Chapter 475: Your Highness Is Pleased, Isn't He?
Following moral principles, he had observed a year of mourning without discussing marriage. Then last year, his father truly passed away. As a son, he was obligated to observe filial mourning for his father, even though he had already observed it once before when his father had faked his death.
"Let her be." Even if Shen Yingluo wanted to marry a prince, Shen Xihe wouldn't interfere. Her marriage was entirely her own decision. The Shen family would prepare a dowry according to customs and hand over all of Xiao Shi's belongings to her. Whether her future life turned out well or not would be her own choice.
Xiao Huayong glanced at Shen Xihe. Although she didn't interfere with Shen Yingluo, as long as Shen Yingluo bore the Shen surname, if she ended up living in hardship, she would have to endure it silently. But if she came seeking help, Shen Xihe wouldn't refuse. Even if she didn't seek help, if her husband's family mistreated her excessively, Shen Xihe wouldn't stand by idly. Rather than that, it would be better to arrange a reliable match for her.
"Ah Xing is also an excellent man. This year's top scholar in the provincial examination, he is bound to achieve the highest honors in the palace examination next year. His future is limitless," Xiao Huayong said.
Xiao Fuxing was the son of Princess Ruyang and the late Consort Wei. After Consort Wei was executed in the rouge case, Princess Ruyang offered a large sum of treasures to replenish the national treasury and was granted a divorce. The two siblings then changed their surname from Wei to Xiao.
"I know he is your man. If you arrange a marriage for him, he will surely treat her well." Shen Xihe gently shook her head. "Although I believe romantic love between men and women is insignificant, not everyone is like me. Someone we consider good may not seem good to her. I don't want her to misunderstand that I am interfering, nor can I force your trusted subordinate."
The smile on Xiao Huayong's face slowly faded, and his jaw gradually tightened. "Romantic love between men and women is insignificant?"
His eyes still seemed to hold a trace of laughter and starlight, but they were also shrouded in the chill of a cold night.
Shen Xihe realized that her words had likely struck a nerve. He had been wholeheartedly trying to pull her into the river of love, but she had no intention of deceiving him. To this day, she still believed that romantic love between men and women was insignificant, something that could be done without.
She also knew that if she truly said this, he would surely be angry again and sulk. After a moment of silence, she said, "Romantic love between men and women is insignificant, but Your Highness is of great importance to me."
He fell silent for a moment, and a smile slowly spread from his lips to his eyes. His voice was extremely gentle, "You are humoring me."
It didn't mean deception, but rather accommodation.
"Your Highness is pleased, isn't he?" Shen Xihe tacitly admitted.
She wasn't lying. In fact, she was now clearly aware that Xiao Huayong was gradually becoming important in her heart. However, this importance had nothing to do with the kind of lingering, inseparable romantic love where a day apart felt like three years.
She cared about Xiao Huayong's emotions, was willing to tolerate his temperament, and gladly accommodated his habits. But she didn't constantly yearn to see him, nor did she depend on him for everything. If he traveled far away, she wouldn't lose her appetite or worry endlessly about him.
"Pleased. As long as Youyou holds a place in her heart for me, how could I not be pleased?" Xiao Huayong smiled with tender affection, his eyes sparkling brilliantly.
Shen Xihe also smiled faintly, with a hint of helplessness.
The two moved past this topic and spoke of other matters. Xiao Huayong knew when to stop—not because he was satisfied with Shen Xihe's answer, but because he was in no hurry. He clearly understood that she was important in his heart, but not that important.But it didn't matter - there would be plenty of time ahead. They would soon be married, and after the wedding, he would naturally have more opportunities to occupy her heart. He would gradually claim every inch of her entire heart.
After returning from the Eastern Palace to her residence, Shen Xihe unexpectedly found Shen Yingluo visiting her - a rare occurrence. She invited her in and, noticing Shen Yingluo's hesitation, went straight to the point: "Speak freely if you have something to say."
"Yesterday, I received my coming-of-age gift from Father," Shen Yingluo spoke slowly. "Father also sent a message regarding my marriage prospects. I don't understand Father's intentions, so I came to ask you, elder sister - does Father wish for me to marry early?"
After hearing this, Shen Xihe remained silent for a moment before speaking seriously: "You're overthinking this. As a daughter of the Shen family who has reached marriageable age, it's only natural for Father to inquire about your marriage plans. If you have someone you favor, simply tell him. Father won't interfere with your choice - as long as you're satisfied with the person, their status doesn't matter."
Shen Yingluo lowered her eyes upon hearing this and remained silent for a long while.
Shen Xihe showed no impatience nor did she initiate further conversation, quietly sipping her tea.
Perhaps feeling uncomfortable with the strangely prolonged silence herself, Shen Yingluo spoke again: "If... if I never marry, would Father despise me?"
Shen Xihe glanced at her with a puzzled expression, then remembered that Shen Yingluo had never interacted with Shen Yueshan and didn't understand his character. In the capital, what young woman of age remained unmarried?
Not only would she become a laughingstock, but her family would also become subject of gossip.
"Why don't you want to marry?" Shen Xihe countered instead of answering.
Shen Yingluo lowered her head, twisting her handkerchief around her fingers several times before saying: "I... I don't want to be confined to the inner chambers, don't want to serve in-laws, don't want to become a married woman."
She hated being constrained. All these years, no one had ever restricted her. Marriage would mean taking on another identity - that of a Shen daughter. Even if she disliked certain things, she'd have to put on a smiling face to avoid tarnishing the Shen family's reputation.
What meaning would there be in living like that?
Shen Xihe nodded in understanding: "You can rest assured - even if you never marry in your lifetime, that's your choice."
Both Shen Xihe and Shen Yueshan were open-minded about this matter. As for Shen Yungan, he basically acted as if Shen Yingluo didn't exist.
Those lively almond-shaped eyes seemed to be infused with living water, instantly becoming animated. Shen Yingluo, overjoyed, bowed to Shen Xihe: "I... I'll take my leave now."
Knowing Shen Xihe didn't wish to see her, Shen Yingluo, having obtained the confirmation she needed, didn't want to remain an eyesore.
In the following days, many matchmakers came to the Princess Manor inquiring about Shen Yingluo's marriage prospects. Shen Xihe rejected them all - this was exactly Shen Yingluo's intention. If she hadn't made her stance clear, Shen Xihe would have forwarded all these inquiries to her, leaving her to choose for herself.
As Shen Xihe continued rejecting offers, people gradually understood that the Shen family wasn't in a hurry to arrange marriages for Shen Yingluo, and the marriage proposals were eventually set aside.
Princess Yaoxi visited every few days - sometimes the Princess Manor, sometimes the Eastern Palace. Even though she was repeatedly denied entry, she didn't mind. Half a month passed like this until one day when Princess Yaoxi came to Shen Xihe's residence again. Unexpectedly, she was kidnapped right outside the Princess Manor. Everyone searched for her but couldn't find her, and even the Youning Emperor dispatched the Golden Guard.
"You don't need to suffer like this," Shen Xihe said calmly to Princess Yaoxi outside the capital suburbs."Since we're putting on a show, it must be convincing enough to make Your Majesty believe." Princess Yaoxi paused, then revealed a mysterious smile. "I also want to use this opportunity to gauge how much standing I've gained in His Majesty's heart."
Over the past half month, the Princess Manor and Eastern Palace had merely been going through the motions. All her attention had been focused on the Youning Emperor.
With matters having reached this point, Shen Xihe said nothing more. She gave Moyu a meaningful glance, and Moyu proceeded to hang the bound Princess Yaoxi from a tree.
Tomorrow: Minor explosive updates + Grand Wedding.
(End of Chapter)
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