The next morning, Shen Yanshui turned over in a daze and habitually reached toward the space beside her.
Her palm met nothing but the empty mattress. Blinking sleepily, she noticed that it still held a faint trace of warmth.
Warm?
She was still staring blankly when she heard Chunping approaching outside the gauze curtains, her footsteps light and careful.
“Are you awake, my lady?” Chunping called softly. Seeing that her eyes were open, she smiled and lifted the gauze curtains, tying them back. “Did you sleep well last night, my lady?”
Shen Yanshui’s voice was still lazy and indistinct with sleep. “What time is it?”
“It is just past five, my lady,” Chunping replied with a smile. “His Highness the Crown Prince came over last night. He only left a short while ago, early this morning.”
Shen Yanshui paused, blinking in surprise.
He came over last night?
She had not even explained herself yet, and the Crown Prince had still come to sleep beside her?
As expected, the Crown Prince was not the sort to be petty. In fact, he was exceptionally magnanimous and reasonable.
With that thought, the corners of her lips curved slightly, and her mood immediately brightened.
Seeing her expression relax, Chunping added softly, “This servant saw that His Highness looked just as he usually does. My lady need not worry.”
Shen Yanshui became even more certain of her conclusion. She nodded. “I know.”
Then she lay back down.
It was only just past five—six in the morning—and still early. She promptly went back to sleep.
She did not rise until after seven, and even then she took her time getting out of bed.
Over the next few days, however, she discovered that she and the Crown Prince could hardly manage to cross paths.
Every morning when she woke, he had already left. At night, she would force herself to stay awake and wait for him, but the moment her head touched the pillow, she would sink into a deep sleep.
This went on for four days in a row.
She had Quanfu make inquiries in the front palace and learned that something had gone wrong with the canal transport. There was an issue with the embankment at Qingjiangpu, and the court had been holding discussions for days. His Highness the Crown Prince was terribly busy.
After hearing this, she instructed Eunuch Lin to have dinner prepared every day. Whenever the Crown Prince returned, there would at least be food ready in case he wanted a late-night snack.
……
By the sixth day, the matter concerning the Qingjiangpu embankment had finally been brought to a temporary conclusion.
When Cui Yu returned to Chengxin Hall, dusk had already deepened into night. He decided to dine in the front hall before going to the rear hall.
Zheng Yuande respectfully attended to him as he washed his hands, then arranged for the evening meal to be served. The hall was quiet, save for the occasional light clink of bowls and dishes.
Cui Yu took a few bites, then glanced at Zheng Yuande, who stood to one side with his hands folded before him and an expression that suggested he wanted to speak but did not dare.
Cui Yu’s brows drew together slightly.
“If you have something to say, say it.”
Zheng Yuande’s body trembled faintly. He stole a cautious glance at his master, swallowed, and lowered his voice.
“Your Highness… the matter between Worthy Lady Shen and Lord Xu has been fully investigated.”
The chopsticks in Cui Yu’s hand stopped abruptly.
He slowly raised his eyes and fixed Zheng Yuande with a heavy gaze. His voice revealed no emotion.
“Speak.”
Zheng Yuande swallowed again, his voice growing even more cautious.
“When Worthy Lady Shen and Lord Xu were betrothed, it was indeed an arrangement made by their parents. Lord Xu came from a wealthy merchant family in Jiangnan. After passing the metropolitan examination as a Presented Scholar, he placed among the second class and was named the examination laureate. Because he was… because he was rather handsome, the Zhongyi Earl took a liking to him.”
It was just that what the Zhongyi Earl and his wife had taken a liking to was likely not merely Lord Xu’s talent and promising future, but also the wealth of the Xu family.
As he spoke, Zheng Yuande secretly glanced up at the Crown Prince’s expressionless face, then continued stiffly.
“However… after learning of the arrangement, Worthy Lady Shen once exchanged letters with Lord Xu in private. They should have… should have met once or twice.”
The moment his words fell, the hall became so quiet that one could hear a pin drop.
Cui Yu set down his chopsticks with a crisp click.
Zheng Yuande’s plump body trembled. He nearly dropped to his knees, not daring even to breathe too loudly.
Cui Yu lowered his eyes. After a long while, he finally spoke, his voice calm.
“Continue.”
Zheng Yuande wiped the sweat from his forehead and hurriedly reported everything else that had been uncovered.
After listening, Cui Yu remained silent for a long time.
The candle flames flickered in the hall, casting his sharply defined face into alternating light and shadow. A thin layer of frost seemed to settle over his brows and eyes, while the oppressive air around him made it difficult to breathe.
Zheng Yuande knelt on the floor, wishing he could curl himself into a ball.
Only after a long while did he hear the deep, heavy command from above.
“You may leave.”
As though granted a pardon, Zheng Yuande hurriedly retreated on quiet footsteps. Only after leaving the hall did he realize that the clothes on his back were soaked through with sweat.
Over the next three or four days, everyone around them noticed that something was wrong.
His Highness the Crown Prince wore a dark expression the entire time. Although he did not punish anyone, the chill between his brows and eyes made all the palace servants hold their breath and tread with extraordinary care, afraid that the slightest mistake might incur his displeasure.
Even the ministers who attended court discussions with him gradually sensed that something was amiss.
Once, when a Ministry of Revenue officer submitted a memorial, he added a few unnecessary remarks. The Crown Prince merely glanced at him, and the rest of his words died in his throat. After returning home, the official sighed for a long while to anyone who would listen, lamenting that he had no idea what had happened to His Highness that day, but his expression had been truly terrifying.
The others exchanged glances. Could His Highness be overly worried about the matter at the Qingjiangpu embankment?
In response, everyone began handling their work with even greater care and diligence.
Since others had noticed, Shen Yanshui naturally knew as well.
It was not because she had seen the Crown Prince herself. After all, she had not even caught sight of him these past few days.
Chunping had told her.
“My lady, forgive this servant for speaking out of turn, but His Highness the Crown Prince has seemed rather frightening these past few days.” As she combed Shen Yanshui’s hair, Chunping spoke with extreme caution. “This servant has no idea what happened…”
Winter Intent was standing nearby and nodded repeatedly.
At those words, Shen Yanshui’s hand paused as she flipped through her storybook.
She thought for a moment. Aside from the canal transport affair, there did not seem to be anything else going on at court. Perhaps he had encountered some difficulty in his official duties.
“I understand.” She nodded thoughtfully.
She decided to wait for the Crown Prince that night.
But she had developed the habit of becoming sleepy at the hour of the Dog. After turning only a few pages of her storybook, she could barely keep her eyes open. After thinking it over, she simply spent the day catching up on sleep in fits and starts.
The tactic worked perfectly.
By the hour of the Pig, not only was she not sleepy, she was wide awake.
Chunping and Winter Intent turned up the lamps in the hall. Shen Yanshui sat on the cushioned couch with her sketchbook, drawing idly from time to time.
Outside, the night grew darker and darker. The lanterns beneath the covered walkway swayed gently in the night breeze.
After an unknown length of time, Shen Yanshui was lowering her head to embroider bamboo leaves when she suddenly heard footsteps outside. A moment later came the servants’ soft greetings from beyond the doors.
“We pay our respects to His Highness the Crown Prince.”
The hand holding her charcoal pencil stilled. She placed the pencil inside her sketchbook, set the book on the side table, and rose to greet him.
The moment she looked up, she saw that dark-robed figure stride into the room.
The dim candlelight fell across him, casting his sharply defined features in alternating light and shadow. A faint weariness lingered between his brows, yet it did nothing to diminish the steady, formidable air surrounding him.
Shen Yanshui hurried over to greet him, looking delighted. “Your Highness, I finally get to see you.”
Cui Yu’s steps paused for the briefest moment. His eyes settled on her smiling face and lingered there for quite some time.
As she spoke, Shen Yanshui naturally reached out and took his hand, leading him toward the chaise. “Have you been overworked these past few days, Your Highness? Have you had dinner? Are you hungry?”
Cui Yu lowered his eyes to the hand clasping his so naturally. Hearing her stream of concerned questions, the tension between his brows eased slightly.
He allowed her to lead him to the chaise before sitting down, then said in his usual calm voice, “I have.”
With that, he glanced at her, his gaze resting on her face for a moment. “It’s so late. Why haven’t you gone to sleep?”
Shen Yanshui propped her elbows on the small table between them and rested her chin in both hands, blinking at him with a bright smile. “I heard that Your Highness hasn’t been in the best of moods these past few days, so I was a little worried.”
At the words “hasn’t been in the best of moods,” Cui Yu’s eyes flickered. He lowered his gaze and took a sip of tea.
Shen Yanshui continued with a smile, “And I missed you too. It feels as though I haven’t seen you in ages. Have you run into any difficulties with your duties these past few days?”
Apart from the major issue with the grain transport, what else could possibly be troubling the Crown Prince so much?
At her words, Cui Yu lifted his eyes and looked at that smiling face before him. He pressed his lips together, his gaze fixed on her for a long while.
Shen Yanshui found his stare rather baffling. She blinked and was just about to ask what was wrong when his deep voice sounded.
“A-Yan.”
“Hmm?”
“When you and Xu Chengwen were engaged…” His voice was neither light nor heavy, and no emotion could be detected in it, but his eyes remained fixed on her face. “What exactly happened?”
Shen Yanshui froze slightly and looked at him in surprise.
She had thought the matter was already over after that day by the lake. She had not expected the Crown Prince to bring it up again so suddenly.
She was puzzled for a moment, but since His Highness had asked, she answered honestly.
However, as she continued, she secretly glanced at the Crown Prince. Seeing that his expression remained unreadable, she spoke in a softer voice.
“Actually… there isn’t much to tell. My father and mother arranged for me to meet Lord Xu. At the time, I simply didn’t want to marry the wrong person, so I thought I should take a look beforehand at the future husband—well, I mean, the future husband my father and mother had chosen for me.”
Cui Yu’s hand paused almost imperceptibly around his cup at the words “future husband.” His brows twitched sharply, then drew tightly together. It felt as though something had lightly pricked him in the chest, and his expression darkened.
Shen Yanshui said softly, “I met Lord Xu in private twice, both times with my maidservants present. We met at a restaurant… After all, it wasn’t easy to get out, so I couldn’t very well neglect my stomach. I had to eat.”
Cui Yu: “...?”
Shen Yanshui was still lost in her memories and failed to notice his expression. Her stepmother had told her at the time that Xu Chengwen came from a wealthy merchant family.
Though she was only a daughter born to a concubine, she was still a daughter of the Duke of Loyalty’s household. If she married into a merchant family, her in-laws naturally would not mistreat her. Thinking about it that way, the marriage really had been quite a good one…
As her features relaxed, Cui Yu sat there with a dark expression. His brows were knitted into a tight knot, his thin lips pressed firmly together, and the line of his jaw was taut.
That vague, inexplicable discomfort in his chest churned more violently, as though something were lodged there—stifling and bitter.
Yet when he heard A-Yan recount everything from beginning to end so openly, without the slightest attempt to hide anything, that discomfort eased a little.
For some reason, Cui Yu raised his eyes and fixed his gaze on her. Then he suddenly asked, “If you were given another chance, what would you do?”
Shen Yanshui was instantly stunned.
Looking at the Crown Prince’s still unreadable face, she understood what he meant.
“...What?!”
What a viciously tricky question. How was she supposed to answer? Surely she couldn’t say in front of the Crown Prince that she wanted to marry someone else. She wasn’t bored enough to court death.
Besides… although there were all sorts of unpleasant things about living in the palace, the Crown Prince was genuinely very good to her—far better than she had expected when she first married him.
But why had he suddenly brought up such a meaningless hypothetical?
She was just about to answer when Cui Yu noticed that momentary hesitation flicker across her brows.
His heart sank at once. That brief hesitation was like a needle silently piercing him, leaving him unable to breathe for a moment. Yet his face remained calm. Only the hand resting on his knee tightened slightly despite his control.
“Your Highness, of course I—”
“Your Highness!”
Zheng Yuande hurried into the room and bowed. “Your Highness, Minister Liu of the Ministry of Works has sent word. An urgent dispatch from Qingjiangpu has arrived. He asks that Your Highness review it immediately.”
Cui Yu rose abruptly and strode out of the room. But when he reached the threshold, his steps suddenly halted. He turned and looked back at her.
Candlelight illuminated his tense profile. His usually composed eyes held emotions that had yet to fade, and the look he gave her was… so complicated that Shen Yanshui could not understand it at all.
“The nights are chilly,” he said in a low voice, slightly hoarse. “Go to sleep early. You needn’t wait for me.”
The lanterns beneath the corridor illuminated the dark figure as he walked away at a swift pace, his robes billowing behind him. In the blink of an eye, he vanished into the night.
Chunping cautiously approached, looking worriedly at her mistress. “Mistress… what’s wrong with His Highness?”
Shen Yanshui stood at the doorway, watching in the direction the Crown Prince had left. She scratched her cheek and, after a moment, said softly, “Let’s get some rest first. Once the Crown Prince gets busy, who knows how late he’ll be working? We’ll talk about it tomorrow.”
Then she added, “Oh, right. Go tell Eunuch Lin to prepare a bowl of lily and lotus-seed sweet soup. Once it’s ready, have someone deliver it to His Highness.”
Chunping acknowledged her and hurried away.
…
Lying in bed, Shen Yanshui thought about the Crown Prince’s expression as it had suddenly darkened and could not help sighing.
Honestly, what was wrong with her mouth? Why had she reacted half a beat too slowly? The Crown Prince’s eyes were far too sharp…
She had only been a little slow to answer…
She sighed and turned over, deciding to look for a chance to explain things to the Crown Prince the next day.
Unfortunately, she did not manage to see him even once over the following few days.
Because the Crown Prince had been staying in the front palace these past few days.
Shen Yanshui: “...???” Is he really angry?
Ah, this was truly troublesome...
*
In the offices of the Six Ministries, the plans for repairing the Qingjiangpu embankment had been finalized over the past few days, and the various personnel had all been assigned their duties. The busiest period had finally passed, and everyone had relaxed somewhat. During their discussions, they now had enough leisure to exchange a few words.
That afternoon, several officials gathered in a side hall to drink tea. As they chatted, the conversation turned to several promising young officials who had recently distinguished themselves.
“Speaking of which, Lord Xu has certainly given this old man a new impression of him,” said an elderly official with a white beard, stroking it thoughtfully. “The tiered allocation method he proposed in court that day was not adopted, but it showed considerable ingenuity. And these past few days, he has handled the coordination and scheduling in an orderly and flawless manner.”
Another official nodded in agreement. “Indeed. Though Lord Xu is young, he conducts himself with the steadiness of a seasoned official. What is even more admirable is that he is willing to put in the hard work. The other day, I went to find him and saw several hand-copied records of old canal transports piled on his desk, covered in densely written annotations. Clearly, he has devoted himself to the task.”
“He is young, after all, with energy to spare,” someone else said with a laugh. “We old fellows can’t compare.”
Just then, someone suddenly thought of something and lowered his voice. “Speaking of which, Lord Xu is so young and promising, not to mention handsome. I wonder whether he has married yet?”
The moment he said this, everyone became interested.
“I’ve never heard any news of Lord Xu marrying...”
“Oh? Is that so?” someone asked in surprise.
“What? Are you thinking of playing matchmaker for Lord Xu, Minister Li?” someone teased with a laugh.
Just then, footsteps sounded outside the side hall.
“Lord Xu is here.”
Everyone looked up and saw Xu Chengwen enter in a blue official robe.
He cupped his hands in greeting. “My respects to all the esteemed lords.”
“Lord Xu, you’re too polite.”
“We were just talking about you. You’re young and promising, and quite handsome as well. Have you ever married?”
Xu Chengwen paused slightly upon hearing this, then smiled and cupped his hands. “Thank you for your kind regard, my lords. It’s just that... I have no interest in marriage for the time being.”
“That’s a pity,” someone said with a laugh, smoothly steering the conversation elsewhere.
The side hall soon grew lively again as they began discussing other matters.
Inside the study, Cui Yu sat behind his desk, a document in hand, yet his gaze had fallen upon the paper before him. His eyes were faintly cold.
No interest in marriage?
When he had previously been discussing marriage with the Loyal and Righteous Earl’s residence, he had seemed eager enough. But now... he had no interest in marriage.
Cui Yu’s eyes darkened completely.
*
Inside Chengxin Hall.
The imperial residence had been drenched in intermittent rain these past few days. Shen Yanshui had rarely gone outside and spent her days curled up indoors, admiring the view beyond the windows.
The scenery was quite beautiful, but... she was rather troubled over how to coax the Crown Prince into a better mood.
Her hesitant reaction that day had indeed... wounded the Crown Prince’s pride somewhat.
Ever since she had entered the Eastern Palace, the Crown Prince had always treated her well. Given his status as a member of the imperial family, it was only natural that he would be angry after she had reacted that way.
She was still worrying over it when Chunping entered from outside and said softly, “Mistress, Eunuch Wang Chun is here.”
Shen Yanshui was slightly taken aback, then said, “Show him in.”
Before long, Eunuch Wang Chun hurried in and bowed. “This servant pays his respects to Worthy Lady Shen.”
“Eunuch Little Chun, there’s no need for such formality,” Shen Yanshui said. “Does His Highness have some matter?”
Eunuch Wang Chun smiled. “It’s nothing important, really. It’s just that His Highness has been so busy these past few days that he can hardly find time to sit down, and he hasn’t been eating at regular hours either. This servant is worried after seeing it, so I thought that Worthy Lady Shen, being so attentive, ought to know.”
Shen Yanshui frowned at once.
No matter how busy he was, he couldn’t simply forget to eat.
After a moment’s thought, she nodded. “Then I’ll make something for His Highness to eat. Could I trouble Eunuch Wang Chun to deliver it to him?”
Eunuch Wang Chun’s eyes immediately lit up, and he hurriedly smiled. “That would be wonderful! Thank you, Worthy Lady Shen. His Highness will certainly be pleased when he hears about it.”
Shen Yanshui smiled and had Eunuch Lin summoned.
She considered what might be convenient to eat while working. Perhaps fried savory cakes or hamburgers—something filling, with meat, eggs, and vegetables, and certainly better than hastily swallowing a few pastries whenever he was busy.
She explained her idea to Eunuch Lin. The fried cakes were not difficult to make, and after listening to her instructions, Eunuch Lin nodded and hurried off to prepare them.
Shen Yanshui also remembered that His Highness enjoyed sweets, so she had Shouzhong and Shouyi make some small biscuits as well. Using molds, they pressed them into the shapes of various little animals and flowers, then baked them until golden and crisp, making them convenient to eat at any time.
*
By evening, Cui Yu was still in the offices, looking through documents, while Zheng Yuande was arranging the evening meal.
Cui Yu glanced at the food before him, and his gaze paused.
Unlike the usual meal, in addition to the customary small dishes, there was now a plate of golden biscuits shaped like parrots, kittens, puppies, bears, and little flowers...
There were also several cakes fried until fragrant and golden, carrying the faint aroma of meat and eggs.
Zheng Yuande quickly bowed and said with a smile, “In reply to Your Highness, these were made by Worthy Lady Shen after she learned that you haven’t been eating properly lately. She was worried about you, so she thought up these dishes and specially had Eunuch Wang Chun deliver them.”
As he spoke, he cautiously studied the Crown Prince’s expression. “Worthy Lady Shen clearly has Your Highness on her mind.”
Cui Yu’s hand, which had been turning the pages, suddenly stopped.
After a moment, he set down his brush, picked up a kitten-shaped biscuit, and put it into his mouth.
The biscuit had been baked to perfection—crisp, fragrant, and sweet without being cloying.
Next, he picked up one of the cakes and took a bite. Its outer layer had been fried golden, while the inside was filled with minced meat, egg, and chopped vegetables. It was savory and delicious, and far quicker to eat than an ordinary meal. He finished it in just a few bites.
Cui Yu was about to take another when footsteps sounded outside the study.
“Your Highness,” Zheng Yuande said with a bow, “Minister Liu of the Ministry of Works and Lord Xu request an audience. They have brought matters concerning Qingjiangpu for Your Highness’s review.”
“Let them enter.”
Before long, Minister Liu of the Ministry of Works and Xu Chengwen entered one after the other and bowed in greeting.
Seeing that the Crown Prince was still eating, Minister Liu said, “Your Highness is having his meal? Then this old minister and Lord Xu will withdraw for now and return later.”
“No need.” Cui Yu raised a hand. “Speak.”
Minister Liu did not insist. He and Xu Chengwen presented the documents and reported the progress of each matter in detail.
Cui Yu listened while reading through the documents, occasionally asking a question or two. Xu Chengwen answered in a clear and well-organized manner, with detailed figures to support his words. It was obvious that he had put considerable effort into the work.
Once they had finished, Minister Liu was about to take his leave when his gaze inadvertently swept across the plate of fragrant food on the Crown Prince’s desk. He could not help pausing.
That plate of golden... pastries?
Some were round, some square. There were adorable little cats, rabbits with their ears standing upright, and delicate little flowers, each one so lifelike and charming that they were impossible not to find interesting.
“Your Highness, this is…” Minister Liu could not help asking. “I’ve lived all these years, yet I’ve never seen food like this. It’s certainly original—quite interesting.”
Cui Yu followed his gaze to the plate of biscuits and said calmly, “They were made by Worthy Lady Shen from my palace. She heard that I’ve been busy with state affairs lately and haven’t had time to eat, so she worried about me and came up with these new treats.”
As he spoke, he pushed the plate toward Minister Liu. “Minister Liu, you should try some as well.”
“Then I’ll help myself,” Minister Liu said with a hearty laugh.
He picked up one of the golden pastries and chewed. “Crisp, fragrant, and sweet. This texture is certainly something new.”
“Worthy Lady Shen is truly ingenious and gifted. What’s even more precious is the thought behind it. Her sincerity is indeed commendable.”
As Cui Yu listened, he raised his eyelids and glanced at Xu Chengwen. His expression remained unchanged, and he merely responded with a faint, “Mm. She has always been clever.”
And yet…
Whenever he thought of the hesitation and uncertainty she had shown when he questioned her, a heavy, stifling feeling filled his chest.
Had she once been in love with… Xu Chengwen?
Was that why she had hesitated?
Had entering the Eastern Palace merely been the “twist of fate” she spoke of—a choice she had been forced to make?
Cui Yu lowered his eyes, their depths dark and somber.
Xu Chengwen…
He slowly lifted his gaze, his eyes cold as they settled on the figure before him.
The man’s features were merely ordinary, inferior to his own by far.
He was neither as tall nor as strong, with a thin, frail build—hardly capable of lifting a burden or carrying a basket. Cui Yu had practiced martial arts since childhood and never neglected horseback riding or archery. How could a weak scholar like this compare with his physique?
As for learning… Xu Chengwen was merely adequate, and Cui Yu was confident he was in no way inferior.
What did A-Yan see in him?
…
After Minister Liu withdrew, he suddenly remembered something. Had His Highness just now not asked Lord Xu to taste the new delicacy?
He instinctively turned to glance at Xu Chengwen, but the other man’s expression was perfectly calm, showing no sign of anything unusual.
Minister Liu looked away, puzzled.
His Highness had always valued talent above all else, and Lord Xu had been exceptionally capable in handling affairs. Surely His Highness thought highly of him.
Perhaps… he was simply overthinking it?
Following Minister Liu out, Xu Chengwen kept his hands hanging at his sides. For just a moment, however, his fingers tightened into fists.
*
Ten days later, the emergency repairs to the Qingjiangpu embankment were finally settled.
The various parties had been assigned their duties, the construction schedule had been finalized, and the materials had all been allocated. A plan for supplementary transport by sea during the closure of the sluice gates had also been put into place. After the court had been occupied with the matter for so many days, everyone could finally breathe a little easier.
Within the Chonghua Hall, Emperor Pingkang reclined on the imperial couch as he listened to the Crown Prince report each matter in turn. When Cui Yu finished, he nodded, a trace of satisfaction on his face.
“The Crown Prince has worked hard these past few days,” he remarked casually. His tone was neither warm nor cold, though it held more gentleness than usual. “The matter at Qingjiangpu was handled well.”
Cui Yu lowered his eyes and cupped his hands. “It was merely my duty, Father.”
Emperor Pingkang then turned to the several ministers standing in the hall and praised the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Works in turn. Finally, his gaze paused briefly on Xu Chengwen.
“Minister Xu has also done well in assisting with the coordination and deployment these past few days,” he said with a smile.
Xu Chengwen bowed. “Your Majesty is too kind. I would not dare accept such praise.”
The Sixth Prince stood to one side with a suitably composed smile, yet his lowered eyes were heavy with gloom.
He discreetly studied Emperor Pingkang’s expression, and his heart gradually sank.
Recently… Father’s attitude toward the Crown Prince seemed to have softened considerably.
There was no longer that vague, almost imperceptible suppression he had shown before. Could it be because of the attitude the Duke of Fengguo’s residence had recently displayed?
The Sixth Prince lowered his gaze, his lips pressing together ever so slightly.
In truth, there was another reason for Emperor Pingkang’s excellent mood of late. A Beauty Liu at the imperial residence had been diagnosed with a pregnancy a few days earlier.
For a man over fifty to still impregnate a consort was, without a doubt, the best proof that he remained vigorous and far from past his prime.
He felt that his health had grown stronger in recent months and that his energy was boundless. As a result, his attitude toward the Crown Prince had also become somewhat more lenient.
“All right. You may all withdraw.”
Everyone in the hall bowed in unison and filed out.
*
By the time Cui Yu left Chonghua Hall, dusk had already dyed half the sky.
He returned to Chengxin Hall, but went to the front hall instead.
There he remained for a long while.
Seated in the study of the front hall, he turned through several documents on the desk, yet not a single word registered.
Outside, the sky gradually darkened, and the lanterns beneath the corridor were lit one after another.
Zheng Yuande entered quietly to replace the tea, then withdrew without a sound, his heart tightening with unease.
Only after night had fully descended did Zheng Yuande murmur, “Your Highness, only one lamp remains lit in Worthy Lady Shen’s chamber. She should have already retired.”
Cui Yu’s hand paused slightly over the document.
A moment later, he closed the memorial in his hands and rose to his feet.
The rear hall of Chengxin Hall was utterly still.
Cui Yu raised a hand and pushed the door open, stepping inside lightly.
Just as expected, only one small lamp remained lit in the inner chamber. Its hazy golden light illuminated the gauze curtains, leaving them half-bright and half-shadowed, filling the room with a warm, hazy glow.
He walked around the red sandalwood screen and was just about to proceed farther when—
A fragrant breeze suddenly brushed across his face.
A piece of sheer silk drifted lightly out from behind the curtain, grazing his cheek and carrying with it a faint, delicate fragrance.
Cui Yu abruptly raised his hand and seized the silk between his fingers, yanking it sharply. His expression turned cold, a chill flashing through his brows and eyes.
But the instant he turned his head, his entire body froze.
From beneath the shadow of the curtain, someone slowly emerged.
The hazy candlelight mingled with the moonlight filtering in through the window, casting the figure in shifting shadows, as though she had stepped out of a dream.
It was… A-Yan?
Shen Yanshui wore only a pomegranate-red bodice, tightly wrapped around her full, lush curves, which trembled faintly with each graceful step. Beneath the candlelight, her skin gleamed with the smooth luster of jade.
A layer of delicate golden tassels hung over the bodice. Fine chains chimed softly as they fell in clusters, their crisp, tinkling sounds making the expanse of exposed skin appear even fairer and more delicate.
Her slender waist seemed almost small enough to encircle with one hand. The graceful curve of it was outlined by the candlelight, while several fine gold chains hung at her side, swaying gently as she walked and giving off a faint, tinkling sound.
There was an exotic allure to her—radiant and bewitching.
Below, she wore a red short skirt, but its hem ended high at her upper thighs. Over it lay a thin layer of golden gauze, adorned with tiny gold pieces and beads. Hanging in strands of varying lengths, they veiled her long, straight legs beneath a shimmering, indistinct curtain.
Fine golden bells encircled each delicate ankle. She walked barefoot across the carpet without a sound, save for the occasional softest jingle.
A long, pale-gold shawl was draped over her arms, thin as cicada wings. It floated gently at her sides, flowing like rippling water with every step she took.
Cui Yu’s gaze darkened as he stared fixedly at her. The hand clutching the silk scarf loosened unconsciously…
Shen Yanshui gazed straight at him with a pair of stunning, alluring peach-blossom eyes and called softly, “Your Highness~” As she spoke, the gauzy veil brushed across his face, and one arm slid up to caress his broad, heaving chest.
Cui Yu lowered his eyes to look at her.
Putting on an adorably coy expression, Shen Yanshui lightly tapped his chest with one finger. “Your Highness, why are you staring at me like that~? You’re making me shy~”
Cui Yu: “............”
Suddenly, he reached out and encircled her waist. His hand met a softness like warm jade. Lowering his gaze to her bare feet on the floor, he bent down, slipped an arm beneath her knees, and lifted her into his arms.
Shen Yanshui let out a startled “Ah!” She had been caught completely off guard by his sudden bridal carry and hurriedly looped her arms around his neck. In an instant, the deliberately flirtatious, seductive atmosphere shattered completely.
Annoyed, she pouted and patted his shoulder, her face full of accusation. “Your Highness, how can you be so utterly incapable of romance? I spent ages preparing this. I haven’t even had the chance to dance yet—I haven’t shown off a single move, and you’ve ruined everything…”
She had spent quite some time preparing this outfit. For it, she had even secretly learned a few dance steps…
Cui Yu carried her directly to the bed, his expression impassive. “I… am incapable of romance?”
