Under the tall and exquisite eaves, the orange-red glow left by the setting sun enveloped the young man and woman. The lady possessed peerless elegance, while the gentleman stood aloof from the world—a truly delightful sight to behold.
Tianyuan, holding the Eucommia Leaf bonsai, was immensely relieved that the Crown Prince was not present to witness this scene. Otherwise, he felt the imperial city would surely be plunged into a storm of violence, and countless unfortunate souls would suffer grievous injuries.
Clearing his throat lightly, Tianyuan prompted Xie Yunhuai to withdraw his gaze. With a slight nod to Tianyuan, Xie Yunhuai picked up his medicine chest and departed.
"Your Highness, His Royal Highness specifically ordered me to deliver this," Tianyuan hurriedly presented the Eucommia bonsai.
The golden leaves, bathed in the evening glow, appeared even more radiant and charming. Shen Xihe looked upon it with immediate fondness. "Has His Highness recovered?"
"His Highness had been cultivating this plant long ago. Before falling unconscious, he had already separated and potted it. These past days, I carefully noted the methods to ensure its proper care before bringing it to you," Tianyuan promptly elaborated on the Crown Prince's thoughtful efforts and dedication.
Shen Xihe gently touched the delicate leaves with her fingertips, pondered for a moment, and ultimately accepted it. "Convey my gratitude to His Highness. I hope for his swift recovery."
"With Your Highness's concern, the Crown Prince is sure to awaken soon," Tianyuan replied respectfully. "Some days ago, His Highness mentioned to me that his health is frail, often causing him to faint, and he feared worrying you. He vowed to take better care of himself henceforth, to faint less frequently, lest he startle you."
Tianyuan diligently spoke well on his master's behalf.
Shen Xihe regarded him with an indescribable expression.
After a long silence without a response from Shen Xihe, Tianyuan grew puzzled. He slightly raised his head and met her gaze, utterly bewildered. What had he said wrong to warrant such a look from Her Highness?
Shen Xihe suddenly laughed. After her laughter subsided, she instructed Hongyu to take the Eucommia bonsai. As she turned away, she spoke in a voice only audible to herself and Tianyuan: "Before His Highness departed, he came to bid me farewell."
These eight words struck Tianyuan like a bolt from the blue.
It was only after Shen Xihe pressed her lips together in a faint smile and entered the residence that he regained his composure. Then, a wave of grief and indignation washed over him. "Master, could you not have informed me before going to confess?"
So, all the words he had just spoken to win favor for his master had become a joke. He, who thought he was helping his master curry favor with Her Highness, had turned into a laughingstock.
Was he still his master's foremost confidant?
In the past, his master had never kept anything from him!
Tianyuan left in a mix of sorrow and anger. For some reason, Shen Xihe felt her mood lighten slightly, and she found the pot of Eucommia Leaves even more endearing.
After flipping through the booklet, Hongyu discovered not only detailed instructions on care but also notes on potential issues and their solutions.
Hongyu, who had just moments ago thought Xie Yunhuai gentle and considerate—a suitable match for their mistress—immediately switched allegiances. "This servant has never seen any young man go to such lengths to please Your Highness."
In the past, there had been no shortage of young men seeking to ingratiate themselves with Shen Xihe. Whether motivated by her status, position, the wealth and honor behind her, or her beauty, they had all tried their utmost to flatter her, presenting gifts ranging from elegant and precious to rare and hard-to-find.
But only the Crown Prince's gifts truly catered to her preferences. Though the Crown Prince could easily bestow priceless treasures, he had never given her anything vulgar—each offering was thoughtfully chosen.
Upon hearing this, Shen Xihe chuckled softly, her heart unmoved.
After returning, Tianyuan immediately wrote a detailed account of the events in the capital, especially those related to Her Highness, and sent it to Xiao Huayong.The day Xiao Huayong received the letter was the same day he found the finest Tianshan Snow Lotus at the highest peak—an exceptionally large blossom.
It swayed in the wind and snow, exuding an air of unrivaled elegance. The cliff edge was even more treacherous than when he had gathered the Fairy Ribbon from the rocky crags that day.
There was no foothold along the precipice, nor any trees or rocks to secure a rope.
Snowflakes whipped by the wind obscured Xiao Huayong’s vision. Fortunately, he had brought Haidongqing with him. He directed the eagle to test the snow-covered edges of the cliff. As the thick snow was shaken loose, narrow ledges emerged, barely sufficient for footing.
Just as he managed to clear a precarious path toward the Snow Lotus, Haidongqing collided with the cliffside, dislodging not only snow but also causing the ground beneath Xiao Huayong’s feet to tremble.
His expression darkened. Even Haidongqing, swiftly retreating, sensed the danger and let out an anxious, warning cry.
"Quiet!" Xiao Huayong snapped coldly.
Haidongqing chirped twice softly before veering away from the storm, flying to the other side.
Xiao Huayong’s gaze swept rapidly over the terrain, quickly mapping out a barely feasible route. Certain it was the only way, he shed his heavy cloak without hesitation and leaped down, his hands gripping indentations in the rock. His feet found only half a foothold on the narrow, transverse ledge.
Once he steadied himself, he pressed his entire body against the icy cliff face. Releasing one hand, he swiftly secured the next hold. His feet shifted with difficulty; the ledges were too narrow and slick with ice, causing him to slip repeatedly. Loose gravel trickled downward, and soon his fingers were raw and bleeding from the strain of climbing.
In the biting wind, his hands grew numb and lost sensation within moments. Progress was far more arduous than he had anticipated.
Yet, at that moment, he refused to give up. Only then did he realize how deeply he cared for her—enough to risk his life.
When this affection had taken root, he did not know, nor did he need to dwell on it.
Suddenly, the snowstorm intensified. Whenever Xiao Huayong looked up, snowflakes blew into his eyes, forcing them shut.
As time passed, his strength waned. He glanced upward against the wind, then lowered his head, blinking away the melting snow. Relying on memory, he shifted his arms again. Just as he prepared to release one hand, his foot slipped abruptly. Reacting swiftly, he managed to hang on, but three of his fingernails were torn off in the process. The blood froze almost instantly.
The cold numbed the pain. Battered and nearly falling multiple times, Xiao Huayong finally reached the Snow Lotus.
Steadying himself, he freed a hand to pluck it, only to discover how deeply rooted it was. The moment he applied force, the entire cliff edge shuddered, and massive chunks of snow cascaded downward.
"Screech—!" Haidongqing let out a piercing, frantic cry.
With its innate sense of natural danger, the eagle beat its wings against Xiao Huayong, urging him to abandon the attempt.
But Xiao Huayong had already grasped it. Once something was in his hands, he would never let go!
His fingers tightened gradually. He glanced down at the endless, snow-blanketed abyss and assessed the avalanche’s trajectory.
"Get away!" he shouted at Haidongqing, which had spread its wings to shield him from the storm.
With a forceful tug, he uprooted the Tianshan Snow Lotus. In that instant, the snow peak rumbled and collapsed.His body plummeted downward from the excessive exertion, followed by a churning wave of snow that swallowed him mid-air.
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