Shen Xihe's teasing expression, with her slight eyebrow raise, made even a stray strand of Xiao Huayong's wind-tossed hair seem to soften. He stood as if spellbound, gazing at her without blinking.
There was no burning intensity in his look, no deep gaze, no lingering tenderness in his eyes.
He simply watched her quietly, yet his entire being seemed bathed in the glow of sunset, radiating boundless warmth throughout heaven and earth.
Were it not for the damp breeze slipping through the small window, causing the emerald leaves in the tall vase beside him to tremble slightly, he would have appeared like a perfectly still painting.
"Why... are you suddenly looking at me like this?" Shen Xihe felt utterly perplexed.
Xiao Huayong seemed startled, quickly snapping out of his reverie. Then, as if recalling something, a tender, sweet smile flickered at the corners of his lips before vanishing. Meeting Shen Xihe's confused gaze, he replied with unusual gentleness, "I was just thinking about some matters."
Shen Xihe certainly hadn't noticed that her momentary expression just then had been identical to his own.
This unconscious mirroring of another's mannerisms marks the beginning of holding someone dear in one's heart.
This realization filled Xiao Huayong with immense delight!
For several days in a row, his gaze seemed glued to Shen Xihe. His eyes held a gentle warmth completely free of ulterior motives, making it impossible for Shen Xihe to find grounds for complaint no matter how she tried.
She earnestly reflected on what might have pleased him so, but after much thought remained baffled, eventually putting the matter aside.
After four consecutive days, the first batch of transported grain supplies was finally safely delivered into the county. Under Xiao Changqing's supervision, the stationed military guards distributed them to various towns.
This shipment met all the county's current needs. However, the unceasing heavy rain had caused increasingly severe waterlogging, becoming the most pressing concern.
Many commoners found their homes flooded with no way to drain the water, braving the downpour to seek the county magistrate's assistance at the government office.
The magistrate felt profoundly relieved that Prince Xin and Jing Wang were present - the responsibility didn't fall on him, nor did he need to fret over solutions!
If matters weren't handled properly, he wouldn't be held accountable either, so he promptly went to consult Xiao Changqing and Xiao Changyan.
The two princes had no choice but to convene and discuss countermeasures. Though they proposed some methods, these only addressed symptoms rather than root causes. Unable to find a permanent solution, Xiao Changqing had to seek advice from Tao Zhuanxian and his companion. Tao Zhuanxian withheld nothing, stating plainly: "The fundamental solution is to dig canals and channels to divert the floodwaters to the sea."
Xiao Changqing's mind reeled. He didn't doubt that since Tao Zhuanxian proposed this, it must be either the only option or one he was completely confident in. But this method was extremely perilous, something no one dared suggest lightly.
"Has Tao Gong reported this to His Highness the Crown Prince?" Xiao Changqing inquired.
"Naturally, I wouldn't dare conceal it," Tao Zhuanxian replied.
Xiao Changqing pondered deeply, then bowed respectfully to Tao Zhuanxian before departing in silence.
That day, Tao Zhuanxian and Zhong Pingzhi arrived and presented the finalized excavation plan to Shen Xihe and Xiao Huayong. Being less versed in such matters than the two experts, Shen Xihe and Xiao Huayong listened carefully to their explanations, raised their own concerns, and the four engaged in thorough discussions to minimize potential risks. After a full day of intense deliberation, they ultimately settled on this approach.
Early the next morning, Shen Xihe brought a bowl of medicinal brew and presented it to Xiao Huayong.
Facing her beaming expression - a mischievous blend of ill intent and amused anticipation - Xiao Huayong simply leaned his tall frame back and asked, "So this is the solution you've devised?""Making the best use of everything—I learned this from you and am now applying it." Shen Xihe smiled gently, tilting her head slightly. The pearl strands on her hairpin swayed, casting a soft halo that accentuated her radiant complexion.
Xiao Huayong sighed softly, picked up the medicine bowl, and drained it in one gulp with a resigned air.
After swallowing the bitter concoction, he frowned deeply. "It's bitter."
Shen Xihe glanced at him. She had never seen him so averse to bitterness before—today, he seemed to be putting on a show. She picked up a piece of candied fruit from the side and brought it to his lips.
Xiao Huayong beamed, leaning forward to take it into his mouth. His warm lips mischievously brushed against her fingertips, earning him a glare. A joyful laugh erupted from his chest: "Hahahaha..."
"Stop laughing!" Shen Xihe pushed Xiao Huayong down, pulled out the water sleeve trapped beneath him, adjusted her shawl, and strode away. Soon, the busy Xiao Changyan and Xiao Changqing received news that the Crown Prince had taken a turn for the worse. Not only was the Crown Princess’s personal physician looking troubled, but they had also sent for an outside doctor, giving the impression of desperate measures in a crisis.
No matter how busy they were, Xiao Changqing and Xiao Changyan had to make time to visit.
"Crown Princess." As soon as they arrived outside the chamber, they spotted Shen Xihe standing under the covered corridor, gazing at the pouring rain. She seemed lost in thought, her mind wandering far away.
Their call snapped her back to reality, and she returned the greeting. "The doctor is inside. Perhaps you should also summon Prince Jing’s advisor."
"He’s waiting outside the main gate. I’ll fetch him now," Xiao Changyan said, turning to leave.
"Biyu, please bring Prince Jing’s advisor in," Shen Xihe instructed the maid beside her.
"Yes," Biyu acknowledged, and Xiao Changyan halted his steps.
"Crown Princess, may we ask what caused the Crown Prince’s sudden illness?" Xiao Changqing inquired with concern.
"I’m not certain either. His Highness and I had our morning meal together when he suddenly fainted, followed by a high fever. I had the royal physicians and doctors take turns examining him, but none could determine the cause." A faint trace of worry clouded Shen Xihe’s delicate brows, like distant mist over mountains.
Xiao Changyan and Xiao Changqing exchanged surprised glances but remained silent.
Just then, Xiao Changyan’s advisor was brought in. Suddenly, a series of crashing sounds came from inside the room. Startled, Shen Xihe hurried inside.
After a brief pause, Xiao Changqing and the others quickly followed.
Inside, an overturned wooden basin lay on the floor—knocked over by the doctor who had been checking Xiao Huayong’s pulse. The man now knelt trembling to the side, while Shen Xihe had already taken a seat by the bed.
Exchanging a look, Xiao Changqing and Xiao Changyan stepped around the screen into the inner chamber. They heard Xiao Huayong murmuring softly: "The Yellow River’s waters flow from heaven, rushing seaward never to return..."
He repeated Li Bai’s verses over and over. Aside from Shen Xihe, only Xiao Changqing likely grasped the true meaning behind the words.
"Why are you so frightened?" Shen Xihe questioned the trembling doctor kneeling nearby.
The man seemed petrified, shaking uncontrollably and unable to hear her question.
"Sister-in-law, is something wrong with the Crown Prince? Perhaps let my advisor take a look," Xiao Changyan suggested, noting the doctor’s ashen face—he looked worse than the patient.
Shen Xihe’s expression darkened, but she silently stepped aside. When Xiao Changyan’s advisor pressed his fingers to Xiao Huayong’s wrist, he too jolted upright in shock.The reaction startled everyone, their faces tightening with alarm.
Xiao Changyan's advisor took several deep breaths, struggling to suppress his trembling: "Crown Prince... Your Highness... there is no pulse..."
A living person, yet no pulse could be detected!
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