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The familiar voice forcibly pulled Shen Chuwei out from her immersion in the romance novel.

Shen Chuwei looked up and was somewhat surprised to see Xiao Jinyan approaching at this time.

The hour was already well past dinner time.

She hurriedly put down the book and stood up to greet him, but Xiao Jinyan stopped her with his words.

"No need to curtsy."

Shen Chuwei’s motion to discard the book halted, and taking Xiao Jinyan’s disapproval of the curtsy as an excuse, she cuddled Xuetuan contently in her arms and sat back down properly.

When Xiao Jinyan approached, she asked, "Your Highness, are you no longer busy?"

"I just finished my work and thought to come see how you were," Xiao Jinyan said, sitting down on the couch.

Shen Chuwei breathed a sigh of relief, realizing he had merely come to check on her and did not summon her for bedtime attendance.

Xiao Jinyan, hearing her inner thoughts, had been so busy lately that he nearly forgot about the bedtime attendance.

Only after her mention did it come back to him.

He had said before that he would wait until she was well restored, and now that she was well, the time indeed had come.

That time, when he said he didn’t want to wait, he truly didn’t want to anymore.

Xiao Jinyan first requested that someone prepare hot water, and then had Chun Xi brew a pot of new tea.

Chun Xi, efficient in her work, soon entered with a cup of tea, set it on the low table, and respectfully withdrew.

Xiao Jinyan leisurely sipped his tea.

Shen Chuwei, stroking Xuetuan, watched Xiao Jinyan drinking his tea, and couldn’t help but remind him, "Your Highness, drinking tea at night can affect sleep."

Xiao Jinyan looked up at Shen Chuwei with indifference and said, "Tonight, I plan to sleep late."

"After your bath, do you still have work to do, Your Highness?" Shen Chuwei couldn’t help but lament, the Crown Prince is truly diligent, working overtime every day!

Xiao Jinyan: "..." He wouldn’t have come to see her if he had work at this hour.

Shen Chuwei, young and without the experience of staying late at the office or pulling all-nighters for study, and as a doctor, knew too well that such habits harm the body, damaging the liver and eyesight.

Not to mention the risk of going bald.

Looking at Xiao Jinyan’s unparalleled handsome face, it was hard to imagine him bald.

After pondering for a moment, Shen Chuwei put down Xuetuan, got off the bed, wearing slippers she went to the cabinet, and started rummaging through it.

Xiao Jinyan’s tea drinking paused, and he looked up at Shen Chuwei, who was squatting on the ground. As she lifted her arms, her clothing rose, revealing a large segment of her fair lower back.

His Adam’s apple bobbed, "What are you looking for?"

Without lifting her head, Shen Chuwei replied, "I’m looking for Clear Eyes and Fire Dispelling Tea."

"Found it." Shen Chuwei took out a package of tea from the cabinet, stood up and walked over, placing the tea on the low table, she said to Xiao Jinyan, "Your Highness, this is Clear Eyes and Fire Dispelling Tea. It’s best for those who stay up late for work."

Xiao Jinyan had indeed been staying up late these days, and it was rare for someone to prepare Clear Eyes and Fire Dispelling Tea with such attention to detail.

"Chuwei, you are thoughtful."

"It’s my duty to do so," Shen Chuwei replied, resuming her seat on the couch. Before she could reach for Xuetuan, the cat lazily stepped closer, attempting to coax Shen Chuwei into continuing to stroke it.

Xiao Jinyan frowned slightly at Xuetuan’s behavior.

Chun Xi entered to report, "Your Highness, the hot water is ready."

Xiao Jinyan set down his tea cup, "I will take my bath first."

Shen Chuwei didn’t mind and continued to stroke the cat and read her novel to pass the time.

At this moment, the novel’s plot was focused on the male protagonist who, eager to pursue the female lead, used every trick in the book, all of which ended in failure.

In the end, he simply moved next door to the female protagonist’s rented apartment. One day, using a broken shower as an excuse, he knocked on her door.

The female protagonist was met with her superior, who was very strict with her at the office during the day, and now sought her help voluntarily. Naturally, she wanted to build a good relationship with her superior.

Shen Chuwei clicked her tongue twice, the male protagonist was too sly.

As she enjoyed the thrilling plot, a tall figure leaned over her, and with the night’s dim candlelight already less bright than modern lighting, this made the words in the book even harder to see.

When she raised her head, she saw Xiao Jinyan’s captivating eyes gazing at her. Fresh from his bath, there was a cool bamboo scent on him, quite pleasant to the nose.

"What is it that you’re reading with such fascination?" Xiao Jinyan asked after coming out from his bath, noticing Shen Chuwei had been absorbed in her book, unaware even of him approaching.

How could Shen Chuwei dare to admit she was reading a modern romance novel?

If Xiao Jinyan saw the content of the book, with the male and female leads going through holding hands, kissing, hugging, and sleeping together without being married, his conservative mindset would probably make him very angry.

He might even scold her for filling her head with vulgar nonsense and reading such indecent literature.

She closed the book, smiling sheepishly, "It’s ancient poetry. I am making an effort to learn."

"Is that so?" Xiao Jinyan cast a glance at the book in her hand, which was quite different from any he had seen before, and reached out to take a look, "Let me see what kind of ancient poetry it is."

How could Shen Chuwei let Xiao Jinyan see the content of the book?

She hurriedly hid the romance novel behind her back, trying to conceal it.

Xiao Jinyan’s hand aimed for the book, and as Shen Chuwei attempted to hide it, his hand followed instinctively, his body pressing down a fraction more, narrowing the distance between them.

A subtle scent of peach blossoms lingered around the tip of his nose, not dissipating, but instead growing more intense.

Possibly because of the thought of bedtime attendance, his usual restraint was gone.

As Shen Chuwei feared Xiao Jinyan getting hold of the romance novel, she grabbed his arm in an attempt to divert his attention.

"Your Highness, with all the work you have, and needing to rise early tomorrow, you should rest earlier."

Shen Chuwei didn’t realize that at that moment, Xiao Jinyan didn’t need his attention diverted, as it had been on her all along.

The girl had bright eyes and pristine teeth. Her lips were naturally red without any rouge, and her skin was as fair as jade and snow.

Xiao Jinyan’s gaze darkened, "You’re right, Chuwei."

Shen Chuwei exhaled in relief, and before she could fully relax, Xiao Jinyan swept her up into his arms. Instinctively, her arms reached around his neck to steady herself.

Xiao Jinyan carried her to the bedside and him bending down to place her gently on the bed, he proceeded to lower the bed curtains one by one.

There were two layers to the bed curtains, both of which were slightly sheer. Even so, the light inside dimmed quite a bit.

There were two lamps by the bedhead, not usually needed.

But today, Xiao Jinyan lit them.

Shen Chuwei, puzzled, looked up at Xiao Jinyan, "Your Highness, you’ve lit the lamps after settling in for the night, why?"

"You will know soon enough," Xiao Jinyan continued lighting the lamps.

Unsure of what Xiao Jinyan meant, Shen Chuwei grew more curious.

With both lamps lit, the inside of the bed was much brighter. Although it could not compare to modern lighting, it was still significantly improved.

Xiao Jinyan sat back down on the bed, lowering his gaze to Shen Chuwei. The faint lamplight shone on her snow-white skin, revealing a hint of blushing.

Shen Chuwei waited for a while, but seeing Xiao Jinyan not coming to bed, she called out in confusion, "Your Highness?"

Xiao Jinyan watched her intently for a while, then lifted the covers and got into bed, lying on his side to look at her.

Though it might be hard to believe, he felt somewhat nervous at that moment.