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She placed the chicken leg in the bowl in front of Xiao Jinyan, "Your Highness, this chicken leg is especially delicious."

Xiao Jinyan looked at the chicken leg in front of him, the corners of his mouth curling up, "This palace will have a taste."

Compared to Xiao Jinyan’s slow and graceful eating, Shen Chuwei directly gnawed on the chicken leg.

Xiao Jinyan had been recuperating for several days, and with Shen Chuwei’s care, his wound healed very quickly.

Once his injuries were healed, he began to get busy again.

Shen Chuwei also returned to Hehuan Hall, doing nothing but eating and sleeping.

Xu Concubine and Tao Chenghui became even more diligent in their visits.

Apart from whispering and venting to relieve boredom, they also came asking Shen Chuwei for storybooks to read.

Reading storybooks was addictive, and they even learned quite a bit of modern language.

Shen Chuwei looked at Xu Concubine and Tao Chenghui and wondered if she had led them astray.

As dinner time approached and Xu Concubine and Tao Chenghui showed no signs of leaving, Shen Chuwei asked Chun Xi to prepare extra food for the evening meal.

Just as they were about to start dinner, Xiao Jinyan arrived. Seeing Xu Concubine and Tao Chenghui, he frowned slightly, his eyes full of disdain.

Xu Concubine and Tao Chenghui, upon seeing Xiao Jinyan, also frowned, both thinking the same thing.

A girls’ dinner and chat, what business does Xiao Jinyan, a grown man, have joining in?

Xiao Jinyan: "..."

The four of them sat around the dining table for the evening meal.

Normally reticent, Xiao Jinyan had even less desire to speak with the other two there.

Xu Concubine had endless things to say but held back due to Xiao Jinyan’s presence.

The meal gave the impression of a tense diplomatic banquet.

After dinner, Xiao Jinyan was accustomed to drinking some tea.

Xu Concubine and Tao Chenghui left after the meal.

Seeing Xiao Jinyan drinking tea, Shen Chuwei, without even lifting her head, said, "Your Highness, stop drinking and go bathe first, then this concubine will change your dressing."

"Okay." Xiao Jinyan put down the teacup and went to bathe.

Shen Chuwei prepared the medicine, which she had concocted herself and was exceptionally effective.

Hearing movement behind her, she turned around to see Xiao Jinyan walking out with just his pants on, a sight that was pleasing to the eye no matter how one looked.

There was nothing to be embarrassed about, since she had already seen and touched it all before.

"Your Highness, sit down first, this concubine will change your dressing."

Xiao Jinyan sat down by the bed, making it convenient for her to change his dressing.

She had been the one changing his dressings these past days.

As the bandage was unwrapped, the wound was revealed to have healed very well.

Changing dressings was child’s play for her, and it was all done in no time.

"All done. This concubine is going to bathe as well." Shen Chuwei packed her things and took her clothes to bathe.

When she came out, she found Xiao Jinyan without his shirt, casually seated at the head of the bed.

"Your Highness, why aren’t you wearing a shirt?"

As she approached, Xiao Jinyan pulled her into his embrace and whispered in her ear, "I would have to take it off later anyway. Why bother with the extra steps?"

Shen Chuwei stared unblinkingly at Xiao Jinyan, and then he lifted her onto the bed. After the bed curtains fell, the light dimmed significantly.

She noticed the lamp by the bed had been lit at some point.

She pressed her hands against Xiao Jinyan’s sturdy chest, gazing at him with her beautiful, starry eyes, "Your Highness."

Xiao Jinyan kissed her lips gently, "Call me Jinyan."

"Jinyan." Shen Chuwei still rested her hands on his chest, reminding him, "You have an injury; vigorous activity is not advisable."

"Don’t worry, I know my limits." Xiao Jinyan lifted her chin and bent down to kiss her.

Shen Chuwei blinked her large eyes twice and expressed deep doubt about Xiao Jinyan’s sense of restraint.

Before falling asleep, Shen Chuwei squeezed out a sentence between her teeth, "Where did the talked-about restraint go?"

The next day, Shen Chuwei lay on her bed too lazy to move; if she hadn’t been woken up by hunger, she wouldn’t have woken up at all.

With her hoarse voice, she called out, "Chun Xi, if you don’t come soon, your little master will starve to death."

Chun Xi had been waiting right outside the door and, upon hearing the familiar cry for help, pushed the door open and entered.

Seeing Shen Chuwei sprawled on the bed, Chun Xi guessed what had happened,

"Young Miss, this servant will help you wash up and have breakfast right away."

Shen Chuwei, watching Chun Xi bustling about, sighed, "To prolong one’s life, one must rely on Chun Xi."

Chun Xi brought the breakfast to the bedside, letting Shen Chuwei replenish her strength.

Today was a day of great joy, Prince Jinyu’s birthday.

The Empress had started preparing early for Prince Jinyu’s birthday.

Concubines from the three palaces and six courtyards all came to offer birthday gifts, filling the tables to overflowing, and one table wasn’t nearly enough.

The Empress looked at her son, remembering how Yuyu had just learned to walk, and felt time had flown by so quickly.

"Yuyu, you’ve grown another year older. Mother hopes you can always be safe and happy."

Xiao Jinyu hugged the Empress tightly, overjoyed, "Mother, your son has grown up, and I can protect you now."

The Empress, hearing this, laughed happily, "Yuyu, always knowing how to make Mother happy."

Xiao Jinyu seriously said, "What your son says is true, it’s not just to make Mother happy."

Not far away, Xiao Jinyan stood there, looking at the warm scene before him between mother and son, and was lost in thought for a long time.

Shen Chuwei, seeing Prince Jinyu celebrating his birthday, curiously tugged on Xiao Jinyan’s sleeve and asked in a low voice, "Your Highness, when is your birthday?"

Xiao Jinyan’s eyes paused for a moment, then he looked down at Shen Chuwei, shook his head, and took a sip of wine.

Shen Chuwei didn’t understand the meaning of Xiao Jinyan’s shake of the head and, seeing him drinking continuously, she didn’t ask further.

Xiao Jinyu, with a face full of joy, strode over with a cup of wine in hand.

"Brother, let me toast to you."

"Hmm," Xiao Jinyan raised his cup and then drank it all in one go.

Xiao Jinyu, the birthday star of the night, had drunk quite a bit and, with a slightly flushed face, asked, "Brother, why are you hiding here drinking?"

Xiao Jinyan’s answer was succinct, "It’s quiet here."

Xiao Jinyu teased him, "Brother is so clever, this way no one forces you to drink."

Xiao Jinyan made no comment.

The Empress waved at Xiao Jinyu and called out joyfully, "Yuyu, come here, Mother has cooked you longevity noodles."

Xiao Jinyu turned and replied, "Mother, your son will be right there."

After saying this, he turned his gaze back to Xiao Jinyan, "Brother, let’s go eat the longevity noodles together."

Xiao Jinyan said indifferently, "This prince isn’t hungry, you go ahead."

"Alright then." Xiao Jinyu didn’t say more and turned to walk towards the Empress.

Xiao Jinyan watched for a while, drank the rest of his wine, set down the cup, and then turned to leave the Side Hall.