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Yet, the items in the secret compartment did indeed exist.

Why didn’t Xiao Jinyan admit it?

The more Shen Chuwei thought about it, the more she felt that the secret of the compartment must be very important to Xiao Jinyan.

Just like her, who would store all her favorite treats in the Space~

Shen Chuwei didn’t bring up the items from the secret compartment because she felt guilty, as peeping into someone else’s secrets was inherently wrong.

She was simply too curious and couldn’t hold back.

Since that drunken night, the man in black had disappeared and never showed up again.

Lady Xu sat by the window, fanning herself in the summer heat, staring into the pitch-black night, the sound of the wind and the chirping of insects in her ears.

She had been waiting like this for two months.

During these two months, Lady Liang went to the Cining Palace especially often, reading sutras to the Empress Dowager and massaging her legs.

These were tasks that Wanxin usually did. But once Lady Liang started coming every day, Wanxin was left with nothing much to do.

Watching Lady Liang massaging the Empress Dowager’s legs, Wanxin asked humbly for advice, "Sister Liang has very skilled hands, I should really learn from you."

"Miss Wanxin flatters me," Lady Liang replied with a slight smile, thinking, Compete with me? You think you’re worthy?

The Empress Dowager was delighted with both Lady Liang and Wanxin by her side. "This old body is halfway into the grave, but having you girls around every day lifts my spirits."

Lady Liang hastened to say, "It’s my fortune to serve by Your Highness’s side, who favored me the most when I was young."

Wanxin, holding the Hibiscus Cake she had prepared in advance, offered it with both hands, "Empress Dowager, I’ve prepared some snacks for you. Please have a taste."

Seeing the Hibiscus Cake, the Empress Dowager took a piece and lavishly praised, "Wanxin is so clever and handy, your Hibiscus Cake is even tastier than those from the Imperial Kitchen."

Wanxin replied with a smile, "As long as the Empress Dowager enjoys it, I am happy."

The Empress Dowager enjoyed the Hibiscus Cake. Being older, she couldn’t eat very sweet things, but the sweetness of Wanxin’s cake was just right.

"You are so virtuous, it’s hard for me to let you marry off, but I promised to find you a good husband, and even if I’m reluctant, it must be done," said the Empress Dowager.

Wanxin took the hand of the Empress Dowager and said with great reluctance, "Empress Dowager, I wish to serve you by your side for the rest of my life."

"You silly girl, what nonsense are you talking about?" Although she scolded her verbally, the Empress Dowager was very pleased inside.

Hearing this, Lady Liang had a bad feeling, thinking, what if the Empress Dowager assigns Wanxin to His Highness? Wouldn’t that mean one more competitor for His favor?

"Grand Empress Dowager, I remember you enjoy Date Paste Steamed Cake the most. I will make some and bring it to you tomorrow," she suggested.

The Empress Dowager nodded happily, "Good, it’s been a long time since I’ve had any, I really want to try it."

Lady Liang lowered her eyelids, her eyes filled with schemes.

The next day, Lady Liang brought the carefully made Date Paste Steamed Cakes to the Cining Palace.

"Grand Empress Dowager, I’ve brought you some Date Paste Steamed Cake," said Lady Liang cheerfully, but then she slipped, lost her balance, and fell to the ground, spilling the cakes which became too dirty to eat.

Wanxin stepped forward to help Lady Liang up, asking with concern, "Sister Liang, are you alright?"

The Empress Dowager was also startled, "Lanlan, are you okay?"

"Grand Empress Dowager, I’m fine, it’s just a shame about the Date Paste Steamed Cake," Lady Liang said, enduring the pain in her bottom, anger bubbling up inside her at the thought of the filthy cakes—why was the floor so slippery?

The Empress Dowager let out a sigh of relief, "As long as you’re unharmed, it’s all the same, you can always eat more next time."

At that moment, the Palace Maid stepped lightly into the room, "Miss Wanxin, the Date Paste Steamed Cake you made is ready."

The Empress Dowager was somewhat surprised, "Wanxin, did you also make Date Paste Steamed Cake?"

Hearing this, Lady Liang looked up at Wanxin with a tone of suspicion in her voice, "Why did Miss Wanxin make Date Paste Steamed Cake?"

"Yesterday, I heard Sister Liang mention that the Empress Dowager enjoys Date Paste Steamed Cake. With nothing much to do, I tried making it. I attempted several times without success, and I’m not sure about this batch either," Wanxin explained.

The Empress Dowager’s craving had been aroused, and she couldn’t wait to taste it, "Bring it here, let me try."

Wanxin complied and brought over the Date Paste Steamed Cake.

"Empress Dowager, please have a taste."

Lady Liang glimpsed the Date Paste Steamed Cake, which was no worse than hers, and saw the Empress Dowager eat it and then praise Wanxin for how delicious it was.

Watching Wanxin’s self-satisfied little expression, she seemed naive, but who would have thought she had such deep schemes, deliberately embarrassing her!

The babies were six months old now, and although they couldn’t quite crawl properly, their bodily coordination was excellent, allowing them to move towards wherever they wanted.

The oppressive summer heat made the bamboo mat on the bed a more convenient surface for the two babies to explore and seek out novelties.

Xuetuan and Yuan Gungun became the main toys for the two children.

Xuetuan lay on the bed, his head pushed down very low, while Susu used Xuetuan’s head as a pillow, little hands playing with his fluffy ears.

Xuetuan watched TaoTao helplessly because she was seriously pulling on his few snow-white whiskers, occasionally showing sharp teeth.

Yuan Gungun, having been tussled about himself, hid under a low table, watching Xuetuan with sympathy, as if to say, "Bro, just hold on a little longer; once the little tyrants fall asleep, you’ll be free."

Xuetuan: "..."

Shen Chuwei lay on the bed for her afternoon nap and, although she seldom dreamed, she had a very long dream.

In the dream, she was a five-year-old child, running tirelessly with her little short legs. The corridor seemed endless, leaving her breathless from exhaustion.

The scene shifted, and suddenly she was grown up, much taller, but she was still running, and the corridor in front of her remained very long.

At the end of the corridor stood a tall figure. With all her might, she tried to catch up.

"Brother Jinyan, wait for me!"

Shen Chuwei suddenly opened her eyes to find herself staring into a pair of deep, dark phoenix eyes, which made her hesitate for a moment.

Xiao Jinyan took out a handkerchief from his sleeve and wiped off the sweat on her forehead, "Did you have a nightmare? You even called me Brother Jinyan in your sleep."

ps: Second update