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"Why are you in my room at this ungodly hour?"

The person clad in black sized up Concubine Xu, a teasing smile playing on his lips, "With a figure like yours, what is there to hide?"

Concubine Xu’s face turned red with anger at his words, "What about my figure? It’s quite good, you just don’t appreciate it, but someone else will."

The person in black let out a light chuckle, "How bad must their taste be?"

Concubine Xu was best at snapping back at people, but in front of the person in black, her talent for retort seemed to vanish.

It took her a moment to spit out a response, "Still better than yours."

The person in black didn’t get angry, "Do you want to leave the palace?"

She had only told Shen Chuwei about her desire to leave the palace; how could the person in black guess her thoughts?

Looking at the person in black with a surprised expression, she asked, "How do you know?"

The person in black kindly reminded her, "If you want to leave the palace, you’d better hurry. When you get older, it won’t be easy to find a husband."

Concubine Xu: "..."

That night, many officials, drunk, staggered out of the Imperial Palace with the help of their subordinates and colleagues.

Even Xiao Jinyu, who typically abstained from alcohol, indulged in a few more cups than usual and returned to Qian Cheng Hall with the support of his Guard.

Upon returning to his Bedchamber, he found Miss Han waiting for him at the desk.

Miss Han stepped forward to meet him, dismissed the Guard with a wave, and helped the alcohol-laden Xiao Jinyu back to his room.

"Why have you drunk so much? To the ignorant, it might seem like it’s your wedding day," said Miss Han as she supported Xiao Jinyu to the bed, only to be pulled down with him onto it.

Xiao Jinyu, looking at her, let out a couple of chuckles, "If it were my wedding, I’d definitely be happier than today."

Miss Han, propping herself up on the bed, looked down at the foolishly grinning Xiao Jinyu, "So, when will your wedding be?"

Xiao Jinyu paused at her words, as if seriously contemplating the question.

But his inebriated mind was like paste, incapable of forming a coherent thought.

He shook his head, "I don’t know yet."

Miss Han’s slender fingers caressed Xiao Jinyu’s handsome face, her cool voice carrying a dangerous allure, "Then how about you marry me?"

Xiao Jinyu’s mind seized up for a moment.

Seeing his silence, her fingers drifted to his lips, "Prince Jinyu..."

Xiao Jinyu, as if bewitched, even forgot to resist.

*

The next morning

Xiao Jinyan had awoken quite early since it was just after his wedding, which meant no need to attend the morning court.

He looked down at the person in his embrace, who was sleeping as peacefully as a cat beside him.

Having skipped the nuptial chamber ritual, he felt as though something was missing.

His hand caressed her delicate face as he called out, "Xiao Jiu, it’s time to wake up."

Seeing no response, Xiao Jinyan’s gaze fell upon her tender lips and, unable to resist, leaned down to kiss her.

Even in deep slumber, one would awaken under such an intimate kiss.

"Mmm mmm..."

Shen Chuwei struggled to open her eyes and, seeing the handsome face close to hers, she murmured groggily, "... Jinyan."

Xiao Jinyan chuckled lightly, "It’s time to get up."

But Shen Chuwei was unbearably sleepy, wrapping her arms around Xiao Jinyan’s neck and burrowing into his chest.

"Let me sleep a little longer," she pleaded, her voice sweet as cotton candy.

Xiao Jinyan, looking down at the person snuggling into his arms, felt a stirring of emotion with the soft jade in his embrace.

"You must get up today; we need to pay our respects and offer tea to my parents," he said.

Shen Chuwei rubbed her eyes; she’d almost forgotten that in ancient times, you needed to present tea to your in-laws, and the palace had even more rules.

"Parents-in-law are paramount; time to get up."

With Chun Xi’s assistance, Shen Chuwei washed and began to dress.

As a Crown Princess on her first day, she had to be extremely particular about her attire and coiffure when paying respects to her in-laws.

Shen Chuwei gazed at the regal hairstyle and lavish ornaments in the mirror.

She had thought such grandeur was only required on the day of the enfeoffment, but it seemed every day required such high-born luxury—

Then came the dressing, and she realized even the clothes were particular; the Crown Princess must wear fitting attire daily, meaning the clothes were both luxurious and complex—

Chun Xi, proud of her handiwork, asked, "Master, does it look good?"

Shen Chuwei examined her reflection, noticing the makeup was thicker than usual, emphasizing the Crown Princess’s noble elegance.

"It looks good, but it’s so exhausting."

Chun Xi was puzzled, "Exhausting?"

Xiao Jinyan then came over, "It’s time to go."

"Mm." Shen Chuwei stood up, lifting her skirt and following Xiao Jinyan out of the East Palace.

Inside Fengyi Palace

The Emperor went to Fengyi Palace after leaving the morning court, planning to have breakfast with the Empress.

Ever since the Empress returned to the palace, she had been in poor health, and the Imperial Doctor advised her to rest quietly.

It had been several days since he’d stayed overnight in Fengyi Palace.

In the meantime, the Emperor had been resting in Yangxin Hall and had not summoned any concubines to his sleeping quarters.

As the Emperor stepped into the Bedchamber and the Empress finished her courtesies, he moved forward to help her up, "Empress, are you feeling better?"

The Empress responded indifferently, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. This concubine is well."

She always claimed to be well, yet whenever he wished to stay in Fengyi Palace, the Empress would decline, citing her poor health.

Qing Ying stepped forward briskly to report, "Your Majesty, the Crown Prince and Crown Princess are here to pay respects."

The Emperor commanded, "Let them in."

"As you wish." Qing Ying bowed and withdrew.

Hand in hand with the Empress, the Emperor led her towards the throne.

The Empress glanced at their interlocked hands; recently, the Emperor had been constantly taking her hand, and resisting seemed not an option.

The older he got, the more peculiar he became!

When Xiao Jinyan and Shen Chuwei entered, the Emperor and Empress were already seated on their thrones.

Appearing before her in-laws for the first time in the role of daughter-in-law, Shen Chuwei was required to perform a kowtow ritual.

Xiao Jinyan and Shen Chuwei spoke in unison, "Your son comes to pay respects to Father Emperor and Mother Empress."

Qing Ying brought the freshly brewed tea over.

Xiao Jinyan and Shen Chuwei successively lifted their cups to offer tea to the Emperor and Empress.

The Empress sipped from the cup and, with a smile in her eyes, looked at Shen Chuwei: "Alright, you may stand."

It had been a long time since the Emperor saw the Empress smile, but it wasn’t for him.

"Stand up, all of you."

"Thank you, Father Emperor and Mother Empress."

Xiao Jinyan, holding Shen Chuwei’s hand, helped her to her feet, and stood in the center of the Hall, waiting for their instructions.

The Empress set down her teacup and said, "I will visit Hehuan Hall later to check on Taotao and Susu."

The subtext was clear; she wanted the Crown Princess to stay behind so they could return to the East Palace together later.

The Emperor interjected quickly, "I’ve been so busy I haven’t seen Taotao and Susu in days. After breakfast, I’ll find time to accompany you."

I’m this busy, yet I’ll make time to accompany you; the Empress ought to be happy, right?

Empress: "..." Who wants your company?

ps: Second update

I’ve had a headache all day, and it was a struggle to write this Chapter...