The next day, when Shen Xihe and Xue Jinqiao, having slept soundly through the night, rose and saw their husbands again, they both noticed the dark circles under their eyes.
"Brother An, what happened to you?" Xue Jinqiao immediately rushed to Shen Yungan's side, tilting her head to scrutinize his eyes closely, even reaching out to touch them.
Her hand was caught by Shen Yungan, who glanced at Xiao Huayong and said, "I didn't sleep well last night."
That wasn't true—he had been punched by Xiao Huayong, who deliberately targeted his eyes without injuring other areas. Despite trying every method to cover it up since morning, the marks remained visible.
"And you?" Shen Xihe asked Xiao Huayong with a knowing smile.
Xiao Huayong, aware that Shen Xihe wasn't easily fooled and had already guessed the reason, replied without a hint of embarrassment, "I tossed and turned all night without my wife by my side."
Xiao Huayong's injuries weren't severe, far less obvious than Shen Yungan's dark circles. In terms of martial arts, the two were evenly matched, but Xiao Huayong was more cunning, often feinting moves that thoroughly deceived Shen Yungan.
Xue Jinqiao looked thoughtfully at the Crown Prince and then at Shen Yungan. Could it be that married men suffer like this when separated from their wives?
In some ways, Xue Jinqiao was as innocent as a blank sheet of paper. Her childhood experiences had left her often in a closed-off state, rejecting external influences and people. Many things she didn't understand, relying solely on her own cleverness to interpret them.
Thinking this, she felt a pang of guilt recalling how readily Shen Yungan had allowed her to sleep with Shen Xihe the previous night. Clinging to his arm, she said, "I'll never let you sleep alone again."
Shen Yungan's resentment instantly vanished. Looking down at his earnest young wife, he broke into a smug, elated grin, even shooting a triumphant eyebrow raise at Xiao Huayong.
Xiao Huayong refused to admit his envy but couldn't help casting a longing glance at Shen Xihe.
Shen Xihe pretended not to notice. She could never mimic Xue Jinqiao's coy demeanor or replicate her innocent, harmless charm.
"Feeling envious?" Shen Xihe asked amusedly as Xiao Huayong continued staring.
Xiao Huayong nodded, admitting it frankly.
Shen Xihe's beautiful eyes sparkled with mischief. "You can imagine it yourself. If I acted like that, could you really handle it?"
Xiao Huayong seriously pondered the idea of Shen Xihe behaving like Xue Jinqiao and shuddered involuntarily, feeling an inexplicable chill. Why was that?
Xue Jinqiao's nature made such reactions seem natural and pleasing, but Shen Xihe was dignified, rational, and composed. If she were to act similarly...
Xiao Huayong's first thought would be that he had done something wrong to cause such a change in his wife...
Seeing that Xiao Huayong had understood, Shen Xihe offered him a consolation. Without avoiding Shen Yungan and the others, she took his hand and said, "Let's go have our morning meal. We shouldn't delay the journey."
Xiao Huayong's gaze fell on her hand holding his, and he broke into a smile. As he followed Shen Xihe, he turned to taunt Shen Yungan again.
However, his provocation angered not just one person but both husband and wife. Before Shen Yungan could react, Xue Jinqiao shook off his arm, rushed over to grab Shen Xihe's other hand, and let out a light humph.
Xiao Huayong: ...
Shen Yungan: ...Shen Xihe couldn't help but laugh aloud. The northwestern sky was exceptionally blue, and the Shen family's atmosphere was exceptionally warm.
Yet no matter how warm or sweet, parting was inevitable. Shen Yungan and his wife accompanied Shen Xihe's party all the way from the Northwest King's city until they nearly entered Liangzhou. On the day of farewell, Xue Jinqiao clung to Shen Xihe, weeping until she became a tearful mess, crying out that she wanted to return to the capital with Shen Xihe.
After much persuasion, they finally managed to dissuade her, and with a promise to exchange letters every ten days, they bid farewell to the still-sobbing Xue Jinqiao.
They had left the capital in March and returned in June.
From willow branches sprouting tender buds to distant clouds and trees, these short three months felt like an eternity to Shen Xihe, perhaps due to all that had transpired in between.
By June, the capital was already sweltering. Under the intense summer heat, everything appeared unusually quiet—a calm before the storm, with an underlying sense of oppression lingering in the air.
Fortunately, the Eastern Palace was well-maintained. The stifling heat of the journey vanished the moment they stepped inside, replaced by a refreshing coolness.
Upon their return, Shen Xihe and Xiao Huayong's first priority was to freshen up and pay their respects to the Youning Emperor. They had been kept informed of the capital's developments: Xiao Changqing had taken advantage of the vacant position of Minister of War, nearly throwing the entire court into chaos. To this day, the Minister of War position remained undecided. Whenever someone was proposed or the Emperor considered appointing someone, that person would inevitably encounter some mishap. This led many to believe the position was cursed, with rumors of it being jinxed spreading widely.
They had expected the overwhelmed Emperor to reprimand them, but instead, he was surprisingly amiable. He only feigned sternness when mentioning Xiao Huayong's unauthorized departure from the palace, offering a few admonitions before readily dismissing them.
After leaving the Hall of Bright Governance, the two exchanged a glance. The more composed the Emperor appeared, the more complicated the situation likely was.
Ready to face whatever challenges came their way, they shared a knowing smile before proceeding to pay their respects to the Empress Dowager.
The next day, noblewomen naturally sent name cards requesting audiences with Shen Xihe. She selected a few to receive, among them Shen Yingluo. After the others had left, Shen Xihe detained Shen Yingluo privately and asked, "When will His Majesty bestow the marriage?"
"In the coming days," Shen Yingluo replied.
The Emperor would not issue the decree directly while Xiao Changfeng was absent. Officially, he needed to notify Xiao Changfeng first, but Shen Yingluo knew the Emperor was determined, and Xiao Changfeng would be unable to refuse.
"Live your life well from now on, and do not involve yourself further," Shen Xihe advised.
"Yes," Shen Yingluo nodded.
Shen Xihe had nothing more to say, and Shen Yingluo had no desire to linger in awkward silence. She requested to take her leave, and Shen Xihe granted it.
No sooner had Shen Yingluo left than Prince Jing Xiao Changyan arrived at the Eastern Palace, seeking an audience with Xiao Huayong.
Xiao Huayong had Tianyuan usher Xiao Changyan in. This was Shen Xihe's first time seeing Xiao Changyan. He was likely the darkest-skinned among all the princes, as was common for men who spent years in the military. His eyes were deep and piercing like cold stars, his features sharp and resolute, his bearing unmistakably that of a soldier. With chiseled features that exuded striking heroism, he wore a navy blue lapel robe and a gold crown inlaid with jewels, radiating nobility.
He stood like an unshakable mountain, commanding reverence, emanating an aura of immovable authority.
"Greetings, Crown Prince brother and sister-in-law," Xiao Changyan's voice was deep and resonant, not overly forceful yet carrying undeniable strength.
"Eighth Brother, please rise," Xiao Huayong replied with a gentle smile.Xiao Changyan straightened his posture, his gaze fixed ahead. Without any pretense, he spoke directly, "I have come today to inquire about the matter of my uncle's death in the northwest, and to ask my elder brother a few questions."
If you like "When My Flower Blooms, All Others Wither," please bookmark it: () "When My Flower Blooms, All Others Wither" updates at the fastest speed.
OpenNovel