Chapter 78 – 78 77 After All, It Was a Mistake

Chapter 78: Chapter 77: After All, It Was a Mistake Chapter 78: Chapter 77: After All, It Was a Mistake Xiao Jinyan curled his fingers in a beckoning gesture, “Come here.”

“Are we finally going to talk?” Xiao Jinyu moved closer with an expectant look on his face.

Xiao Jinyan leisurely let out two words, “Secret.”

Xiao Jinyu’s eyes paused for a moment, he knew his brother was never that easy!

*

Almost every day, someone would visit the Xiyun Pavilion, but they were all stopped by the little rabbit.

Lady Li had recently heard quite a bit about Lady Shen gaining favor, which was evident from her direct promotion from Fengyi to Lady.

So, taking advantage of the good weather, she came to see the Xiyun Pavilion.

But she was stopped at the doorway.

“Lady Li, Lady Shen has been unwell recently and needs to rest in peace,” said the little rabbit.

“I heard that Lady Shen was injured, which is why I came to visit.

Hasn’t it been several days?

Is she still bedridden?”

Lady Li thought, it’s been so many days and she’s still not better?

Lady Shen must be using her injury as a pretext to vie for favor; only His Highness is blind to see through it.

“Lady Shen’s injury has suddenly worsened, so she needs to rest.

Please return, Lady Li,” the little rabbit replied with neither humility nor arrogance.

Lady Li, being proud and arrogant, was naturally unhappy about being snubbed at the door while she was proactively visiting Lady Shen.

In her heart, she scoffed, “What’s so great about that?

Isn’t she just using His Highness’s affection as an excuse to shut the door in my face?

Does she really think she can stay in favor forever?

Without His Highness’s affection, she’s nothing.”

Lady Li didn’t realize that her whole tirade of dissatisfaction had reached Xiao Jinyan’s ears.

“Is Lady Li so idle?”

Xiao Jinyan had originally come to visit Shen Chuwei, but he didn’t expect to hear Lady Li’s inner dissatisfaction just as he reached the entrance of Xiyun Pavilion.

Upon hearing the voice, Lady Li turned around to see the Crown Prince, her pompous manner faltering into a reverent curtsy, “Your Highness, I wish you peace and safety.

I only came to visit Lady Shen, but she has barred me from entering.”

She didn’t forget to sneak in a small complaint to the Crown Prince.

Xiao Jinyan looked up at the little rabbit, “Little rabbit, you tell the story.”

The little rabbit bowed first, then recounted the events for the Crown Prince.

Xiao Jinyan glared at Lady Li with cold eyes, his voice even colder, “Did you hear that, Lady Li?

Lady Shen’s injuries are serious and she needs to rest.

Didn’t you understand?”

Lady Li hurriedly explained, “Your Highness, I only wish to be on good terms with Lady Shen, so I can serve you better in the future.

I didn’t speak ill of her.”

Xiao Jinyan was accustomed to these petty schemes.

He was unwilling to listen to her excuses any further, “Since Lady Li is so earnest, then go to the Buddha Hall and pray for Lady Shen for a month.”

Lady Li’s expression turned sour at this, and she couldn’t help but curse inwardly, “Is Your Highness out of his mind?

What business of mine is it if Lady Shen’s injury worsens?

And yet I have to go on a fast and pray for her, as if she’s worth it?”

Xiao Jinyan sneered, whether she was worth it or not wasn’t for her to decide!

“I’ve heard that Lady Li has excellent calligraphy.”

At this, Lady Li’s expression eased somewhat, “Your Highness, since childhood I’ve studied music, chess, calligraphy, and painting.

My teachers have also praised my writing.”

Saying this, she waited for His Highness to compliment her on her talent and learning.

Xiao Jinyan said, “Good, then copy a Buddhist scripture to calm your mind.”

After speaking, Xiao Jinyan ceased to pay Lady Li any mind and stepped into the Xiyun Pavilion.

Lady Li: “…” She had worked hard to study music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, not to copy Buddhist scriptures.

After entering, Xiao Jinyan found Shen Chuwei leaning on the windowsill, nibbling on something.

When she saw him, her eyes curved into a smile.

“Your Highness.”

Shen Chuwei was contemplating what to eat for dinner when she saw Xiao Jinyan and, noting the bulge in his sleeve, was certain he had brought some treats.

Thus, she greeted him cheerfully.

Xiao Jinyan saw that the cloth on Shen Chuwei’s cheek had been ripped.

From a distance, the red spots on her face were not so noticeable.

“How do you feel?

Have you been taking your medicine obediently?”

“Your Highness, I am much better now, and since I have not had symptoms like fever or tightness in the chest, I can confirm I do not have smallpox,” Shen Chuwei said, occasionally glancing at Xiao Jinyan’s sleeve, curious about what delicious treat he might have brought?

Xiao Jinyan listened to her speak as if she was a Doctor, sounding utterly convincing.

“Tomorrow, I will have Imperial Doctor Wen take your pulse to see if that’s the case, and if not, there will be a reward.”

“Thank you, Your Highness,” Shen Chuwei didn’t know what kind of reward Xiao Jinyan was talking about, but whatever it was, she was ready to accept it!

Xiao Jinyan asked, “These past few days staying in the room, have you felt stuffy?”

“It’s a bit stuffy, but since Your Highness came to see me, I don’t feel so stuffed anymore,” replied Shen Chuwei sweetly, making Xiao Jinyan indeed happy, although he maintained an ice-cold exterior.

Xiao Jinyan pulled something out of his sleeve.

Shen Chuwei’s sight fell on what he held–it was wrapped in a light-colored handkerchief, small in size, probable enough to fit a few pastries.

She looked at Xiao Jinyan expectantly, hoping he would toss it her way.

Xiao Jinyan held the object and, using his lightness skills, leaped onto the Pavilion’s railing, then jumped down, placing the item in front of Shen Chuwei, and then leapt back the same way he came.

Xiao Jinyan’s lightness skills were impressive, the act requiring only an instant.

It wasn’t that Xiao Jinyan feared contracting smallpox and losing his life, but avoidance, where possible, was still prudent.

Shen Chuwei, while envious of Xiao Jinyan’s lightness skills, was more expectant of the pastries in the handkerchief.

Unable to wait, she opened the handkerchief, only to find not delicious pastries, but a delicate little cage.

Inside the small cage was a chick that had hatched only a couple of days ago, its neck retracted, in a state of shock.

Both items, having come from Xiao Jinyan’s sleeve, bore a scared witless appearance~

Shen Chuwei felt a fleeting disappointment, then an idea sparked–why couldn’t she raise poultry if they could cultivate vegetables in the backyard?

That way, even if she fell out of favor, she wouldn’t have to worry about lacking meat.

Xiao Jinyan saw her focused gaze on the little yellow creature, unsure whether she liked it or not.

“How is it?”

Shen Chuwei’s eyes warmed as she made a small request, “Your Highness, one is too lonely, could you catch another one to pair with it?

One male, one female would be best.”

One male, one female, and when they grew up, they could lay eggs, which in turn could hatch chicks, creating a continuous cycle, ensuring she would never run out of chicken legs~

Xiao Jinyan, seeing her pleasure, did not refuse, “Tomorrow, I will bring you another one.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.” Shen Chuwei said joyously, as she took the chick out of the cage.

The newly hatched chick was soft and quite adorable.

After leaving Xiyun Pavilion, Xiao Jinyan went straight to Qiancheng Hall.

Xiao Jinyu, seeing Xiao Jinyan arrive, set down the book in his hands with joy, “Brother, what brings you my way today?”

Xiao Jinyan was direct, asking plainly, “Where did you buy that little fellow yesterday?”

“On Champine Street.

Do you want one too, brother?” Xiao Jinyu looked curiously at his brother.

Xiao Jinyan nodded, “Mm, go and buy a few more.”