Chapter 479: Father-in-Law and Son-in-Law Meet
He had a premonition that if he voiced the question, he would undoubtedly receive an affirmative answer without hesitation.
"Could it really be because of my sister?" Shen Yunnan touched his nose and chuckled wryly.
After one last glance in the direction they had disappeared, Shen Yunnan tugged on the reins and turned his horse back.
Just before the year's end, in the twelfth lunar month, Shen Xihe received word that Shen Yueshan was entering the city. As she had done the previous year, she waited early at the city gates. The rhythmic, thunderous sound of hoofbeats made Shen Xihe, clad in a hooded cloak, instinctively turn to look.
Amid the swirling snow, figures gradually came into focus. Leading the way was a tall, burly man, bundled up like a bear emerging from snowy mountains—robust and imposing. His eyes appeared even sharper and more piercing than the year before.
"Father!" Shen Xihe rushed toward Shen Yueshan. He swiftly dismounted and strode forward, worried she might stumble.
But another figure moved even faster, sweeping past Shen Yueshan like a gust of wind and embracing Shen Xihe tightly.
It wasn't until Xue Jinqiao held her in her arms, and Shen Xihe looked past her to see Shen Yueshan standing behind with his arms outstretched, that she felt a bit dazed.
"Sister, Qiao Qiao missed you, missed you so much!" Xue Jinqiao not only clung tightly to Shen Xihe but also nuzzled against her affectionately.
After a moment of stunned silence, Shen Xihe caught sight of Shen Yueshan frozen not far away through the fluttering snowflakes and couldn't help but laugh. She returned Xue Jinqiao's embrace and gently patted her back. "I missed you too, Qiao Qiao."
"Sister, I brought you so many gifts." Xue Jinqiao grabbed Shen Xihe's hand and pulled her forward. "The wind and snow are heavy here. You should take shelter quickly—what if you catch a cold?"
Just like that, Shen Xihe was dragged along by Xue Jinqiao. She glanced back helplessly at Shen Yueshan, who stood with his hands on his hips in the cold wind, seething with frustration but unable to vent it.
"Qiao Qiao!" Xue Heng, who had caught up from behind, scolded when he saw Xue Jinqiao pulling Shen Xihe ahead.
Xue Jinqiao heard him but paid no mind. Now that she was part of the Shen family, she saw no need to stand on ceremony with her father-in-law. She had married into the Shen family precisely to claim Shen Xihe as her own. Finally, she could openly be close to her sister without rejection, and she was overjoyed.
Besides... besides, her sister was a grown woman now—how could she be too intimate with her father and brother? Well, now that was settled: she would take over such duties from now on, thus preserving her sister's reputation, right?
Xue Jinqiao thought delightedly, completely disregarding the customs of the northwest. This dynasty had abandoned old traditions and was particularly lenient regarding boundaries between men and women. Unmarried daughters could occasionally be physically affectionate with their fathers or brothers if circumstances warranted it, as long as it adhered to propriety and caused no harm.
Xue Jinqiao pulled Shen Xihe into the carriage, and the two sat inside. Shen Yueshan rode alongside on his horse, guarding them. Upon entering the city, Shen Yueshan had to see His Majesty immediately. Instead of returning to the academy with Xue Heng, Xue Jinqiao clung to Shen Xihe and poured out everything she had seen and heard in the northwest over the past year like a cascade of beans. Even when Shen Yueshan returned, she still monopolized Shen Xihe.
After the evening meal, she declared right in front of Shen Yueshan, "Tonight, I will share a bed with Youyou."Shen Yueshan no longer shared a bedchamber with his daughter, which didn't bother him as long as Shen Xihe was content. What displeased him was how Xue Jinqiao clung to Shen Xihe like a shadow, following her everywhere and leaving no opportunity for him, as a father, to have a heartfelt conversation with his daughter.
Finally, Shen Yueshan could bear it no longer and ordered Moyu to escort her back to the Xue residence.
He could only spend time with his daughter on New Year's Eve. Last year, he had already departed early, but this year, thanks to Xiao Huayong's arrangements, he was able to enter the capital ahead of time to accompany Shen Xihe in observing the New Year's Eve vigil and remain until after her wedding in March when she returned to her parental home. For this reason, Shen Yueshan viewed Xiao Huayong somewhat more favorably.
However, this favorable impression vanished when, during their father-daughter vigil and conversation, Xiao Huayong arrived quietly and unannounced.
"On New Year's Eve, Your Highness leaves the palace without permission—aren't you afraid His Majesty will find out?" Shen Yueshan made his displeasure abundantly clear.
"Thank you for your concern, Prince. I have made arrangements and will surely not arouse His Majesty's suspicion," Xiao Huayong replied humbly, with the deference of a junior. "Youyou invited me here, saying she would prepare laowan for me."
Shen Xihe was taken aback and shot him a glare. How dare he! Now he had the audacity to spout nonsense right in front of her. When had she ever asked him to come on New Year's Eve? And when had she mentioned preparing laowan for him?
Was he counting on her to cover for his lies?
Faced with Shen Xihe's angry glare, Xiao Huayong remained unruffled, as if leaving it entirely up to her to decide his fate—whether he lived or died.
Shen Yueshan cast a questioning look her way, but Shen Xihe instinctively defended Xiao Huayong: "The Crown Prince mentioned he had never eaten laowan during the New Year's Eve celebrations, so I invited him…"
Shen Xihe was not skilled at lying. This was the first time in her life she had lied to Shen Yueshan, and her expression was extremely unnatural.
However, Shen Yueshan did not suspect his beloved daughter of lying, attributing her discomfort to her reserved nature and slight embarrassment.
But he did not believe Xiao Huayong: "Your Highness is of noble status—how could you have never eaten laowan on New Year's Eve? Do not treat Youyou like a child to be deceived."
"Your words are most apt, Prince. It is precisely to earn a bowl of Youyou's laowan that I resorted to coaxing and deception. The fault is mine," Xiao Huayong admitted openly, not forgetting to express his fondness for Shen Xihe.
"Your Highness should return to the palace early. As the saying goes, 'walk the night path too often, and you'll meet a ghost.' Do not ruin grand plans for a moment of self-indulgence," Shen Yueshan said, unwilling to bandy words with this little rogue, and directly issued a polite but firm dismissal.
Yet Xiao Huayong, thick-skinned as ever, replied seriously, "I came tonight actually to discuss a matter with you, Prince. Might I ask you to step into the study?"
Shen Yueshan eyed Xiao Huayong suspiciously. What matter required excluding Shen Xihe? Unable to discern what trick he was up to, yet not daring to take it lightly—as it might indeed cause trouble for Shen Xihe—he could only rise and head toward the study.
Winking at Shen Xihe with his mole-adorned eye, Xiao Huayong smiled and followed Shen Yueshan.
Shen Xihe did not find it inappropriate that they were discussing matters behind her back, nor did she feel uneasy. These two men would never do anything to harm her. If they chose not to tell her, it was likely to spare her worry. Since that was the case, she would not press for details. Instead, she turned and went to the kitchen.
The night was long. Once the hour of zi passed, it would be the next day—just the right time to enjoy a warm bowl of laowan.For some reason, Shen Xihe was certain that Xiao Huayong had the ability to make Shen Yueshan keep him there, perhaps related to the matter he had mentioned needing to discuss. Therefore, she unhesitatingly prepared an extra portion.
Sure enough, less than half an hour later, Xiao Huayong emerged following Shen Yueshan. Peeking over Shen Yueshan’s shoulder, he shot her a triumphant glance, eyebrows raised smugly.
(End of Chapter)
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