carrying a lantern.

After a long walk, the surroundings were silent, and even the palace lanterns were breaking one after another at intervals, casting a dim light.

The Cold Palace was located in the northwest corner, a very remote place, with fewer and fewer people around as they went further.

They hadn’t reached the Cold Palace yet when they heard hoarse cries of women, along with singing, mingled with the sinister environment, making one’s scalp tingle.

On a normal day, Chun Xi would not dare to come here alone, but to make her mistress understand the consequences of not being favored by His Highness, she braved the visit.

Chun Xi pushed open the gate to the Cold Palace, holding up the lantern, and pointed to a woman under the tree, saying, "Miss, do you hear that? That woman cries every night because she spoke carelessly due to relying on serving the bed and was locked up in the Cold Palace by the Emperor."

Shen Chuwei had only seen the women in the Cold Palace on television, and now that she saw them with her own eyes, it was pitifuler than on TV; their faces were skinny, eyes bulging, very frightening.

"How tragic."

"And that singing woman, originally an actress, caught the Emperor’s attention and was graced with his visits several times.

By accident, she knocked over a Concubine causing a miscarriage and went mad after being locked up in the Cold Palace, singing every night in hopes of attracting the Emperor’s attention. "

Shen Chuwei said again, "How tragic."

It was indeed tragic.

"Miss, these are the women of the Cold Palace, and there are even more tragic cases—those beaten to death with clubs, those thrown into the paupers’ graveyard," said Chun Xi, not exaggerating but stating the harsh reality.

Chun Xi emphasized more seriously, "Miss, even if you have no intention of competing for favor, don’t anger His Highness. Otherwise, our fate will not be much better than theirs."

All of a sudden, Shen Chuwei realized why it sounded so familiar—because the plot in a certain TV drama was largely like this.

Keeping company with a prince is just like being beside a tiger.

Xiao Jinyan would one day be Emperor.

Upon returning to the Hehuan Hall,

Chun Xi asked how Shen Chuwei felt.

Shen Chuwei licked her lips, "I was chilled by the cold wind all the way, and now I’m a bit thirsty."

Chun Xi: "..." She would never be able to keep up with her mistress’s train of thought.

Chun Xi brought a cup of warm water to Shen Chuwei.

After drinking several sips and moistening her throat, Shen Chuwei finally said leisurely, "I think, one reason they ended up in such a plight is that they lack personal strength. Although weak and unable to contend with power, possessing some ability enables one not to end up so miserable."

"Miss is knowledgeable, but even if you depend on yourself for everything, the Imperial Palace belongs to the Emperor, and His Highness is the future Crown Prince. If you anger him, do you think you can keep your vegetable garden and chicken coop?" said Chun Xi earnestly.

Feeling cornered, Shen Chuwei was somewhat helpless; the crude saying was not without reason—there was truth to it.

"Isn’t it just delivering a cat? I’ll do it."

After delivering the cat, she immediately scurried back with the speed of greased lightning.

Chun Xi chuckled to herself, indeed, a little incentive was necessary to motivate their young mistress.

Shen Chuwei carried Xuetuan at a leisurely pace to the Crown Prince’s bedchamber.

Liu Xi caught sight of Lady Shen from afar and greeted her with a smile, "Lady Shen, His Highness is currently having dinner with Lady Chang."

The implication was clear, it was inappropriate for Lady Shen to enter now.

Shen Chuwei naturally didn’t catch the hidden message in Liu Xi’s words. Her current mission was simply to deliver Xuetuan to Xiao Jinyan and then she could leave.

"I’ll leave as soon as I finish delivering Xuetuan."

Liu Xi glimpsed Xuetuan in Shen Chuwei’s arms, a cat he couldn’t hold because Xuetuan wouldn’t let anyone else touch it.

Liu Xi had no choice but to let her pass.

Shen Chuwei, carrying Xuetuan, walked into the dining room and saw Xiao Jinyan and Lady Chang at the table.

There was wine on the table, and the two of them were drinking merrily.

Shen Chuwei glanced at Chun Xi. See, it’s not a good time to come. Xiao Jinyan was enjoying a candlelight dinner with a beauty. By showing up now, we’ve disrupted their enjoyment.

Xiao Jinyan paused in his drinking, raised his eyes towards the entrance, and upon seeing Shen Chuwei with Xuetuan, his puzzlement cleared up. No wonder he had suddenly heard Shen Chuwei’s inner thoughts.

You didn’t come specifically knowing I was having dinner with Lady Chang?

Lady Chang noticed Xiao Jinyan’s gaze had drifted elsewhere, followed his line of sight, and saw Shen Chuwei at the door, her smile stiffening on her lips.

What is Shen Chuwei doing here?

Shen Chuwei, holding Xuetuan, slowly stepped inside and bowed to Xiao Jinyan, "Your Highness, may you be blessed with peace and happiness."

Xiao Jinyan, feeling somewhat pleased, maintained a detached and lofty demeanor: "What brings Lady Shen here?"

Shen Chuwei relayed the excuse she had premeditated, "Xuetuan ended up with this concubine. I specifically came to return Xuetuan."

Xiao Jinyan snorted inwardly, knowing that Shen Chuwei had come on purpose under the pretext of delivering Xuetuan.

He coolly said, "Sit down and join us for the meal."

Shen Chuwei pinched Xuetuan’s paw and glanced at the dining table, her eyes catching sight of a dish of Four Joy meatballs. Instantly, she discarded the idea of slipping away after returning Xuetuan.

"Thank you, Your Highness." Shen Chuwei, holding Xuetuan, happily took a seat at the dining table.

Liu Xi instructed a maid to place a new set of bowls and chopsticks in front of Shen Chuwei.

Lady Chang cast a glance at Shen Chuwei. Coming at this time was clearly a move to compete for favor. She had never seen someone so thick-faced.

Xiao Jinyan ordered, "Pour wine for Lady Shen."

"Yes," Liu Xi stepped forward, lifted the wine pot, and filled the cup in front of Shen Chuwei to the brim.

Just as Shen Chuwei picked up a Four Joy meatball, she peered at the wine cup filled to the brim and asked Xiao Jinyan, "Your Highness, may I refrain from drinking wine?"

Xiao Jinyan inquired, "Why?"

Shen Chuwei replied, "This concubine can’t hold her liquor well, and it doesn’t bring out my best behavior."

Xiao Jinyan responded indifferently, "You aren’t going out. Drinking a little won’t hurt."

Cheers!

Shen Chuwei lifted the wine cup to her lips and took a sip, finding it somewhat spicy but not burning her throat. She took another sip, then bit into a Four Joy meatball.

Xiao Jinyan lifted his eyes to watch Shen Chuwei drink half her cup before he raised his own cup to his lips and took a sip.

Lady Chang felt slightly irritated but couldn’t show it. Hearing Shen Chuwei admit to being a poor drunkard, she smiled and lifted her cup, "Lady Shen, how about we drink together?"