Chapter 297 - 297 Huddling

297 Huddling

Although the identity of the palace maid was questionable, it was a fait accompli that Yu Niaoniao had killed someone.

Until the case is ascertained, she remained in the Justice Department with the identity of the suspect for further investigation.

Therefore, on the night of the first day of the Lunar New Year, Yu Niaoniao was locked up in the Justice Department.

The Eagle Guards, who were supposed to be on holiday, had no choice but to take up their posts in advance.

Yu Niaoniao thought that she would be thrown into jail, but she was brought to the room Xiao Juan usually used to rest.

Meng Xizhou said, “I’ll have to trouble you to stay here for the next few days.”

Yu Niaoniao was puzzled. “Shouldn’t I be in jail?”

Meng Xizhou chuckled.

“You’re the Princess Consort. You take good care of us usually. How can we really lock you up?!”

Yu Niaoniao was very worried. “But if others find out about this, it will cause trouble for you, right?”

“We all know that you killed in self-defense. Locking you up here is just a procedure. Even if someone found out, we would be able to deal with it. Stay here and let us know if you need anything.”

“As long as you don’t leave the Justice Department during this period of time, it doesn’t matter where you go.”

Not long after Meng Xizhou left, Xiao Juan arrived.

He looked at Yu Niaoniao and said seriously.

“You’re actually safer here.”

Yu Niaoniao laughed. “I understand. You don’t have to explain.”

Xiao Juan felt a little relieved.

He was very afraid that Niaoniao would be angry. Fortunately, his worries were unnecessary. Niaoniao was smarter than he had expected.

Xiao Juan said, “Although this place isn’t as comfortable as home, we have everything we need. I’ve transferred the Eagle Guards back. With them around, your safety won’t be a problem.”

He had only brought Niaoniao into the palace for a while before she was assassinated. This made Xiao Juan feel guilty and gave him the impetus to strengthen his protection of Niaoniao.

He had to investigate the background of that palace maid and see who was trying to harm Niaoniao. Only by catching the mastermind could Niaoniao be safe.

Yu Niaoniao sighed. “It’s the new year. Why can’t we have some peace?”

Xiao Juan stroked her little head.

“I’ll stay with you tonight.”

Yu Niaoniao’s eyes lit up. “Really? That’s great!”

After experiencing so much today, it would be a lie to say that she was not afraid at all. If Xiao Juan could stay, she would definitely be much more at ease.

After spending half a year with him, she had unknowingly treated Xiao Juan as a spiritual support. As long as she was with him, she did not have to be afraid of anything.

There was originally a bed in the room. Later on, in order to make it easier for her to take a nap, Xiao Juan got someone to specially add a low couch for her.

Yu Niaoniao usually slept on a low couch, and today was no exception.

After washing up, she consciously climbed onto the low couch.

The Justice Department was not like Langjun Imperial Palace. They could only rely on braziers for warmth. Niaoniao moved one of the two braziers in the room to the side of the low couch.

She wrapped herself tightly in the blanket, feeling that it was not warm enough. She moved closer to the brazier, wanting to get closer to the source of the fire to dispel the chill.

Xiao Juan lay on the bed alone. As long as he turned his head, he could see the low couch not far away.

At this moment, he really regretted adding a low couch. If not for that low couch, she would have slept with him tonight.

He was usually used to having someone by his side. Now that his side was empty, Xiao Juan felt very uncomfortable.

He could not fall asleep even if he closed his eyes. He could only turn his head and look at the bed not far away in a daze.

In the middle of the night, Xiao Juan still could not fall asleep. He really couldn’t take it anymore. He lifted the blanket and got out of bed, walking to the low couch.

At this moment, Yu Niaoniao was already in a deep sleep. The winter night was very cold, so she specially covered herself with an extra blanket. This made her face look even more small and cute.

Xiao Juan called out in a low voice, “Niaoniao.”

Yu Niaoniao did not react.

Xiao Juan called her name again.

This time, she finally reacted.

Half-opening her eyes, she asked groggily, “What’s wrong?”

Xiao Juan asked, “Are you cold?”

Yu Niaoniao said, “Not cold.”

It was a little cold when she first got into bed, but it was warm now. She even felt quite comfortable. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have slept so soundly.

Xiao Juan had originally thought that if she felt cold, he could get her to go to the bed and sleep with him. The two of them would not be cold if they leaned against each other for warmth.

However, Niaoniao had already said that she was not cold. This reason was obviously useless.

After a short silence, Xiao Juan spoke.

“But I feel cold.”

Yu Niaoniao was very generous and said without hesitation, “Then come and squeeze with me. My blanket is very warm.”

Xiao Juan did not expect things to go so smoothly. He immediately pulled open the blanket and crawled in.

The blanket was already warm from Niaoniao’s body heat. When Xiao Juan lay down, he felt that his entire body was wrapped in a warm aura. It was especially comfortable.

He turned to look at Niaoniao and said sincerely.

“It’s more comfortable with you here.”

Yu Niaoniao smiled proudly. “Of course!”

She had been full of Yang energy since she was young. In the past, Madam Xie would sleep with her every winter because her body was warm. Holding her to sleep was like hugging a large hot water bag. It was especially comfortable.

Xiao Juan was the opposite of her.

He had suffered too much when he was young. His body was much weaker than children his age. Even after entering the palace and being nursed by the imperial physician, there were still many sequelae, including his cold constitution. His body temperature was lower than that of ordinary people all year round.

It was fine in the summer, but not so in the winter.

Yu Niaoniao reached out and touched Xiao Juan’s cheek. She realized that his face was so cold.

She covered his face with her hands.

When his face heated up, she would cover his hands.

Yu Niaoniao asked, “Are you still cold?”

Xiao Juan looked at her without blinking, as if he was looking at a rare treasure.

He held her hand and said softly.

“I’m not cold anymore. Go to sleep.”

Yu Niaoniao felt that his palm was indeed not so cold, so she closed her eyes in relief.

Soon, she fell asleep again.

Xiao Juan stretched out his well-defined fingers and gently and slowly brushed them across her cheek.

His fingertips accidentally touched her lips.

That soft and warm touch made his heart beat faster. As if he had done something bad, he quickly retracted his hand and did not dare to move again.

Yu Niaoniao was still sleeping soundly, unaware of the man’s small actions.

The charcoal in the brazier was still burning quietly, emitting warmth.

The cold wind blew past outside, and the night was as dark as ink. On the small couch, the two of them huddled against each other.

In this warm atmosphere, Xiao Juan could not help but slow his breathing and close his eyes. Without realizing it, he fell asleep.

At this moment, all the troubles in the outside world had nothing to do with them. They only had each other in their world.