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Xiao Jinyan knew right away what was going on, and he coughed lightly, "There’s no need for a doctor, I’ll go have a look myself."

"Ah?" Chun Xi looked at Xiao Jinyan with a puzzled expression, carefully asking, "Your Highness, if the little mistress is sick, how can we do without a doctor?"

Xiao Jinyan glanced at Chun Xi and then strode directly to Shen Chuwei’s chamber.

Chun Xi was already extremely anxious, and seeing Xiao Jinyan’s attitude, she became even more anxious and annoyed.

The little mistress was sick, and yet His Highness wasn’t in a hurry.

Chun Xi followed with indignation puffing up her cheeks.

Shen Chuwei was no longer that hungry after having some food, so her eating speed slowed down.

At that moment, she was eating ribs and heard footsteps. She thought Chun Xi had come back.

Without lifting her head, she said, "I told you I’m not sick and you still won’t believe me. It’ll be better in two days, be at ease, please."

Her voice was husky and her mouth was so full of food, her words were muffled and indistinct.

Xiao Jinyan, however, heard her loud and clear, looking at the person who was wholeheartedly eating, completely unaware of who had come in.

He knew Shen Chuwei was a glutton, but he hadn’t expected her first action afterwards was still to eat.

He coughed lightly, "Is there any discomfort?"

As he spoke, he had already arrived beside the bed and looked down at her.

Shen Chuwei’s chewing paused and she slowly lifted her head, only to see Xiao Jinyan looking down at her with an expression that reminded her of the look he had last night...

The scenes from last night involuntarily appeared in her mind.

Before she could swallow the food in her mouth, she choked and started to cough uncomfortably, her small hand frantically pounding on her chest, "cough cough..."

Seeing her situation, Xiao Jinyan bent down to pat her back, and seeing her face turning red from coughing, he frowned, "How can you choke while eating?"

Shen Chuwei was coughing so hard that she couldn’t even speak.

Xiao Jinyan saw the teacup on the low table, lifted the lid, picked it up, and handed it to her, "Here, drink some water."

Shen Chuwei, struggling with the discomfort, saw the water and took a few sips, which made her throat feel much better.

Now, Shen Chuwei was incredibly embarrassed. She silently put down the teacup, wanting to pick up her chopsticks again, but remembering that Xiao Jinyan was standing right there, she looked up at him again and asked with her raspy voice, "Weren’t you out on business, Your Highness?"

"I’ve finished and come back." Xiao Jinyan flicked his robes and sat down opposite Shen Chuwei, raising his eyes to take in her appearance, observing her little face which was quite rosy.

"Last night, Little Nine had quite the toil."

Shen Chuwei had just picked up the teacup, wanting to drink more to ease the awkwardness, but then she heard those words and nearly spit out the tea.

She struggled to swallow the tea and replied, "Your Highness was quite tired as well."

Xiao Jinyan couldn’t help but laugh, thinking of how last night she sounded like a kitten begging for mercy, "Is Little Nine feeling somewhat better now?"

Shen Chuwei scooped a mouthful of rice, her cheeks puffed out as she replied, "I’m tough-skinned and thick-fleshed, doing quite well."

Xiao Jinyan smiled thoughtfully, "Is that so?"

Shen Chuwei nodded and continued to compensate herself for the excessive exercise of the previous night by indulging in delicious food.

"I will return to the palace after finishing work these next two days." Xiao Jinyan mentioned and paused for a moment, "Tonight, do you still want to go to the snack street?"

Shen Chuwei nodded vigorously, "Yes."

She was going to return in a couple of days, so of course, she would eat to her heart’s content. Once back at the palace, she wouldn’t have the chance anymore.

Xiao Jinyan stood up and looked down at her, "Rest well after your meal, recover your strength so you can enjoy snack street tonight."

Shen Chuwei nodded subconsciously, "I understand."

Xiao Jinyan smiled and turned to leave.

It was only after Shen Chuwei realized the implication of his words. Looking at Xiao Jinyan’s dashing figure, his walking posture, it seemed as if he wasn’t the same person who had worked so tirelessly the night before.

She glanced at the feast before her, decided to turn her grievance into food, swept through the meal, then wiped her mouth and fell asleep.

When Chun Xi was tidying up the bowls and dishes, Shen Chuwei, who was about to close her eyes, saw Chun Xi with a downcast face, seemingly unhappy.

"What’s wrong?"

"Little mistress, I had gone to call a doctor just now and on my way out, I met Your Highness. I mentioned the little mistress’s sickness to him, but His Highness seemed completely indifferent.

He didn’t even permit me to fetch the doctor.

I am upset on behalf of the little mistress," Chun Xi said with more and more indignation, but of course, being the Crown Prince, even if he were wrong, no, she as a servant couldn’t say much.

Shen Chuwei now knew why Xiao Jinyan had asked about her well-being as soon as he entered.

"His Highness knew I was all right, so that’s why he didn’t let you call a doctor," she said.

Chun Xi spoke with righteous indignation, "But the little mistress has such a hoarse voice, and His Highness doesn’t even feel a bit of pity for you."

Shen Chuwei nodded vigorously in agreement, "You’re right, His Highness really doesn’t know how to show concern."

How many times was it last night?

Xiao Jinyan still didn’t let her off.

He was like a tiger that had just tasted meat, and having acquired the taste, he must be satiated before stopping.

After Chun Xi tidied up the bowls and dishes, she came over to the bed, bent down to properly cover Shen Chuwei with the quilt, and noticed a bruise on her neck. She instinctively pulled open the collar to find that what she saw was just the tip of the iceberg.

Chun Xi stared for a while and finally realized something was amiss.

The battle of the little mistress from last night had been fierce indeed...

So this was the reason for the hoarseness.

Chun Xi, reflecting on her foolish actions of the day, was mortified.

Xiao Jinyan stepped out of the magistrate’s residence and saw Xiao Jinyu with Miss Han Yan, returning from outside, holding many things in their hands.

When Xiao Jinyu saw his royal elder brother, he greeted him with a smile, immediately noticing the joyful look in his brother’s eyes and brows.

They say happiness brings a hearty spirit, and the Crown Prince must have encountered something joyful.

"Brother, what happy event has made you so cheerful?"

Xiao Jinyan’s voice was deep as he said, "Where did you see this palace in good spirits?"

Xiao Jinyu, however, said, "You deny it, but I saw you smile."

Xiao Jinyan was startled for a moment, doubting the truth in Xiao Jinyu’s words, wondering if he had truly been smiling just now.

He darkened his expression, "Where have you been again?"

Xiao Jinyu held up all the bags to show his royal elder brother, "I took Miss Han Yan out to buy some pastries and trinkets. It’s rare for us to go out, so naturally, we must buy more to take back, otherwise, it would be a wasted trip."

Xiao Jinyan glanced at the items in his hand, indeed they were things that a young lady might like, and he looked towards Miss Han Yan.

He had instructed his subordinates to investigate Miss Han Yan’s background, only knowing that she had been sold a few times, and it was difficult to trace her exact origins.

Han Yan bowed to Xiao Jinyan, "May Your Highness be showered with peace and safety."

Xiao Jinyan withdrew his gaze from Han Yan and turned to his brother, reminding him, "Remember to take some guards with you when you go out."

Xiao Jinyu obediently responded, "Brother, I know."

"Hmm," Xiao Jinyan withdrew his gaze and left the magistrate’s estate.

Xiao Jinyu turned back to glance at his royal elder brother and said to Miss Han Yan, "My brother must have encountered something delightful; he can hardly hide his joy!"

Han Yan chuckled, "Prince Jinyu is quite the charmer."

Xiao Jinyu, rather proud, replied, "You go ahead back. I’m going to find my sister-in-law to find out what happy event my brother encountered."