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Pale pink tinged with a hint of bright red, somewhat swollen.

Previously, he thought doing such things with women would feel disgusting, let alone desire to try.

Now he knew, it depended on the person.

The sensations Shen Chuwei gave him were not disgusting at all. Instead, they were rather pleasant, leaving one longing for more.

Xiao Jinyan stared absentmindedly, not even noticing when Shen Chuwei had finished undressing him.

Shen Chuwei noticed Xiao Jinyan’s gaze fixed on her, the unfathomable expression in his deep eyes causing her to wonder—could he still be angry?

"Your Highness, are you not angry anymore?"

Xiao Jinyan said indistinctly, "This palace is feeling very unwell right now. What do you think should be done?"

Shen Chuwei glanced at Xiao Jinyan’s back, dressed in a white undergarment, not able to see the extent of the bruising. She was well aware of the force behind her kick—it had definitely caused a bruise.

"Did you hurt your spine? Let me apply some ointment for you. I guarantee you will wake up tomorrow pain-free," she intended to make amends for her mistake.

Though Xiao Jinyan was a prince, he wasn’t the type who couldn’t lift a finger. Martial arts practice meant falls were common for him.

But indeed, the pain near his ribs was severe. He even suspected they might be broken.

"Do you still remember what you said just now?"

Shen Chuwei looked puzzled, "Did I say something just now?"

Xiao Jinyan couldn’t state it plainly and reminded her, "Think about it yourself. What did you promise this palace?"

Shen Chuwei thought hard for a while but couldn’t remember, so she gave up trying.

"Your Highness, I was panicked just now, and my mind was a mess. I don’t remember what I said, but if you do, you’re welcome to say it."

Xiao Jinyan, somewhat reserved, looked at Shen Chuwei’s puzzled face and exhaled three words, "Come here."

Shen Chuwei obediently moved closer.

As soon as she approached Xiao Jinyan, her chin was taken hold of by a beautiful hand.

Looking at the handsome face that loomed closer, her body stiffened. By the time she realized what Xiao Jinyan had been referring to, her lips were sealed again.

Shen Chuwei’s eyes widened, her hands instinctively grabbing onto Xiao Jinyan’s lapel.

Before she could react, an arm suddenly encircled her waist, pulling her into someone’s warm embrace.

He was kissing her again?

The second kiss, just like the first, left her somewhat disoriented and wanting to hit someone.

If it were anyone else, she could have simply punched them and been done with it.

But the person here was the Crown Prince, and the kick she had given him earlier was fierce enough.

This time she dared not kick. Another kick would amount to premeditated murder, a crime she couldn’t possibly bear.

Those two hands on the lapel clung tightly, tangled in uncertainty over what to do.

As time passed, her body began to feel weak.

Shen Chuwei felt dazed - it was her first time, so some discomfort was inevitable, despite the novelty of the experience...

The air in her lungs grew scarce, creating the illusion of near suffocation.

Finally, having had his fill, Xiao Jinyan released her.

Shen Chuwei took deep breaths, appreciating how wonderful it was to breathe fresh air!

A moment ago, she nearly thought she was going to pass out.

Xiao Jinyan looked down at the girl in his arms, her cheeks flushed pink. He had refrained from seeking out Shen Chuwei these past days because he had been angry.

It surprised him that such a trivial matter had provoked his anger for so long and seemed to grow worse the more he thought about it.

Especially when he saw how indifferent Shen Chuwei was, it infuriated him even more.

The displeasure of these past days dissipated with this kiss.

"Seeing as you’re showing good remorse, this palace forgives your grave disrespect."

Shen Chuwei: "..." She couldn’t help but mutter inside, my attitude of contrition earlier was even better than now, yet I didn’t see you forgiving me! Clearly, you’re just using your position for personal gain, taking advantage of me!

One kiss to settle the matter of her kicking the Crown Prince—she might as well have been gnawed on by a dog.

"Your Highness, it’s late. I’ll be taking my leave," she should have slipped away long ago; indeed, temptation invites trouble.

Xiao Jinyan saw straight through her desire to flee, "This palace is neither a flood beast nor will be cruel to you. What are you afraid of?"

Shen Chuwei replied, "This concubine is timid."

Xiao Jinyan paused, "This palace thinks you’re quite bold. If word of tonight’s incident got out, even a hundred heads wouldn’t save you."

Xiao Jinyan wasn’t exaggerating. The Crown Prince was the future sovereign; Shen Chuwei’s actions amounted to an attempt on the life of the future monarch, a crime punishable by death by law.

Shen Chuwei looked down at her toes, "It was an unintentional mistake."

Xiao Jinyan instructed, "Just remember this lesson, and make sure you don’t act impulsively next time."

Shen Chuwei nodded obediently.

Xiao Jinyan added, "If someone bullies you, you may fight back."

He was concerned that Shen Chuwei, in her naivety, might be bullied without daring to resist, and so he made a point to advise her again.

Shen Chuwei indicated that only he bullied her. If it were anyone else, she would’ve fought back long ago. Not to mention withholding kisses—that was a chance they would not even have!

Xiao Jinyan did not ask Shen Chuwei to spend the night, to her great pleasure. She left the Crown Prince’s sleeping quarters without looking back, fearing he might change his mind if she delayed.

Watching Shen Chuwei’s petite figure hurry away, Xiao Jinyan shook his head helplessly. Was he really that terrifying?

He had been quite gentle just now, afraid of hurting her.

His long fingers brushed his lips, reminiscing about the recent kiss—a taste that left him craving more.

*

Chun Xi, standing guard outside the door, was pleased with her own wise decision. Look, the young mistress stayed for the night again. Could a little master be far behind?

Just as Chun Xi was feeling self-satisfied, she heard the door open. Lifting her head, she saw her young mistress walking out with a distressed expression.

Could it be, the young mistress had angered His Highness again?

No, no!!!

Chun Xi paused briefly then hurried forward, draping the fox fur over her.

"Young Mistress, why did His Highness send you out?" Chun Xi asked worriedly.

Shen Chuwei sighed, "It’s a long story."

Back in Hehuan Hall, Chun Xi inquired like a mother hen, "Young Mistress, what exactly happened? Why did His Highness send you out?"

Mimicking Xiao Jinyan’s tone, Shen Chuwei replied, "It’s late. Go back!"

Chun Xi was incredulous, "That’s it?"

"That’s it," Shen Chuwei shook her head. She didn’t dare mention how she had kicked Xiao Jinyan out of bed, for fear of frightening Chun Xi.

Chun Xi stroked her chin, looking puzzled, "Why didn’t His Highness keep you? It doesn’t make sense."

Shen Chuwei: "..." Whether she stayed or not made no difference; it would just be for sleep.

Wait, Xiao Jinyan didn’t want just sleep tonight; he had taken advantage of her. If she hadn’t pushed him away, she probably would have ended up serving him through the night, right?

After pondering for a long time, Chun Xi still couldn’t understand His Highness’s intentions. She stared at Shen Chuwei for a good while, then her gaze landed on her lips, noticing something amiss.

Approaching with curiosity, she saw they were somewhat swollen, "Young Mistress, what happened to your mouth?"

"What do you mean?" Shen Chuwei’s hand instinctively touched her lips, and it stung upon contact. Her face flushed - it was all due to Xiao Jinyan’s biting.