Chapter 491: The Crown Prince's Unspoken Suffering
Compared to the cold and detached Gu Qingzhi, Shen Xihe possessed a greater degree of resilience and ruthlessness.
Understanding Xiao Changqing's insinuation, Xiao Changying could no longer evade the issue: "You know our mother better than anyone. If I try to reason with her now, it will only provoke her further."
Patting Xiao Changying's shoulder, Xiao Changqing said, "After all, she is our mother. I will protect her life, but as for the rest, you must decide how much you can shoulder for her. If it truly troubles you, seek out Pingling. Mother listens to him most."
Xiao Changqing had no desire to make an enemy of Shen Xihe. Firstly, he had other matters to attend to and did not wish to create a formidable adversary. Secondly, Shen Xihe was an old acquaintance of Gu Qingzhi—it was best if they could not be friends, at least not become enemies.
Xiao Changying sank into distress; he had the least patience for such matters.
"Must I lie in the Eastern Palace like you?" The physicians from the Imperial Hospital had come and gone, yet Xiao Huayong still pressed Shen Xihe onto the bed, forbidding her from getting up easily.
"You must trust my words. Only after a couple of days will we gain Your Majesty's trust and leave the capital early for the northwest." Xiao Huayong sat by the bedside just as Zhenzhu brought over what appeared to be medicinal soup but was actually a herbal broth, its distinct medicinal scent wafting from afar.
Xiao Huayong reached out to take it, intending to feed Shen Xihe.
Feeling awkward, Shen Xihe sat up. "I can drink it myself."
"Youyou, you must always remember that you are currently suffering from excessive shock and exhaustion. Do not let your guard down just because no one is around." Xiao Huayong avoided her hand reaching for the bowl. "Wasn't I the same at the retreat?"
Shen Xihe stared at him quietly. How dare he bring up the retreat? At the retreat, he had simply taken advantage of the situation shamelessly, wanting her to wait on him. It had nothing to do with diligently remembering to act like a seriously ill person to avoid exposure.
Now, with his righteous and solemn demeanor, he was still trying to take liberties with her!
Her obsidian-like, luminous eyes pierced through him with sharp insight, but Xiao Huayong remained unfazed, still maintaining his earnest expression. "Youyou, you are not one to deceive, so you must be even more cautious. We just need more practice."
As he spoke, he brought the spoon to her lips. Shen Xihe watched him for a long while, but he continued to smile patiently, waiting for her to drink.
In the end, Shen Xihe relented and opened her mouth, though her gaze remained fixed intently on Xiao Huayong throughout.
Anyone with a guilty conscience would have been unable to withstand such a stare, but Xiao Huayong had his own interpretation: "Though your husband possesses captivating beauty, even I cannot endure your wife's greedy gaze."
Shen Xihe, having been tempered by Xiao Huayong's antics, had developed some resilience. She did not look away because of his words but continued to stare at him expressionlessly and silently.
Once the bowl was empty, Xiao Huayong took a handkerchief to wipe the broth from Shen Xihe's lips. As he wiped, his head drew closer and closer until he could not resist leaning in. No matter how he teased or provoked her, Shen Xihe seemed utterly unmoved.
Finally, Xiao Huayong gently bit her and whispered into her ear, "Your husband is a feast for the eyes. If you stare so intently, wife, are you hungry…"
He drew out the last three words, laden with implication.
The warm breath brushing against her neck made Shen Xihe uncomfortable, and she turned her head away, pushing him aside.Xiao Huayong allowed himself to be pushed onto the edge of the bed by Shen Xihe's force, propping his head up with one hand while blinking his mole-adorned eyes at her: "At your mercy."
Shen Xihe took a deep breath, swept a glance over him, and lay down directly, turning away to ignore him.
Xiao Huayong had a mischievous streak, enjoying teasing her and watching her helplessness toward him.
Believing he had achieved another overwhelming victory, Xiao Huayong naturally reached out to pull his delicate wife into his arms when they retired for the night. But Shen Xihe pushed him away with both hands, her smile not reaching her eyes: "Crown Prince, I must remain cautious and remember that I am gravely ill. Your Highness has never been one to rush into passion, and surely would not torment a seriously ill person, right?"
After saying this, Shen Xihe gave him a radiant smile and separated their quilts.
For the first time since their wedding, they slept under separate covers. The delicate fragrance of his wife lingered in the air, yet his arms remained empty.
Xiao Huayong never imagined that one day he would hoist himself with his own petard.
Shen Xihe slept exceptionally soundly. Xiao Huayong was extremely clingy—since their marriage, she hadn't had a single night of undisturbed sleep. He always had to hold her, even if just properly embracing her. Fortunately, it was spring and not too hot yet. Out of respect for him, Shen Xihe had indulged him.
Tonight, she could finally enjoy the freedom of wrapping herself alone in the quilt, and Shen Xihe was overjoyed.
Just as she was drifting into dreams, in that hazy state between sleep and wakefulness, the restless Crown Prince stealthily extended two fingers, creeping like a thief from his own quilt to Shen Xihe's exposed hands. Shen Xihe swatted him away impatiently as if brushing off a mosquito, but he persisted, gently scratching her palm: "Youyou..."
Even with her good temper, Shen Xihe grew annoyed at having her peaceful sleep disturbed when she was drowsy. Her eyes snapped open: "If you keep this up, neither of us will sleep tonight!"
Xiao Huayong pouted pitifully, lowering his eyes like an abandoned child.
Shen Xihe snorted lightly. Though she usually preferred sleeping on her back, she turned over, presenting her back to Xiao Huayong.
Failing to win Shen Xihe's sympathy, Xiao Huayong had to put away that pitiful expression. After pondering for a moment, he also turned to face Shen Xihe's back. Listening to her steady breathing, his silver-bright eyes sparkled like morning clouds again. He quietly moved closer, carefully encircling her in his arms once more.
Smelling the sweet fragrance of her hair, he fell asleep with a smile.
When Shen Xihe woke in the morning, she found herself in Xiao Huayong's arms, with both of them positioned near the edge of the bed. Traditionally, husbands slept on the inner side while wives slept on the outer side, but Shen Xihe preferred the inner position. Since their marriage, she had always slept on the inside.
Shen Xihe was puzzled—she always maintained excellent sleeping posture and never moved recklessly. Clearly, Xiao Huayong had carried her over during the night while she was deep asleep.
Opening his sleepy eyes to meet Shen Xihe's questioning gaze, Xiao Huayong instantly became alert. After quickly assessing their positions, he understood the situation and flashed Shen Xihe an ingratiating, flattering smile.
Instead of showing anger, Shen Xihe smiled with extreme gentleness: "Your Highness, I must have suffered too much fright recently and cannot rest peacefully. I fear disturbing Your Highness's sleep and hindering your daytime duties. We should sleep in separate beds."Xiao Huayong's jaw tightened as he hastily said, "Youyou, I don't think being frightened is such a serious matter. A good rest should be enough to recover."
Shen Xihe leisurely reclined on the couch: "I don't think recovery should come that quickly."
Xiao Huayong's face looked as if he had swallowed a handful of bitter coptis.
I need to attend an annual conference tomorrow – this will be my first time participating since I started writing. Previous attempts were always thwarted by illness or other reasons. Therefore, before the 8th, I'll maintain daily updates of 4,000 characters, after which I'll increase to 6,000 daily. This is the current schedule, and any changes will be announced in advance.
(End of Chapter)
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