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Ye Suhuan sat down in the corridor, turned his head to look at the mythical creature, and stretched out his hand to rub its head, bringing forth a series of grunts from the creature.

Ye Suhuan chuckled softly, "Not happy now?"

The creature’s large, bell-like eyes lazily looked at Ye Suhuan as if saying, "You think I should be happy just because you’re touching me? Do you think you’re Xiao Jiu?"

Ye Suhuan had spent a considerable amount of time with the creature in the past and was somewhat familiar with its temperament.

"So many years have passed, and you still haven’t changed," he remarked.

The creature grunted in response.

Shen Chuwei finished getting dressed and walked out. At the sight of her, the creature stood up and ran over, wagging its tail.

Ye Suhuan saw this and laughed, "Truly, you haven’t changed at all."

Shen Chuwei, seeing the creature running toward her, really wanted to dodge, but knowing that if she did, it would sulk for a long time, so she braced herself for its enthusiastic embrace.

The creature could stand upright, but being hugged by its enormous body, she always felt at risk of being squashed into a meat patty.

This must be something Feng Wuyou had taught it before, otherwise how could it...?

In reality, the creature had taught itself while it was young because it felt that standing upright brought many benefits. For instance, Xiao Jiu would laugh and feed it.

It could also help Xiao Jiu with tasks such as climbing walls.

Shen Chuwei stroked the creature’s neck and saw Ye Suhuan not far away. The smile on her face gradually faded. Was he planning to have breakfast with her?

As it turned out, they did have breakfast together.

Shen Chuwei looked at the dishes before her, her gaze landing on the Tofu Pudding, her favorite savory Tofu Pudding.

She scooped up a spoonful and brought it to her mouth to eat. The temperature was a bit hot but bearable, the saltiness was just right, slightly spicy, and it tasted better than she had expected.

Ye Suhuan lifted his gaze to Shen Chuwei, who was eating the Tofu Pudding across from him. During meals, she rarely spoke, as it affected the speed at which she ate.

After breakfast, Shen Chuwei took the handkerchief a palace maid handed her and wiped her mouth, glancing at Ye Suhuan across from her and thought about the events of last night.

To avoid such incidents from happening again, she felt it necessary to have a serious talk with Ye Suhuan.

"We need to talk," she said.

Ye Suhuan looked up, "Talk about what?"

Shen Chuwei clenched the teacup in her hand and looked at the brooding Ye Suhuan, "You mustn’t hurt Xiao Jinyan."

Ye Suhuan paused in his tea drinking and said coldly, "Don’t mention him in my presence."

Shen Chuwei felt a chill down her spine. She lifted the teacup and took a couple of sips of the warm tea, which seemed to fend off the cold air emanating from him.

"If you promise not to hurt him, I won’t mention him," she countered.

Ye Suhuan put down his teacup, "Going for a walk?"

Shen Chuwei originally intended to refuse but he had yet to promise not to hurt Xiao Jinyan, so she reluctantly agreed.

The early morning sunlight was bright yet not blinding, and Shen Chuwei realized it was already autumn.

They had just crossed the arched bridge when a young eunuch came to report.

"Princess, the Crown Prince has arrived."

Shen Chuwei looked up and saw Ye Yuxi approaching in a blue brocaded robe, carrying a food box. She knew without guessing that it contained food.

Ye Yuxi strode in, and upon seeing Ye Suhuan next to Shen Chuwei, he frowned slightly but still walked over.

Ye Suhuan laughed lightly, "The Crown Prince is here."

Ye Yuxi greeted with a smile, "Third brother is here too."

They had all met the day before when Ye Suhuan returned.

Ye Suhuan’s sudden reappearance after nearly ten years brought joy to some and worry to others.

On the eve of the selection of the Crown Prince, Ye Suhuan disappeared, leaving the position vacant for many years before it fell to Ye Yuxi.

Now that Ye Suhuan had returned, Ye Yuxi was naturally worried about his own position as the Crown Prince.

Shen Chuwei looked at the two brothers before her and wondered if they were catching up, did that mean she wouldn’t have to accompany them on a walk?

What sounded like accompanying her to familiarize herself with the environment was actually them being accompanied by her.

When Ye Yuxi looked toward Shen Chuwei, his lips curled into a smile, "Xiao Jiu, these are pastries from Ya Zhi Zhai. Try them."

Shen Chuwei happily took the food box, not forgetting to say thanks, "Thank you, Crown Prince."

Then she handed it to a palace maid beside her to take inside.

Ye Yuxi glanced at Ye Suhuan, no need to question if he had already had breakfast with Shen Chuwei.

"Xiao Jiu, I’ve set up a stage in the Bamboo Garden for tonight. How about watching a play together this evening?" he suggested.

Shen Chuwei wasn’t particularly interested in plays, but still curiously asked, "Which play?"

Ye Yuxi replied, "The Butterfly Lovers."

Upon hearing "The Butterfly Lovers," Shen Chuwei felt somewhat familiar with it and nodded, "Then I’ll listen in tonight."