“Miss Song…”

Shen Qianyu hurriedly stepped forward several paces. Just as he opened his mouth, he felt it was truly too distant. He thought for a moment and called out “Chenghui Song” instead. But this Chenghui rank made Shen Qianyu feel as if he were humiliating Song Wan.

He frowned, feeling quite uncomfortable for a moment.

After thinking, he tentatively said: “Wan’er?”

Song Wan pressed her lips together slightly, feeling this address of “Wan’er” was far too intimate, making her rather uncomfortable. Yet she seemed unable to refute the Crown Prince either. She could hardly say the Crown Prince couldn’t use her personal name.

After all, she was now someone in his chambers.

Ignoring the discomfort in her heart, Song Wan nodded in agreement.

Seeing she wasn’t averse, the curve of Shen Qianyu’s lips became even more pronounced. If he weren’t worried Song Wan might notice something, he would probably shout a couple times to express the excitement in his heart.

“This Prince has arranged a courtyard for you. This Prince will take you to see it.”

Without caring how Song Wan reacted, Shen Qianyu stood beside her sideways, indicating he would lead the way for her.

However, Song Wan curtsied slightly toward him and fell back half a step.

Though the Song Family had prior connections with the Crown Prince, Song Wan still didn’t dare overstep.

Human hearts changed easily. Though the Crown Prince currently appreciated her previous help, in the future he might not feel disgust remembering that she had seen his wretched and destitute appearance.

If she constantly put on airs, it would only make the Crown Prince suspicious about whether the Song Family had felt contempt and disrespect because the dragon was trapped in shallow waters.

Having entered the palace, though she wasn’t afraid “Ji Rong” harbored intentions to harm her, she absolutely couldn’t overstep and arouse the Emperor’s suspicion.

Positioning herself two steps behind Shen Qianyu, Song Wan respectfully waited for him to go first.

This cautious and careful appearance of hers was like a needle that jabbed into his heart with a poke, painfully making Shen Qianyu’s entire body shudder.

The more he spent time with Song Wan, the more he cherished this person. Now he wished he could carve out his heart to show her, letting her lower her guard, letting her be more willful, even more willful.

His heart ached for her step-by-step self-restraint, carefully exploring survival in the rear palace.

How regrettable that he couldn’t do anything right now.

Shen Qianyu’s gaze softened. He nodded to the surrounding eunuchs in indication. Only after everyone withdrew did he lead Song Wan to the courtyard where she would reside.

“This place is called Laiyi Pavilion.”

Song Wan frowned slightly, feeling this place was truly inappropriate.

However, in this matter, Shen Qianyu was unwilling to comply with her wishes.

He was confident he could completely protect her in the rear palace, and it was merely Laiyi Pavilion—she was worthy of it.

More importantly, this place was closest to his residence. After a few days when Wan’er became familiar with living here, he would tear down that wall behind the sleeping quarters. That way, it would be equivalent to him and Wan’er living in the same courtyard.

In the future, proceeding gradually, they might even be able to live together.

The more Shen Qianyu thought about it, the more delighted he became. With a body full of showing-off intent, he invited Song Wan to enter Laiyi Pavilion.

“Miss…”

Just entering what would be her sleeping quarters, Song Wan saw Heng Zhi, Heng Wu, Jinshu, and Luanjian—all four wearing palace attire and standing inside. Her eyes heated up, nearly shedding tears.

The Chenghui rank was low, previously mostly given to suddenly favored palace maids or selected ladies of humble origins. Therefore, there was no qualification to bring people from outside the palace.

Though Song Wan knew Aunt would definitely send trustworthy people to her side, those people ultimately couldn’t understand her intentions as well as Heng Zhi, Heng Wu, and the others.

“Thank you, Crown Prince.”

After being in the palace for most of the day, the expression on her face finally showed a slight bit of relaxation. Shen Qianyu’s heart eased considerably.

“This Prince knows you and they are as close as sisters. Having them by your side to accompany you in the palace, this Prince can also be at ease.”

These few considerate words made Song Wan’s cheeks flush. She didn’t know how to respond.

Seeing she was somewhat shy, Shen Qianyu couldn’t help but grin foolishly in intoxication.

“This Prince has already registered them on the palace maid roster. When they reach twenty-five years of age, if you wish, you can also release them from the palace.”

His head feeling fuzzy, after Shen Qianyu finished speaking, he pointed at Jinshu: “This young lady is skilled at wielding jars. With her here, you certainly won’t suffer bullying.”

Jinshu’s face still carried the joy of suddenly seeing Miss. Upon hearing this sentence, the smile on her face suddenly collapsed.

After thinking, Jinshu retreated slightly backward and stood behind Luanjian.

She bit her lip, her heart full of worry.

She wondered if in the future the Crown Prince would suddenly bear a grudge against her and seek revenge for the day she threw a jar at someone.

No one in the room noticed Jinshu’s fear. Shen Qianyu was busy introducing Song Wan to the various items and their uses in Laiyi Pavilion.

From the side rooms down to the tables and furniture in the chambers, everything was introduced by him in detail. Song Wan only listened quietly, not speaking to interrupt.

After viewing all the items in the chambers and truly having nothing left to discuss, only then did Shen Qianyu reluctantly prepare to leave Laiyi Pavilion.

If he didn’t see she was somewhat weary, he could have continued talking for another two hours.

“Wan’er… you should rest more. This Prince will come again in the evening.”

Song Wan was startled, suddenly feeling somewhat constrained and awkward.

Though she had entered the palace and had long known her status, hearing Shen Qianyu mention this still made her somewhat uncomfortable. Clutching her handkerchief tightly, Song Wan nodded nervously.

How could Shen Qianyu know her thoughts? With a face full of joy, he returned to the Eastern Palace.

Seeing Wan Xiao was in the palace again, Shen Qianyu said: “Is the Dong Chang truly so idle?”

Though this tone carried impatience, his face showed no dissatisfaction. Seeing this, Wan Xiao said: “Those Chiliarchs and Centurions aren’t decorations. Naturally, this subordinate isn’t particularly busy.”

“But Your Highness, have you received Chenghui Song?”

“What are you inquiring about this for? She doesn’t need Dong Chang supervision.”

After thinking, Shen Qianyu said: “Dispatch a few people to the others’ residences to prevent them from developing any ulterior motives and making moves against Wan’er.”

Wan Xiao said: “If Your Highness wishes to protect Miss Song, wouldn’t it be more convenient to directly send people to her side?”

Shen Qianyu glanced at him askance: “What do you understand?”

“Wan’er’s temperament has always been shy and reserved. If strangers came, she would certainly be uncomfortable. Moreover, what if she misunderstood that this Prince harbored suspicions of her or the Song Family?”

“Better to nip all dangers in the bud. This way, future troubles can be eliminated.”

“Besides, there’s a young lady with extraordinarily great strength by her side. Protecting her safety shouldn’t be a problem.”

Extraordinarily great strength?

Wan Xiao frowned, thinking of an old acquaintance.

“Also keep watch over Jiang Man’s side. Though she’s been quiet since the Fifth Prince’s premature death, we must still be on guard.”

Shen Qianyu said: “If she makes any move, informing Imperial Concubine Yun will suffice. This Prince cannot rob Imperial Concubine Yun of her compassionate heart.”

After thinking through all aspects, only then did Shen Qianyu feel his heart settle somewhat.

Seeing he had started handling state affairs, Ji Rong stepped forward: “Your Highness, what should be done about General Zhaowu’s daughter…”

Before he finished speaking, Shen Qianyu interrupted him: “You can randomly find a place for her. This woman isn’t docile—have people watch her closely.”

Ji Rong acknowledged. Just as he was about to withdraw, he heard his master call out to stop him: “Wait a moment.”

Looking Ji Rong up and down, Shen Qianyu said: “If you have no business, don’t go near Laiyi Pavilion. Additionally, your name… if you’re in Wan’er’s presence, change it to Jixiang. After this Prince resolves the misunderstanding between himself and Wan’er, you can change it back.”

This way Wan’er wouldn’t be reminded of his deception about his identity whenever she saw Ji Rong.

“…”

Looking at Shen Qianyu with grievance, Ji Rong finally responded with an affirmative.