At the palace gate stood two flourishing red maple trees, their fiery leaves drifting down in the wind. Their reflections shimmered in his gentle eyes, as if kindling flames within, making his gaze intensely bright.
"Zhaoning pays her respects to Your Highness..."
"No need for such formality, no need." Before Shen Xihe could curtsy, Xiao Huayong swiftly helped her up.
"Thank you, Your Highness." Shen Xihe subtly freed her arm from his grasp.
"Cough, cough, cough..." Xiao Huayong seemed to have rushed over too urgently, as a fit of coughing seized him uncontrollably.
"Your Highness, the wind is strong here. May the County Princess please converse inside the hall," the eunuch by Xiao Huayong's side hurriedly suggested.
Still coughing, Xiao Huayong was assisted as he turned to head inside the palace. Shen Xihe, who had originally intended only to pay her respects before leaving: ...
Never mind, no point arguing with someone gravely ill.
Shen Xihe had no choice but to follow, accompanied by Biyu and Hongyu.
Upon entering the Eastern Palace, Shen Xihe's eyes lit up. From the outside, the palace appeared resplendent and magnificent, but inside, it was lush with greenery, brimming with vitality.
The Eastern Palace housed many exotic flowers and rare plants, most of which Shen Xihe had never seen before. The air was filled with a fresh, invigorating scent, making one instinctively close their eyes and take a deep breath.
For a moment, Shen Xihe felt as though she were not in the oppressive depths of the palace but in a paradise of blooming flowers.
"Ah, why is this courtyard covered entirely in moss?" As they passed a garden paved with moss, Hongyu couldn't resist whispering to Shen Xihe.
Shen Xihe observed the moss, dotted with golden round fruits of varying sizes, glowing like warm sunlight with a dazzling radiance: "This is Creeping Gold Moss."
"The County Princess has a keen eye." Xiao Huayong, who had paused ahead, coughed lightly twice. "When the sun sets in the west, the entire garden glows with splendor, a sight too beautiful to behold. I often come here at night. If the opportunity arises someday, I would like to invite the County Princess to admire it with me."
His words carried a certain implication. As a subject's daughter, Shen Xihe could not linger in the palace—how could she accompany the Crown Prince to admire the garden at night?
Unless...
Shen Xihe studied Xiao Huayong with a probing gaze. His eyes were as gentle and clear as ever, so candid that anyone who doubted him would feel ashamed. "Thank you for Your Highness's kind offer."
She did not commit to the invitation. Xiao Huayong visibly dimmed but remained gracious: "Cough, cough, cough. County Princess, please come inside."
Up to this point, Xiao Huayong had left Shen Xihe with the impression of a good-natured young man. He possessed the elegance and nobility befitting a son of the imperial family, yet lacked the overbearing arrogance typical of royal scions.
Xiao Huayong had clearly made extensive preparations. The guest hall was situated on a high platform, offering a view of half the Eastern Palace's layout, with an excellent vantage point.
The high platform was entwined with flowering and fruit-bearing vines, with grapevines dangling plump, crystalline grapes. There was no need for any fragrant spices—the scents of flowers and fruits lingered in the air, making one unconsciously relax.
"It is almost noon. I have prepared some tea and refreshments for the County Princess to enjoy." As soon as Xiao Huayong took his seat, he instructed Tianyuan to bring in trays of tea and snacks served by the Eastern Palace attendants.
The capital's tea refreshments were abundant, with five or six types of pastries alone, all crispy on the outside and tender inside, fragrant without being overpowering, and sweet without being cloying.
There was also a Spirit-Melting Roast being prepared—a delicacy made from only the most exquisite four taels of lamb leg meat, roasted with a secret imperial recipe, a rare treat exclusive to the royal family.
Shen Xihe had tasted it twice and had never forgotten it. She had attempted to recreate the recipe many times in private but had never succeeded in deciphering it.
Steam rose from the small stove as Xiao Huayong, wrapped in cloth, lifted the clay pot. He discarded the first infusion of tea and poured the brew into three teacups.His movements were slow, yet not the least bit clumsy. Every gesture seemed to draw the eye.
"Your Ladyship, please." Xiao Huayong finished pouring the tea, and Tianyuan bowed as he presented it to Shen Xihe.
Shen Xihe accepted it with both hands. As she lifted the lid, an exquisite tea fragrance wafted out.
After inhaling the aroma, Shen Xihe took a small sip. The tea had a smoothness unlike any other she had tasted.
When sampling tea before, her first thought was always to identify the variety. But this cup made her completely forget about its origins, captivated solely by the flavor of the tea itself.
Only after the tea's fragrance faded from her palate did Shen Xihe realize she hadn't identified what tea it was. She couldn't help taking another sip.
This time she tasted with purpose, yet still couldn't determine the tea variety.
"This is tea I planted myself." Seeming to notice Shen Xihe's attempts to identify it, Xiao Huayong smiled gently. "I hope you don't find it lacking."
"Not at all. This is the most delicious tea I've ever tasted." Shen Xihe spoke truthfully. "Your Highness has mastered the art of tea making."
Xiao Huayong smiled faintly. "When I was young, I suffered a serious illness and afterward couldn't exert myself mentally or physically. I fell behind my brothers in both literary studies and martial arts. My father, out of pity, always held my brothers back to my pace. Feeling guilty, I simply abandoned those pursuits. Over the years, the only thing I've remained devoted to is my love for tea, hence I've gained some understanding."
Though he was smiling, Shen Xihe felt she could discern overwhelming melancholy behind his seemingly sincere expression.
"Your Highness, literary and martial skills are meant to be offered to the imperial family." Shen Xihe unconsciously softened her tone. "You needn't learn these things—they will be presented to you regardless."
Xiao Huayong's eyes brightened. "Your Ladyship, you are the first person to tell me this."
"Perhaps... because we share similar hardships." Shen Xihe laughed faintly.
They both had weak constitutions, both yearned for seemingly unattainable things, and both loved flowers and plants.
"Sharing similar fates..." Xiao Huayong murmured before another coughing fit seized him.
Just then, the freshly prepared Spirit-Melting Roast was brought in. Xiao Huayong had it placed before Shen Xihe. "I cannot eat roasted meats."
Looking at Xiao Huayong's condition, Shen Xihe understood that his frail constitution required avoiding greasy foods.
With delicacies before her, Shen Xihe didn't stand on ceremony. Though she enjoyed them, she only sampled lightly.
She never easily revealed her preferences.
Once someone's preferences were known to others, they became fatal weaknesses.
So she tasted each tea snack just enough to appreciate them before setting down her chopsticks.
"How would you like me to handle what you entrusted to me?" Xiao Huayong suddenly asked out of nowhere.
Shen Xihe looked up. She knew he was referring to the evidence she had intercepted from Xiao Changying. No wonder two or three months had passed with the matter still unresolved—Xiao Huayong had been holding onto it all along, never releasing it.
Gazing at Xiao Huayong's earnest expression, Shen Xihe wondered: Was it because she overcomplicated human nature that she found this man difficult to read? Or was this man actually unfathomably profound?
"Your Ladyship, compared to my elder and younger brothers, I may not be particularly clever, but I'm not foolish either." Xiao Huayong maintained his sunny smile. "It was you who saved Ninth Brother."
Therefore, upon receiving the evidence, he must have known it came from Shen Xihe.
"Your Highness..." Shen Xihe ventured tentatively, "Aren't you concerned that I have sinister intentions, deliberately trying to provoke conflict between you and Prince Lie?"Xiao Huayong gave Shen Xihe a serious look before shaking his head with a wry smile. "What ill intentions could the princess possibly have?"
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