After leaving Princess Yangling's bedchamber, the hour was still early. On her way back to the Eastern Palace, Shen Xihe encountered the third princess, Princess Anling, and the fifth princess, Princess Pingling. Princess Anling's eyes were noticeably red and swollen, while Princess Pingling was comforting her.
They exchanged greetings but did not linger to chat. Since the incident with Princess Changling, the princesses had become wary of her. Even when hosting banquets, they only sent her invitations as a formality, never expecting her to attend.
Aside from Xue Jinqiao, there wasn't a single noble lady in the capital who didn't avoid her like the plague.
Upon returning to the Eastern Palace, Shen Xihe took in the surroundings. The Eastern Palace was planted with many flowers and plants. Xiao Huayong was a man of leisurely tastes, and under his care, the rare and exotic flora in the Eastern Palace were particularly pleasing to the eye. Shen Xihe was quite fond of it.
She, too, enjoyed cultivating plants. However, due to her hasty arrival in the capital, even with money, she couldn't gather many rare specimens in a short time. Moreover, considering she would be married off in a year or two, she had simply decorated her Princess Manor casually.
"In the summer, this courtyard is a sight to behold with all the flowers in bloom and colorful butterflies fluttering about," Xiao Huayong said, having appeared behind Shen Xihe at some point.
Shen Xihe turned and once again noticed the faint dark spots around his eyes. Even though she had seen it before, she still found Xiao Huayong's appearance rather amusing. "Has Your Highness noticed any improvement in your eye condition?"
"Since I lost the ability to distinguish colors, my eyelids have occasionally spasmed. After the last acupuncture treatment, it has eased somewhat," Xiao Huayong replied truthfully.
It seemed the treatment was effective, and Shen Xihe felt reassured. "With time, it will surely be cured."
"You worry too much, Youyou," Xiao Huayong said with a gentle, soft laugh.
Shen Xihe asked, "Has Your Highness made any progress regarding the Unique Poison in your system?"
At this, Xiao Huayong fell silent, his gaze calm as he looked at Shen Xihe without speaking.
Shen Xihe didn't press him, assuming he was weighing whether to share such critical information with her. She hadn't asked with any ulterior motive—it was merely a casual inquiry. Whether Xiao Huayong answered or not, she wouldn't overthink it.
Xiao Huayong was simply reminded of Duanming and momentarily unsure how to broach the subject. After a brief silence, he finally said, "There is a folk healer by my side—you may have heard of him—Linghu Zheng, Master Linghu. He has been tending to my health all these years. To uncover the source of the Unique Poison in my body, he has traveled far and wide, yet he still hasn't found its origin."
Shen Xihe had certainly heard of Linghu Zheng. Shen Yueshan and Shen Yungan had also sought out famous physicians for her, but Old Man with White Hair had gone into hiding, and Linghu Zheng had mentioned having a patient in his care—it turned out to be Xiao Huayong.
Those with great skills always have their principles. Linghu Zheng's rule was that as long as he had one patient he hadn't cured, he would not take on another who required extensive effort. He only treated those he could heal easily, both to uphold the Linghu family's sterling reputation and to be responsible to his patients.
Though Shen Yueshan was desperate to save his daughter, he couldn't forcefully break another's principles.
"A Xi is skilled in poisons and will do her utmost to treat Your Highness," Shen Xihe said. She wasn't one to offer comfort, so she could only speak with sincerity.
Xiao Huayong suddenly looked up, his eyes shining brightly like the blazing sun. "Youyou, are you entrusting A Xi with my treatment?"
Shen Xihe didn't understand why he was so excited and simply gave a slight nod.She had indeed chosen Xiao Huayong precisely because he would die young and was the legitimate heir. Had it been anyone else, even if they were fated to die young, Shen Xihe would not have chosen them, for only the legitimate imperial grandson had the standing to contend with his uncles of lesser birth within the bounds of propriety and law, and to win the support of ministers, especially the noble families.
Compared to a mature prince who was difficult to control and backed by intricate factions, a young, isolated imperial grandson who occupied the legitimate line of succession was naturally more appealing to them.
But now she owed Xiao Huayong a life-saving debt. She intended to repay this favor by exerting herself fully to detoxify him. If she failed, she would not violate her principles as a human being; if she succeeded, she would have no regrets. At the very least, she would ensure that she and Xiao Huayong owed each other nothing. As for the future, it would depend on their respective methods. If they could accompany each other till old age, that would naturally be best.
Even if they ended up drawing swords against each other, it would not matter. Who would rule the world would be determined by who emerged victorious in the end.
Xiao Huayong, however, paid no heed to what Shen Xihe was thinking. All he knew was that at this moment, Shen Xihe was willing to marry him despite his short life expectancy.
This realization ignited like a flame in his chest, spreading and making his entire being burn with fervor. "Youyou, rest assured, I will spare no effort in detoxifying myself." Hidden within his wide sleeves, Xiao Huayong clenched his fists, suppressing the turbulence in his heart.
Shen Xihe was somewhat baffled by Xiao Huayong's sudden exhilaration. Previously, she had regarded him as deep and calculating, but ever since he confessed his feelings to her, Xiao Huayong often behaved like a child.
This made Shen Xihe uncomfortable. With her steady temperament, she disliked interacting with slow-witted or overly cheerful people—not out of contempt, but because she found such interactions particularly exhausting.
Gradually, she noticed that Xiao Huayong seemed to be regressing into childishness.
Shen Xihe did not show it, but Xiao Huayong was exceptionally perceptive and detected that her expression was not as relaxed as before. After a moment of reflection, he wondered if he had been too carried away.
Clearing his throat lightly, Xiao Huayong resumed his usual gentle, elegant, and dignified demeanor. "Youyou, were you just at Sufang Palace?"
"Yes." She had gone to Sufang Palace openly, so it was natural that people in the palace would know, and Xiao Huayong's awareness was no surprise.
"Did Princess Yangling offend you in some way?" Xiao Huayong understood Shen Xihe extremely well.
She disliked socializing with noblewomen from influential families and even more so with princesses from the imperial clan. She was solitary by nature and preferred tranquility. Unless there was a specific matter, she would not seek out any woman, not even a royal princess.
Shen Xihe had never associated with any of the princesses before, so her sudden visit was certainly not for pleasantries—especially since, not long after her arrival, Sufang Palace had summoned the imperial physician.
Recalling his methods with Princess Changling, Shen Xihe replied calmly, "I had some doubts and sought the princess for answers."
Not wanting to interfere, Xiao Huayong made his stance clear and did not press further. "Let me show you around elsewhere, Youyou."
Shen Xihe appreciated this about Xiao Huayong—his intelligence and insight allowed him to see through others' thoughts at a glance, and he trusted and respected them.
She believed that since Xiao Huayong did not probe deeply, he would not secretly intervene in her affairs behind her back.
This was a respect for her privacy and a trust in her capabilities.
Shen Xihe had never liked how, in her earlier years in the northwest, those who sought to curry favor with her acted as if she had no hands, feet, or mind of her own, insisting on handling everything for her.Shen Xihe did not stay long at the Eastern Palace. Although there were still many matters to attend to the day after the Crown Prince's capping ceremony, everything had been simplified due to his old ailment flaring up the previous day. Even with the simplification, there were still numerous rituals requiring his personal presence.
"Your Highness, I've found out clearly: after the new year begins, Tubo will come to seek marriage alliance," Zhenzhu whispered after boarding the carriage.
Having encountered the two princesses in an unsettled state, Zhenzhu felt compelled to investigate the reason, lest it should affect the princess.
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