The Crown Princess has already been decided as Shen Xihe. As the legitimate daughter of a marquis household, how could Yu Sangning become a concubine in the Eastern Palace?
Her status is sufficient to match that of the Crown Princess, though compared to Shen Xihe, she is indeed slightly inferior—yet she still cannot serve as a concubine. In this dynasty, concubines cannot be elevated to principal wives. This applies not only to court officials and commoners but is especially exemplified by the imperial family.
Unless one day the Crown Prince ascends the throne and widely expands the Imperial Harem, then high positions in the harem would be different. But Yu Sangzi could not wait until that day. She lowered her head despondently and said, "I don't harbor particularly deep affection for His Highness either. I just deeply envy the way he looks at Zhaoning County Princess. It's as if she is the only person in the entire world, making heaven and earth fade in comparison, all things wither and decay... If one day someone were to look at me that way, I would willingly shorten my lifespan."
Yu Sangning lowered her eyes, sneering at such sentimental romanticism. Wasn't her own mother just such a foolish woman? If not for that, how could she have had such a miserable first half of her life?
In her view, Yu Sangzi had grown up in luxury, surrounded by attendants, and had never suffered hardship, which was why she believed in these useless things.
"Let's go." Yu Sangning heard a soft sigh drifting from the other side.
Looking up, she saw Prince Lie, Xiao Changying, gazing in the direction where Shen Xihe had departed. Those words were spoken by Prince Xin, Xiao Changqing, to Xiao Changying. He patted his younger brother's shoulder and drifted away first.
Prince Xin's principal wife had passed away, and if he remarried, it would be a successive marriage. Yu Sangning considered her own status—it was still somewhat low, but not entirely without prospects.
The prerequisite was... She glanced at Yu Sangzi. Yu Sangzi could not marry into the imperial family. The Yu family could not produce two imperial consorts.
The undercurrents swirling in this area were unknown to Shen Xihe. She and Xiao Huayong had reached a less crowded spot, and others only watched from a distance. Those with discernment knew that the Crown Prince did not wish to be disturbed during his time alone with the beauty.
"Embroidery Commissioner Zhao is by His Majesty's side, Xiao Fuxing is with Jing Wang, I just saw Zhao Wang showing considerable appreciation for Candidate Guo, and Cui Shaoqing remains firmly positioned in court. Your Highness truly employs excellent tactics." Shen Xihe reached out to play with a peach branch that had stretched out and drooped before her.
"I am by your side." Xiao Huayong leaned closer to her. "They are all blades in my hands, clearing thorns and brambles for me; while I become a shield, protecting you for a lifetime."
Shen Xihe truly did not know how to converse with this man—he was constantly teasing her. "If Your Highness continues like this, I'm afraid we'll just end up staring at each other in silence again."
"Alright, alright, we won't speak of such things." Xiao Huayong smiled appeasingly and turned to look toward the area where noble young ladies gathered. "So? Among these young ladies, which ones do you find easy to get along with?"
Hearing his question, Shen Xihe asked, "How many does Your Highness plan to take into the Eastern Palace?"
Xiao Huayong's smile froze. He turned to look at Shen Xihe, studied her for a long moment, then sighed softly. "I promised you a 'Pan-Yang bond' and will never go back on my word. Today's Spring Day Banquet is held for my brothers. In the future, you will all be sisters-in-law. As you reside in the Eastern Palace and hold the position of Crown Princess, you should not have to accommodate them. But I don't want anyone marrying someone tactless who would trouble you."
Shen Xihe had not expected him to ask her to select wives for the other princes!
"Just speak freely. Leave the rest to me." Xiao Huayong did not feel the slightest bit guilty, completely disregarding what kind of wives his brothers might end up with, whether their marriages would be harmonious, or whether they already had beloved ones. All that mattered was that his Crown Princess was happy.He was the Crown Prince, the esteemed heir apparent, the master of the Eastern Palace tutored by renowned scholars, yet Shen Xihe had never sensed unreasonable tyranny or arrogance in him. Today was the first time she felt his dominance—so forceful that it extended to the marital affairs of his siblings, a privilege reserved only for the emperor.
Yet he never spoke idly; if he said it, he could undoubtedly achieve it.
"What concern are the affairs of others to me?" Shen Xihe knew little of these noble ladies, and she disliked having her own marriage manipulated, nor would she casually interfere in others' fates.
If she ever encountered someone truly incompatible, she would simply keep her distance. Should anyone insist on pressing forward, she had countless ways to make a person vanish without a trace—even if that person were a princess consort!
Understanding her thoughts, Xiao Huayong could only sigh regretfully, "Youyou always makes me feel I have no place to prove my worth."
"How dare I? Your Highness's abilities reach the heavens and earth. There are many matters I must beg of you," Shen Xihe replied lightly.
"The Northwest and Shunan have exchanged weapons, enough to be defined as rebellion. Such a significant matter, and Youyou still avoids involving me. I truly don’t know when there will be a time for Youyou to seek me out," Xiao Huayong sighed softly.
Shen Xihe glanced at him. "Your Highness's influence spans the skies; your news arrives swiftly."
How long had it been since she and Bu Shulin discussed this? Probably only just after the Prince of Shunan and her father exchanged a couple of letters, and Xiao Huayong already knew. "I did not make the decision in this matter. It is up to Father and the Prince of Shunan to decide. If they deem it worth the risk, then they will take the chance."
She had merely conveyed her father's thoughts to Bu Shulin, who then contacted the Prince of Shunan.
"I guessed," Xiao Huayong chuckled softly.
He only knew that the Prince of Shunan and the Northwest King had established contact. Large quantities of Dragon Bone had been transported from Shunan to the Northwest, and upon asking Xie Yunhuai, he learned that Dragon Bone was used for Trauma Medicine. For the Northwest King to share such a valuable resource with Shunan, he must be seeking substantial gains.
What did the Northwest lack most if not weapons and cotton? He took a bold guess. However, he didn’t believe Shen Xihe was unaware that he might have no concrete evidence. She could easily evade or dismiss the matter, yet she chose to admit it, sending waves of sweetness through his heart.
"Your Highness rarely draws conclusions lightly. Once you do, even speculation holds seventy to eighty percent certainty. Why should I obscure or deceive you in front of someone so discerning?" Shen Xihe saw his tender, affectionate smile and knew he was overthinking again.
"I don’t care. Youyou treats me as one of her own," Xiao Huayong declared smugly.
"As long as it pleases Your Highness," Shen Xihe maintained a faint smile.
Xiao Huayong's smile remained unchanged. "Youyou, why not let me handle the escort? Using a merchant caravan would be most appropriate."
"I’ve said I am not making decisions or taking charge in this matter. If Your Highness wishes to participate, why not speak directly with my father?" Shen Xihe distanced herself.
Her current stance toward Xiao Huayong was neither full trust nor groundless suspicion. Whatever Xiao Huayong chose to do, she would let him.
As for her father, he was far more adept at judging character. If someone of his age misjudged and trusted the wrong person, there was little to be done.
Whether to use Xiao Huayong or not was entirely her father’s decision.
"Youyou is so good to me, finding ways for me to curry favor with my future father-in-law…"
"Xiao Beichen!" Shen Xihe gritted her teeth in a low warning.
They weren’t even married yet, and he was already calling her father "father-in-law"!"Shh..." Xiao Huayong raised his index finger to his lips, "Don't be angry, Youyou. There are many people here. If they mistakenly think we're openly flirting, I don't mind..."
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