The pregnant woman pressed down on the wife, and the cousin collapsed into the prince's arms.

Pei Jingnian subconsciously straightened his clothes, then saw Mo Yu staring blankly at him. Feeling embarrassed, he coughed a few times and said, "Please let her in."

Mo Yu was still in a daze when she went out. Did the young master blush just now?

Good heavens, the young master is actually blushing?

Shen Yunshuang was led inside by Mo Yu. She wore a light blue soft satin jacket and a moon-white silk skirt. Although the fabric was simple, it did not look bland. Instead, it made her skin look as white as snow and her figure as slender as a willow in the breeze.

Her gaze fell on Pei Jingnian, her eyes filled with unwavering worry, and she softly called out, "Cousin."

These words made Pei Jingnian feel lighter, and the pain and distress he had been suffering from for days were mostly relieved.

He cleared his throat, his tone gentle: "Cousin, it's cold outside. You've never been well. Why did you come?"

Shen Yunshuang lowered her eyes, her long eyelashes casting soft shadows beneath them. She looked gentle and shy. She took the food box from Xuezhi's hand and said in a low voice, "Cousin has lost a lot of weight. He must be feeling unwell. I had the kitchen prepare some snacks for him to sweeten his palate."

Looking at her face so close to his, Pei Jingnian's breathing became softer, and his words were gentler than ever before: "It's nothing, just a minor illness, you don't need to worry."

Shen Yunshuang took the pastries and sweet soup out of the food box, and the fragrance of almonds instantly filled the air. Pei Jingnian watched her movements, but his heart was in turmoil. His mother clearly did not agree to him taking his cousin as a wife, so why did his cousin come over? Could it be that...?

"Did Mother send you?" Thinking of this possibility, Pei Jingnian couldn't contain his joy.

Shen Yunshuang paused in her hand holding the porcelain cup, then looked up, her cheeks flushed, looking as if she wanted to say something but hesitated.

Seeing this, Mo Yu quietly took her leave and considerately closed the door behind her.

With no one else in the room, Shen Yunshuang said shyly, "Cousin, why don't you try this soup first?"

But Pei Jingnian had no time to savor the food; he was staring intently at Shen Yunshuang and said, "Cousin, answer me."

Seeing his firm attitude, Shen Yunshuang seemed somewhat helpless. She put down the bowl in her hand again, walked to Pei Jingnian's bedside, and sat down.

Pei Jingnian stiffened instantly; they were too close—his cousin and him.

Shen Yunshuang spoke softly, her eyes glistening with gentle tears, "I came here on my own initiative. I was very worried about my cousin."

Those tender, affectionate eyes melted Pei Jingnian's heart.

At that moment, he finally lost control and grasped the hands at his side: "Cousin, I know you feel differently about me, don't you?"

His voice was hoarse, carrying emotions that had been suppressed for a long time.

Shen Yunshuang's eyelashes trembled like butterfly wings, and she nodded: "I've already told my aunt, I'm willing."

Suddenly, like a night of spring breeze, thousands of trees and pear blossoms bloomed.

Pei Jingnian felt that his heart had been illuminated at that moment.

He wanted to say something to express his joy, but ultimately restrained himself, released Shen Yunshuang's hand, and said, "Okay."

"Cousin, I will never let you down."

The two never overstepped their bounds again, yet a tender affection arose between them.

Shen Yunshuang's face flushed red, but her heart remained unmoved. She figured it was almost time, so she got up to say goodbye.

Although Pei Jingnian wanted to spend more time with her, he knew that now was not the right time, and there was still a long way to go.

_

Shen Yunshuang's visit today was meticulously planned. Sure enough, she saw Su Wanrou as soon as she left the warm pavilion and before she even stepped out of Heyingxuan.

Su Wanrou also brought Pei Jingnian's favorite snacks today, which she made herself. Although she has come every day for the past few days, Pei Jingnian has been ignoring her since the last conflict with her. She was both angry and flustered, so she thought she should try to coax him.

As soon as Su Wanrou stepped into Heyingxuan, she saw Shen Yunshuang coming out of the inner room. Su Wanrou's face immediately fell, her gaze filled with scrutiny and wariness: "What are you doing here?"