Sui Axi remained silent. While the fireplace warmed the entire room, it also dried out the moisture. For ordinary people, this might simply require drinking a few extra cups of warm water to compensate, but for Xiao Huayong, it was different—it greatly harmed his lungs.
"Your Highness need not be like this. Since I brought it, I naturally intend to gift it to you." Shen Xihe didn't know what expression to wear in response to these people acting as if she would take it back.
Xiao Huayong also realized he had reacted too hastily and couldn't help but laugh.
Truthfully, he didn't know why it was so. Since childhood, his manners and conduct had been outstanding—neither rigid nor unnatural but always appropriate. Yet in front of Shen Xihe, these qualities he thought were ingrained in his bones seemed easily forgotten, and his emotions became difficult to control.
"Tianyuan, extinguish the fireplace and light the scented coal brought by the Junzhu," Xiao Huayong eagerly instructed.
Tianyuan acknowledged and left. Only then did Xiao Huayong say, "Regarding the matter in Henan Prefecture, the Junzhu's wisdom is remarkable."
This was no empty flattery—Xiao Huayong genuinely marveled at how Shen Xihe had managed to conceive such a method.
"I also owe thanks to Your Highness's assistance," Shen Xihe modestly replied.
"Even without me, Youyou would have achieved her wish," Xiao Huayong chuckled softly and shook his head. "How did the Junzhu come up with such a plan?"
And in such a short time, no less.
"It began when I went to see Yu Zao," Shen Xihe recounted the events roughly. "At that time, he remained tight-lipped, determined to bear the blame alone. Although I couldn't exonerate the Yu family, why wouldn't he resent his co-conspirators, who clearly benefited more? Human nature is selfish—at the brink of life and death, even the closest bonds can't make one calmly accept bearing the burden alone."
Moreover, this was a crime punishable by the extermination of one's clan. Could Yu Zao be so magnanimous as not to implicate others? Could he truly feel no resentment or regret for his own kin who would suffer? Shen Xihe found it hard to believe.
That left only one possibility: he had no choice but to protect the other party. If he was going to die anyway, with his entire clan doomed, what could still threaten him?
After much thought, Shen Xihe speculated that by taking all the blame, he might receive an irresistible temptation from another person. What temptation could a condemned man, facing the extermination of his descendants, not refuse? It certainly wasn't material goods.
It could only be the continuation of his bloodline. He knew his crime couldn't save his relatives, but if he had another, unknown bloodline outside, unaffected by this turmoil, he would have no choice but to grit his teeth and confess.
"So I boldly guessed that if this were true, how could I make him abandon that bloodline?" The only way was with a greater benefit—such as sparing the Yu family from extermination. After a pause, Shen Xihe added, "Additionally, I dislike the practice of executing entire clans."
She didn't believe those implicated were entirely innocent, but she also disliked such widespread bloody punishments.
"Youyou, exterminating a clan isn't necessarily driven by bloodlust," Xiao Huayong said softly.
"I know," Shen Xihe nodded. "Deterrence is the primary goal. For some severe crimes, like grave robbing, if the clan isn't exterminated, people may not take it as a warning, and it may fail to quell the public's outrage."
The secondary reason, of course, was to eliminate the roots of future trouble; otherwise, endless cycles of vengeance would ensue.
At times, brutality is the root of preventing further disasters and evils from recurring. Shen Xihe understood this. She understood, and she might even employ such methods herself in the future—but that didn't conflict with her personal distaste for them.In this world, everyone has things they dislike yet must comply with—otherwise, there would be no such concept as helplessness.
Understanding Shen Xihe's meaning, Xiao Huayong lowered his gaze in contemplation for a moment before looking up and solemnly saying to her, "In the future, I will reduce bloodshed and practice more benevolence."
Not every situation requires brutality to intimidate; sometimes, kindness can move hearts. Those who can be moved deserve more opportunities.
Xiao Huayong had never possessed a compassionate heart. As the Crown Prince, he embodied imperial ruthlessness—achieving goals swiftly, decisively, and precisely without wasting effort unnecessarily.
But if Shen Xihe disliked it, he was willing to change himself.
Shen Xihe was slightly taken aback and softly replied, "Your Highness, you need not do this."
"Youyou, we are to spend our lives together." Xiao Huayong's eyes shimmered with laughter. The scented coal burned nearby, the brazier's crimson glow casting a warmth on his face like sunlight melting snowy peaks. "I only wish for you to feel at ease and joyful by my side every day. If anything about me causes discomfort or displeasure, I hope you will speak frankly—just as I will do the same."
The closest yet most distant of relationships are husband and wife. Two strangers with no inherent ties, brought together by fate and blessed to share their lives. Whether they become intimate or estranged depends, in Xiao Huayong's view, on whether two people with two hearts can tolerate and accommodate one another.
As the scented coal burned gently, its fragrance permeated the air, lingering in their breaths. Shen Xihe found herself momentarily lost in thought.
Xiao Huayong's words surpassed her understanding of marriage. Only parents, out of love, would correct their children's faults.
Yet what he described differed from parent-child dynamics. Children respect their parents, often tolerating their parents' flaws, while parents cherish their children, guiding and bearing with their mistakes—none of this exists on equal footing.
The marital relationship Xiao Huayong spoke of involved frankness, treating each other as the closest bond she could scarcely imagine.
"Why change oneself for others?" Shen Xihe wondered.
She had always lived true to herself. Grateful and socially aware, she refused to engage in hollow pleasantries. She treated others well but would not alter her nature for anyone.
Xiao Huayong smiled without answering. When someone enters your heart, becoming more precious than your own life, changing for them becomes natural.
Now was not the time to discuss this with Shen Xihe. She would understand in time—he would make sure of it.
Shen Xihe stayed at the Eastern Palace for only half an hour before leaving. Before departing, she visited Yangling Princess's chambers again. The princess's quarters were equally warm. Shen Xihe entered without announcement, as Zhenzhu and Ziyu pushed aside the palace maids, allowing her to stride in openly.
Yangling Princess, who had been chatting and laughing with her maid, turned pale at the sight of Shen Xihe. With her hands tucked inside a rabbit-fur hand warmer, Shen Xihe slowly approached. Watching the princess shrink back in fear, she pressed a hand on her shoulder.
Yangling Princess's maid dared not scold Shen Xihe but instead dashed out to seek reinforcements. Shen Xihe did not order Zhenzhu or the others to stop her.
Instead, she circled behind Yangling Princess and whispered by her ear, "Princess, enjoy your final days of nobility while you can."
Terrified, Yangling Princess's legs gave way. She gripped a nearby table to avoid collapsing. Since learning of Changling Princess's gruesome death, her fear of Shen Xihe had been carved into her bones.Shen Xihe let out a contemptuous chuckle, his cloak sweeping up a shimmering radiance as he turned and drifted away.
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