Shen Qingtang’s smile instantly froze on her face.
Her eyes widened abruptly as she stared blankly at the radiant Xiao Chengyu before her, doubting her own ears.
Was that an auditory hallucination just now?
Such absurd and wanton words… how could they possibly be her cousin’s inner thoughts?
Before she could recover, that inner voice sounded again, clearer than before: [“Tangtang’s skin is fairer than snow, crimson suits her best. That undergarment was personally chosen by me. I truly wish to dress Tangtang in it myself.”]
With a “boom,” Shen Qingtang felt her cheeks and neck burn, her fingertips trembling.
The book in her hand fell to the ground with a “thud.”
Flustered, she bent down to pick it up, but her hand accidentally brushed against the teacup on the table, spilling warm tea onto the back of her hand.
“Be careful!” Xiao Chengyu immediately grasped her wrist, his thumb gently stroking the back of her hand, his tone full of concern. “Did it burn you? Why are you so careless?”
His palm was warm, his movements as natural as ever.
But Shen Qingtang recoiled as if scalded, her voice trembling: “N-no, it’s fine. Cousin, don’t worry.”
A faint shadow flickered in Xiao Chengyu’s eyes, too quick to catch, before he resumed his gentle demeanor and turned to instruct the palace maid: “Summon the imperial physician to examine the young lady’s hand carefully.”
The palace maid immediately obeyed and withdrew.
By now, Shen Qingtang felt as if she were sitting on pins and needles, desperate to leave quickly.
Not daring to meet Xiao Chengyu’s eyes, she lowered her head and said, “Crown Prince, there’s really no need for such trouble. The tea was only warm, not scalding.”
Xiao Chengyu narrowed his deep, dark eyes, smiling ambiguously: “What did Tangtang call me?”
Only then did Shen Qingtang realize she had been so flustered she misspoke. Hurriedly correcting herself, her voice as faint as a mosquito’s hum: “C-cousin…”
Satisfied, Xiao Chengyu naturally placed his long, broad hand on the back of her head, his palm gently stroking her satin-smooth hair.
His voice was tender: “Good girl. If you’re truly burned, don’t hide it from me. I would worry.”
Yet his inner voice starkly contrasted with his gentle tone: [“I still prefer hearing Tangtang call me cousin—so soft and sweet. But with such a lovely voice, if she called me husband, it would surely be more alluring.”]
Shen Qingtang stiffened all over, her nails nearly digging into her palms.
Unable to stay any longer, she forced a smile: “Cousin, it’s getting late. I… I should leave the palace.”
Xiao Chengyu frowned, “Why leave so soon after arriving?”
Shen Qingtang’s long eyelashes fluttered as she quickly found an excuse: “There are guests at the residence today, so I need to return early.”
The curve of Xiao Chengyu’s lips faded slightly as he asked nonchalantly, “What guests?”
[“Male or female?”]
Shen Qingtang hastily replied, “My cousin is visiting.”
Hearing “cousin,” Xiao Chengyu asked no further.
His tone remained gentle: “I’ll escort you back.”
“No need!” Shen Qingtang refused without a second thought, her voice louder than usual.
As soon as the words left her mouth, she regretted them.
Would Cousin think she was strange?
Sure enough, Xiao Chengyu’s brows furrowed, his gaze settling on her face with a hint of scrutiny. “Tangtang, what’s wrong with you today? Are you feeling unwell, or did someone upset you?”
His tone gradually cooled, and Shen Qingtang quickly shook her head, her mind racing for an excuse. “No… I just had a nightmare last night and didn’t sleep well.”
“Is that so?” Xiao Chengyu continued to stare intently at her, not missing a single change in her expression.
Shen Qingtang forced herself to smile, trying to sound as natural as possible. “With Aunt and Cousin protecting me, who would dare to provoke me?”
Xiao Chengyu’s expression softened slightly. “Tangtang is right. With me here, no one can bully you.”
He reached out to touch her hair again, but Shen Qingtang instinctively tilted her head, avoiding his touch.
Xiao Chengyu’s hand paused mid-air, the shadows in his eyes deepening.
“Did Cousin do something wrong to upset Tangtang? Otherwise, why would Tangtang suddenly become distant with me?”
Shen Qingtang clenched her fingertips, forcing a stiff, coquettish tone. “Cousin, Tangtang is no longer a child. How can I still let you pat my head like when I was little?”
Xiao Chengyu’s gaze drifted down from Shen Qingtang’s pale, slender neck, his voice suddenly growing hoarse. “Tangtang… has indeed grown up.”
Shen Qingtang instinctively felt there was something odd about the Crown Prince’s words, yet they seemed harmless enough.
She replied stiffly, “Cousin, you must be busy with official duties. I won’t waste any more of your time.”
She wasn’t wrong—Xiao Chengyu, as the Crown Prince, was usually occupied assisting the Emperor with state affairs and had little time to spare.
Yet, despite his busy schedule, the Crown Prince was filial and virtuous. Every time she entered the palace, she would inevitably run into him paying respects to the Empress.
The Empress had only one son, and the two of them had grown up seeing each other frequently.
Perhaps because of this, the Crown Prince had always been exceptionally protective of her, even more so than he was toward the princesses.
She had always assumed Xiao Chengyu treated her like a younger sister…
Now that she had suddenly become aware of his true feelings, she found herself at a loss, wanting only to escape as quickly as possible.
Xiao Chengyu’s thin lips curved into a smile. “How could spending time with Tangtang ever be a waste?”
Shen Qingtang swallowed hard, mustering the courage to bring up the topic. “By the way, Cousin, Aunt often tells me that you’ve reached the age to select a Crown Princess. There are so many talented noble ladies in the capital—if you have time, why not take a look at their portraits? It would set Aunt’s mind at ease.”
She spoke cautiously, praying inwardly: If Cousin had a Crown Princess, would he no longer harbor those strange thoughts?
Xiao Chengyu’s smile faded slightly. “Oh? Is Tangtang so eager for me to choose a consort?”
He looked down at her, his dark eyes swirling with obscurity. “What kind of person does Tangtang think is worthy of being the Crown Princess?”
[You heartless little thing, trying to push me toward another woman. I should lock you away in the Eastern Palace sooner, so you won’t dare speak recklessly again.]
Shen Qingtang’s heart nearly stopped in fright!