Her eyes swirled, a gentle smile playing on her lips, but it reeked of insincerity.

Xie Jin Yan didn't accept the spoonful of winter melon and pork rib soup, but instead watched her with a smile.

A hint of gloom flickered within that smile.

His gaze was like ice, so cold it sent a chill down Yu Qingwu’s spine.

Her fingers tightened slightly, and she awkwardly retracted the spoon.

Her beautiful eyes covertly sized up the man's face. She bit her lip and softly, gently called out to him, "Husband, the winter is cold. If you don't eat soon… the dishes will get cold."

"Shijie is quite pragmatic. Your face changes faster than the pages of a book." Xie Jin Yan's eyes were mocking as he picked up a chopstick and placed a piece of meat in Qingwu’s bowl.

He smiled, but his eyes blazed with murderous intent. An ambiguous and dangerous aura emanated as he approached her, humming softly, "A'Wu, if you weren't my Shijie, you would have died ten times over for your actions."

Wasn't it just because she was still somewhat useful?

Or perhaps, he hadn't tired of her yet.

Yu Qingwu mocked inwardly, forcefully suppressing the fear in her eyes, and looked directly at him, asking, "Then what about now? Will Husband kill me?"

These words seemed like flirtation, but she was testing the waters, probing to see if Xie Jin Yan would protect her life.

However, Xie Jin Yan did not give a definite answer.

He only glanced at her with a smile, ambiguously saying, "What? Shijie is afraid? You were quite fierce when you were putting on a show earlier, weren't you?"

Such a response made it difficult for Yu Qingwu to fathom his thoughts.

However, Yu Qingwu did not immediately act submissive. She raised her lips and said in a coquettish tone, "I thought that quarrels between husband and wife are quite common. Didn't Husband also say just now? In the past, you and I were Shijie and younger brother, but now you and I are husband and wife. Since we are husband and wife, what's wrong with throwing a tantrum and putting on a show?"

What she said did have some truth to it.

His Shijie had always been like this since she was young. She appeared cold and aloof and didn't like to talk, but she could always grasp people's hearts with great precision.

Xie Jin Yan had to admit that he was very pleased with each call of "Husband," and he couldn't refute the constant reminder that they were husband and wife.

Especially the tenderness intentionally revealed in her limpid eyes, even if he couldn't tell if it was real or fake, still pleased him.

Their eyes met, and the coldness in Xie Jin Yan's eyes gradually dissipated.

After a moment of silence, he pointed to the faint palm print on his face and said in a low voice, "Slap less in the future. It doesn't look good."

Eh, so he knew it didn't look good?

She thought he never cared? Otherwise, how could he always do things that deserved a slap?

Raising her eyes, Yu Qingwu gently gazed at the man and nodded, replying to him with watery tenderness, "Husband is right. I won't do it again in the future."

"Hopefully."

"Alright, let's eat. I'm hungry."

Xie Jin Yan snorted coldly, clearly not quite believing her.

Yu Qingwu didn't say anything more, but picked up another piece of vegetable and placed it in Xie Jin Yan's bowl.

This meal was eaten with 'tenderness and affection.'

After finishing lunch, Xie Jin Yan didn't seem to want to leave. After washing up, he lay down on the soft couch for a nap.

Yu Qingwu fetched a blanket and virtuously placed it over him.

Afterward, she sat down at the desk and began to read a book.

She was still reading books about insects. Besides poisonous ants, she needed to find some other insects, ones that were common in the palace during this season.

"Shijie, aren't you afraid others will suspect something if you openly read these books?" Just as she was reading, a lazy voice suddenly came from the man's direction.

Xie Jin Yan didn't know when he had woken up. He leisurely sat up from the couch, moved closer to her side, and glanced indifferently at the scorpion illustration on the page. Then he leaned over and sat next to her, placing his hand casually on the woman's shoulder. He pressed close to her earlobe and chuckled, "Who are you trying to harm again? You wouldn't be thinking of harming me, would you?"

"Consort Shen, Shen Baolin, requests an audience." Just as Yu Qingwu was about to reply, A'Pei's voice came from outside.

Xie Jin Yan's hand around her shoulder loosened slightly. He raised an eyebrow and looked outside, saying meaningfully, "So, it's her?"

"Didn't Your Highness already know? Why pretend?" Yu Qingwu replied sarcastically to him, stood up, and walked outside.

She never intended to hide the fact that she was threatening Shen Yan Huan from Xie Jin Yan.

After all, Xie Jin Yan had eyes and ears everywhere inside and outside the East Palace, and there might even be secret guards following her at all times. She couldn't hide it even if she wanted to, so there was no need.

Seeing Yu Qingwu's reaction, Xie Jin Yan wasn't angry. He simply leaned against the desk and sighed, "Shifu was right. Women are fickle. A moment ago, it was 'Husband,' and now it's 'Your Highness' again."

Yu Qingwu glanced at him expressionlessly and didn't reply.

Then, she straightened her posture and walked slowly toward the outer hall.

Shen Yan Huan was already waiting outside. Because of the deaths of the two lewd thieves earlier, she was now somewhat wary of Yu Qingwu.

She no longer dared to show the contempt she had at first. Instead, she stepped forward respectfully and bowed to Yu Qingwu, "This concubine greets the Crown Princess."

Yu Qingwu was the wife of the heir apparent, while Shen Yan Huan was only a Baolin. Although she was considered an elder in terms of seniority, from the perspective of ruler and subject, Yu Qingwu deserved Shen Yan Huan's courtesy.

With a smile on her face, she bowed slightly and sat down in the main seat in the hall. She then gestured for Shen Yan Huan to sit down and dismissed all the palace servants.

When she looked at Shen Yan Huan again, she didn't hide anything. Her expression turned cold, and she glanced at her and asked, "What is it, Shen Baolin? Did you hook up with the Prince of Ning so quickly?"

"No, this concubine hasn't even seen the Prince of Ning's face." Shen Yan Huan shook her head, looked around, lowered her voice, and said with some mystery, "Isn't the reason the Crown Princess had me do such things to seek revenge? But Crown Princess, even if you take revenge on me, you only have less than a month to live. Why bother making it a lose-lose situation?"

The implication was that she wanted to use some condition that could allow her to live to prevent herself from dragging Shen Yan Huan down with her.

But Shen Yan Huan was just a Baolin in the palace. What methods could she possibly have?

Moreover, even if the Shen family had connections, they would never help her at this time. As far as the Shen family was concerned, they would probably rather sacrifice Shen Yan Huan at this time to kill her completely.

However…

Yu Qingwu frowned slightly, deliberately showing an interested expression, narrowed her eyes, and looked at Shen Yan Huan, asking, "What does Aunt Shen want to say?"

"This concubine wants to offer the Crown Princess a wonderful plan that can not only save the Crown Princess's life, but also force the Crown Prince to never take concubines, and even make the Empress listen to you." Shen Yan Huan smiled faintly, rolled her eyes, looked around again, and made sure no one was around. Then, she lowered her voice and smiled at Yu Qingwu, "Crown Princess, in fact, the Crown Prince is not His Majesty's bloodline, but… a bastard born from the Empress's affair with someone else…"