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Leading the group, Lady Xu bowed to Your Highness, “Your Highness, wishing you peace and prosperity.”

“Rise,” said Xiao Jinyan with a cold face as he approached the bedside, and Lady Xu along with the other two automatically made way.

Shen Chuwei reluctantly withdrew her gaze towards Xiao Jinyan, her eyes filled with expectation, “Your Highness.”

Xiao Jinyan sat down on the chair and looked up at Shen Chuwei lying on the bed, asking warmly, “Feeling any better?”

Shen Chuwei glanced at Xiao Jinyan and the eunuch behind him, noting that both hands were empty.

Not seeing him bring any pastries, she felt a touch of disappointment and withdrew her gaze, “To Your Highness, this concubine feels somewhat better, yet still weak all over, always sensing something lacking.”

Xiao Jinyan, of course, didn’t catch the hidden meaning in Shen Chuwei’s words, “With such a severe injury, it’s natural to lack strength.

Rest well, and you will recover.”

“This concubine understands,” sighed Shen Chuwei, thinking how men really are clueless brutes; he didn’t even keep his promise to buy pastries.

Behind Xiao Jinyan, Lady Xu and the others stood watching the scene unfold, noting that the Crown Prince seemed more mild-mannered than usual at this moment.

Xu Chenghui rolled her eyes at Shen Chuwei, unable to stop herself from inwardly criticising, The Crown Prince is truly blind; Shen Fengyi is obviously pretending to be weak to curry favor with you, and you can’t even see through such a clumsy ruse!

This inner monologue was clearly heard by Xiao Jinyan.

Shen Chuwei nearly lost her life saving my palace, and you dare only make sarcastic remarks in your heart.

He spoke without a change in expression, “Xu Chenghui, have you had any free time these days?”

Xu Chenghui’s heart leapt, “To Your Highness, this concubine has indeed had plenty of free time lately.”

Her heart was overjoyed, thinking that the Crown Prince had finally noticed her, and she might even get to attend to him this evening.

Xiao Jinyan ignored the improper thoughts in Xu Chenghui’s mind and spoke indifferently, “Since that’s the case, then help this palace gather the daily dew until a full pot is collected.”

The dew has many uses; it can sweeten tea when boiled, be used to brew liquor, or be used in medicine.

Xu Chenghui paused for a moment, thinking that the Crown Prince had summoned her for some favorable task, but instead, she was to collect dew?

Gathering dew calls for an early rise each day, and it would take at least a month to fill a pot.

Oh well, she could always substitute spring water for dew; after all, the Crown Prince wouldn’t notice the difference.

Xiao Jinyan gave an order upon hearing this, “Eunuch Liu, have someone accompany Xu Chenghui daily, so she won’t be frightened by the dark while collecting dew.”

Eunuch Liu responded, “As you command.”

With a handkerchief in hand, Lady Xu chuckled secretly, “Sister Xu is truly fortunate, to be able to undertake tasks for His Highness.”

Xu Chenghui gave Lady Xu an annoyed look.

Do you want this kind of fortune?

Lady Xu kindly reminded, “However, I have heard that dew exposed to light loses its properties, so you’ll need to rise early, sister.”

Xu Chenghui: “…” Lady Xu, shut your annoying mouth!

Xiao Jinyan nodded in agreement, “Did you hear that, Xu Chenghui?”

With reluctance, Xu Chenghui nodded, “This concubine heard you.”

Shen Chuwei hadn’t seen Xiao Jinyan bring pastries and her gaze drifted to the pastries in Ding Xiang’s hands; she sighed, finally understanding the pain of being able to see but not taste.

Xiao Jinyan’s gaze turned to Shen Chuwei, noting her lackluster spirit, and he inquired, “Shen Fengyi, are you feeling unwell somewhere?”

Shen Chuwei shook her head, blinking her large eyes, she asked, “Your Highness, are you busy?”

Inwardly she hoped, Please go attend to your duties, Your Highness; then Tao Chenghui will remember to bring the pastries to her.

Xiao Jinyan: “…I am somewhat busy.”

Shen Chuwei’s eyes curved with encouragement, “Then please go tend to your duties, Your Highness.

Otherwise, if you cannot finish in time, it might delay the evening meal.”

“…” This was the first time Xiao Jinyan had been urged by a woman to attend to his duties, but thinking she was concerned that he might be too busy to eat his evening meal, he didn’t give it much thought.

“Mmm, I will come again for the evening meal.”

As Xiao Jinyan stood up, he glanced at Lady Xu and the others and reminded them coldly, “Shen Fengyi needs to rest and recover.

Do not disturb her for too long.”

The three hurriedly curtsied and chorused in unison, “Your Highness, your concubine understands.”

Xiao Jinyan withdrew his gaze and walked out.

Eunuch Liu followed closely behind.

“Sister Shen, rest well, I will head back first.” Xu Chenghui, holding back a swell of frustration, left with a swish of her slender waist.

Upon leaving Xiyun Pavilion, Xu Chenghui began to strategize in her mind, convinced that His Highness indeed favored women who portrayed weakness, Lady Chang was one, and so was Shen Fengyi.

It seemed that to gain favor, she would have to learn Shen Fengyi’s tactics.

Lady Xu’s elder brother was a general who had also attended the autumn hunting expedition; she had gleaned some information about the event from him.

Shen Fengyi was injured because she saved His Highness, that ruse of using oneself as bait wasn’t something anyone could muster the courage to do; a slight mishap could mean death.

That’s why His Highness regarded Shen Fengyi so differently.

“Hearing that my sister was injured, I especially brought you the snow skin cream, which is perfect for healing scars.”

Lady Xu said as she took out an exquisitely crafted box from her sleeve and handed it to Shen Chuwei.

Shen Chuwei accepted the snow skin cream, “Thank you, Sister Xu, for the snow skin cream.”

Lady Xu replied, “There’s no need for such formalities between sisters.”

Tao Chenghui had heard about the snow skin cream, which was made from Tianshan snow lotus and millennium lingzhi—a very rare treasure.

Looking at the pastries she had brought, they instantly seemed incomparable.

Tao Chenghui, feeling somewhat embarrassed, took the pastries from Ding Xiang and placed them on a short table, “Sister Shen, I didn’t know about your injury when I came, so I just brought some pastries for you to taste, I hope you won’t look down on them.”

Shen Chuwei had been waiting for the pastries; how could she possibly disdain them now that they’ve finally arrived?

“I don’t, I don’t.”

She looked at the pastries on the white porcelain dish; they looked like lotus flowers and probably belonged to a type of tea fruit.

She could hardly wait to pick up a piece of pastry and take a bite, it melted in her mouth—sweet but not overly so, similar to the taste of the “lovebirds” pastry.

As she savored the pastries she had long been craving, her eyes narrowed contentedly.

Seeing this, Tao Chenghui laughed lightly, holding up her handkerchief, “As long as my sister likes it.”

A flicker of puzzlement crossed Lady Xu’s eyes; the snow skin cream she gave was far more precious than the pastries, yet she hadn’t seen Shen Fengyi this pleased, all because of a few inconspicuous pastries?

What kind of world was this?

Inside the Fengyi Palace

The Empress revealed an incredulous look, “Is everything you’ve said the truth?

Someone actually dared to assassinate the Crown Prince?”

Xiao Jinyu nodded vigorously, “Empress Mother, you have no idea how perilous it was.

It’s fortunate that Fengyi risked her life to save me.

It’s just a pity that the assassin in black died from poisoning, and we were unable to find the mastermind behind him.”

Eunuch Ren bowed as he came forward to report, “Empress Mother, Lady Chang requests an audience.”

Upon hearing that her niece had come, the Empress said, “Let her in quickly.”

After Eunuch Ren left, Lady Chang was helped in by her maid and came forward to give her respects, “Aunt Empress, I wish you peace and safety.”

Seeing the injury on Lady Chang’s foot, the Empress felt a twinge of heartache, “Dismiss the formalities, you’re hurt.”

“Thank you, Aunt,” Lady Chang nodded to Xiao Jinyu in greeting, “Prince Jinyu is here too.”

Xiao Jinyu, not too fond of this cousin, responded coolly, “Indeed.”

…

…Master Yunsi: Xiao Jinyu is also an enabler!