The Embroidered Uniform Envoys would not fail to recognize the official uniform yet still turn a blind eye, striking with such ruthless and fierce precision. In Xie Yunhuai's view, this clearly demonstrated their protection of Shen Xihe.
"Doctor Qi, do you recognize that Embroidered Uniform Envoy from earlier?" Shen Xihe asked.
Xie Yunhuai suddenly bringing up the Embroidered Uniform Envoys meant he had overheard her conversation with Zhenzhu in the carriage, so she no longer concealed her identity.
The Embroidered Uniform Envoys moved like ghosts - Shen Xihe had only dealt with them twice before and had never encountered today's envoy.
"The fifth young master of Duke Zhao's household, born of a concubine," Xie Yunhuai replied.
Duke Zhao's household? A concubine-born son?
Shen Xihe's delicate brows slightly furrowed. That person clearly carried the scent of Duojialuo incense.
Duojialuo was the finest grade of agarwood, worth a hundred taels of gold per liang, even more precious than the highly valued Ambergris in common perception.
This type of fragrant spice was practically unavailable in the market - at most, only the wealthiest families could acquire some.
Although Duke Zhao's household still held the ducal title, it had long declined. To maintain appearances, the second legitimate son had even married a merchant's daughter, whose lavish dowry procession stretching ten li had been the talk of the capital for quite some time.
How could they afford such extravagant items? Could it have been bestowed by the Youning Emperor?
Shen Xihe fell into deep thought, unknowingly entering the city. They arrived just as the city gates were closing. Since Xie Yunhuai insisted on escorting them back to the inn, he couldn't leave the city and booked a room at their inn.
After sharing the evening meal, Shen Xihe noticed Xie Yunhuai lingering without taking his leave, realizing he had something to discuss.
She personally prepared the tea set, elegantly starting from boiling mountain spring water on a small stove. The processes of dividing, brewing, and pouring tea flowed seamlessly like drifting clouds and flowing water. Watching her pale hands move through each motion was a visual delight.
"Doctor Qi, please have some tea."
Xie Yunhuai looked down at the clear apricot-colored tea liquor, the refreshing and pleasant tea aroma wafting to his nose: "Junshan Silver Needle. Your Ladyship seems quite familiar with my preferences."
Shen Xihe didn't pour tea for herself but instead prepared a bowl of peach blossom drink: "I was close friends with the late Consort of Prince Xin. Before her marriage, she mentioned Doctor Qi to me."
Coincidentally, Shen Xihe shared an exceptionally deep bond with her elder brother, Northwest Prince Heir Shen Yungan. When Shen Xihe was eight, Shen Yungan went to the capital for half a year. After just one month of his absence, Shen Xihe would clamor for her brother daily. Helpless, Shen Yueshan gave her a carrier pigeon.
After two months of correspondence by pigeon post, her pigeon was once accidentally injured and fell into the hands of a young lady surnamed Gu.
The young lady Gu nursed the pigeon back to health and had it carry a letter and small gift back to apologize. The present Shen Xihe would simply laugh it off.
But the Shen Xihe of those days was understanding and found it quite novel, so she wrote back to reassure her. Back and forth, the two corresponded for six or seven years. Zhenzhu and others only knew the other party's surname was Gu, until the correspondence ceased last year.
Shen Xihe knew who this young lady Gu was - unrelated to the exterminated Gu family. She was also from an official's household in the capital, but last year her family fell from grace. Assistant Minister Gu died during exile, and his daughter should have been consigned to the Side Court Palace.
She could search for her after arriving in the capital, but for now she was identifying this pen pal as Gu Qingzhi, naturally for other arrangements.
As for whether Shen Yueshan and Shen Yungan had investigated this young lady Gu, Shen Xihe wasn't concerned. Who said correspondence needed to use real addresses?
If Shen Xihe said it was someone, then it was that person!Shen Xihe's words made Xie Yunhuai freeze, teacup in hand, his mind in turmoil.
Gu Qingzhi and Shen Xihe were old acquaintances. The fact that Shen Xihe could recognize him at a glance meant Gu Qingzhi must have sent his portrait to her.
For a noble maiden, aside from her father and brothers, she would only paint her husband. At that time, he should have been engaged to Gu Qingzhi.
He never imagined Gu Qingzhi would paint his portrait...
"Doctor Qi seems quite surprised." Shen Xihe caught the fleeting astonishment in Xie Yunhuai's eyes.
"Consort of the Prince Xin was the most composed, steady, and clear-minded woman I have ever met. She possessed eyes that saw beyond the mundane," Xie Yunhuai said before downing the cooled tea in one gulp.
"Eyes that saw beyond the mundane?" This was the first time Shen Xihe had heard someone describe her former self in such unique terms.
"The deceased is gone." Xie Yunhuai avoided explaining further, showing respect for the dead by changing the subject.
Shen Xihe didn't press further but suddenly asked, "Doctor Qi's description of Consort of the Prince Xin is most distinctive. I wonder what kind of woman you think I am?"
Eyes that saw beyond the mundane—upon reflection, it was an exceedingly accurate assessment of Gu Qingzhi.
Shen Xihe wanted to know if the perceptive Xie Yunhuai found her different as well.
Xie Yunhuai looked up, meeting Shen Xihe's gaze frankly. Understanding she harbored no romantic intentions nor was she trying to flirt, but genuinely engaging in serious conversation, he spoke candidly: "Princess, you are the most far-sighted, unfathomable, and deeply reserved woman I have ever encountered."
He had seen Shen Xihe at Ma Village, knew she had saved Xiao Changying, and understood why Xiao Changying was being pursued. His visit to Ma Village wasn't coincidental either—he too had gone for Xiao Changying.
The fact that Xiao Changying hadn't returned to the capital to report meant the item he had protected all the way to Ma Village was missing.
Recently, he discovered Xiao Changying had followed Shen Xihe to Luoyang. It was clear into whose hands the item had fallen.
Today, when Shen Xihe was pursued, she had been prepared in advance, seemingly aware of who was behind it all.
He firmly believed that even without the Embroidered Uniform Envoys intervening, she would have emerged unscathed, perhaps even escalating the matter until the one sitting on the Dragon Throne had to bow and apologize to resolve it.
He was deeply curious: how did the martial, masculine lands of the northwest nurture such profound cunning, unshakable composure, and strategic wisdom in her?
"Woman?" Shen Xihe pondered the word. "It seems there are men too."
Xie Yunhuai set down the teacup he had been holding and stood up. "When the Princess enters the capital, you will naturally encounter them."
This was an indirect admission that such a person indeed existed.
With that, Xie Yunhuai bowed slightly to Shen Xihe and departed.
Shen Xihe didn't dwell on the matter further. She remained in the private room until Moyu returned with minor injuries. After confirming Moyu was fine, she retired for the night.
She slept soundly through the night. The next morning, an old servant in coarse clothing brought back her painting scroll and left an address, requesting a meeting that afternoon.
The address was within the city. Shen Xihe had Zhenzhu bring out the Fairy Ribbon. Every time she inhaled its fragrance, she felt refreshed and at ease, and even her occasionally restless lungs would calm down.There is far too little documentation about this thing in books, leaving her completely at a loss where to begin. It hasn't withered yet, but there's no telling how long it can be preserved.
In the end, Shen Xihe decided to take the Fairy Ribbon to see Old Man with White Hair.
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