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Shen Chuwei was truly afraid that he would aggravate his existing injury with a new one, tumbling down from the five or six steps, and just the thought made her wince in pain.

Xiao Jinyan lowered his gaze to the steps under his feet while standing at the edge. If he really were drunk, the chances of falling were high.

He turned his head to look at Shen Chuwei; her delicate face lifted to watch him, her concern written unabashedly across it.

"This palace will return first."

Xiao Jinyan withdrew his gaze and directly descended the steps.

Shen Chuwei stared at the receding figure of Xiao Jinyan, pausing for a moment. She turned her head to glance at the Hall door behind her, where there were many delicious foods.

Xiao Jinyan and the delicacies—it was actually a tough choice for her.

She stomped her foot, made up her mind with determination, and chased after him with a light jog.

"Your Highness, wait for me!"

Xiao Jinyan did not stop his pace, his slender silhouette disappearing into the night.

Behind him, not only was Shen Chuwei chasing, but Liu Xi also followed suit.

Even though the palace lamps were lit in the palace, their light was truly insufficient for illumination.

Shen Chuwei held up her dress, nearly tripping over her hem several times. Watching the retreating slender figure pacing swiftly without any intention of waiting for her, she decided to let go of her dress and stop the pursuit as he vanished around the corridor corner.

She took a piece of pastry from her sleeve pocket, bit off a piece, and walked leisurely.

Liu Xi finally caught up and seeing that Shen Chuwei had stopped chasing, was both anxious and puzzled, "Lady Shen, why did you stop chasing?"

Shen Chuwei, with a mouthful of pastry, mumbled unclearly, "His Highness has walked far."

Seeing Shen Chuwei leisurely enjoying the pastries, Liu Xi was terribly agitated, "Lady Shen, stop eating, go chase His Highness quickly."

"Can’t catch up," Shen Chuwei bit another piece of pastry, still speaking indistinctly.

Liu Xi sighed, "His Highness has never eaten the longevity noodles personally cooked by the Empress."

Shen Chuwei looked at Liu Xi with a puzzled face, "Why?"

Liu Xi let out a long sigh, "His Highness was sent to another country as a hostage at the age of eight and only returned six years ago, the Empress has always kept her distance, not to mention celebrating his birthday. The Empress probably doesn’t even remember what day His Highness’s birthday is on, how could she cook longevity noodles for him? "

Shen Chuwei’s chewing paused, her eyes filled with surprise, "But His Highness is the Empress’s son after all, and her eldest. One should be happy to have such an outstanding son."

"Lady Shen, you’ve only recently entered the East Palace. Many things can’t be explained in just a sentence or two. His Highness is outstanding, but the Empress just doesn’t like him," Liu Xi said before sighing again.

Shen Chuwei also couldn’t understand why the Empress didn’t like Xiao Jinyan; if she had such an outstanding son in the future, she would wake up laughing from her dreams.

Ah, tsk!

She was getting off track.

"The Empress dislikes His Highness and keeps her distance; there must be a reason for it."

Liu Xi hesitated for a long while before speaking, "I’m telling you this, but you must not spread it around."

Shen Chuwei nodded vigorously, "Understood, understood, I do have the sensibility to listen to gossip."

Only then did Liu Xi slowly begin, "When the King Yu was young, he accidentally fell down the stone steps.

Many imperial doctors were summoned for treatment.

The palace maids and wet nurses said it was His Highness who pushed him.

Rumors spread in the palace, suggesting that His Highness feared King Yu would take his place as the Crown Prince and deliberately pushed King Yu.

The Empress became furious. A month later, as the situation between the two countries grew tense, His Highness was sent as a hostage in exchange. "

Now Shen Chuwei understood—the Empress loved her younger son and, having been misled by the rumors, she believed Xiao Jinyan wanted to harm his own brother.

No wonder last year, when King Yu was poisoned by eating lamb, the Empress suspected it was Xiao Jinyan’s doing.

"When is His Highness’s birthday then?"

Liu Xi spoke slowly, "It’s today as well."

Upon hearing this, Shen Chuwei was taken aback.

King Yu and Xiao Jinyan shared the same birthday, and the Empress could forget it?

No wonder Xiao Jinyan seemed a bit odd today.

Obviously sharing the same birthday as his brother, but their parents remember only his brother’s—the resentment would be unbearable for anyone.

But Xiao Jinyan had endured it for many years; he must be feeling very upset at this moment!

Suddenly, Liu Xi grabbed Shen Chuwei’s hand, startling her. As she looked into Liu Xi’s earnest and expectant eyes, she had a foreboding feeling.

"Eunuch Liu, what is this?"

Liu Xi looked hopeful as he said, "Lady Shen, why don’t you celebrate His Highness’s birthday? Cook him a bowl of longevity noodles."

Shen Chuwei, somewhat helplessly replied, "But I’m not the Empress, my noodles won’t convey a mother’s warmth to His Highness."

Liu Xi looked baffled, "I didn’t say you were, you just need to make a bowl of longevity noodles for His Highness."

Shen Chuwei shook her head, "It’s not about being able to cook them or not; I’m worried that if His Highness sees the longevity noodles, he’ll be reminded of the noodles the Empress cooked for King Yu.

Instead of comforting His Highness, it might bring about secondary harm, and that wouldn’t be good. "

Liu Xi: "..."

Shen Chuwei asked doubtfully, "Why don’t you let the Imperial Kitchen prepare a bowl of longevity noodles for His Highness?"

Liu Xi replied helplessly, "If that would work, I would have long since ordered the chefs to prepare it. His Highness forbade such things."

Shen Chuwei spoke with mock anger, "Then why do you want me to prepare it? Isn’t that deliberately hurting His Highness?"

Liu Xi laughed awkwardly, explaining, "Lady Shen, you’re different from others. His Highness would probably be pleased."

"I don’t see any difference," Shen Chuwei looked in the direction Xiao Jinyan had left, "he walked away alone."

Liu Xi sighed once more, "His Highness has always been alone, he’s gotten used to it over the years."

Shen Chuwei looked down at the pastry in her hand. Xiao Jinyan also didn’t like sweets; otherwise, a few pieces of pastry might have improved his mood.

"Lady Shen, just give it a try," Liu Xi urged Shen Chuwei towards the direction of the small kitchen.

Shen Chuwei was reluctantly brought to the small kitchen, which was fully equipped.

"Well, I shall make a bowl of longevity noodles then. If His Highness doesn’t eat it, I will, that way it won’t be wasted."

Liu Xi eagerly nodded, "Alright, as long as Lady Shen makes the longevity noodles, that’s enough."

A sunny side-up egg, a few slices of green vegetables.

The noodles, handmade and one single unbroken length, symbolizing the meaning of longevity.

Shen Chuwei measured out flour and skillfully began kneading the dough.

Noodles took time to prepare, but it wasn’t much of an issue for Shen Chuwei.

Liu Xi watched, astounded, as an exceedingly long length of noodle seemed to effortlessly come together under Shen Chuwei’s hands.

A steaming bowl of longevity noodles was ready, and Shen Chuwei carried it towards the Study Room.

Liu Xi returned to inquire from the guards.

The entrance to the Study Room was eerily quiet. The Guard Weichi stood like a carved statue and if he hadn’t moved to open the door, she would have doubted if Weichi was real.

Shen Chuwei, holding the longevity noodles, stepped inside and peered toward the desk, catching sight of Xiao Jinyan seated before it, busy with unfinished official duties.

"Your Highness?"

Hearing her voice, Xiao Jinyan looked up to see a head of shiny black hair; those beautiful, starry eyes were fixed on him.

"Why have you come?"

Shen Chuwei blinked her beautiful, large eyes twice, "This concubine has brought Your Highness something to eat."

Xiao Jinyan spoke in an indifferent tone, "This palace is not hungry."