"This object is too precious, I dare not accept it. Please take it back, Guard Cao." Shen Xihe refused.
This was different from the usual gifts exchanged in ordinary interactions. Such a valuable item either represented substantial compensation or indicated a very close relationship. She had neither helped Xiao Huayong in any significant way, nor was their relationship intimate enough to warrant such a gift.
Her admiration upon seeing it was merely a normal reaction anyone would have when encountering rare and beautiful objects—it didn't stem from any greedy desire to possess it.
"His Highness said this is to express gratitude for Your Ladyship's efforts in traveling a thousand li to find the Jade Flower," Tianyuan maintained his smile, as if he had anticipated Shen Xihe's refusal.
"Searching for the Jade Flower was merely to repay His Highness for saving my life that day," Shen Xihe responded.
Tianyuan expressed slight surprise, "Didn't Your Ladyship have Physician A Xi treat His Highness's eyes to repay his assistance during the hunting grounds incident?"
"Yes..."
"Since that's the case, Your Ladyship has already repaid the debt from that day's assistance. The subsequent favor of finding the Jade Flower should mean His Highness now owes you. This weighs on His Highness's mind—he constantly wishes to repay Your Ladyship's great kindness. Having finally obtained this unique pearl, he eagerly sent it over."Tianyuan secretly admired his master's foresight—the Crown Prince had accurately predicted every one of the princess's reactions." If he had to argue with the princess himself, he would be completely outmatched: "If Your Ladyship doesn't accept it, His Highness will surely misunderstand and think this gift doesn't please you." He'll undoubtedly trouble himself searching for another."
Shen Xihe: ...
"Having A Xi treat His Highness's eyes and detoxify him, along with searching for the Jade Flower—both were to repay His Highness for saving me that day," Shen Xihe explained patiently.
"If that's the case, perhaps Your Ladyship should discuss this directly with His Highness. This humble subordinate cannot make decisions for him," Tianyuan replied respectfully.
He was right—Tianyuan was merely a subordinate. She shouldn't make things difficult for him: "Coincidentally, I planned to visit the palace today."
Tianyuan smiled, "This humble subordinate and His Highness will await Your Ladyship at the Eastern Palace."
After Tianyuan departed, Zhenzhu held the sandalwood box adorned with interlocking peony and flying bird patterns. Inside lay the golden pearl, awaiting Shen Xihe's instructions: "Your Ladyship, the pearl..."
"It seems we won't be able to return it," Shen Xihe murmured, her thumb gently stroking the pearl.
When it came to verbal sparring with Xiao Huayong, she knew she was no match. He always had countless reasons prepared.
"Find an equally valuable gift to present to the Crown Prince," Shen Xihe instructed after a moment's consideration.
"A return gift?" Zhenzhu sounded uncertain.
While exchanging gifts was basic etiquette, Zhenzhu worried that if the princess gave the Crown Prince a return gift, he might misinterpret it as romantic interest—like lovers exchanging tokens of affection...
"Let him think what he will. Henceforth, whenever he sends a gift—regardless of what it is—you will reciprocate with something of equivalent value," Shen Xihe smiled faintly. "He might deceive himself the first couple of times, but when it happens repeatedly, he'll find it tedious and eventually understand my true intentions.Zhenzhu's eyes lit up upon hearing this—the princess always had clever solutions.
When Shen Xihe turned around, she met Shen Yueshan's heavy gaze. Her father carried the scent of medicinal herbs she had prepared for him, so she had known of his arrival. She noticed him staring at the Northern Pearl as if his eyes could transform into daggers and pierce holes through it.
"Father, countless young men in the northwest have tried to curry favor with your daughter—I've never seen you this upset about them," Shen Xihe said helplessly.
"That's because you never paid them any attention. I merely found their antics amusing, like watching monkey performances," Shen Yueshan retorted. "Those rough fellows from the northwest aren't worthy of our Youyou."
Shen Xihe: ...The men of the Northwest are rough and unrefined, while those in the capital are slick and powdered—truly, they’ve all become the worthless men Father speaks of.
“The Crown Prince is different for you. He harbors wolfish ambitions, yet you still intend to marry him.” The last sentence was gritted out through clenched teeth.
Shen Xihe found it both amusing and exasperating. Her father’s demeanor now was an exact replica of her brother’s from a few months ago, making her unable to hold back a laugh. “Father, if that’s the case, why not just take Youyou back to the Northwest and never let her marry?”
Shen Yueshan was momentarily at a loss for words. It wouldn’t do to say he didn’t want his daughter to marry—even if she were willing, as her father and brother, they couldn’t bear to see her criticized by others. Yet, the thought of her marrying felt like having a piece of his heart carved out. How could he possibly show a friendly face to the one carving it?
A father’s heart—his Youyou didn’t understand.
“I just feel that you’re biased toward the Crown Prince, Youyou, and you still deny it!” Shen Yueshan was furious. His daughter never used to speak to him like this!
This misplaced anger left Shen Xihe helpless. Watching Shen Yueshan grit his teeth in frustration, acting like a child, she could only coax him gently, “Youyou misspoke. Please don’t be angry, Father.”
“Youyou is not at fault. It’s all the Crown Prince’s bewitchment!” Shen Yueshan insisted. His daughter could never be wrong; it was always someone else leading her astray.
“Father is absolutely right. It’s the Crown Prince’s bewitchment.” Faced with such stubbornness, Shen Xihe had no choice but to falsely accuse Xiao Huayong against her conscience.
Shen Yueshan finally calmed down. “Are you planning to enter the palace?”
This was a serious matter. Shen Xihe straightened her expression. “Youyou is going to the palace to discuss Duke Xue’s affairs with His Highness the Crown Prince.”
“Why discuss it with him?” Shen Yueshan was displeased. “If you need to inform him, send someone to the Eastern Palace to deliver the message. Isn’t that what you had Zhenzhu do with the return gifts? She can pass along the words as well.”
“Father, Youyou doesn’t just want His Highness to know—she also wants to learn what arrangements he has in mind.” Shen Xihe felt that relaying messages back and forth was troublesome.
If she went to the Eastern Palace herself, the matter could be resolved directly. Having servants deliver messages and shuttling back and forth daily would only make others think she and the Crown Prince were deeply in love, inseparable.
Shen Yueshan’s expression gradually turned serious. “Youyou, are you truly determined to walk this path?”
“Father, in this life, if one has no aspirations, wouldn’t it be a waste?” Shen Xihe replied candidly. “You’ve always treated daughters and sons equally. Youyou has ambitions in this direction—don’t you want her to strive with all her might?”
The winter was bitterly cold, the world blanketed in white snow. In the chilly wind, Shen Yueshan’s gaze was profound yet warm, like the blazing sun of spring, as if it could melt the silver-clad landscape reflected in his eyes and place his daughter in a world of blooming flowers and warmth.
Free from the harsh winds, untouched by the severe winter.
“Youyou, you’re about to come of age. You’ve grown up. I’ve passed the age where I can make decisions for you. Though it pains me to let you learn independence, I have no choice but to hope you can stand on your own.” Shen Yueshan spoke softly. “Since this is your ambition, as your father, I can only watch from afar, doing everything in my power to protect you, always standing behind you.
But regarding the Crown Prince—has your original intention remained unchanged?”
Shen Xihe was deeply moved by her father’s trust and support. It was like the warmth of the hand warmer she held, its gentle heat seeping into her palms, permeating her entire being, warming her to the core of her heart."Father, I owe him a life-saving debt. This is my personal obligation, and I will do everything in my power to repay it," Shen Xihe said earnestly. "I will never let this affect the greater situation."
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