Chapter 518: I Will Care for You
No one is omnipotent, nor does anyone live a life entirely free from grief, indignation, helplessness, or despair.
"A real man sheds blood, not tears"—this is a form of weakness forbidden on the battlefield, where duty and survival take precedence. Beyond such life-and-death moments, Shen Xihe believes that both men and women are the same: they may cry, evade, or vent their emotions.
Even the strongest of hearts have moments of fragility, though some endure more stoically, while others remain emotionally detached. Shen Xihe belongs to the latter category. She is not easily discouraged, but that does not mean she fails to comprehend the vicissitudes and complexities of human existence.
Xiao Huayong couldn't help but lower his head and chuckle.
"Why are you laughing?" she asked. Was what she said so amusing?
"I used to think you were ethereal—untouched by worldly sorrows and ignorant of human affairs," Xiao Huayong replied, shaking his head with a smile. "But after spending day and night with you, I've come to realize that you are merely... indifferent when it comes to matters of love."
After a moment of thoughtful frowning, he added, "You simply don't care."
Indeed, she didn't care. She understood everything, excelled at everything, and comprehended everything.
As a person of strength, she recognized that the world is mostly populated by the vulnerable, and thus never looked down upon anyone. Having been raised in luxury, she was also acutely aware of the widespread poverty among common folk, and therefore never indulged in extravagance.
Traits she herself lacked, she permitted in others and understood why they possessed them.
Her rationality stemmed from her boundless tolerance—except in matters of romance. It wasn't that she didn't understand love; otherwise, she wouldn't be able to discern who harbored affection for her and whose feelings were genuine. Rather, she had disregarded it since childhood, perhaps because she saw the world too clearly to feel any need for it.
"You're right. I've never cared about love. Some things, when neglected habitually, become irrelevant whether they exist or not," Shen Xihe acknowledged frankly. Then, lifting her gaze slightly, she looked at him and said, "But I will care for you."
I may be indifferent to love, but I will care for you.
These words exploded in Xiao Huayong's mind like countless fireworks, filling his thoughts with blooming flowers, clearing the skies and earth, and rendering everything breathtakingly beautiful.
His heart pounded wildly, compelling him to instinctively press a hand against his chest.
His dazed reaction drew a light laugh from Shen Xihe.
She stood up, glanced at the soundly sleeping Shen Yueshan, and walked out silently.
Xiao Huayong hurriedly rose and caught up to her, falling into step beside her. As villagers passed by, exchanging smiles and greetings, he tentatively extended his pinky, hooking it twice before finally catching her dangling hand. Then, he clasped it tightly.
Shen Xihe didn't pull away. Intimate gestures like riding together or holding hands—they were, after all, a legitimate married couple. Though she would not initiate such acts, she did not reject them either.
Xiao Huayong's lips curved into a grin, his smile so broad it reached his eyes as he held Shen Xihe's hand, unwilling to let go. Wherever she went, he followed.
Shen Yueshan did not wake until after sunset. When he opened his eyes, his daughter and son-in-law were seated in his room, chatting by the fire pit. Meat roasted on a rack while soup simmered nearby. His gaze fell upon Xiao Huayong's hand, firmly gripping his daughter's.
"Ahem!" He cleared his throat softly to announce his awakening.
Xiao Huayong, thick-skinned, pretended not to notice. Shen Xihe freed her hand and stepped forward to attend to Shen Yueshan.Shen Yueshan saw his daughter approach and pressed a palm to his forehead. "My head... my head hurts."
Xiao Huayong: ...
He's fooling ghosts. The congee contained the finest hangover remedy, and this old drunkard would never suffer from a headache.
Shen Xihe was also taken aback. Logically, he shouldn't be experiencing a headache. After studying Shen Yueshan carefully for a moment, she saw through his act despite his convincing performance. She felt both annoyed and amused. "It's good that Father recognizes the pain. After all, you're not getting any younger. Over the years of campaigning on the battlefield, your body has accumulated many hidden injuries. When Doctor Qi prescribed your restorative medicine, he specifically advised you to abstain from alcohol.
Yet Father never took it seriously, claiming you never suffered discomfort after a night of drinking. Now it's happening. From now on, you should quit drinking."
Xiao Huayong quickly lowered his head, suppressing a smile.
Shen Yueshan: ...
Quit drinking? That would be the death of him!
A life without fine wine—wouldn't that be utterly joyless?
"It must have been the sudden movement when I got up that made me dizzy," Shen Yueshan immediately dropped his hand from his forehead and offered his daughter an ingratiating smile.
"The pain is gone?" Shen Xihe raised an eyebrow.
"Gone, all gone," Shen Yueshan waved his hands repeatedly.
"Go wash up quickly. It's almost time for the evening meal," Shen Xihe urged.
Shen Yueshan glanced at Xiao Huayong nearby and immediately noticed him secretly laughing. Feeling embarrassed in front of his son-in-law, he promptly adopted the dignified air of a father-in-law. "Son-in-law, aren't you going to fetch water for your father-in-law?"
Shen Xihe shot him a cool look, but Shen Yueshan had already turned his face away, pretending not to see.
"Of course, I'll go right away," Xiao Huayong replied willingly and went to fetch water with a smile.
He was actually quite happy inside because Shen Yueshan didn't treat him with the distant reverence due to a Crown Prince. Since Shen Yueshan was his elder, fetching water for him was a junior's duty.
Shen Yueshan, however, was displeased. This young man was too obedient, making him appear somewhat unreasonable by contrast.
With a soft humph, Shen Yueshan finished washing up quickly, pushed Xiao Huayong aside, and deliberately sat between them, separating Xiao Huayong and Shen Xihe.
Shen Xihe: ...
When her father acted like this with her brother, it was one thing, but now he was doing the same with her husband. Shen Xihe was at a loss for words.
Xiao Huayong sat to the side with a pitiful expression, glanced at Shen Xihe, and chose to endure the grievance silently.
Shen Yueshan even smirked triumphantly at Xiao Huayong.
Xiao Huayong looked even more wronged.
Shen Xihe couldn't stand these two men, who were decisive and formidable in external matters, now competing to see who could act more childish.
"Father, who was it?" She decided to discuss serious matters, as only then would these two men behave normally.
Shen Yueshan's expression sobered, his gaze settling on the campfire before him. After a long pause, he said, "It was your Uncle Geng."
Shen Xihe's eyes widened abruptly. She found it both unexpected and yet made perfect sense.
In his youth, Shen Yueshan had eight sworn brothers who had fought through life and death together, each possessing remarkable courage. Three had died in battle, one had passed away prematurely, and another had succumbed to his injuries the year before last.
Only three remained now, all stationed in the Northwest, holding positions as high-ranking generals of the second and third grades.
Geng Liangcheng was Shen Yueshan's right-hand man since they were toddlers. The Geng family had served under Shen Yueshan's grandfather since Geng Liangcheng's grandfather's time. Geng Liangcheng's father had been the deputy general under Shen Xihe's grandfather, much like Mo Yao was to Shen Yungan.Back then, by protecting Youning Emperor and his mother and younger sibling, the Shen family rose to power. They were no longer just a general from the northwest, but the undisputed rulers of the entire region, with their followers all enjoying high positions and generous salaries.
No wonder, no wonder Shen Yueshan got thoroughly drunk over this.
(End of Chapter)
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