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Qin Xiao carefully looked around and, observing that no one was nearby, he lowered his gaze to Chun Xi. Illuminated by the torch beside them, even in the pitch-black night, he could see Chun Xi with her head bowed, seemingly unwilling to engage with him.

As the Crown Prince’s personal attendant, Qin Xiao was indeed not skilled in wooing girls, straightforward in speech and manner, which had upset Chun Xi.

He scratched his head and spotted the Pearl Blossom in Chun Xi’s hair, recognizing it instantly as a gift from him.

This alleviated some of the irritation Qin Xiao was feeling.

"Chun Xi, I was too impulsive today. Don’t be upset, I won’t do it again next time," he said.

Chun Xi also felt that Qin Xiao’s actions today were rather improper, but the words that followed made her angry for several days.

"Chun Xi, just pretend you didn’t hear what I said today," Qin Xiao suggested.

Chun Xi looked up at Qin Xiao with confusion, noting his serious expression. No, that was just his usual demeanor, utterly serious in every word he spoke.

"What do you mean by that?" she asked.

"The words I said today were too frivolous, without consideration for your feelings. Just take it as a joke. Let’s go back to how we were before, is that okay?" Qin Xiao’s tone was earnest, as if afraid Chun Xi wouldn’t believe him.

Chun Xi’s face turned from red to dark. All that explanation just to say that everything he said today was a joke and shouldn’t be taken seriously.

"I understand," she replied, her voice muffled.

Unsure, Qin Xiao asked again, "You’re not angry anymore, right?"

"Why should I be angry? It was just a joke, wasn’t it? I never took it seriously," Chun Xi responded dispassionately.

Qin Xiao, who stayed by the Crown Prince’s side, could immediately sense whether the Crown Prince was angry or not, just like how he could tell that Chun Xi’s tone seemed even more upset now.

"I feel like you’re still angry. I promise I won’t say it again, please don’t be mad," Qin Xiao almost raised his hand in oath.

Chun Xi was so annoyed she didn’t even want to speak to Qin Xiao anymore. "I need to go back to serve my master. I’m leaving," she said.

With that, she turned and strode away in a huff.

Qin Xiao scratched his head in frustration. Did I say the wrong thing again?

He sighed helplessly and followed her.

At this moment, the Bonfire Party was in full swing.

Tables surrounded several bonfires in a circle, with princes and ministers gathered around, chatting and enjoying themselves.

Cooks stood at the center, grilling various game meats, the aroma filling the air.

The Empress, smelling the delicious scent of grilled meat, acknowledged its appeal, but felt it didn’t compare to the grilled rabbit she had eaten at the Crown Princess’s place.

Because Chun Xi had marinated the rabbit with seasoning beforehand and brushed it with oil while grilling, ensuring a crispy outside and tender inside.

The seasonings of ancient times could not be compared to the evolved modern ones after being refined through the long river of history.

Palace Maids carried plates, and the chefs sliced the meat to be placed inside, which the Palace Maids then presented before the Emperor and Empress.

The Emperor picked up some grilled wild pork with his chopsticks and placed it into the Empress’s bowl, saying warmly, "It’s rare for the Empress to leave the palace, try this freshly killed and grilled game. It’s a bit different from what’s inside the palace."

Using her chopsticks, the Empress tasted a piece of the grilled wild pork but found that its flavor couldn’t match the grilled rabbit she had earlier, nor was it as crispy on the outside and tender inside.

The Emperor served the Empress a few more pieces, "Eat more if you like it."

In front of so many people, the Empress couldn’t very well spurn the Emperor’s goodwill and nodded her head, continuing to eat the grilled meat in her bowl.

Meanwhile, the Palace Maid placed the grilled wild pork in front of the Crown Prince.

Xiao Jinyan was not particularly keen on food, but he knew someone by his side who was very passionate about delicacies, and at the moment, she was eyeing the plate of wild pork intently.

Ever since the wild pork was done grilling, Shen Chuwei hadn’t taken her eyes off it, watching as the Palace Maid brought it over.

Now she watched as Xiao Jinyan picked up the grilled wild pork and placed it in front of her.

Shen Chuwei brought her own seasonings and thin pancakes. She put on a pair of disposable gloves and began to roll the meat to eat.

Xiao Jinyan watched her eat, intrigued by everything novel, including food. It was his first time seeing meat rolled in thin pancakes, which made him even more curious about her past.

Shen Chuwei, enjoying her meal, spoke sweeter words, "Your Highness, I’ve noticed our understanding of each other has been getting better. Now we at least have sixty percent chemistry."

Sixty percent, Xiao Jinyan had heard Shen Chuwei’s explanation. One hundred percent meant it was very good, a perfect score.

Sixty percent, that low?

"Why sixty percent?" he asked.