Zhaoning County Princess became famous overnight.
If previous incidents had merely prompted high-ranking officials and nobles to caution their children to be prudent and avoid offending Shen Xihe, this event made even the officials themselves fear her.
She was someone who could trample even His Majesty's dignity underfoot, and His Majesty could do nothing about it!
The outside rumors mattered little. Having left the palace in a haughty manner, she truly felt a newfound tranquility around her. Even Mo Yuan remarked that all the spies outside the Princess Manor had abruptly withdrawn.
When Xue Heng returned from the palace, he saw Xue Jinqiao practicing with a spear. Most noble young ladies were taught to be chaste, serene, and gentle, considering swordplay and martial arts vulgar. Yet after that incident, Xue Jinqiao had insisted on learning martial arts. She never displayed her skills publicly, but she possessed remarkable prowess.
"Granduncle!" Upon seeing Xue Heng, Xue Jinqiao immediately dropped her spear and ran over, her eyes as clear and innocent as a child's.
"Qiao Qiao..." Xue Heng called out with a smile as he moved toward a nearby chair. "Your elder sister today in the palace..."
Xue Heng recounted Shen Xihe's actions to Xue Jinqiao. Since Xue Jinqiao chattered about "elder sister" all day long, he had instinctively stepped forward to support Shen Xihe today.
Xue Jinqiao was the seventh child in her family, with separate rankings for boys and girls. She had six older female cousins but never addressed any of them as "elder sister."
"Elder sister is truly remarkable," Xue Jinqiao admired Shen Xihe even more.
"Do you really like Zhaoning County Princess that much?" Xue Heng asked.
"I like her, I just do," Xue Jinqiao replied, unsure why she felt such affection.
"Qiao Qiao, the County Princess does not behave like an ordinary young lady. Even many young men lack her foresight and decisiveness. As the legitimate daughter of the Northwest King, her future path is extraordinary," Xue Heng said gravely.
Although their aristocratic family resented His Majesty for resorting to any means to consolidate power and sow discord, aside from his manipulative tactics, the Emperor was a diligent ruler who cared for his people. They had never considered taking sides.
But if Xue Jinqiao truly wished to marry Shen Yungan, as long as he remained the head of the Xue family, he would not abandon her. He would inevitably have to align with her stance.
At that time, the Xue family might face a fierce struggle. Whether he could overpower rivals and lead the family forward, or face defeat and exile alongside Xue Jinqiao, or even cause mutual destruction and fracture the family—it was all uncertain now.
"Granduncle, Qiao Qiao has caused you trouble," Xue Jinqiao lowered her head uneasily.
She knew that as the only remaining legitimate daughter of the Xue family, her marriage carried intricate implications. She ought to obediently marry someone arranged by the family, avoiding factional conflicts. But she had an illness that sometimes made it difficult to control herself.
Wherever she married, if her condition flared up, it would become a vulnerability, affecting the marriages of other Xue family children. Thus, even though she was nearly of marriageable age, no matches had been arranged, and all marriage proposals had been rejected.
"Granduncle, Qiao Qiao likes elder sister. When I'm with elder sister, I don't get sick," Xue Jinqiao whispered.
Shen Xihe carried a pleasant aura, and being near her brought Xue Jinqiao peace.
Xue Heng looked tenderly at the child he had raised under his care. If only he had been at home back then, she might not have developed this illness. Thinking of his late wife, who had passed away less than two years ago and had worried about this girl until her last breath, Xue Heng sighed softly. "Let your granduncle think it over carefully."
...
"County Princess, Doctor Qi has gone out again," Mo Yuan reported.It wasn't that they were monitoring Xie Yunhuai, but rather that news of his presence at the Princess Manor had somehow leaked out. Duke Xie had come looking for him three times after hearing the rumors, and each time Xie Yunhuai met him outside. Once, when Hongyu went out for supplies, she happened to overhear Duke Xie arguing with Xie Yunhuai.
The exchange was filled with accusations that Xie Yunhuai had become the princess's intimate companion, which angered Hongyu so much she nearly jumped out to confront them. Fortunately, remembering Xie Yunhuai's life-saving grace toward Shen Xihe, she restrained herself from embarrassing him and chose to endure it. Upon returning, she immediately reported everything to Shen Xihe.
"He will likely take his leave soon," Shen Xihe sighed softly. Yesterday, she had received a message from Zhenzhu: Old Man with White Hair had passed away. Though they never formally acknowledged a master-disciple relationship, his two months of guidance had greatly benefited Zhenzhu.
Zhenzhu decided to return after properly burying Old Man with White Hair.
Xie Yunhuai had stayed because he was concerned about Shen Xihe. Once Zhenzhu returned, he would no longer need to remain at the Princess Manor as a precaution. If he wished, he could leave the capital. Shen Xihe's earlier outburst in the palace had one final purpose: to quell the rumors about him being her "intimate companion." Though the gossip hadn't spread widely yet, she couldn't bear the thought of someone as refined and extraordinary as Xie Yunhuai enduring such slander.
It was precisely because she had so decisively executed Female Historian Sun in the palace that the rumors failed to gain traction.
"Will Doctor Qi leave the capital?" Biyu and the others felt somewhat reluctant. It wasn't due to any romantic feelings toward Xie Yunhuai, but rather because he had helped the princess immensely. He was courteous, elegant, knowledgeable, and approachable—they all liked him.
Like parting with a dear friend, the thought of his departure left them with a sense of melancholy.
"No, he won't leave the capital so easily this time," Shen Xihe believed he was likely returning for revenge.
After all these years, he must have completed his preparations. Now that his wings had fully grown, it was time to resolve the lingering knot in his heart.
Sure enough, as dusk fell, Xie Yunhuai returned to bid farewell: "Princess, I have settled the matter of A Xi. Your condition is steadily stabilizing, so my presence is no longer necessary. I will still visit every three days. Should any urgent matters arise, send someone to the outskirts to relay a message."
Shen Xihe had originally entrusted A Xi's affairs to Mo Yuan, but Xie Yunhuai took the initiative to handle them himself. He was more meticulous, and since A Xi was a herbal garden master, Mo Yuan wasn't familiar with the habits of many physicians. Xie Yunhuai could fabricate the deceased's identity more thoroughly.
"Take care," Shen Xihe didn't try to persuade him to stay, but she openly escorted him to the main gate of the Princess Manor.
Watching him descend the steps, she took two steps forward: "Doctor Qi."
Xie Yunhuai paused and turned back amidst the orange twilight, his gaze clear and gentle, the color of his eyes soft and warm.
"I never refuse your help, Doctor Qi, because I consider you a friend," Shen Xihe smiled faintly. "Might I have the honor of being your confidant?"
Xie Yunhuai's lips curved slowly, blossoming into a smile more intoxicating than autumn and warmer than the setting sun: "It would be my fortune."
A genuine smile bloomed from within Shen Xihe. She had witnessed radiant skies painted with flowing clouds and mist-shrouded lands brimming with spiritual energy, yet none compared to the beauty of her heartfelt smile. "In that case, if you ever face difficulties and don't seek out your friend, I shall be quite cross."
So this was her true intention all along.They all say he has a heart of crystal, making others feel as if bathed in spring breeze. But today, Xie Yunhuai realized that if Zhaoning County Princess wished to warm someone's heart, even a heartless person might grow a heart solely for her.
"Your Highness, rest assured. If Ruogu has any requests, I will shamelessly seek your help."
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