That scene had left a powerful impression on him, causing his gaze to darken.
Most importantly, afterward, he had even touched it.
It had completely filled his palm, with some spilling through the gaps between his fingers. That soft, smooth, delicate feeling…
Indeed, no normal man could remain unmoved.
He had to admit that the young widow was blessed with exceptional looks.
Her face was as lovely as a crescent moon surrounded by a gentle glow. Her figure was graceful and alluring.
Combined together, she looked both innocent and seductive at the same time.
Added to that was her sweet and melodious voice.
To a man, she was nothing less than a deadly poison.
As a woman who had been married before, did she really not know the advantages she possessed?
Precisely because she knew she was a widow who had borne a child, she had chosen the opposite approach.
Yun Suiwu curled his lips into a cold smile.
What tricks and schemes had he not seen before?
He would simply wait for the day she revealed her true intentions.
…
“In the past, once the little prince was full, he would stop eating. Today, it was hard to tell whether he was truly full or not. In any case, he nursed much longer than usual.
It was probably because the milk produced after eating those Crystal Grapes tasted especially good, so the little prince ended up overeating.”
Xiyu spoke in explanation, unaware that the prince’s thoughts had already wandered elsewhere.
The senior maids could clearly see the secret competition among the three wet nurses.
In contrast, Nurse Shen never fought for attention.
She devoted all her energy to caring for the little prince.
Her personality was simple and straightforward, without hidden schemes.
She was also low-key and gentle.
Naturally, Xiyu liked her and could not help speaking up for her.
“Shi’an likes it? ” Yun Suiwu asked after a pause.
He looked at the little prince lying on the bed, his belly round and swollen.
Now that the little prince had learned to crawl, he rarely stayed still.
Whenever he was put on a bed, he would either sit up or crawl around.
The fact that he was lying quietly now proved that he really had eaten too much.
“Yes. After Nurse Shen stopped feeding him, the little prince even licked his lips unwillingly. The Crystal Grapes were probably so sweet that even the milk carried a sweet flavor,” Xiyu replied.
“If Shi’an likes it, then Aunt Pei, send the remaining Crystal Grapes to Qingzhu Courtyard.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Aunt Pei respectfully accepted the order before asking,
“Should they all go to Nurse Shen, or should they be shared among the other wet nurses as well? ”
“You may decide for yourself,” Yun Suiwu answered casually, though a subtle change flashed through his eyes.
Nurse Qian secretly hoped that some of the grapes would be shared with her.
She wanted to know how they tasted.
Besides, having eaten such a rare delicacy would be something worth bragging about later.
After all, who did not like good things?
Yun Suiwu finished the tea in his cup.
As he lowered his eyes, he felt a certain discomfort in his body.
It was simply a man’s most natural and instinctive reaction.
When that young widow finally revealed her true colors, he would make her understand the consequences of pretending to be innocent in front of him.
A trace of ruthlessness flashed through his eyes.
Then he stood up and walked out.
…
As he was leaving, Aunt Pei glanced around the room.
Not seeing Nurse Shen anywhere, she felt puzzled.
Then she happened to encounter Lianxiang in the courtyard.
“Nurse Shen, why weren’t you inside caring for the little prince just now? ”
It was Lianxiang’s shift tonight.
She did not dare stay away for too long, fearing others would accuse her of being lazy.
She had not expected to run into the prince.
Quickly, she knelt down nervously.
“Replying to Aunt Pei, the head wet nurse instructed me to eat both bunches of grapes. After holding it in for a long time, I urgently needed to use the restroom.”
Aunt Pei glanced toward the prince.
Yun Suiwu did not stop.
With his hands behind his back, he strode away from Qingzhu Courtyard.
Under the moonlight, his tall figure looked proud and distant.
…
When Consort Song received the news and hurried over, she saw only a room full of flying fireflies.
The prince was already gone.
Disappointment filled her heart.
The prince had returned to the manor over half a month ago.
Aside from visiting Linglong Pavilion on the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, he had never come again.
In fact, it was difficult even to catch a glimpse of him.
People said he was recovering from injuries, yet she did not even know where he had been injured.
Since he could find time to visit the little prince today, why could he not spare a moment to visit Linglong Pavilion?
This was the prince’s manor, not a military camp.
Why did he live like an ascetic monk?
Not only did he avoid women, but perhaps there were already women serving him in Chaoxu Hall, which was why he never came to her.
Looking at the fireflies filling the room, Consort Song felt no joy.
Instead, she had the uncomfortable feeling that the wet nurses and maids hidden in the shadows were secretly laughing at her.
She was the only concubine in the entire rear residence.
Yet since Mid-Autumn Festival, the prince had not stepped into Linglong Pavilion even once.
She had heard long ago that the prince was cold and distant.
But she had never imagined he could be this detached from women.
…
At that moment, Steward Xiao arrived with several attendants.
After returning to Chaoxu Hall, Aunt Pei had informed him about what had happened.
Since Steward Xiao needed to leave the manor on business the next day, he decided to deliver the remaining Crystal Grapes that very evening.
Nurse Qian secretly hoped she would receive some.
After entering, Steward Xiao first greeted Consort Song.
Then his gaze landed on Lianxiang.
Smiling warmly, he walked over and said,
“Since the little prince drinks Nurse Shen’s milk more often than the others, these should all go to Nurse Shen.”
Lianxiang froze.
Although she had thoroughly enjoyed the grapes and would not have minded eating more, she was shocked that all the remaining grapes were being given to her alone.
Even her cousin was not receiving any.
She quickly tried to refuse.
“Steward Xiao, is this His Highness’s intention? Consort Song asked while staring at the basket of delicious Crystal Grapes.
She herself had received only a small plate.
Yet the prince had sent all the remaining grapes here for a wet nurse to eat before feeding the little prince.
For some reason, she felt a faint sense of jealousy.
“The prince did not specify. He told this servant to handle it as I saw fit, so I made the decision myself.”
Although Steward Xiao was already middle-aged, he looked at least ten years younger.
His appearance was refined and clean, and he was known for being approachable without losing his authority.
“Then we truly must thank Steward Xiao for showing Lianxiang such favor,” Consort Song replied politely.
She knew very well how influential Steward Xiao was within the manor.
“This is hardly a special favor,” Steward Xiao said with a smile.
“The palace sent only a small amount of these grapes. Naturally, they should be put to the best use. Even the prince himself only ate a few plates.”
He did not stay long.
Before leaving, he kindly reminded Lianxiang,
“If the grapes become soft or start tasting sour, they have spoiled. Throw them away immediately and do not eat them.”
“This servant understands.”
Lianxiang naturally knew that.
If she upset her own stomach, it would not matter much.
But if it caused the little prince to become sick, that would be a serious matter.
…
Watching Steward Xiao’s warm smile, Consort Song fell into thought.
Although he always appeared friendly and smiled at everyone, she knew he was actually a formidable person.
She had never seen him treat anyone with such courtesy and attentiveness.
Her eyes drifted toward Lianxiang.
Although Lianxiang wore no makeup, had her hair pinned up with a simple ebony hairpin, and dressed in an old-fashioned wet nurse uniform, her face still looked remarkably youthful and delicate.
Twice now, Steward Xiao had ensured that all the Crystal Grapes went to Lianxiang alone.
And his attitude toward her was unusually warm and considerate.
A possibility suddenly flashed through Consort Song’s mind.
Could it be…
that Steward Xiao had taken a liking to this young widow?