"What contribution have I made?" Shen Xihe was both amused and exasperated by his words. She hadn't yet provided any substantial aid to the people of Dengzhou, and the grain stored by Hua Fuhai and Qi Pei hadn't even been transported to reach the commoners.
"If I say you have, then you have." Xiao Huayong lifted her feet onto his lap, which was already covered with a dry cloth. The fine, soft fabric wrapped around her feet as his strong hands applied just the right pressure to wipe away the moisture.
Then he scooped her up horizontally and placed her on the bed, pressing down on her shoulders to prevent her from rising. "Rest for a while. Zhenzhu and the others will be able to join us tomorrow."
Only after tucking in the corners of her quilt did Xiao Huayong turn to tidy the room.
Through the screen, she could see his figure bending to carry the water basin. Shen Xihe couldn't help but stare blankly.
How could there be such a man in this world? In ordinary times, he appeared so noble as if seated high above the clouds. Common folks who saw him would likely think he should abstain from earthly grains, like a banished immortal.
Indeed, his status was lofty enough to remain untainted by worldly matters. Yet, he was also brimming with the warmth of human life, so vivid that one could find no sense of distance from him. He was different from all the other men she had ever known.
Shen Xihe scrutinized him with extremely critical eyes, attempting to find some flaw or deficiency. But aside from his occasional childlike stubbornness, she couldn't detect a single trait that she found intolerable.
Such a seemingly perfect, almost unreal person, yet he made her feel so vividly flesh and blood—extremely contradictory.
Perhaps it was due to the cold-dispelling herbs, but drowsiness washed over her, and Shen Xihe drifted into a hazy sleep.
Xiao Huayong said he would handle this matter. Shen Xihe didn't ask how he would intervene, but she didn't stop herself from gathering information about the current situation in Dengzhou either.
Without Zhenzhu and the others by their side, and to avoid detection, Shen Xihe and Xiao Huayong hadn't brought any guards along on their journey. Still, Shen Xihe had her own channels, though the information would come more slowly.
The next day, Prince Xin escorted the Crown Prince and his consort into the city. Even the citizens who had been staying indoors couldn't help but show a glimmer of joy on their faces. They were utterly helpless against this relentless weather and had pinned all their hopes on that elusive Strange Stone.
Since the heavens had sent the Strange Stone declaring that the Crown Prince could quell the heavy rains, they naturally believed it. Thus, the moment the Crown Prince entered the city, they nearly lined the streets to welcome him, setting off firecrackers in celebration.
Xiao Changqing and the others were arranged to stay at the courier station, approximately a twenty-minute walk from where Xiao Huayong and his party were lodging.
"How do we return?" Shen Xihe asked Xiao Huayong, assuming he must have made arrangements.
Xiao Changqing certainly knew the escorted couple were impostors and might have guessed Xiao Huayong's mischievous intentions. Although Xiao Changyan's caution had spared him hardship along the way, it didn't mean he wasn't inwardly displeased. It was only reasonable that he would guard against any further swaps.
"Wait." Xiao Huayong uttered a single word with a smile curling at his lips.
At noon, Shen Xihe hadn't expected that in such heavy rain, the "Crown Prince and his consort" would manage to slip away from Xiao Changqing and come to a food shop not far from their lodging—a shop that was sheltering disaster-stricken citizens.Xiao Huayong and Shen Xihe changed their attire and entered the eatery through the back door. With the shopkeeper’s assistance, they easily swapped places with their doubles. No sooner had they done so than they heard the clamor and commotion outside.
“I heard that Crown Prince and his consort have arrived, so I came specially to welcome them,” said Xiao Changyan.
Exchanging a glance, Xiao Huayong gave a light cough and raised his hand slightly. Shen Xihe, understanding his intent, moved closer, linked her arm through his, and supported him as they stepped outside.
Their doubles had arrived in plain clothes, and though the commoners who saw them might have had their suspicions, none dared voice them aloud. By making such a public display and exposing the couple’s identities, Xiao Changyan had stirred fear among the refugees sheltered there.
As Shen Xihe helped Xiao Huayong walk out, the commoners all knelt and pressed their foreheads to the ground in reverence.
Shen Xihe and Xiao Huayong could guess Xiao Changyan’s motive: to reveal their faces publicly, preventing them from slipping away unnoticed into the crowd to eavesdrop or act in secret. After this spectacle, unless they resorted to disguises, their identities would be exposed wherever they went.
“Eighth Brother, you may rise,” Xiao Huayong said weakly. “You’ve troubled yourself to come through such heavy rain.”
“You honor me too much, Royal Brother,” Xiao Changyan replied gravely. “You bear the responsibility for the people’s safety and have traveled a great distance despite your illness. I am deeply moved. For the sake of Dengzhou’s people, your well-being must come first.”
“Eighth Brother, your words almost sound as though I am negligent in protecting the Crown Prince,” a voice interjected before Xiao Huayong could respond.
Standing tall in the rain, clad in a straw raincoat and bamboo hat, Xiao Changqing cut a figure like a steadfast pine. The dense downpour veiled his expression like a thin curtain.
As he stepped through the rain, his face came into clear view, wearing only a mild, elegant smile, as if his earlier remark had been mere jest.
“My words were careless, Fifth Brother. Do not take offense,” Xiao Changyan surprisingly conceded.
“I, too, spoke in jest just now, Eighth Brother. Think nothing of it,” Xiao Changqing replied, as though offering an explanation.
The two brothers exchanged a seemingly amiable smile.
“Cough, cough, cough…” Xiao Huayong was suddenly seized by a violent fit of coughing.
“The entrance is drafty. Your Highness must not stand in the wind,” Tianyuan said, stepping in front of Xiao Huayong to shield him.
“I was careless. Does the Crown Prince need a physician?” Xiao Changyan asked hastily.
“I have a physician by my side,” Shen Xihe said calmly, guiding Xiao Huayong to a sheltered spot. Sui Axi and Zhenzhu stepped forward.
Shen Xihe withdrew to the periphery, scanned the surroundings, and addressed Xiao Changyan: “Along our journey, we observed Prince Jing’s capable governance and orderly arrangements, which are truly admirable. Today, the Crown Prince and I inspected the refugees under your care. Food, medicine, moisture-proofing, and cold-proofing supplies are all well provided. The Crown Prince also praised Prince Jing highly.”
Xiao Changyan humbly replied, “I only did my duty. I do not deserve such praise from the Crown Prince and his consort. If there are any oversights, I hope you will point them out.”
“Prince Jing is too modest,” Shen Xihe said with a faint smile, then shifted the topic. “Having seen the refugee arrangements, I do have some thoughts.”
“Please share them, Royal Sister-in-law.”"The incessant rain and gathering cold winds have caused many commoners to contract chills. Your Highness has been sending medicines and summoning physicians—your compassion for the people is as evident as the sun and moon." Shen Xihe first offered praise before continuing, "However, chills are contagious. If the sick and the healthy are not separated, the illness will run rampant, rendering Your Highness's medicines utterly wasted."
Xiao Changyan glanced up at Shen Xihe, then clasped his hands and said, "My esteemed sister-in-law speaks wisely. This prince will immediately make the arrangements."
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