Gluttonous Crown Princess

Tao Ti was about to go to sleep and was a little surprised when she heard that Pei Yan was here.

She casually draped a gold-embroidered emerald green round-neck long tunic and went out to welcome him.

When she saw that Pei Yan was also wearing a light green tunic, Tao Ti was slightly startled. Why did it seem like they were wearing matching couple outfits…?

Li Gui bowed to her behind the screen. Tao Ti was even more confused and asked Pei Yan in a low voice, “Why is Chief Steward Li here?”

After Pei Yan explained the purpose of Li Gui’s visit, Tao Ti spread her hands out regretfully. “They were all gone yesterday. I ate some myself and let the palace attendants share the rest.”

After a pause, she tilted her small head up and looked at Pei Yan with her lustrous black eyes. “If it’s a must, how about I go make some more?”

“No need.” Pei Yan rejected it directly. His long eyelashes cast a shadow under his eyes, making his eye sockets seem even deeper.

“But…”

“You are my crown princess, not a cook. If you feel like it, you can make what you want for yourself to eat. You don’t have to entertain others who want you to cook.”

Pei Yan’s tone was very calm when he said this. Tao Ti didn’t know if it was her illusion, but she had the vague feeling that his aura was not quite the same. It was eerie, chilly, and very unfamiliar.

She raised her eyes to his handsome side face— as usual, it was a picture of calm.

She was probably overthinking it. However, with Pei Yan’s words, she was also relieved. She was already about to sleep, and really didn’t want to make the effort.

She glanced towards the screen. “Then, Chief Steward Li…”

“He can just convey what I said. It’s unlikely Noble Consort Xu can’t understand something like this.”

Tao Ti nodded. Suddenly remembering something, she called for Linglong. “Go get a jar of the rose sauce I made this afternoon.”

Soon after, a small, sealed jar of rose sauce was brought over.

Tao Ti stood behind the screen and said lightly, “Chief Steward Li, it was hard on you to have come all this way, and it wouldn’t be good to let you come in vain. Please take this rose sauce to Noble Consort Xu. It will be ready in five days. Then, be it used to cook congee or just mixed with water, the taste will be very good.”

Li Gui thanked her hurriedly, then took his leave with the jar of rose sauce.

The hall fell silent for a while.

Tao Ti looked at the tall and handsome Pei Yan and asked in a soft voice, “Your Highness, it’s getting late…”
Subtext: shouldn’t you be going back to Zixia Hall?

Hearing these words, Pei Yan slowly lowered his gaze and looked at her with his deep eyes.

What he saw was her black hair softly scattered behind her, and her petite body draped in a thin green tunic. Perhaps because she had gotten up in a hurry, her collar was slightly open, revealing her fair and slender neck. Her small and exquisite collarbones could also faintly be seen.

Feeling his gaze, Tao Ti gathered her tunic embarrassedly. She lowered her head and explained, “I— I was just about to go to sleep.

“I’ve disturbed you.” Pei Yan turned and calmly looked out the window. It was already late at night.

“…” Tao Ti quietly waited for him to leave.

However, in the next moment, a fit of coughing broke the silence.

“Cough, cough, cough…” Pei Yan pulled out a handkerchief and pressed it against his thin lips, as if forcibly enduring the discomfort. An unhealthy flush appeared on his pale face.

“Your Highness, are you all right?” Startled, Tao Ti reflexively reached out to support him. “Quick, come and sit down over here.”

Through the thin clothing, Pei Yan could feel the warmth of her palms, and the soft touch that was like a soft cloud.

Outside, Fu Xirui was very anxious when he heard what was happening. He wanted to enter, but was afraid that it was improper, so, he could only ask through the screen, “What’s wrong, Your Highness? Should I call for the imperial physician?”

Pei Yan said in a low and hoarse voice, “ I’m fine… Cough… I probably suffered a little chill on my way here, so I’m having a little cough now… There’s no need to call for the imperial physician.”

“Your Highness, sit down first.” Tao Ti helped him to sit down, then poured him a drink.

She was standing very close beside him, and his nose was filled with the sweet scent of her body. Her slender waist was bent over, like a soft willow branch that could easily be broken.

“Your Highness, have a cup of hot tea.”

A pair of snow-white hands holding a teacup appeared in front of him. Pei Yan lowered his eyes; his long eyelashes covered the dark light in his eyes, and he said and a low and hoarse voice, “Thank you.”

While receiving the teacup, their hands inadvertently touched.

His fingertips were cold as always, like frozen snow.

Her palms were warm, like the warm sun of a spring day.

Pei Yan’s eyes flickered slightly; he picked up the teacup to hide the almost undetectable unnaturalness.

But Tao Ti didn’t take that inadvertent touch to heart. Seeing him holding the teacup and taking small sips of tea, he looked so much like a weak and helpless kitten. Her tone became even gentler, “The night is cold. Actually, you didn’t have to come in person. You could have just sent someone to give word…”

Pei Yan said, “I was worried you would be nervous to see Li Gui all of a sudden… So, it was better that I come personally.”

How thoughtful. Tao Ti’s clear eyes grew even softer, and she said softly, “Then, don’t dress so lightly in the future. Wear more…”

Pei Yan lifted his face. His black dazzling eyes looked straight at her, and he suddenly broke into a gentle smile, “Mhm, got it.”

Tao Te felt her heart beat wildly at his smile. He looked really sweet and cute like this!