Upon returning to the residence, Shen Xihe's first action was to write a letter to Shen Yueshan and Shen Yungan, exposing Xiao Huayong's true nature!
She urged them not to misjudge this deeply deceptive and unfathomable man because of her.
Zhenzhu watched Shen Xihe's flustered demeanor and felt something was amiss.
"Sister Zhenzhu, doesn't it seem like the Lady is having a lover's quarrel with the Crown Prince?" Biyu voiced her uncertainty, afraid she might be mistaken.
Yet the Lady and the Crown Prince truly resembled a newlywed couple in a spat, threatening separation at the slightest provocation.
Zhenzhu chuckled wryly: "The Lady treats the Crown Prince differently after all."
Perhaps even the Lady herself hadn't realized that, bound by the Crown Prince's numerous kindnesses and being a person of profound loyalty, she had long regarded him differently from others. It might not be deep love, but there was certainly some care in her heart.
This reaction upon learning the truth stemmed partly from strategic considerations and her inherent nature, but likely also from her resentment over his deception.
"Then..." Biyu peeked around to ensure no one else was nearby before whispering, "Sister Zhenzhu, do you think His Highness might change his heart someday?"
The mere thought was unbearable for them, let alone for the Lady.
"Who can say for certain?" Zhenzhu shook her head. "Even His Highness, with all his vows, cannot predict the future. I'm not worried about him changing his heart—it would merely make him like most men. I only hope that if his feelings ever change, he will remain honorable, neither exploiting the Lady nor using her to harm the Northwest."
If he could do that, the Lady might grieve but would not hate him.
If love fades, let it be declared as openly as it was professed; if conflicts arise, let them be settled fairly.
"His Highness risked his life to retrieve the Snow Lotus for the Lady. If even he could change his heart, then true love doesn't exist in this world." Hongyu sighed softly. As the most ardent supporter of the Crown Prince and the one who most wished for mutual affection between him and the Lady, she was also the most fearful of his potential change of heart—otherwise, she'd feel compelled to atone with her life.
Though she couldn't sway the Lady, the maids' approval did influence her to some extent, however slight.
"The 'Golden House' promise was so famous, yet what tragic fate befell Empress Chen?" Ziyu interjected. "I would never want the Lady to suffer such despair. If that's the risk, I'd rather she remain untouched by worldly passions forever."
"Emperor Wu of Han never truly cared for Empress Chen..." Hongyu offered a weak rebuttal.
"Then why make the Golden House vow?" Ziyu argued. "It shows men will say anything for power and status—even promises of devotion without love. Who knows if His Highness today..."
Ziyu trailed off upon seeing Shen Xihe approach. The maids quickly rose and fell silent, heads bowed.
"No need to avoid the topic in my presence." Shen Xihe smiled faintly. "In my household, you may speak freely as long as you avoid state affairs. Ziyu made a valid point."
"My Lady..." Ziyu stammered, at a loss for words.She now felt just like the princes and heirs—afraid that their peerless princess might have her heart deceived and her affections betrayed. She hoped the princess would never fall for anyone in this lifetime, simply taking good care of herself would be enough.
Yet she also thought, if the princess truly lived like that, wouldn't it be too lonely? At the end of her life, would she regret not seeking a kindred spirit, regardless of the outcome, to love passionately and recklessly just once?
"What are you worrying about?" Shen Xihe tapped Ziyu's forehead. "Your princess may not be omnipotent, but she's no mediocre fool either. For now, let's take things as they come."
Zhenzhu carefully observed Shen Xihe's expression and, seeing she seemed to have returned to her usual amiability from days before, felt slightly relieved. "Princess, are we going out?"
She asked because Shen Xihe had changed into outdoor attire.
"Let's visit Worldly Son Bu." Shen Xihe had been busy with her own matters these past few days, only having Sui Axi and Zhenzhu make daily visits for follow-up examinations. She hadn't visited Bu Shulin even once.
When Bu Shulin was sent back to the Bu residence that day, Shen Xihe couldn't keep her in her own manor to recuperate.
At the entrance of the Bu residence, they encountered Cui Jinbai, who had been denied entry. Seeing her, Cui Jinbai bowed. "Princess, may I enter with you?"
It was rare for the esteemed Cui Shaoqing to make such a request to enter under someone else's pretext. However, Shen Xihe couldn't agree. "Cui Shaoqing, Worldly Son Bu and I are close friends. If she refuses to see you, bringing you in would be disrespectful to her."
Cui Jinbai bowed again. "I overstepped. Please forgive me, Princess."
Shen Xihe politely returned the gesture, just as Jinshan arrived to personally escort her inside.
Bu Shulin lay on the couch, immediately beginning to moan upon hearing footsteps. "Oh dear... I'm in so much pain... Poor me, born without a mother, with a father as good as absent. Made a friend, yet she doesn't care about me at all... Poor me..."
Jinshan, who was leading Shen Xihe to the door, felt too ashamed to face her and hung his head in embarrassment.
Shen Xihe was amused by her smoothly sung little tune. She stepped inside to find Bu Shulin sneaking glances her way while singing her self-composed ditty even louder and more mournfully.
Shen Xihe stood by the couch, quietly listening and watching.
After singing for a while, Bu Shulin ultimately lost the endurance contest with Shen Xihe. Pretending to turn her head, she finally "noticed" her. "Youyou, you're here! When did you arrive?"
"I arrived when you were singing about making a friend who doesn't care about you," Shen Xihe bluntly exposed her.
Bu Shulin's eyes darted around. "I was talking about Cui Shitou! What a waste of friendship—he hasn't even come to see me. After all, I got hurt saving him!"
"Worldly Son, the Princess encountered... Cui Shaoqing, whom you turned away at the door," Jinshan felt compelled to remind her with some difficulty.
Bu Shulin glared at him before turning back with a sheepish grin. "Heh heh... Well... Youyou, I haven't congratulated you yet. I heard His Majesty has arranged your marriage with the Crown Prince. You've gotten what you wished for, I suppose."
"Something like that." Shen Xihe didn't wish to elaborate—she wouldn't reveal Xiao Huayong's influence to Bu Shulin. "Why won't you see Cui Shaoqing?"
"Why see him? Two grown men should draw the line early," Bu Shulin declared righteously.
Shen Xihe: ...
Bu Shulin felt compelled to explain: "In this lifetime, if I ever want to restore my female identity, I can only count on you."When the Crown Prince ascends the throne, for Shen Xihe's sake, spare her and grant her freedom.
Shen Xihe raised an eyebrow upon hearing this: "Have you decided?"
This was no jest from Bu Shulin, but a declaration of allegiance.
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