It was rare to see the Crown Prince so cheerful, and Tianyuan dared not spoil his mood. He knew His Highness seemed indifferent about his inability to distinguish colors, but how could anyone truly not mind suddenly losing the vibrant hues of the world?
If not for this, why would His Highness have lost control of his emotions upon learning that the Junzhu had regifted his present to the Prince? There was a hint of resentment and hurt in his reaction.
Yet, Tianyuan saw clearly—the Junzhu’s gaze toward His Highness was as still as stagnant water, utterly devoid of affection. He wondered when their Crown Prince would truly win the beauty’s heart.
"Junzhu, the Twelfth Highness, he..." Biyu whispered, "I heard he has begun attending court deliberations."
Only by participating in court affairs could a prince receive official duties, and only with duties could he achieve merits and build a career. Lack of imperial favor mattered little; if one had capability and accomplished deeds, even His Majesty would have no choice but to grant rewards.
"An irrelevant person hardly warrants attention," Shen Xihe replied, resting with her eyes closed.
She knew Biyu suspected that Xiao Changgeng had intentionally fallen in front of her that day. Shen Xihe was neither gullible nor overly suspicious—such matters could be true or false.
Subsequent events were beyond his control; even if he had anticipated Changling Princess’s actions, he couldn’t have predicted how she would respond.
She was aware of the rumors circulating—that it was her defense of Xiao Changgeng that secured him his due treatment.
Shen Xihe paid no mind to the origins of these rumors. Her actions were solely meant to embarrass His Majesty and make Changling Princess realize she was not to be trifled with. If the princess failed to learn her lesson, Shen Xihe would ensure her downfall.
Though Xiao Changgeng was her age, Shen Xihe viewed him as a child. However deep his schemes might be, they held no significance in her considerations.
The day after meeting Xiao Huayong, Xie Yunhuai arrived with medicinal broth.
"Junzhu, the Bone Shedding Pill is potent. Previously, you took it with snow water, but now your organs are weakened and cannot withstand clashes of hot and cold. I’ve prepared this broth as a substitute. Soak in it for fifteen minutes before taking the pill."
"Thank you." Shen Xihe trusted Xie Yunhuai implicitly and immediately ordered the broth to be prepared.
As she soaked in the tub, the cool fragrance of snow lotus lingered around her. Highly sensitive to scents, she recognized it as identical to the snow lotus she had encountered before, though muted by other herbs, lacking its usual refreshing purity.
"There’s snow lotus in the medicine," Shen Xihe remarked.
"Indeed, there is," Biyu nodded. "That day when you fainted, Doctor Qi used the same broth..."
She took a deep breath. "It’s even more fragrant and cooling today. I recall smelling the snow lotus scent that day too."
Biyu had never encountered Tianshan Snow Lotus’s aroma before that emergency, only learning its origin when the lotus was delivered later. However, that day’s fragrance was far inferior to today’s.
Biyu assumed Xie Yunhuai had modified the prescription, and Shen Xihe didn’t dwell on it, merely noting the snow lotus’s distinctiveness in passing.
Though the broth was warm, Shen Xihe gradually felt a chill spreading through her limbs—a slow, gathering cold, less abrupt than the shock of drinking snow water.After a quarter of an hour, she drank the Bone Shedding Pill dissolved in warm water. A warm current slid down her throat and spread throughout her limbs, making her feel extremely comfortable, without a trace of pain.
She even fell soundly asleep while soaking in the medicinal brew. Biyu grew somewhat worried and immediately went out to report the princess's condition to Xie Yunhuai, who was waiting outside the door: "The princess has fallen into a deep sleep. Is this alright?"
"Did the princess show any signs of pain?" Xie Yunhuai asked.
"None," Biyu shook her head.
Xie Yunhuai punched his palm: "Success. Go inside and add the medicinal brew as instructed. Let her soak for half an hour, then carry her out without waking her. The longer she sleeps, the better the medicine's effect."
Hearing this, Biyu and the others were overjoyed.
Shen Xihe slept until sunset before waking up.
Upon waking, she felt an indescribable warmth throughout her body. "Doctor Qi, I feel excellent," Shen Xihe said, draping a cloak over her shoulders without even tying up her hair, striding toward Xie Yunhuai who had stayed behind in case of emergencies.
Standing in the courtyard, Xie Yunhuai heard a clear, joyful call and turned to see the young woman in a white dress, her flowing hair and slightly billowing cloak framing her pristine, porcelain-like face and obsidian-shining eyes—a beauty untainted by worldly dust.
Xie Yunhuai smiled and reached out to check her pulse. Detecting an excellent pulse rhythm, he also revealed a pleased smile.
"I must thank you," Shen Xihe lifted her eyes, noticing Xie Yunhuai's sunken eyes and bloodshot pupils under the moonlight. She performed an elegant curtsy: "Zhaoning expresses her gratitude."
"The princess said we are friends, companions who understand each other. Since we are companions, why stand on ceremony?" Xie Yunhuai raised his hand without touching her, as she wore only a thin gauze dress. "The night is cold, princess. Have some food and rest for another night. I have matters to attend to and must take my leave."
Shen Xihe initially intended to see him off personally, but after taking one step, she realized she was too overjoyed and hadn't had time to dress properly. If she escorted Xie Yunhuai to the gate in this state, the rumors about him being her secret lover would be confirmed: "Biyu, please see Doctor Qi out."
Shen Xihe was truly delighted, showing such unrestrained joy for the first time in a long while. During her first dose of the Bone Shedding Pill, she hadn't felt much, but this time she could clearly sense herself undergoing a genuine transformation.
The next day, Bu Shulin, who was off duty, visited. Upon seeing Shen Xihe, she examined her with admiring sounds: "What miraculous medicine have you taken? I feel like you've become a completely different person overnight."
She had seen Shen Xihe just the day before yesterday. Although Shen Xihe hadn't appeared sickly, she could sense her lack of energy.
After just one day apart, Shen Xihe now seemed radiant, as if all her chronic ailments had vanished instantly. Though her cheeks and lips remained paler than average without makeup, they now carried a healthy glow.
"Don't ask," Shen Xihe said, rolling up her sleeves to pour Bu Shulin a drink.
"Why not?"
Setting down the pitcher, Shen Xihe looked up with a faint smile: "Even if you ask, it's medicine you can't obtain."
Bu Shulin: ...
She noticed that not only was Shen Xihe's health improved, but her mood was also excellent—she even had the leisure to tease her now.
Quickly taking advantage of her good mood, Bu Shulin brought up serious business to seek advice: "My father wants to jointly expose the military fund deficiencies with various regions. Do you think it's feasible?"They had previously dared not expose it, thinking they were the only ones affected. After inventory checks, they had stamped and received military supplies, forced to swallow the injustice. But now they discovered they weren't alone—aside from the northwest, only a few locations remained untouched by the tampering.
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