Only Xiao Huaijin and Shen Yunjiao remained in the inner chamber of the East Palace.

The candlelight flickered, sometimes bright, sometimes dim, and the occasional chirping of birds and cicadas outside the hall only accentuated the tranquility inside.

Xiao Huaijin lowered his head, and now he had the opportunity to carefully observe the person in his arms.

He had held Shen Yunjiao many times, but this was the first time he had felt her heartbeat so clearly and observed her beautiful eyes and brows up close.

Fueled by passion, the orchid-like fragrance became even more pronounced, enveloping Xiao Huaijin in a moist and scorching heat.

Shen Yunjiao, however, simply nestled into his arms in a daze, like a little sparrow. Not only was her hair completely wet, but even her eyelashes were damp. Her face was flushed, making her look like a ripe fruit. With a gentle shake, one could bite through its translucent skin and taste its sweet juice.

Xiao Huaijin's gaze fell on her moist, full lips, red like crushed, decaying flower petals, slightly parted as she breathed heavily. Shen Yunjiao's hot breath sprayed onto his neck. She seemed to be crying, tears dripping onto Xiao Huaijin's clothes. She choked and murmured, "I'm so hot and uncomfortable, let me die."

Xiao Huaijin's heart skipped a beat; his reason was telling him that he couldn't touch her.

But just thinking about finding someone else to be Shen Yunjiao's antidote would probably drive him crazy.

Xiao Huaijin pursed his lips and reached out to grasp the restless hand that was reaching into his clothes.

Shen Yunjiao wanted to find something cool to cool herself down, but she was held down by a force and couldn't move. She was almost driven crazy by the surging heat in her body.

Xiao Huaijin showed no pity. He pinched Shen Yunjiao's chin with one hand, staring at her moist, red eyes. He leaned closer to her face and asked, "Shen Yunjiao, do you know who I am?"

Shen Yunjiao suddenly felt a cool sensation on her chin, which felt very comfortable. She opened her eyes in a daze and looked at the person in front of her with a hazy expression.

After looking at him for a moment, her bright red lips parted slightly as she answered with difficulty, "...Your Highness?"

That "Your Highness" was both melodious and gentle; even the coldest stone would melt into tenderness upon hearing it.

But Xiao Huaijin's eyes gradually deepened. He gently brushed aside the wet strand of black hair on Shen Yunjiao's forehead and looked at her beautiful face flushed with a rosy hue.

His long, slender fingers slowly moved upwards, his thumb tracing the shape of her two red, full lips.

Feeling the wonderful touch on his fingertips, Xiao Huaijin's Adam's apple bobbed, but his tone didn't match the emotion in his eyes: "Which prince are you referring to? The Crown Prince or the Heir Apparent?"

His tone was calm, but his hand movements were a bit heavy.

Shen Yunjiao frowned in pain and choked out, "Xiao Huaijin, it hurts so much."

Xiao Huaijin chuckled with satisfaction when he heard her call his name.

Shen Yunjiao's mind was a complete mess. She heard a familiar, deep, magnetic voice whisper in her ear, "It's good that you know it's me."

At the same time, the hand restraining her loosened, and she was gently laid down on the couch.

As Shen Yunjiao pulled away from the ice block, her consciousness was once again swallowed by the intense heat. She could only desperately reach up to the ice block's neck and haphazardly rub against it, immersing herself in a fiery, humid heat.

Suddenly, her lips accidentally brushed against something soft and cool, like the snow plum cake she used to love. Shen Yunjiao liked it very much, so she eagerly opened her mouth to take it.

When his lips were suddenly bitten, Xiao Huaijin's eyes widened instantly, and his breathing became heavier. But he quickly took the initiative, pinching Shen Yunjiao's chin and forcing her to open her mouth before kissing her heavily.

This was the first time he had ever kissed anyone, and it was also the first time he had ever kissed Shen Yunjiao.

Shen Yunjiao felt warm all over; even her lips and the tip of her tongue were burning.

Shen Yunjiao felt as if she had suddenly floated in the air. Without enough oxygen, she was about to suffocate.

Fortunately, Xiao Huaijin's kiss didn't last long.

Shen Yunjiao struggled to open her eyes and saw Xiao Huaijin's beautiful phoenix eyes staring at her intently.

She unconsciously reached out, wanting to touch those eyes, but Xiao Huaijin bit her.

Shen Yunjiao withdrew her hand as if startled, but then heard him ask softly, "Do you want me to give you the antidote, Jiaojiao?"

This was the first time Shen Yunjiao had been called "Jiaojiao". Normally, she would have felt disgusted and gotten goosebumps, but the persistent fever had already tormented her to the point that she couldn't think straight. She breathed helplessly and softly pressed her lips to Xiao Huaijin again: "Xiao Huaijin, I want it."

In the midst of the chaos, she seemed to hear Xiao Huaijin's gentle, warm laughter: "If Jiaojiao wants it, I'll give it to you."

——

The moon hangs high in the sky, stars abound and the Milky Way shines white.

The Crown Prince has never liked being served, so there are only a handful of maids and eunuchs in the Eastern Palace.

Especially at night, the Crown Prince ordered that no unauthorized personnel were allowed to enter or leave.

Therefore, the vast Eastern Palace was sparsely populated at this moment, appearing extremely desolate.

After Nanfeng had tied up the person who had drugged him and taken him to the dungeon, he subjected the person to severe torture. Within an hour, the person confessed everything.

Upon hearing that this matter was related to the Empress Dowager's granddaughter, Nanfeng pondered for a moment and decided to report it to the Eastern Palace that evening.

Nanfeng rushed back to Feihua Palace without stopping.

Just as he was about to enter the hall to announce his arrival, Zhu Ye, who was standing guard outside with her arms crossed, reached out and stopped him.

Nanfeng frowned, about to question him, when his hearing, which was more acute than that of ordinary people, suddenly caught the faint sound of the bed board shaking in the hall.

Accompanied by gentle sobs, a painful sob echoed from inside the house. The sound was not loud, nor was it intentional, but it made one blush.

Nanfeng's ears suddenly burned, and he immediately understood what was happening inside.

He immediately pulled the smiling, winking Zhuye to the courtyard with a stern face.

"You come with me to this place and keep watch! Don't be too curious!" Nanfeng always adhered to the principle of not asking about or investigating his master's private affairs. Right now, he just wanted to pull Zhuye away from Feihua Palace.

As for reporting this matter—we'll talk about it tomorrow!

——

Just as Shen Yunjiao was recovering from the torment of the heat, she was forced into another prolonged ordeal. Now, after the effects of the medicine had mostly worn off, her mind finally began to clear up a little.

Only then did she belatedly realize the trouble she had gotten herself into.

She was so distraught that she wanted to escape, but just as she was about to climb off the big bed, she was grabbed by the ankles and dragged back, and then a barrage of kisses rained down on her.

After an unknown amount of time, Shen Yunjiao had no strength left to resist.

Anyway, she cried herself to sleep.

After she fell asleep, Xiao Huaijin called for water, carried Shen Yunjiao to wipe her body, and then carried her back to bed, wrapped her in his arms and covered her with a blanket.

Amidst a refreshing and pleasant fragrance, Xiao Huaijin peacefully closed his eyes.