Chapter 430: He’s Jealous Again
Life at the temporary palace was quite pleasant for Shen Xihe. She exchanged letters with her father and brothers, and Xiao Huayong visited her almost every day, while Bu Shulin only came occasionally.
Most of her time was spent reading, making incense, and discussing state affairs with Xiao Huayong, who occasionally shared some of the government affairs he handled. She also enjoyed preparing food and playing with Duanming and Baisui. Days flowed by peacefully and uneventfully.
The noble ladies held tea parties one day, flower banquets the next, and poetry gatherings the day after, sending invitations to Shen Xihe without fail. Yet, she never attended any of them.
Given her high status, her confirmed position as the future Crown Princess, and her strong, formidable demeanor, no one dared to comment on her absence.
During this time, Xiao Changqing did not disturb Shen Xihe. However, he had managed to obtain the letters exchanged between her and Gu Qingzhi through his own means, gaining a rough understanding of their connection.
But just as the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind, shortly after he acquired the letters, Xiao Huayong’s men discreetly took them from him. Although Xiao Huayong was unwilling to investigate Shen Xihe himself, his curiosity lingered. Anticipating that Xiao Changqing would pursue the matter thoroughly, he simply waited to reap the benefits, thus avoiding any direct investigation into Shen Xihe.
When the letters were retrieved and placed on his desk, he did not open them. The envelopes bore no names, but each correspondence was marked: Gu Zexiang’s envelopes featured a drawn fish, while Shen Xihe’s bore a Eucommia Leaf.
The style of the Eucommia Leaf was unmistakably Shen Xihe’s. As for the fish, whether it was Gu Qingzhi’s work, Xiao Huayong—unfamiliar with her—could not say for certain. However, judging by the Fifth Prince’s reaction, it seemed accurate.
Thus, Shen Xihe was Shen Xihe, and Gu Qingzhi was Gu Qingzhi. Seeing no need to pry further, he brought the letters back to return them to Shen Xihe.
“Your Highness, you…” Shen Xihe was slightly surprised upon seeing the letters. She had expected Xiao Changqing to return them, but never imagined it would be Xiao Huayong.
“I took them from the Fifth Prince,” Xiao Huayong explained. “I was curious, but I also didn’t want your belongings to fall into his hands.”
His cautious demeanor, as if afraid she might doubt his trust in her, made Shen Xihe smile faintly. “I intended for Prince Xin to obtain these letters—to resolve his doubts and, at the same time…” Her smile deepened slightly, “to test his influence.”
Gu Qingzhi had never interfered with Xiao Changqing. The fate of the Gu family was chosen by its patriarch; she had quietly awaited judgment from beginning to end, never struggling or resisting. Thus, she had never concerned herself with Xiao Changqing’s power or influence.
As a result, Shen Xihe was also unaware of Xiao Changqing’s capabilities. Since they might confront each other someday, she wanted to gauge his strength.
“If Youyou wished to know his capabilities, you could have simply asked me. Why go through the trouble of setting a trap yourself?” Xiao Huayong murmured.
The thought of a young lady’s letters, especially specially crafted ones, falling into another’s hands—particularly a man’s—made Xiao Huayong jealous again.
Though he tried to keep his tone neutral, how could Shen Xihe miss the sourness in his words?
“I also wanted to find out how Prince Xin would infiltrate my residence,” she replied. If anyone around her had been bribed, it would be extremely dangerous, and this was an opportunity to identify and remove them early.Xiao Changqing was indeed capable. He hadn't managed to bribe anyone close to Shen Xihe, but even though the Princess Manor was heavily guarded, and both Moyu and Mo Yuan were absent, Xiao Changqing employed a highly skilled wandering knight. This knight was rumored to have died, as there had been no news of him in the martial world for many years. Unexpectedly, he had become Xiao Changqing's Shadow Guard.
Hearing this, Xiao Huayong's expression finally eased slightly. He craned his neck to look at the drink beside Shen Xihe: "What new creation has Youyou made?"
The drink was deep and clear in color, something he hadn't seen before.
Shen Xihe poured a cup for Xiao Huayong: "Apricot Kernel Drink, brewed with eleven medicinal ingredients including apricot kernels, peucedanum, schisandra, pinellia, mulberry root bark, ginseng... It has the effects of suppressing yang energy, stopping night sweats, improving appetite, and reducing meridian heat. Your Highness, try it and see how it tastes."
This was Shen Xihe's first time brewing it. She had originally planned to taste it herself before sharing it with Xiao Huayong, but he happened to visit today and encountered it.
Xiao Huayong took a sip. It was cool and refreshing, promoting saliva and quenching thirst no less effectively than Smoked Plum Syrup: "Excellent. The maids around Youyou are all quite talented."
Since it involved so many medicinal ingredients, Xiao Huayong assumed it was Zhenzhu's creation, so he glanced at her and offered praise.
Shen Xihe smiled faintly: "This prescription was gifted by Doctor Qi, obtained by chance..." She paused for a moment before continuing, "Your Highness has also traveled extensively. Have you never encountered such a drink before?"
Xiao Huayong's face, which had just cleared up, immediately clouded over again. He spoke in a strange, sarcastic tone: "Indeed. I consider myself well-traveled across the land, yet I've never heard of such a fine thing. It seems this prescription was hidden very deeply."
He didn't believe it was merely hidden deeply or obtained by chance. He suspected it was carefully formulated by someone who felt too embarrassed to tell the truth. He remembered that Xie Yunhuai had also given Shen Yungan a miraculous Trauma Medicine prescription and sent Shen Yueshan a medicinal bath for treating hidden injuries. Such painstaking efforts—more diligent than even his future son-in-law.
Shen Xihe looked strangely at Xiao Huayong's sarcastic demeanor, feeling utterly helpless: "Doctor Qi and I are close friends."
She wasn't without intuition. She could sense who had feelings for her, such as Xiao Changying, and himself. Xie Yunhuai cared for her, was affectionate, casual, and unreserved, yet he also knew his boundaries, maintained propriety and integrity. There was appreciation, but absolutely no desire.
"You consider him a close friend, but who knows what he thinks," Xiao Huayong snorted lightly twice.
Shen Xihe watched him quietly without speaking.
Xiao Huayong felt somewhat guilty under her gaze but didn't want to back down on this matter.
After a moment of stalemate, Shen Xihe said: "If it bothers you, I will be more cautious in making male friends in the future. But my friendship with Doctor Qi began before our engagement. I cannot ignore someone who has shown me kindness just because of you—that would be lacking in cultivation. Of course, I will also pay attention to maintaining appropriate boundaries with Doctor Qi going forward."
Even though she had conceded, he felt even more stifled for some reason. Faced with her openness, her generosity, and her magnanimity, he felt a sense of powerlessness and despair, as if he had all his strength but nowhere to use it.
After speaking calmly, Shen Xihe noticed that Xiao Huayong still had a tense expression and was extremely puzzled: "Is there anything else that bothers Your Highness?"His chest tightened, and Xiao Huayong took a deep breath. "I don't want you to feel restricted because of me, but I also dislike it when you treat others too well. I know this is unreasonable of me, but I can't help it."
(End of Chapter)
OpenNovel