Glancing over, she noticed a faint smile gracing Shen Xihe's lips. Though subtle, a glimmer of amusement shone in her eyes.
Zhenzhu's thoughts stirred, and she remarked, "In the past, when Your Highness mentioned the Crown Prince's childish antics, you sounded helpless and... somewhat uncomfortable. But today, you seem to take delight in teasing him, as if you genuinely enjoy seeing him in such a state."
Shen Xihe neither evaded the topic nor gave a perfunctory response. Instead, she openly admitted, "It's the difference between finding someone displeasing and pleasing."
When she had found Xiao Huayong disagreeable, her tolerance, appreciation, and patience toward him had been limited, as she had only sought to establish a mutually beneficial relationship. Now that she viewed him favorably, even his petty moods seemed... endearing.
Upon hearing this, Zhenzhu lowered her head with a soft laugh. "Your Highness, when do you plan to gift him the Five-Colored Thread snacks?"
The Five-Colored Thread, also known as the Longevity Thread, was said to ward off evil, avert disasters, and prolong life.
There was an underlying tension between the princess and the Crown Prince concerning his health. Initially, Shen Xihe had chosen the Crown Prince—rumored to have a shortened lifespan—with the intention of consolidating power.
At first, the Crown Prince had been unaware of this motive. Later, even after learning the truth, though unwilling to give her up, and despite her exhaustive efforts to detoxify him, he likely still harbored reservations. This was why the Crown Prince, who usually clung to her relentlessly, had never asked for the Five-Colored Thread.
He might not even fully understand why he couldn't bring himself to ask. What meaning would a requested gift hold? It wouldn't be given sincerely, nor would it reflect her genuine wishes. Had it been anyone else, he would have demanded it long ago.
"Tomorrow is the Dragon Boat Festival; there's no hurry," Shen Xihe replied, a faint smile playing on her lips.
She intended to give it to him—she had woven it for him early on. But today, seeing Xiao Huayong's internal struggle—wanting it yet refusing to ask—she found it utterly amusing.
On the fifth day of the fifth month, the Dragon Boat Festival, colorful towers, mat sheds, and tents had been erected along the riverbanks days in advance, stretching for dozens of miles on both sides. Young men and women in splendid attire weaved through the crowds, waiting eagerly to watch the races.
Before the competition, attendants carefully approached the nobles with placards, inquiring if any distinguished guests wished to place bets.
This was to add excitement to the dragon boat races—a joint effort by the court and merchants. The merchants had legally obtained certain business rights for the day; even the street vendors had undergone rigorous screening to seize this lucrative opportunity.
The wagers placed today were guaranteed by the court, ensuring no losses. Yangzhou likely exploited this to manipulate the race outcomes and amass substantial profits.
In the capital, betting was limited to a small, leisurely amount—no more than ten gold coins per person.
However, some found loopholes, bringing large groups where each person bet ten gold, collectively amassing hundreds.
As long as no major incidents occurred, the court turned a blind eye. Celebrating the festival with joyous fervor was what mattered most.
When the betting inquiry reached Shen Xihe, she spotted Bu Shulin on one of the dragon boats. As a representative of the idle elite, how could she miss such a grand event?
While she was incompetent at handling official duties, she was undisputedly the leader in revelry and entertainment.
Shen Xihe took out ten gold coins and bet on Bu Shulin to win.Glancing at Bu Shulin, whose clothes were coated with tung oil to prevent splashes, gleaming glossy under the sunlight, Shen Xihe shook her head helplessly with a faint smile. Turning to the other side, she saw Cui Jinbai’s face darkened throughout, exuding an aura that warned strangers to stay away, frightening his attendants into standing at a distance.
Bu Shulin stood among a crowd of young men, cheerfully catching the Five-Colored Threads tossed from above, occasionally winking at beauties on the shore, making them giggle foolishly.
She always felt Bu Shulin was playing with fire, yet there was no way to warn him.
However, the sight of the Five-Colored Thread reminded her of Xiao Huayong. Lowering her gaze to the thread in her hand, she turned to look at Xiao Huayong on the colorful tower nearby. He crouched there, his pallid face tense, as if someone owed him thousands in gold.
The spot where he sat happened to be bathed in slanting sunlight. Tianyuan tried to hold an umbrella for him, but Xiao Huayong brushed him away abruptly.
“No one cares if I faint from the heat anyway,” Xiao Huayong grumbled.
Tianyuan: …
He now understood what His Highness wanted, but since the Crown Prince refused to voice it and the Lady lacked any intention to offer, His Highness sat there sulking, heedless of the princes who might mock him. Clenching his sickly pale face, he sat rigidly upright, staring straight ahead without glancing sideways.
Even the Youning Emperor noticed Xiao Huayong’s foul mood and sent Liu Sanzhi to inquire.
Tianyuan had no choice but to explain, “His Highness is unwell but refuses to let the people see the Crown Prince appear frail, so he endures it stubbornly. When I tried to shade him with an umbrella, he said, ‘How can a full-grown man be as delicate as a maiden?’ That’s why he scolded me.”
Tianyuan’s explanation, paired with Xiao Huayong’s demeanor, was seamless. Liu Sanzhi relayed this to the Youning Emperor.
Witnessing this scene, Shen Xihe couldn’t help but cover her lips with her hand and chuckle.
“My Lady… why are you laughing?” Biyu had been engrossed in the festivities and hadn’t noticed anything else until Shen Xihe’s laughter piqued her curiosity.
Shen Xihe laughed a moment longer before composing herself and whispering, “Look at His Highness the Crown Prince.”
Biyu and the others turned in unison to see the Crown Prince’s displeased expression—clearly angry, yet not quite enraged. What was so amusing? They were utterly baffled.
Only Zhenzhu, who had accompanied Shen Xihe to the Eastern Palace the previous day, understood why she laughed. Gathering courage, she added, “His Highness looks as if he’s saying, ‘If the Lady doesn’t give him a Five-Colored Thread, he’ll let himself faint from the heat.’”
“Hahaha…” Zhenzhu and Shen Xihe shared the same thought. Shen Xihe, the epitome of a noble lady, had never laughed aloud like this before. Though not too loud, her laughter was drowned out by the sudden pre-race drumming. Unless someone had been closely watching her, no one would have noticed.
Biyu and the others finally grasped the meaning and glanced again at the Crown Prince. Indeed, he did seem to convey exactly that, prompting them to stifle their own laughter.
They didn’t dare laugh openly like Shen Xihe and could only cover their mouths with the backs of their hands.
Shen Xihe handed the prepared Smoked Plum Syrup to Moyu. “Take this to the Crown Prince.”
She didn’t dare send Zhenzhu or the others, fearing they might lose composure in front of Xiao Huayong and burst out laughing at his demeanor.
The palace had prepared plenty of snacks and tea, but Xiao Huayong would certainly not partake. Nor could they prepare anything separately, lest it be seen as disrespectful to His Majesty. However, inner court ladies like her could bring their own provisions. The Smoked Plum Syrup she brewed was unique—more thirst-quenching than others’.Upon receiving the Smoked Plum Syrup, Xiao Huayong glanced toward Shen Xihe but quickly averted his gaze, maintaining a stern expression that clearly displayed his displeasure.
To Shen Xihe, it looked exactly as if he were saying: Come and coax me now!
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