She understood, she finally understood. The reason why Xiao Huayong suffered from acute internal heat wasn't because her keen sense of smell had evoked unbearable memories for him, but because before knowing about her sensitive olfactory ability, he had delivered the very item that would expose himself into her hands.
These paired bracelets, with their noble and rich fragrance of duojialuo, were probably unmatched in this world. She had only encountered such pure and intense duojialuo fragrance on one person - that very individual who had repeatedly changed appearances while hovering around her, someone she had always dreaded and suspected.
He was indeed Xiao Huayong. Though she had suspected before, the reason she hadn't reached a conclusion wasn't just due to insufficient evidence, but more because she held a sliver of hope in her heart. She didn't want this person to be Xiao Huayong.
Why didn't she want it?
Logically speaking, having such a person as an enemy might mean a life-or-death struggle. But if he were Xiao Huayong, her future husband, wouldn't they be interconnected to some extent?
No, that wasn't it.
If he weren't that person, she felt she might still be able to compete with him on equal terms even if they turned against each other in the future. But now he overlapped with that person - who exactly was that person?
Someone whose influence could penetrate the Embroidered Uniform Envoys, who had the fabulously wealthy Hua Fuhai under his command, who had Jing Wang's study companion and the eldest son of the Grand Princess submitting to him, who had His Majesty's most trusted young powerful official as his subordinate - such a person becoming her husband meant she hadn't dared to let her guard down since their marriage.
The slightest misstep wouldn't just mean her own destruction - she wasn't afraid of that - but would drag the entire Shen family into eternal doom.
Shen Xihe closed her eyes heavily, hating herself for not examining these things earlier. Had she known, there would have been no imperial marriage decree.
"Your Highness..." Zhenzhu noticed Shen Xihe's drastic change in complexion and grew uneasy with concern.
Opening her eyes, Shen Xihe's gaze became crystal clear: "Go summon A Xi."
Zhenzhu quickly brought Sui A Xi. The moment he entered, Sui A Xi noticed Shen Xihe was different. If he had to specify how, it was that the gentle light, that touch of human warmth about her had disappeared.
"Can the Crown Prince's poison be cured using your previous method?" Shen Xihe didn't miss the flicker of light in the Chief Imperial Physician's eyes.
"This method cannot completely eliminate the poison, only suppress it more effectively. To cure it, we must find its natural counteragent," Sui A Xi replied.
All things have their natural counterparts. Some substances can only be neutralized by their specific opposites - nothing else will work, at most providing suppression.
Shen Xihe nodded without further comment, waving them away. The next day was Xie Yunhuai's scheduled follow-up examination. The supplemental medicine he had prescribed for her nourishment had been finished - this would be his final visit for her check-up.
"Congratulations, Your Highness, on gaining new life." Xie Yunhuai smiled elegantly, his smile reaching his eyes, genuinely happy for her.
"Doctor Qi, the Crown Prince's illness weighs heavily on my mind. I heard from Zhenzhu that you've found some clues?" Shen Xihe asked.
"I haven't yet congratulated Your Highness on finding such an excellent match." Xie Yunhuai recalled yesterday's imperial marriage decree - now the whole world knew about Shen Xihe's betrothal to the Crown Prince, as the Crown Prince's wedding had to be announced throughout the provinces. "Your Highness need not worry. I have some theories and will personally travel to the Western Regions and other places, or perhaps sail overseas. Maybe other countries hold the cure.""Doctor Qi, I must trouble you with this matter. Consider it a personal favor I owe you, one I shall remember with my life as collateral for repayment," Shen Xihe said gravely. "I will send someone to accompany you. This journey will be arduous, and I would be uneasy if you traveled alone."
Xie Yunhuai assumed Shen Xihe's solemnity stemmed from her impending marriage to Xiao Huayong and her consequent heightened concern for him. He refrained from mentioning their close friendship or suggesting such formality was unnecessary, as that would only make her uncomfortable. "Your Highness may set your mind at ease. Should I ever face difficulties in the future, I shall certainly seek repayment for today's kindness."
This was precisely why Shen Xihe valued Xie Yunhuai's friendship—he was someone who made interactions feel effortlessly comfortable.
Without pretense or hesitation, she asked directly, "When do you plan to depart?"
"When the ice and snow thaw in March, and spring blossoms abound—it will be the perfect time for distant travels," Xie Yunhuai replied, having already made his plans.
"Very well." Shen Xihe had Zhenzhu bring over a cage containing a pigeon she kept at the Princess Manor. "If anything arises, send word to me through this bird."
Xie Yunhuai accepted it. He did not linger long at the Princess Manor, excusing himself early on the pretext of attending to patients.
Shen Xihe had received news of Xiao Huayong's awakening early that morning but did not rush to the palace. Instead, she waited another day before dressing elaborately and proceeding to the Eastern Palace. This was the first time Xiao Huayong had seen her since their betrothal.
His gaze remained gentle but now carried a trace of unease. At the first sight of her, he became flustered.
She seldom disguised her intentions and treated others with utter forthrightness. Her current demeanor made Xiao Huayong's heart ache with pain. Never before had he felt such fear—fear of her approach, fear of her speaking, so much so that when she drew near, he instinctively retreated half a step.
She knew. She knew...
"Youyou, let me explain..." Xiao Huayong seized her hand, his urgency palpable.
Shen Xihe coldly lowered her gaze and slowly withdrew her hand. "Your Highness may speak. Zhaoning is all ears."
The moment "Zhaoning" left her lips, Xiao Huayong's face turned ashen. His slightly parted lips trembled, and his gaze held a despair he himself did not recognize, clinging to the last shred of composure. "When we first met, I did not know your identity. I only knew the Fairy Ribbon was useless and would certainly be sent to Old Man with White Hair.
So I pursued you to Luoyang, where you sent someone to present me with evidence of the rouge case. I was curious—no one had ever paid me any heed all these years. Why did you alone value me? It was only later that I realized... what you sought was my status and my... short lifespan."
Shen Xihe listened with calm eyes, revealing neither joy nor anger.
Xie Yunhuai lowered his gaze, somewhat at a loss. "In the Apricot Grove, when you took the Bone Shedding Pill from me... had it not been for your earlier gift of evidence, I would never have allowed you to obtain the Bone Shedding Pill."
He was the Crown Prince, the Crown Prince who could overturn clouds and rain. He had endured immense hardship, traversed mountains and rivers, and nearly sacrificed his life to obtain the Fairy Ribbon. For others to think they could reap without sowing was mere delusion.
But in the Apricot Grove, witnessing how exhaustively she strategized over a mere game of chess, and hearing firsthand that she might not live beyond three to five years—so similar to his own plight, yet different in that he cared little whether he lived or died. If there was a chance to survive, he would try; if not, he would accept fate.
Shen Xihe was different. She wanted to live. Her profound will to survive moved him. Thus, even after learning from Old Man with White Hair that the Bone Shedding Pill might not cure his poison, he yielded it to her without hesitation."That chess piece..." Shen Xihe's gaze fell upon his fingertip.
"When I departed that day, I casually took it with me. Since returning to the capital, it has accompanied me daily, becoming an object I habitually fiddle with." Xiao Huayong opened his palm, allowing Shen Xihe to see the chess piece.
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