Chapter 388: Presenting the Betrothal Gift List for Your Review
Observing a chess game is like observing a person—Xiao Huayong’s chess style, when he does not deliberately conceal it, mirrors his way of handling affairs. He not only calculates human intentions meticulously and comprehensively but also sets one trap after another, ensuring every piece on the board moves along the path he has planned.
Shen Xihe lowered her gaze to the board and saw that her pieces were almost entirely trapped by Xiao Huayong. There was no room for retreat; even a single step back would result in the immediate loss of half her territory. Her eyes followed the only temporarily viable path, which led to the edge of the board—a dead end nonetheless.
With a faint smile, Shen Xihe had no choice but to place a piece. Xiao Huayong followed suit, his eyes crinkling with amusement as he looked at her.
Shen Xihe continued to make moves, with Xiao Huayong closely matching her. After each had placed five pieces, Shen Xihe’s next move landed where she should have continued her escape. Her fingers, still holding the piece, did not release it. Instead, she lifted her gaze, her bright eyes shimmering, and with a flick of her fingertip, she abandoned that territory and placed the piece elsewhere.
Xiao Huayong’s thick, sword-like brows furrowed slightly as he scanned the entire board. A silent laugh escaped him, gentle and serene, like a flower swaying in the breeze. He still placed his piece in the original position, effectively cornering a section of Shen Xihe’s pieces.
With gentle movements, he gathered the captured pieces and placed them into Shen Xihe’s chess pot. Just then, Shen Xihe made another move—one that trapped a small cluster of Xiao Huayong’s pieces in the same predicament she had just faced.
“Playing against Youyou is like meeting one’s match—thoroughly exhilarating,” Xiao Huayong remarked. He truly enjoyed playing chess with Shen Xihe.
Initially, Xiao Huayong had held back slightly, but Shen Xihe grew stronger with each challenge, soon requiring no concessions from him. Although their win-loss ratio stood at seven to three in his favor, he knew it wouldn’t be long before it shifted to six to four, and eventually, they would be evenly matched.
“Your Highness, I meant to remind you that this move is called ‘sacrificing the chariot to save the marshal,’” Shen Xihe said softly.
Xiao Changtai was not an easy opponent to deal with. Like a venomous snake hidden in the desert, one might step on it without even realizing it was there. But once stepped on, it would strike back instantly, injecting lethal venom into its assailant.
“Youyou, do you think Fourth Brother can still escape the trap I’ve set for him?” Xiao Huayong rubbed a chess piece thoughtfully.
“I don’t know much about the Fourth Prince, but I believe that anyone who can silently assist Munuha in escaping from the capital’s prison and remain undetected by you until now is certainly no ordinary person,” Shen Xihe replied noncommittally.
Xiao Huayong nodded. “Thank you for the reminder, Youyou.”
“Let’s end today’s game here. We’ll continue another day,” Xiao Huayong said, pulling out a booklet and handing it to Shen Xihe. “This is the betrothal gift list drafted by the Ministry of Rites together with the Palace Service Department. You may review it first, Youyou.”
Shen Xihe’s cheeks warmed slightly, though not out of shyness. She simply did not place much importance on betrothal gifts.
The Crown Prince taking a consort was equivalent to an emperor taking an empress—it was protocol. Without even looking, one could imagine the extravagance of the imperial betrothal gifts. Especially since the Youning Emperor had not established an empress himself, this wedding was likely to be the grandest of his reign. Why would Shen Xihe need to scrutinize the details?
“His Majesty and the Ministry of Rites have drafted it, so there can be no error. Your Highness, please refrain from involving yourself in such trivial matters in the future to avoid drawing attention.”Obtaining the betrothal gift list so early, just like receiving the wedding date divined by the Imperial Astronomers last time, required leveraging personal connections.
"Youyou worries too much. I requested it openly and did not obtain it secretly," Xiao Huayong laughed.
Such matters needed no concealment. It was only natural for the Crown Prince, who adored and valued his Crown Princess, to personally oversee every detail.
"You..." Shen Xihe's face grew even warmer.
She had always assumed Xiao Huayong obtained these things discreetly behind others' backs. Turns out he had openly demanded them—didn't this mean everyone in the palace knew how impatient he was to marry?
"My eagerness to wed is no scandal. Why fear others knowing?" Having already undergone his capping ceremony, his urgency to marry was a normal masculine trait—nothing to hide.
"You..." Shen Xihe nearly blurted out, "You may not fear it, but I do!"
After all, it was natural for men and women to marry at the proper age. Yet Xiao Huayong's actions made her feel inexplicably embarrassed, though she couldn't pinpoint why. Normally indifferent to others' opinions, this indescribable irritation made her glare at him.
"Youyou only reacts with such flustered anger because she also anticipates marrying me." Xiao Huayong leaned closer with a triumphant, provoking grin.
Shen Xihe shoved his head away. "Xiao Beichen, you are the Crown Prince!"
His constant frivolous behavior never failed to infuriate her.
"Had I no place in your heart, you would remain unperturbed even if I disrobed before you." Xiao Huayong understood at least eighty percent of Shen Xihe's temperament.
"Get out!" Unable to bear his words, she snapped in mortified fury.
Xiao Huayong chuckled delightedly, provoking Shen Xihe to snatch the leaning pillow and hurl it at him.
Catching it deftly, he retreated behind the screen. "Don't be angry, Youyou. I'm leaving now. Remember to review the betrothal gifts—inform me promptly of any items conflicting with your family's taboos."
The gift list carried no ulterior motives. The Northwest King's mansion was an affluent family that had accumulated wealth over centuries in the region—even the Crown Prince couldn't outshine them. Nor was it meant to emphasize his eagerness to wed or his dedication to the marriage.
He simply wanted her to personally identify any objects the Shen family might consider taboo. Although the Ministry of Rites would send officials to consult the Northwest King's chief steward, some unspoken taboos might never be disclosed—families would rather endure offense than reveal them, merely concealing any displeasure.
Xiao Huayong simply wished their marriage to be perfect and flawless from beginning to end.
Setting down the leaning pillow, he bent to peer around the screen, winking with his mole-adorned eye before departing with a self-satisfied smile.
"Seal the chessboard," Shen Xihe instructed Zhenzhu. Since Xiao Huayong proposed continuing their game another day, the outcome would await their next encounter.
"Acknowledged." Zhenzhu and Biyu immediately set to work, leaving the thick ledger untouched nearby.
Shen Xihe glanced at it intermittently without reaching for it, until Mo Yuan returned with Duanming.
To prevent Duanming from losing its instincts and becoming like the pampered civet cats kept by noble ladies, Shen Xihe had Mo Yuan send someone to take it deep into the wilderness every three days.After bathing, the short-legged cat, still carrying a lingering fragrance, immediately dashed toward Shen Xihe, nearly stepping on the betrothal gift ledger. Shen Xihe swiftly picked it up first.
(End of Chapter)
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