The vast heavens and earth, the distant mountains and rivers—his infatuated gaze seemed to traverse the seas and mountains, finally settling upon Shen Xihe.
Never before had his heart felt so full and fervent. He wished he could sprout wings and soar toward her.
He didn't even notice when Sui Axi left. Like a wandering spirit, he drifted to the window, his gaze leaping over the glazed-tile eaves to the endless sky, his thoughts drifting far, far away.
He had thought her journey served only two purposes: to congratulate her elder brother on his marriage and to offer protection to Bu Shulin. Little did he know she had also traveled thousands of miles for him, enduring cold nights and lonely vigils, all for the fleeting bloom of the Jade Flower.
"Fool..."
His murmur was soft and lingering, unclear whether he meant himself or her. The corners of his lips finally curved into an unstoppable smile, the joy in his eyes spilling out like flowing light, illuminating his handsome and elegant face. It was like a spring breeze sweeping past, bringing a burst of blooming flowers—a sight so infectious it could make anyone who saw it feel his happiness.
"Tianyuan, I must go to Liyang Commandery," Xiao Huayong declared, unable to conceal his delight.
Tianyuan opened his mouth to speak but, meeting the compelling light in Xiao Huayong's eyes, couldn't bear to dim such brilliance. "This subordinate will guard the Eastern Palace well."
Xiao Huayong, still smiling, patted his shoulder cheerfully, then took a few skipping steps backward before hurrying off to Chongwen Hall. By the time he arrived, his face was pale and he was gasping for breath, alarming the several ministers present.
"Your Highness, shall we summon the Chief Imperial Physician?" Cui Zheng asked with concern.
Before the Crown Prince's capping ceremony, they had rarely interacted with him and knew almost nothing about him. But since his capping, despite his frail health, he had come to Chongwen Hall every day without fail. He diligently reviewed all matters requiring his attention, always gentle and courteous, offering his own insights and humbly accepting any shortcomings pointed out to him.
In just half a month, they had come to appreciate the Crown Prince's sincerity, humility, and jade-like integrity—a model of virtuous conduct.
Whenever they encountered the Crown Prince, they couldn't help but soften their voices. His noble and upright presence gave them the illusion that raising their voices or arguing in front of him would be a desecration.
Seeing him pale yet still exuding a gentle, refined aura that seemed to embody all the softness and elegance of the world, they found themselves forgetting worldly cares in his presence.
"It's nothing. I've been feeling short of breath since this morning," Xiao Huayong replied weakly, waving a hand lightly and adjusting the cloak over his shoulders as he took his seat. "Let us proceed with the discussions."
Cui Zheng remained somewhat worried. Exchanging glances with the other ministers, he quickly summarized the key points of urgent matters. Even those who usually disagreed on policies refrained from heated arguments, fearing they might startle the Crown Prince or cause him to faint from agitation.
Despite their utmost care, Xiao Huayong suddenly struggled for breath, coughed violently, and fainted, plunging the hall into chaos. He was carried back to the Eastern Palace, where the Chief Imperial Physician diagnosed a recurrence of his old illness due to the winter cold.
When the Youning Emperor heard, he personally came to visit. Leaving the Eastern Palace, his expression was grave.
"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince is blessed and will surely pull through," Liu Sanzhi murmured softly.
The Youning Emperor halted abruptly, his eyes clouded with unshakable melancholy. "It is I who have failed him."
"Your Majesty, do not blame yourself," Liu Sanzhi consoled. "What happened back then was beyond your control."The Youning Emperor was now completely convinced that Xiao Huayong's poison remained unresolved, causing his extreme physical weakness.
The northern lands were cold and bleak, with snow already beginning to fall. Plum blossoms on the branches had formed buds, waiting only for a night of frost to bloom against the wind.
"Qilang... must be deeply enamored with Zhaoning," the Youning Emperor suddenly sighed. "What do you think? After spring arrives, shall I grant them my blessing?"
After all, they were connected by blood ties. He had called him Father for twenty years, yet he had never done anything for him. Over the years, he had been more obedient and quiet than any of his other sons, never causing him any headaches or difficulties. At the very end, he might as well grant him this one wish.
"Your Majesty's wise judgment always bestows fortunate matches," Liu Sanzhi dared not make decisions for the monarch.
The Youning Emperor turned and smiled, pointing playfully at him with his finger before striding toward the Hall of Bright Governance.
Night fell, the darkness silent and still,
devoid of stars or moon. Xiao Huayong arranged for a substitute and left the palace through the secret passage.
Galloping swiftly against the cold wind, the icy air brushed against his face. Though typically sensitive to cold, he felt no chill now—a fire burned relentlessly in his chest, filling his entire body with boundless energy.
Shen Xihe remained unaware that Xiao Huayong was rushing toward her. She had resumed her vigil over the Jade Flower, dozing briefly against Zhenzhu's shoulder, then napping against Moyu's shoulder. A night passed, yet the Jade Flower still had not bloomed.
After keeping watch for a full day and two nights, the leading guard captain sent by the Youning Emperor grew restless: "Your Highness, when shall we depart?"
"We depart when the flower blooms," Shen Xihe replied wearily. "If supplies are insufficient, I'll have Mo Yuan prepare more."
The place was remote, the nearest town a half-day's journey by carriage, though faster by horse. Fortunately, there was a village not far away, reachable by carriage in just half an hour. During the day, Shen Xihe rested and ate in a house vacated for her in the village, only returning to keep watch at night.
However, the numerous guards could not all be accommodated in the village and had to remain on watch at the site.
Shen Xihe returned to the village, washed, ate her morning meal, and lay down to rest. As she drifted in and out of sleep, Duanming let out a sharp cry. Shen Xihe's eyes snapped open, her first instinct to grab the scent satchel beside her and cover her nose.
There was knockout incense—and it was potent!
Shen Xihe threw on her clothes and hurried outside, only to see that Zhenzhu and Hongyu had clearly inhaled some of the fumes and were standing unsteadily. Soon, a group of burly men in coarse clothing, brandishing or carrying weapons, surrounded them.
"Brother, she's a real beauty!" one of them exclaimed upon seeing Shen Xihe, lust gleaming in their eyes. "Damn, one night with a beauty like her would be worth dying for!"
Shen Xihe shot them a cold glare and quickly moved to Zhenzhu and Hongyu's side, handing them the scented sachet from her waist.
Seeing the situation turn unfavorable, several of the burly men charged forward. Before they could get close to Shen Xihe, Moyu and Mo Yuan, hidden in the shadows, swept in from both sides. Their swords flashed coldly, crossing in front of Shen Xihe. The two men at the forefront had their throats slit, blood spraying as they collapsed instantly.
Apparently unaware that there were others lying in wait, the remaining men skidded to a halt upon witnessing their swift, lethal movements, then turned to flee. Moyu leaped into a somersault, soaring over their heads to land in front of them, blocking their escape.
"Get them!" the leader shouted, shoving one of his companions forward while trying to seize an opportunity to flee himself.Moyu swung his sword left and right, cutting down two men. He kicked the blade on the ground, sending it flying to embed directly into the doorpost where the leader had fled.
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