She calmed herself, maintained her clarity, never suspecting that his affection had been false from start to finish, or that his current display of deep emotion was merely an act with ulterior motives. At the very least, she acknowledged his sincerity toward her and felt neither aversion nor the urge to avoid him.
The word "forever" sounded simple, but expecting a rational person to believe it easily was truly asking too much.
Only those who had actually grown old together, looking back on the past, were qualified to claim unwavering faith.
"Your Highness, I believe in your sincerity because I know that with your capabilities, you have no need for any ulterior motives toward me." Shen Xihe's expression was gentle, her gaze soft. "I dare not lightly believe in your constancy because I also know that with your abilities, should we ever turn against each other, if I remain vigilant, I may not be your equal, but at least I would have the strength to break free."
Xiao Huayong chuckled wryly. "Does this mean my strength is both my making and my undoing?"
If he weren't so powerful—if he needed to seek favor from the northwest, first showing weakness to the Shen clan before ambushing them—Shen Xihe would never believe in his current sincerity. Yet it was precisely because of his immense power that she feared sinking too deep, worried that one day the northwest might become an obstacle in his eyes, and she would become a stepping stone leading to the downfall of the northwest and her own kin.
"Your Highness treats me well, and I am no unfeeling stone—I naturally appreciate it." Shen Xihe had never bared her heart so openly to Xiao Huayong before. "Occasionally, I ponder deeply: if one day I were to truly love Your Highness, could that love remain as constant as the sunrise and moonrise, unchanging through the ages? I cannot promise that. Life is full of unpredictable twists and turns; we never know what changes tomorrow may bring. How can I pledge a lifetime? I cannot even guarantee that I myself will remain unchanged—how can I deeply believe that others will not change with time?"
"You are right." Xiao Huayong nodded in agreement. "In the past, I was too impatient. From now on, I will not speak to you of such distant, empty promises. We are to be wed, sharing years together, never parting morning or night. Let us simply live well each day."
Shen Xihe smiled faintly. This version of Xiao Huayong felt more real to her, easier to approach.
Her fingers traced the jade mat. "I accept Your Highness's generous gift."
She did not mention reciprocating, and Xiao Huayong felt a sweet warmth in his heart—she was no longer so formal with him. "His Majesty will be going to the Lin You Imperial Villa to escape the heat. The decree will be issued in the next couple of days. You should prepare early. The Lin You Imperial Villa has no intense summer heat; it is cool and pleasant, with beautiful green mountains and clear waters, radiant and charming."
"The Lin You Imperial Villa?" Shen Xihe felt a stir of interest. The capital was truly too hot.
When she first arrived in the capital last year, it had been somewhat warm but not for long. Now that midsummer had just begun, there were still two long months ahead...
"Yes. Shall I arrange for us to be neighbors?" he asked softly.
"If I reside next to Your Highness, what about the other princes..." It wasn't that she minded because of Xiao Huayong, but rather that she and he were not yet married. Would it be inappropriate for her to surpass the other princes in proximity to him?
"If they have the capability, they are welcome to try and take what I hold from me," Xiao Huayong said indifferently.
The imperial villa had been built a century ago, during the founding of the dynasty. At that time, aside from the Emperor's main hall, the rest were simple cooling sheds. It was only because the previous emperor, who feared heat and loved luxury, had extensively expanded the villa. Even so, there were still distinctions between better and worse quarters.
Last year's autumn hunt had left His Majesty wary of hunting grounds. This year, he had no plans to go to one. Instead, they would stay at the Lin You Imperial Villa from May until September. Naturally, most officials would accompany him, with only a few remaining in the capital.For such a long duration, comfort becomes particularly important. Not only do they need to make arrangements up and down the chain, but now all officials have begun networking, hoping to secure the most comfortable accommodations within the limits of their status.
"The ministers will all bring their families," Xiao Huayong said with a mischievous, amused expression. "Grandmother's intention is to take advantage of this summer retreat to let the princes spend time with the selected young ladies. After returning to the capital, they can propose marriage on their own."
Not every prince's marriage would be arranged by imperial decree. Of course, when a prince marries a consort, it would be handled by the Imperial Clan Court and the Ministry of Rites, but the process would be similar to that of noble families marrying off their daughters.
Shen Xihe lowered her head and chuckled. Xiao Huayong was determined to see all his brothers married.
"If they can all spend time with young ladies, there's no reason why I, the Crown Prince who has been publicly betrothed, shouldn't be able to get closer to my future Crown Princess," Xiao Huayong declared his abuse of power with such righteous confidence.
"Your Highness, hasn't His Majesty become suspicious of you recently?" Shen Xihe expressed concern.
She had subtly reminded Xiao Huayong a few days ago, and now he was planning to maneuver again. Shen Xihe felt that His Majesty was being too calm about everything. There were actually traces to follow in these events - first Xiao Huayong was attacked, then during the Dragon Boat Festival sweet dumpling shooting, the Third Prince got implicated, leading to Li Yanyan turning against Xiao Changtai. This resulted in Li Yanyan kidnapping Ye Wantang, who had returned to the capital to visit her ailing mother, thus forcing Xiao Changtai to come to the capital.
Though it appeared to have nothing to do with Xiao Huayong, since his return to the capital, every incident seemed to involve him somehow. The problem was that he always appeared as the victim in each situation, and after multiple occurrences, it began to feel unreal.
Given how deep and cunning His Majesty's thoughts were, why hadn't he taken any action yet? Was he truly unconcerned, or was he waiting for the right moment to strike?
If it was the latter, His Majesty probably wouldn't make a move unless he was certain of success, and when he did, it would be anything but ordinary.
Shen Xihe could think of all this, and she didn't believe Xiao Huayong hadn't considered it. Yet he behaved like a carefree rabbit unaware of the forest's dangers, dutifully completing his responsibilities each day before rushing to her without delay.
"If my predictions are correct, he will definitely test me at the Lin You Imperial Villa," Xiao Huayong's eyes grew profound. "That's exactly why I need to keep you by my side."
"You're worried that His Majesty might target me to force you to reveal yourself?" Shen Xihe suddenly understood.
Xiao Huayong smiled mysteriously: "No, I'm counting on Youyou to protect me."
Shen Xihe: ...
Facing Shen Xihe who was silently watching him, speechless at his words, Xiao Huayong said: "I am a weak, easily bullied Crown Prince with not long to live, standing alone against the world. I have no faction, no power. Fortunately, I'm blessed with good fortune to have a noble, resourceful fiancée with capable generals and elite soldiers at her command. I can only beg Youyou to protect me."
He spoke half-seriously, but Shen Xihe understood his meaning: "What if I refuse?"
"If even Youyou won't protect me, then I'll have to entrust my life to heaven, hoping for divine mercy to survive any great calamity," Xiao Huayong grew more pitiful as he spoke, appearing as abandoned by the entire world.
Shen Xihe quietly watched his antics.
Only then did Xiao Huayong become serious: "I'm not asking Youyou to provide cover for me. Rather, I want to transfer some of my people to you, for you to command as you see fit from now on. You'll operate in the open while I work in the shadows. Together as husband and wife, we'll conquer the world united."
As he spoke, Xiao Huayong handed Shen Xihe a prepared small booklet.It was a roster containing all his personnel, handed over to her without any reservation.
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