The bamboo grove was bathed in a hazy glow, the autumn breeze carried refreshing coolness, late chrysanthemums bloomed brilliantly, and osmanthus flowers layered their fragrance in the air.
Shen Xihe wore a light blue gown with a pink embroidered sash flowing down from her bodice. Today, she had forgone the Hua Dian adornment, opting instead for an exquisite hair ornament at her temples, appearing both elegant and captivating.
Bu Shulin couldn’t help but prop her tilted head on one hand, gazing obsessively at the beauty. "I’ve seen many noble ladies who are poised and graceful, but compared to you, their fluid movements seem somewhat contrived."
Shen Xihe clearly wasn’t a noblewoman groomed by aristocratic families. Even though she couldn’t practice martial arts and Shen Yueshan had hired renowned tutors for her, Bu Shulin couldn’t fathom how she had cultivated such natural elegance in every gesture, every smile and frown.
Previously, Bu Shulin had detested the elaborate etiquette of the aristocracy, finding it awkward and tedious. But with Shen Xihe, she realized that aristocratic grace could be so pleasing to the eye.
Shen Xihe cast her a faint glance.
"Yes, yes, just like that," Bu Shulin’s eyes glazed with intoxication. "A mere turn of your gaze carries its own charm."
"If possible, I’d rather not be like this," Shen Xihe murmured softly.
Bu Shulin, reminded of her frail health that limited her to light activities, felt a pang of regret and hastily changed the subject, her eyes falling on Duanming beside them. "Your cat is somewhat..."
She nearly blurted out the truth—that this was the ugliest cat she had ever seen.
Though unspoken, Duanming seemed to sense the disdain. With a meow, it pounced unexpectedly, scratching Bu Shulin’s hand and leaving three shallow blood marks.
The scratches were slight, so Shen Xihe paid them no mind, instead allowing a lighthearted laugh to escape.
The beauty’s smile was like a hundred flowers blooming before one’s eyes, enhancing the scenery and intoxicating the moment.
Bu Shulin completely forgot the pain in her hand, instinctively saying, "Sister Xihe, why not marry me?""
Hongyu and Ziyu, who knew Bu Shulin was a woman, widened their eyes in shock, while Moyu directly drew her sword and pressed it against Bu Shulin’s neck.
Shen Xihe glanced at Moyu, who then sheathed her sword.
Realizing what she had said, Bu Shulin felt somewhat awkward and rubbed her nose, adopting a playful, nonchalant tone. "Actually, marrying me would be wonderful. I’d take you from the deserts of the northwest through plateaus and canyons, traveling all across Shu and ancient Dian. We’d ignore all these troubles—whatever you wish to do, I’d accompany you, protect you, and indulge you."
Shen Xihe paused slightly, lowering her eyelids. "Crown Prince, if you dare to seek a marriage decree from Your Majesty, I dare to marry you.""
The atmosphere instantly froze. They both knew it was impossible—not because of Bu Shulin’s hidden identity as a woman, but because a marriage alliance between the Shu Southern Royal Manor and the Northwest King would surely unsettle the Youning Emperor. Their wedding day would mark the moment when Northwest and Shu South would be forced to rebel for self-preservation.
As if recalling something, Bu Shulin picked up her freshly filled teacup, her gaze cooling as she tilted her head back and drained it in one go. "The world only sees the allure of power, unaware that those trapped within it are pitiable creatures."
Shen Xihe brushed her sleeve and pressed down on Bu Shulin’s hand as she reached for more drink, firmly yet gently taking the teacup from her. "Why indulge in melancholy? You speak of commoners’ freedom, but you don’t realize that in their destitution, poverty can tear families apart.""Born into nobility, we should be grateful. As for the path beneath our feet, we must walk it ourselves. If thorns entangle us, simply cut them down. They are but superficial wounds. When the day comes that no one dares harm you, you will laugh off these trivial matters."
Bu Shulin felt that Shen Xihe possessed a unique resilience and clarity. Even speaking with her was infectious. She smiled openly, "I am enlightened."
She couldn't help feeling some regret that she wasn't born male. Otherwise, she would have overcome all obstacles to scheme—how would she know without trying whether such a beauty could belong to her?
Suddenly, Bu Shulin felt envious of the man who would eventually marry Shen Xihe.
"Your Highness, the Marquis of Zhenbei and his wife have come in person," Biyu reported.
"You have guests, so I shall take my leave. I will visit you another day," Bu Shulin stood up and walked out of the pavilion. She couldn't resist glancing back at Shen Xihe, who was taking another path back to the main hall.
The Marquis of Zhenbei and his wife had come regarding the matter of the two Ding brothers. Whether it was clarifying the reason for the horse's loss of control or later administering light punishment as a warning to Ding Zhi, the Marquis and his wife owed Shen Xihe a debt of gratitude.
Otherwise, one of their sons would have become a reckless noble who let his horse run wild in the streets, while the other would have become a cancerous tumor disrupting the court.
The Marquis and his wife brought many gifts. The Marchioness deliberately tried to get closer to Shen Xihe, but Shen Xihe maintained a polite yet distant attitude throughout. Recognizing her reserve, the couple tactfully took their leave early.
The next morning, Shen Xihe rose early to dress in magnificent attire before entering the palace.
As it wasn't an assembly day, Shen Xihe quickly gained audience with the Youning Emperor.
"Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty. May Your Majesty be blessed with peace."
"No need for such formality, Zhaoning." The Youning Emperor's voice carried the depth of a mature man and the ease of an elder. "You've had a long journey. I am aware of what happened in Linxiang County and will certainly give you an explanation."
"Zhaoning thanks Your Majesty," Shen Xihe replied humbly.
"How is your father? Tell me about the current state of the Northwest..."
The Emperor then spoke with her at length, mostly about various aspects of the Northwest, his tone thick with nostalgia.
The previous emperor had been licentious. To please his favored consort, he personally slandered the then-empress, now the Empress Dowager, and exiled her along with her two legitimate sons to the Northwest. It was Shen Yueshan who secretly provided for them and later risked everything to assist them, enabling the Empress Dowager to return to the capital with her eldest son Qian Wang and younger son, the Youning Emperor.
Unfortunately, Qian Wang encountered an enemy ambush the night before breaching the capital walls—otherwise, the throne wouldn't have gone to the current emperor.
The Northwest could be considered the place where the Youning Emperor grew up.
After speaking with the Emperor for an hour, he finally dismissed her, never mentioning the matter of Xiao Shi.
Leaving the Taiji Hall, Shen Xihe turned left toward the Eastern Palace. Since she had agreed yesterday, she naturally had to go through the motions to fulfill etiquette.
That enemy ambush nineteen years ago had claimed the lives of Qian Wang and his wife, as well as the empress who died protecting the Youning Emperor.
Upon ascending the throne, the Youning Emperor posthumously honored the princess consort as empress and decreed that he would never take another empress in his lifetime, all to ensure no one could shake the position of the Crown Prince, the legitimate heir.
To what extent did the Emperor dote on Xiao Huayong as the seventh prince?
All other princes avoided using the character "Huá", changing it to "Cháng". The Crown Prince's allowances and privileges were matched to those of the Youning Emperor.
The Eastern Palace was naturally extremely luxurious, even more elegant and exquisite than the Emperor's own quarters.Shen Xihe had just arrived at the gate of the Eastern Palace when she spotted Xiao Huayong standing by the entrance, clad in a pale white round-collar robe. Though winter had not yet arrived, he had already draped a heavy cloak over his shoulders, seemingly waiting with eager anticipation.
Upon seeing Shen Xihe, his gentle and reserved eyes lit up with a sudden brilliance. He hurried toward her, coughing a few times before saying, "You've come. I thought you wouldn't."
His tone carried a subtle, almost imperceptible note of grievance.
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