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Princess Xueyan, her flowing silk gown drawing a beautiful vista on the bluestone path.

Shen Chuwei halted her steps, her gaze turning toward Xiao Jinyan. He was still dressed in his court attire, likely having been busy up until this moment before returning.

By now, Xueyan had already approached Xiao Jinyan, her beautiful eyes smiling, "Your Highness, I came to play with Lady Shen today."

Xiao Jinyan’s gaze shifted to Shen Chuwei not far away, who was holding Xuetuan, seemingly with plans to go somewhere.

After looking at Xueyan, his voice was cold and distant, "Princess Xueyan, Lady Shen does not enjoy playing with strangers. If Xueyan really wants to play, she can find someone else."

Having said that, he headed straight toward Shen Chuwei.

Xueyan was stunned where she stood, turning to watch the retreating figure of Xiao Jinyan and hurriedly followed with small steps.

When Xiao Jinyan reached Shen Chuwei, he glanced at Xuetuan in her arms and asked, "Where do you intend to go with Xuetuan?"

Shen Chuwei, her delicate chin lifted, replied, "Your Highness, your concubine is about to go pick eggs."

Pick eggs?

Xiao Jinyan, hearing the term for the first time, was momentarily stunned. "Why pick eggs? Where will you pick them?"

Shen Chuwei: "Xiyun Pavilion."

Xueyan looked at Shen Chuwei, "Lady Shen, you go pick the eggs. Since His Highness is back, I won’t go."

Shen Chuwei offered a slight smile, "I am not going either."

Xueyan looked at Shen Chuwei with confusion on her face, "Weren’t you just eager to pick eggs?"

Chun Xi popped out from behind, "Young mistress, I’ll go pick the eggs."

Having said that, Chun Xi cheerfully made her way to Xiyun Pavilion.

Seeing this, Xueyan paused momentarily then turned her head toward Xiao Jinyan, "Your Highness, I’ll accompany you for lunch today."

She reached out, trying to slip her hand around Xiao Jinyan’s arm.

Quick to react, Xiao Jinyan effortlessly dodged.

Seeing Xuetuan in Shen Chuwei’s arms, he reached out to hold the pet, "Give me Xuetuan. It’s quite heavy, carrying it all this time must be tiring."

Shen Chuwei, neither averse nor consentful, let Xiao Jinyan hold Xuetuan.

Xueyan’s hand hovered in the air as she saw the scowling Xuetuan in Xiao Jinyan’s arms, and she dared not reach out again to embrace Xiao Jinyan’s arm, for fear that Xuetuan might suddenly bite her.

At lunchtime

Around the dining table, the three of them sat together properly.

Shen Chuwei eyed the delicious food in front of her, selecting her favorites.

Xiao Jinyan, familiar with her preferences, occasionally picked up some of her favorite dishes for her.

Since Xueyan wore a veil, she ate more slowly. Seeing Xiao Jinyan serving Shen Chuwei, she pointed toward the distant Happy Meatballs, "Your Highness, could you help me with that dish? It’s too far for me to reach."

While Xueyan was speaking, Shen Chuwei’s chopsticks darted toward the dish, nabbing the last Happy Meatball and biting into it.

Right after Xueyan finished speaking, she saw Shen Chuwei taking the last Happy Meatball into her mouth and was taken aback.

Chewing, Shen Chuwei noticed Xueyan watching her, her words muffled, "The Happy Meatballs are quite delicious."

After speaking, she took another bite.

With no Happy Meatballs left, Xueyan switched to another dish, "Then I won’t have the meatballs, Your Highness, could you give me some fish slices instead?"

"Brother, are you having lunch? My timing is just right," Xiao Jinyu suddenly arrived as if visiting his own bedchamber, promptly taking a seat at the dining table.

Turning to Liu Xi, he said, "Eunuch Liu, bring me a set of bowl and chopsticks."

Liu Xi instructed the palace maid to add a bowl and chopsticks.

Xiao Jinyan looked up at Xiao Jinyu, "Weren’t you supposed to return tomorrow?"

"I had planned to come back tomorrow, but I hurried back last night instead."

Xiao Jinyu noticed an unfamiliar woman sitting next to his older brother, "Brother, who is she?"

"She is Princess Xueyan from Xueyue Country." Xiao Jinyan’s reply was succinct.

"Oh, no wonder she looks unfamiliar."

At that moment, a palace maid brought over a new set of bowls and chopsticks.

Xiao Jinyu was also hungry by this time and started to pick up food with his chopsticks to eat.

Princess Xueyan observed the young man in front of her, sensing a resemblance to Xiao Jinyan, "Are you the Crown Prince’s younger brother?"

Xiao Jinxu, with his cheeks puffed, said, "Mhm, the genuine younger brother, no doubt about it."

Princess Xueyan said, "No wonder you look very similar to His Highness."

Xiao Jinyu replied proudly, "Of course."

Princess Xueyan smiled, looking at Xiao Jinyan and pointed to a dish of fish slices, "Your Highness, I want to eat some fish slices, could you help me with that?"

Xiao Jinyu picked up the fish slices and placed them directly in front of Princess Xueyan, "Princess, it’s so inconvenient for someone else to do it for you. Help yourself, take as much as you want."

After saying that, he reached in with his chopsticks and served himself some into his bowl.

Princess Xueyan looked at the fish slices in front of her, not sure what to say, then took a chopstick, picked up a piece of fish slice, and slowly chewed it in her mouth.

Seeing this, Xiao Jinyan curved the corner of his lips and served some fish slices into Shen Chuwei’s bowl.

Shen Chuwei saw the sudden addition to her bowl, looked up at Xiao Jinyan, smiled with her eyes, and then started to eat them.

Once Princess Xueyan saw that, the fish slices in her bowl immediately seemed less appealing.

After eating a couple of bites, she saw the spare ribs in front of Shen Chuwei and wanted some, "Your Highness, I want to eat some spare ribs."

"There’s no need to trouble my brother; he’s busy to the extreme every day and we can’t delay his meal. I’ll serve you." While Xiao Jinyu was speaking, he picked up the plate of spare ribs and placed it in front of Princess Xueyan.

There were only two spare ribs left, the rest having been eaten by Shen Chuwei.

After setting down the plate, Xiao Jinyu picked up a spare rib, put it in his bowl, and said with a smile, "Two pieces, one for each of us, perfect."

Finished speaking, he bit into it heartily, savoring the taste.

Princess Xueyan’s brows unintentionally furrowed. She picked up the last piece of spare rib and took a bite. Even though she had wanted it, now that she was eating it, it seemed tasteless.

Shen Chuwei had eaten four bowls of rice and, satisfied, she put down her chopsticks and wiped her mouth with a napkin.

Xiao Jinyu was only on his second bowl of rice when he saw Shen Chuwei had already put down her utensils, so he asked, "Sister-in-law, you’re not eating anymore?"

Shen Chuwei chuckled twice, "I’m full."

Hearing him call Shen Chuwei sister-in-law, Princess Xueyan asked in confusion, "Why do you call her sister-in-law? Shouldn’t that title be reserved for the Crown Princess?"

Xiao Jinyu spoke as if it made perfect sense, "I like calling her sister-in-law, is that not allowed?"

Princess Xueyan hesitated, "...but, if there is a Crown Princess, what will you call her?"

Xiao Jinyu was quite sure he understood his brother well when he assertively said, "Isn’t there no Crown Princess? My brother isn’t in a hurry to have one."

After speaking, he gossiped with Princess Xueyan, "According to my brother’s astrology, his prospects aren’t great; he won’t be able to marry a Crown Princess for the next year or two."

Princess Xueyan couldn’t believe it, "Who said that?"

Xiao Jinyu said, "The Director of Imperial Astronomy, Mr. Lu, said it; he’s really something. He can calculate marital fate, cast divination, and even observe the stars for fate."

"...but," Princess Xueyan could hardly believe it, the rice in her mouth stuck in her throat, unable to swallow.

"The King knows you don’t believe it, but you can inquire about Mr. Lu’s fame, and you’ll know how incredible he is."