Chapter 487: Respect Between Husband and Wife
Xiao Huayong had never met Qian Wang. Before the age of eight, no one had ever mentioned Qian Wang in his presence. Suddenly learning that Qian Wang was his biological father left him bewildered and at a loss. Perhaps because they had never met, he only had a vague impression of Qian Wang, with little emotional attachment.
This did not hinder his instinct as a son to protect everything related to him, especially when his spirit tablet was set ablaze before his very eyes. How could he remain indifferent?
Protection was almost an instinct, an uncontrollable impulse. Fortunately, Shen Xihe was by his side, and fortunately, Shen Xihe knew everything, which allowed her to pull him back at the most critical moment. When he rushed to extinguish the fire, he did not reach for Qian Wang's tablet first.
"His Majesty is cunning and profound. We must be cautious in our dealings with him from now on," Shen Xihe said softly.
Neither of them had expected that His Majesty would use such a method to test whether Xiao Huayong knew his true origins. If she hadn't been there today and instantly realized the possibility, Xiao Huayong would have undoubtedly revealed his secret.
Xiao Huayong leaned gently against Shen Xihe's shoulder, his heart heavy with discomfort.
Shen Xihe held his hand and instinctively blurted out, "I will make His Majesty pay for this."
Xiao Huayong, who had been feeling somber, looked at her in surprise upon hearing her comforting words and her vow to stand up for him. No one had ever offered to fight for him before—it had always been him who upheld justice for others.
Even the Empress Dowager only shielded him and rarely took decisive action on his behalf, especially when it involved His Majesty. Not only were they both her flesh and blood, but she was also constrained by His Majesty's status.
She also feared a complete fallout with His Majesty, who showed no restraint in targeting Xiao Huayong. Thus, she often resorted to feigned compliance.
Over the years, Shen Xihe was the first person who, knowing full well that the one targeting him was His Majesty, fearlessly declared she would stand up for him and reclaim their dignity.
His gaze toward her was like shattered starlight, scattering silver radiance that outshone the sun and moon. It was deep and fervent, as if he wanted to drown her in his eyes.
Shen Xihe was somewhat startled by such a gaze, reminiscent of that moonlit night when he had been relentless and refused to let her go.
She instinctively averted her eyes, pretending to tuck a stray strand of hair behind her ear to conceal her unease.
Her evasion made Xiao Huayong raise an eyebrow. A sudden realization dawned on him, and his eyes grew even brighter as he leaned close to her ear and whispered something, provoking a warning and wary glare from Shen Xihe.
"Hahaha..." Her adorable, startled-deer-like expression melted Xiao Huayong's heart into a puddle, and he couldn't help but let out a joyful laugh from the depths of his chest.
Upon returning to the Eastern Palace, Xiao Huayong wanted to cling to Shen Xihe, but Liu Sanzhi was already waiting at the entrance. It was undoubtedly a summons from the Youning Emperor regarding the spirit tablet fire. Shen Xihe was relieved to have some time to herself.
She went to the incense room with Hongyu and stayed there the entire afternoon. Shen Xihe had a rule in the incense room: no one was to disturb her without her permission.
When Xiao Huayong returned and looked for her, Zhenzhu was about to announce him but was stopped by Xiao Huayong. He stood outside the incense room, breathing in the faint fragrance, and waited for her all afternoon.
When Shen Xihe finally opened the door, she saw Xiao Huayong looking weary and scolded Zhenzhu, "Why didn't you announce him?"
Zhenzhu was terrified, for she knew clearly that Shen Xihe was angry. She fell to her knees with a thud."It wasn't her fault. I told her not to break your rules," Xiao Huayong quickly explained.
"Rules are rigid, but people are flexible," Shen Xihe said, pulling him aside to sit. She instructed Hongyu to fetch the fragrant balm she had made, dabbed some on her fingertips, and gently massaged his temples. "This is the Eastern Palace. You are the Crown Prince. There should be no place you cannot go."
A cool, refreshing fragrance spread with a slight chill. Xiao Huayong closed his eyes, savoring the sensation, and sighed. "The Eastern Palace used to belong solely to the Crown Prince. Now it belongs to both the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess. If it were my study today, would Youyou have barged in without asking me?"
Shen Xihe was left speechless by the question. In such a situation, she indeed would not have entered without permission. It was a matter of respect—even between husband and wife, there must be respect for each other's privacy and a space that belongs solely to one or the other, not to be trespassed upon.
It was late spring, with birds singing and flowers blooming, under a clear blue sky. Everything in the world felt renewed.
Shen Xihe felt that her state of mind had also changed since entering the Eastern Palace.
She had initially thought that life within high walls would be stifling, but thanks to this person's meticulous care and consideration, she found it even more comfortable than life outside.
A yellow finch flitted past the treetops. Shen Xihe looked up, watching it land joyfully on a branch, then spread its wings and fly to another spot, free and content. She couldn't help but smile.
So this was what marriage felt like? It seemed quite different from what she had imagined... Or perhaps it varied from person to person?
Shen Xihe's happiness did not last long. When night fell and she was entangled, exhausted from coping, she felt that the only flaw in married life was perhaps Xiao Huayong's insatiable demands for intimacy.
On the third day of their marriage, the bride was to return to her family home. Xiao Huayong had prepared generous gifts early in the morning and accompanied Shen Xihe on the visit. Sitting in the carriage, Shen Xihe felt her eyelids heavy, drowsy and on the verge of sleep.
Xiao Huayong, seeing her state, carefully reached out to support her head and gently guided it to rest on his shoulder.
Shen Xihe woke up in her own bedroom, the one she had occupied before her marriage. She sat up abruptly, feeling an unreal sense that she had never married, until the discomfort in her body brought her back to reality.
She hurriedly got out of bed. Zhenzhu, hearing the noise, entered with Biyu.
"How... how did I end up sleeping here? What time is it?" Shen Xihe asked, flustered.
Zhenzhu fetched Shen Xihe's clothes and helped her dress while replying, "His Highness carried the Crown Princess inside. It is currently exactly 10 a.m."
They had departed at 7 a.m., and the journey from the palace to the Princess Manor took less than half an hour. She had slept for over two hours after returning home!
Shen Xihe was both shocked and annoyed. What would Father think of her?
After dressing quickly, Shen Xihe rushed to the main hall to find Shen Yueshan. She had expected him to be stern or cold toward Xiao Huayong, but to her surprise, the two of them were chatting happily.
Seeing Shen Yueshan laughing heartily, Shen Xihe felt a sense of disbelief and suspicion.
"Father," Shen Xihe called out tentatively as she approached.
"Youyou is awake. Prepare some food," Shen Yueshan instructed the steward.
Shen Xihe felt uneasy, expecting Shen Yueshan to at least scold them for their recklessness, but he never mentioned it.
He was cheerful all day, and his gaze toward Xiao Huayong was even more affectionate than when he looked at Brother?
Shen Xihe found it utterly unbelievable, almost as if Xiao Huayong had cast a spell on Shen Yueshan."What kind of spell have you cast on my father?" After bidding farewell to Shen Yueshan, Shen Xihe couldn't help but ask.
Xiao Huayong brought his handsome face closer, pointing at his own cheek with unmistakable implication.
Ahem, that's all for today. There's still one more day left this month. Those who have monthly votes, remember to cast them and don't let them go to waste.
Good night. There are no details about the wedding night - use your imagination, otherwise it'll get censored. Or wait and see, I'll check if I can still write a couple of erotic poems? Hehehe.
(End of Chapter)
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