Chapter 466: I Admire Your Highness
For a moment, all eyes fell upon Xiao Huayong with varied expressions—some meaningful, some ambiguous, and others deeply probing.
Xiao Huayong's face maintained its usual pallor as he responded with complete composure, "Princess Yaoxi must have mistaken me for someone else. Although I have resided in Luoyang for over a decade, I rarely left the Taoist temple. I do not recall ever crossing paths with Your Highness."
The Crown Prince's utter forthrightness made it impossible not to believe him.
Clearly unprepared for Xiao Huayong's blatant denial of their previous encounter, Princess Yaoxi was momentarily stunned.
Before she could speak, Xiao Huayong raised a hand to touch his own face with a hint of amusement. "Princess Yaoxi is not the first to address me in such familiar terms upon our initial meeting."
His tone and gesture inevitably evoked Princess Yaoxi's earlier words, suggesting she was merely captivated by the Crown Prince's striking appearance and had boldly used this pretext to establish familiarity.
Most men would have gladly accepted such overt admiration from a noble and exquisitely beautiful maiden, turning it into a romantic anecdote while preserving the young woman's dignity. Yet Xiao Huayong remained oblivious to such gallantries.
Princess Yaoxi's astonishment swiftly transformed into humiliated anger. Well-versed in Han culture, she understood Xiao Huayong was implying she lacked proper maidenly reserve and had been swayed by superficial attraction!
He knew perfectly well they had met before, yet showed no concern that she might reveal the truth.
After staring fixedly at Xiao Huayong for a long moment, Princess Yaoxi suddenly burst into clear, unrestrained laughter like silver bells. With a touch of playfulness, she admitted, "My petty scheme has been seen through by Your Highness. I am truly ashamed."
By openly acknowledging her shallow motives, she deftly dispelled the awkwardness while demonstrating her courage to own her actions.
"Hahahaha..." The Youning Emperor laughed heartily. "Each of my sons possesses unique charms like spring blossoms and autumn moons. But Qilang bears the closest resemblance to my youthful self."
The Empress Dowager smoothly mediated, "In Your Majesty's youth, many maidens vied for your attention."
The Youning Emperor and Xiao Huayong did share certain similarities. Shen Xihe speculated that the Emperor probably resembled Qian Wang as well, though the latter had passed away twenty years prior. Having spent most of his pre-decease years in the northwest, and with two decades of court official turnover, even Qian Wang's former subordinates would find their memories of his appearance eroded by time.
Comparing the Emperor and Xiao Huayong, Shen Xihe concluded they indeed shared some likeness.
The banquet's minor interlude was quickly forgotten by all, including Shen Xihe.
Starting the next day, Xiao Huayong waited for Shen Xihe to question him. He refused to believe someone as perceptive as her wouldn't detect something amiss—after all, another woman had openly sought his attention. Surely she should feel somewhat concerned.
Since returning to the capital, Shen Xihe visited the palace every five days. The following day, she didn't appear, though Zhenzhu seemed to struggle with unspoken words.
"If you have something to say, just speak your mind," Shen Xihe remarked, noticing Zhenzhu repeatedly parting her lips only to swallow her words. "Are you and A Xi preparing for your wedding?"
Shen Xihe truly couldn't imagine what else would make Zhenzhu so hesitant to speak. The affection between those two was plain for anyone to see—they could hardly conceal it under her watchful eye.Zhenzhu's face flushed red as she hastily said, "This maid must accompany the princess into the Eastern Palace." Please don't tease me, Princess."
The Eastern Palace was truly a place fraught with dangers—how could Shen Xihe manage without her? She absolutely had to stay by Shen Xihe's side until she was firmly established in the palace before she could feel at ease about marrying. Fortunately, A Xi was also loyal to the princess, so even after marriage, she could continue serving Shen Xihe.
"Eastern Palace, Eastern Palace, Youyou, Youyou!" Baisui started singing again.
Shen Xihe glanced at it with a smile, and only then did Zhenzhu speak up: "Princess, about last night's matter with Princess Yaoxi, won't you go to the Eastern Palace to inquire?"
"Why should I go ask?" Shen Xihe didn't understand. "The Crown Prince and Princess Yaoxi have no entanglement between them."
This much she could see clearly. Since she knew they had no involvement, why would she go questioning him? It would seem rather unreasonable.
Zhenzhu: "..."
Zhenzhu had originally thought Shen Xihe wasn't going to ask because she didn't care or felt her position was insufficient, especially since she hadn't yet married Xiao Huayong. Only now did she understand—Shen Xihe simply saw no need, because she trusted Xiao Huayong.
But she feared the Crown Prince might not need this kind of trust, or perhaps didn't know whether to find this trust bitter or sweet.
Since Shen Xihe wasn't indifferent, Zhenzhu felt it inappropriate to press further.
Just as Zhenzhu had imagined, the Crown Prince was stretching his neck in eager anticipation. From sunrise to sunset, Tianyuan watched as the Crown Prince's expression grew increasingly gloomy. Nothing pleased him, and everyone irritated him. Tianyuan's heart was in his throat.
He wondered if he should send someone to deliver a message inviting the princess to the palace, but after much thought, he couldn't come up with a proper excuse. If he falsely claimed it was the Crown Prince's summons, he wouldn't receive any praise even if the Crown Prince was appeased. But if things ended badly, wouldn't he be the first to face punishment?
After weighing the pros and cons, Tianyuan decided it was safer to keep his head down and endure the Crown Prince's dark glares.
The next day, Shen Xihe still didn't come. Not only did Shen Xihe not appear, but someone who shouldn't have come did. Tianyuan reported in a low voice, "Your Highness, Princess Yaoxi requests an audience."
"Not seeing her!" Xiao Huayong snapped irritably.
"Yes..."
"Wait." Before Tianyuan could turn away, Xiao Huayong stopped him. He lowered his head to glance at the Five-Colored Thread on his wrist, a subtle gleam flashing in his eyes. "Invite the Princess in."
Tianyuan was puzzled but clearly sensed Xiao Huayong's foul mood. Not daring to ask more, he quickly withdrew to escort Princess Yaoxi inside.
Princess Yaoxi was dressed in the vibrant attire of the Tubo royal family, adorned with exquisite jewelry. She looked majestic yet not overly extravagant.
"Greetings, Your Highness." Princess Yaoxi performed a Tubo-style bow.
"Princess." Xiao Huayong returned the courtesy politely. "Please have a seat."
After they were seated and palace maids had served tea and refreshments, Xiao Huayong asked, "What matter brings you to me, Princess?"
"Your Highness, we've met before in Tubo," Princess Yaoxi replied indirectly.
Xiao Huayong lowered his long, dark lashes. "So?"
"Your Highness has been biding your time—surely you wouldn't want others to discover your true nature," Princess Yaoxi said with a hint of probing.
Xiao Huayong's lips curved slightly, but he remained silent, as if he hadn't heard Princess Yaoxi's words.Princess Yaoxi pinched the hem of her garment, waiting quietly for a moment before speaking: "I know that even if I were to speak of this, no one would believe me. Your Highness certainly has numerous ways to make others dismiss my words as nonsense. But my admiration for Your Highness comes from the depths of my heart."
Xiao Huayong's faint smile instantly vanished.
(End of Chapter)
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