Ji Fengyao: "..."

That really hurt!

But given his current posture, it's not quite right for her to use acupressure to clear his heat like she did last time.

It's kind of embarrassing to say it out loud, so let's just pretend we didn't see it.

Looking down at the little female bandit kneeling beside him, intently performing acupuncture on him, Shang Xiye felt an urge to immediately pull her into his arms.

But firstly, the timing wasn't right, and secondly, he didn't want to be too abrupt or frighten the carefree little thing.

"Your Highness," he said, his voice deep and husky, mostly breathy because he spoke very softly, and very magnetic.

"Hmm?" Ji Fengyao glanced at him blankly as she finished acupuncture.

"Do you... like me?"

The words were almost on Shang Xiye's lips, but she couldn't bring herself to say them, feeling ashamed of her thoughts.

Seeing his face flushed, Ji Fengyao thought he was still in pain and said softly, "It will be over soon, Your Highness, please bear with it a little longer."

After an extremely agonizing acupuncture session, Shang Xiye was drenched in sweat and felt like she was about to explode.

When he returned after washing up, the little bandit was already half asleep on the double pillow. When she saw him coming, she didn't hide, but instead automatically and consciously went into his arms as he reached out his hand.

Anyway, we'll end up hugging each other when we fall asleep, and being dramatic every day isn't a good thing.

Looking at the little bandit's delicate sleeping face so close to his eyes, her long, curled eyelashes like tiny brushes, and her rosy lips like cherry blossoms.

Even with the indoor lights extinguished, leaving only the light from the porch outside, she seemed to radiate light, endlessly attracting Shang Xiye's attention and mind.

Listening to her even breathing, he loosened his grip on her slightly and quietly lowered his head to kiss her.

At first, he was a little awkward, recalling Wuying's previous descriptions, and even instinctively pulled her closer to him...

He got up after a long while.

The prince took a damp cloth and carefully wiped the little bandit girl clean. After cleaning himself up, he tiptoed and gently embraced her again, falling asleep happily and contentedly.

The next morning.

When Ji Fengyao woke up, Shang Xiye had already gone to the morning court session. According to the gatekeeper, it was her brother who had invited her.

Recalling the two bundles of silver notes that Ji Fengming had delivered yesterday, Ji Fengyao couldn't help but silently mourn for Shang Xiye in her heart.

Could it be that those two have gotten into trouble again, and Shang Xiye is being dragged along to clean up their mess?

The Emperor's wishful thinking has come true; he can now enjoy a good show from the Ninth Prince every few days.

Summer days are long and drawn out.

Ji Fengyao prepared the medicinal herbs for her and Shang Xiye's medicinal bath, packaged them, and then took the various flower petals that the maids had collected and began to make fragrant toiletries and other daily necessities.

With her skills as an eleventh-grade alchemist, these things wouldn't be difficult to make as long as the production principle is understood.

She wasn't short of money and didn't rely on this to make money. Besides, once her cultivation level increased and she learned the Dust Removal Technique, she wouldn't need these things anymore. So she didn't plan to make a big fuss and would just make enough for her own courtyard.

The magpies and white dew were very curious and wanted to do every single step of the process.

The master and servants were having a good time in the courtyard when suddenly a maid from the outer courtyard came in to report: "Your Highness, a servant from the front courtyard has come to report that the envoy of the King of Nanli specifically requests to see Your Highness."