"Youyou," Shen Yungan called softly.
They stood at the entrance of the Princess Manor, watching Xie Yunhuai's figure disappear into the distance. Only when Shen Xihe lifted her gaze did Shen Yungan sigh softly, "Doctor Qi is a fine man. I wonder which young lady will be fortunate enough to marry him someday."
Shen Xihe chuckled in understanding. She knew Shen Yungan had taken an immediate liking to Xie Yunhuai - his demeanor and knowledge had won Shen Yungan's admiration. Moreover, Xie Yunhuai's literary and military accomplishments, coupled with his ability to relinquish wealth and live freely, made Shen Yungan appreciate him even more.
In the ever-changing capital, one might enjoy boundless glory one moment and lose everything the next. Men like Xie Yunhuai, who maintained elegance in prosperity and open-mindedness in simplicity, were truly rare.
Shen Yungan probably wished his cherished younger sister could marry such a man, especially since Xie Yunhuai had left the Xie family and could settle permanently in the northwest.
Yet he knew well that unless the Xiao imperial clan collapsed, Shen Xihe was destined to marry into the royal family. There was no point mentioning these thoughts - it would only trouble Shen Xihe unnecessarily, so he changed the subject.
"Does Brother regret not having another sister?" she teased, "So you could fulfill your wish of making Xie Yunhuai your brother-in-law?"
Shen Yungan turned, his gaze as warm as the spring sunshine: "Brother only wants you as his sister in this lifetime. All the care and affection an elder brother can give will belong solely to Youyou."
Shen Xihe's eyes curved with smile: "Youyou also has only one elder brother."
Under the brilliant autumn sun, amidst the falling phoenix tree leaves painted in orange and gold, the siblings shared a smile, their affection warming the atmosphere.
Both had forgotten Shen Yingluo's existence. At this moment, Shen Yingluo was in her own courtyard at the Shen residence, dressed in plain mourning clothes, sleeves rolled up as she practiced calligraphy.
Since Xiao Shi's passing and Shen Xihe's move to the Princess Manor, she had lived in seclusion, avoiding social interactions. Observing filial mourning, she attended no banquets, quietly maintaining her role as the Second Young Lady of the Shen family.
"County Lord, a letter from the Prince has arrived," her personal maid Chu Yi presented a scroll.
Shen Yingluo acted as if she hadn't heard, her brush moving without pause across the paper. Her handwriting was elegant and fluid, possessing distinctive character.
The character for "tranquility" was completed in one continuous stroke - serene and far-reaching.
After setting down her brush, she glanced at Chu Yi who remained bowing with both hands offering the scroll. Shen Yingluo took it, unfolded and read it, then handed it back: "Reply that I will visit my uncle at the Imperial Clan Court."
"County Lord..." As Chu Yi withdrew, Shen Yingluo's wet nurse worriedly said, "This matter involves the Princess and the Young Master..."
The wet nurse felt heartache. Her County Lord had always been intelligent and kind-hearted since childhood, yet neither parent had truly cherished her. Now with the Kang Prince Household fallen, the Prince was her only hope. Visiting Kang Prince at such a time - what would the Young Master and Princess think?
"I know my limits," Shen Yingluo instructed preparations for a food box while straightening her dress. "Uncle has shown me at least some genuine affection. I'm merely bidding him farewell. I won't involve myself in other matters. If they blame me for this, there's nothing I can do."
No one had expected the second visitor to Kang Prince at the Imperial Clan Court would be Shen Yingluo - unexpected yet reasonable.
Shen Yingluo brought Kang Prince his favorite dishes and Western Region grape wine.
Looking at the table laden with delicacies, then at his graceful niece standing before him, Kang Prince's eyes suddenly moistened.
"Uncle, A'Luo has come to see you off," Shen Yingluo said softly.Prince Kang wiped away his tears and nodded silently, sitting down at the table with a sorrowful expression. With trembling hands and lips, he managed to finish the meal.
After he finished eating, Shen Yingluo began packing up. Once done, she said to Prince Kang, "Uncle, A'Luo will do her best to look after my cousins."
Having spoken, Shen Yingluo performed a curtsy, picked up the food container, and turned to leave.
"A'Luo!" Prince Kang suddenly called out to her just as she reached the prison door.
Shen Yingluo turned around, her moist eyes gentle and obedient: "Uncle?"
Prince Kang hesitated several times before asking: "Don't you have any questions for your uncle?"
Shen Yingluo shook her head lightly: "A'Luo came only to repay uncle's past kindness. Being of low status and limited influence, this is all I can do."
Privately manufacturing weapons was a crime punishable by family extermination. Had Prince Kang not been the emperor's cousin, his entire clan would likely have been implicated.
Unless someone could clear Prince Kang's name - but with conclusive evidence, no one could reverse the situation. Both she and Prince Kang had to accept their fate.
Prince Kang's gaze was complex, mingling bitterness with relief: "A'Luo, you're right not to get involved in these troubles. Some people are not worthy of entrusting your life to."
Shen Yingluo was momentarily stunned before forcing a sad smile: "Uncle, A'Luo understands."
"Go back now." Prince Kang waved his hand, his eyes reddened. "If your cousins are spared, please look after them. If not... see them off for me, and burn some offerings for them during Qingming Festival."
"A'Luo will remember." Shen Yingluo promised solemnly. After standing silently for a moment, she said softly, "Uncle, A'Luo is leaving."
Prince Kang nodded weakly, forcing a smile as he watched Shen Yingluo depart.
Upon leaving the Imperial Clan Court, Shen Yingluo had just boarded her carriage when she saw someone sitting inside.
The man had sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, thin lips and a high nose bridge. His resolute features leaned toward cold handsomeness. Dressed in a dark blue round-collar robe with his hair tied up by a golden crown, he appeared both dignified and noble. A string of diamond Bodhi beads on his wrist accentuated his masculine yet refined mature temperament.
"Greetings to Prince Zhao." Shen Yingluo lowered the carriage curtain and performed a proper salute within the confined space.
Xiao Changmin's thick eyebrows twitched slightly: "A'Luo, you've become distant with me. Are you angry with me?"
"Your Highness, I don't understand what you mean." Shen Yingluo chose to sit in a spot farthest from Prince Zhao.
"A'Luo, I know you were grieving when your mother passed away. I came to pay respects late at night, but you always turned me away. I—"
"Your Highness, my mother was a concubine. Concubines cannot have formal memorial altars. My elder sister was kind enough to allow me to hold private memorial rites, but I dare not be so presumptuous as to allow others to pay respects." Shen Yingluo interrupted Xiao Changmin. "Your Highness, I only came to see my uncle one last time."
Xiao Changmin's gaze darkened as he quietly watched the demure, unhurried Shen Yingluo. After a long silence, he sighed helplessly yet fondly: "A'Luo..."
"Your Highness, men and women should maintain proper boundaries. Please don't be so abrupt in the future." Shen Yingluo lowered her eyes. "And please leave soon."
Xiao Changmin's brow furrowed with coldness: "What if I refuse to leave?"
"Then I'll have to stop the carriage and get off." Shen Yingluo replied coldly.
This was Shen Yingluo's carriage. If she suddenly disembarked, it would surely arouse suspicion.
Though Xiao Changmin attempted several times to engage her in conversation, Shen Yingluo remained aloof and distant. Eventually, Xiao Changmin had no choice but to leave as she wished.After Xiao Changmin had left, Shen Yingluo closed her eyes, concealing the pain and bitterness within them. Even her wet nurse knew that this matter was not something she should interfere with, yet Xiao Changmin, disregarding her awkward position, still demanded that she scheme on his behalf.
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