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Shen Chuwei said, "We met on the street, why do you ask?"

Xiao Jinyan asked sternly, "Why have you not mentioned this to me before?"

Shen Chuwei asked in confusion, "Why should I report to Your Highness about someone I met on the road?"

Seeing her reasoning as natural, Xiao Jinyan furrowed his brows, "Look at Jun Wuxian’s attire—all of it suggests he is a young nobleman. Where is he lacking a tael of silver? At first glance, it is clear he has ulterior motives."

Xiao Jinyan’s face was icy, yet every time he spoke to her, there was still some tenderness. His harshness today took Shen Chuwei by surprise for a moment.

"I remember at that time he wanted the Candied Haw in my hand. A grown man couldn’t even afford Candied Haw; doesn’t that mean he has no silver?"

Xiao Jinyan pressed, "Did you give it to him?"

Shen Chuwei shook her head, "I brought it back for Your Highness, and you complained that the Candied Haw was too sweet."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Jinyan felt somewhat relieved inside, knowing she remembered to bring it back for him to eat. But had he ever complained that the Candied Haw was too sweet?

"I believe that Jun Wuxian’s approach towards you and the encounter with Concubine Xu are not for simple reasons."

Shen Chuwei reminded him, "I’ve only met Jun Wuxian twice; what kind of purpose could he have?"

Xiao Jinyan raised an eyebrow, "Do you not trust me?"

Shen Chuwei said, "Of course, I trust Your Highness."

Xiao Jinyan then showed a satisfied expression. Considering today’s reaction from Concubine Xu, he always felt that it was not the first time she had met Jun Wuxian, seeing her unwillingness to part, it seemed they had known each other for quite some time.

And that look in Jun Wuxian’s eyes, he felt he had seen it somewhere before.

Xiao Jinyan pondered for a long time but couldn’t understand, and when he lowered his head, he found Xiao Jiu lying on his legs, fast asleep.

Really, after eating and drinking her fill, sleep followed.

Xiao Jinyan adjusted her to a comfortable position and, looking at her sleeping face, he unexpectedly felt a sense of peace.

They reached the Imperial Palace the following morning.

As soon as Shen Chuwei returned to the East Palace, she immediately let go of Xiao Jinyan’s hand and ran all the way into the Hehuan Hall.

Xiao Jinyan watched Xiao Jiu’s impatient manner, missing her after just a few days apart.

When he had led troops out for half a year, he was eager to return, yet he never saw her so eager to see him.

He was not even as good as the two children...

The more Xiao Jinyan thought about it, the sadder he felt.

At that moment, the two little ones were supporting themselves on the railing, trying to climb out.

"Babies, your mother has returned."

Shen Chuwei’s affectionate call successfully drew the attention of the two little ones who were about to climb over the railing.

Even after several days without seeing her, they recognized Shen Chuwei.

Susu stretched out her hands happily, wanting to be held, "Mommy, mommy!"

Shen Chuwei picked up her daughter and gave her a big kiss on her rosy cheeks.

"Susu, my treasure."

Susu joyfully waved her arms and legs, holding tightly around Shen Chuwei’s neck, her eyes curving into crescents when she smiled.

When Xiao Jinyan came in, he witnessed this scene and felt warmth in his eyes. Seeing Taotao raising his little head to watch Shen Chuwei and Susu, he walked over and picked up Taotao as well.

"Daddy, daddy..." Taotao called out happily.

Watching his son’s happy expression, Xiao Jinyan suddenly remembered his own childhood, which might have also had such joyful moments.

The wet nurses stood by, smiling along, "The young masters are very happy to see Your Highness and the Crown Princess."

Xiao Jinyan looked up at the wet nurses, "When the Crown Princess and I were not in the palace, did they cry or make a fuss?"

"Answering Your Highness, the little masters have been well-behaved and did not cry or fuss. However, they are happier now that Your Highness and the Crown Princess have returned," replied the wet nurse with a smile.

Upon hearing this, Shen Chuwei looked at Susu clinging to her neck, not letting go. She must have missed her terribly over the past few days.

"Having not seen me for a few days, Susu misses me so much; indeed, she is my little cotton-padded jacket."

Xiao Jinyan curved his lips into a slight smile. He had heard of little cotton-padded jackets, little waistcoats, and past lovers in his previous life, but he was hearing for the first time from Xiao Jiu that his children had so many amusing nicknames.

Having been away from the palace for several days, there was a pile of official business waiting. After holding Taotao for a while, Xiao Jinyan left the Hehuan Hall.

At this moment, Xuetuan walked in from outside with Xiaobai, who had the same pure white coat. Upon arrival, they immediately caught the attention of Susu and Taotao.

Xuetuan brought Xiaobai to Susu and, with a loosen of its mouth, Xiaobai fell to the ground.

Being in a strange place, Xiaobai was too scared to move.

Susu reached out, grabbed Xiaobai’s tail, dragged it in front of her, and then hugged it tightly.

Xiaobai, having never experienced such an enthusiastic embrace, looked at Xuetuan across from it in a daze, as if it wanted to yell, "Big brother, save me!"

Ever since Chun Xi learned that Xiaobai was a tiger, she had been on tenterhooks every day.

"Master, this is the first time Xiaobai has seen Susu. What if it scratches Susu?"

Shen Chuwei calmly sipped her tea, "Don’t worry, Xiaobai won’t hurt the baby."

Hearing this, Chun Xi looked at Susu holding Xiaobai, and she felt terrified every time she saw Xiaobai open its mouth.

After several times, when Xiaobai hadn’t bitten Susu, she finally felt relieved.

Upon knowing Your Highness had returned, Lady Liang brought homemade pastries to the Study Room.

Xiao Jinyan was reviewing memorials.

Lady Liang walked in slowly, bowed towards Xiao Jinyan, "Your Highness, may you be bathed in peace and prosperity."

Xiao Jinyan looked up and glanced at Lady Liang, "Is there something Lady Liang is here for?"

Lady Liang brought a food box over to the desk, opened it, and placed the pastries on the desk.

"Your Highness, I have personally made some pastries, please try them."

Xiao Jinyan, without lifting his head, said, "Next time, there is no need to make the trip yourself. Just have a maid bring them over."

Lady Liang felt a bit displeased inside, yet couldn’t show it and said softly, "It’s been a while since I’ve seen Your Highness, so I took the opportunity to pay my respects."

Xiao Jinyan raised his head, picked up a memorial, and continued reading, speaking indifferently, "I heard Lady Liang often visits the Empress Dowager to pay her respects."

Lady Liang was secretly pleased that her decision was the right one, noticing that Xiao Jinyan had paid attention to her; she must have come off as someone with great filial piety.

"I enjoy talking and chatting with the Empress Dowager. Since I have time on my hands, I make it a point to visit her daily."

"The palace is busy with official affairs every day, and I don’t have time to visit the Empress Dowager, so I will trouble Lady Liang to spend more time with her on my behalf and fulfill my duties of filial piety.

" Xiao Jinyan paused for a moment and then continued, "I heard the Empress Dowager enjoys the Diamond Sutra. Copy it for me and present it to her."

Lady Liang’s face took on a displeased look, to copy the Diamond Sutra? And to spend more time with the Empress Dowager on a daily basis?

Xiao Jinyan raised his eyebrows with a hint of anger, "What, you’re unwilling?"

Lady Liang lowered her eyelids; even though she was unhappy, she could only nod in agreement.

"I am naturally willing to fulfill my duties of filial piety for Your Highness."

Xiao Jinyan shifted his glance away, "Then go."

"As you command, Your Highness." Lady Liang exited the Study Room.

As soon as she left the Study Room, Lady Liang was fuming with anger but had no outlet for it—she could only return to her own Xinlan Hall to vent her frustration.

Having taken great effort to copy the Diamond Sutra and delivering it to the Empress Dowager’s place, she unfortunately encountered rainy and snowy weather and carelessly slipped. The carefully copied sutras fell into water, the ink blurring out of shape, and the characters became illegible.

Huai Xiang rushed forward to help Lady Liang up, expressing her concern, "Young mistress, are you alright?"

Lady Liang stared at the paper filled with characters floating in the water, feeling increasingly resentful, yet she had no choice but to go back and start copying again.

Back at Xinlan Hall, Lady Liang threw a massive tantrum, leaving the floor in disarray.

Lady Liang’s once well-arranged hair was now disheveled, and she had lost her usual gentle and elegant demeanor.

The discussion about Xiao Jinyu’s wedding had been delayed, and before anyone realized, the babies’ first birthday had arrived.

The Emperor was happy and hosted a grand feast, with civil and military officials arriving one after another to offer their congratulations.

The two little ones were already walking and would, if not carefully watched, wander off, making them difficult to find.

The palace was bustling about because of the birthday celebration.

However, Shen Chuwei kept thinking about attending the banquet.

Chun Xi ran in, out of breath, "Master, Susu is missing."

Shen Chuwei was preparing birthday gifts for the babies and, upon hearing that her darling was missing, became anxious, "How could she be missing?"

Chun Xi explained, "I had just gone in to dress Susu in new clothes, but she wasn’t in the bed. The wet nurses have already gone to look for her."