"Is the Princess going to Linchuan?"
The next day was when Xie Yunhuai came for Shen Xihe's follow-up examination. News of Shen Xihe's trip to Linchuan was already known both inside and outside the palace.
"Yes, my cousin is getting married." Shen Xihe wore no makeup today, her naturally relaxed brows giving her a casual, carefree air.
"The Princess seems very happy." Xie Yunhuai could sense her joy.
Shen Xihe gently lowered her eyes, her expression soft and her gaze clear: "My uncle and aunt treat me like their own daughter, and my cousin and I are as close as real siblings."
The days spent at her uncle's home were some of her happiest and most relaxed times. In the northwest, she was indeed pampered and cherished, and her father and brother tried their best to make time for her. But at her uncle's home in Linchuan, she had her aunt, her third cousin, her younger cousin, and her youngest cousin keeping her company.
Every day was lively and bustling. Even though she couldn't overexert herself, her cousins—naturally lively young men—would set aside their friends to spend time with her every day, happily running errands at her request.
This kind of pure, sweet smile was rare on her face. Xie Yunhuai remarked, "The Princess must really like Linchuan."
After careful thought, Shen Xihe gently shook her head: "Apart from the northwest, no place is particularly different to me. What makes a place special is the people."
She liked it there because of the people she cared about.
"The Princess's health has recovered very well. You should be able to take the Bone Shedding Pill about six more times. After finishing it, you must not abruptly stop taking nourishing supplements. I have prepared some nourishing pills for you to take along. Once you finish the Bone Shedding Pill, start taking these—one pill every two days. You still need to take the decoction as well, for which I have already prepared a new prescription."
Xie Yunhuai brought forward a medicine case, opened it, and explained each item to Shen Xihe: "Here are some hemostatic medicine, healing medicine, and medicine for acclimatization issues."
He paused, pointing to two emerald-green bottles: "These contain poison. This bottle is a potent toxin—ingesting it causes immediate death. This one takes two days for the poison to take effect."
Shen Xihe was touched. She had only requested permission to leave the capital from the palace yesterday, and Xie Yunhuai could have received the news at the earliest in the afternoon. He must have prepared these overnight. "Thank you, Doctor Qi."
Xie Yunhuai tidied his medicine case: "I look forward to the Princess bringing me some local specialties from Linchuan upon your return."
"Certainly." Shen Xihe promised with a smile, then added, "Doctor Qi, please be careful while in the capital."
"My matters with the Duke's estate have long needed resolution. The Princess need not worry about me." Xie Yunhuai picked up his medicine case. "The Princess should also take care."
"Would Doctor Qi stay for a farewell meal at the manor today?" Shen Xihe asked with a smile.
"I prefer welcome-back feasts. When the Princess returns, I will host one for you." Xie Yunhuai politely declined.
Shen Xihe did not press further and personally saw him off.
Not long after, the people sent by the Youning Emperor arrived. Shen Xihe was utterly surprised that the Emperor had grandly assigned fifty guards to escort her, but otherwise did not interfere further.
Shen Xihe prepared some congratulatory gifts. Her eldest uncle, Tao Yuan, had taken her eldest and second cousins to Linchuan half a month earlier to help with the wedding preparations.Initially thinking Xiao Huayong would at least send someone or arrange something, Shen Xihe found no one from the Eastern Palace by the time they departed the next day. She felt neither displeased nor disappointed, but Hongyu, who had been eagerly anticipating the Crown Prince's gesture, grew visibly sullen as the carriage left the city. Shen Xihe couldn't help shaking her head at the sight.
After half a day's journey beyond the capital, Duanming, who had been dozing, suddenly meowed. Shen Xihe lifted the carriage curtain but detected nothing unusual. Yet Duanming grew increasingly restless, trying to bolt outside until Shen Xihe restrained her. Suddenly, a large shadow swept past the corner of her vision. When she looked again, she saw Haidongqing's disappearing figure.
"Enough with the long face. Your Crown Prince has arrived," Shen Xihe remarked to Hongyu.
Hongyu paled and dropped to her knees with a thud. "Your Highness, you mustn't frighten your servant like this! How could the Crown Prince ever belong to me? I merely thought... given his usual attentiveness, and even Doctor Qi preparing gifts for your departure, yet the Crown Prince remained indifferent—as if he didn't care for you at all."
"When have I ever cared for him?" Shen Xihe never made unreasonable demands. Even if she did hold Xiao Huayong in regard, she wouldn't expect him to reciprocate in every matter.
Hongyu's heart ached for her mistress—her lady was perfection itself, if only she weren't so relentlessly clear-sighted.
Upon arriving at the relay station, as Shen Xihe descended from the carriage, a hand extended to assist her. The hand was slender and pale, with strong knuckles, most notably with two fingernails cut unusually short—clearly not Zhang Qi's work.
Shen Xihe paused. Though she never accepted help from outsiders, she placed her hand in the offered one. As she stepped down, she felt the arm beneath her hand tense firmly, as if bracing to steady her.
"What is your name?" she asked after dismounting, withdrawing her hand.
Xiao Huayong had intentionally revealed his nails for her recognition. "This humble officer is Teng Jing, Captain of the Imperial Guards."
"Come to my room later. I have instructions for you," Shen Xihe ordered casually, then clasped her hands before her chest and walked away.
"As you command," Xiao Huayong replied softly.
After a simple evening meal at the station, Shen Xihe retired to her assigned room. The guards accompanying her had no such quarters and camped outside.
Shortly after she settled, Xiao Huayong arrived. She rose to bow, but he stopped her first. "No formalities, Youyou. No one knows I'm here."
Shen Xihe didn't insist, though Zhenzhu and the others promptly bowed. Xiao Huayong waved them off and handed Shen Xihe a box. "Your journey holds dangers, Youyou. Though I wish you wouldn't go, I won't force you. Teng Jing is trustworthy. Keep this—it may save your life in peril, or... if you miss me, you can use it to send word."
He gazed at her with barely concealed expectation.
Shen Xihe opened the box. As she'd guessed, it contained a white jade-like whistle—though not carved from jade but bone, with grain patterns she couldn't identify.
"What if I refuse it, Your Highness?" Shen Xihe truly had no wish to accept it."If Youyou does not wish Haidongqing to escort her, yet I remain uneasy, then I have no choice but to stay by her side as her personal guard." He deliberately leaned in, whispering the last four words softly by her ear in a voice only the two of them could hear.
"Your Highness is not the same as before today—you must not act willfully again," Shen Xihe frowned.
"If Youyou commands it, I will naturally obey. But Youyou must also set my heart at ease," Xiao Huayong replied, his eyes crinkling with a smile.
OpenNovel