Pet Addiction: The Prince’s Desire to Spoil His Pet - Chapter 7 - Can I Sleep With You (7)

Chapter 7: Can I Sleep With You? (7)

When Xue Ying was taking a break from work, she secretly rushed to find Shu Nuan outside Sheng Manor. She was envious of Shu Nuan as it didn’t take long for her to move to Sheng Courtyard. Her envy was well-founded. After all, Shu Nuan was now favored by Prince Sheng himself!

However, Shu Nuan felt that this was not true.

She was afraid she would annoy him one day, and would naturally not act willfully in the courtyard.

***

Meanwhile, within the Jade Courtyard…

Sheng Gu was used to waking up early in the morning to drink medicine, and was in the garden, trimming flowers under the morning sun. Seeing her close-fitting maid Ah’Bi fidgeting near her, Sheng Gu couldn’t help but ask, “What’s the matter?”

Ah’Bi informed, “Princess, there was news earlier that the prince spent last night with a… female slave. And now she even lives in the Sheng Courtyard.”

Hearing this, the scissors in Sheng Gu’s hands abruptly cut off the stem of a flower.

As she gently put the scissors on one side of the stone, she frowned a little and confirmed, “A slave?”

“Yes. It was reported that she was brought back from the Qing kingdom, which was defeated by the prince just a short while ago. Your faithful servant heard that… Prince Sheng likes her a lot.”

How could her Uncle favor a slave he didn’t like? If he didn’t like her, how could he let her stay in the Sheng Courtyard…?

She knew that her fourth Uncle had never bestowed favour on anyone before. Let alone having them live in the Sheng Courtyard.

Sheng Gu did not speak and kept her silence. All of a sudden, she coughed a few times and then huffed for a moment, before saying, “Is she at the Sheng Courtyard right now?”

Ah’Bi nodded. “Yes.”

“Come… let’s go take a look at her,” said Sheng Gu as she got up.

***

After bidding Xue Ying farewell, Shu Nuan went back and tidied up her things. She cleaned the bedchamber again but when she stopped for a sip of tea, the sound of footsteps came from outside.

Without waiting for Shu Nuan to let them in, the people entered of their own accord.

Shu Nuan stood in place, staring at the intruders in a momentary standstill. However, Ah’Bi, who was the maid closest to Sheng Gu, took the lead.

“Don’t you know to pay respects to Princess Gu?”

Hearing this, Shu Nuan had no choice but to kneel in respect.

Sheng Gu looked at her. Naturally, she didn’t remember seeing her more than half a month ago. And after seeing the shackles on Shu Nuan’s body, she finally calmed down a little. She looked at Shu Nuan with indifference, and asked, “Why are you shackled?”

Shu Nuan glanced at her restraints, but before she could answer, Ah’Bi, who was beside Sheng Gu, said, “Princess, you must know that slaves with no freedom will forever remain shackled in their lives.”

Sheng Gu nodded as if she had only just realised it.

“Ah! We heard Fourth Uncle likes you a lot and thought he would remove your bonds.”

The servant picked up where her master left off, not sparing a pause in between. “Your Highness is surely overthinking it. At most, the prince only has a temporary interest in her. No matter what, she is still just a slave.”

Sheng Gu looked at Shu Nuan, who kept her head down and did not speak up. She felt a little better and coughed, then told Ah’Bi not to talk anymore and sent her to fetch some snacks before leaving.

***

When Sheng Qianmo came back from the palace, he was accompanied by Sheng Zhiyu. He told Sheng Qianmo that he had stopped by to see his niece Sheng Gu, but upon entering the manor, he headed straight for Sheng Courtyard.

Sheng Qianmo inquired, “Didn’t you come to see our niece?”

Sheng Zhiyu replied noncommittally, “I’ll go see her later.”

Then he turned to look at Sheng Qianmo and gave him a mysterious smile.

“Fourth Brother, I heard the people in your barracks say that you brought a slave back to the manor. I even heard that the slave is a former princess of the Qing Kingdom…

“…Is this true?”