Page 734

Shen Chuwei was utterly bewildered as the Emperor of Nanzhao Country led her into the palace, which was indeed much cooler than the outside.

Ye Haoting ordered a nearby Palace Maid, "Prepare some delicate pastries."

The little Palace Maid responded and turned around to prepare them. In no time, she brought over three plates of exquisite pastries and placed them in front of Shen Chuwei.

Shen Chuwei still had a confused expression on her face. She sneakily glanced at the Emperor of Nanzhao Country and involuntarily pinched Xuetuan’s paw. Weren’t emperors always stern-faced?

Why was the Emperor of Nanzhao Country different?

He seemed rather kind and approachable instead.

Ye Haoting sat opposite Shen Chuwei, observing her spirit-filled eyes that hadn’t changed much since her childhood. Seeing her sitting motionless, he said warmly, "Xiao Jiu, have some pastries first."

"...Okay," Shen Chuwei lowered her eyes to the Imperial Pastries in front of her, which were naturally more exquisite than those outside. She licked her lips. The Emperor had offered them to her, so, of course, she should cooperate.

She picked up a yellow pastry and took a bite. It was delicate and slightly sweet. Xiao Jinyan would like this taste.

Ye Haoting’s wise gaze never left her, watching her eat the pastries. Xiao Jiu had always loved sweets since childhood, and that hadn’t changed.

"Xiao Jiu, where have you been after disappearing for so long? You don’t even recognize me anymore?"

Shen Chuwei looked at Ye Haoting with curiosity, blinked her beautiful large eyes twice, and said, "I guessed right, you are the Emperor of Nanzhao Country, aren’t you?"

A flicker of confusion crossed Ye Haoting’s eyes. He felt that the Feng Wuyou in front of him was a bit strange. He continued, "During these years you were missing, did something happen to you?"

Shen Chuwei was eating the pastries, feeling that the Emperor before her was somewhat peculiar. He didn’t carry the air of an emperor during their first meeting and asked some strange questions.

"I don’t understand what you’re talking about."

Ye Haoting then asked, "Aren’t you Xiao Jiu?"

Shen Chuwei replied subconsciously, "Yes, I am. What’s wrong?"

Ye Haoting watched her for a while longer and concluded that she must have amnesia.

"Summon the Imperial Doctor."

Shen Chuwei: "..." Why summon the Imperial Doctor?

The Eunuch guarding the door immediately jogged to the Imperial Medical Bureau.

A venerable Imperial Doctor, who was past fifty, soon arrived carrying his medicine box with respectful demeanor, "Your Majesty."

Ye Haoting commanded, "Imperial Doctor, examine Xiao Jiu."

"Understood." The Imperial Doctor moved forward a few steps, placed his medicine box on the table, took out the diagnostic cushion from it, and placed it in front of Shen Chuwei, motioning her to extend her wrist.

Not knowing what they intended to do, Shen Chuwei naturally wouldn’t let them take her pulse. She hugged Xuetuan tightly, "I’m not sick."

Ye Haoting, thinking she was frightened and that she had become more timid after growing up, reassured her gently, "Xiao Jiu, don’t be afraid. The Imperial Doctor is just going to take your pulse."

Shen Chuwei still shook her head, "I won’t have my pulse taken."

"...This," the Imperial Doctor looked at the Emperor, troubled.

Ye Haoting, seeing Xiao Jiu insisted, didn’t want to make it hard for her and waved his hand at the Imperial Doctor, signaling him to step back.

The Imperial Doctor, hearing this, bowed his head to pack up his medicine box and then retreated.

Shen Chuwei looked around the unfamiliar Imperial Palace and felt it was best to leave the palace sooner rather than later.

"I have already sent Caiyu back," she said, tilting her head towards the silly bird on her shoulder. Why aren’t you leaving yet? What if you poop? She had been fortunate enough to witness birds pooping on others’ heads, and heard that having poop on your head was bad luck.

Ye Haoting thought that since she had been missing for many years and suddenly reappeared, becoming much more timid, she might have been scared by some bad people. Not wanting to frighten Xiao Jiu, he softened his tone again.

"It’s okay if you don’t remember. You will eventually recall everything one day."

By now, Shen Chuwei had realized that the Emperor thought she had lost her memory. Wait, her eyes suddenly widened. Was the Xiao Jiu he referred to Feng Wuyou?

She had seen a portrait of Feng Wuyou as a child, who looked somewhat similar to her, and indeed, Feng Wuyou’s nickname was Xiao Jiu.

So, had the Emperor mistaken her for Feng Wuyou?

The more she thought about it, the more she felt this was highly possible.

Ye Haoting reassured her warmly, "You just settle down here for now and treat this place as your home."

Shen Chuwei abruptly stood up. "I cannot stay here, you have the wrong person."

"Don’t be afraid," Ye Haoting stood up to soothe her and urged her to sit down again, "You don’t remember anything, so how do you know I’ve mistaken you for someone else? You can stay here with peace of mind. I’ll write a letter to the National Master and have him come to take a look at you."

Just as Shen Chuwei was about to explain that she was not Feng Wuyou, she heard about the National Master and immediately clammed up. They had been anxiously wondering where to find the National Master, and if staying would allow her to meet him, it seemed like an agreeable option.