"Father met with the Crown Prince in the palace." Shen Yueshan changed the subject, hesitating for a long moment before whispering, "Youyou, tell me truthfully—you aren't just taken with the Crown Prince's appearance, are you?"
Shen Yueshan had only seen Xiao Huayong when he was very young. His impression was that the boy was somewhat handsome, but seeing him today—especially among the princes, each with their own distinct charms—he actually stood out with his striking looks.
"If I were so shallow as to judge by appearance, I'd have started by disliking you and Brother long ago," Shen Xihe retorted impatiently.
Shen Yueshan: ???
The Northwest King suddenly grew agitated. What was wrong with his looks? He and his son were real men! Those delicate, powder-faced youths in the capital—what difference was there between them and young maidens?
"You... you... you actually said I'm... I'm ugly?" Shen Yueshan stammered, his tongue tripping over itself in anger.
"Father, do you think you're handsome?" Shen Xihe countered.
"Huff, huff!" Shen Yueshan planted his hands on his hips and took two deep breaths to calm himself. "What I have is rugged masculinity! A real man doesn't need beauty! I must have been out of my mind to send you to the capital. These capital youths—all slick-haired and powdered, they'd topple over in a strong wind! And the Crown Prince is especially frail, with those slender arms and legs. I'm afraid one slap from me would be enough to commit regicide!"
"Father, you may be mighty and strong, but he is also highly skilled in martial arts," Shen Xihe said fairly.
That did it—it lit the fuse in Shen Yueshan's mind. "You... you're already... defending him!"
If she was defending him now, what would happen after she married him? Would she even remember her old father then?
Shen Yueshan was so angry he could barely form words, looking as if he might faint at any moment. Shen Xihe didn't know whether to laugh or cry as she pulled him down to sit and patted his back to soothe him. "Alright, alright, it was my fault for misspeaking. I'm not taken with his looks. I've already explained all the reasons to Brother, and I'm sure he's passed them on to you."
"Youyou, do you know what kind of path you've chosen?" When it came to serious matters, Shen Yueshan composed himself.
"Father, I've chosen a path I won't regret," Shen Xihe said with unwavering determination in her eyes.
It might not be the best path, nor the smoothest, but she was convinced she would have no regrets.
All of Shen Yueshan's arguments died in his throat. He finally understood the helpless frustration his son had conveyed when recounting this conversation. He disliked using youth and inexperience to dismiss his children's choices. Since she could declare so firmly that she would have no regrets, he found himself unable to voice any objections.
"Youyou, Father believes in you," Shen Yueshan could only offer this comfort.
If he insisted on opposing her, he could probably change her mind—but he couldn't guarantee that his choice would be better. If she ended up unhappy, he would blame himself for life.
This way, if she made this choice herself and later found unhappiness, her father and brother would always be there with open arms to protect her, so she would never feel she had nothing left.
"Father is the best." Shen Xihe's eyes curved in a smile.
Shen Yueshan snorted twice. "Your father believes in you, but not in him. These next few days, I'll keep a close eye on him for you."
Shen Xihe stifled a laugh without responding. With her father's critical standards, even if Xiao Huayong were perfect, he'd still find countless flaws.
But it didn't matter. She wasn't counting on Xiao Huayong for her happiness. If he turned out well, it would be a bonus; if not, she had no strong feelings about it either.
As dusk settled, Shen Yueshan knew he shouldn't linger too long in his daughter's bedchamber. "Rest early. Tomorrow we'll go see your maternal grandfather together."How could a son-in-law visit without coming to the door? Though Shen Yueshan was a rough man, he understood basic etiquette.
Tao Zhuanxian seemed to know Shen Yueshan would bring Shen Xihe today, even personally answering the door. However, his smiling face vanished the moment he saw Shen Yueshan, only to brighten again when Shen Xihe emerged from behind her father’s broad frame.
Shen Yueshan was long accustomed to his father-in-law’s disdain. What was there to be proud of? Soon enough, he’d be the one putting on airs as a father-in-law himself!
"Brother-in-law, with your busy schedule, there was no need for a personal visit. You could’ve just sent Youyou to relay your message," Tao Yuan directly challenged.
"Youyou mustn’t be overworked. I’ve cherished her in my palms for fifteen years—naturally, I must guard her with utmost care," Shen Yueshan shot back without hesitation toward his brother-in-law.
Tao Yuan gritted his teeth. "And why mustn’t she be overworked? If not for certain people’s failure to protect her properly—"
"You’ve schemed in the capital all these years, yet in the end, didn’t it fall to Youyou to wield the blade and avenge her mother?" Shen Yueshan retorted.
"Speaking as if you were the one who exacted vengeance—how can you even say that with a straight face?" Tao Yuan’s expression turned scornful.
"I am Youyou’s father. I raised her. Her cleverness comes entirely from me," Shen Yueshan flashed a brilliant smile.
Shen Xihe stared in astonishment as her father and uncle traded verbal blows. She’d never seen her father so eloquent—this was truly an eye-opener!
"Two grown men, older combined than I am, squabbling like children—I’m embarrassed for both of you," Tao Zhuanxian interjected, chastising them equally.
Neither Tao Yuan nor Shen Yueshan dared rebut.
Suppressing laughter, Shen Xihe asked, "Grandfather, have you been well lately?"
"Very well," Tao Zhuanxian’s stern demeanor instantly melted into a wrinkled smile. "The scented bath you prepared—I soak in it daily, and my knees no longer ache."
Tao Zhuanxian, advanced in years, suffered severe knee rheumatism that flared painfully each winter. Shen Xihe had asked Xie Yunhuai to prepare the herbal scented bath.
"The scented coal you sent solved an urgent need for us," her aunt Zhang Shi added. "The charcoal we used before burned poorly with heavy smoke—too distant and it gave no warmth, too close and it choked us. The scented coal is fragrant, long-lasting—your cousin, who never studied in winters past, now willingly spends time in the study."
"The scented sachet you made me is invigorating. Carrying it daily keeps me energetic, and I handle affairs with much more clarity and efficiency," Tao Yuan couldn’t resist adding competitively.
Shen Yueshan struggled to maintain his composure and smile.
When several cousins chimed in with their own praises, Shen Xihe would’ve taken them as sincere gratitude—if not for their unmistakably boastful tones.
Noticing Shen Yueshan’s strained smile, Shen Xihe quickly intervened: "Grandfather, what delicacies have you prepared for me? Today, I’d like to cook a dish to accompany your drinks—for you and Father."
"Absolutely not!" Shen Yueshan, Tao Zhuanxian, and Tao Yuan exclaimed in unison.
The three men exchanged glances sharp enough to shoot daggers.
Shen Yueshan: Youyou is my daughter—she should cook only for me. Why should these outsiders benefit?
Tao Zhuanxian and Tao Yuan: Shen Yueshan is just an eyesore. Youyou shouldn’t toil in winter’s cold. Once spring warms and he’s gone, only we father and son will enjoy her handmade dishes!
As for who gets more later—that would be a contest of wits between them."How could we let Youyou do rough work." Zhang Shi stepped forward and took Shen Xihe's hand, "The men have matters to discuss, let's go share some intimate words among ourselves."
The three men could only watch helplessly as their beloved was led away.
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