At this moment, snow fell again outside the carved red window, fluttering and drifting onto the dark red palace lanterns, only to disappear in an instant.

Xiao Xuan narrowed his deep eyes slightly, secretly pleased. In such cold weather, it would take quite a while to get back to the Imperial Hospital from the Eastern Palace.

Tonight, he was determined to keep the person here for their first New Year's Eve together.

At this moment, Ningyin had already followed the eunuch to Zhaoyang Palace. Behind the screen, which was shrouded in mist, was a wooden tub covered with flower petals.

Chen Dechang had followed Xiao Xuan for many years; she was the only woman the Crown Prince had ever brought into the Eastern Palace.

As a senior member of the palace, how could he not know that this Physician Ning was the future Crown Princess?

With a warm yet ingratiating smile, she said, "Imperial Physician Ning, all the bathing supplies have been prepared by my servants. Please take a bath."

His voice was high-pitched, tinged with respect and flattery. After speaking, Chen Dechang quickly withdrew from Zhaoyang Palace.

This was the first time a woman had visited Zhaoyang Palace, and Chen Dechang was quite excited.

Their crown prince was finally going to have a wife, and thinking of this, Chen Dechang ordered his apprentice to go to Chuxiu Palace to select a palace maid.

In case the master inside needs anything, they can find someone in time.

After Chen Dechang closed the palace door, the vast space immediately fell silent.

Zhaoyang Palace was the Crown Princess's private residence in the East Palace, and it was also the closest to the Crown Prince's Changxin Palace.

Aside from not being as good as the Phoenix Terrace, none of the other concubines in the palace received the same treatment as the mistress of Zhaoyang Palace.

With all the warmth measures in place, Ningyin didn't feel cold at all as soon as she entered. Looking to the left along the screen, there was a row of exquisite and expensive palace costumes of various colors.

Each piece was meticulously sewn by skilled embroiderers, and even the undergarments were complete.

Upon seeing this, Ning Yin felt a chill run down her spine. What exactly did His Highness the Crown Prince mean?

Could it be that he has developed feelings for me? But I've heard from others that His Highness is cold-hearted and abhors women.

Throughout the vast Eastern Palace, she did not see a single palace maid; they were all eunuchs.

Ning Yin found it increasingly strange, but since she was covered in blood, she still needed to clean herself up.

Judging from Xiao Xuan's tone just now, he probably won't let me leave easily.

She looked back at the palace gate, and thankfully there was no sound outside.

Ning Yin made sure no one was around before carefully taking off her clothes.

She stepped into the wooden tub; the water was warm, just right. Her fair skin was covered by flower petals, revealing her delicate and slender shoulders and neck.

After soaking for a while, perhaps because she was too tired recently, and it was already past midnight, Ningyin felt a little drowsy.

Her thick, dark eyelashes closed gently, glistening with a few water droplets in the candlelight.

Later, Ningyin, half-awake and half-asleep, heard what sounded like someone knocking on the door.

Her consciousness was instantly pulled back, and she quickly submerged her entire body in the water, leaving only her head above water.

"Imperial Physician Ning, have you finished bathing? Would you like me to come in and help you change?"

Ning Yin breathed a sigh of relief when she realized the voice outside belonged to a woman.

She wasn't used to being helped to change clothes, so she quickly declined.

I hurriedly wiped the water droplets off and was about to pick out any clothes to put on when I saw a tall and upright figure outside.

Ning Yin panicked and grabbed a piece of clothing to put on. To her surprise, both the inner and outer garments seemed to be tailor-made for her.

Before I could think too much, the woman's voice rang out again from outside.

"Imperial Physician Ning, are you alright? His Highness the Crown Prince has arrived."

Ning Yin had just guessed that the figure was Xiao Xuan, and she was determined to find a way to escape today.

The man's behavior was clearly motivated by something else; his covetousness was obvious.

She made various plans and imagined the consequences in her mind. If Xiao Xuan really tried to force her with his authority, she would definitely fight back to the death.

She wasn't the kind of person who would casually curry favor with the powerful for the sake of power, and now that she had Li Xuan, it was even less likely that she would do such a thing.

Thinking about it, the person outside knocked on the door again. This time, Ning Yin looked out and only saw Xiao Xuan.

What followed was a clear, deep male voice carrying a hint of emotion.

"Imperial Physician Ning, may I come in?"

Well, there's no way to avoid it, so I might as well tell him sooner rather than later.

Ningyin walked towards the palace gate and pulled it open from the inside with both hands.

Xiao Xuan suddenly looked up, and their gazes met.

Ning Yin's beautiful face carried the fresh scent of her recent bath.

She has a classic oval face, with features that look as if they were sculpted, exuding a cool and aloof elegance, yet still possessing a striking beauty.

Wearing a purple, flowing brocade palace dress, Ning Yin appeared even more noble and aloof.

Xiao Xuan was momentarily stunned, and his throat bobbed unconsciously.

Feeling the intense gaze of the man opposite her, Ning Yin lowered her eyes awkwardly.

Her bright, clear eyes were misty with tears, and her hair was simply tied up with a red ribbon, with water still dripping from the ends.

A gust of cold wind swept by, and Ning Yin suddenly sneezed, pulling Xiao Xuan out of his daze.

"Go inside quickly."

The man urged her gently, and naturally pulled her into his arms with his cloak, leading her all the way to the inner palace.

"sit…"

He carefully helped the person sit down at the table, then turned around and went to the side hall where Ningyin had just bathed.

Soon, Xiao Xuan came over with a clean handkerchief in his hand.

"You didn't even dry your hair, be careful you don't catch a cold..."

His voice was different from usual; this time he spoke gently, like a husband speaking softly to his wife.

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