As it was almost midnight, Shen Youying sat up, intending to have Danzhu go to the front yard to check on the situation, but unexpectedly Xue Shen came directly over.

He wheeled himself in and wasn't surprised to see Shen Youying sitting on the couch in a thin nightgown: "I heard from Bailuo that you're so worried you can't sleep?"

Shen Youying nodded: "Is the palace really on fire?"

Xue Shen said, "Yes: The palace gates were tightly closed. The people I sent didn't find out anything. It was my sister-in-law who found out and sent someone to the mansion to deliver a message, saying that the palace had indeed been flooded, and the fire had even spread to the Funing Palace where the Emperor resided."

Shen Youying asked in surprise, "How did this fire start?"

"I don't know the specifics either; I'm afraid we'll have to wait until tomorrow to find out."

Shen Youying recalled the scene of flames soaring into the sky as bright as day, and for some reason, her heart suddenly started pounding.

Xue Shen, however, seemed not too worried and casually instructed Fu Cui to fetch another quilt.

Uneasy, Shen Youying belatedly realized that he wanted to stay overnight. She immediately forgot about the fire at the palace and her expression became tense.

Since their marriage, Xue Shen has never actually shared a bed with her.

Shen Youying looked at him nervously, wanting to refuse but not daring to, and even more afraid of what he might do tonight.

She was filled with unease, but Xue Shen had already taken off his outer robe, leaving only his inner clothes, and wheeled himself to the bedside.

Fu Cui had already quickly arranged the pillows and blankets. Xue Shen leaned over, his long, narrow black eyes fixed on Shen Youying, and said, "Your Highness, please move aside a bit."

Shen Youying realized what was happening and hurriedly retreated to the innermost part of the bed.

If Xue Shen had given her time to prepare, she certainly wouldn't have lost her composure like this. But today's sudden sharing of the same bed shattered her sense of security, filling her with an inexplicable sense of unease.

It wasn't necessarily out of fear of Xue Shen, but rather out of fear of this sudden, unknown change.

Xue Shen seemed to notice her panic, paused, frowned and looked at her for a long time before saying in a low voice, "What is the princess afraid of?"

Shen Youying bit her lip and slowly shook her head, her eyes filled with suppressed tears.

Xue Shen scoffed, braced himself on the bed with both hands, and effortlessly moved his body onto the bed. He then used his hands to straighten his numb legs and covered himself with the quilt.

Seeing that Shen Youying remained motionless, he clicked his tongue in exasperation and said coldly, "I have no interest in this today, but Master Huodong said that it is auspicious to share a room today, so I am staying overnight."

A hint of displeasure flickered in his eyes: "Is the Princess unwilling?"

Shen Youying caught the displeasure in his tone and suddenly came to her senses. She lowered her eyelashes to hide the shimmering tears in her eyes, took a gentle breath, and steadied her voice, saying, "How could that be? Your Highness can rest wherever you wish. I... I'm just used to sleeping alone and am a little uncomfortable."

To everyone's surprise, Xue Shen gave her a meaningful look and said, "Then it would be best for the Princess to adapt as soon as possible."

After saying this, he told the maid to turn off the lamp and then went to sleep.

Shen Youying looked at him in the darkness and could only vaguely make out a blurry outline. She bit her lip and struggled for a while, but in the end, she fell asleep next to Xue Shen.