The Fine-leaf Jade Flower was mentioned during that day's discussion about the Crown Prince's condition. He had carelessly revealed that although the Crown Prince often faked coughing, his lungs were actually in poor condition—one of the organs most severely damaged by poison.
The Fine-leaf Jade Flower could both detoxify and moisten the lungs, making it highly beneficial for the Crown Prince. However, this flower was extremely rare, and its blossoms lasted only a moment, making them difficult to gather. If picked before fully blooming, its efficacy would sharply decline; the same applied if it had begun to wither. Mastering the precise timing was challenging.
No one in this world understood the nature of flowers better than Shen Xihe—not even the Crown Prince could match her expertise. The Eastern Palace housed many exotic plants, but it was evident that foliage predominated. Moreover, now that the Crown Prince had undergone his capping ceremony, he could no longer remain secluded in the Eastern Palace as before.
Many affairs, even those the Crown Prince clearly lacked the energy or capacity to handle, still had to pass through his awareness—this was the rule. Otherwise, the censors would be watching, and no one dared act on their own authority.
This meant Xiao Huayong had to meet daily with officials responsible for various matters. Since the Crown Prince could not easily leave the palace, Shen Xihe did not instruct Sui Axi to inform him about this matter.
Sui Axi knew of this flower but had never encountered it. Besides, he entered the palace every few days to treat the Crown Prince’s eyes. Recently, the Crown Prince’s vision had improved slightly—he still saw colors distorted, but his clarity had increased.
Two days later, as expected, the Youning Emperor issued a secret decree ordering Bu Shulin to leave the capital and investigate the tomb robbery case. Officially, she was ill and had received the Emperor’s grace to recuperate at the Bu residence. Court physicians, following the Emperor’s instructions, would make daily perfunctory visits.
Shen Xihe waited until Bu Shulin had been away from the capital for three days before entering the palace. This time, she did not first pay respects to the Empress Dowager but instead requested an audience with the Emperor. Upon hearing of Shen Xihe’s request, the Youning Emperor’s eyelid twitched.
This girl had caused no trouble only on the second day after her arrival in the capital when she came to pay respects. Every subsequent audience request had brought nothing but complications.
“What difficulty has Zhaoning encountered today?” the Youning Emperor asked directly.
“Your Majesty, Zhaoning wishes to request permission to travel to Linchuan. My cousin is getting married there. During my time in Linchuan, he saved my life, and I promised to personally attend his ceremony,” Shen Xihe replied unhurriedly.
This was not an excuse. Her second cousin’s wedding had been scheduled since last year. While staying with her maternal uncle in Linchuan, Shen Xihe had indeed promised to remain for the ceremony. However, the Youning Emperor’s sudden decree had forced her to return to the capital.
The Youning Emperor frowned. “The journey to Linchuan would take half a month even with unimpeded travel. A round trip would require at least a month. Your hair-pinning ceremony is before the New Year, and I promised your father to hold a grand celebration in the capital.”
“Zhaoning thanks Your Majesty for your affection. My hair-pinning ceremony is still a month and a half away. I will surely return within a month,” Shen Xihe insisted, her tone resolute.
“Zhaoning, winter has arrived—bitter cold and snow. Your health is frail. I will send a eunuch to Linchuan with your gifts and bestow honors upon the newlyweds in your name, stating that you pleaded for these favors,” the Youning Emperor said, unwilling to let Shen Xihe leave the capital, especially at this juncture.
“Your Majesty’s grace is the highest honor. However, my personal attendance is to fulfill a promise. I do not wish to be seen as untrustworthy,” Shen Xihe persisted. “If Your Majesty forbids it, I will have no choice but to sneak away.”
“You—” The Youning Emperor was both angered and amused by her brazen declaration.But if she really did sneak away, he truly had no way to stop her. She hadn't come to the capital as a hostage—though that was essentially the case, it wasn't explicitly stated. She was a free person, unlike Bu Shulin who held an official position and could be charged with dereliction of duty if she fled.
"Are you truly determined to go?" the Youning Emperor asked gravely.
Shen Xihe nodded firmly. "I must go."
"Is it absolutely necessary?" the Emperor pressed again.
"Absolutely necessary," Shen Xihe affirmed without hesitation.
The Youning Emperor studied her for a long moment. Seeing her unwavering resolve and fearing she might indeed slip away, he finally sighed softly. "Very well, I grant you permission. However, the guards accompanying you will be arranged by me."
"Zhaoning thanks Your Majesty." Shen Xihe responded with unrestrained joy.
The Youning Emperor genuinely felt he had shown Shen Xihe more leniency than even his own biological daughters.
It wasn't that he particularly liked Shen Xihe, but her temperament truly gave him headaches—he couldn't be too harsh nor too gentle with her. The sooner she came of age and married someone off, the better.
With this thought, the Emperor said, "Zhaoning, when you came to the capital, your father entrusted me with your marriage arrangements, asking me to find you a good match. Is there any young man you fancy? After your coming-of-age ceremony, I shall bestow upon you an imperial marriage."
Shen Xihe recalled how the young ladies in the northwest used to behave around her brother and mimicked their bashful demeanor: "Father said Your Majesty's sons are all talented and handsome. He told me that as the most precious young lady, I should marry the most noble man. Zhaoning admires the Crown Prince and wishes to marry him."
Though she wore an expression of shyness, Shen Xihe felt extremely awkward both physically and mentally. At this moment, she couldn't help but admire Xiao Huayong's ability to naturally embody any role he played.
Since arriving in the capital, Shen Xihe had never shown a smiling face to any other prince, yet she frequently visited the Eastern Palace. Not only the Youning Emperor but all civil and military officials could see that Shen Xihe was pursuing Xiao Huayong.
Though this was the expected answer, the Youning Emperor's face remained impassive. "The Crown Prince is indeed exceptional, Zhaoning. But do you know about His Highness's physical condition? Why would you fancy the Crown Prince?"
"To be frank with Your Majesty," Shen Xihe lowered her voice, "Zhaoning is drawn to the Crown Prince precisely because of his frail health."
"Oh?" The Youning Emperor showed slight surprise at her blunt honesty.
"It's sympathy between kindred spirits," Shen Xihe's tone carried a hint of sorrow. "Zhaoning is also physically weak and was told I wouldn't live past twenty. I understand the Crown Prince's inner helplessness and resignation to fate. The Prince and I are perhaps destined for each other. In our remaining time, we can share our lives—I need not avoid mentioning his health concerns, nor does he need to worry about my future."
"Perhaps... though the Crown Prince and I weren't born on the same day, we may depart this world together. When future generations speak of us centuries from now, ours might become an eternal love story."
Two equally short-lived individuals, carving their path through the treacherous currents of imperial power struggles, ultimately reaching the pinnacle of authority—wouldn't that indeed make for an eternal legend?
The Youning Emperor didn't know what Shen Xihe was truly thinking, but her words sounded sincere and heartfelt.
So it turned out she had chosen Xiao Huayong from the beginning out of shared suffering. The Emperor naturally knew about her rescue of the Lie Prince in Changsha Commandery.
From this incident, the Emperor had discerned that Shen Yueshan hoped Shen Xihe would marry the Lie Prince, but this girl had her own preferences.In that case, it was not Shen Yueshan's choice, but the girl's own decision.
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