The prince longs for me every night after mastering thought-reading-Chapter 26 - What a nerve
Chapter 26: Chapter 26: What a nerve
Chapter 26 -26: What a nerve
Chun Xi added, “However, your inclusion in the reception banquet by His Highness indicates that you are indeed favored by Your Highness.”
Shen Chuwei smiled, favor or not wasn’t important, what mattered was that there would be a banquet to enjoy tomorrow.
Early the next day, as Shen Chuwei was deeply asleep, Chun Xi woke her with a shake, “Miss, stop sleeping, we need to get up and start dressing.”
Shen Chuwei cracked open her eyelids and muttered softly, “Chun Xi, let me sleep a bit longer.”
Chun Xi, while pulling back the covers, said, “Miss, you can’t sleep any longer, otherwise we won’t have time to get dressed.”
Shen Chuwei, eyes still closed, continued to sleep, “Then I won’t get dressed.”
Chun Xi, with the tone of an old nanny, said, “Miss, you are accompanying His Highness, and it would be impolite not to dress up.
If His Highness is displeased, you can forget about attending the banquet.”
One can compensate for lost sleep with a nap, but a missed banquet could not be replaced.
Nothing could stop her from going to the banquet.
Instantly, Shen Chuwei opened her eyes and got out of bed to wash and dress.
Chun Xi, watching her mistress become more energized by the mention of food than anything else, shook her head helplessly.
When would she be able to match wits and vie for power with the ladies of the palace, to rise step by step to the position of a favored concubine?
Just the thought of it felt like quite an achievement!
Sitting in front of the dressing table, Shen Chuwei watched as her jet-black hair was skillfully styled by Chun Xi into a hanging bun, with strands on either side, and a magnolia flower pinned in the middle, complemented by a pair of pearl hairpins and perfectly placed pink Pearl Flowers.
It had to be said that the color coordination was very beautiful, and the hairstyle suited Shen Chuwei well.
Coupled with her light makeup, she appeared as delicate and lovely as a peach blossom in March.
Once she was ready, Shen Chuwei, accompanied by Chun Xi, went to the Crown Prince’s chambers.
Xiao Jinyan stood on the veranda, watching Shen Chuwei as she approached.
Dressed in a pink gown, she resembled the peach blossoms blooming in March, beautiful and tender in the backlight.
Lady Liang had also dressed up meticulously, her hair styled in an ethereal bun with golden hairpins on either side, and her light blue dress made her strikingly gorgeous yet elegant.
Upon seeing Shen Fengyi approaching, a hint of shock flickered in her eyes.
His Highness’s overwhelming favor for her was such that someone like the insignificant Fengyi had no business attending the welcome banquet.
Xiao Jinyan lowered his gaze for a moment and glanced at Lady Liang.
The insignificant Fengyi?
It seemed it was time to elevate Shen Chuwei’s status.
Shen Chuwei walked up to Xiao Jinyan, not at all surprised to see Lady Liang at his side, but even more convinced that Lady Liang was someone dear to Xiao Jinyan’s heart.
She curtsied, “I apologize for making Your Highness and sister Liang wait.”
“Holding Xuetuan,” Xiao Jinyan tossed Xuetuan into Shen Chuwei’s arms.
Xuetuan drew a perfect arc in the air with his round body, fortunately, Shen Chuwei’s quick reflexes allowed her to catch Xuetuan accurately and without error.
Xuetuan looked at Shen Chuwei with a wronged expression.
Shen Chuwei offered her sympathy, see, being His Highness’s pet meant getting tossed around, wouldn’t you rather be my pet instead?
Xiao Jinyan: “…” Dare to covet the palace’s beloved pet?
His mind-reading skills were sometimes on point and sometimes not, something he had grown accustomed to; he was merely curious.
Lady Liang glanced at Shen Fengyi and Xuetuan, with some confusion in her heart.
Didn’t Xuetuan dislike being held by others?
How could he allow Shen Chuwei to hold him?
The group proceeded towards the parade ground.
Xiao Jinyan and Lady Liang walked shoulder to shoulder in the lead.
Shen Chuwei, carrying Xuetuan, followed at an unhurried pace behind them.
Watching the pair in front of her, she thought that’s how couples in love acted—after cold wars and tiffs, they’d quickly reconcile as long as one was willing to yield.
She wondered who had given in first, Xiao Jinyan with his cool and noble demeanor, or Lady Liang as prideful as the plum blossoms.
Regardless of who yielded, she found herself the third wheel for sure.
But that was alright, it didn’t interfere with her enjoyment of the banquet.
Xiao Jinyan: “…”
So greedy!
…And she even fabricates scenarios in her mind!
After the eldest prince, Xiao Yunxuan, returned from the northern war, the Emperor held a grand banquet to welcome and cleanse him of the dust of travel.
Civil and military officials all attended as well.
Shen Chuwei sat to the left of Xiao Jinyan, with Lady Chang to the right.
On the Dragon Throne sat the Emperor Xiao Qin, in his forties, with a handsome appearance, sharp and perceptive eyes.
The Empress sat to the right of the Emperor, dressed in vibrant red, wearing the Phoenix hairpin, gracefully regal, without losing her glamour.
Xiao Yunxuan, clad in Qilin armor, stood tall and formidable, briefly summarizing the recent military affairs to the Emperor.
Shen Chuwei didn’t care what Xiao Yunxuan was saying; she just stared at the special Pastries and delicious dishes in front of her, thinking when she could put them into her mouth, which was of utmost importance.
After several procedures, Xiao Yunxuan finally sat back down at his place…
and with the Emperor’s permission, they could at last begin eating.
Seeing everyone start to use their chopsticks, Shen Chuwei eagerly picked up hers, grabbed a Four Happiness meatball, placed it into a small dish, then took a bite.
Despite not having as many seasonings as in modern times, it was truly delicious.
After finishing the meatball, she picked up a piece of bear’s paw and put it in her mouth.
It was her first time eating bear’s paw, and it tasted good, so she couldn’t help but eat several more bites.
In the middle of the banquet, Xiao Yunxuan suddenly spoke up, “Father, your son has also brought back a wolf.”
Xiao Qin looked towards Xiao Yunxuan with curiosity, his piercing gaze filled with interest, “Oh, what is so special about this wolf?”
Xiao Yunxuan cast a glance at Xiao Jinyan, “Reporting to Father, this wolf is the leader of its pack.
Your son has heard that the Crown Prince has studied animal taming, hence I brought it back.”
The cleverness of Xiao Yunxuan lay in not forcing Xiao Jinyan to submit to this wolf.
But now that he had mentioned it, everyone present including Xiao Qin would be curious to see if Xiao Jinyan had the ability to tame it.
Xiao Yunxuan’s lips curved into a hint of a smile.
He had fought battles in the south and the north, thinking that the position of the Crown Prince was rightfully his.
Yet, he was usurped by a hostage that had been sent to a foreign land, who could truly accept this without resentment?
Xiao Jinyan gripped his winecup tightly.
Even though he already knew Xiao Yunxuan’s intention, hearing the word “hostage” sent a flicker of cold light through his phoenix eyes.
The Emperor’s gaze swept towards Xiao Jinyan, “We too would like to witness how a wild wolf can be tamed.”
He then looked at Xiao Yunxuan, “Bring that wolf here.”
A gleam of triumph flashed in Xiao Yunxuan’s eyes, “As you command, Father.”
At Xiao Yunxuan’s order, six Soldiers pushed forward a huge iron cage.
In the cage, a large, muscular grey wolf with fierce eyes paced restlessly back and forth, raising its head instinctively to let out a wolf’s howl upon seeing the crowd.
This troubled everyone present, causing them all to shrink back a little.
“Such a ferocious wolf, can the Crown Prince tame it?”
“We’ll know once the Crown Prince tries, a good opportunity to broaden our horizons.”
Everyone’s gaze shifted towards Xiao Jinyan, anticipating his taming of the wolf.
The Emperor, noting the wolf’s fierce nature, looked at Xiao Jinyan with expectation, “Crown Prince, do you have a way to tame this wolf?”
Xiao Jinyan raised his eyes to the Emperor on the Dragon Throne.
If he said he couldn’t, it would disappoint his father, give Xiao Yunxuan an excuse for machinations, and let down the civil and military officials.
It seemed there was no way to avoid it today.
Just as Xiao Jinyan was about to rise from his seat, his sleeve was suddenly tugged, and he glanced down to see Shen Chuwei looking up at him with her pretty little face.
“Your Highness, this concubine has something to say,” she whispered quietly.
