The prince longs for me every night after mastering thought-reading-Chapter 23 - Pleasing

Chapter 23: Chapter 23 Pleasing

Chapter 23 -23 Pleasing

Shen Chuwei saw that they didn’t believe her, so she stopped talking and kept her head down, staring at the pigeon.

The atmosphere suddenly became awkward.

Chun Xi brought over some tea, set it down in front of them, and then stepped aside.

Tao Chenghui saw Shen Chuwei’s calm expression and thought of the makeup pigment she had brought, her lips curling into a flattering smile, “Sister Shen, last time I saw you, your makeup was too plain, so I specifically brought something nice this time.”

Shen Chuwei subconsciously thought it was something tasty and looked at Tao Chenghui’s hands, full of anticipation.

Tao Chenghui took a small box from Ding Xiang and placed it in front of herself.

The box was exquisitely small, with a deep red surface and subtle patterns, clearly not edible.

It looked beautiful, but unfortunately, it wasn’t edible.

Shen Chuwei’s face fell in disappointment, but when she saw the pigeon again, her expectations returned.

Tao Chenghui, unaware of Shen Chuwei’s disappointed expression, smiled and introduced, “Sister Shen, this is a makeup pigment brought from my maternal home a while ago.

Although it’s not as precious as what the Empress uses, it’s still a rare treasure.”

Tao Chenghui’s father was a well-known merchant, well-traveled and had seen many treasures, including the rare makeup pigment found in the palace.

Tao Chenghui entered the palace through the backdoor facilitated by her merchant father who spent a lot of money.

Shen Chuwei wore no makeup every day because, after washing up in the morning, she could go directly to breakfast; applying makeup was too time-consuming, interfering with her breakfast.

“Thank you for your kind intentions, Sister Tao.”

Regarding Shen Chuwei’s lukewarm tone, Tao Chenghui didn’t mind; seeing His Highness was what mattered most to her.

Shen Chuwei’s attitude made Xu Chenghui even more convinced that His Highness was in Xiyun Pavilion, and that the reason for denying his presence must be out of fear that they would come and take him away.

Fortunately, she had brought a gift, although she did not expect Tao Chenghui to take the lead.

Not to be outdone, she took a piece of cloth from Peach Blossom and placed it on the table.

“Sister Shen, this is Shu brocade from Jiangnan that can be made into clothes, very suitable for you to wear.”

This piece of Shu brocade was a gift from Lady because she did not favor its simplistic color and decided to use it as a gift for Shen Fengyi.

Shen Chuwei glanced at the Shu brocade on the table without much interest, “Thank you for your gift, Sister Xu.”

Xu Chenghui felt uncomfortable with Shen Chuwei’s indifference and showed it on her face, occasionally glancing inside the door, almost wishing she could go in and see for herself.

Tao Chenghui’s attention was inside the room, thinking of His Highness coming out from there; she lifted her hand to adjust her hairpin to ensure that His Highness would see her at first glance upon emerging.

But His Highness didn’t come out after a long wait, which puzzled her.

She looked at Shen Chuwei, who was focused on roasting the pigeon, the delicious aroma tantalizing her senses, and she unconsciously licked her lips.

Shen Chuwei watched the golden-brown pigeon sizzling with oil, knowing it was ready, and took it off to place on a plate.

Xuetuan, impatient, jumped onto the table, lowered its body, and stared at the pigeon, its pink nose twitching.

Shen Chuwei mentioned, “You can’t eat it now; it’s very hot.”

Xu Chenghui grew restless and, looking away from Xuetuan focused on the pigeon, scorned Shen Chuwei with a glance, thinking that she was really trying hard to win favor by personally roasting a pigeon for Xuetuan.

An idea struck her, and she offered eagerly, “Xuetuan, let me help you split the pigeon so it will be easier for you to eat.”

If His Highness saw how carefully she was treating Xuetuan, he would definitely be impressed.

Just as Xu Chenghui reached out her hand, Shen Chuwei quickly shielded the roast baby pigeon with both hands, “Don’t touch my roast baby pigeon.”

Xu Chenghui’s hand awkwardly paused in mid-air, and she sheepishly withdrew it, “Sister, you misunderstood, I saw you roasting for such a long time and definitely must be tired.

I just wanted to help you share the burden.”

Shen Chuwei smiled politely, “Thank you, I’m not tired.”

Xu Chenghui held up her handkerchief to hide her embarrassment.

Could it be that she’s afraid I’ll steal her credit?

Really, who cares?

Chun Xi suppressed a laugh as she tidied up the grill.

Tao Chenghui guessed Xu Chenghui’s intention and chuckled behind her handkerchief.

When the pigeon had cooled a bit, Shen Chuwei put on gloves, picked up the pigeon, broke off everything from the neck down to the legs, and placed it in front of Xuetuan with a cheerful smile, “Xuetuan, you can eat now.”

“Meow.” Xuetuan, unbothered, lowered her head and started eating.

Xu Chenghui couldn’t stand it, “Sister Shen, how can you feed Xuetuan the pigeon’s head and feet?

There’s no meat there.”

Shen Chuwei was about to start eating, but on hearing that, she thought about how Xuetuan caught the pigeon, and giving just the head and feet seemed a bit unfair.

“You make some sense, Sister Xu.”

She smiled, broke off the two wings, and placed them in front of Xuetuan.

Then she bit into the whole pigeon herself, finding the skin crispy and the meat tender.

Delicious.

Xu Chenghui looked at the two wings in front of Xuetuan, then at Shen Chuwei enjoying her meal, and was dumbfounded.

She couldn’t believe she was feeding the leftovers to His Highness’s beloved pet.

Tao Chenghui, seeing how deliciously Shen Chuwei was eating, subconsciously licked his lips, thinking it seemed tastier than what was made in the Imperial Kitchen.

After finishing the roasted baby pigeon, Shen Chuwei took off her gloves.

Chun Xi handed her a wet towel, and she contentedly wiped her mouth.

Xu and Tao glanced at the bones on the table, then at Xuetuan, and noticed that after cleaning her mouth, she jumped off the table and left.

The two looked at each other and finally realized something, His Highness might really not be here.

Thinking that His Highness wasn’t here, Xu Chenghui saw no reason to stay any longer.

“Sister Shen, I have other matters to attend to, so I’ll be going back now.

Remember to visit Yilan Pavilion when you have time.”

Shen Chuwei, feeling like taking a nap, nodded happily at hearing Xu Chenghui was leaving, whether or not she would visit Yilan Pavilion could be decided later.

After Xu Chenghui left waving her handkerchief, Tao Chenghui continued drinking tea with no intention of leaving.

Shen Chuwei took out some candied melon seeds and, seeing Tao Chenghui, politely asked, “Sister Tao, would you like some melon seeds?”

Tao Chenghui, eager for a topic to chat with Shen Chuwei and build their rapport, immediately accepted without a second thought.

“Sure.”

Shen Chuwei handed Tao Chenghui some melon seeds.

Originally just killing time and nibbling a few seeds to hide her awkwardness, Tao Chenghui found the seeds quite tasty and couldn’t stop herself.

Xu Chenghui had left Xiyun Pavilion and turned back to see Tao Chenghui hadn’t followed her out.

A mocking smile played on her lips, thinking staying with a stiff face would let her meet His Highness?

Just a waste of time.

She shifted her gaze and strutted her slender waist back to Yilan Pavilion.

Right after Xu Chenghui left, Steward Liu arrived at Xiyun Pavilion with some people behind him.

Seeing Steward Liu from a distance, Chun Xi hurriedly went up, “Steward Liu, what brings you here at this time?”

“There’s something important.” Steward Liu approached Shen Chuwei with a smile, “Young Mistress Shen, His Highness will come here for dinner tonight.

Whatever ingredients you need, just take them directly from the Imperial Kitchen.”

His implication was clear: make something delicious for His Highness.