Chapter 110 The Abandoned Eldest Daughter Makes a Comeback (34 pages)

Xiao Chengze handed the cloak to Bihe and sat down on the other side of Shen Yunzhen.

"You don't need to worry about that. I came here with my father's permission."

"What did you say?!"

Xiao Chengze was greatly alarmed.

Xiao Chengxu said unhurriedly, "Otherwise, why would I be here?"

Xiao Chengze snorted coldly: "Who knows what schemes and tricks you used to deceive Father Emperor? Maybe you're just that despicable and vile!"

That being said, Xiao Chengze knew perfectly well that Xiao Chengxu's presence here could only mean that it was tacitly approved by the Emperor.

But why would he do that?

Given my father's abilities, he shouldn't be unaware of the affair between Xiao Chengxu and Yun Zhen.

If you knew this, why did you agree to let Xiao Chengxu come to Lanyue Palace?

Unexpectedly, Xiao Chengze thought of himself.

In fact, the Emperor had tacitly approved of him staying in Lanyue Palace.

Otherwise, he could have sent someone to forcibly take him away when Yunzhen went out for a walk just now.

He was all prepared to resist, but no one came.

Xiao Chengze was still secretly pleased when Xiao Chengxu suddenly appeared.

What exactly does Father want to do?

She brought Yunzhen into the palace, yet allowed the two of them to get close to her.

Could it be that he's really getting senile?

Xiao Chengze was completely baffled.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Chengxu's smile remained unchanged, but a barely perceptible chill flashed in his eyes.

He slowly picked up the teacup on the table, gently blew on the floating tea, took a small sip, and then leisurely said, "Second brother, you can eat whatever you want, but you can't say whatever you want. Father is wise and mighty, how could he be easily fooled? It is you who secretly disguised yourself as a eunuch and sneaked into the harem. Such behavior is truly despicable."

Xiao Chengze had already adjusted his mindset and was not embarrassed by Xiao Chengxu's words; on the contrary, he became proud.

He raised his head and brought up his status as a servant again, as if it were a status worth boasting about.

“I am dressed like this with Yunzhen’s permission. I was her servant before, and I will remain so. From today onwards, I will be residing permanently in Lanyue Palace. As for you, you can only sneak in at night, so it is obvious who is acting suspiciously.”

Xiao Chengxu put down his teacup with a "thud," and the tea inside sloshed around.

“Just a servant…” Xiao Chengxu scoffed. “In that case, I’ll leave the various chores at Lanyue Palace to you. But since you’re a man, you don’t need to get involved in my and Yunzhen’s bedroom matters. If you were a genuine eunuch, I could have you carry water; that would be a great favor to you.”

"What do you mean? You actually want to stay the night?!"

Xiao Chengze was incredulous and pressed for answers, forgetting to refute anything else for a moment.

Xiao Chengxu took Shen Yunzhen's delicate hand and kissed it lightly.

"Of course, Yunzhen welcomes me too."

He wasn't afraid that Shen Yunzhen would be angry because of this. After spending so much time together, he had also glimpsed some of the wickedness in Shen Yunzhen's bones.

Xiao Chengze turned to look at Shen Yunzhen, his eyes filled with pleading and earnestness, and a hint of caution.

"Yun Zhen, he's talking nonsense, isn't he?"

Sometimes she was annoyed by the jealousy and rivalry among those around her, but at other times she couldn't resist watching the drama unfold. In this particular situation, Shen Yunzhen found it even more interesting.

"That is naturally..."

Shen Yunzhen drawled out her words, and Xiao Chengze's eyes lit up with anticipation.

"--real."

In an instant, Xiao Chengze felt as if a thousand arrows were piercing his heart, leaving him riddled with holes.

In contrast to Xiao Chengze, Xiao Chengxu was overjoyed. His joy was like a tidal wave bursting its banks, instantly filling his heart to the brim, with every crevice filled with sweetness and pleasure.

He tried his best to control the turmoil in his heart, but his face remained as calm as ever. Only the slightly reddened tips of his ears betrayed his indescribable joy at this moment.

Xiao Chengze's lips trembled uncontrollably. He wanted to say something, but anger and resentment choked his throat, and he could only utter a few broken syllables.

But in the end, this was not the first time he had experienced this, and he had known for a long time that there was such an intimate relationship between the two.

Just because Shen Yunzhen entered the palace and heard that Xiao Chengxu had done nothing during this time, they assumed that the relationship between the two had already broken down.

Thus, Xiao Chengxu was eliminated, and his father, the emperor, was already old and had three thousand concubines in his harem, making a relationship with Yun Zhen impossible. Xiao Chengze then harbored a sliver of hope.

But as soon as he arrived at Yun Zhen's side, Xiao Chengxu dealt him a heavy blow.

The trials and tribulations of this period have tempered Xiao Chengze, making him less impulsive and more mature.

He unconsciously clenched his fists, finally swallowing down his resentment and unwillingness.

So what if Xiao Chengxu is now having intimate encounters with Yun Zhen? Ultimately, he is now by Yun Zhen's side every moment.

The days are long, and the person who can always be by Yunzhen's side now is Xiao Chengze.

Who can predict what will happen next? As long as I stay by Yunzhen's side, I'll always have a chance to drive the other person away and win Yunzhen's favor.

Xiao Chengze suppressed the turmoil in his heart and forced out a faint smile.

"Of course I have no problem serving you. Taking care of Yunzhen is my duty. However, Second Brother prides himself on being a virtuous gentleman. It is inappropriate for him to mention such private matters so frankly, and it would also offend Yunzhen's ears. As the Crown Prince, it is better to be careful with your words and actions, lest you become a laughing stock and damage the royal dignity."

"These words are merely a heart-to-heart talk between brothers. As long as we keep them to ourselves, how could they easily be spread?"

Xiao Chengxu paused, then looked at Xiao Chengze meaningfully: "If it really leaks out and causes a lot of gossip, then someone must have ulterior motives and did it on purpose."

Xiao Chengze sneered: "If you don't want people to know, then don't do it in the first place."

“Second brother, what you said is quite profound. However, if we’re talking about ‘do not do it yourself,’ I’m afraid you should reflect on yourself more than I should. A prince disguised as a eunuch to infiltrate the harem—if such behavior were to get out, it would cause a great uproar throughout the land.”

In this matter, the two were equally at fault, and neither of them came out on top.

However, neither of them intended to admit defeat, and they engaged in a lively verbal battle.

Shen Yunzhen rested her chin on her hand, quietly watching the two of them tear at each other back and forth.

To be honest, after such a long time, seeing it again was even more exciting than the performance of the actors, and I didn't feel the annoyance I used to have.

Despite their bickering, Xiao Chengxu and Xiao Chengze kept their attention on Shen Yunzhen, naturally catching her amused gaze.

In an instant, it was as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over their heads, and their dizzy minds suddenly calmed down.

The two of them tacitly stopped talking.

Xiao Chengxu and Xiao Chengze got up almost at the same time and moved to Shen Yunzhen's side, one on each side.

Xiao Chengxu leaned down slightly and reached out to embrace Shen Yunzhen's slender waist.

"Yunzhen, it's getting late. Let me accompany you back to your room to rest."

Xiao Chengze was not about to make such a rash move, but he was not about to back down either.

"Yunzhen, let me help you wash up. You've walked quite a distance today, you must be tired. I've had hot water prepared, so you can soak your feet and relax."

Shen Yunzhen glanced at the two of them, a hint of mockery in her eyes, "Not arguing anymore?"

Xiao Chengze chuckled dryly, but Xiao Chengxu, whose cultivation was even more advanced, didn't change his expression at all upon hearing this, remaining gentle and affectionate.

"We were just having a friendly exchange of ideas, and I hope Yunzhen won't take offense."

"Yes, that's right, Yunzhen, please don't take it to heart."

Xiao Chengze quickly added that he didn't want to leave a bad impression on Shen Yunzhen.

Shen Yunzhen's eyes held an even stronger mockery: "So that's how it is. I almost misunderstood you."

Xiao Chengxu did not answer, but reached out and grasped Shen Yunzhen's hand.

"It's chilly at night, so it would be better to rest early. Why don't we settle down and go to bed now?"

Xiao Chengze's eyes reddened at the sight, filled with envy.

He glanced at Shen Yunzhen's face, then boldly grasped her other hand.

"Yunzhen, let me help you with your washing and dressing. I've been learning how to serve you closely from the palace maids lately. Today, you can experience it for yourself. If there's anything lacking, please point it out so I can correct it."

Her tone was soft and gentle, with a hint of coquetry, which suited her image quite well at the time.

The learning that Xiao Chengze was talking about was not about one person teaching and demonstrating to others, but about listening with only one pair of ears, listening repeatedly, and pondering every detail.

After all, as a member of the imperial family, he had no experience in serving others, and he had no opportunity to serve Shen Yunzhen outside the palace.

Once he had figured it out, he practiced on himself.

He doesn't want to touch anyone else, regardless of gender.

Shen Yunzhen was sandwiched between the two men, one on each side, but she was neither annoyed nor refused.

"Alright, let's go to bed then. Chengze, go and prepare some hot water."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Chengze was overjoyed and felt that he had taken another big step closer to Shen Yunzhen.

"Okay, I'll go prepare it right away."

After saying that, he turned and left quickly, afraid of delaying even a moment.

Xiao Chengxu smiled slightly, his eyes overflowing with tenderness and love.

"Let's go, I'll go with you."

Shen Yunzhen raised her hand and yawned lazily, letting Xiao Chengxu put his arm around her and walk towards the bedroom.

Throughout the journey, Xiao Chengxu's hand remained firmly on her waist, as if asserting his ownership.

Upon entering the bedroom, Xiao Chengxu gently closed the door, turned to look at Shen Yunzhen, his eyes deep, and his tone tinged with a hint of probing: "Yunzhen, is it alright if I stay here today?"

Actually, Xiao Chengxu had stayed overnight every time he came during this period, but today Xiao Chengze suddenly joined him.

Seeing that Shen Yunzhen had actually kept the person behind, Xiao Chengxu was a little undecided and began to feel anxious.

Shen Yunzhen rolled her eyes: "Could it be that you actually plan to leave now?"

Xiao Chengxu shook his head quickly, a bright smile spreading across his face.

"No, of course not."

As soon as the two entered the bedroom, Xiao Chengze rushed over with a basin of water, his nimble fingers also holding several toiletries.

This should have been served by several palace maids, but having finally seized the opportunity to serve him personally, Xiao Chengze naturally refused to let others interfere.

Upon entering the bedroom, Xiao Chengze nimbly pushed past Xiao Chengxu, saying, "Yunzhen, let me remove your makeup."

Shen Yunzhen sat down in front of the dressing table, and Xiao Chengze immediately walked behind her, gently removing the hairpin from her hair and then picking up a comb to gently comb her long hair.

His movements were extremely gentle, as if he were handling a rare treasure. However, Shen Yunzhen was far more precious to Xiao Chengze than a rare treasure, even more important than his life.

Shen Yunzhen's beauty is natural; her lips are naturally red, like delicate flower petals, and her skin is fair and smooth. She is pure and moving, and her beauty is stunning without the need for makeup.

Xiao Chengze then used a handkerchief to wipe Shen Yunzhen's face and hands. After finishing everything, he brought in a basin of hot water from the doorway and knelt on one knee at Shen Yunzhen's feet.

The rising steam blurred his face, but it couldn't hide the overflowing love and care in his eyes for Shen Yunzhen.

"Yunzhen, let me wash your feet."

Xiao Chengxu looked at Xiao Chengze with some surprise, not expecting him to be so willing to go all out.

Although he had done this for Yunzhen before, it was always in private. Even if someone saw it, it was only some maids. He never expected that Xiao Chengze would do this in front of him.

Dressed in eunuch's robes, he knelt at Yun Zhen's feet, like a true servant.

Some things are fine if others see them, but if a love rival sees them, it feels like being stripped naked in public, exposed to the other person's scrutiny. Every gaze is like a hot iron, branding your heart with humiliation and resentment.

Shen Yunzhen's face also showed a hint of surprise. She did not expect that the other party, as a typical ancient man and a prince from the top social class, who was deeply influenced by feudal ethics, could make such a move in front of his relatives.

Putting everything else aside, this kind of mindset is rare.

Shen Yunzhen's opinion of the male lead in this storyline rose even higher.

Seeing that Shen Yunzhen did not move, Xiao Chengze raised his head and asked inquiringly, "Yunzhen?"

Shen Yunzhen stretched out her foot, looking completely at ease.

Since the other party is willing to do it, she naturally won't refuse and will accept it readily.

As for feeling flattered, that's not true at all; it's just taken for granted.

Not just any man can serve her like that; he should feel honored.

Xiao Chengze gently removed Shen Yunzhen's shoes and socks, immersed her feet in warm water, and gently massaged the soles of her feet with his fingers, his tone carrying a hint of flattery and pampering: "Yunzhen, does it feel good?"

Shen Yunzhen gave a soft "hmm," and her gaze unexpectedly met Xiao Chengxu's eyes in the mirror.

Xiao Chengxu stood behind her, staring coldly at Xiao Chengze, a sinister glint in his eyes.

Noticing Shen Yunzhen's gaze, Xiao Chengxu subconsciously adjusted his expression, regaining his gentle demeanor and adopting the appearance of a refined gentleman.

"Yunzhen, how is Third Brother's technique? How does it compare to mine?"

Before Shen Yunzhen could speak, he muttered to himself, "I suppose she's not as good as me. This is only the first time for my third brother, but I've already washed Yunzhen many times and my technique is quite skilled."

Clearly, seeing those delicate, fair feet being held in another man's hands stirred up Xiao Chengxu's heart, filling him with jealousy.

Shen Yunzhen was speechless. Did they even have to argue about this?