So, the fundamental reason Your Majesty advocates war over marriage alliance is because his beloved was once forced to become a peace-marriage princess?
"How does Your Highness know of these past events?" Nineteen years ago, the person before her had just been born and was still in swaddling clothes.
"If there is something I wish to know, even if it occurred twenty-nine years ago, I can uncover it." Xiao Huayong gracefully rolled up his sleeve and refilled Shen Xihe's teacup. "If Youyou ever has any doubts in the future, feel free to ask me. I am willing to become your encyclopedia."
Shen Xihe had grown accustomed to Xiao Huayong's attentiveness. She offered a polite smile: "Is there anything in this world Your Highness doesn't know? Is there anything Your Highness cannot accomplish?"
Xiao Huayong had been about to sip his tea when her words made him pause with the cup at his lips. His gaze softened, sparkling with emotion, his eyes carrying affection: "Your heart, Youyou - that I do not know. To win Youyou's heart - that I cannot achieve."
Shen Xihe was momentarily taken aback, then her smile deepened slightly: "Youyou has no heart to give."
"No matter." Xiao Huayong seemed to have anticipated her response, maintaining his gentle smile. "I have enough heart for both of us. Two people sharing one heart, united in purpose - that is as it should be."
Shaking her head helplessly, Shen Xihe stopped trying to dissuade him from flirting with her at every opportunity. She believed once he understood her heart was as immovable as stone, he would retreat: "Thank you for enlightening me today, Your Highness."
Xiao Huayong had revealed Youning Emperor's true intentions. Since the Emperor had no desire for marriage alliances, he naturally wouldn't marry his daughter to someone he suspected might prefer men. Therefore, she needn't rush to deal with Yangling.
Compared to the pawn that was Yangling, she was more interested in discovering who was pulling the strings behind the scenes.
After leaving the Eastern Palace, Shen Xihe didn't immediately return to the Princess Manor. Instead, she went to inspect the Doujin Silver Tower that Bu Shulin had mentioned.
This was one of the capital's largest silver establishments, though its backer remained unknown for now. The proprietor was a wealthy merchant from Luoyang, quite adept at social climbing.
The dazzling array of gold, silver, and jade artifacts glittered brilliantly, captivating the eye.
The attendants at Doujin Silver Tower were all burly men, and it was said they had specially hired security escorts.
"This way, madam. What might you be looking for today?" A clever saleswoman came forward to attend to the female customer, while male customers were served by salesmen - a quite proper arrangement.
Shen Xihe wore a veiled hat, accompanied only by Ziyu who rarely went out. The saleswoman could only judge Shen Xihe's wealth by her attire and bearing.
When she accidentally glimpsed the jade pendant weighing down Shen Xihe's skirt, her eyes lit up and she became more attentive: "Perhaps madam would like to see our inner collection? Those are superior pieces, while upstairs we keep our treasures."
Shen Xihe ignored her, so Ziyu spoke: "My lady prefers quiet."
"My apologies for chattering." The saleswoman smiled apologetically, then quietly followed behind Shen Xihe.
Shen Xihe casually browsed around, moving from the outer area to the inner chambers, then upstairs where she settled in a private reception room: "I've heard Doujin Silver Tower boasts unique craftsmanship and elegant aesthetics, but today's visit proves otherwise."
"Please don't be displeased, madam. I shall immediately have someone bring our distinctive pieces." The proprietor, having received word, approached with a smiling face.
Shen Xihe gave a faint acknowledgment. Her haughty attitude didn't anger the proprietor but instead made him more enthusiastic, largely because the jade pendant hanging by her leg was carved from exceptional jade - a masterpiece by a renowned artisan, unparalleled in this world. That single jade pendant alone was worth half the silver tower.The shopkeeper presented mostly jade ornaments, with white jade predominating. It had to be said the proprietor was quite adept at discerning people's preferences.
The jade hairpins gleamed with a delicate luster, elegant yet luxurious. The buyao hair ornaments were intricately woven with pearls, their gold branches trembling alongside the jade beads.
Shen Xihe picked up several pieces using a silk cloth as a barrier, examining them carefully before selecting a pair of buyao. These were made of straight white jade rods that tapered from thick to thin. The thicker ends had three slender gold pendants suspended by gold threads, each ending in a jade bead with a tiny white jade peace buckle at the very bottom.
This single pair of buyao was priced at ten gold pieces. Shen Xihe purchased them without batting an eye.
"My lady, how can these possibly be worth ten gold?" Ziyu felt the Doujin Silver Tower was taking advantage of their wealthy appearance to demand exorbitant prices.
"This is an artifact from a century ago. How could it not be worth ten gold?" Shen Xihe held the buyao, lowering her head to examine it closely.
"From a century ago?" Ziyu hadn't yet grasped the implication.
"Some prodigal son must have squandered their family heirloom." Shen Xihe smiled faintly. Zhenzhu sighed softly: "These are burial objects."
"What?" Ziyu exclaimed in alarm. "My lady, items from tombs are inauspicious! You shouldn't keep holding them!"
"Auspicious or not depends on whether one can withstand their energy." Instead of discarding them, Shen Xihe inserted them into her hair bun - one on each side, perfectly symmetrical. The fingernail-sized peace buckles hung just beside her earlobes. "Do they look nice?"
"My lady looks beautiful no matter what she wears." Zhenzhu's praise wasn't mere flattery - she genuinely believed so.
Shen Xihe removed them and placed them in her palm. "I originally thought only one or two ordinary items might have emerged from tombs, and the silver tower might have been deceived into purchasing them due to their exquisite craftsmanship, though their origins might be questionable, hence the claim they were made by the tower's artisans."
But today she had seen numerous items that appeared to have been excavated from tombs. It wasn't that she could detect the cold fragrance from each one - they had all undergone special treatment, with only a few like the jade back comb Bu Shulin had given her retaining significant residue.
However, many objects didn't resemble popular styles from the current dynasty. Due to her research on incense formulas, Shen Xihe had extensively studied the preferences of women from previous dynasties, so she had incidentally examined these. One or two pieces could be explained as family heirlooms acquired from pawnshops.
But so many, each a treasure, warranted deeper consideration.
"Mo Yuan, investigate the identity of Doujin Silver Tower's owner and their close associates." Shen Xihe felt this matter wasn't simple.
Someone was extensively excavating tombs, amassing wealth by melting down gold and silver for recasting, while scattering jewelry to various locations for sale - truly a highly profitable venture.
But who would dare do such things? Were their tomb-raiding skills so exceptional that no one had discovered it yet? Or had someone suppressed the information?
Were they accumulating such vast amounts of gold, silver, and jewels merely for wealth?
Shen Xihe's attention became completely absorbed by Doujin Silver Tower, causing her to set aside the matter of Yangling Princess. After several days, Bu Shulin came rushing over anxiously: "Youyou, you said you'd help me resolve this matter. How exactly do you plan to do it? Yangling Princess has been trying every possible way to intercept me these past few days."
Since Yangling Princess publicly requested an imperial marriage decree, she had persistently pursued Bu Shulin, seizing every opportunity to send her food, pouches, and clothing accessories. If not for consideration of her status as a princess, Bu Shulin would have loved to lure her to a secluded spot and give her a sound beating!"Why are you so anxious?" Shen Xihe remained unhurried as she put the finishing touches on the dress promised to Bu Shulin.
"If I don't hurry, His Majesty might actually arrange another marriage next time!" Bu Shulin clutched her head, restless with agitation.
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