How will they compensate us?

Shen Youying slightly hunched her shoulders, crossed her arms over her chest, and gently bit her lip, remaining silent.

Xue Shen looked down at her and saw her thick, dark eyelashes fluttering like butterfly wings, one after another. A light blush spread from the corners of her eyes to her cheeks, and even her neck was tinged with rouge.

Further down, it disappears into the water.

The water rippled gently, spreading out in circles, revealing only a pair of lotus-like arms protecting her body, their snow-white, full breasts half-hidden and half-concealed.

Xue Shen's breathing deepened slightly as he moved closer to her, shifting to a kneeling position. He gently lifted the shy and silent woman, covering her with his body until they were pressed tightly together. "Consider this compensation, Zhao Zhao," he said.

Shen Youying subconsciously brought her legs together, but then suddenly separated them after realizing something. However, Xue Shen was right behind her, and no matter what she did, it seemed like she was playing hard to get. Shen Youying blushed and bit her lip, holding onto the edge of the bathtub.

Ripples spread out, and Xue Shen gently kissed the back of her neck.

...

When the two finally finished bathing, the bathroom was a complete mess.

Shen Youying emerged wrapped in a light spring dress, unable to resist giving Xue Shen a hesitant glare. Xue Shen, looking satisfied, gently massaged her lower back and legs: "Are you tired?"

Shen Youying didn't want to continue this topic with him, so she slapped away his restless hand and quickly changed the subject: "When you entered the palace, did the Emperor make things difficult for you?"

Upon hearing this, Xue Shen raised an eyebrow, his expression mocking: "He does want to make trouble, but he is also concerned about the people's hearts, so naturally he dares not do anything to me." Xue Shen recalled how Emperor Cheng'an was so angry that he almost vomited blood, and laughed: "You didn't see it. Today in the palace, he was so angry that he almost vomited blood, but in the end he had to swallow it down for the sake of his dignity."

Recalling the scene, Xue Shen's expression turned sinister for a moment: "He's a man who has done all sorts of evil deeds, yet he cares about his reputation. To peel off his skin and expose his filthy and ugly insides to the public is no different from being slowly sliced ​​to death."

Shen Youying gently took his hand, and Xue Shen held her hand in his palm. His gaze softened as he looked at her and said gently, "Don't worry, since I had you and the child, he has been unable to shake my heart."

He gently tucked a stray hair behind Shen Youying's ear, his previous gloom replaced by tenderness: "Just follow the steps from now on, it won't be long. In the coming days, I'm afraid there will be more people visiting than before. See those you want to see, and turn down those you don't want to see. There's no need to force yourself."

Shen Youying hummed in agreement and leaned her head against his chest.

After chatting for a while, the kitchen brought out the food. Xue Shen first served Shen Youying a bowl of soup before picking up his chopsticks to eat. Shen Youying was in a good mood today, and Xue Shen deliberately led her to tell her some interesting stories, so she ate more. Before she knew it, she had drunk a bowl of soup and then a bowl of rice.

After she put down her chopsticks, Xue Shen buried his head and finished the rest of the food.

Shen Youying had a habit of digesting her food after meals. She was about to ask Danzhu to find some clothes to change into when she heard Xue Shen say, "Wear that lake-blue outfit today, and bring a cloak with you."

Shen Youying was surprised to hear this: "That lake blue outfit is something you only wear when you go out on ordinary days. Are you going out again today?"

It's late spring now, and summer is just around the corner. People have switched to lighter spring clothes and rarely wear capes anymore.

Xue Shen nodded and explained, “My father used to have several loyal generals under his command. In the early years, before my father ascended the throne, he addressed them as brothers, and I should also call them uncles. Later, when Emperor Cheng’an ascended the throne, these generals were dismissed and exiled for various reasons. I gathered them together and asked them to secretly train and raise troops for me. Otherwise, I would not have been able to launch a surprise attack and repel the Northern Rong this time. They have not returned to the capital for many years, and now they have made great contributions. I have set up a welcome banquet for them at the Red Pavilion. You should also go and get to know them.”

Shen Youying understood. Xue Shen was not only a right-hand man and an old friend of the late emperor, but also a kind of elder. She should indeed go and meet him.

Without further hesitation, she allowed Danzhu to help her change her clothes and do her makeup.

As you board the carriage, Xue Shen is still saying, "You're just going to meet people. If you don't like the food and drinks at the banquet, don't touch them. I've had someone prepare some tea and snacks for you to enjoy. You can have some if you want, or not if you don't. Don't be too concerned about those superficial things. They're rough around the edges and don't follow those rules. They all know you're pregnant, so they won't mind."

Shen Youying nodded.

Because Shen Youying was there, Xue Shen instructed the coachman to drive directly into the Red Mansion through the side gate. Once they reached the back, Xue Shen helped her down from the carriage and went with her to the private room.

Pang Lai and the others were drinking and playing drinking games. They had been away from the capital for many years and had nowhere to stay when they suddenly came to the capital. Their families were all in their hometown, so they decided to stay at the Red Mansion for a few days to relax.

Just as they were enjoying their drinks, a servant came to report, "Gentlemen, the Prince and Princess have arrived."

The private room was noisy, and Pang Lai didn't hear clearly at first. He thought Xue Shen had arrived, so he put the wine jar on the table and said with a smile, "The prince has arrived? Quickly invite him in, so he can have another round of drinks with us."

The other person nearby heard this clearly, sat up abruptly, pushed Pang Lai aside, and asked to confirm, "Who did you say the prince came with?"

The servant had no choice but to repeat, "The prince and princess have arrived and are on their way to the private room!"

Everyone in the private room shuddered.

Pang Lai realized what was happening, glanced around the messy private room where people were lying haphazardly, pushed the servant out, and repeatedly instructed, "Go, tell the Prince and Princess that we've moved to the private room next door!"

After saying that, he immediately closed the door and kicked the sober ones up one by one: "Get up and get ready, the princess is here!"

As for the few who couldn't hold their liquor and got drunk, Pang Lai simply ignored them and instructed the others, "Go and change your clothes quickly to get rid of the smell of alcohol. Lock these few up here, and don't let them run out when they hear the noise and frighten the princess."

Those who weren't drunk immediately jumped up to change their clothes and get rid of the smell of alcohol. Some who were drunk but not completely sober also tried to get up when they heard the commotion, but were quickly pushed back down by the others.

When Shen Youying and Xue Shen arrived, just as they were about to head to the private room they had booked, they heard the servant say with a smile, "Lord Pang and the others have moved to the next room."

Shen Youying looked puzzled and glanced at Xue Shen. Xue Shen, however, seemed unfazed and whispered an explanation to her, "They must have been drinking when we arrived."

Shen Youying then understood, and with a slight smile, she followed him into the private room next door.

There were already seven or eight people waiting in the private room. When they saw the two enter, they all stood up and bowed, saying in loud voices, "Greetings, Your Highness, Greetings, Your Highness's Consort."

Especially that one "Greetings, Your Highness," which exuded an aura that could shatter mountains and rivers.

Shen Youying smiled and nodded slightly to the group: "You are all the prince's right-hand men, there is no need to be so formal."

Xue Shen glanced at the people present and saw that they were all dressed neatly and had not acted improperly. There was no smell of alcohol in the room. After counting the people, he found that a few were missing and understood the situation. He gestured for everyone to sit down and talk. He first pulled out a chair, then naturally took a cushion from the side and put it on. After Shen Youying sat down, he sat down himself.

Pang Lai and the others sat on the other side, their eyes wide with astonishment.

The group exchanged frantic glances: Has anyone ever seen the prince so gentle and considerate?