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Shen Chuwei lifted her eyes to look at Xiao Jinyan, whose phoenix eyes were fixed intently on her, leaving her feeling quite unsure.

"Your Highness, your concubine wasn’t hiding," she said stubbornly, like a duck that refuses to admit its death is near.

Xiao Jinyan glanced at the distance between them, "If you weren’t hiding, why are you so far from me?"

Shen Chuwei argued, "Isn’t this how we’ve always slept before? Why can’t it be the same this time?"

Xiao Jinyan stared at her for a while, and without explaining, he said, "Come here."

One must bow their head under someone else’s roof.

Shen Chuwei reluctantly moved closer to Xiao Jinyan, bringing her sore body up against his, immediately feeling the heat emanating from him, which was scorching.

She felt that Xiao Jinyan had even more fire in him than Xiao Jinyu.

Xiao Jinyan turned to her, extended an arm to pull her into his embrace, now with a beauty in his arms, he couldn’t help feeling some arousal.

He lowered his head and kissed her lips lightly, "Little Ninth."

Shen Chuwei timidly called out, "...Your Highness?"

It couldn’t be, hadn’t she served him just last night?

The vitality, the spirit Xiao Jinyan possesses, would evoke envy in anyone!

Xiao Jinyan corrected her, "When we’re alone, call me Jinyan."

"But you are the Crown Prince, calling you by name directly isn’t right." She remembered how she had angrily called out Xiao Jinyan’s name once, which led to Chun Xi lecturing her for quite a while.

In ancient times, the hierarchical system was strict, calling the Crown Prince by his name could be considered a grievous disrespect.

Xiao Jinyan said, "There’s no one else around now, why can’t you call my name?"

Shen Chuwei blinked her beautiful large eyes twice.

Xiao Jinyan added, "Didn’t you already call me that yesterday?"

Shen Chuwei replied, "Wasn’t it because Your Highness did this and that yesterday that your concubine called out?"

Xiao Jinyan was amused, "Are you reminding me to do it again?"

Shen Chuwei quickly shook her head, "Your concubine didn’t mean that, Your Highness mustn’t misunderstand."

"Really?"

"Of course."

"I don’t believe you." Xiao Jinyan lowered his head and kissed her lips again, this time not with the light touch of a dragonfly skimming the water, but tenderly with a hint of dominance.

Shen Chuwei’s eyes widened as she felt firsthand that Xiao Jinyan was serious.

"...Jinyan, your concubine has called out," she said.

"Too late," Xiao Jinyan hummed, taking her hand in his large one and intertwining their fingers.

Shen Chuwei, finding an opening, couldn’t help saying, "Your Highness, even if your concubine is strong, she can’t endure if you do this every day!"

Xiao Jinyan paused, then looked up at her, "Little Ninth, just once."

Shen Chuwei looked at the man before her, really handsome and really asking for a beating.

Shen Chuwei, holding his hand, asked, "Jinyan, are you not keeping your word?"

But Xiao Jinyan said, "I’m borrowing from tomorrow."

Shen Chuwei: "..." How can you borrow that?

She really had learned something new!

In the end, Shen Chuwei was so exhausted she was ready to fall asleep, her eyelids as heavy as if they were weighed down with gold.

As she bathed, the warm water encased her body, relieving some of her fatigue.

Narrowing her eyes, she watched the man beside her, itching to curse him as shameless!

She admitted to herself, "Your concubine is so sleepy."

Xiao Jinyan, looking at her eyes that were struggling to stay open, was convinced she was indeed extremely tired.

"It’ll be alright soon."

This was Xiao Jinyan’s second time aiding someone in their bathing. He had helped Shen Chuwei bath last night as well, but she didn’t remember because she had been asleep at the time.

After everything was taken care of, Xiao Jinyan carried Shen Chuwei to the bed and tucked her into the blankets, before joining her himself.

By that time, Shen Chuwei had already fallen asleep and was sleeping very deeply.

Xiao Jinyan, holding her, pinched her cheek, "She’s sleeping quite soundly."

Meanwhile, Xiao Jinyu was facing his own awkward situation.

After bathing, seeing Han Yan sitting on the bed waiting for him, he felt a bit frightened.

"Miss Han, you haven’t gone to bed yet?"

Han Yan smiled, "I’m waiting for Prince Jinyu."

Xiao Jinyu approached the bed, hesitating whether to stand or sit, feeling awkward.

"There’s no need to wait for me. I’m going to sleep, aren’t I?"

Han Yan smiled reservedly, "Then why isn’t Prince Jinyu moving?"

"I’m going to bed right now." Xiao Jinyu took off his shoes and quickly climbed into bed, lifting the blanket and laying down.

Han Yan removed her outer garment and joined him in bed.

Xiao Jinyu looked at her confusedly, "Miss Han, what are you doing? A woman’s reputation is very important."

"I was purchased by Prince Jinyu; I am his person now. My reputation belonged to Prince Jinyu from the moment I was bought," Han Yan said slowly as she lifted the blanket and slipped into bed.

Xiao Jinyu was on the verge of tears—was she trying to torment him to death?

"Miss Han, you should go back. If Prince Jinyu were to..."

Before Xiao Jinyu could finish speaking, Han Yan kissed him.

He caught his breath, his surprise at Han Yan’s boldness surely due to being corrupted by the old madam.

The following day

Shen Chuwei opened her eyes to find Xiao Jinyan wasn’t by her side. Glancing out the window at the daylight, she knew it was already late.

She lay sprawled on the bed, unwilling to move, wishing she could borrow the sleep for tonight and have it now instead.

Worried Shen Chuwei might be hungry, Chun Xi pushed open the door and entered, seeing Shen Chuwei sprawled on the bed, her eyes half-closed, half-asleep.

She approached, "Young Master, why didn’t you call for me when you woke up?"

"I’m borrowing tonight’s sleep to have now," Shen Chuwei replied languidly, but alas, her hunger kept her from sleeping.

Her voice was still as hoarse as it was yesterday.

Chun Xi was bewildered, "Can you even borrow that?"

Shen Chuwei bitterly said, "Xiao Jinyan borrowed it last night."

Chun Xi was even more confused. What had the prince borrowed?

Then she realized, "Young Master, you are again calling the prince by his name! That’s a serious offense of disrespect."

Shen Chuwei blinked her lovely eyes twice, indicating, "But I already called it."

"Pretend I didn’t hear it," Chun Xi coaxed, "Young Master, don’t sleep any more. Let’s get up and eat something tasty."

Shen Chuwei perked up at the mention of tasty food, "What tasty food? Are there pan-fried dumplings?"

Chun Xi shook her head, "No pan-fried dumplings, but I made Crystal Buns."

Shen Chuwei wasn’t picky, "Crystal Buns will do."

"Then let’s get out of bed and wash up."

Chun Xi lifted the blanket, helped Shen Chuwei up, and began assisting her in dressing and washing up.

Swinging her legs, Shen Chuwei sat down at the dining table and thought of Xiao Jinyan, moving with the agility of the wind, as if nothing had happened.

Her legs felt even shakier now~

The breakfast was plentiful, and Shen Chuwei ate her fill, regaining a fair amount of energy.

Seeing the pastries that she had bought the night before cheered her up even more.

After eating a few pieces, her mood brightened like the sunshine outside.

She couldn’t help but sigh with satisfaction, food really does soothe all woes!

Shen Chuwei had thought that since Xiao Jinyan had borrowed tonight, she would be able to sleep well tonight and wouldn’t have to be tossed and turned again.

But it wasn’t until the afternoon that Shen Chuwei realized Xiao Jinyan was unarguably a sly big-bad-wolf to the core.

Everything had been calculated.