Chapter 373: Beast-Luring Incense
To Ziyu, Xiao Huayong was practically no different from a romantic rival. Her mistress remained calm and composed, like a peony reigning supreme among flowers, yet she felt he had tainted that purity with his summer heat, making her less carefree than before.
"Youyou, don't let Ziyu's efforts in preparing this minced meat porridge go to waste," Xiao Huayong said, noticing Ziyu's displeasure.
Shen Xihe finally noticed Ziyu's reluctance. Her expression darkened slightly as she personally took the bowl from Ziyu and handed it to Xiao Huayong. "I hope Your Highness won't find it beneath you."
Only then did Xiao Huayong accept it. Ziyu stood flustered and uncertain. Though Shen Xihe didn't scold her outright, she never took Ziyu along on outings again afterward. Realizing her mistake, Ziyu had no choice but to obediently seek forgiveness from Shen Xihe.
She knelt outside the door for two hours before Shen Xihe finally received her. "Ziyu, I indulge you because you're my maid. But my indulgence doesn't give you the right to disregard others. He is the Crown Prince, the heir to the throne—must he endure your displeasure?"
Ziyu's face turned pale. "Forgive me, my lady. This servant was disrespectful. I'll never dare again."
"You're demoted to third rank. From now on, you'll be responsible for kitchen duties." Shen Xihe intended this as a warning.
When Xiao Huayong learned of this, he met Shen Xihe with a smile in his eyes. "I'm not angered by her disrespect. She's your maid, and anyone connected to you, I can tolerate."
"But I still wanted to know—if she presumes on your favor to disrespect me, would you punish her for my sake?"
He couldn't compare to her father or brothers, but surely he shouldn't rank below her personal maid?
Understanding his childish implication, Shen Xihe found herself both amused and exasperated. "Your Highness, those around me must understand propriety and observe etiquette. Since she offended you, it was only right that I punish her upon learning of it."
This was merely dissatisfaction with a servant, not protection of you!
Shen Xihe wasn't emphasizing anything or deliberately dampening Xiao Huayong's spirits—she was simply stating a fact.
"Oh." Xiao Huayong let out a disheartened sigh. "So it's just that Youyou's rules cannot be broken."
Previously, she would have thought his dejected tone was mostly feigned, but this time, Shen Xihe felt somewhat unsettled, even a little guilty. Thus, she added, "Your Highness and I are meant to weather storms together. You shouldn't lower yourself to comparing with a maid."
Somewhat comforted, Xiao Huayong resumed teasing her verbally. "I don't care for 'weathering storms together.' I prefer... sharing a pillow and bed..."
Shen Xihe's face flushed instantly. She was so embarrassed and annoyed she nearly lashed him with her riding whip.
Why... why must he always be so frivolous!
Seeing Shen Xihe stiffen in her saddle, two pink blossoms coloring her cheeks, Xiao Huayong couldn't contain his delight and burst into hearty laughter. "Hahahaha..."
And he dared laugh!
In her fury, Shen Xihe flicked her whip and urged her horse forward, not wanting to see him.
Unable to suppress his mirth, Xiao Huayong quickly spurred his horse to catch up. To divert her anger, he said, "Tibet is sending a princess to the capital for a marriage alliance."
Tibet was determined to secure this alliance; without it, they seemed restless. The Youning Emperor had refused to send a princess to Tibet, and after several negotiations, he decided to accept the princess Tibet was offering.
"Is His Majesty planning to take the princess into the Imperial Harem?" Shen Xihe asked.Every year, the Imperial Harem would symbolically accept one or two new members, but the Youning Emperor had long passed his impulsive youth and showed little enthusiasm for romantic affairs, rarely even visiting the harem. Shen Xihe found it unlikely that the Tibetan princess would be admitted into the Imperial Harem.
Sure enough, Xiao Huayong shook his head slightly. "It will either be one of my brothers or a prominent imperial relative or minister."
"Why not you?" Shen Xihe couldn't stand his gleeful, schadenfreude expression.
Xiao Huayong replied without hesitation, "Because I already have you."
His constant frivolity made Shen Xihe grit her teeth in frustration. "If the Tibetan princess insists on marrying only you, Your Highness, would you still be in the mood to watch the spectacle?"
"If she truly has the discernment to recognize this hidden gem of mine," Xiao Huayong mused, then glanced at Shen Xihe's unchanged expression and felt somewhat defeated, "I would simply cough up blood in front of her. That should scare her away."
Shen Xihe was amused by his earnest performance—either feigning fainting or coughing blood, as if worried people might forget his delicate health and provoke him.
She couldn't help but suspect that Xiao Huayong frequently employed such tactics not only because they were effective but, more importantly, to remind everyone that the Crown Prince was fated to die young. Perhaps this was precisely why no one in the court doubted him.
"However... Youyou, you've reminded me. I must take some preventive measures," Xiao Huayong suddenly said seriously.
His silver-flecked eyes darkened like abysses, and no one could guess what he was thinking.
Just as Shen Xihe was about to speak, a faint breeze carried a peculiar fragrance past her nose. Her expression abruptly changed. "Your Highness, let's go quickly!"
It was a scent used to lure wild beasts. Someone had planted it here, and if there were any predators in these mountains, they would soon be drawn to it. She had used the same method against Huang Zhongsi, causing him to be torn apart by wild beasts—leaving no evidence.
It was unclear whether this trap was meant for her or for Xiao Huayong.
After shouting her warning, Shen Xihe immediately turned her horse around. The horse seemed to sense the danger too, rearing up and neighing.
Xiao Huayong's eyes narrowed, all emotion vanishing from his face. He positioned himself protectively behind Shen Xihe as roaring sounds indeed emerged from behind them. As Shen Xihe grew increasingly interested in hunting, Xiao Huayong had changed their locations—no matter how beautiful a place was, they couldn't revisit it repeatedly.
These mountains stretched endlessly. Even if Xiao Huayong had wanted to send people to clear the area, it would have been impossible to cover such vast terrain. Over the past two months, he had almost always been by Shen Xihe's side. They never ventured deep into any forest, staying mostly on the outskirts—including now. They shouldn't have encountered any tigers.
Unexpectedly, someone had meticulously plotted against them, evidently having studied their travel patterns over the past two months and set an ambush here in advance. Since Xiao Huayong planned each outing himself, for someone to set a trap beforehand, there must be a spy among his close associates.
Under normal circumstances, Xiao Huayong wouldn't have been afraid, but today Shen Xihe was with him.
Xiao Huayong took out his bone whistle and blew it—first to summon Haidongqing, and second to alert Tianyuan, who wasn't accompanying them.
Almost as soon as the whistle sounded, a massive, swift figure came charging toward them.
Not one tiger, but three, surrounding him and Shen Xihe from three different directions.These beasts were clearly somewhat agitated, having been stimulated by the fragrant aroma. Fortunately, they had not entered the place where the fragrant spices were stored, so their bodies were not tainted with the scent.
(End of Chapter)
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