The prince longs for me every night after mastering thought-reading - Chapter 74

Chapter 74 – 74 73 Can This Highness Handle It

Chapter 74: Chapter 73: Can This Highness Handle It?

Chapter 74: Chapter 73: Can This Highness Handle It?

But the thought of Shen Chuwei being unable to vie for affection with her daughter secretly pleased her again.

Without Shen Chuwei, His Highness the Crown Prince would surely remember Azhu.

Shen Chuwei, having dined to her satisfaction, stepped out of the dining hall.

Chun Xi, the little bunny Little Guizi, followed closely behind her.

Shen Haisheng saw his daughter approaching and hastily called out to her, “Chuwei, don’t come any closer.”

Shen Chuwei blinked her innocent large eyes and obediently stopped in her tracks, “Father, your daughter must return to the palace now, won’t you see me off?”

Shen Haisheng wished nothing more than for Shen Chuwei to leave quickly to avoid transmitting smallpox to them.

See her off?

Who would dare?

“Father has had a relapse of his old ailment and can’t see you off, you should go back by yourself,” Shen Haisheng panted slightly, appearing very frail.

Shen Chuwei nodded her head and turned her gaze towards Lady Shen, “The two plates of pastries Mother sent last night were really delicious.

Since Father is ill and can’t see me off, could Mother escort me to the horse carriage instead?”

Shen Haisheng, having struggled through the officialdom for decades to achieve his current position, immediately sensed something amiss upon hearing about Lady Shen sending pastries.

Lady Shen stepped back in fright, not wanting to contract smallpox, and spoke with a guilty conscience, “I, as a married woman, how could I properly perform such an escort?”

“That’s alright then,” Shen Chuwei didn’t insist and turned her head towards Shen Mingzhu, “Sister, we’re heading back now.”

Shen Mingzhu was also scared witless, “Alright.”

Fearing her older daughter might contract smallpox, Lady Shen quickly intervened, “Azhu, your mother will arrange another horse carriage for you.”

“Then I will leave first,” Shen Chuwei said nothing more and departed from the Shen Residence.

As Shen Chuwei, supported by Chun Xi, prepared for the horse carriage, she turned to look at the little bunny, “You go back in advance and inform His Highness that I may have contracted smallpox.”

“Yes,” the little bunny didn’t dare delay and rode a horse back to the palace.

After the little bunny left, Shen Chuwei finally boarded the horse carriage, with Chun Xi following closely behind.

Chun Xi comforted her, “Young Mistress, don’t be scared.

It must be a misdiagnosis by the doctor.

It’s just that when His Highness learns of it, he might be afraid…”

Shen Chuwei leaned inside the carriage, her tone relaxed, “Whether it’s a misdiagnosis or not, it’s better for His Highness to know about the suspicion.”

“It’s just that the Young Mistress is right.

I’m worried that His Highness will conclude you have contracted smallpox and make you move into Xiaoxiang Pavilion to fend for yourself,” said Chun Xi with a worried face.

“That would mean His Highness is not worth associating with,” Shen Chuwei grabbed a handful of sunflower seeds and started cracking them.

Seeing Shen Chuwei start on the sunflower seeds again, Chun Xi couldn’t help asking, “Young Mistress, why aren’t you worried at all?”

“Worrying won’t solve the problem,” Shen Chuwei grabbed a handful of sunflower seeds and placed them in Chun Xi’s hand, “It’s better to crack some seeds first.”

Chun Xi clasped the sunflower seeds in her hand, consoling her, “Young Mistress, don’t be sad.

His Highness adores you so much, he will surely find the best Imperial Doctor for your treatment.”

Shen Mingzhu, also supported by a maid, boarded the horse carriage and followed far behind Shen Chuwei, careful not to accidentally contract smallpox.

The little bunny raced into the East Palace and headed straight for the Study Room.

Liu Xi saw the little bunny rushing over frantically and quickly intercepted her, “Little bunny, what’s wrong?”

The little bunny looked anxious, “Where is His Highness?

I have urgent matters to report to His Highness.”

“His Highness is busy inside at the moment,” Liu Xi instinctively thought of Lady Shen and had a bad feeling, “It’s not that something has happened to Lady Shen, is it?”

The little bunny said, “Lady Shen might have contracted smallpox.”

Liu Xi thought he had misheard, “What did you say?”

The little bunny repeated, “Lady Shen might have contracted smallpox.”

After confirming, Liu Xi didn’t care that His Highness was busy and pushed open the door to enter.

“Your Highness, there is trouble.”

Xiao Jinyan demanded coldly, “What matters call for such panic?”

Liu Xi spoke urgently, “Your Highness, Lady Shen might have smallpox.”

Xiao Jinyan was stunned for a moment, and once he absorbed the information, he rebuked sharply, “Nonsense, how could she suddenly have contracted smallpox?”

Liu Xi knew that no one would believe that Lady Shen had suddenly contracted smallpox; he turned and called the little bunny in, “You tell His Highness.”

The little bunny knelt on the ground with a thud, “Your Highness, Lady Shen has been diagnosed with smallpox by a doctor.

Lady Shen commanded me to inform Your Highness, and she should be near the palace gates by now.”

Xiao Jinyan now had to believe that Shen Chuwei indeed had smallpox and that she was still outside the palace; if word got out, she might not even be allowed through the palace gates.

“Not a word about this must leak out.

You take men with you, drive the horse carriage straight back to Xiyun Pavilion, and anyone who dares spread the word will be immediately detained.”

“At once,” the little bunny got up and left.

Xiao Jinyan then instructed Liu Xi, “Go summon Imperial Doctor Wen.”

Imperial Doctor Wen was the only person they could trust.

“Understood,” Liu Xi hurried out.

As they neared the palace gates, Shen Mingzhu lifted the curtain of the carriage and looked out nervously.

If the news of Shen Chuwei’s smallpox were to leak and reach the Emperor’s ears, Shen Chuwei might not even be allowed to enter the palace gates.

But would His Highness blame her for that?

On second thought, if His Highness knew of Shen Chuwei’s smallpox, he probably wouldn’t even spare her a second glance and would discard her like an old shoe.

Having made up her mind, Shen Mingzhu instructed the maid beside her, Cai He, “When we reach the palace gates, remind the Imperial Guard that Lady Shen has contracted smallpox.”

Cai He bowed her head in acknowledgement, “Understood, Young Mistress.”

A malicious glint flashed in Shen Mingzhu’s eyes, Shen Chuwei, this time you’re finished.

After finishing the sunflower seeds, Shen Chuwei drank some tea to quench her thirst.

Chun Xi kept an eye on the surroundings and, seeing the little bunny returning from afar, turned to Shen Chuwei with excitement, “Young Mistress, the little bunny is back.”

Upon hearing this, Shen Chuwei also looked outside and saw the little bunny approaching with several people.

A flicker of confusion crossed her eyes, why bring so many people along?

The little bunny rode up beside the horse carriage.

Unable to contain herself, Chun Xi asked, “Little bunny, what did His Highness say?”

Seeing Shen Chuwei, the little bunny replied, “Young Mistress, His Highness said to go directly back to Xiyun Pavilion and not to mind anything else.”

Chun Xi’s face brightened with joy, “Young Mistress, His Highness has asked you to return to Xiyun Pavilion.”

It showed that His Highness still cared for the Young Mistress; otherwise, he wouldn’t take the risk of having the Young Mistress go straight back to Xiyun Pavilion.

Shen Chuwei was also somewhat surprised.

The little bunny didn’t elaborate further and ordered those beside him, “You take the reins, and ensure they all remain well-behaved.”

Several eunuchs took their places at the two horse carriages.

While Shen Mingzhu was absorbed in her wishful thinking, two eunuchs suddenly barged in, and she snapped, “What are you doing in here?

Get down.”

The two eunuchs first offered their greetings, then said, “Lady Shen, His Highness has ordered us to guard the Young Mistress into the palace.”

“His Highness sent you?” Shen Mingzhu’s heart surged with joy; His Highness still had her in his thoughts after all, having specifically sent people to protect her.

The eunuchs nodded, “Yes, Lady Shen.”

Unable to contain her delight, Shen Mingzhu asked, “Did His Highness say anything else?”

The eunuchs shook their heads, “To reply to Lady Shen, we do not know.

We are only following orders.”