The prince longs for me every night after mastering thought-reading-Chapter 45 - 44 Dressing as a Man (First Update)
Chapter 45 -44: Dressing as a Man (First Update)
Chapter 45 -44: Dressing as a Man (First Update)
Lady Feng raised her head to see His Highness standing at the entrance, a look of terror on her face.
Her legs gave way in fright, and she dropped to her knees on the ground.
She never expected that the Crown Prince would actually be in Xiyun Pavilion, as she had clearly heard that His Highness had gone to the Imperial Study Room before coming here.
Wo Lan was also frightened to the point of prostrating herself on the ground.
Lady Feng cautiously said, “Your Highness, this concubine was merely teaching Shen Fengyi a lesson for not understanding etiquette and manners, without the intention of harming her.”
Xiao Jinyan took his time walking over, standing beside Shen Chuwei.
In fact, he had not been sleeping soundly; he knew exactly when Shen Chuwei had left the room, but his eyelids were too heavy.
It wasn’t until he heard Feng’s presumptuous words that he got up and came out.
By now, Shen Chuwei had already put away the beef jerky and stood up from the rocking chair, obediently stepping back one pace behind Xiao Jinyan.
Lady Feng didn’t dare to lift her head, her eyes catching sight of a pair of dark gold brocade boots appearing before her, her tension escalating.
Xiao Jinyan looked down at Lady Feng, his voice cold as ice: “It seems to this palace that it’s you who lacks an understanding of etiquette and manners.
You are but a minor Lady, daring to replace this palace?”
“Your Highness, this concubine wouldn’t dare,” Lady Feng bowed even lower, unable to help but feel resentful inside.
She was a Lady, two ranks higher than Shen Fengyi, so what was the harm in teaching her a lesson?
His Highness must be truly blind to shield that vixen Shen Fengyi!
Her litany of complaints reached Xiao Jinyan’s ears, his eyes a deep, cold hue, “Shen Fengyi, what exactly did Lady Feng just say?”
Shen Chuwei recounted how Lady Feng had wronged her, “Your Highness, this concubine can assure you that what she says is the truth.”
Lady Feng denied it vehemently: “Your Highness, Shen Fengyi is talking nonsense; this concubine never said such things.”
Xiao Jinyan’s response was cold: “This palace heard everything just now, are you still trying to argue your case?”
Lady Feng trembled tremendously: “Your Highness, this concubine wouldn’t dare.”
Xiao Jinyan said in a cold voice, “Lady Feng’s foul language and absence of virtuous conduct have demoted her to a common servant and ordered her to move to Yueyin Pavilion to reflect on her actions.”
The rank of a common servant was the lowest; to be demoted from a Lady to such, and then to be sent to the Yueyin Pavilion, another desolate pavilion, was more than anyone could take.
“Your Highness, this concubine will not dare again, please spare this concubine, this concubine begs Your Highness’s forgiveness…”
Lady Feng was dragged away by two eunuchs.
Shen Chuwei stole a glance at Xiao Jinyan, keen and penetrating – truly befitting of one destined to be an Emperor.
Xiao Jinyan turned his head to look at Shen Chuwei, “Is the porridge ready?”
“This concubine will go check,” Shen Chuwei turned and headed for the small kitchen.
Before long, porridge and several dishes were brought to the table.
Shen Chuwei served Xiao Jinyan a bowl of porridge and placed it before him, introducing it with care: “Your Highness, this is lean meat porridge, please give it a try.”
“Hmm,” Xiao Jinyan looked down at the steaming bowl of lean meat porridge, in which the small pieces of meat were clearly visible.
He took a spoonful with the spoon handed to him by Shen Chuwei and tasted it; it was mildly flavored, with a very subtle taste of meat.
Scanning the small dishes in front of him, he picked up his chopsticks and grabbed some of the vegetables, which were slightly spicy and sour.
Normally he wouldn’t like these flavors, but today something was different, and he surprisingly enjoyed them.
“What is this pickled dish?”
Shen Chuwei introduced with a grin: “Your Highness, this is pickled long beans, which pairs perfectly with porridge.”
“Hmm,” Xiao Jinyan ate some more pickled long beans, and combined with the porridge, he ended up consuming two bowls without realizing it.
Shen Chuwei had three bowls before she contentedly set down her chopsticks and wiped her mouth with a damp handkerchief.
Xiao Jinyan had the habit of drinking tea after meals.
Knowing this, Chun Xi had prepared the tea in advance.
He picked up his tea cup and took a sip of the tea, “During the autumn hunt, you don’t need to go to the trouble of disguising yourself as one of my bodyguards.”
Originally, I only intended to take Shen Chuwei, disguised as a bodyguard, for convenience.
Now that Lady Chun Xi is also going, and after what just happened with Lady Wo Lan, I’ve decided to let Shen Chuwei follow along openly.
Shen Chuwei felt she should be aware of the third wheel she was, and thought it was good enough that she could be taken out at all.
“Your Highness, it’s quite good to be disguised as a bodyguard,” she said.
Xiao Jinyan asked, “Why?”
Of course, it was because she didn’t want to disturb them!
“Disguising as a bodyguard makes travel easier,” she said smoothly, facilitating both for them and herself, as dressing in men’s attire was far more convenient than women’s.
Xiao Jinyan pinched the bridge of his nose and decided not to dwell on the matter any longer, “All right, do as you please.”
Shen Chuwei repeatedly assured him, “I can ride a horse, Concubine will not disturb you and Lady Chun Xi.”
Xiao Jinyan frowned, knowing well what Shen Chuwei must be assuming, even though he couldn’t hear her inner thoughts.
By now, Xiao Jinyan found no need to explain any further and afterwards, he subtly hinted to Chun Xi that she was not the one he fancied, nor had he favored anyone else.
He almost wished he could pry open Shen Chuwei’s head and clear out all the messy thoughts inside.
After Xiao Jinyan left, Shen Chuwei lay down on the soft couch intending to nap, but couldn’t fall asleep, tossing and turning at the thought of missing out on the tea snacks.
Chun Xi, learning that her master was going to join the Crown Prince on the autumn hunt, began packing their luggage.
The news of Wo Lan being demoted quickly spread throughout the East Palace, and with Lady Wo Lan’s punishment, all because of Shen Fengyi’s influence, everyone realized how deft Shen Fengyi was, managing to have the Crown Prince punish two ladies with ease.
This prompted those who had looked to Lady Chun Xi as a leader to start observing, as being in favor or close to someone in favor meant protection.
On the eve of the autumn hunt, Eunuch Liu brought over several sets of clothes.
“Miss Shen, these are specially rushed by the Manufacturing Bureau at the Crown Prince’s behest for you, do you like them?” Eunuch Liu said with a kindly smile.
Shen Chuwei picked up a red mandarin jacket and examined it carefully, its craftsmanship was delicate and the subtle pattern was beautiful.
Looking pleased, she said to Eunuch Liu, “The clothes are beautiful, thank you for personally delivering them.”
“Miss Shen is too polite, as long as you like them, it’s all good.
I shall return and report.” Eunuch Liu replied.
Chun Xi happily saw Eunuch Liu out.
That night, Xiao Jinyan developed a high fever, and in the morning, he looked somewhat pale.
Eunuch Liu, being observant, noticed something was off with the Crown Prince’s complexion and became worried, “Your Highness, you don’t look very well, it would be best to have an Imperial Doctor examine you.”
“There’s no time for that,” Xiao Jinyan said, with no appetite as he looked at his breakfast, and had Eunuch Liu take it away.
Shen Chuwei, who rarely rose early, donned the red mandarin jacket, her waist-length hair tied in a bun, and wore a red hairband typical of young men.
Chun Xi even carefully painted a simple floral hairpin on Shen Chuwei’s forehead, making her appear all the more delicate and charming.
After fastening the hairband, Chun Xi appraised her master from all angles, her eyes filled with admiration, “Miss, you also look very handsome in men’s attire.”
Looking at her reflection in the mirror, Shen Chuwei was very satisfied with her outfit, “I think so too, men’s attire truly is more convenient.”
After getting ready, Shen Chuwei, with luggage in tow and excitement in her heart, headed for the Crown Prince’s chambers.
Chun Xi was reluctantly left behind to take care of Xiyun Pavilion.
Upon reaching the Crown Prince’s chambers, she found a group of guards standing outside.
Shen Chuwei swaggered in, but halfway through, she was stopped, “Brother, you must be new here?
Quickly go to the back and stand by, the Crown Prince will come out soon.”
