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On the few previous occasions when Xiao Jinyan was severely troubled by headaches, he would recall memories that belonged to Xiao Jinyan. Although it was strange, those were indeed Xiao Jinyan’s memories.

Lin Xian had also heard Shen Chuwei mention it a few times before. At first, he didn’t pay attention, but after the next two times, he discovered that memories of another person would pop up in his mind without his knowledge, and those memories were Xiao Jinyan’s.

Seeing her worried expression, he spoke softly, "Go to sleep."

"Okay." Shen Chuwei lay down beside him and nearly fell asleep as soon as her head touched the pillow.

*

Today was Ouyang Leyuan’s birthday. The Imperial City had already started bustling preparations for the birthday feast. In fact, preparations had begun two days earlier, but the activity was not as hectic as today.

Ouyang Leyuan was busy as the birthday star today and had no time to look for Lin Xian.

Lin Xian could tell that Ouyang Leyuan had feelings for him because it was all too obvious. He couldn’t help but notice.

With Ouyang Leyuan not coming to find him, he enjoyed the leisure and comfort.

After today, he could leave tomorrow, as he couldn’t afford any unexpected complications.

"Today is Ouyang Leyuan’s birthday. What do you think I should gift? I’m penniless right now, so I can’t even afford a present."

They say a life-saving grace is greater than the heavens, and he wasn’t one to be ungrateful. Naturally, a gift had to be prepared.

"Leave it to me. Who else could I be but your wife?" Shen Chuwei said as she ran out, only to return shortly with a brocade box in her hand.

Lin Xian asked in confusion, "What’s that?"

Shen Chuwei teased, holding his hand, "The birthday feast is about to start. Let’s go."

Lin Xian could only nod, "Okay."

By the time they arrived, the place was already packed with people.

The birthday feast here differed from those in Daxia. Here, the banquet was held in a garden, and entry to the garden was through an archway.

Inside, tables and chairs were set up, bearing various foods and fruits. Most people, however, were conversing.

In Daxia, such birthday feasts required everyone to be seated in a very orderly fashion.

As a princess, Ouyang Leyuan had to face many people and engage in numerous pleasantries.

Shen Chuwei, holding onto Xiao Jinyan, settled into a corner and began to feast on the spread of foods on the table.

Having spent so much time with her, Lin Xian knew well that she loved to eat. For her, eating was most important, followed by sleeping, except for extremely important matters.

But she understood the importance and urgency of different situations.

Shen Chuwei picked up a piece of Glutinous Rice Cake and handed it to his mouth, "Have some. Once we leave this place, you won’t be able to enjoy these delicacies anymore."

Lin Xian bowed his head and took a bite, feeling that it wasn’t as tasty as the pastries Shen Chuwei made—the chewy texture wasn’t quite right, and it was a bit too sweet.

Shen Chuwei stuffed the rest into her mouth, glanced over at Ouyang Leyuan not far away, who was surrounded by quite a few talented young men all apparently smitten with her.

With so many talented young men, it would be just fine if they didn’t set their sights on Xiao Jinyan.

Ouyang Jingyuan had looked for a while before finally spotting Shen Chuwei and Lin Xian in a corner, just as they were sharing the Glutinous Rice Cake.

He hesitated in his steps, fearing he would disrupt such a warm scene.

That scene reminded him of the times in Nanzhao Country when Feng Wuyou and Xiao Jinyan would often be together. Feng Wuyou would always be giving Xiao Jinyan something to eat, and Xiao Jinyan would accept it every single time.

He put aside his thoughts and continued to walk over.

"Doctor Shen."

Shen Chuwei looked up from the feast and seeing Ouyang Jingyuan, she greeted him with a smile, "It’s your sister’s birthday. Shouldn’t you be keeping her company?"

Ouyang Jingyuan replied with a smile, "It’s the same every year, being away for a short while doesn’t matter."

Not seeing Wu Tan, Shen Chuwei asked him, "Where’s Wu Tan? Why didn’t he come?"

Ouyang Jingyuan explained, "He is a monk, so he chose not to come."

"No wonder I didn’t see him. Being a monk must be so tough," she said, picking up a piece of Grilled Meat with her chopsticks and popping it into her mouth, silently glad that when she transmigrated here, it wasn’t into a nunnery, otherwise life would be utterly joyless.

The Grilled Meat was something Shen Chuwei had taught the chefs to make. Since they began to demonstrate their culinary skills learned over the days, she no longer needed to cook personally and could still enjoy the meals she craved.

Lin Xian looked up at Ouyang Jingyuan with a calm expression. As a man, he could sense that Ouyang had different thoughts about Shen Chuwei.

Ouyang Jingyuan raised his head, and as their gazes met, neither showed any sign of backing down.

Just then, Ouyang Leyuan ran over excitedly, "Master Lin, come with me."

A hint of confusion flashed in Lin Xian’s eyes. "To do what?"

Ouyang Leyuan reached out to link arms with him, and Shen Chuwei, seeing this, grabbed Xiao Jinyan’s sleeve and pulled him over with considerable strength.

She patted his sleeve, "Your clothes are dirty."

"Really?" Lin Xian looked down at his own sleeve. Although his clothes were moon-colored, since it was night, any dirt would hardly be visible.

He looked up at Shen Chuwei to see her grinning at him with a bright smile. She might not look strong, but her grip was quite powerful.

Ouyang Leyuan was left empty-handed and felt discontent. As she made to reach for Lin Xian again, Ouyang Jingyuan pulled her back and chastised her in a low voice, "Younger sister, in public like this, you, as a princess, should not behave so indecorously."

Ouyang Leyuan felt aggrieved and retorted, "Brother, aren’t you being a bit too overbearing? Where was I too handsy?"

Ouyang Jingyuan responded, "Then talk properly. What need is there to clutch at someone’s arm? As a princess, with so many people here, you should curb your impulsiveness."

Ouyang Leyuan’s cheeks reddened with anger, "Today is my birthday, can’t you just lay off?"

Seeing this, Lin Xian took out the gift Shen Chuwei had prepared earlier and handed it to Ouyang Leyuan.

"Leyuan, here is your birthday gift."

Ouyang Leyuan’s discontent vanished upon hearing about the birthday gift, and she happily accepted it. Her gaze lowered to the delicately beautiful gift box in her hands—it looked gorgeous.

She wondered, what gift had Lin Xian brought?

...