Once Pei Zhen made a decision, he acted swiftly and decisively.
He summoned a Shadow Guard and instructed in a low voice, “Investigate the preferences of the General’s wife—where she often goes, which noblewomen she associates with closely. Remember, be thorough and do not alert anyone.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
As the Shadow Guard departed, he pondered in his heart: if he could create a few opportunities for Sheng Sheng to appear before the General’s wife and leave a favorable impression, it would make the matter of acknowledging their kinship much more natural in the future.
He had no idea that his scheming perfectly aligned with Chu Shengsheng’s own intentions.
By the time he finished handling his affairs, it was nearly noon.
He immediately rose and returned to the Sleeping Palace. As soon as he entered, he saw the young woman resting her chin on her hand, watching the craftsmen working outside the window with keen interest.
Sunlight streamed through the window, casting a soft glow on her delicate profile, serene and beautiful.
“What has you so captivated?”
Pei Zhen walked over, naturally sitting down beside her and pulling her into his embrace.
“Watching them work,” Chu Shengsheng replied, turning to him with a smile that curved her eyes. “Thinking that this will soon be my little garden makes me happy.”
Her lively and spirited appearance utterly captivated the man, filling his gaze with boundless tenderness and affection.
“Are you hungry? Let’s have the meal served.”
Lunch was soon laid out—a full table of exquisite and nourishing dishes, dazzling in their variety.
The man dismissed the maids who stepped forward to serve the dishes and personally began serving her.
“Try this,” he said, picking up a piece of boneless fish and bringing it to her lips. “Steamed, tender and fresh.”
Chu Shengsheng ate it directly from his hand, her eyes narrowing with satisfaction.
From then on, Pei Zhen barely attended to his own meal. Instead, he continuously served her—now a rich and fragrant chicken soup, now tenderly stewed tendons, now refreshing seasonal vegetables—either placing them in her bowl or feeding them directly to her.
The maids nearby had never seen the Crown Prince serve someone with such meticulous care.
They had only heard that Consort Chu was favored by the Crown Prince, but they had no idea it was to this extent.
They watched, stunned, their hearts filled with both shock and envy.
This Consort Chu was truly cherished and doted upon by the Crown Prince, held in the palm of his hand!
Chu Shengsheng paid no mind to this. In her eyes, Pei Zhen might be the Crown Prince to others, but to her, he was simply her man.
That was his only identity!
Thus, she calmly enjoyed his attentions, eating until her cheeks were slightly puffed, sighing contentedly.
This life of having clothes handed to her, food brought to her mouth, ample wealth and leisure, a wealth of Points, and a powerful, handsome, and considerate man willingly serving her—it was truly a life fit for the gods!
Unintentionally, she ended up overeating.
Seeing the young woman lazily sprawled there, unconsciously rubbing her stomach with a delicate and endearing expression, Pei Zhen’s eyes deepened with amusement. He ordered someone to bring hawthorn tea to aid digestion.
Just then, an announcement came from outside the hall: rewards from the palace had arrived.
One after another, gift boxes were carried in like a flowing stream, opened one by one in the empty space of the hall. Jewels and treasures shimmered, silks and satins gleamed, rare antiques and curios, medicinal herbs and tonics… nearly overflowing, dazzling to the eye.
“Sheng Sheng, this is His Majesty’s compensation for you. Go take a look.”
Seeing this, Pei Zhen understood the origin of these rewards and immediately spoke.
I had just gone to ask for them this morning, and now they’ve been delivered by noon. Father Emperor’s efficiency is quite impressive.
Upon hearing this, Chu Shengsheng was instantly captivated. Forgetting her earlier discomfort, she stood up and walked over curiously, looking at this and touching that.
She picked up a string of lustrous eastern pearl necklace, then held up a set of jadeite hair ornaments. The translucency and craftsmanship were simply priceless.
There was also a whole bolt of shimmering cloud-pattern brocade, cool and smooth to the touch, along with precious medicinal herbs, porcelain…
Her eyes sparkled brightly, and her mind was already calculating with a clatter—how much silver would all this be worth if exchanged!
As she looked, she almost couldn’t help but drool.
Pei Zhen followed behind her, taking in her little money-grubber expression, feeling he had discovered another adorable side of her beyond her shyness.
He stepped forward, took out a delicate copper key from his sleeve, and offered it to her.
“Do you like these?” His voice carried a hint of laughter.
Chu Shengsheng nodded vigorously, her eyes still glued to the set of exceptionally translucent jadeite. “I do!”
“This is the key to my private treasury.” The man took her hand, placed the key in her palm, and said, “From now on, it’s all yours. Take whatever you like, as you please.”
Hearing this, she was stunned for a moment before immense joy surged in her heart!
The Crown Prince’s private treasury! How many treasures must be in there!
This was even more substantial and lasting than the rewards before her!
“Really, all for me?” she said, unable to suppress her smile.
“Naturally.” Pei Zhen nodded, feeling quite satisfied as he watched her undisguised delight.
He even began planning—since Sheng Sheng liked these things, he would find ways to acquire more to make her even happier.
“Your Highness is so good!”
As she spoke, Chu Shengsheng suddenly blushed shyly and quickly planted a kiss on the man’s cheek.
Her eyes shimmered, as if filled with countless emotions.
It had been quite some time since the two of them had been intimate since they parted that day.
Although their feelings had deepened, remaining chaste for too long wasn’t ideal, so she deliberately acted this way.
That fleeting kiss was like a spark igniting dry tinder.
Just as she had thought, since their last separation, Pei Zhen had adhered strictly to propriety. Coupled with his previous injury, it had been a long time since he had been close to her.
Now, not only was his health gradually improving, but the brief, soft touch had instantly stirred all the longing in his heart.
His eyes darkened abruptly. As she tried to pull away, his arm firmly encircled her slender waist, pulling her into his embrace before lowering his head to press his lips to hers.
Unlike her light, fleeting touch, this kiss carried a scorching heat and undisguised possessiveness. It was an invasion, a lingering exploration, swallowing her gasp and unfinished words.
Caught off guard by his kiss, Chu Shengsheng soon melted in his fervent breath, leaning against him and passively accepting this sudden intensity.
The maids in the hall had long lowered their heads, their faces flushed red from the soft, wet sounds that reached their ears.
When the kiss finally ended, Pei Zhen pulled back slightly, resting his forehead against hers, his breath slightly ragged, his eyes still heavy with lingering desire.
Chu Shengsheng’s cheeks were flushed, her eyes like water, her red lips enticingly moist as she leaned against his chest, breathing softly.
“That was just the interest…”
The man’s voice was low and husky, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he gazed at her deeply. “I’ll settle the full account with you tonight.”
Upon hearing this, Chu Shengsheng’s face flushed even redder. She shot him a coquettish glare, though it lacked any real force and instead added to her charm. Then she leaned against his chest to steady her breathing, her fingers unconsciously toying with the tassel of the jade pendant at his waist. As for tonight…
To be honest, having abstained for over a month, she was quite looking forward to it.