Chapter 405: When Love Runs Deep, All Is Forgiven
The more Xiao Huayong pondered, the more pleased he became. Upon returning to the Eastern Palace, he disregarded the sweltering heat and plunged into his private treasury, nearly turning it upside down until he unearthed a box of Cold Jade bestowed by the palace years ago. Still unsatisfied, he immediately ordered Hua Fuhai to gather more, sending the jade pieces to be woven into a jade mat.
After having Tianyuan thoroughly investigate, he found no one had displeased Shen Xihe. Suddenly looking up at the blazing sun, he realized her irritability must stem from the oppressive heat.
Hua Fuhai, with his vast wealth and countless treasures, commissioned artisans to work overnight. Dozens of workers labored relentlessly, delivering the finished mat to Xiao Huayong within three days. Having not seen Shen Xihe during this time, Xiao Huayong arrived at Princess Manor bearing his prepared gift.
Moonlight still silvered the ground as the morning sun hung half-hidden behind upturned eaves.
Shen Xihe had prepared some cooling delicacies and intended to visit the Eastern Palace. Zhenzhu had predicted Xiao Huayong would return within two days, yet three had passed without major court affairs. Perhaps he truly was offended.
Recognizing her fault in this matter, Shen Xihe believed she ought to apologize without clinging to pride.
They met precisely at the manor's entrance. Shen Xihe observed him wearing an apricot-colored lapel robe, his expression relaxed with laughter sparkling in his eyes—clearly in high spirits.
She instinctively glanced skyward. In midsummer, dawn arrived early and lingered long. Though no morning court session was held, he should have been attending to state affairs at this hour. She had timed her visit to coincide with his completion of morning duties.
Yet here he stood at her gate—meaning he must have departed nearly an hour early.
"Youyou, where are you headed?" Xiao Huayong's delight vanished the moment he saw Shen Xihe at the entrance.
When visiting the Eastern Palace previously, Shen Xihe would typically send advance notice. Having received no message, Xiao Huayong never imagined she might be coming to see him, and instantly felt a pang of jealousy.
Sunlight enveloped him where he stood, illuminating his jade-like complexion and rendering every emotion transparent.
Shen Xihe turned gracefully. "Your Highness, please come inside."
Was she receiving him instead of going out?
Somewhat mollified, Xiao Huayong nonetheless felt aggrieved that during their three-day separation she had been planning to visit someone else. Had he arrived later, he would have missed her entirely, extinguishing his remaining joy.
He wrestled with speaking his mind—fearing to anger her—yet silence left him inexplicably wounded. Finally, he stepped inside with a stiff expression.
Shen Xihe appeared oblivious to his fluctuating moods. She wondered whether her frequent descriptions of him as "inscrutable" had transformed him into this childlike version of himself in her presence—every joy and sorrow displayed openly.
So genuine. So vivid. Though it seemed immature and unbecoming of a crowned man, she found herself unable to dislike this youthful earnestness she normally disdained.
"Your Highness, please be seated." Shen Xihe led Xiao Huayong to a pavilion extending over the lake.
Zhenzhu and others unpacked tiered food boxes. Watching the dishes emerge, Xiao Huayong's features gradually softened. "Prepared for me?"
"I originally intended to visit Your Highness at the Eastern Palace." Shen Xihe nodded. "Have you dined yet?""At this point, even if you've used it, you should say you haven't," he said. "No, I was just thinking of the food at Youyou's place."
Shen Xihe pursed her lips in a smile but didn't expose his lie. Instead, she sat down and joined him for the meal. After they finished eating, she said, "That day was my fault. I shouldn't have been disrespectful to Your Highness."
Xiao Huayong raised his eyebrows. "Disrespectful? No, Youyou. You've always been excessively polite to me, never disrespectful."
Was she apologizing because she reflected on her improper display of true feelings that day, or was she genuinely concerned about his feelings? As perceptive as he was, he could usually read people accurately, yet he couldn't see through her heart.
Since he couldn't see through it, he asked directly, "Youyou, do you feel you neglected me that day? Or... are you worried that I was displeased by it?"
"What's the difference?" Shen Xihe asked.
"A significant difference," he said, taking every one of her actions seriously. "If it's the former, Youyou merely feels she failed in her duties as a host. If it's the latter... it means Youyou holds me in high regard."
His eyes were calm yet as profound and unfathomable as the deep sea, neither pressing nor allowing neglect, gazing at her intently.
Shen Xihe thought carefully before answering candidly, "Both."
She both felt she had been disrespectful and willful, and she had considered his feelings.
As long as she cared about him, that was enough. Xiao Huayong's smile was gentle and satisfied. He beckoned to Tianyuan, who hurriedly brought forward the box containing the jade mat.
Xiao Huayong stood up and opened the square brocade box as he explained, "It was my oversight. The capital's summers are sweltering, and you've always been sensitive to heat. It's no wonder the sudden intense heat made you irritable. I specially prepared this Cold Jade mat for you. When you rest at night, the coolness will surround you, ensuring peaceful sleep."
Piece by piece, the Cold Jade connected like armor. Reaching out to touch it, she found it icy and extremely comfortable.
So, he thought she had been impatient with him that day because the summer heat had disrupted her sleep.
For some reason, Shen Xihe's heart felt as if something had gently brushed against it, sending ripples of emotion that moved her deeply.
He wasn't angry, resentful, or dissatisfied with her. Instead, he had delved into why she had acted that way, wondering if someone had upset her.
"Your Highness, people often say women are prone to unreasonable behavior. Did it never occur to you that I might have been unreasonable that day?" Shen Xihe asked.
"How could that be?" Xiao Huayong's gaze was clear. "Youyou isn't the type to stir up trouble without cause."
Pausing, he gave her a smile that was both ambiguous and lingering. "To me, Youyou can do no wrong. If Youyou acts excessively, it must be someone else's fault for provoking her."
"But that day, Your Highness didn't provoke me."
"Youyou has always been clear about gratitude and grudges. Since I didn't provoke you that day, something must have upset you, and clever as you are, you were helpless to address it. Yet, because you don't treat me as an outsider, you bottled up your emotions and ended up venting on me." The more Xiao Huayong spoke, the brighter his smile became. "It's my good fortune. In the future, if you're ever displeased, feel free to vent on me. I'll gladly bear it."
Shen Xihe couldn't help but be amused. "Is this what they mean by 'when love is deep, everything is permissible'?"
Xiao Huayong smiled like a spring breeze. "Youyou, do you know why I've never grown the slightest bit weary of you?"
Shen Xihe shook her head gently."It is not because I am stubborn by nature, unwilling to relent until I achieve my goal. Nor is it because I have a desire to conquer you, to force your submission to me," Xiao Huayong said softly. "Rather, it is because from beginning to end, you have never denied the affection I hold for you."
She had only ever said she did not believe in everlasting love, that romantic feelings between a man and a woman could never be eternal.
(End of Chapter)
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