Never did I imagine there would come a day when I could meet someone like this—someone with whom I could shed all pretense, let down my guard, and share a few sincere words.
This time, Shen Xihe did not evade, allowing Bu Shulin to embrace her. Shen Xihe acquiesced, but Duanming did not. With a meow, it leaped toward Bu Shulin. Not daring to attack Duanming, Bu Shulin could only dodge.
As Bu Shulin sidestepped and steadied herself, she saw Duanming caught by Shen Xihe, perched on her shoulder and baring its teeth at her.
“No wonder it’s called Duanming—such an unpleasant name,” Bu Shulin grumbled discontentedly.
“Meow!” Duanming poised itself as if ready to charge at Bu Shulin for a fight, but when Shen Xihe stroked its head, its claws immediately softened, and it lay obediently on her shoulder like a sleeping infant.
“Youyou, this is definitely a male cat!” So lustful!
“Duanming is female,” Shen Xihe glanced at Bu Shulin, then carried Duanming as she walked toward the stone platform by the lake. “How are things at the silver shop?”
Lately, Bu Shulin had been keeping an eye on the silver shop. After all, her reputation for neglecting her duties was already well-established, and no one paid her any mind.
“Speaking of that, I feel the silver shop is anything but simple. On my very first day there, they seemed to sense something, and the shopkeeper personally came to probe me,” Bu Shulin said seriously. “After that, the silver shop has been quiet.”
“Which silver shop is it?” Shen Xihe asked.
Bu Shulin raised an eyebrow and grinned. “I knew Youyou would care about me—” Meeting Shen Xihe’s impatient gaze, she quickly complied, “Doujin Silver Shop.”
“You may leave now,” Shen Xihe directly issued the dismissal.
Bu Shulin: “...”
“Hmm?” Shen Xihe cast her a questioning look that suggested she had no desire to stay.
“I’m leaving, I’m leaving right now,” Bu Shulin pouted, taking one step and looking back three times as she departed.
“Your Highness, His Majesty may bestow a marriage,” Zhenzhu felt that action against Yangling Princess needed to be swift.
“What do you think His Majesty will make of Yangling Princess’s request for an imperial marriage decree?” Shen Xihe set Duanming on the stone table, gently stroking its fine fur.
Bu Shulin’s scandal involving a preference for men had stirred quite a storm, and Cui Jinbai had never denied it, seemingly tacitly acknowledging their relationship. As someone favored by His Majesty, Cui Jinbai was inevitably questioned by the emperor. The fact that His Majesty did not forcibly bestow the Third Princess in marriage must mean Cui Jinbai’s response convinced him of the situation.
Under these circumstances, Yangling Princess’s request to marry Bu Shulin, especially at this juncture, would naturally lead anyone to assume she was trying to evade the political marriage.
“If His Majesty does not grant the marriage now, it would indicate he is likely to send Yangling Princess for the political marriage,” Shen Xihe wondered why the Youning Emperor had not immediately acquiesced to Yangling Princess’s wish, given that it was her own desire.
“Tomorrow, I will visit the Eastern Palace.” If she couldn’t figure it out, she would seek someone who understood the emperor to ask.
Coincidentally, it was time for Xiao Huayong’s acupuncture treatment. After the procedure, Shen Xihe went straight to the point: “What are His Majesty’s thoughts on the political marriage?”
“Why is Youyou suddenly concerned about the political marriage?” This matter had nothing to do with Shen Xihe, and though it had been several days, she had shown no interest before. “Is it related to Yangling?”
Shen Xihe did not want him involved in Yangling’s affairs, so he had refrained from investigating or pondering it."I just find this matter somewhat peculiar." It wasn't entirely because of Yangling Princess's situation, Shen Xihe said, "With two months still remaining until spring, the news of a marriage alliance has already spread. Isn't Your Majesty concerned about unsettling the officials?"
"His Majesty will not agree to a marriage alliance," Xiao Huayong said quietly.
"No marriage alliance?" Shen Xihe was somewhat surprised.
"No marriage alliance," Xiao Huayong affirmed, a trace of admiration in his eyes. "If I were to become sovereign one day, I would also refuse marriage alliances. No tribute, no concessions, no territorial division, no marriage alliances!"
Shen Xihe's mind reeled. This dynasty had seen many marriage alliances—even during the early years of the current emperor's reign, princesses had been sent. She had never imagined this was the Youning Emperor's true stance.
"So His Majesty released this news hoping someone among the officials would step forward to propose rejecting the marriage alliance?" Shen Xihe understood now—she grasped the Youning Emperor's intention.
To many, marriage alliances were a matter of course. They held little emotional weight, even if it meant sending their own daughters.
Like her, the court officials probably never considered that His Majesty was unwilling to agree to a marriage alliance.
"I fear no one would dare speak up," Shen Xihe sighed softly.
While she admired the Youning Emperor for this, the civil and military officials viewed marriage alliances as Tibet coming from afar to seek a union. Since Tibet was a vassal state, marrying off one daughter could prevent a war. They would never risk plunging both peoples into the suffering of conflict over a single woman. Anyone who proposed otherwise would surely face collective outrage—it would be seen as disregarding the greater good.
"It's because they've long forgotten what backbone and pride mean!" Xiao Huayong laughed scornfully. "They pay lip service to peaceful coexistence, claiming we shouldn't let personal interests displace commoners, yet they exploit the people locally and manipulate power in the capital to silence the vulnerable."
"It's simply because their interests aren't threatened. Once they are, they show their true colors."
After a moment of silence, Shen Xihe said, "Actually, we can't entirely blame them. Without national strength, no ruler would dare make such a decision lightly. Not everyone values integrity or pride—perhaps living, living comfortably, is all they seek."
If war broke out, victory would make him an unparalleled ruler, but defeat would condemn him to eternal infamy.
"I always thought His Majesty valued reputation above all else," Shen Xihe suddenly felt she might not fully understand the Youning Emperor.
"As I said earlier, it's merely because his interests weren't at stake." While Xiao Huayong admired the Youning Emperor's resolve, he understood its origin. "Do you know about Princess Runan's marriage alliance nineteen years ago?"
"Princess Runan passed away six years ago." She was the only princess sent into a marriage alliance since the emperor's accession. Her death without a son to inherit the throne, combined with Tibet's recent internal stability, had reignited their interest in a new alliance.
"Princess Runan was Duchess Su's cousin—the love of His Majesty's life." Xiao Huayong revealed this staggering secret to Shen Xihe in a calm tone.
Shen Xihe was astounded.
"Originally, His Majesty wished to marry her, but circumstances forced him to wed my mother instead. This caused him and Princess Runan to miss their chance. After His Majesty ascended the throne, he thought he could finally fulfill his wish." Xiao Huayong gave a low chuckle. "But he overestimated imperial power and underestimated those who had supported him."Back in those days, the turmoil shook the heavens and earth, and Your Majesty nearly lost the throne that had just been ascended. It was only when the Princess of Runan stepped forward voluntarily, offering to marry for political alliance, that Your Majesty's reign was preserved.
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