The young female bandit scrubbed herself with such fierce intensity, as if she wanted to peel off a layer of skin, that her hands turned red from scrubbing.

Shang Xiye frowned upon seeing this and couldn't help but call out to her, "Your Highness, what are you doing?"

"Hmm? Your Highness?" Ji Fengyao turned around.

I saw Shang Xiye sitting in a wheelchair, standing among the green leaves and flowers by the clear canal.

His magnificent purple-gold royal robe gave him an air of superior nobility, and the beautiful eyes beneath the golden mask shone like cold stars, yet the light in his gaze was as gentle as a spring breeze, carrying a faint warmth and concern.

Whenever he looked at her with that kind of gaze, Ji Fengyao would feel dazed.

She didn't know if her master had suddenly become colder towards her, or if Shang Xiye had become more like her master.

The two men had identical faces, which often confused and bewildered her.

But no matter what, seeing this face always brought her joy.

"Holy crap, holy crap, I've been struck by lightning today! Your Highness, please let me wash my eyes!" The little bandit jumped into Shang Xiye's arms like a bird flying into the forest, clinging to him with both hands, staring at him closely with a pair of clear, water-washed eyes.

This was a deliberate attempt to provoke him.

Wu Ying, unfazed by the sight, turned and pushed the wheelchair out of the palace.

Xi Que and Lin Shuang had become accustomed to the Ninth Prince and Ninth Princess's constant displays of affection.

The palace servants nearby were not calm.

Holy crap, that bandit is shameless! He jumped into a man's arms in broad daylight and clung to him so tightly.

Doesn't she look like she's pouting and asking the Ninth Prince for a kiss?

The Ninth Prince ignored her for a long time. He's really... uh?

Shang Xiye was very fond of his little wife. How could he not be moved by her affectionate gaze?

He lowered his head and kissed her rosy lips, asking softly and tenderly, "Did you suffer any injustice? Why did you hurt your hand like this?"

"Hmm?" Ji Fengyao felt a tightness in her heart and her face flushed when he kissed her.

Hearing him mention her hands, she raised her red, rubbed hands to look at them, then stuffed them into his hands: "Oh, right, and my hands too, I'll borrow Your Highness's hands to warm them up."

Shang Xiye had never seen his wife so proactive, so he was naturally delighted.

Knowing that the palace was not a place for idle talk, the elder held her small hands firmly in his hand and tightly embraced her with his other hand, and thus they swaggered out of the palace.

The palace servants were inwardly cursing.

It seems the rumors were true; the Ninth Prince has indeed become that bandit's wife slave!

They boarded the carriage.

Ji Fengyao was a little embarrassed. She climbed out of Shang Xiye's arms and whispered, "Today is a special day. I will not take liberties with Your Highness for nothing. If Your Highness needs my cooperation in the future, I will do my best to cooperate."

"Is Your Highness really telling the truth?" Shang Xiye opened her eyes, seemingly disbelieving.

"Yes! Honesty is the foundation of being a person!" Ji Fengyao replied with utmost sincerity.

"Since the princess is so sincere, then I should be more attentive in my service." Shang Xiye reached out and removed his mask, then reached out and pulled the little female bandit who had just climbed down back up. His stunningly beautiful face was infinitely close to hers: "Let me borrow your eyes to cleanse them again."

He knew she liked his looks.

He could sense the genuine joy in her eyes every time she saw him.

If others looked at him like that, he would definitely be disgusted, but his own little wife...

The more she liked it, the more he liked it.