"Your Highness, His Highness seems somewhat displeased?" Biyu whispered softly.
For some reason, Biyu felt slightly apprehensive. This was the first time she had witnessed the gentle, scholarly, and noble Crown Prince appear distant and cold. Though he hadn't raised his voice or spoken harshly, his reduced words and restrained smile unconsciously made one's heart tighten.
"Displeased?" Shen Xihe smiled indifferently. "So what?"
"In the future..." Biyu knew Shen Xihe cared little for romantic affections. Even if she were to truly marry the Crown Prince someday, she wouldn't concern herself with whether he doted on her.
But she feared that the cunning Crown Prince might bear a grudge and ultimately harm the princess.
"His Highness the Crown Prince is broader-minded than that." Shen Xihe understood Biyu's concern.
If he possessed only such narrow tolerance, he wouldn't have achieved his current position, nor could he have endured and bided his time until now.
"Don't worry. I'm merely being candid with him." A faint smile flickered at Shen Xihe's lips.
They had tested each other. Since they still needed to reach an agreement after these tests, it was time to reveal their true selves. Wasn't the Crown Prince also gradually unveiling his intentions? She was simply returning the favor, allowing him to sooner see what kind of person she truly was.
If after this mutual honesty they still wished to unite in marriage, then they could proceed with mutual benefit, trust, and support. This way, at least until they shared common goals and enemies, they wouldn't be easily manipulated into turning against each other.
As for whether hearts would change or interests conflict once the overall situation was settled—they could always settle scores when the time came.
When Shen Xihe reached the palace gates, she spotted a slender figure standing by a carriage in the distance. Dressed in a fresh emerald-green robe with a jade belt cinching his waist, he appeared as straight and slim as a bamboo pole.
The Youning Emperor was majestic and sharp-featured, while the ladies of the Imperial Harem ranged from plump to slender—none of the princesses or princes lacked striking looks.
The Twelfth Prince, Xiao Changgeng, was no exception. Though his face still carried traces of youthfulness, his sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes already showed promise, with pupils gleaming hidden brilliance—clearly no ordinary person.
"Your Highness." Xiao Changgeng stepped forward and bowed respectfully. "I must thank you for your protection that day. Though I possess little of value, this is a manual of incense left by my mother. She dearly loved creating fragrances and had considerable expertise. I hope you won't find it beneath your acceptance."
Xiao Changgeng carefully retrieved a slightly yellowed booklet with curled edges from the eunuch accompanying him and offered it to Shen Xihe.
Xiao Changgeng's birth mother came from a family of perfumers. This incense compendium represented her life's work—something all fragrance enthusiasts coveted, and Shen Xihe was no exception.
"There's no need for this, Your Highness. That day wasn't for your sake." Shen Xihe refused decisively. After delivering a slow, respectful bow to Xiao Changgeng, she proceeded directly toward her carriage.
No matter how tempted she was by the item, she would only acquire it through trade with Xiao Changgeng, never as a gift.
At least not before she changed her mind about allying with Xiao Huayong—she wouldn't engage in any ambiguous dealings with others.
Xiao Changgeng stood straight at the palace gates, watching the carriage disappear into the distance. Only then did the eunuch behind him mutter softly: "Your Highness, the princess is no different from others." She also looks down on Your..."
Before the eunuch could finish, Xiao Changgeng cast him a cool glance, making him quickly lower his head.
Xiao Changgeng looked again toward where Shen Xihe's carriage had vanished, pressing his lips slightly as a faint smile emerged. "She's different."She was different. The way she looked at him held not a trace of disdain, nor was it any different from how she regarded others.
She refused his gift not because she considered him an unfavored prince unworthy of association. He believed that someone capable of managing two incense shops and blending fragrances for the Xiangguo Temple’s Buddha statues must truly love incense.
She was clearly tempted by this incense manual, yet she declined it decisively—not as a coy gesture, but with firm resolve.
This revealed her integrity: she was neither hypocritical nor deceitful. Moreover, her strong will and exceptional self-control allowed her to reject something she desired without a flicker of hesitation.
As these thoughts crossed his mind, Xiao Changgeng’s clear, bright eyes held a deeper appreciation.
"Twelfth Brother, no matter how long you stare, she does not belong to you," a cold, harsh voice sounded from behind.
Xiao Changgeng turned and met the unfriendly gaze of Xiao Changying.
Unfazed, he stepped forward with a faint smile and bowed first. "Greetings, Ninth Brother."
Xiao Changying sneered, "There’s no need for you to play the meek lamb in front of me, Twelfth Brother."
"Why is Ninth Brother angered?" Though Xiao Changgeng only reached Xiao Changying’s shoulder in height, his refined and clean demeanor made him appear anything but weak. "I was merely expressing gratitude for the assistance the Junzhu has offered."
"Assistance?" Xiao Changying circled him halfway, his gaze sharp and probing. "Assistance, or a carefully laid scheme?"
Xiao Changgeng replied, "I don’t understand what Ninth Brother means."
"Don’t understand?" Xiao Changying’s lips curled into a mocking smile. "I haven’t yet congratulated you on being permitted to attend court deliberations."
Xiao Changgeng was already fourteen, but the Youning Emperor seemed to have forgotten his existence. After Shen Xihe’s intervention, the Emperor could no longer ignore him, and he was granted all the privileges due to a prince.
"Thank you, Ninth Brother. As I’ve only just begun attending court, there is much I do not understand. I hope you will guide me in the future," Xiao Changgeng said, lowering his head submissively.
He appeared so docile, as if devoid of any temper, impossible to provoke. Xiao Changying disliked such masterful pretenders. "Twelfth Brother, let me offer you your first lesson."
"Please enlighten me, Brother."
"Stay away from her. This time, she let you off lightly—consider yourself lucky. If there’s a next time, even if she doesn’t mind, I will strip you bare and reveal your true, ugly nature." With this cold warning, Xiao Changying strode away.
"Farewell, Ninth Brother." Xiao Changgeng maintained his impeccable courtesy, showing no trace of resentment even after Xiao Changying had disappeared.
News of what happened at the palace gates could not escape Xiao Huayong’s notice. Just as Tianyuan braced for the Crown Prince’s thunderous rage, he heard a hint of laughter in Xiao Huayong’s voice. "She truly refused the incense manual Twelfth Brother offered?"
Tianyuan: ???
Was that the main point? Wasn’t the main point that Twelfth Prince used the opportunity to get close to the Junzhu?
Wasn’t the main point that Ninth Prince was consumed by jealousy and issued a warning?
"Yes," Tianyuan replied, bewildered. Instinct prompted him to add, "The Junzhu didn’t even spare it a second glance."
The Crown Prince, who had been seething with anger moments before, suddenly seemed pacified, a touch of sweetness in his smile. "In her heart, I truly am the only one."
Tianyuan: …
"She has never refused any gift I’ve given her," Xiao Huayong remarked, his mood greatly improved.
Tianyuan: …Tianyuan opened his mouth but swallowed his words: The princess was willing to accept your gift probably because Your Highness is her target. As for refusing others' offerings, it has nothing to do with affection—it's likely due to the princess's upright character.
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