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She looked at the wine she had carefully prepared, feeling it a pity not to drink it.

As she eyed the table full of delicious dishes, she picked up her chopsticks and grabbed a piece of venison, "Your Highness, this venison was specially prepared by your concubine."

Xiao Jinyan declined before she could place it in her bowl, "This palace does not favor venison. Concubine Xueyan, please enjoy it yourself."

Xueyan’s chopsticks had just reached out and had not yet been put in the bowl when she heard this. Her movement paused, and she couldn’t help but resentfully think, who on earth said that Your Highness liked venison?

She had no choice but to put the venison into her own bowl, then she looked up curiously and asked, "Then, what dishes do you like, Your Highness? Your concubine will prepare them for you."

Xiao Jinyan spoke indifferently, "This palace does not like others preparing food for me."

Xueyan was taken aback for a moment, recalling the last meal with Xiao Jinyan, indeed no one had prepared the dishes for them, so she didn’t think much of it.

She lowered her head to eat the venison in her bowl, lifting her eyes to glance at Xiao Jinyan across the table. His way of eating was graceful and noble, not something any ordinary prince could compare to.

At the welcome banquet, she took a fancy to Xiao Jinyan with just one look.

Thinking that she would serve him in bed tonight, her mood was overjoyed beyond measure.

Xiao Jinyan finished a bowl of rice and then stopped eating. He picked up a wet handkerchief handed over by a maid, elegantly wiping his lips.

Seeing this, Xueyan also put down her bowl and chopsticks, picked up a wet handkerchief, and wiped her lips.

Xiao Jinyan ordered, "Have someone prepare hot water."

"Your concubine will order it to be prepared right away." Xueyan rose to instruct Shuiyao to prepare the hot water.

Xiao Jinyan went to the inner chamber. Being someone with a strong preference for cleanliness, his nose was very sensitive. As soon as he stepped in, he smelled a faint fragrance and glanced around the room. His eyes landed on the lily flowers on the desk.

At that time, in Hehuan Hall,

Shen Chuwei, having finished her bath, was planning to go to bed to rest when Xu Concubine, flicking her small handkerchief, pushed open the door and walked in.

Those who entered the inner chamber without knocking, apart from Xiao Jinyan, were probably Xu Concubine.

"Xu Concubine, what brings you here?"

Xu Concubine saw Shen Chuwei dressed airily, just sitting on the couch and thought her very bold.

But then, thinking of how His Highness would stay in Qimeng Hall tonight, she began to feel sorry for Shen Chuwei again.

"Are you planning to rest?" Xu Concubine flicked her small handkerchief and sat down on the couch.

Shen Chuwei nodded, "If not now, should I wait until after the supper to rest?"

She did wish to enjoy some grilled skewers, but sadly, they were not available here—

Mentioning grilled skewers made her crave them again—

"Didn’t you say you trust His Highness? He will be staying in Qimeng Hall tonight." After Xu Concubine finished speaking, she sighed, "His Highness is not even as faithful as that man."

Shen Chuwei leaned in curiously, "Which man are we talking about?"

Xu Concubine blinked twice, her guilt obvious. She had just blurted out the first thing that came to mind; the man in black would certainly not reveal himself, for fear of losing his life.

"I’m speaking of the men in the storybooks, who are faithful and dote on their wives."

Shen Chuwei looked at Xu Concubine, led astray by the stories, and couldn’t help but let out a laugh, "Those storybooks are all deceiving; don’t take them seriously."

Xu Concubine pouted, "Can’t I even feel envious?"

Shen Chuwei chuckled, "Storybooks are made just for you to envy."

Xu Concubine rested her chin in her hands, "You’ve shattered all my beautiful illusions."

Shen Chuwei snorted, "That’s called being clear-headed."

Xu Concubine also snorted; the man in black was indeed faithful! Even if he was a bad guy.

"Now that His Highness is tainted, do you still want him?"

Shen Chuwei looked at Xu Concubine with confusion, "His Highness isn’t tainted."

Xu Concubine’s eyes widened, "He’s going to spend the night in Qimeng Hall, how is he not tainted?"

Shen Chuwei propped up her chin and replied with five words: "I believe in Your Highness."

Concubine Xu snorted, "Sure, but I don’t believe it."

Concubine Xu’s gaze fell on the twin lotus flowers on the low table, a hint of surprise in her voice: "These twin lotuses have been blooming for over two months now, yet they look as if they’ve just been picked."

Shen Chuwei remained noncommittal.

Suddenly, Concubine Xu slammed her hand down on the table.

Shen Chuwei jumped, "What’s wrong?"

"No, this is too easy for Concubine Xue. Wait for my good news" said Concubine Xu, throwing an enigmatic message at Shen Chuwei before briskly walking out with her handkerchief fluttering.

Shen Chuwei watched Concubine Xu disappear through the door, utterly baffled.

She had grown accustomed to Concubine Xu’s fiery temperament.

After Shuiyao had the hot water prepared, Xueyan came in front of Xiao Jinyan with a shy and timid expression, "Your Highness, let this concubine help you undress."

Xiao Jinyan glanced down at Concubine Xue, "Concubine Xue is skilled in playing the zither. How about playing ’High Mountain Flowing Water’ for me to hear?"

The zither was Xueyan’s forte, and Xiao Jinyan wanted to listen—she was more than happy to oblige.

"If Your Highness wishes to listen, then this concubine shall humbly play."

Concubine Xue bowed and settled herself in front of the zither on the desk, with the lily flowers behind her, their fragrance in the air.

She lifted her eyes to look at Xiao Jinyan standing still, raised her slender fingers, and began to play.

Xiao Jinyan stood elegantly, his gaze on the lily flowers, as the melody of ’High Mountain Flowing Water’ resonated in the room. Undeniably, Xueyan’s skill in playing the zither was admirable.

Outside the door, Liu Xi’s shrill voice could be heard, "Your Highness, Concubine Xu from Yixiang Hall is feeling unwell and wishes for Your Highness to have a look."

Xueyan frowned, and her playing paused. It had been difficult to have Your Highness stay overnight, and now Concubine Xu was deliberately trying to snatch him away.

She looked up at Xiao Jinyan, hoping he wouldn’t leave.

Xiao Jinyan cast a glance outside where Liu Xi’s sharp voice continued. He then looked back at Xueyan, "I will return shortly."

After speaking, he pushed the door open and went out.

"Your Highness?" Xueyan followed and saw Xiao Jinyan’s tall figure leaving, which made her fume with irritation.

Shuiyao said indignantly, "Princess, that Concubine Xu is clearly doing this on purpose."

Xueyan returned to the room, her gaze falling on the zither. She sat down and continued to play ’High Mountain Flowing Water’.

When Xiao Jinyan arrived at Yixiang Hall, he saw Concubine Xu lying in bed, clutching her stomach and wailing, "My stomach hurts so much, am I going to die?"

Cai Xia wiped away tears, "My lady, don’t talk nonsense."

Xiao Jinyan approached the bedside, looking down at Concubine Xu who seemed to be in great pain, "Have you called for the Imperial Doctor?"

Kneeling on the ground, Cai Xia nodded with her head bowed, "Your Highness, the Imperial Doctor has been summoned and is on the way."

Concubine Xu, looking at Xiao Jinyan’s intact appearance, realized that nothing had started yet.

She whined, "Your Highness, my stomach hurts so much."

Xiao Jinyan could see through Concubine Xu’s act at a glance, but he didn’t expose her, "Let’s wait for the Imperial Doctor to examine you."

Concubine Xu then asked, "What if the Imperial Doctor can’t cure it?"

Xiao Jinyan responded coldly, "If even the Imperial Doctor can’t cure you, there’s nothing I can do."

Concubine Xu vaguely sensed the hidden message in Xiao Jinyan’s words, "If you can’t be cured, then just wait to die."

Indeed, emperors are the most ruthless!

The Imperial Doctor, Dr. Wen, arrived promptly. As he saw Xiao Jinyan, he stepped forward to bow, "Your Highness."

Xiao Jinyan spoke indifferently, "Check on Concubine Xu first."

"This servant obeys." Dr. Wen rose and began the examination, which normally started with taking Concubine Xu’s pulse.