Shen Xihe listened with a complex expression. In her memory, Gu Qingshu was an intelligent and charming young woman.
Xiao Huayong did not treat her as an outsider, which was why he so casually shared his judgment of Gu Qingshu in her presence. It wasn't meant as gossip behind someone's back, but rather out of concern that, as fellow women, if they were to interact in the future, she might not see Gu Qingshu's true nature.
It was because she had once mentioned that Gu Qingzhi had been like a savior to her that he worried she might be lenient toward Gu Qingshu as a result.
"Has Your Highness's eyesight improved recently?" Shen Xihe asked with concern.
Xiao Huayong smiled faintly. "I can still occasionally see some vibrant colors, though not for long. A Xi says we must be patient."
"I've consulted some ancient texts and found medicinal recipes that are beneficial for the eyes. I happened to prepare some today for Your Highness to try." Shen Xihe stood and headed toward the kitchen, a place she had become quite familiar with in the Eastern Palace.
Medicinal diets require long-term consumption to show effects. Shen Xihe had specifically consulted Zhenzhu and Sui Axi to ensure there were no conflicting ingredients before preparing it for Xiao Huayong. She had also carefully instructed Jiuzhang, only now learning that Xiao Huayong had four key subordinates under his command.
Tianyuan, who accompanied him closely, was the eunuch in charge of his daily life and meals, also known as the chief eunuch of the Eastern Palace—Jiuzhang. Difang, responsible for regional intelligence, was Tianyuan's biological brother. Luling managed his underground forces and oversaw rewards and punishments for his subordinates.
Tianyuan, Difang, Luling, Jiuzhang—these names came from a Daoist phrase. It was no surprise, given that he had grown up in a Daoist temple.
She stayed at the Eastern Palace for the evening meal before leaving. Upon returning home, she wrote a letter to her elder brother before retiring for the night.
The Shangsi Festival on the third day of the third month had passed. This year, due to the examination fraud scandal, the common people had not celebrated it lavishly. However, it was the season when peach blossoms bloomed, and everywhere, young women wearing veiled hats or dressed in male attire could be seen strolling and enjoying outings with young men.
Along the Qujiang River, apricot gardens were in full bloom, with crowds flowing endlessly in a bustling scene. Seated in her carriage, Shen Xihe observed the vibrant spectacle, which was in no way inferior to the Shangsi Festival celebrations.
Just then, an orchid adorned with a small white flower peeked out from the edge of the carriage, startling Shen Xihe. Immediately after, Xiao Huayong's handsome face leaned in close: "There's a tradition during the Shangsi Festival of presenting orchids to admired young women. I regretted not inviting Youyou to the festivities this year, so today I'm making up for it with this orchid."
Shen Xihe looked at the orchid and reached out to accept it. However, Xiao Huayong took the opportunity to be cheeky—as he let go, his fingertips brushed against the back of her hand, provoking an angry glare from her.
Though she was willing to follow her heart and not resist him, she disliked his constant frivolity. Yet, even when she admonished him, he never changed.
Xiao Huayong didn't know why, but he simply enjoyed seeing her glare at him. She had no idea how adorable she looked when she was annoyed.
The thick-skinned Crown Prince not only failed to restrain himself but grinned even more broadly. Shen Xihe yanked the carriage curtain shut and sat upright, glancing down at the orchid in her hand before tossing it onto the nearby table.
"Meow!" Duanming, seeing its owner discard a flower, immediately pounced on it. Before it could clamp the orchid in its mouth, Shen Xihe snatched it away. The cat turned its round eyes to her, seemingly full of confusion.
Shen Xihe lifted it by the scruff of its neck, tossed it into Zhenzhu's arms, and then pinned the orchid to her own attire.Hongyu winked at Zhenzhu upon seeing this, and Zhenzhu shot her a glare. Hongyu, who had somehow become utterly devoted to the Crown Prince, wished the Junzhu would marry into the Eastern Palace immediately so she could witness the couple's harmonious bliss every day.
Xiao Huayong led Shen Xihe to a mountain stream, where a brook gurgled softly. Rows of peach trees flanked the banks, their blossoms drifting on the water's surface and floating downstream, filling the air with a delicate fragrance. Among the emerald leaves, long-tailed birds occasionally darted past, their silhouettes against the blue sky creating a breathtaking scene.
"We're here," Xiao Huayong announced, having the carriage parked by the roadside and assigning attendants to watch over it. He guided Shen Xihe to the grassy bank beside the stream. Noticing the orchid grass adorning her attire, his eyes softened like gentle clouds drifting across the heavens.
During the Shangsi Festival, presenting orchid grass to a maiden was a tradition, and her wearing it signified reciprocated interest.
"Do you enjoy flying kites?" Xiao Huayong produced a prepared kite.
He recalled how during the Chongyang Festival, Shen Yunnan had wanted to buy her a kite while hill-climbing, which nearly led to her falling into the Rong family's trap.
"I've never flown a kite before," Shen Xihe replied with curiosity.
Kite-flying required running and physical exertion—activities her frail constitution couldn't handle. Moreover, the northwest's sandy winds made kites uncommon, though she'd occasionally seen young maidens playing with them.
"I'll teach you," Xiao Huayong said with a smile, instructing Tianyuan to hold the kite and run into the distance. He placed the reel in Shen Xihe's hands and naturally wrapped his arms around her from behind, guiding her: "Pull the string like this, release it when adding force, slowly now..."
Tianyuan, who had already launched the kite, watched from afar as the Crown Prince seized the opportunity to embrace the Junzhu. He thought of how many kites the Crown Prince had broken practicing in the Eastern Palace just for this day...
What did the Crown Prince know of kite-flying, a pastime favored by maidens? He'd never encountered it in his youth and had learned it temporarily for the Junzhu. Now that he could hold her close, he was surely satisfied.
Shen Xihe's attention remained fixed on the kite. Watching it soar under her control, she fumbled anxiously to stabilize it, fearing it might fall. This belated joy and fulfillment made her completely oblivious to Xiao Huayong's persistent embrace.
Only when she shifted positions to follow the kite's movement and found Xiao Huayong blocking her way did she elbow him aside: "Move! Don't block me from flying the kite!"
Her tone was bold and slightly petulant, though she remained unaware of it. Xiao Huayong chuckled softly and complied, stepping back about five paces. Crossing his arms, he gazed at her radiant, joyful expression with a tender smile, his heart melting utterly.
Amid the peach blossoms, her jade-like beauty outshone the flowers themselves—vivid and dazzling.
"The Junzhu has changed again..." Zhenzhu murmured with a soft sigh as Hongyu approached her where she stood at a distance.
In the northwest, the Junzhu seldom smiled, often carrying a subtle melancholy. After the Linglong incident, she had grown resilient, only revealing her former willful, spirited self before the Shizi and the Prince.
After taking the Bone Shedding Pill, her disposition had brightened. Now, she seemed to have gained an extra layer of lively charm."The princess is truly happy now." Hongyu loved seeing the princess with such a beaming smile. Watching her like this made Hongyu's heart swell with joy. "She isn't the princess of the Northwest anymore, nor the mistress of the Northwest King's residence. She doesn't need to labor and worry for others. Because of the Crown Prince's presence, he has pampered her into becoming a genuine young maiden."
Having followed Shen Xihe for over ten years, only now did they finally see in Shen Xihe the true demeanor a young maiden ought to possess.
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