The prince longs for me every night after mastering thought-reading-Chapter 39 - Concubine with a Hidden Disease (3100+ words, the equivalent of three s)
Chapter 39 -39: Concubine with a Hidden Disease (3100+ words, the equivalent of three chapters)
Chapter 39 -39: Concubine with a Hidden Disease (3100+ words, the equivalent of three chapters)
Shen Chuwei’s heart throbbed guiltily as she lowered her eyelids, her gaze darting about before finally resting upon a hand, clean and unmarred.
It must have been the hand she had caught hold of earlier, the handsomeness of its owner reflected in its beautiful shape.
Xiao Jinyan watched Shen Chuwei’s movements, noting how her delicate form pressed against the wall.
She wrapped her arms around a pillow embroidered with a kitten, her long eyelashes fluttering like butterfly wings, betraying her inner tension.
Shen Chuwei sneakily glanced at Xiao Jinyan.
She regretted looking the moment her eyes met his steady gaze—hadn’t she seen him plenty of times before?
What was there to gaze at so intently?
Who could stand being stared at like this?
Xiao Jinyan shifted slightly, and Shen Chuwei, equally nervous, mirrored his movement.
Her hand instinctively reached out and grasped the beautiful large hand before her—a stark contrast to her own in size.
She looked at Xiao Jinyan with clear eyes, “Big Brother, don’t you need to sleep?”
Xiao Jinyan glanced at the hand gripping his.
Long, white, and delicate, it was pressed against the palm of his hand, the temperature seemingly rising several degrees.
His cool gaze met her eager eyes.
Was she indicating her wish to serve him for the night?
Shen Chuwei felt her nerves tighten to the breaking point.
What did his look mean?
Was it possible that he could no longer restrain his male instincts?
It was to be expected, after all.
Sleeping beside a woman and having no such thoughts would be the real issue.
Was she now in great danger?
Xiao Jinyan, drained and lacking in such desires, thought to withdraw his hand, but Shen Chuwei gripped it tightly and said, “Your Highness.”
Xiao Jinyan feigned ignorance, “What’s the matter?”
Shen Chuwei racked her brain to find an excuse, “Your Highness, this consort has suffered from a hidden illness since childhood.”
Xiao Jinyan pressed for details, “What kind of hidden illness?
Is it serious?”
There he goes, getting all worried once he hears she’s ill.
That must mean he can’t proceed with his intentions.
“Somewhat serious.
I can’t partake in any vigorous activities because of this illness.”
The hint couldn’t be more obvious.
Xiao Jinyan should understand by now, right?
Xiao Jinyan thought of the last time she was picking lotus pods by the lotus pond and cautioned her, “In that case, you should be more careful usually.
Don’t jump around too much to avoid triggering your illness.”
Shen Chuwei was stunned for a moment, staring at Xiao Jinyan.
Did he understand or not?
“What’s the matter?”
“Nothing.
I will be careful,” Chuwei replied.
Xiao Jinyan glanced at the hand that was still holding his, “Let go of this palace’s hand.”
“Alright.” Shen Chuwei withdrew her hand.
“Let’s sleep.” Xiao Jinyan lay down, covered himself with the quilt, and closed his eyes.
Shen Chuwei silently let out a sigh of relief.
Xiao Jinyan had understood her, saving her from a precarious situation tonight.
Shen Chuwei always woke up from hunger, and this time was no exception.
She rubbed her eyes only to see an exceptionally handsome face and was momentarily startled.
She must not have fully awoken yet.
She closed her eyes and opened them again, but the handsome face was still there, even clearer than before.
The difference was that before, the eyes had been closed.
Now, they were open, watching her intently.
Last night they had been far apart, yet how had they ended up so close upon awakening?
If it weren’t for the cat pillow between them, she might have woken up in Jinyan’s arms.
She greeted him awkwardly, “Your Highness, good morning.”
Xiao Jinyan furrowed his brow, “What time is it now?”
Shen Chuwei shook her head.
She had just woken up herself, how could she know the time?
Xiao Jinyan got out of bed and looked out the window, where it was already bright day, realizing it was already late.
He was accustomed to waking early, but today he had overslept.
“Assist me in dressing.”
Shen Chuwei swiftly got out of bed and took the clothes from the rack to help Xiao Jinyan dress.
Dressing was much more troublesome than undressing.
Shen Chuwei thought Xiao Jinyan had urgent matters to attend to, causing her to rush in a fluster.
Xiao Jinyan stood with arms outstretched, watching Chuwei tie his sash, her whole body pressed against his as she did so…
Whether by accident or design, the act of tying his sash seemed to take an especially long time.
Shen Chuwei was not accustomed to the ancient style of belts and struggled with the clasp, sweating profusely in her frustration.
“I’ll do it myself,” he said.
“Your Highness, it’s almost done.”
After a while longer, Shen Chuwei finally secured it and breathed a sigh of relief.
Once Xiao Jinyan was dressed, he walked out from behind the screen to open the door, where Eunuch Liu stood waiting with a basin of wash water.
Upon the door opening, Liu walked in.
Chun Xi followed suit, coming behind the screen to help Shen Chuwei dress.
