Xiao Yu looked into her sparkling eyes, which reflected his own reflection. Without hesitation, he reached out and laced his fingers through hers. The moment their fingertips touched, they both felt a slight tingling warmth. "Deal," he deliberately dragged out his words, a smile threatening to spill out of his eyes. "But let me be frank: the position of Seventh Princess is yours alone. No one else is allowed to even peek at it."
"I know, I know!" Shen Weiwan shook off his hand, but the tips of her ears were as red as ripe cherries. She snatched the food box from Chuntao's arms, "I'm starving. Give me the candy cake!"
Chun Tao finally dared to look up, her eyes curved into crescents, and she quickly opened the food box. Shen Weiwan grabbed a piece of plum blossom cake and stuffed it into her mouth. The soft and glutinous cake mixed with the sweet frosting melted on her tongue, making her squint her eyes. But she caught a glimpse of Xiao Yu staring at her, his gaze so focused that it made her scalp tingle.
"What are you looking at?" she asked vaguely, with a little icing on the corner of her mouth.
Xiao Yu smiled helplessly, took out a moon-white handkerchief, and gently brushed the corner of her lips with his fingertips: "Look at my princess, she eats like a little hamster hoarding food."
"Bah! Who is your princess!" Shen Weiwan slapped his hand away, but couldn't help but curled the corners of her mouth, "The eight characters haven't even been drawn yet!"
"Oh?" Xiao Yu raised an eyebrow and pointed at the two people's fingertips that still retained warmth. "Then what about the finger hook just now?"
"You're cheating!" Shen Weiwan stuffed the remaining cake to Chuntao, turned around and went into the rose bushes, "I'm going to feed the cat, Your Highness, please do as you please!"
Xiao Yu looked at her almost fleeing back, and couldn't suppress the smile on his face. Chun Tao followed behind with the food box in her arms, whispering, "Miss, are you really agreeing?"
Chen Weiwan turned around and, through the layers of rose branches, saw Xiao Yu still standing under the moon-shaped door. The sunlight outlined his tall figure, and a few pink petals fell on the hem of his clothes, as if accidentally stained with the colors of spring. Her heart was sweet, but her mouth was stiff: "Who agreed? I just took him in as a follower temporarily because he can provide me with all kinds of sweets and cakes!"
Even so, she couldn't help but touch her burning cheeks. It turned out that the feeling of having someone protecting her and betraying her was actually three times more satisfying than taking revenge on her own.
Outside the Moon Cave Gate, the old butler approached with a cane. Seeing the undisguised fondness on Xiao Yu's face, he couldn't help but stroke his beard and smiled: "Your Highness, is this it?"
"Almost." Xiao Yu looked at the direction where Shen Weiwan disappeared, his eyes full of determination, "As long as the sugar cakes from Tianxinzhai continue to flow, my princess will not be able to escape."
The old housekeeper laughed heartily, remembering what Shen Weiwan had said just now, "70% of the money earned from the scam", and shook his head repeatedly: "The eldest lady's personality is a perfect match for you, Your Highness. One digs the scam and the other fills it. It's a perfect match!"
Xiao Yu raised an eyebrow and turned to walk out of the mansion. "Go to the warehouse and take out all the honey tribute from the Western Regions and send it to Miss Shen." He paused and added, "Attach a note saying that if you're tired of cheating people later, soak your feet in honey to relieve your fatigue."
The old butler was stunned for a moment, then smiled and said, "Your Highness's method of doting on his wife is becoming more and more perfect."
Xiao Yu said nothing, but the curve of his lips deepened. He knew that Shen Weiwan, this little fox, might appear shrewd and sharp, but in reality, she had a soft heart. He had plenty of patience. Using sweets and sincerity as bait, he would eventually lure this little fox, who was both good at digging traps and acting coquettishly, back to the palace. In the days to come, he would wait and see how she would lead him to stir up the muddy waters of the capital.
At this moment, Shen Weiwan was hiding deep in the rose bushes, watching Xiao Yu's carriage drive out of the courtyard through the gaps between the branches. She felt like a lively rabbit in her heart. Chun Tao came over, holding a piece of candy cake that Fatty hadn't snatched away: "Miss, do you think His Highness treats you well?"
Chen Weiwan snatched the cake and stuffed it into her mouth, mumbling, "That's all." But her eyes were sparkling, like falling stars, "But let me be frank, when I've made enough money, if I think he's no longer useful, I'll just..."
"Just kick him out and replace him with someone who's better at buying candies?" Chuntao replied with a smile.
Shen Weiwan glared at her, but couldn't help but laugh. Yeah, so what if she fell into a trap? This trap contained endless candies, sincere protection, and someone willing to go crazy and make trouble with her. She was willing to fall into this "candy trap" and was happy to do it.
As the sun sets, the golden afterglow paints the roses a honey-colored hue, and a sweet fragrance mingled with the scent of earth permeates the warm breeze. Shen Weiwan gazes at the brilliant sunset glow, a sweet smile playing on her lips. It seems the next volume will officially begin with this sweet exchange between "deceiving" and "being deceived."
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