Shen Xihe received a food box early in the morning. Every dish from the Eastern Palace was exquisitely prepared and delicious. Tianyuan didn’t say much, only mentioning that His Highness had ordered it to be delivered. Shen Xihe accepted it directly and indeed ate the food.
"Your Ladyship, as per your instructions, there have been no merchant caravans transporting large quantities of goods to the capital recently," Mo Yuan reported. He had been sent by Shen Xihe to monitor the merchant caravans these past few days.
Ever since Shen Xihe learned that Xiao Huayong had gone to retrieve the autumn grain, intended to hide it, and had his sights set on the Ministry of Revenue, she had guessed what he was planning—to make Your Majesty catch the thief among his own people.
The autumn grain he had retrieved must be transported back. Shen Xihe had placed informants along both water and land routes. Since Xiao Huayong had already returned to the capital, these goods should have arrived with him.
"Has anything unusual happened recently?" Shen Xihe stood by the window, her gaze lowered as she looked at the Eucommia bonsai before her.
Mo Yuan thought carefully. "Nothing out of the ordinary."
Shen Xihe extended her hand. Her fingertips were rounded, and due to her frail health, her nails lacked a rosy hue, instead appearing as white as cold jade. Neatly trimmed and unadorned with polish, they gleamed with a bright, clean sheen. She gently brushed the Eucommia leaves.
"There must be something different from usual, but you haven’t thought of it," Shen Xihe said with a smile. "Why not go to the orphanage and ask?"
Mo Yuan was also eager to find out what he had overlooked. He immediately went to the orphanage in person.
The orphanage took in abandoned, lost, or orphaned children—some due to illness or disability, others who had been trafficked and whose families had yet to be found.
Shen Xihe never burned incense, prayed to Buddha, or donated oil money, but she provided clothing and food to the children here year-round. She had done so in the northwest and continued the practice here, though she never left her name.
Mo Yuan dressed appropriately for the visit, delivering the prepared winter clothes on Shen Xihe’s behalf, as winter was approaching in the capital.
When Mo Yuan returned, he wore an expression of disbelief. "Your Ladyship, I learned from the children that there seem to have been more funerals recently."
In truth, Mo Yuan had encountered one or two funerals himself, but weddings and funerals were daily occurrences—joyful and sorrowful events were commonplace.
"Only a few more in the past two days, but none yesterday or today," he added. How many funerals could there be? Even if the coffins were filled with grain, they couldn’t hold dozens of dan. The missing grain amounted to hundreds of dan!
"Why transport it all into the city?" Shen Xihe asked with a light laugh. "All that’s needed is a dozen or so dan kept as evidence, just enough to justify an investigation. Which high-ranking official in the court doesn’t have a few manors outside the city?"
"Go and check whether the Minister of Revenue, his wife, or his children own any manors. Pay close attention, and you’ll surely find something," Shen Xihe instructed.
"Yes," Mo Yuan replied, then asked, "If we find something, should we…"
"If you find it, just inform me of the location. No need to act rashly. I don’t interfere in his affairs, just as he doesn’t interfere in mine," Shen Xihe said, believing this was a form of mutual respect.
That very night, Mo Yuan made a discovery. When Shen Xihe rose the next morning, he reported it to her. After listening, Shen Xihe said, "Let this matter rest here. Take a few days to rest properly. In a few days, we’ll put on a show for His Highness as well."
After Mo Yuan withdrew, Shen Xihe gazed at the sky covered in thick clouds and sighed softly. "The weather is about to change."After waiting for half an hour, when it seemed like rain was imminent, the sun emerged again. Shen Xihe entered the palace once more, accompanied by Biyu.
Early this morning, news of Xiao Huayong's awakening had spread beyond the palace walls. Both out of propriety and personal concern, she felt obliged to pay him a visit.
With the Crown Prince awake, the Eastern Palace had fewer gathered imperial physicians. The Empress Dowager had also returned to her own palace, leaving the Eastern Palace feeling somewhat desolate again.
When Shen Xihe saw Xiao Huayong again, she felt he had grown noticeably thinner and inquired with concern, "Is Your Highness feeling well?"The princess is too kind." Just some fatigue," Xiao Huayong replied with a gentle smile.
"I've come today to ask a favor of Your Highness," Shen Xihe nodded.
"Please speak freely, Princess," said Xiao Huayong.
"Might Your Highness still have any vine fruit scented cups?"" Shen Xihe's eyes held a smile. "Some time ago, you gifted one to Zhaoning. Noticing the carving resembled her somewhat, and thinking of her separation from Father, she sent it to him to comfort his longing. Unexpectedly, Brother found out and accused Zhaoning of favoritism. So, I must shamelessly ask if you have another."
Xiao Huayong:...
Having lived this long, Xiao Huayong had never felt so stifled and short of breath as he did at this moment!
Priding himself on his acting skills, he never imagined there would come a day when he couldn't maintain his smile!
"Cough, cough, cough, cough..." Tianyuan suddenly broke into a violent coughing fit, having suppressed his laughter so hard that he choked and couldn't recover.
Meeting the Crown Prince's gaze that seemed both amused and not, Tianyuan coughed even more intensely.
"Is Guard Cao alright?" Shen Xihe asked with concern.
Tianyuan, coughing until he saw stars, finally knelt after a moment to apologize: "This subordinate was disrespectful."
"Go find an imperial physician and have yourself properly examined," Xiao Huayong ordered expressionlessly.
Xiao Huayong possessed a bone structure that naturally exuded authority. When he smiled, he was gentle and refined; when he didn't, even without deliberately showing anger or coldness, he made people feel inexplicably afraid.
Tianyuan's interruption brought the choked-up Xiao Huayong back to his senses. For the first time, he refused Shen Xihe's request: "Unfortunately, I have only one left."
Shen Xihe hadn't intended to insist forcefully; she had only come to inquire. After all, the palace had many treasures, and she had also offered a high reward outside, but so far, there had been no response.
After that, Xiao Huayong's attitude noticeably cooled. Shen Xihe guessed he was probably displeased that she had regifted his present. She didn't offer much explanation—it was a gift for her business opening, and regifting such congratulatory presents was quite common.
Not wanting to overstay her welcome, she chatted a bit more before taking her leave. Xiao Huayong did not try to detain her.
Only after Shen Xihe had left did he grasp the other incense cup carved with his likeness, his expression slightly darkening.
After sulking for a good while, he laughed at himself mockingly: "I'm truly being affected."
For someone of her temperament, such an action was entirely normal. If he were to get upset over this, wouldn't he end up genuinely angering himself to death in the future?
"Your Highness, why didn't you tell the princess about the Snow Lotus matter?"" Tianyuan, sensing that Xiao Huayong was no longer angry, dared to speak up.
"Telling her now is the worst possible strategy," Xiao Huayong lowered his head, gazing at his cup. "It would only make her uncomfortable, make her retreat. Even if she didn't retreat, she would find another way to repay this favor."
He wouldn't tell her now. He would wait until she began to value him, then let someone else deliver that heart-striking blow.He said he wouldn't force her response because he had never considered the possibility of not receiving it.
If her heart was cold, he would use every means to warm it; if she had no heart, he would split his own in half and gently place it within her, like spring breeze nurturing rain!
Placing the rattan-scented cup on the table before him, he rested his bandaged three fingers upon it: "Sooner or later, I'll make her come retrieve it herself."
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