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Xiao Jinyan looked at Shen Chuwei, whose eyes were still not fully open and who was staring at him in a daze, seemingly not yet fully awake.

"When did you go to bed last night?"

"Your Highness, when did you climb into bed last night?"

Both asked almost at the same time, each pausing in surprise.

"I went to bed quite early last night." Primarily because she spent the afternoon eating and drinking with Concubine Xu and Lady Tao, and wanted to sleep to digest the food.

Going to bed early should have been a happy thing, but Xiao Jinyan felt somewhat displeased upon hearing this.

He couldn’t pinpoint exactly why.

"I, your consort, climbed into bed around the fourth watch of the night." This sentence was simply a response to Shen Chuwei’s question.

Shen Chuwei calculated the time; the fourth watch was around two in the morning, "That’s late, Your Highness should go to bed earlier. It would be troublesome if you ruin your health while you are still young."

Xiao Jinyan, who had heard Shen Chuwei mention ruining one’s health more than once, asked, "What sort of trouble would there be?"

Shen Chuwei leaned into Xiao Jinyan’s ear and whispered, "Scared, aren’t you?"

Xiao Jinyan was somewhat incredulous, "Really?"

Shen Chuwei lifted her chin, "Of course, why would I deceive Your Highness?"

Xiao Jinyan looked at her smug little expression, reached out, and held her in his embrace, using only one arm due to the injury on his other arm.

"Then you’d better give me several children early, otherwise I might not have the strength later on."

Upon hearing about having several children, Shen Chuwei immediately pushed Xiao Jinyan far away.

Xiao Jinyan, watching as Shen Chuwei hid further into the bed, asked in confusion, "What are you doing?"

Shen Chuwei replied, "Your Highness speaks so lightly, as if having a few children is nothing. You’re even more impressive than Guanyin from the White Horse Temple who bestows children."

Xiao Jinyan paused, then pulled Shen Chuwei back into his embrace, "If you don’t bear children for me, who will?"

Upon hearing this, Shen Chuwei still couldn’t help but retort, "But you can’t just have a bunch all at once!"

Xiao Jinyan was amused, "If we don’t have a few, a single prince will find it tough to support Daxia. It’s exhausting to face everything alone, without anyone to consult or help. Xiaojiu, what do you think?"

Xiao Jinyan gazed steadily at Shen Chuwei.

Shen Chuwei felt somewhat overwhelmed by his stare, so she snuggled into his embrace, "Those are matters for the future, let’s discuss them another time."

Xiao Jinyan added, "Xiaojiu, to this day, I still have no child under my care."

Shen Chuwei asked, "Is that my fault?"

Xiao Jinyan’s expression turned serious, "It’s my fault, for not having met you earlier."

Shen Chuwei found his words quite comforting, but then she realized the implication of Xiao Jinyan’s words—that if he’d met her sooner, they would have had children by now.

She was at a loss!

From outside the door came the voice of Weichi, "Your Highness, Concubine Xue is on her way to the bedchamber."

Xiao Jinyan frowned slightly and rose from bed.

Shen Chuwei got up as well, since Xiao Jinyan’s arm was injured, making it inconvenient for him to dress himself.

With Shen Chuwei’s help, Xiao Jinyan was dressed neatly. He looked down at her, "Continue sleeping, I will go back first."

Shen Chuwei nodded, "Mhm."

After Xiao Jinyan had left, Shen Chuwei lay back down in the bed.

Xiao Jinyan went straight back to his own bedchamber by climbing over the wall.

Weichi followed by climbing over as well.

He was unaware that Xiao Jinyan had stayed the night in the Hehuan Hall.

When Xueyan entered the bedchamber, she saw Xiao Jinyan coming out of the study, which confirmed that he had been busy until late last night and then rested in the study.

She approached and bowed, "Concubine pays respects to Your Highness."

Xiao Jinyan descended the steps and stood before Xueyan, whose cheeks were now uncovered, revealing a delicate face.

"Why didn’t Concubine Xue sleep in a bit longer?"

Xueyan lifted her delicate face and looked at her husband, Xiao Jinyan, her eyes brimming with affection, "Your Highness was busy last night, and I was worried about your health, so I came over early to see you."

Xiao Jinyan’s voice was cold and distant, "You have my thanks for your concern, Concubine Xue."

"Your Highness, how about we have breakfast together?" Xueyan stepped forward to take Xiao Jinyan’s arm, only to be subtly dodged by him.

"I have to go to the Imperial Study Room. Concubine Xue can have breakfast on her own."

Having said that, Xiao Jinyan walked away briskly.

Liu Xi followed closely behind with a pile of memorials in his arms.

Xueyan’s hand was still suspended in mid-air. She withdrew her hand and watched Xiao Jinyan stride away, clenching her fists tightly.

Shuiyao stepped forward and advised, "Princess, His Highness is just too busy. Let’s go back and have breakfast first."

Xueyan knew all too well that the Crown Prince was busy, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that Xiao Jinyan was deliberately avoiding her.

Shuiyao said, "Princess, I often hear people say that having a child can improve the relationship between husband and wife. You could try it."

Xueyan agreed with Shuiyao’s words. It wouldn’t be wrong to have a child sooner rather than later.

*

Shen Chuwei woke up naturally, enjoyed a delightful breakfast, and was just about to lie down when she saw Liu Xi’s wife, Chun Xi, arrive early. Upon closer inspection, she noticed Chun Xi had quite severe dark circles under her eyes.

No way, did Chun Xi stay up all night in excitement?

"You needn’t be so worked up about it. Look at those dark circles."

Chun Xi had her own unspeakable distress—she was too scared to sleep last night.

After calling Cai Xia into the room, she managed to sleep for a short while.

But the man in black had threatened her, not allowing her to speak indiscreetly.

For the sake of her life, she had no choice but to keep silent.

"Not really." Chun Xi abruptly changed the subject, "Xueyan spent the whole night alone in her quarters."

Shen Chuwei didn’t have the heart to say that Xiao Jinyan had spent the night with her, only leaving the bed at dawn.

Chun Xi grew smug upon saying this, "I would love to see where Xueyan can put her face now."

Speak of the devil, and he shall appear.

Chun Xi came to report, "Miss, Concubine Xue has arrived."

No sooner had she finished speaking than Xueyan walked in, with an elegant stride.

Shen Chuwei and Chun Xi turned to look and saw Xueyan approaching with her face scarf removed. They both paused for a moment.

Xueyan had said that only her husband could remove the scarf. Now that it was gone...

Since His Highness hadn’t been to Qimeng Hall last night, how could it have been him who removed it?

Could it have been her own doing?

Yet, Xueyan indeed was very beautiful, with delicate features and a touch of childish innocence amid her rosy complexion, like a child.

Shen Chuwei stood up and bowed, "Concubine Xue."

Chun Xi and Concubine Xue should have exchanged courtesies.

Seeing that Concubine Xue was standing motionless, Chun Xi naturally was not going to take the initiative to bow.

Xueyan, being a princess, had never considered bowing to Chun Xi.

"Concubine Chun, Lady Shen, are you two catching up on family matters?"

"Just chatting casually." Chun Xi adjusted the embroidery at her temple, her eyes alight with mirth as she looked at Xueyan, "Did Concubine Xue sleep well last night?"

At the mention of spending the previous night alone, Xueyan’s expression turned somewhat unsightly, but she managed a smile and replied, "I slept quite well."

To Chun Xi, that looked like a forced smile.

"Concubine Xue, but I noticed your dark circles seem rather severe."