The rugged and vast Northwest was exceptionally beautiful in May.
Rolling snow-capped mountains, endless grasslands like emerald carpets—in the silent depths of night, pitching tents under a sky full of stars, one could almost hear the murmuring flow of melting snow winding its way toward the plains.
Even the yellow sands turned gentle, their scorching heat subdued. Riding camels and advancing leisurely offered a unique charm.
"The summer in the Northwest is truly beautiful," Xiao Huayong couldn't help but exclaim as Shen Xihe took him around to explore.
"Yes, it truly is," Shen Xihe sighed in agreement.
These breathtaking scenes were ones she had never experienced before. Though born and raised in the Northwest, she had been confined to the Northwest King's city, never imagining that one day she could endure the desert winds and the icy mountain gales. Nor had she ever thought she could roam every corner of the Northwest with such delight.
But joyful days were always fleeting. Shen Xihe and Xiao Huayong had to return home, for in just three days, Shen Yungan would be married. They had just received a letter from Shen Yueshan stating that the Xue family and the bride had already entered the city.
The mountains bathed in the sunset appeared as if splashed with thick ink, layer upon layer, a sight that intoxicated the heart.
"If you like it, I will find a way to bring you back someday," Xiao Huayong said, turning his head to gaze at Shen Xihe, his eyes tender.
Shen Xihe also turned to look at him. The orange-red glow of the setting sun enveloped him, with the undulating mountains behind making him appear as majestic as a deity. She smiled softly, then turned away to tuck the wind-tousled strands of hair behind her ear. "Your Highness, we are still forty or fifty li from the king's city. The city gates will close in an hour. We must ride swiftly."
With a radiant smile, Shen Xihe flicked her whip against her horse's hindquarters, and the steed shot forward like an arrow.
They were the Crown Prince and Crown Princess, after all. This trip to attend her brother's wedding had already required great effort. To do it again would be too much, not just for His Majesty, but even for Shen Xihe herself.
Xiao Huayong watched her figure galloping into the distance, soon shrinking to a dot as if carried by the wind, and quickly spurred his horse to catch up.
Over the past few days, they had traveled everywhere, leaving everyone behind, including Shen Xihe's maids. Naturally, Xiao Changfeng had wanted to follow but hadn't succeeded. Shen Xihe and Xiao Huayong didn't bother with elaborate excuses—they simply slipped away at midnight, knowing that Shen Yungan and the others would stop Xiao Changfeng from pursuing them.
Xiao Huayong had visited many places and thought he had long exhausted the joys of sightseeing. But this trip with Shen Xihe made him realize that with a beloved by one's side, even a storm could feel wondrous.
The couple made it back inside the city just before the gates closed. Once inside, they dismounted and led their horses, strolling slowly inward. Along the way, people greeted them, and even vendors who hadn't yet packed up their stalls offered their goods to Shen Xihe.
She politely declined each time. Before they had even walked the length of one street, a sharp cry pierced the air: "Crown Princess—!"
The shrill call came in a familiar tone. Shen Xihe halted and turned to see Bu Shulin, pale as a ghost, rushing toward her as if fleeing from some pursuer.
"Greetings to the Crown Prince," Bu Shulin hastily skidded to a stop, offering a flustered salute before whispering pleadingly to Shen Xihe, "You have to save me!"
"What trouble have you gotten into?" Shen Xihe asked.Bu Shulin didn't know whether it was because she had played the part of a dissolute noble for so long that she had truly become one, or if there was some other reason. In any case, she had always been fond of drinking and pleasure-seeking, lingering among flowers and willows in the northwest. Previously, when there had been numerous disturbances in the northwest, Shen Xihe found her troublesome and forbade her from getting involved. Without keeping a close watch on her, Bu Shulin probably indulged so much that she forgot her own name.
"I haven't done anything wrong, I was just..."
"Your humble servant pays respects to the Crown Prince and Crown Princess." Before Bu Shulin could finish her sentence, a steady, deep voice sounded behind her, causing her to stiffen.
Shen Xihe saw Cui Jinbai closely following and couldn't help but feel amused. Fortunately, her self-control was excellent, and she didn't laugh out loud. Bu Shulin had instinctively hidden behind Shen Xihe, peeking out with half her head while watching Cui Jinbai with wary, guarded eyes.
"What's going on between you two this time?" Xiao Huayong glanced at the dark-faced Cui Jinbai before turning to look at the bowing Bu Shulin.
"Your humble servant was ordered to escort the young lady of the Xue family to the northwest for her marriage to the northwestern worldly son. We just entered the city today, and I originally came to catch up with Worldly Son Bu. Coincidentally, I happened to witness Worldly Son Bu frolicking with an official courtesan." Cui Jinbai's voice was cold as he spoke, his gaze dark and gloomy as it swept over Bu Shulin. "This constitutes the crime of illicit relations."
Shen Xihe raised her eyebrows. Being well-versed in laws herself, she knew that official courtesans in this dynasty were entertainers skilled in music and arts, belonging to the government offices.
While officials could enjoy official courtesans' songs and dances during banquets, they were forbidden from private intimate relations. Excessive familiarity between officials and official courtesans constituted the crime of illicit relations, which could carry a ten-year prison sentence for serious offenses.
Shen Xihe knew Bu Shulin was a woman, which was why she never stopped her from visiting the northwest Office of Music to seek official courtesans for songs and flower wine. After all, they were all women - what could possibly happen? Moreover, Bu Shulin enjoyed it herself and it helped better conceal her identity, so why not allow it?
Who would have thought that the Assistant Minister of the Court of Judicial Review would witness it despite traveling thousands of miles.
"I... I just thought Nuanu'er's small hands were tender and white, and was joking with her a few words. How could that be considered intimate?" Bu Shulin retorted.
"What your humble servant witnessed was this Nuanu'er with half her clothes removed, half her body in Worldly Son Bu's embrace, holding a wine cup between her lips, about to pass wine to Worldly Son Bu, who showed no intention of refusing." Cui Jinbai said stiffly.
Shen Xihe turned to look at Bu Shulin in surprise. Holding a wine cup between lips.
This...
Bu Shulin shook her head like a rattle drum, her hands waving frantically: "I, I, I... I didn't, I... I was just about to refuse when Cui Shaoqing lifted the curtain and entered, speaking in that sarcastic tone, saying he would drag me to the magistrate's office! The crime of illicit relations carries a ten-year sentence!"
Hearing this, she immediately grabbed her outer robe, putting it on while running, with Cui Jinbai closely pursuing. Fortunately, she spotted Shen Xihe and finally found her lifesaver.
Looking at Cui Jinbai's tense, handsome face - probably grinding his teeth so hard they might sink in - Shen Xihe couldn't help wanting to laugh. Controlling herself with great effort, she said: "Cui Shaoqing must be tired from your long journey. Although Worldly Son Bu is somewhat unrestrained, she knows her limits. I believe she would have refused, but suddenly seeing Cui Shaoqing, she became flustered, leading to this misunderstanding."
"With my brother's wedding approaching, let's consider this matter closed. If Worldly Son Bu offends again, she will not be spared."
Bu Shulin looked at Shen Xihe with tearful, moved eyes.Since the Crown Princess had spoken, Cui Jinbai wasn't truly intent on sending Bu Shulin to the authorities. It was just that the moment he thought of how he had chased after her for miles, rushing anxiously to find her, only to see her with a beauty in her embrace—in that instant, fury surged through him, and he nearly drew his sword to execute the young woman clinging to her!
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