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After Shen Chuwei finished speaking, she couldn’t help but ask, "Your Highness, why didn’t you tell me before leaving yourself a way out? I almost thought someone was stealing from the East Palace."

Shen Chuwei recounted what had just happened.

Xiao Jinyan laughed at her bravery, "Next time you encounter this kind of situation, no matter where you are, do not let yourself fall into danger."

Shen Chuwei obediently nodded, "Then Your Highness should carry on with your work. I will go back first."

As Shen Chuwei was about to leave, she was stopped by Xiao Jinyan.

"Didn’t you come because you had something to say? Finish speaking, then you may return."

Shen Chuwei thought it wouldn’t take more than a few minutes, so she nodded, "Today, when I went to Xiyun Pavilion, I found a dead sparrow in the chicken coop. Finding it strange, I examined the chicken feed and discovered poison in it."

Xiao Jinyan furrowed his brows, "Someone poisoned the chicken feed? How are the chickens and ducks?"

He remembered from last time; a few chickens and ducks died, and Xiao Jiu was upset for a long time.

Shen Chuwei, who belonged to the Letian Faction, had already moved past the previous upset.

This time, she was rather pleased, "Having learned from past mistakes, I took precautions in case. Everyday, the water the chickens drink contains an antidote, so even if someone deliberately poisons them, the chickens and ducks are fine."

Xiao Jinyan chuckled, "No wonder you’re not upset knowing about the poison—it turns out you were already prepared."

As Xiao Jinyan said this, his eyes suddenly darkened, "Poisoning once or twice—it seems someone is deliberately targeting you. That little eunuch was just a scapegoat! I will find this person."

Shen Chuwei nodded and let out a yawn, "Then I will go rest; Your Highness, you should also finish your work early and rest."

This time, Xiao Jinyan did not stop her.

*

Concubine Xu had been sleeping poorly for two consecutive nights. Tonight was the third night, the time she had arranged to meet the person in black.

To save her own life, she dared not trust anyone.

In the dead of night, she had Cai Xia light several lamps for the purpose of bolstering her own courage and to clearly see the face of the person in black—there might be a chance for revenge in the future.

Concubine Xu kept her gaze fixed on the window until a black figure appeared like a ghost inside the room; despite being prepared, she was still scared.

This time, however, she clearly saw that the person in black had a tall figure, his body wrapped in black clothes, looking quite fitting.

His cheeks were covered with a black scarf, revealing only a pair of beautiful almond-shaped eyes.

Seeing the person in black approach on his own, she inadvertently grasped her handkerchief and pretended to sit calmly.

The person in black walked straight to the peach blossom wood round table and sat down, raising his eyes to look at Concubine Xu sitting opposite, clearly seeing her face as well—worthy of being the Crown Prince’s woman, she looked quite good.

"Is there someone named Xiao Jiu?"

Concubine Xu shook her head, "I’ve asked around, and for the time being, there’s no one named Xiao Jiu."

The person in black was not afraid of Concubine Xu deceiving him. He wasn’t certain if there really was a Xiao Jiu in the Imperial Palace, and his last entry into the palace was just trying his luck.

The person in black pulled out a medicine pill from his bosom and placed it in front of Concubine Xu before turning around and leaving.

After the person in black disappeared from the room, Concubine Xu came to her senses—was he gone just like that?

She looked at the medicine pill on the table, grabbed it eagerly, popped it into her mouth and swallowed it, finally breathing a sigh of relief.

The next day, Xiao Jinyan first had people investigate the poisoning of the chickens and ducks, then ordered Liu Xi to call Lu Zhaoyan over.

When Lu Zhaoyan arrived, Xiao Jinyan got straight to the point, "I want to know what’s in Xueyan’s heart."

"This servant will go make the talisman water right away," Lu Zhaoyan immediately went to prepare the talisman water, already having the birth date and time from the Emperor.

Lu Zhaoyan was efficient, and the talisman water was quickly prepared.

After drinking the talisman water prepared by Lu Zhaoyan, Xiao Jinyan did not hurry to find Xueyan.

Xiao Jinyan’s dinner was at Hehuan Hall.

Chun Xi prepared some dishes that Shen Chuwei and Xiao Jinyan liked to eat.

They had just started eating when someone from outside came to report.

"Concubine Xueyan has arrived."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jinyan’s eyebrows furrowed tightly; after a busy day, he found it particularly annoying that someone had come to disturb his quiet dinner time with Xiaojiu.

No sooner had Shen Chuwei picked up a piece of braised pork and put it in her mouth than she saw Xueyan arrive. Looking at the braised pork in front of her, her favorite, she picked up several more pieces and stuffed another one into her mouth.

Xueyan walked over slowly and bowed,

"Your Highness, I wish you peace and prosperity."

Xiao Jinyan turned his head to look over and saw her dressed lavishly with exquisite makeup; it was clear she had dressed up for the occasion.

"Concubine Xueyan, is there something important?"

With a smile in her eyes, Xueyan said, "Concubine heard that Your Highness often dines here at Hehuan Hall, presumably because the dishes here suit Your Highness’ tastes, so I thought I’d come and try them for myself."

Then she turned to Shen Chuwei and asked softly, "Lady Shen, you don’t mind, do you?"

With puffed cheeks, Shen Chuwei responded, "Of course I mind. The meal is portioned for two, and if Concubine Xueyan wants to try, I’m afraid there won’t be enough."

Xueyan’s smile froze; she hadn’t expected Shen Chuwei to refuse so bluntly. It was clear she was doing this to embarrass me.

Does she not see her own status? Can she really compare to a concubine?

When Xiao Jinyan heard Xueyan’s inward thoughts, he knew that she was not as simple as she appeared on the surface.

"Indeed, the meal is meant for two people," he added.

Still smiling, Xueyan said, "Your Highness, this concubine has a small appetite, just a little bit will suffice."

Think I’ll leave that easily? I’m determined to stay and have dinner.

Xiao Jinyan: "..."

Shen Chuwei: "..."

When it comes to shamelessness, Xueyan was really giving them a lesson.

Xueyan took her seat at the dining table, lifting her skirts, and looking at the trio of dishes and soup before her, she lavished praise, "How delicious, no wonder Your Highness eats here every day at Hehuan Hall; Lady Shen’s cooking skills are truly remarkable."

In her heart, however, she was saying the opposite – a Crown Prince dining and only three dishes with a soup? How meager.

Is this all Lady Shen can prepare, these humble dishes not fit to be seen in public?

Unaware of Xueyan’s inner monologue, Shen Chuwei saw Xueyan sit down and her chopsticks hardly stopped moving, as she feared that Xueyan would eat and she’d be left with nothing.

Xiao Jinyan, however, heard everything quite clearly. He turned his head to look at Xueyan, "The dishes of Hehuan Hall do not suit Concubine Xueyan’s taste."

Having said that, he ordered, "Liu Xi, have the noon meal kitchen send some dishes to Concubine Xueyan."

"Yes." Liu Xi obeyed and went out.

Thinking that Xiao Jinyan was showing her concern, Xueyan coquettishly said, "Your Highness, this concubine is not so delicate. What Your Highness can eat, this concubine can eat as well. Moreover, the meal smells delightful."

"Concubine Xueyan is a princess, born refined; these dishes are not suitable," Xiao Jinyan stated deliberately, implying these dishes are beneath you.

Xueyan always felt that there was more to Xiao Jinyan’s words. She looked up at him and saw him taking his time to enjoy the meal in his bowl as if it was very appetizing.

Shen Chuwei secretly let out a sigh of relief; at least no one would compete with her for the braised pork.

Xueyan sat there, with no one to offer her a bowl or chopsticks, feeling somewhat embarrassed.

She surveyed the furnishings of Hehuan Hall and felt it would be better to stay here than in Qimeng Hall, mainly because it was next to the Crown Prince’s Bedchamber.

If she lived in Hehuan Hall, surely Xiao Jinyan could also spend the night with her even when he was busy.