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But to stay here and pretend to be Feng Wuyou, it feels a bit unscrupulous...

Shen Chuwei’s heart was actually quite conflicted, yet the thought of Xiao Jinyan regaining his memory...

Once Xiao Jinyan regained his memory, she would explain that she’s not Feng Wuyou, or maybe sneak away... It wasn’t impossible.

So she would be unscrupulous just this once?

Ye Haoting, the Emperor busy with the weight of the state affairs, had things to attend to. He commanded, "Someone, take the Princess back to Wuyou Palace to rest."

When Shen Chuwei heard the word "Princess," could it be that Feng Wuyou was the Emperor’s daughter?

But the Emperor’s surname is Ye, could it be she took her mother’s surname?

Was the ancient era so progressive?

She stealthily glanced at Ye Haoting, trying to see if they bore any resemblance.

Two palace maids entered from outside the hall, leading Shen Chuwei out.

Shen Chuwei followed behind feeling guilty.

Ye Haoting watched Little Nine’s departing figure, never expecting to see her again after her disappearance for so many years. A smile lingered in his eyes as he went to the Imperial Study Room to attend to government affairs.

Shen Chuwei, carrying Xuetuan, followed the palace maids at a moderate pace, observing the Nanzhao Imperial Palace, and after a long walk, her already sore legs became even more wobbly.

The palace maid bowed her head respectfully, "Princess, Wuyou Palace is here."

Caiyu fluttered its wings and flew lazily into the palace.

Shen Chuwei looked up at the plaque above her head; it read "Wuyou Palace." The palace was named Wuyou, so Feng Wuyou is a princess of Nanzhao Country?

She followed the palace maid inside and saw two peach trees planted in the front courtyard, with an old swing set underneath.

Around the peach trees, various flowers were planted, a burst of blossoms that ushered the eyes into spring.

Walking forward was an arch bridge, with clear lake water beneath, where several goldfish chased each other.

On the right side of the arch bridge was a lotus pond, the lake leading into it, next to which stood a rockery beside a hexagonal pavilion.

Next to the hexagonal pavilion was a bamboo grove, which would be very cool to sit in during the summer.

The mere size of the front yard was an indication of how expansive Wuyou Palace was.

Shen Chuwei followed the palace maid to the bedchamber, and heard her say, "This place is cleaned daily. The Princess can rest assured. If there is anything you need, you may directly instruct us."

Shen Chuwei nodded guiltily, "...Okay."

The two palace maids slowly exited.

Once the maids had left, Shen Chuwei put Xuetuan down and, seeing the soft couch, couldn’t wait to lie down on it. She was so tired from all the walking.

She glanced at Xuetuan, who was lying beside. Feeling reassured, she closed her eyes, planning to take a nap.

Xuetuan looked up at Shen Chuwei, and seeing that she was asleep, turned its head toward the window. There, hanging from the window was a birdcage, with Caiyu drinking water inside.

Xuetuan stared at Caiyu for a while before suddenly running, leaping onto the window, and then pouncing towards the birdcage. However, being too high, it barely grazed it before its body plummeted down swiftly.

The birdcage, jarred by Xuetuan’s paw, started swaying violently.

Caiyu flapped its wings and flew out of the cage, diving at Xuetuan. Just as Xuetuan prepared to leap up, Caiyu abruptly soared higher.

Xuetuan leaped, missed, and looked up resignedly at Caiyu circling overhead.

After several futile attempts, Xuetuan grew tired and stopped bothering Caiyu, elegantly walked over and lay down by Shen Chuwei’s feet.

Caiyu, having flapped its wings for a while and deeming its teasing sufficient, returned to the cage to rest.

*

Xiao Jinyan came back from outside, having bought pastries and stinky tofu that Shen Chuwei loved to eat. He pushed the door open and went straight to the bed, only to find she wasn’t there.

"Little Nine?"

He scanned the guest room, which wasn’t very large, and saw no sign of Shen Chuwei or Xuetuan, causing his heart to race with panic.

He hurriedly ran out of the room, his first action to knock on Wu Tan’s door.

The knocking was urgent. Wu Tan opened the door to see Xiao Jinyan asking, "Is there something you need, Young Master Xiao?"

Xiao Jinyan peered inside but did not see Shen Chuwei. He asked, "Shen Chuwei is missing; have you seen her?"

A flicker of concern passed in Wu Tan’s eyes, "I have been meditating in my room all the time and have not seen her. Could she have gone out for a walk?"

Xiao Jinyan knew Shen Chuwei wasn’t a child anymore; it was normal for her to go out, but the thought of her, a delicate girl in unfamiliar places, going out alone was very unsafe.

He didn’t respond, turning away quickly.

Xiao Jinyan approached the counter, "Innkeeper, have you seen my wife go out?"

Xiao Jinyan’s voice was urgent. The innkeeper, accustomed to seeing many people daily and experienced in such matters, guessed from his anxiety that his wife must be missing.

Thanks to their conspicuousness as a couple, the innkeeper remembered them easily.

"In the afternoon, I saw her leave with her cat, but she hasn’t returned," he recalled.

Xiao Jinyan asked again, "Does the innkeeper know which way she went?"

Shen Chuwei had left carrying her cat, and the innkeeper had paid particular attention.

The innkeeper pointed to the right, "She went that way."

"Thank you, innkeeper," Xiao Jinyan thanked him and then hurried off.

Looking at the bustling streets, Shen Chuwei loved snacks, and the most likely place she would visit was the snack stalls.

He ran towards the snack stalls with long strides.

Wu Tan quickly followed, running out from the inn and catching up to Xiao Jinyan, who was already quite far ahead.

Shen Chuwei was roused from her sleep, and upon opening her eyes, noticed it had become dark, "How long have I been asleep?"

She quickly got up from the soft couch and hurried out of the bedchamber.

Just as she came out, two palace maids approached, curtsying, "Is there anything the Princess requires?"

Shen Chuwei, without thinking, replied, "I wish to leave the palace."

Now that it was dark, Xiao Jinyan would certainly be worried if he found she wasn’t in the inn.