When it came to their Crown Prince, many actually knew very little about him. After all, a Crown Prince who had spent twelve years clinging to life in a Taoist temple—holding the title in name only—had not drawn much attention. Moreover, Xiao Huayong’s maternal family, that of the late empress, had largely faded into obscurity, making it even harder for anyone to recall the Crown Prince.
Xiao Huayong had returned to the capital for two years now, yet the impression he left on most was one of frailty and illness—fainting frequently, coughing at the slightest breeze. If there was anything commendable about him in their eyes, it was his "obedience."
Xiao Huayong possessed neither remarkable intelligence nor cunning tactics, but he heeded the advice of his ministers. Thus, tasks assigned by His Majesty were always carried out smoothly.
This trait was undoubtedly what court officials valued most in an emperor. Ambitious individuals saw him as easy to manipulate, while loyal ministers found him reasonable. In short, the impression Xiao Huayong left on the court was one of mediocrity—a good Crown Prince who would surely grow into a mild and benevolent ruler.
As for Xiao Huayong’s romantic affairs, ever since he dragged his ailing body all the way to the northwest in pursuit of Shen Xihe, the court officials knew the Crown Prince was deeply infatuated with the Crown Princess. Beyond that, they did not speculate further.
Today, witnessing the Crown Prince’s exaggerated reaction upon hearing that a young lady admired him—clutching the Crown Princess’s sleeve like an abandoned civet cat—left them with rather complicated expressions.
Throughout the hall, everyone harbored their own thoughts. Most were at a loss for words. The Youning Emperor remained expressionless, his thoughts inscrutable. Xiao Changqing lowered his head, his gaze fixed on the wine bowl filled to the brim. Xiao Changying’s lips twitched uncontrollably.
Bu Shulin gripped his wine bowl, mouth agape and eyes wide, his expression somewhat comical.
Tianyuan, Zhao Zhenghao, Cui Jinbai, and others struggled to maintain composure, striving to appear as normal as possible.
Only Shen Xihe looked down, her eyes fixed on the two fingers clutching the Eucommia Leaf embroidery on her sleeve. Slowly, she raised her gaze to meet Xiao Huayong’s—still coughing incessantly, his eyes filled with urgency and caution—and she couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.
He was putting on another act.
She took out her handkerchief, handed it to him, and patted his back gently. "I believe you," she said.
The couple’s intimate display, as though no one else were present, made it clear that if the Youning Emperor were to ask Xiao Huayong whether he would accept An Zhengyi’s affections, it would be in poor taste.
While it was legally permissible for men of the court to take concubines, it was considered improper for elders to interfere in the private matters of their children and grandchildren. Unless a couple had been childless for many years after marriage, even the imperial family would not intervene in whether a prince took a concubine.
Shen Xihe and Xiao Huayong had been married for only a few months—far from the point where anyone would assume Shen Xihe was incapable of bearing an heir for the Crown Prince. Moreover, Shen Xihe had not committed any fault.
Xiao Huayong himself was unwilling, and given his "frail" health, what kind of compassionate father would force more women upon him?
"Qilang is unwell. He should retire early to rest," the Empress Dowager, who rarely spoke, said with concern, noting that although Xiao Huayong’s coughing had subsided slightly, it persisted.
Xiao Huayong naturally seized the opportunity to rise, leaning half against Shen Xihe. Coughing, he apologized to the Empress Dowager and the Youning Emperor before leaving the banquet with Shen Xihe, leaving the An father and daughter in an awkward silence in the hall.
Once they returned to their quarters, Shen Xihe pushed away Xiao Huayong, who had been shamelessly taking advantage of her under the cover of their robes. Then, she fixed her gaze intently on his face.Xiao Huayong felt slightly uncomfortable under her gaze. "Why are you staring at me like this, Youyou?"
"I'm admiring Your Highness's unparalleled splendor and peerless beauty. Just one childhood glimpse captured a tender heart, leaving one forever yearning for Your Highness." Shen Xihe raised an eyebrow.
Xiao Huayong touched his handsome face. "You actually believe such words, Youyou?"
Then his eyes shifted. "Youyou, you're jealous."
Her night-dark pupils sparkled with mirth and excitement. Shen Xihe chuckled softly and shook her head slightly, unwilling to engage in his nonsense.
Having been married for so long, how could Shen Xihe not know that this man would sometimes disregard facts and twist truth to suit whatever delightful possibility he'd decided upon.
"We're husband and wife, Youyou. There's no need for shyness." Xiao Huayong leaned his tall, slender frame toward her with a gleeful smile.
Shen Xihe quickly took a large step back, causing Xiao Huayong to stumble and nearly lose his balance.
Retreating calmly indoors, Shen Xihe walked at a steady pace while Xiao Huayong hurried after her. "Youyou, someone as intelligent as you—how could you believe her nonsense? She's clearly just a pawn His Majesty deployed to restrain you."
Finding a seat, Shen Xihe looked up at him. "I know. In their eyes, you're worthless beyond this handsome facade."
Xiao Huayong: ...
Though Shen Xihe spoke the truth—indeed, this was the very effect he'd carefully cultivated—hearing it from the one he adored made the Crown Prince feel strangely unsettled.
Xiao Huayong was indeed the Crown Prince, but the problem lay in his precarious position—a crown prince not long for this world. Besides Shen Xihe, only women like Xiao Wenxi, who adored him and knew his true nature, would be willing to marry him.
Others might wish to marry him, but their families would never consent.
Not only would they soon become widows after entering the Eastern Palace, they'd be unable to assist their families. When the new emperor ascended, if he were narrow-minded, might he view such marriages as their family's bet on the Crown Prince, thus incurring his displeasure?
These were considerations requiring careful thought. Thus, no matter how outstanding Xiao Huayong's looks or how noble his status, no one had ever set their sights on him.
As for An Zhengyi's claim of wanting to become Xiao Huayong's concubine since childhood—being only eligible for that position due to her status, and unable to express it before his marriage—while many might believe this absurdity, Shen Xihe would not.
Marrying Xiao Huayong meant likely becoming a widow soon. They had surely investigated what kind of person Shen Xihe was. Unless An Zhengyi was truly hopelessly enamored with Xiao Huayong, why would she charge into the Eastern Palace?
But deeply in love after one childhood meeting? How ridiculous!
For the An father-daughter pair to stage such an elaborate performance, His Majesty must have promised the An family something—aiming to plant a spy in the Eastern Palace while simultaneously checking Shen Xihe.
His Majesty was truly beginning to view her with suspicion.
Shen Xihe paid no mind to An Zhengyi, but the next day, rumors spread in the temporary palace, infuriating Ziyu to the point where she nearly came to blows.
"They dare spread rumors about you, Your Highness! They say Consort Shu once wanted to marry into the Eastern Palace, but you hung her in the wilderness overnight, nearly killing her. Now that Lady An has publicly declared her feelings for the Crown Prince, she's surely doomed—might not even survive..." Hearing these words, Ziyu nearly lost her mind with rage."What kind of monstrous creature have they made our Crown Princess out to be?"
"No wonder she dared to make a plea before me yesterday," Shen Xihe remarked with a faint smile directed at Xiao Huayong.
Yesterday's plea, today's arrangement of rumors and gossip—all designed to prevent Shen Xihe from targeting her. Otherwise, should anything happen to her, it would all be blamed on Shen Xihe. With such a narrow-minded Crown Princess who disregards the greater good and abuses her authority, what qualifications does she have to hold Palace authority?
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