The winter days were short. After finishing the evening meal, as dusk was about to fall, Shen Xihe rose to take her leave. Xiao Huayong did not press her to stay but instead escorted her out of the Eastern Palace. "Youyou, thank you for preparing the meal for me."
His feelings were conflicted—delighted that she had cooked for him, yet troubled by her excessive politeness toward him.
Such is the nature of affection, often a blend of joy and sorrow.
"The prince once asked me why I treat you differently," Xiao Huayong said softly, not giving Shen Xihe a chance to speak. "I don’t know why, but being with you brings me joy and a sense of belonging. I always feel at ease and tranquil."
"Being with Your Highness also brings me comfort," Shen Xihe replied sincerely.
Her obsidian-like eyes, usually hazy and elusive, were now clear and transparent, revealing her genuine feelings. She truly felt at ease with him, but this comfort had nothing to do with romantic love.
In the past, Xiao Huayong would have felt disheartened, but now he had come to accept it. He smiled and said, "Youyou, you always treat me differently from others."
At least it was different, which meant his efforts were not in vain. It didn’t matter if there was no love now—someday, there would be.
Xie Yunhuai had once said the same thing. She admitted that she treated Xiao Huayong differently. Xie Yunhuai and Bu Shulin were her friends, while Xiao Huayong was someone she intended to marry. Their positions and identities were different, so naturally, her treatment of them differed.
"On the Lantern Festival, may I invite you to admire the lanterns with me?" Xiao Huayong asked, his eyes filled with anticipation.
Shen Xihe shook her head slightly. "Your Highness, I do not enjoy crowds."
The Lantern Festival in the capital was bound to be bustling, with the city illuminated by lanterns and filled with young men and women celebrating together. The streets would be crowded, and she disliked such scenes.
Firstly, she disliked noise and chaos. Secondly, her keen sense of smell made her dizzy when too many people gathered, their scents mingling in the air.
Today, she had addressed him differently. In the past, she always referred to herself by her title with grace and formality, but today she did not. Xiao Huayong felt a surge of happiness. "Then I will reserve the East Tower. We can watch the lanterns across the capital from there. How does that sound?"
The East Tower was a tall restaurant, built in the style of a Buddhist pagoda, making it one of the highest buildings in the capital. Situated by the river, its height offered a panoramic view of the entire city. During festivals, it was always packed with people.
However, the top floor of the East Tower had four private rooms reserved for the nobility.
Shen Xihe thought for a moment and nodded. "Very well."
Xiao Huayong’s smile widened, his lips curling back in a slightly foolish grin. Perhaps infected by his joy, Shen Xihe couldn’t help but reveal a faint smile. "Your Highness, there’s no need to see me off."
She gave a slight bow and left with Zhenzhu.
"Sitting in the carriage, Shen Xihe asked Zhenzhu, "Do you have any way to cure the poison in His Highness’s body?"
She had asked Zhenzhu to take Xiao Huayong’s pulse again, hoping that more minds might yield more ideas.
"His Highness’s poison—A Xi and I have already discussed it," Zhenzhu said regretfully, shaking her head. Not only had she and Sui Axi discussed it, but they had also consulted Xie Yunhuai. After all, Shen Xihe was to marry into the Eastern Palace, and it seemed she no longer wished for His Highness’s early demise.
"Not even a clue?" Shen Xihe pressed.
Zhenzhu hesitated for a moment before replying, "Doctor Qi, with his vast experience, said that the poison in His Highness’s body might not be of Han origin. He plans to travel to the Western Regions and other places after spring arrives. Perhaps he will find some answers there.""He's leaving the capital?" Shen Xihe was somewhat surprised. With the Xie Duke's estate still peaceful, she had originally thought Xie Yunhuai would swiftly deal with Xie Ji and his wife. Yet after the last incident, he seemed to have forgotten about them again.
"Your Highness, the Xie Duke's estate is currently in chaos." Ziyu, having rarely understood Shen Xihe's thoughts correctly this time, eagerly elaborated, "Since Duke Xie was suspended from his post, the Xie clan members have been jointly pressuring him. The problem is they're divided in opinion—some advocate for Duke Xie to acknowledge Doctor Qi as his son, while others urge him to adopt from a collateral branch. However, the former has more support."
This was natural. The Xie Duke's estate had a peerage to inherit. A legitimate blood descendant could inherit the title upon verification by the court. Even if not legitimate, a child born of a concubine still had considerable probability. But an adopted heir would not be qualified to inherit the peerage. Otherwise, why would the Prince of Shunan have gone to such lengths as having Bu Shulin disguise herself as a man? He could have simply adopted an heir directly.
The peerage indeed belonged to Xie Ji, but what this peerage represented was certainly not just Xie Ji's direct line.
Shen Xihe listened without comment. This was Xie Yunhuai's private matter, and he surely wouldn't want too many people taking keen interest in it.
"But Duke Xie seems unwilling to do either." Ziyu said mysteriously, "I heard from my friends that the clan head's branch is already selecting suitable concubines for Duke Xie. Any child born would be registered under Yuan Shi's name as a legitimate heir."
Since Xie Yunhuai hated Xie Ji so much, Xie Ji definitely wouldn't want to bring Xie Yunhuai back to the Xie family—he'd be too afraid to sleep at night. Adopting from a collateral branch would undoubtedly mean the Xie family's peerage would end with him, and he didn't want to be that person who caused such loss either. So the only option was to have another child.
Yuan Shi couldn't bear children, but others could.
"Just as expected." Shen Xihe laughed scornfully.
Xie Ji, for Yuan Shi's sake, had even schemed against his properly wedded wife who came with three matchmakers, six betrothal gifts, and a grand procession in a bridal sedan chair. He had even disregarded Xie Yunhuai, such an outstanding legitimate son. Now, to withstand the clan's pressure, wasn't he planning to betray Yuan Shi too?
Shen Xihe had thought their love was so moving, so faithful and unwavering, so steadfast until death.
"Your Highness is far-sighted. Most men in this world are inherently fickle." Ziyu deeply agreed.
Having heard too many stories from the great mansions of the capital, she increasingly felt that men always considered unobtainable women perfectly wonderful—they might even risk life and death for someone married to another. But once married and brought home, it became a different story. Even those treated with genuine sincerity often ended up in mutual disgust after being married and saved.
"His Highness the Crown Prince might be no different." Ziyu now avoided men even more warily than Shen Xihe did.
Zhenzhu coughed lightly, signaling her to speak more carefully.
But Shen Xihe smiled: "You're right. Anything is possible."
Shen Xihe actually felt that Xiao Huayong's character couldn't be compared with Xie Ji's. But winds and clouds change, times shift—who could know if someone might suddenly undergo a complete personality change because of some event?
A few days later, His Majesty granted leave to all civil and military officials in the capital. In the snow-blanketed capital, every household hung festive lanterns. Opening a window revealed specks of red amidst the white snow, echoing the blooming winter plums in the distance. The year-end in the capital was more bustling than in the northwest. Even during New Year celebrations when indulging in joy, the common people in the northwest maintained some vigilance.
On the day before New Year's Eve, both the Tao and Xue families invited Shen Xihe to join their New Year's Eve celebrations. Shen Xihe naturally chose the Tao family. When the pitiful Bu Shulin came begging to her door, Shen Xihe inevitably brought her along as well.I nearly made a joke of myself. During the New Year's Eve midnight hour, there are specific etiquettes to follow: juniors must bow to their elders, and servants must kowtow to their masters. Men kneel and knock their heads on the ground, while women perform the formal respectful bow.
Bu Shulin, in her cheerfulness, almost performed the respectful bow meant for women.
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