Chapter 494: I Have the Ability to Protect Myself
Shen Xihe glanced up at Xiao Huayong through the mirror, her expression clearly conveying speechless exasperation. This man was always seizing every opportunity to flirt with her, never missing a chance.
Xiao Huayong chuckled softly. After finishing her eyebrows, he carefully studied her face, selected several shades of rouge, and finally settled on peach blossom pink.
A touch of vermilion on her lips, blended outward like peach blossoms unfurling: "A face like peach blossoms—my Youyou, how exquisite."
After speaking, he gently brushed a faint layer of pink over Shen Xihe's cheekbones, then moved to the center of her forehead. His brush hovered hesitantly until, after a moment's thought, he smiled and finally made his stroke.
Shen Xihe had been slightly wary, her brow twitching uncontrollably as she sensed some mischievous scheme brewing.
She instinctively raised a hand to stop him, but it froze mid-air before softly lowering.
Noticing her movement from the corner of his eye, Xiao Huayong couldn't suppress an amused smile.
When had she begun tolerating his antics—even when knowing he might tease her or push the boundaries of her upbringing—instead of firmly rejecting him? She now indulged his whims, despite these being experiences she'd never had and inwardly resisted.
Xiao Huayong painted a Eucommia Leaf Hua Dian between Shen Xihe's brows—a tiny piece with such a slender stem it was nearly invisible up close. From afar, it resembled a delicate butterfly poised for flight.
"Done." Xiao Huayong stepped back, gazing with satisfaction at the lotus-shaped mirror.
Shen Xihe slowly lifted her long lashes. The reflection showed eyes like autumn waters, shimmering and breathtakingly beautiful.
She never expected Xiao Huayong to create makeup that would startle even her with its brilliance. Unable to help herself, she pressed her lips together in a faint smile.
"Is Youyou satisfied?" Xiao Huayong bent down, resting his hands on her shoulders as he leaned forward until their temples touched.
Shen Xihe never spoke against her true feelings and gave a slight nod: "Mm."
After studying her a moment longer, Xiao Huayong's gaze settled on her full, soft lips: "Still missing one thing."
Before Shen Xihe could react, he leaned down and captured her plump lips, deliberately smearing away all her lip rouge before releasing her.
"You—!"
"Tomorrow, Youyou may seek an audience with His Majesty to request permission to visit Liangzhou and find Father-in-law." Xiao Huayong quickly interjected before her anger could surface.
Shen Xihe's irritation instantly shifted, completely overlooking the fact that Xiao Huayong had taken liberties: "Didn't you say we needed to wait a few more days for the right timing?"
"There's an opportunity today. His Majesty no longer suspects you're acting and may be swayed by your request." Xiao Huayong murmured.
"What opportunity?" Shen Xihe questioned suspiciously.
This sudden emergence of an opportunity made her intuition whisper that Xiao Huayong must have done something.
Xiao Huayong took a step back, covering his mouth with a light cough: "If I tell you, Youyou must promise not to be angry or hold it against me?"
Hearing this, Shen Xihe immediately sensed he'd done something shocking and utterly deserving of a beating. She narrowed her eyes slightly: "Speak."
Without her promise, Xiao Huayong didn't dare speak rashly. It wasn't that he absolutely had to tell her—but if he didn't say it now, the palace would soon be buzzing with rumors anyway.
Who knew how exaggerated the tales might become? Better to confess early.
"Youyou must promise not to be angry." Xiao Huayong insisted, "This matter wasn't intentional—it was truly an unintended consequence."
Shen Xihe frowned, pondering briefly before responding: "I won't be angry."Shen Xihe knew perfectly well in her heart that if Xiao Huayong didn't speak of this matter, she could still dispatch people to gather some rumors. However, doing so would appear as if she lacked trust and tolerance toward him.
He hadn't acted intentionally, nor had he attempted concealment—instead showing willingness to confess voluntarily. Why should she be overly critical? If she insisted on distrusting him, he might conceal things from her in the future if he did anything again.
Xiao Huayong touched his own neck. "Today, all the civil and military officials saw the marks on my neck and assumed you were the one who caused them."
For a moment, Shen Xihe didn't understand. What did it matter if they thought she had injured him? What could that prove?
Xiao Huayong coughed lightly into his fist, then leaned close to her ear to explain in a low voice. Upon hearing his words and recalling last night's indulgence, Shen Xihe's face instantly flushed with a delicate rosy hue, like morning clouds tinted by dawn.
She was still annoyed—not with anger, but with embarrassment.
Such matters... such matters! How could these people speculate about such things? It was truly hard not to feel furious and humiliated.
"These civil and military officials—indulging in lewd thoughts by daylight! They have too much idle time!" Shen Xihe finally blurted out after holding back for a long while.
Xiao Huayong couldn't help but laugh aloud upon hearing this.
"What are you laughing at!" Shen Xihe shot him a reproachful glance through the mirror.
She rarely displayed such charming allure, making Xiao Huayong momentarily stunned, his heart stirring with tender affection once more.
To restrain himself, Xiao Huayong averted his gaze and picked up the rouge again, carefully applying it to her lips.
"This matter actually works to our advantage. Since when do you care about what others think?" he murmured softly while attending to her lips.
Fortunately, Shen Xihe didn't blame him or think it was due to his lack of discretion, so he quickly shifted her attention.
"Such matters... How could I not care!"
Slander or false accusations she could face calmly, but having such private matters speculated about and imagined by others—Shen Xihe truly wished she could teach those reckless guessers a harsh lesson.
"You must be careful when you leave the capital this time." Xiao Huayong slightly bent his knees, crouching down to examine her red lips closely.
After a moment of silence, Shen Xihe replied, "His Majesty will send people to follow me."
A smile spread across Xiao Huayong's lips, reaching his eyes. "My Youyou, ever so perceptive—understanding with just a hint, or even without one."
The Emperor would indeed let her go, not because he fully believed this ambiguous reason, but because he had no better alternative. He might as well allow Shen Xihe to proceed and have her closely observed to determine if there was any trickery involved.
Shen Xihe smiled composedly. "Who will His Majesty send to follow me?"
Xiao Huayong raised an eyebrow. "Who would Youyou like His Majesty to send?"
In truth, Xiao Huayong had no control over whom the Youning Emperor would assign, but he could plant his own people among them. If the Emperor's precautions were too strict, he could still find a way to insert someone midway—all to ensure Shen Xihe's safety.
Now it seemed Shen Xihe intended to handle the Emperor's agents herself. He always wanted to protect her but forgot she was never a delicate maiden in need of safeguarding.
Sure enough, upon hearing Xiao Huayong's words, Shen Xihe smiled faintly. "Leave His Majesty's people to me. You need not intervene."
Chuckling softly, Xiao Huayong replied in a tender, indulgent tone, "Very well, my lady. Show me your prowess—I eagerly await to see it."Shen Xihe gently pushed Xiao Huayong aside and stood up: "While you're in the palace, refrain from acting rashly. No matter what news you hear about me, do not believe it. I have the ability to protect myself."
His Majesty might very well have the intention of killing two birds with one stone.
Using her to locate Shen Yueshan, and using her to test Xiao Huayong.
(Author's note: No update yesterday because my schedule was completely packed all day. I finally had time after 10 PM, but ended up chatting excitedly with several like-minded fellow authors until 4:30 AM. Today and tomorrow are both filled with various activities arranged by the writing academy. I'll just enjoy these two days of freedom - after returning home, I'll focus on proper updates. Flees while covering head)
(End of Chapter)
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