When Shen Xihe returned to the manor, she was surprised to find Shen Yingluo there. Upon seeing Shen Xihe, Shen Yingluo stepped forward to pay her respects.
"What is the matter?" Shen Xihe asked indifferently.
Shen Yingluo hesitated, and Shen Xihe watched her calmly. After a long pause, Shen Yingluo finally said, "At the horse market today, I saw elder sister..."
Shen Xihe understood: "You want to ask if I was behind the incident at the horse market?"
Shen Yingluo bit her lip and nodded.
The horse market had not opened for the first time that day. The common people who conducted business with foreign countries all knew some everyday phrases for communication. How could a problem suddenly arise? If the horse market was so prone to incidents, those people would not dare to neglect their duties even if they had the courage borrowed from heaven!
After investigating, Shen Yingluo found that Shen Xihe had not concealed her involvement. Though there was no concrete evidence, she suspected it was Shen Xihe.
"I was behind it," Shen Xihe admitted, then looked at her. "Prince Zhao intends to harm me. Why did you inform me?"
"I..." Shen Yingluo was at a loss for words.
"Are you worried about me? Do you like me? Do you care about me?" Shen Xihe fired three questions in succession, then answered for her, "None of these. It is because we both bear the surname Shen. Today, as long as it concerns a member of the Shen family, I would not stand idly by, just as you sent me the message. You need not feel grateful. I did not feel grateful when you sent the message either."
Shen Yingluo's face tightened at her words: "I know all this. I just want to know why you did not conceal your involvement?"
Now, not only she had guessed, but others might have as well. His Majesty had dismissed so many officials because of this incident. Was she not afraid of making too many enemies, leaving herself isolated and surrounded by adversaries in the future?
"Why should I conceal it?" Shen Xihe retorted. "They schemed against my family first, so they should be prepared for my retaliation. If they hold a grudge because of this, even if I conceal it perfectly, they would still resent the Shen family because of you. Those who understand will naturally know what it means to recognize the circumstances."
After a pause, Shen Xihe sneered, "I do not fear their resentment. If dismissal is not enough, I would not mind sending them on their way, allowing them to bid an early farewell to this world that is unfit for their survival."
Having said this, Shen Xihe brushed past her and went straight into the inner courtyard.
Shen Yingluo stood there, stunned. She turned to look at Shen Xihe, whose back seemed as straight as if supported by a ruler. Her steps were light and graceful, like a lotus floating, without any hint of forced rigidity, yet she exuded an unyielding pride to the fullest.
She had never seen a young lady like Shen Xihe, who was so domineering and self-righteous, yet made it seem entirely natural.
In the past, how unattainable was Gu Qingzhi, the peony of the capital? Was she not confined to the Gu family? Suppressed tightly by etiquette, rules, and her identity as a daughter?
But her elder sister was different. She was so unrestrained. She dared to question His Majesty, she dared to storm into the Duke's mansion, and yet, it was never her who ended up in trouble.
Shen Yingluo left the Princess Manor somewhat absentmindedly.
In the following days, His Majesty used the horse market incident as a pretext to extensively reorganize the capital's security. Shen Xihe also enjoyed two rare days of leisure. Soon, it was the Lantern Festival. The Lantern Festival in the capital was even more lively than New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, for only on this day did households leave their doors unbolted at night, common people could stay out late, and the streets were filled with unrestrained lantern viewing. Officials, too, could stroll through every ward under the moonlight and the night sky.
Shen Xihe arrived early at the East Tower. From the East Tower, one could see lanterns lighting up every household like a market, music and songs emanating from every building; thousands of lanterns were lit, clustered together like fiery trees.
Elegant young ladies, dressed in fine silks, trailing brocades, adorned with gleaming pearls and jade, and wearing scented powder, danced and sang beneath the rotating lantern displays.The imperial tower featured various performances and tug-of-war games, with thousands competing amidst thunderous cheers that left the foreign guests utterly astonished.
When Shen Xihe arrived, Xiao Huayong had long been waiting. He wore a deep night-purple robe with a folded collar, embroidered with exquisite Eucommia leaves and auspicious clouds in silver thread, appearing exceptionally noble and elegant. Shen Xihe, in turn, wore a hibiscus-purple shawl adorned with silver-threaded Eucommia leaves.
At first glance, their attire seemed to be of matching design.
This made Shen Xihe eye Xiao Huayong with suspicion.
Xiao Huayong smiled gently and said, "I absolutely did not secretly inquire about Youyou. Even if I had the intention, the maids by your side guard you too closely."
Wanting to find out did not mean Hongyu and the others would divulge anything.
"Youyou and I simply share a deep understanding," Xiao Huayong added tenderly.
"Your Highness invited me to admire the lanterns. I wonder which lanterns we are to admire," Shen Xihe said, ignoring his affectionate words.
"No hurry. First, let us share some light refreshments," Xiao Huayong replied, as attendants brought over an array of festive snacks: creamy congee, flour-wrapped delicacies, silk-basket pastries, fire-moth cakes, jade beam cakes, and fried dumplings—all traditional treats for the Lantern Festival.
Shen Xihe had guessed beforehand that Xiao Huayong would prepare food, as sitting idly to watch lanterns would be dull. Thus, she had not eaten dinner and now found her appetite stirred by the aroma of freshly made delicacies.
Under the shimmering lantern light, Xiao Huayong’s expression softened. He watched Shen Xihe, who, though clearly enjoying the food, never showed it overtly—she ate each dish in equal measure. Seeing her like this, he felt a pang of tenderness.
Using serving chopsticks, he picked some of her favorite dishes for her. "Watching Youyou eat so delightfully, I couldn’t help but serve you."
"Thank you, Your Highness," Shen Xihe replied graciously, eating what he had offered.
"Youyou, in the future when we dine together, there is no need for such restraint. Whether you eat more or less, I can always discern your preferences," Xiao Huayong said softly.
Shen Xihe set down her chopsticks. "It is not intentional—it is merely habit."
Some habits, once formed, no longer feel burdensome or troublesome.
"Why have you grown accustomed to this?" Xiao Huayong asked, puzzled.
"I lost my mother at a young age. Father and Brother were too busy to teach me, so they hired renowned tutors. My etiquette and manners instructor was a descendant of a noble family exiled to the northwest for crimes," Shen Xihe explained.
Xiao Huayong nodded in understanding, then smiled. "It does not matter. If others taught you to be proper and disciplined, then let me be the one to indulge you, to let you be willful and follow your heart."
After a moment’s thought, Shen Xihe replied seriously, "Your Highness, I do not believe my current self is lacking."
She had never envied those who acted recklessly or followed every whim.
"Your present self is also good, but I wish for Youyou to experience other kinds of joy," Xiao Huayong said, his eyes sparkling like a river of stars. "Youyou, I am proposing to you."
He took out a slender sandalwood box carved with Eucommia leaves and handed it to Shen Xihe, opening it.
A dazzling golden hairpin gleamed brilliantly—a peony crafted from hollowed-out Eucommia leaves, its stamens adorned with tiny gemstones. Under the flickering lantern light, it appeared breathtakingly magnificent.
In this era, besides the formal three letters and six etiquettes, a sincere suitor would present a golden hairpin to the lady before marriage.
A golden hairpin—a betrothal gift for the principal wife.Behind him, the myriad lights shone as bright as day, his voice cutting clearly through the music of strings and flutes: "With you by my side, I wish to grow old together; I seek no grand vows of eternal love, only to share every passing season with you."
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