The prince longs for me every night after mastering thought-reading-Chapter 54 - 53 Beauty with No Brains
Chapter 54: Chapter 53: Beauty with No Brains?
Chapter 54 -53: Beauty with No Brains?
Shen Chuwei’s eyes curved into crescents, and when she smiled, two small canines showed, “It’s because Your Highness is the future heir to the throne, even the heavens will aid Your Highness.”
Although it was clearly a flattering remark, coming from Shen Chuwei’s mouth, it felt somewhat different.
“There’s no need for flattery with me.”
“Your Concubine speaks the truth.” frёeweɓηovel.coɱ
After Shen Chuwei finished speaking, she saw a pheasant in the bushes, excitedly grabbed Xiao Jinyan’s hand, and pointed towards the shrubs, “Your Highness, there’s a pheasant over there.”
Xiao Jinyan cast his eyes down at the fair hand on his wrist, paused briefly, then followed the direction pointed by Shen Chuwei.
Sure enough, he saw the tail of a pheasant poking out of the bushes.
He had been turning around for so long without seeing a single target, so the sudden appearance of prey left him perplexed.
He took his bow in a smooth motion, his slender fingers swiftly drawing an arrow, pulling the bow and releasing, all in one fluid action.
The arrow struck the pheasant with unerring accuracy.
“Your Highness is truly skilled in archery,” Shen Chuwei said, somewhat excited, as in her eyes, it was a pheasant soon to become a roasted chicken with all the right flavors.
Xiao Jinyan urged his horse over to where the pheasant fell, only to see Shen Chuwei, who couldn’t wait, bending over to tightly grip the arrow and lifting the pheasant, her little face brimming with excitement.
Xiao Jinyan pulled the arrow out, then tied the pheasant up with a rope and hung it on the horse’s back.
Right after hanging the pheasant, Xiao Jinyan saw a deer not far away.
He expertly nocked an arrow and drew the bow, the arrow once again hitting the deer with unfailing accuracy.
As Xiao Jinyan continued hunting, Shen Chuwei was not just watching; she took out an oil-paper package from her bosom, holding meat buns in one hand, and enjoying Xiao Jinyan’s archery with the other.
She couldn’t help but compliment internally, Xiao Jinyan’s archery was truly flawless, hitting the mark every time, like shooting through willow leaves at a hundred paces!
In not much time at all, Xiao Jinyan had accumulated a pile of game, with the horse laden heavily, and all the rest were hung on the back of another horse.
Just as Shen Chuwei had said, they returned with a full load.
He hadn’t seen a single game on his own, but ever since Shen Chuwei arrived, game kept appearing in front of him.
It once again confirmed the fact that Shen Chuwei brought good fortune to her husband.
Shen Chuwei looked at the pheasants, hares, deer, and other game, rubbing her hands together secretly, already thinking about how to eat them.
Xiao Jinyan was the first to return, coming back with a full load.
This surprised all the ministers and generals present.
Xiao Jinyan stepped forward to bow, “Father Emperor, your son has returned.”
The Emperor couldn’t help but clap and praise, “The Crown Prince’s archery skills are getting better and better.
The first to return and with a full load, well done.”
Xiao Jinyan bowed in gratitude, “Thank you for Father Emperor’s praise.”
Xiao Yunxuan returned high-spirited and saw that Xiao Jinyan had already returned; he was startled at first, then a bit proud, thinking that even if he took more time, he would come back empty-handed.
He dismounted elegantly and approached with a smile on his lips and a bow, “Father Emperor, your son has returned.”
The Emperor glanced at the game on Xiao Yunxuan’s horseback, nodding in approval, “The eldest Prince’s haul is also quite good.”
“Thank you, Father Emperor, for your praise.”
Xiao Yunxuan turned his head toward Xiao Jinyan, the corner of his mouth carrying a smug smile, “How was the Crown Prince’s hunt today?”
Xiao Jinyan replied humbly and without arrogance, “Eldest brother’s archery is extraordinary.”
The pride in Xiao Yunxuan’s eyes deepened, but he kept a modest smile on his face, “The Crown Prince is too humble.
Your archery skills have always been above mine.
How come I didn’t see any of the Crown Prince’s game?”
I’d like to see what you have to compare with me.
The Emperor took the lead to speak with a smile, “The eldest Prince’s horseback shooting has always been very impressive, but the Crown Prince has a slight edge over you.”
Xiao Yunxuan was stunned for a moment, thinking he had misheard; Xiao Jinyan had no chance to hunt, so how could he possibly have a slight edge over him?
“Where is the Crown Prince’s game?”
Xiao Jinyan looked toward the two horses on one side, and spoke lightly, “Eldest brother, it’s over there.”
“Xiao Yunxuan followed Xiao Jinyan’s gaze and saw two horses with prey hanging all over their backs.
He was filled with disbelief.
How could this be possible?
He had clearly sent quite a few people to drive away the game wherever Xiao Jinyan went.
How could Xiao Jinyan possibly have had the chance to hunt?
The other princes gradually returned, all bringing back quite a few prey, but none as much as Xiao Jinyan.
The Emperor was in a good mood, and after all the princes had returned, he first complimented Xiao Jinyan.
“I have always had confidence in the Crown Prince’s archery, and indeed, you have not let me down.
On the first day of hunting, the Crown Prince wins, and there shall be a reward.”
Xiao Jinyan stepped forward and knelt in thanks, “Thank you, Father Emperor.”
To celebrate the autumn hunting exam, a Bonfire Party was held in the evening.
Several bonfires were set up in the open ground, each roasting the game hunted today.
Xiao Jinyan attended the party with Lady Chang and Shen Chuwei.
Today, Lady Chang shut herself in the tent, almost making herself angry enough to go back to her mother’s sister and complain, but after calming down, she felt unwilling.
If she just left like that, wouldn’t she be giving Shen Chuwei an advantage?
So she stayed.
Her mother had always said that it is a man’s nature to be lascivious; as long as she employed the right techniques, men would fall at the hem of her Pomegranate Skirt.
The Crown Prince was also a man, and no man could resist temptation.
Lady Chang dressed up specially today, applying layers of rouge and powder, and even drew flowers in her hair just like Shen Chuwei.
With her hands coated in rouge, Lady Chang picked up the wine pot and said softly and gently, “Your Highness, allow me to pour you some wine.”
Xiao Jinyan turned his head to look at Shen Chuwei, only to find that she had been staring at the deer meat roasting over the fire the whole time, indifferent to Lady Chang’s attentiveness and focused solely on the food.
After pouring the wine, Lady Chang noticed Xiao Jinyan was turn¬ing his head to look at Shen Chuwei, so she gripped the wine pot tightly and slowly took her seat.
When the Eunuch cut a piece of deer meat and placed it in the bowl in front of the Crown Prince, Xiao Jinyan noticed Shen Chuwei’s gaze following the action, and she even licked her lips…
Without a trace of emotion, he picked up the piece of meat in front of him and placed it in front of Shen Chuwei, saying, “I don’t have much of an appetite.
You eat it for me.”
Shen Chuwei’s eyes lit up, “At your command, Your Highness.”
After speaking, she eagerly picked up a piece with her chopsticks and put it in her mouth, and she had to admit, the roasted deer meat was indeed very tasty.
Xiao Jinyan watched Shen Chuwei eating with a satisfied expression, something rare to see in the palace.
Lady Chang watched as Xiao Jinyan gave all the deer meat to Shen Chuwei, without sparing a thought for her, even though she sat right next to him.
Was Shen Chuwei just a beautiful woman with no substance?
Where was she worth Xiao Jinyan’s utmost attention?
Prince Xiao Che approached with a smile and congratulated, “Congratulations to the Crown Prince for taking the lead on the first day of hunting, truly making your brother feel inferior.”
Xiao Jinyan looked at Xiao Che and serenely replied, “You’re too modest, Fifth Brother.”
The other princes also came forward with their congratulations.
Xiao Jinyan sized up the princes calling themselves his brothers, calmly and collectedly responding to each one.
Yet he could not pinpoint who was the mastermind behind putting a snake in his tent.
Xiao Jinyan put down his wine cup, glanced at Shen Chuwei, who was still engrossed in eating, and then stepped away.
After feasting to her heart’s content, Shen Chuwei looked around and noticed that Xiao Jinyan and Lady Chang were gone.
She guessed that while she had been busy eating meat, the two of them had made up and returned together.
Shen Chuwei, patting her stomach, leisurely began to walk back.
Halfway there, she heard someone calling her.
“Shen Fengyi.”
The voice was too familiar; even without turning back, she knew it was Xiao Jinyan calling her.
