Chapter 121: Chapter 120: Kissed Chapter 121: Chapter 120: Kissed Xiao Jinyu was stunned for a good while when he heard the words “to attend to.” He hadn’t even had any maids in his inner chamber, let alone allowed a woman to attend to him.

Moreover, the one in question was Miss Han.

“Who told you to serve me?”

Han Yan replied softly, “I came willingly.”

Xiao Jinyu stepped forward, sat in a chair, and stared into those eyes, proud as frost-kissed plum blossoms for a moment.

Anyone faced with such beauty would find it impossible to reject her offering herself.

“Jinyu?”

Xiao Jinyu blinked his eye-catching peach blossom eyes, “Your Highness isn’t in the mood right now.”

Although he had seen erotic paintings before and had been curious, when it came to actually experiencing it himself, he found it strange.

Especially with Miss Han–the very thought of it made him blush with embarrassment.

Han Yan stood up, took his hand, and led him to the bed.

Xiao Jinyu had never experienced such an approach before.

His legs mechanically followed Miss Han’s steps, and he sat down on the bed.

It was only when he heard Miss Han say, “Let me undress you, Jinyu,”

did he come to his senses.

He quickly grabbed her lovely hands, his face a picture of embarrassment as he looked at the beauty before him, “Miss Han, there’s no need.

I can do it myself.”

As he spoke, Xiao Jinyu began to untie his sash.

A sudden chill at his chest made him realize he was only wearing an undergarment and didn’t need to undress.

He had forgotten in his panic.

He hurriedly pulled his lapels together, trying to retie the sash but, because he was so nervous, he couldn’t manage it.

Han Yan watched his clumsy attempts, her slim hand reaching out.

Xiao Jinyu, as if scalded, quickly withdrew his own hand, looking up in confusion at Miss Han.

She slowly bent down, coming closer and closer, until their noses touched.

A faint scent of plum blossoms lingered around his nose, refusing to dissipate.

Heat brushed his lips, and the fragrance of the plum blossoms intensified.

Xiao Jinyu’s mind crashed on the spot.

Where am I?

What am I doing?

Next day

Xiao Jinyan opened his eyes and saw not the cat pillow against him but Shen Chuwei firmly clutching his arm, her sleeping face pressed against it, her cheeks soft to the touch.

The reason he had moved the pillow away was that every time he woke up to find it pressing against him, it made him uncomfortable.

He was about to withdraw his hand when he moved slightly and noticed that Shen Chuwei’s grip tightened.

At that moment, Shen Chuwei was dreaming.

In her dream, she came across a river when suddenly a fish leaped out of the water.

The fish was entirely golden and more than a meter long.

Delighted in her dream, Shen Chuwei rushed to embrace the big fish, wanting to take it home and prepare it in every possible way.

But the fish was too big and slippery, always trying to escape.

She could only cling to it tightly, not letting go while calling out, “Chun Xi, come help!”

Yet, in the dream, no matter how she screamed, she couldn’t make a sound.

She was so anxious that she broke out in a sweat.

Xiao Jinyan looked at those arms wrapping tighter around him, feeling her body pressed against his through the thin fabric.

His brows furrowed, unable to ignore the soft contact.

Xiao Jinyan, a young man in the prime of his life, especially in the morning, couldn’t possibly feel nothing.

His gaze darkening, he exerted himself to pull his arm free, only to hear Shen Chuwei mumble, “It got away.”

Xiao Jinyan paused his motion, noting that her eyes were still tightly closed without a trace of awakening.

She must have been dreaming just now.

“Who are you saying ran away?”

Shen Chuwei, still sound asleep, couldn’t answer his question.

Xiao Jinyan looked for a while, then got out of bed to dress, and pushed open the door to leave.

When Shen Chuwei woke up, the sky was already bright, and Xiao Jinyan’s figure was long gone from her side.

The overnight snow had covered the courtyard in a silver-white blanket, creating a beautiful scene.

Little Anzi, the bunny, was up early with a broom, sweeping a path so as not to delay her master’s travel time.

Shen Chuwei was usually too lazy to move, and the snowy weather made her even less inclined to stir; she nestled on the couch, which was padded with two thick blankets, covered herself with another blanket, and held a hand warmer, feeling somewhat drowsy.

In less than half a year’s time, three young masters in the East Palace were demoted, some sent to the Cold Palace, others punished.

And all these incidents stemmed from slander and defamation against Shen Chuwei, leading to their downfall.

His Highness made frequent trips to Xiyun Pavilion every few days, causing many to grow restless, and they secretly sought to curry favor with Shen Chuwei of Xiyun Pavilion.

It took Xu Chenghui two months to collect a pot of sweet dew, during which she didn’t sleep well for a single day.

Despite the snowy weather today, Xu Chenghui couldn’t wait and came to Xiyun Pavilion carrying her things.

Before entering the room, Xu Chenghui shook off the snow from her clothes, lifted the curtain, and saw Shen Chuwei lying down.

She approached with a flattering smile and bowed, “Sister Shen, I’ve come to see you.”

Shen Chuwei was feeling very sleepy, and seeing Xu Chenghui made her even sleepier, “How does Xu Chenghui have time to come to Xiyun Pavilion?”

The tone of Shen Chuwei was indifferent, but Xu Chenghui didn’t mind.

“Sister Shen must have been frightened yesterday; I never imagined Lady Shen would be so malicious to harm her own sister, truly ignorant.”

After speaking, Xu Chenghui sneakily glanced at Shen Chuwei’s expression, which was cool and detached, showing neither pleasure nor anger.

“Sister Shen, this is a pair of hairpins awarded to me by the Empress when I first entered the East Palace, very suitable for you, so I thought of bringing them over.”

Xu Chenghui opened the brocade box to reveal two kingfisher tassel hairpins lying on yellow silk.

Shen Chuwei was young, with a delicate and youthful face; the kingfisher hairpins didn’t suit her.

Shen Chuwei glanced at them and responded faintly, allowing Chun Xi to accept them.

Still using a neutral tone, Xu Chenghui, with a bold heart, suddenly knelt on the cold ground with a thud.

Xu Chenghui’s act of kneeling scared all the sleepiness out of Shen Chuwei.

With the new year approaching, giving a red envelope to those who kneel and kowtow was customary.

She wanted to move, but realized she was sitting on the couch and it wasn’t easy to shift her position.

Xu Chenghui said, “Sister Shen, I was blind before and said some unkind words; I hope you don’t take them to heart.”

Shen Chuwei looked at Xu Chenghui’s actions puzzledly, “Did His Highness punish you again?”

“Sister Shen, you and His Highness are a match made in heaven; I would never dare covet anything and will always follow your lead.”

Xu Chenghui’s words were earnest, short of raising her hand to swear.

Shen Chuwei gave a dry laugh; can’t you speak more cautiously?

If His Highness finds out, will I, this mere pawn, be able to continue my leisurely life?

Fortunately, after declaring her loyalty, Xu Chenghui didn’t say anything more peculiar.

…

Today Xiao Jinyu planned to take Han Yan to his sister-in-law to get acquainted with each other, so that Han Yan wouldn’t feel bored staying in the palace.

His tall figure stood under the porch, holding a folding fan as he watched Han Yan, dressed in a plain fox fur coat, approach slowly.

Seeing her cold, stunning face, his mind inadvertently drifted to the events of the previous night.