Chapter 505: Reunion of Husband and Wife, Sweet Affection Blooms
Shen Xihe didn't know whether the people who attempted to ambush her this time were targeting her personally or targeting her as the Crown Princess. Now wasn't the time to investigate this matter. She would deal with them slowly after handling more important individuals.
Fortunately, this was the only incident during the journey. Shen Xihe and Moyu arrived in Lanzhou promptly. The person stationed there to deliver messages had been waiting for a long time. As soon as Shen Xihe entered the city, she obtained firsthand information.
Bu Shulin and the others had also just entered the city yesterday. After the fierce battle on the Wei River, the person impersonating her had claimed to be frightened and frequently bedridden, delaying continuously. Despite having a several days shorter journey, they managed to enter the city only slightly later than her.
Shen Xihe had no intention of switching back with the impersonator immediately. His Majesty hadn't truly made his move yet. She found an inn to stay at, not far from the courier station. Along the way, the veil of her hat reached almost to her knees, so even the wind couldn't lift it.
After the journey, Shen Xihe bathed and sent Moyu out, intending to rest properly.
She fell asleep quickly but, in a dream-like state, felt someone approaching and pressing down on her. At first, she thought it was just a nightmare. However, the real, damp sensation soon made Shen Xihe abruptly open her eyes.
The room was bright, and there was indeed someone there. Shen Xihe had lit tranquilizing incense out of trust in Moyu, who would never put her in danger. That was why she initially thought it was a nightmare. Despite all her precautions, she had forgotten that there was one person Moyu would openly allow inside!
"You..."
Shen Xihe only had time to open her mouth before Xiao Huayong swallowed the rest of her words.
Days of travel and Xiao Huayong's teasing had left her weak and powerless, unable to resist.
Her fragrant skin flushed with rosy hues, her temples damp with moisture; their bodies merged like water and milk, their shadows blending into one.
When Shen Xihe woke the next day, she opened her eyes to find Crown Prince Xiao Huayong lying on his side, propping his head with one hand, gazing at her. His eyes shimmered with silver light, his face radiant with satisfaction, his entire being exuding contentment.
"It's been days since I've seen Youyou. I couldn't control myself. If you're angry, Youyou, feel free to punish me," Xiao Huayong said with a well-mannered apology.
"Shut up!" Shen Xihe hissed softly.
This was an inn. How dare he? How dare he do such things in an inn!
In Shen Xihe's view, marital matters should only occur in their shared residence.
Xiao Huayong obediently closed his mouth. Shen Xihe tried to rise, her body feeling as if her bones had come apart. Xiao Huayong hurriedly stepped forward to attend to her diligently. Shen Xihe glanced at him sidelong but didn't refuse.
Afterward, no matter how attentive, gentle, or considerate Xiao Huayong was, Shen Xihe ignored whatever he said. When she needed him, she didn't push him away, leaving Xiao Huayong's heart unsettled and anxious.
Was she angry or not?
Shen Xihe was indeed angry. But though she was angry, she didn't want to quarrel with him at this time. Before leaving the palace, they had just had an argument. Even though they had reconciled afterward, Shen Xihe still worried that she might have hurt the Crown Prince's fragile heart again.
Yes, in Shen Xihe's eyes, Xiao Huayong's heart was as fragile as a child's when it came to her. It seemed as if even a slightly harsh word from her could pierce it full of holes.If it were anyone else, Shen Xihe would naturally turn a blind eye and not be bothered, but this person had become her husband, constantly before her eyes. What else could she do? She could only avoid contradicting him and prevent his fragile heart from being hurt.
"Youyou, I know of a food stall that's quite delicious. Shall we go try it?"
Shen Xihe remained motionless, engrossed in reading her book.
Xiao Huayong pressed his tongue against his teeth: "Youyou, aren't you curious why I came here so early? How I got here? When I left the palace? Whether I was pursued on the way?"
Shen Xihe paid no attention, lost in her own thoughts, finishing one page and turning to the next.
Xiao Huayong's jaw tightened, his handsome lips pursed slightly. His eyes darted around but found nothing to capture his wife's attention, causing his shoulders to slump in dejection.
Suddenly, as if struck by an idea, he deliberately scooted over and sat close beside Shen Xihe, his tone tinged with jealousy: "Xiao Jiu followed you all the way, protecting you throughout the journey."
If not for this reason, even with his low resistance toward his wife, he wouldn't have been so impatient. It was all Xiao Changying's fault—the moment he entered the city, he heard that Xiao Changying had followed Shen Xihe into the city, clearly having escorted her the entire way.
Shen Xihe forbade him from sending people to follow her, yet she allowed Xiao Changying to protect her along the way. He was driven mad with jealousy!
"Prince Lie is acting under imperial orders." Shen Xihe also knew that Xiao Huayong was not only fragile-hearted but also narrow-minded.
"Imperial orders?" Xiao Huayong raised an eyebrow.
"Mhm." Shen Xihe responded softly, without looking at Xiao Huayong, and turned another page of her book. "By Your Majesty's command, to keep an eye on me."
How could someone as clever as Xiao Huayong not have guessed the underlying twists and turns? He suddenly laughed.
The sound of his laughter drew Shen Xihe's gaze, and he immediately suppressed his smile. If Xiao Changying himself claimed he was ordered to watch her rather than risking leaving the capital to escort her, and his wife took it for granted, why should he expose the truth?
With such wolfish ambitions, he was determined to make Xiao Changying marry this year. Let's see if Xiao Changying would still dare to keep his eyes fixed on his wife at all times.
Although Xiao Huayong had suppressed his laughter, Shen Xihe sensed something amiss. She closed her book, turned sideways, creating a slight distance, and fixed him with a penetrating stare.
Xiao Huayong had no desire to discuss Xiao Changying's infatuation with Shen Xihe. He quickly changed the subject: "Regarding the incident on the Wei River, His Majesty is extremely furious. He has sent my cousin here. He is highly skilled in martial arts and deeply versed in military strategy. If His Majesty issues a secret decree for him to act against you, we must revise our plans."
Xiao Changfeng?
Shen Xihe was also surprised. She hadn't expected the Youning Emperor to take it so seriously as to dispatch Xiao Changfeng.
"I've had one encounter with Xun Wang. He is not a deceitful person." Shen Xihe recalled her initial impression of Xiao Changfeng from the day Yu Sangning latched onto him.
"He is extremely loyal to the monarch." Xiao Huayong smiled. "If His Majesty told him he suspects Father-in-law of deception, fearing Father-in-law has ulterior motives, and ordered him to pretend to act against you to lure Father-in-law out, he would unquestioningly comply."
Only, it would truly be just a pretense of hostility—he would ensure Shen Xihe's safety."Then trap him and all his men." Shen Xihe's eyes flickered with a thought. "Let him realize the person in the relay station isn't truly me, then allow him to discover my trail. He will surely believe Your Majesty's suspicions are justified and lead his men to follow me. Choose a suitable location—set up an array for them. I happen to have a new type of fragrant spices here. Inhaling large quantities will inevitably induce hallucinations."
Perhaps we can even extract some information from their mouths. Once we've trapped them, I can reunite with Father.
(End of Chapter)
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