Whether this was the Empress Dowager's deliberate attempt to create an opportunity for her and Xiao Huayong or not, she would attend.
Rumors about the Spring Day Banquet had long been circulating. News originating from the palace was never false—without the silent approval of those in power, who would dare spread palace gossip? It was merely a tactic to release information early, allowing families time to bring back their daughters who were far away in the provinces.
The Spring Day Banquet was held for the imperial clan to evaluate potential matches—a golden opportunity to climb the social ladder, leaving no room for anyone to hold back.
The Empress Dowager had not invited many to offer opinions, only daughters of meritorious officials or high-ranking ministers of the third rank and above. These were likely the women she considered suitable as granddaughters-in-law or grandnieces-in-law. Those who would only attend the Spring Day Banquet itself were, without exception, destined to be mere foils.
What Shen Xihe had not expected was that the Empress Dowager had also summoned Shen Yingluo. Seeing the third princess seated beside the Empress Dowager, Shen Xihe narrowed her eyes. Shen Yingluo sat below her, maintaining a gentle and elegant smile throughout.
"Zhaoning, would you take charge of the Spring Day Banquet?" the Empress Dowager suddenly asked.
As soon as the Empress Dowager spoke, all eyes turned to Shen Xihe. Noble Consort Rong, seated below the Empress Dowager, maintained her composed smile.
However, the glances exchanged between the two women were filled with varied and complex emotions.
Palace banquets could only be managed by those within the palace, and it was absolutely impermissible to bypass the person in charge of the Imperial Harem.
Back when the Youning Emperor ascended the throne, to reassure the hearts of the ministers and generals who had originally supported Qian Wang, and to avoid appearing as though he would discard them after achieving his goal, he leveraged the memory of his deceased wife—who had died saving him—to crown the newborn Xiao Huayong as Crown Prince. He vowed never to appoint another empress.
This served two purposes: to demonstrate his loyalty and righteousness to the civil and military officials, and to secure the position of the Eastern Palace. Without an empress, there would be no other legitimate heirs.
Thus, for twenty years in the Imperial Harem, authority was initially managed by the Empress Dowager. After Xiao Huayong left the palace at age eight, accompanied by the Empress Dowager, palace authority was handed over to Noble Consort Rong—a full cycle of twelve years.
There was no logic in having a concubine manage household affairs. In ordinary families, if the primary wife passed away and the master did not remarry, authority would fall to an elder, the primary daughter-in-law, or the primary daughter.
But the imperial family was different. Though Noble Consort Rong was not the primary wife, she was an elder and the mother of two princes. It made no sense for her to live under the authority of a junior in the future. Therefore, whether palace authority rested with Noble Consort Rong or Shen Xihe, both scenarios were reasonable.
The Empress Dowager's sudden question was clearly intended to follow ancestral traditions—emphasizing legitimacy and seniority—and to use the Spring Day Banquet to prepare Noble Consort Rong psychologically.
"Your Majesty flatters me. Zhaoning has never managed such a grand banquet and still has much to observe and learn," Shen Xihe politely declined.
What was rightfully hers, she would never relinquish. But at this moment, since she and Xiao Huayong were not yet married, this was not her responsibility. She always clearly distinguished between acting within one's position and overstepping.
The Empress Dowager smiled kindly. "Indeed, let the Spring Day Banquet remain under Noble Consort Rong's diligent care. Once Zhaoning and Qilang are married, Noble Consort Rong can spend more time with an old woman like me, enjoying a life of leisure."
"Accompanying Your Majesty is an honor I deeply desire," Noble Consort Rong replied respectfully to the Empress Dowager before turning to Shen Xihe. "If the Princess ever has any questions in the future, feel free to seek me out. I will hold nothing back."
Shen Xihe stood and gave Noble Consort Rong a proper, respectful bow.
Some of the young ladies present felt a twinge of disappointment at not witnessing the verbal sparring they had anticipated.Empress Dowager glanced up and saw Tianyuan peeking at the door. She shook her head with a helpless smile. "Look at this. This old woman can’t even keep you a little longer. Zhaoning, hurry along now. I don’t want Qilang blaming me after you leave."
With the Empress Dowager leading the teasing, everyone couldn’t help but laugh. Some bold young ladies even cast ambiguous glances toward Shen Xihe.
Shen Xihe gracefully curtsied to the Empress Dowager and withdrew from the hall.
She would rather meet Xiao Huayong than stay with these people.
When she arrived at the Eastern Palace, she saw Xiao Huayong standing at the entrance, wrapped in a heavy fox-fur-lined cloak, eagerly awaiting her.
It was the same spot, the same person, yet circumstances had changed. The two red maple trees remained vividly crimson, but they no longer held the fiery vitality of their first autumn encounter, instead exuding a subdued silence.
"You came. I thought you wouldn’t..."
He spoke the same words to her. That day, his tone had been plaintive, filled with worry that she might break her promise.
Today, his tone was joyful yet tinged with unease—a fear that she might not come.
"Since Your Highness invited me, Zhaoning would naturally come," Shen Xihe replied with a graceful curtsy.
"These past few days, I’ve wanted to see you but didn’t dare invite you. I was afraid you would refuse," Xiao Huayong said, his gaze softening like scattered starlight.
As long as she didn’t mention leaving him, he would always remain gentle and tender in her presence, careful not to overstep.
His only boundary was her departure.
"Your Highness, Zhaoning is not one to run from things," Shen Xihe stated clearly. "Zhaoning adapts easily to any situation. Not everything goes as one wishes. When change is impossible, one must find the greatest ease in going with the flow."
"So, if marrying me cannot be changed, how will Youyou find ease?" Xiao Huayong asked with a smile.
"Zhaoning has told Your Highness that Zhaoning will be a qualified wife," Shen Xihe replied, smiling.
"Respectful and harmonious, treating each other with courtesy?" Xiao Huayong let out a joyful laugh from deep in his chest.
Shen Xihe’s reaction was far better than he had expected. It turned out that everything stemmed from her adherence to duty—fulfilling her role as the Crown Princess she aspired to be. The slight softening he had sensed in her before had vanished. This didn’t frighten him. If he had moved her once, he could do it again. Only this time, her guard against him might be higher.
"Yes," Shen Xihe replied, unsure why he was suddenly so cheerful but unwilling to dwell on his thoughts.
"I’ve also told Youyou that I am not satisfied with just that," Xiao Huayong said, his entire demeanor growing warmer.
Tianyuan breathed a silent sigh of relief, inwardly cheering: The storm has passed, the storm has passed! Amitabha!
"Since Your Highness is not satisfied, Your Highness may pursue what you seek, while Zhaoning will do what she must," Shen Xihe said solemnly.
Xiao Huayong strode forward, closing the distance between them. His deep, starry eyes fixed intently on Shen Xihe. "Youyou, you are truly an enigmatic woman. It is precisely this that fascinates me so."
He had expected her to be angry, resentful, or disgusted with him. Yet she continually surprised him, always so composed and self-possessed, never projecting her helplessness into hatred for others’ ruthlessness or cruelty.
How could such a woman exist in this world? One so delightful yet unaware of it, so captivating yet never captivated by herself?
"Thank you for your praise, Your Highness. Shall I return the compliment with polite pleasantries?" Shen Xihe retorted."Ha ha ha ha ha..." Xiao Huayong couldn't help but laugh heartily.
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