Shen Xihe turned and stood before the moon gate, spotting Xiao Huayong seated with his back to her at the stone table.
He was draped in a heavy black cloak with a collar of snow-white, luxurious fox fur, his hair tied up in a jade crown, all his raven locks coiled atop his head. Surrounding him were osmanthus trees in full bloom, their rich fragrance wafting through the air.
The sun, veiled by cotton-like clouds, cast a gentle, non-dazzling light that softly enveloped him. Even from behind, his seated posture was so serene it seemed painted into the scene.
A breeze stirred, shaking loose delicate osmanthus petals. Shen Xihe caught one drifting toward her and stepped forward to approach Xiao Huayong.
This seemingly frail man was like the osmanthus—pure enough to transcend worldly dust, yet potent enough to carry its fragrance far.
"Your Highness." Tianyuan spotted Shen Xihe first and bowed.
By the time Xiao Huayong rose and turned around, Shen Xihe had already drawn near. She offered a graceful curtsy.
"Your Highness... cough... there's no need for such formality..." Xiao Huayong reached out to steady her, but he seemed exceedingly weak, withdrawing his hand after the gesture. "Your Highness... please sit."
Shen Xihe took a seat opposite Xiao Huayong. The day was cool, so she too wore a cloak, though hers was far lighter than his.
After days apart, Xiao Huayong's complexion had grown paler, almost translucent. His eyes, though gentle, lacked their usual sparkle, half-lidded and accentuating the lazy charm of the tiny mole at the corner of his eye.
No sooner had Shen Xihe sat down than servants brought tea and pastries—jade dew dumplings, honey-glazed cold treats, rice brocade, and more...
The last dish served was the rice brocade. Xiao Huayong's slightly lowered gaze fell upon it. "The Double Ninth Festival approaches... cough... I fear I lack the strength to celebrate... so I ordered these... cough... rice brocades made early... to share with Your Highness... as an early celebration..."
Rice brocade was the floral cake every household in the capital ate during the Double Ninth Festival.
For the festival, even in the northwest, climbing high was customary, but the capital was especially lively. Drinking chrysanthemum wine, eating floral cakes, wearing cornelian cherry and chrysanthemums, and ascending heights were all essential traditions.
Given Xiao Huayong's health, drinking chrysanthemum wine and climbing high were nearly impossible; even floral cakes had to be eaten sparingly.
"Climbing high doesn't necessarily mean scaling mountains or towers," Shen Xihe said softly. "Since childhood, I've been frail. Every Double Ninth Festival, Father and Brother would accompany me up the gate tower of the northwest pass..."
On one side, they could see the commoners within the city cheering, decorating with lanterns for the festival; on the other, the vast yellow sands stood solemn and imposing, keeping foreign barbarians at bay.
Shen Yueshan and Shen Yungan went to great lengths to cheer her up. On days when other young ladies could revel freely and gallop on horseback, they were always so careful, fearing she might feel disheartened.
One Lantern Festival, Shen Xihe caught a chill but had long promised Shen Yungan to see the lanterns. Shen Yueshan forbade her from going out, and in her stubbornness, she grew upset.
Setting aside his dignity as the heir, Shen Yungan, on the night she recovered, went door to door, pleading with each household to light a lantern. He then took her to the gate tower to see the entire city illuminated just for her, finally lifting her spirits.
Just recalling these memories filled her with sweetness.
"The gate tower of the imperial city... cough... also offers a full view of the capital's splendor..." Xiao Huayong remarked. "If my health holds by the Double Ninth Festival... cough... might I join Your Highness in ascending the tower?"Shen Xihe finally snapped out of that distant memory, offering a faint smile. "Very well."
She too wished to personally experience the sensation of standing atop the city tower, though what she truly desired was to share that moment with her brother.
Having prepared herself for rejection, Shen Xihe's immediate agreement caught Xiao Huayong by surprise, filling him with delight as he began contemplating the arrangements.
Standing nearby, Tianyuan could only gaze skyward in silent exasperation.
Wasn't it agreed she'd only accompany him for a single day?
Xiao Huayong made no attempt to conceal his joy, while Shen Xihe composed herself. "Your Highness summoned me. What instructions do you have?"
What instructions could there be? He simply wished to see her.
Tianyuan pricked up his ears, curious to see how his master would smooth over this fabrication.
He knew full well that unless Xiao Huayong provided Shen Xihe with a compelling reason for this visit, it would be impossible to lure her again in the future. Moreover, it would significantly diminish her regard for him.
Xiao Huayong had initially prepared other words for Shen Xihe, but the fleeting glimpse of yearning in her eyes moments earlier made him change his mind. "The festival approaches... cough... Does the princess wish to see her family?"
Shen Xihe looked up, her gaze fixed intently on Xiao Huayong.
Shen Yueshan and Shen Yungan were stationed in the northwest, forbidden to leave even a step without an imperial decree. This was why, when Shen Xihe lay between life and death in Linxiang County, despite their deep affection for her, Shen Yueshan and Shen Yungan could only send letters and emissaries to check on her.
Too many eyes watched Shen Yueshan and Shen Yungan. Were they to secretly leave the northwest, someone would immediately incite conflict and expose their dereliction of duty, giving the Youning Emperor grounds to purge the northwest.
"Your Highness, you..." In this moment, Shen Xihe felt a spark of gratitude toward Xiao Huayong. Regardless of any deeper feelings, he had been considerate toward her.
"I could seek an Imperial Edict from His Majesty..." Xiao Huayong offered Shen Xihe a gentle smile. "Cough... But only for one person."
This was no small favor. For Xiao Huayong, it might merely mean mustering the strength to make a request. To demonstrate his favor toward his son, the Youning Emperor would surely consent—after all, in over a decade, his ailing son had rarely asked for anything.
But for Shen Xihe, it was different. She needed to see Shen Yungan, to share her thoughts with him, and to learn more about the operatives the Shen family had embedded in the capital.
Accepting this favor from Xiao Huayong would make it difficult for her to repay the debt.
After careful consideration, Shen Xihe decided to accept the obligation. "Zhaoning thanks Your Highness for your consideration. Zhaoning wishes to see Brother."The princess is willing to accompany me to the tower.".. cough..." A satisfied smile touched Xiao Huayong's lips. "Seeking an Imperial Edict for the Princess is but a trivial matter.".."
"No, accompanying Your Highness is merely a small courtesy..."
"Seeking the Imperial Edict is also but a small matter... cough..." Xiao Huayong interrupted her. "For both of us, these are small matters, yet for both of us, they are precious opportunities... cough..."
Xiao Huayong broke into a violent coughing fit, and Tianyuan hurriedly handed him a cup of water.
Shen Xihe had never encountered someone like him—one who exerted his utmost to be kind to her yet never sought anything in return, all without the slightest hint of ulterior motives. His kindness was utterly pure and refreshingly gentle.
It was perfectly measured: impossible to refuse, yet leaving no burden on the heart.
Such a person could only be one of two types: either supremely pure and virtuous, or... profoundly perceptive of human nature.
The former would make one feel ashamed of their own imperfections, while the latter would send shivers down one's spine.She stared fixedly at Xiao Huayong, wanting to know what kind of person he was.
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