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Which woman in the palace does not fear her ungraceful image or unsightly behavior being seen by Your Highness, afraid that displeasing you would cause her to lose favor?

The young master, however, does not seem to shy away at all?

If only I had known, I would have arranged for the crystal pork knuckle to be served at lunch. That way, Your Highness wouldn’t have seen it, and the young master could have indulged without worry.

Well, the young master has always been an uninhibited foodie~

For the matter of producing offspring, Xiao Jinyan almost came to Hehuan Hall night after night.

He arrived especially late tonight.

Shen Chuwei felt it was necessary to educate Xiao Jinyan on such knowledge.

After Xiao Jinyan had bathed, Shen Chuwei moved lightly to him, her small hand actively taking his, as if she wanted to say something but hesitated.

Xiao Jinyan felt a little parched at the sight.

Shen Chuwei led Xiao Jinyan to the bedside and pulled him to sit down.

Xiao Jinyan moved to embrace her, but Shen Chuwei blocked him, prompting a flicker of confusion in his eyes, "What’s wrong?"

Shen Chuwei coughed lightly twice. "Concubine has something she wishes to discuss with Your Highness."

Xiao Jinyan, seeing Shen Chuwei become suddenly serious, couldn’t help but chuckle, "What is it?"

Shen Chuwei pretended to be profound as she shared her thorough professional knowledge, reasoned and analyzed, for Xiao Jinyan to hear.

After finishing, Shen Chuwei asked, "Did Your Highness understand?"

Xiao Jinyan pondered for a moment, "I understood a bit."

Shen Chuwei was quite proud, "If Your Highness does not understand, you may ask Concubine. I have nothing but the truth to tell, and will hold nothing back."

Xiao Jinyan stared at her intently, her fair little face reflecting her smug pride.

"Does this have anything to do with making love?"

Shen Chuwei, startled by the question, shook her head, "Not very much."

Xiao Jinyan then asked, "Do you think I make love with you only for the sake of having children?"

Shen Chuwei blinked her beautiful eyes twice. "Isn’t that the case?"

Xiao Jinyan’s eyes, sparkling like limpid pools, drew near her, "What do you think?"

Shen Chuwei countered, "Wasn’t it Your Highness who said we should try and try again?"

Xiao Jinyan spoke deliberately, "I did say to try. Of course, it would be good news if you could conceive."

Shen Chuwei felt there was a generation gap between her and Xiao Jinyan at the moment. Weren’t they clearly just talking about putting effort into having children a few days ago? Had she misunderstood?

"So, Your Highness’s nightly visits to Hehuan Hall aren’t for the purpose of creating a baby?"

"It is and it isn’t," Xiao Jinyan replied succinctly, pulling her to lie on the bed before lowering the bed curtains.

Shen Chuwei watched Xiao Jinyan’s actions in confusion until he lay down, held her in his arms, and then made no further move, making her feel a bit unreal.

These past days, Xiao Jinyan had indeed been trying exceptionally hard.

She mustered the courage to lift her head and ask, "Your Highness, aren’t we trying tonight?"

Xiao Jinyan said, "Didn’t you say it’s the safe period now?"

Shen Chuwei: "..." She thought he had changed his mind. It turns out he really had understood some of what she had just taught him.

After a few peaceful days, the effort to have children was interrupted by her monthly period.

Shen Chuwei thought Xiao Jinyan would be irritated upon learning this since she had heard from Consort Liu Xi that both the Empress and the Emperor were pressuring him.

To her surprise, Xiao Jinyan said, "I’ll warm your stomach."

After being treated for so long, her periods were no longer very painful, yet Xiao Jinyan still warmed her stomach.

Who would have thought the aloof Crown Prince could be so caring?

Xueyan had stayed behind closed doors for quite some time until today, when her face had completely recovered, and she eagerly made her way to the Crown Prince’s bedchamber.

When Liu Xi came to report, Xiao Jinyan almost forgot about Xueyan’s existence.

Xueyan walked in with dainty steps, curtsying: "Your Highness, I wish you peace and prosperity."

Xiao Jinyan said indifferently, "Consort Xue, there’s no need for you to greet me if you’re unwell."

Consort Xue made her way to the desk, placing the pastries she brought on it, "Your Highness, I have recovered and couldn’t wait to visit you. These are the pastries I had prepared, please have some."

Xiao Jinyan glanced at the pastries on the desk. They were exquisite and seemed delicious, but he had no appetite.

"Consort Xue is kind-hearted."

Hearing his cold and distant voice was something she had grown accustomed to, and she thought nothing of it.

"Your Highness, would you come to my bedchamber for dinner tonight? I have arranged for good wine and dishes."

"I need to review memorials tonight, which may last until late. I won’t have the leisure to join Consort Xue for dinner."

Xiao Jinyan denied her any opportunity to speak further.

Xueyan couldn’t help but press on, "Has Your Highness been this busy in the last few days too?"

Xiao Jinyan: "Not really, I was more at leisure then, only recently have I started becoming busy."

On hearing this, Xueyan’s frustration intensified. Right when Xiao Jinyan had some free time, her facial rash had not yet healed.

Just when she had finally gotten better, Xiao Jinyan had become preoccupied again.

Looking at Xiao Jinyan with pitiful eyes, she said, "Can’t Your Highness spare a moment to dine with your consort? It has been a long time since we shared a meal."

Xiao Jinyan’s voice was icy: "Being the Crown Prince, I have numerous official duties to tend to every day. Can’t you be a little more understanding?"

Xueyan was taken aback, never having been talked to like that, pampered as she was from birth.

"Your Highness, it’s not that I’m not understanding, but it’s been some time since I joined the East Palace."

Xueyan was reminding Xiao Jinyan that he had not consummated their marriage since she came to the East Palace.

With his keen intellect, how could Xiao Jinyan fail to grasp the implication in Xueyan’s words?

"I am preoccupied with state affairs and have forgotten how long it has been since Consort Xue joined the East Palace. Surely you would not blame me?"

Seeing that Xiao Jinyan didn’t pick up on her hints, Xueyan grew anxious, "Why would I blame Your Highness? Just spare some time to be with me, please."

Xiao Jinyan’s response was lukewarm: "Hmm."

Twisting her handkerchief, Xueyan looked at Xiao Jinyan somewhat shyly, "Until what time will Your Highness be busy tonight?"

Xiao Jinyan: "I am not certain."

Still unconvinced, Xueyan tried again, "Can Your Highness perhaps rest earlier tonight?"

Xiao Jinyan countered, "By talking with me now, can I finish my work promptly and rest early?"

Startled, Xueyan looked at the stacks of memorials and official documents in front of her. She had no choice but to stand up and curtsy, "Then this consort shall take her leave first."

Xiao Jinyan: "Hmm."

After leaving the Crown Prince’s bedchamber, Xueyan kept thinking about Shen Chuwei occupying Xiao Jinyan’s nights, feeling regretful and angry.

If not for her face, would Shen Chuwei have any chance to monopolize Xiao Jinyan?

Back in Qimeng Hall, Xueyan’s feelings of anger and unwillingness only grew.

Shuiyao entered, carrying a green-skinned watermelon, "Princess, this is a seedless watermelon sent by the Emperor, eat it to satisfy your cravings."

"A seedless watermelon?" Xueyan looked at the watermelon for a while before suddenly smirking, "Shuiyao, send the watermelon to Lady Shen, and tell her it is a rare seedless watermelon, a gift from the Emperor."

She emphasized the words "without seeds" deliberately, intending to mock Shen Chuwei’s fate, implying: So what if you cling to His Highness for several nights? What if you’re favored by him? In the end, aren’t you just like a seedless watermelon?