Chapter 401: Giving Him a Handkerchief
"Through the long years, I wish to spend them with you; in this vast journey of life, I'm fortunate to walk the same path as you."
Beneath long, thick lashes were eyes that seemed to gather silver light. His voice was like a mountain breeze brushing through hair, like moonlight spilling over a long night—gentle enough to seep into the bones.
His hand seemed to cut through the sunlight, fingertips shimmering with silver radiance as it slowly reached toward her.
Shen Xihe's gaze fell upon his hand—slender-fingered, broad-palmed, bathed in sunlight. Her own fingertips twitched slightly, but in the end, she did not extend her hand. "Wait until our wedding day, Your Highness, then extend your hand to me."
Holding your hand, growing old with you; the vow of white hair, the pledge of red leaves and mandarin ducks.
It should not be used on any other occasion.
Though he was once again met with refusal, at least she had not coldly rejected him, giving him a way to save face.
Xiao Huayong slowly withdrew his hand. "There are still over half a year left…"
It felt so long, making him wish he could blink and arrive at March of the following year, when spring warms the earth and flowers bloom.
Shen Xihe's bright eyes shimmered with amusement as she looked at him, a smile playing on her lips, but she said nothing.
Xiao Huayong could only let out a deep sigh, turning away dejectedly. Just as he reached the stone steps, Shen Xihe called out to him, "Your Highness."
Turning his head, Xiao Huayong looked at her curiously, only to see Shen Xihe holding out a dark-colored embroidered handkerchief, folded into a small square. The deep blue fabric was embroidered with two Eucommia leaves, their stems intertwined. "That handkerchief hasn't been hemmed."
The handkerchief embroidered with Fairy Ribbon was done casually, and Shen Xihe had never finished the edges, so it couldn't be used.
The handkerchief offered before him was bathed in sunlight slanting down from the eaves. The Eucommia leaves looked so vivid, like butterflies about to take flight.
Xiao Huayong was stunned for a moment. He glanced at Shen Xihe, then at the handkerchief offered to him, and the corners of his lips couldn't help but curl upward. His smile was somewhat shy, somewhat joyful, and carried a trace of cautious disbelief, as if he were in a dream.
Shen Xihe continued to hold it out, neither embarrassed nor attempting to withdraw it, showing her sincerity.
After a long while, Xiao Huayong finally accepted it with both hands. Only when his fingertips touched the soft fabric did it feel real. "I will cherish it."
"It's not worth it," Shen Xihe said with a light smile. "Objects should be used to their fullest. Only when they are worn out or broken can I have new ones."
"I... I will use it often." The surprise had come too suddenly, and the Crown Prince was somewhat incoherent.
The smile on Shen Xihe's lips deepened. "I won't keep you any longer, Your Highness."
"Ah, oh, alright." Clutching the handkerchief, Xiao Huayong smiled somewhat foolishly, nodding as he stepped backward. Completely forgetting he was standing by the stone steps, he missed a step and tumbled backward.
Fortunately, he reacted quickly and was agile. With only three steps behind him, he managed to flip down in a few awkward but comical poses, avoiding a full fall.
At that moment, there were no other servants around. To spare Xiao Huayong any embarrassment, Shen Xihe restrained herself from letting her smile widen, though the amusement in her eyes was impossible to hide.
He, however, remained composed, showing no sign of embarrassment. "If it can make Youyou smile, even taking a tumble is worth it."
Shen Xihe shook her head helplessly and turned back into the pavilion.
Xiao Huayong carefully tucked the handkerchief close to his heart, feeling utterly content before turning to leave.Only after Xiao Huayong had left did Zhenzhu and the others return to attend to Shen Xihe. Zhenzhu reported the latest news she had just received: "My lady, Ye Shi has been staying at home these past few days. The people at the Ye residence say she remains silent and uncommunicative every day."
Since Xiao Changtai had been stripped of his title and was no longer the Fourth Prince, Ye Wantang naturally could no longer be referred to as the Fourth Princess Consort.
The Youning Emperor had not imposed any punishment on the Ye clan, as if they had been completely unaware of everything. Li Yanyan remained imprisoned, and Xiao Changtian knelt in the Hall of Bright Governance until he fainted, yet the Youning Emperor still refused to relent.
Even now, the Youning Emperor had not passed judgment on Li Yanyan.
Since Xiao Changtai’s role as the mastermind behind the tomb robbery case had not been exposed, Li Yanyan’s status as an accomplice could not be established. However, her offense of offending the Emperor was a fact, and whether she would face severe punishment or a minor reprimand depended entirely on the Emperor’s will.
"She must have realized... that she had been kept in the dark all along," Shen Xihe sighed softly.
If Ye Wantang were grieving over Xiao Changtai’s death, it would not have reached this extent. After all, she was not only a wife but also a daughter, living in her parents’ home. How could she let her parents worry endlessly about her?
The only explanation for Ye Wantang’s current state was that she had realized Xiao Changtai had never given up his ambition for the throne and that she had been foolishly used all along. Even worse... her father and brothers had likely been deceiving her alongside her husband.
Ye Qi and his son might have wanted to protect their daughter’s innocence, understanding her nature and not wanting her to live in constant sorrow.
But Xiao Changtai had always prioritized using her and his own interests over genuine affection. This made it difficult for her to accept—realizing that everything had been false, that everyone had been weaving lies while watching her live in foolish ignorance day after day.
The dual betrayal of her closest family and her beloved was enough to make her feel life was no longer worth living.
"Continue keeping an eye on her. Xiao Changtai will definitely seek her out." Shen Xihe had placed people around Ye Wantang precisely to capture Xiao Changtai.
Xiao Changtai might have known that being stripped of his title and expelled from the clan would leave him temporarily disheartened. But someone like him would never easily lose his fighting spirit. He was born competitive, determined to fight until his last breath.
He would soon accept the fact that he could no longer claim the throne, and he would channel all his resentment toward Xiao Huayong, devising countless ways to sabotage his path to the throne.
"Many people are watching Ye Shi. Xiao Changtai may not easily fall into the trap," Zhenzhu said.
Xiao Changtai was no fool. He naturally knew that Ye Wantang was the only bait that could lure him out, especially at such a critical moment. It was unlikely he would seek her out now.
"Not for now, but he will definitely come." He was just waiting for the right opportunity.
No matter how long Xiao Changtai waited for that opportunity, they could not let their guard down. They had to root him out.
Another five days passed. The Youning Emperor still kept Li Yanyan imprisoned, and Prince Dai, Xiao Changtian, no longer knelt in supplication. Instead, he went to the Imperial Clan Court every day. The head of the Imperial Clan Court had received orders to forbid visitors, so Xiao Changtian stood outside the gates from sunrise to sunset each day.
This aroused the curiosity of the common people, and discussions in the capital grew louder. Yet, whether it was censors offering advice or ministers submitting memorials, the Youning Emperor paid no heed to any of it.
"His Majesty suspects Your Highness," Shen Xihe reminded Xiao Huayong when he came to see her again that day."If after stirring up so much trouble, he still does not suspect me, then he is not Your Majesty." Xiao Huayong said indifferently, "Even if he suspects me, it doesn't matter. Without evidence, he can do nothing to me."
The Youning Emperor's attitude toward Li Yanyan was not about wanting her to suffer, nor was it about forcing her to confess Xiao Changtai's involvement. Rather, he wanted Li Yanyan to explain why Xiao Changtai had come to the capital.
(End of Chapter)
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