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Shen Chuwei turned around and saw a tall, handsome man blocking her way.

As a new guard, she simply nodded her head.

“Come on, follow me to the back.

Newcomers must learn the rules,” Qin Xiao said as he pulled Shen Chuwei away.

Surrounded by guards a head taller than her, Shen Chuwei felt like a chicken among cranes.

Shen Chuwei was fair and delicate, with a petite frame, instantly drawing the curious looks of a group of guards.

Weichi sized up Shen Chuwei from head to toe, “Who brought this one in?

How come they recruited such a tender little brat?

Has his hair even grown in fully?”

Shen Chuwei raised her fist to indicate, “Brother, haven’t you heard that a hero’s origin is irrelevant, a guard’s height doesn’t matter; it’s all about talking with our fists.”

A group of guards looked at the delicate pink fist and burst into laughter.

Weichi laughed the loudest, “With those skinny arms and legs of yours, that fist of yours can only flick cotton, right?”

Shen Chuwei looked at the group of guards laughing their heads off and couldn’t be bothered to explain.

It wasn’t a boast; knocking them down one punch at a time was still within her capabilities.

No sooner had Shen Chuwei reached the Crown Prince’s chambers than Lady Chang followed close behind, stopping at the doorway to wait.

Xiao Jinyan appeared under the veranda in a moon-white robe, carrying Xuetuan.

Not seeing Shen Chuwei but only Lady Chang, he scanned the area until his eyes fell on the red figure behind the crowd, with all the guards’ gazes fixed on Shen Chuwei.

His brow furrowed, and he instructed the eunuch beside him, “Have Shen Fengyi take the horse carriage.”

“As you command,” the eunuch said, making his way toward Shen Chuwei.

Xiao Jinyan and Lady Chang left first.

The eunuch approached Shen Chuwei and whispered, “Miss Shen, His Highness has requested that you take the horse carriage.”

Shen Chuwei felt a bit frustrated, “Can’t I ride a horse?”

“His Highness didn’t say that, but he must be worried about you getting a sore backside from horse riding,” the eunuch guessed.

Shen Chuwei said, “I’ll ride a horse then, I could also get a view of Champine Street’s bustling thoroughfare.”

The Emperor and the other Princes had already boarded their horse carriages.

Xiao Jinyan and Lady Chang got into their carriage one after the other.

The eunuch returned to report, “Your Highness, Shen Fengyi wishes to ride a horse.”

Xiao Jinyan lifted the carriage curtain, and not seeing Shen Chuwei, he ordered, “Select for her a horse that is smaller and more gentle.”

“As you command,” the eunuch said, and Weichi picked a smaller horse from the stables for Shen Fengyi.

Shen Chuwei watched as everyone mounted their tall horses, then looked expectantly for her own horse, which was indeed smaller than the others.

“Did you pick the wrong one?

Isn’t this horse still too young?” she asked.

Handing over the reins to Shen Chuwei, Weichi said, “Your small frame is best suited for riding this horse.”

After giving the reins to Shen Chuwei, Weichi mounted a tall horse, ready to set off.

Shen Chuwei looked at the petite horse in front of her; the horse’s large eyes, glittering like copper bells, seemed to gaze back at her as though saying, “We’re both short-legged…”

As the main group began to move out, Shen Chuwei had no choice but to mount the small horse, finding herself much lower in stature compared to the majestic others.

Shen Chuwei patted the horse’s neck and encouraged, “Little horse, although we have short legs, we can’t be slower than the others.

Can you walk a bit faster, please?”

The horse snorted and walked at a leisurely pace.

Shen Chuwei: “…”

Xiao Jinyan’s slender fingers parted the carriage curtains and saw Shen Chuwei on horseback, happily patting the horse’s neck.

He curved his lips slightly; she seemed to really like this horse.

Lady Chang was in a great mood today.

Noticing Xiao Jinyan occasionally lifting the carriage curtain to look outside, a hint of confusion flashed in her eyes, “Your Highness, is there something interesting happening outside?”

“No,” Xiao Jinyan replied coldly, then lowered the curtain, resting his head on his hand, ready to close his eyes and rest a while.

Xuetuan nestled beside Xiao Jinyan, his fluffy head resting on his paws, lazily squinting his eyes.

Lady Chang still wanted to chat with Xiao Jinyan, but as soon as she saw him meditating with his eyes closed, she tried to edge closer.

Suddenly, Xuetuan lifted its head and glared at her, baring its teeth.

Frightened, Lady Chang withdrew her hand.

She didn’t understand why His Highness would bring a pet on a hunting expedition.

Moreover, when Shen Fengyi held Xuetuan, the creature was very obedient.

So why did it become so fierce the moment she got close?

Outside the horse carriage

Shen Chuwei watched the horses ambling at a geriatric pace and turned to look at Guard Weichi beside her, “Big Brother Wei, how about we change horses?”

Weichi flatly refused, “No, what would I look like riding such a small horse?”

“…” Shen Chuwei: “Do I look fine riding it?”

Qin Xiao watched the pair, one person and one horse, and barely suppressed a laugh, “You’d better just ride it properly.

If you accidentally fall off, at least you won’t get hurt too badly.”

Shen Chuwei turned to Qin Xiao with a grin, “Big Brother Qin, how about we switch?”

Qin Xiao also rejected her quite directly, “No.”

Shen Chuwei, looking at the leisurely horse, simply sprawled on its back like a salted fish.

Riding a horse carriage would have been better.

Once they had left the Imperial Palace, Shen Chuwei’s spirit revived at the sight of the bustling, lively avenue.

She couldn’t resist the urge to dismount and walk around.

Unfortunately, with the royal entourage, any carelessness could mean losing one’s head.

As wife cakes, candied haw, and sugar figures whizzed past, Shen Chuwei’s cravings became unbearable.

The bustling street lacked nothing in terms of snacks, many of which Shen Chuwei had never seen before.

She couldn’t help it any longer.

Shen Chuwei patted the horse’s neck, “Horsey, get a bit closer to the carriage.”

The horse leisurely moved closer to the carriage, while Qin Xiao silently stepped back a few paces, making room.

As the horse neared the carriage, Shen Chuwei grasped the reins tightly with one hand and rested the other on the carriage window, her fingers pulling back the curtain to reveal Xiao Jinyan’s stunning profile.

She called out softly, “Your Highness?”

Xiao Jinyan was resting with his eyes closed but not asleep.

He opened his eyes when he heard Shen Chuwei call out to him and saw her disguised as a man.

Her delicate face needed no rouge or powder to stand out, and the half blossom drawn on her forehead made her look even more charming and lovely.

Those clear eyes were looking at him with anticipation.

“What is it?”

Shen Chuwei asked in a very soft voice, “Your Highness, may I dismount to buy something?”

Xiao Jinyan was startled by the word ‘subordinate’, noting her quick adaptation, “It’s against the rules.”

Undeterred, Shen Chuwei persisted, “I will catch up quickly, and I won’t let anyone notice.”

Xiao Jinyan looked at Shen Chuwei’s hopeful little face, her demeanor screaming that she had to dismount, so he asked, “What do you want to buy?”

Lady Chang, curious, peeked out the window to see who Xiao Jinyan was speaking with, noticing that his tone was very different from usual.

What she saw was a youthful face with such exquisite features that one couldn’t help but feel envious.

Especially those eyes, brimming with stars, were brilliant and spellbinding.

And that face was very familiar.

…

…

…A vital explanation is necessary lest the treasures think the protagonist eats just anything.

The protagonist knows what she can eat and what she cannot.

Spiritual Spring Water detoxifies everything, so even if she consumes poisonous food, it’s with a purpose.

The water the protagonist drinks every day comes from the Spiritual Spring Water.