Chapter 11 Your Highness, You Are Wonderful

Chun Xi lifted her head and saw His Highness, immediately kneeling in fright, "Your Highness, the Crown Prince."

The Crown Prince? Shen Chuwei, with both hands grasping the fish, turned around perplexedly and saw Xiao Jinyan standing right behind her. She bowed politely, "Greetings to Your Highness, the Crown Prince, may you have peace and prosperity."

Before she could finish speaking, the fish suddenly leaped out from her palms, its dark body carrying the smell of fishy odor flying towards Xiao Jinyan.

"Your Highness… careful…"

Shen Chuwei's quick reflexes allowed her to grab Xiao Jinyan, pulling him aside.

The plump fish, heavily tumbling to the ground, fainted from the burden.

Only then did Shen Chuwei's lifted heart settle down, hitting the Crown Prince was no trivial matter.

Xiao Jinyan coldly eyed the person hugging him, the hand full of fishy smell was wrapped around his waist, the strong fish odor lingering on the tip of his nose, he suppressed the feeling of nausea and coldly said, "Release me at once."

It was then Shen Chuwei realized in her haste she had not grabbed Xiao Jinyan's arm but his waist~

She looked up and saw Xiao Jinyan's disdainful eyes, and immediately let go, retreating several steps back.

Xiao Jinyan glanced at the fishing rod on the ground and asked, "Who allowed you to fish here?"

Shen Chuwei used her clear and bright eyes to look towards Xiao Jinyan, gesturing towards the lotus pond, "Replying to Your Highness, there are no signs prohibiting fishing beside the lotus pond."

Xiao Jinyan: "..."

Chun Xi tugged at Shen Chuwei's sleeve, my lady, who speaks to His Highness like that?

"Your Highness, I realize my mistake," sighed Shen Chuwei to herself. After all, who was he but the Crown Prince!

Xiao Jinyan fixed his gaze on Shen Chuwei for a long while, finding it strange in his heart. The mind-reading technique had clearly worked last time, so why was it useless now?

Considering that his mother still wanted to see him, he did not plan to waste any more time.

"Return now!"

Shen Chuwei pointed to the blackfish that had fainted on the ground, "Your Highness, may I take that fish with me?"

Xiao Jinyan glanced at the black fish on the ground, remembering the last time she had made a wish for a fish.

Not having seen him for half a month, yet all she wanted was to take away this dead fish?

"Granted."

"Your Highness, you are very kind." Shen Chuwei's eyes curved in a smile. She bowed to Xiao Jinyan after scooping up the fish into a bucket, "I take my leave, Your Highness."

Carrying the bucket, Chun Xi followed Shen Chuwei back to Xiyun Pavilion.

Xiao Jinyan watched Shen Chuwei's retreating figure, recalling the satisfied expression on her face while catching fish. If it weren't for that night's feigned fall intended to throw herself into his arms, it would be difficult to suspect that Shen Chuwei's actions were a deliberate ploy.

Eunuch Liu cautiously reminded him as he walked over, "Your Highness, the Empress is still waiting."

"First, I shall go change my clothes," Xiao Jinyan withdrew his gaze as he strode back to the East Palace.

Once he changed into clean clothes, he proceeded to Fengyi Palace.

Upon arrival, the Empress was eating donkey-hide gelatin and birds' nests, both regarded as beauty tonics.

Nearing forty, the Empress maintained her appearance like a woman in her twenties, with smooth, elastic skin, exquisite makeup, and wearing a bright red phoenix robe, she exuded a stately grace.

Xiao Jinyan stepped forward to pay his respects, "This son greets the Empress Mother."

The Empress set down her glass cup, speaking warmly, "Jinyan, come sit and talk."

"As you wish, Empress Mother," responded Xiao Jinyan, taking a seat as instructed.

A Palace Maid came forward to offer tea, then bowed her head and withdrew.

Xiao Jinyan inquired, "Empress Mother, did you summon me for a particular matter?"

"It has been half a year since you took a wife, and yet there isn't the slightest news. Look, even the second Prince married later than you and has already brought joyful tidings."

On the surface, the Empress was gentle and noble, but inwardly she was roaring—she wanted a grandchild!

The Consort from the neighboring pavilion had grandsons old enough to run errands, and even the Consort from the back had advanced to being a grandmother…

Day after day, they flaunted this in her face, she couldn't help but feel irritated.

All the women in the East Palace were handpicked by the Empress herself; none were to his liking, which is why he let his mother handle everything.

Xiao Jinyan lowered his eyelids, maintaining his composure even though he was dissatisfied with the situation.

"Your Son will strive to do so."

As the head of the six palaces, the Empress had heard quite a bit about the affairs of the East Palace.

"What's the use of saying you'll strive? You have to let them serve you in bed. Lanlan is gentle and virtuous; you should get to know her better." Hurry up and have children. When your father was your age, he already had several!

Xiao Jinyan's expression remained calm as he replied indifferently, "Lady Lanlan's health has not improved since she fell into the water; the Imperial Doctor advised her to rest more."

The Empress frowned, it was all Shen Fengyi's fault that Lanlan had fallen into the water and become seriously ill, yet her son had not punished Shen Fengyi severely.

She looked at her son's indifferent demeanor, lacking the lively and endearing charm of her younger son.

"Then how about Lady Shen."

"Lady Shen is fasting in the Buddha Hall."

"..."

"Then Lady Xu, she is quite charming and also the legitimate daughter of General Xu."

Before her son could speak, she added, "You may leave, the Palace is tired."

Xiao Jinyan stood up, "Your Son takes his leave."

Leaving the Fengyi Palace, Xiao Jinyan's expression grew somber; he knew his mother favored his brother, Xiao Jinyu.

After all, Xiao Jinyu was brought up by her own hands.

In the afternoon, Lady Xu received a message from the Empress that she would serve the prince tonight and should prepare well.

Sitting in front of her dressing table, she admired her own stunning reflection in the mirror and commanded proudly, "Cai Xia, bring out the best cream and fresh rose petals; I want to look my best when I see His Highness."

"Congratulations, my lady, for finally achieving your heart's desire," Cai Xia said joyfully as she went to prepare.

"My lady, I heard that as soon as His Highness returned to the East Palace today, Shen Fengyi couldn't wait to throw herself into his arms. However, His Highness didn't take her to heart and only has eyes for you," Little Fuzi said with a fawning smile.

Lady Xu, delighted by what she heard, adjusted the Pearl Flower in her hair and laughed arrogantly, "Does she even have the face to compete for favor? She should look at herself and see if she's worthy!"

*

Eunuch Liu entered and inquired, "Your Highness, a message from the Yixiang Hall, Lady Xu would like to dine with Your Highness tonight."

Xiao Jinyan clenched the book in his hand, his brow furrowing as he suddenly remembered that morning's scene by the lotus pond, Shen Chuwei catching fish with her bare hands, looking thoroughly content.

"Agreed, tell Shen Fengyi to come for dinner as well."

"As you command." Eunuch Liu left and immediately went to the Xiyun Pavilion.

When Eunuch Liu arrived, Shen Chuwei was just about to have her evening meal.

Chun Xi saw Eunuch Liu and stepped forward to greet him, "What brings Eunuch Liu here?

With a smile, Eunuch Liu looked at Shen Chuwei, "Miss Shen, His Highness has invited you to dine with him."

Shen Chuwei's eyes lit up at the news; the Crown Prince's meals were a hundred times better than those at Xiyun Pavilion, so of course, she would go. Right away.

"Oh, yes, I'll go right now."

Eunuch Liu replied, "To reply to Miss Shen, yes, right now."

Shen Chuwei stood up, took a few steps, then came back, pointing to the Scrambled Eggs with Tomatoes on the dining table, she asked Eunuch Liu, "Can I bring these Scrambled Eggs with Tomatoes with me?"

Eunuch Liu glanced at the plate of Scrambled Eggs with Tomatoes on the table; he only recognized the eggs. After hesitating for a few seconds, he smiled and nodded, "Miss Shen, as you wish."

"Thank you, Eunuch Liu," Shen Chuwei expressed her gratitude, and Chun Xi picked up the Scrambled Eggs with Tomatoes, following Eunuch Liu to the Crown Prince's chambers.

As soon as she stepped into the Crown Prince's chambers, she encountered Lady Xu.

Being of lower rank, Shen Chuwei saw Lady Xu and curtsied.

Lady Xu, seeing Shen Fengyi and speaking with annoyance, said, "What are you doing here?"