The Empress had assigned another matron to oversee matters, and everything was being prepared in perfect order.
Although the Crown Prince had forbidden Xiao Hanyan from involving herself in these affairs, she still felt she should pay attention. Just after inquiring about the finalized guest list, the steward left, and Qingdai could no longer hold back.
“Liangdi, why do you trouble yourself with these things?” Qingdai felt indignant on her behalf.
Liangdi Xiao had managed everything in the Eastern Palace flawlessly, and His Highness favored her deeply. Yet once the Crown Princess entered the palace, wouldn’t that favor be divided? And still, Liangdi Xiao worried over the Crown Princess’s matters—Qingdai could hardly bear it.
“I only worry. His Highness’s wedding cannot suffer the slightest mistake. I am part of the Eastern Palace, too. If its reputation is tarnished, I share in that shame. Most importantly, His Highness must not lose face.” Xiao Hanyan’s brows furrowed lightly, her words filled with concern and melancholy.
From the corner of her eye, she noticed palace attendants passing outside. She understood at once—these days, she had carefully won the loyalty of the Eastern Palace staff.
Some words, once spoken, would spread tenfold.
As Liangdi, even though His Highness forbade her from meddling, she still devoted herself to managing his wedding. It showed her as virtuous and dutiful. Who would not praise her for that?
“Liangdi, this servant only feels wronged for you. The Crown Princess will simply sit back and enjoy the fruits of your labor.” Qingdai’s voice trembled.
“Qingdai, you must never say such things again. Once the Crown Princess enters the palace, we must be even more cautious. Remember—walls have ears. I know you mean well, but if such words spread, they will be used against us.”
“This servant understands, Liangdi. I will never say it again.”
“Good. Now go check how the banquet preparations are coming along.”
“Yes, this servant takes her leave.”
Xiao Hanyan looked around at the room draped in bright red. The sight dazzled her eyes and left her feeling stifled.
These days, Shen Qingchen never mentions his upcoming wedding. Every day, he insisted she stay in the main hall, and at night, he seized her to exhaust her. Just last night, they had only rested in the latter half of the night, and now her waist still ached badly.
When Shen Qingchen returned from the palace, he went straight to the main hall. Xiao Hanyan immediately greeted him: “Your Highness, you’re back.”
“Mm.” Shen Qingchen answered briefly, then went to wash his hands. Xiao Hanyan followed, thoughtfully offering him a handkerchief.
“Your Highness, to dry your hands.”
“What have you been doing?” Shen Qingchen dried his hands and turned to sit by the couch.
“I haven’t been doing much. Your Highness forbids me from handling these matters, so I only waited for you to return.” Xiao Hanyan offered him a chilled sour plum drink.
Shen Qingchen took a sip, disliked the sourness, and set it aside.
Looking at her standing obediently before him, Shen Qingchen’s heart softened. He pulled her onto his lap. “Are you sad?”
“No, I’m happy for Your Highness.” Xiao Hanyan lifted the corners of her lips, though her smile was tinged with bitterness she tried hard to hide. Her delicate face turned toward him.
Shen Qingchen caressed her smooth, fair cheek, lightly pinching her chin. “Is there anything you want?”
Was this his way of compensating her? It seemed that in his heart, she had indeed left some weight these days.
In the original story, Xiao Hanyan never knew how to use her time alone with the Crown Prince. She was timid and silent, and he, being a man, never asked. In the end, she died with her feelings unspoken.
Now, Xiao Hanyan seized the chance before his marriage, determined to win his affection—and it seemed to be working.
“Your Highness, I only wanted to ask, where will I live?”
Since entering the Eastern Palace, she had lived in the main hall, eating and sleeping with the Crown Prince. But with the Crown Princess about to arrive, it would no longer be proper for her to remain there.
“Isn’t Liangdi Xiao living with me?” Shen Qingchen bit her rosy lips, so close at hand.
Xiao Hanyan’s face flushed as she shyly turned away. “Your Highness is about to wed; it would not be proper for me to stay here.”
Shen Qingchen paused. Realization struck, and his face darkened. These days of living with Liangdi Xiao had become so natural to him that he hadn’t thought it improper at all.
“Husban, I also wish to stay here always. But with the Crown Princess entering the palace, I don’t mind for myself—I only don’t want others to speak ill of you.”
Xiao Hanyan knew Shen Qingchen liked her to call him “husband,” especially in bed, when he often made her cry out until her throat was hoarse. As expected, his expression softened greatly.
“I will have someone arrange it properly for you.” Shen Qingchen’s guilt deepened. These days, he had grown accustomed to holding her soft body as he slept.
“Thank you, husband.” Xiao Hanyan smiled sweetly.
Shen Qingchen’s gaze darkened suddenly, pulling her tighter into his arms. “Don’t thank me like that. Later, call me a few more times—that will be enough.”
Before she could react, he had already lifted her and carried her to the bed.
“Husband… no…” Her waist still ached.
“Why not?” Shen Qingchen leaned over her, pressing close.
Xiao Hanyan’s face flushed crimson, like a trembling rose in bloom. “My waist hurts.”
Shen Qingchen’s breath caught. He remembered how last night he had gripped her slender waist hard, again and again.
“Does it hurt badly?”
“Yes…” Xiao Hanyan turned her head, closing her eyes shyly, not daring to look at him.
Shen Qingchen rolled to the side, pulling her into his embrace. His large hand rested on her delicate waist, gently kneading.
Ever since he had tasted the sweetness of her body, Shen Qingchen had not gone a single day without exhausting her. He forgot that the strength he had gained from years of training was something Xiao Hanyan could not endure. That she had endured until now without speaking up—how foolish.
“Why didn’t you say you couldn’t bear it?” Shen Qingchen’s voice carried tenderness.
Xiao Hanyan murmured faintly, like a mosquito’s hum: “I… I like it too.”
She loved strong men with sculpted muscles, especially when they were sweating, their breath heavy and enticing. But she said this only to win Shen Qingchen’s pity. As expected, his touch grew gentler.
This foolish woman—too timid to speak her heart, too afraid to refuse him—claiming she liked it even while in pain. Shen Qingchen’s pity deepened.
“It was my oversight.”
She was a delicate woman, unable to withstand such force.
“Husband… I spoiled your mood.” Xiao Hanyan whispered in disappointment.
Shen Qingchen soothed her: “Next time, just make it up to me properly.”
Seeing that he did not blame her, Xiao Hanyan finally relaxed and leaned against him with dependence.
“I’ll go change.”
“Alright…”
When Shen Qingchen went into the inner chamber, Xiao Hanyan lazily lay on her side upon the bed, frowning as she thought. Where would he arrange for her to live?
She had grown accustomed to this spacious place and truly felt reluctant to leave. In the Eastern Palace, surely there was no residence better than the Crown Prince’s own quarters.