After their marriage, Xiao Huayong gradually discovered some of Shen Xihe's preferences. Though she never deliberately displayed them, careful observation revealed that Shen Xihe enjoyed dairy products—whenever dishes contained goat's or cow's milk, she always ate a little more.
Lately, she had been leaving at dawn in the rain and returning as dusk fell accompanied by showers. Confined to his sickbed, he couldn't accompany her. On sunny days, he might have pretended to drag his ailing body along, but in such weather, even feigning illness to follow would be inappropriate.
It would only seem like adding trouble, so he had no choice but to wait at the residence for her return. To pass the time, he brewed hot tea with ginger and milk, finding the flavor excellent. Thus, he waited here, hoping she could taste it the moment she returned.
In the entire county, Xiao Huayong was perhaps the only one at leisure. His frail health forced him to rest quietly, yet despite this, no one voiced the slightest complaint. Even the Crown Prince, who did nothing at all, won more favor from the common people than Xiao Changqing and Xiao Changyan, who toiled daily with them in the muddy fields, sweating under the sun.
Because the Crown Prince was guided by divine will—the one who, despite his illness, came to lead them through hardship.
"If you truly catch a cold, who will be here waiting for me when I return home?" Shen Xihe cupped the warm porcelain bowl in both hands, the heat seeping from her fingertips into her skin, spreading all the way to her heart.
Knowing she was worried about him, Xiao Huayong turned, fetched a cloak to drape over her shoulders, and led her to sit in a small pavilion nearby. "I understand. With you by my side, how would I dare not take care of myself? Quick, try this new tea of mine."
Shen Xihe was not one to harp on things or enjoy nagging. Lowering her head, she lifted the lid of the bowl. A rich milky fragrance, carried on warm steam, wafted toward her, making her inhale deeply. She picked up a spoon and couldn't resist taking a sip. Though the scent of ginger was noticeable, the drink held none of ginger's pungent spiciness.
"I know you dislike ginger," Xiao Huayong said softly, noticing the relaxation in Shen Xihe's brows.
She detested the sharpness of ginger, and in daily meals, it was used as sparingly as possible. Previously, forcing her to drink ginger tea had been more challenging than getting her to take medicine. So, he had experimented, knowing that ginger was still best for dispelling cold.
"Rich, mellow, and lingering—it warms straight to the stomach. Excellent tea," Shen Xihe couldn't help but praise. Setting down the spoon, she lifted the bowl and drank continuously in small sips, soon finishing the entire portion, even feeling a bit unsatisfied.
"There's more. I'll have someone fetch it. Let's return to our room," Xiao Huayong said, the corners of his lips never falling from his smile.
Shen Xihe nodded slightly. The two walked forward together, one tall and one shorter, perfectly harmonious. Though they weren't even holding hands, they seemed as intertwined as strands of hair in the wind, exuding an indescribable tenderness and intimacy that seemed to lessen the chill of the damp, cold breeze.
In stark contrast to the harmonious couple of the Eastern Palace, the Youning Emperor, far away in the capital, finally received a delayed report. Sent by Xiao Changyan, it wasn't meant as a complaint but was part of his duty to fully recount all that had occurred.
After reading it, the Youning Emperor slammed his hand on the desk, startling the several ministers present. They all held their breath, too afraid to speak first.
The Youning Emperor was furious, feeling that Shen Xihe had immense audacity to make such a significant decision on her own. However, Xiao Changyan had reported the events impartially, without exaggeration, including Shen Xihe's rebuttals to Xiao Changyan. This left the Emperor with no grounds for reprimand, despite his anger.Accusing them of disrespecting the sovereign, the message had indeed arrived—the delay was due to Dengzhou's unique circumstances, and the flood situation there could not wait for Your Majesty's approval. Claiming they were engaging in deceitful tricks, yet it was he who had first acknowledged the heavenly descent of the Strange Stone and personally ordered Xiao Changqing to escort Xiao Huayong to Dengzhou...
A stifling anger lodged in his chest, leaving the Youning Emperor fuming with frustration. He secretly regretted bringing Shen Xihe to the capital. At this thought, he cast a subtle glance at Liu Sanzhi. The task of investigating Shen Xihe's temperament had been assigned to Liu Sanzhi, but the person uncovered in the investigation was far more troublesome than the real one.
Her actions were flawless, and her ability to adapt to changing circumstances was something even he had to admire. She was assertive yet not impulsive, wise yet not complacent—more difficult to handle than Shen Yueshan!
Liu Sanzhi lowered his head even further. Without a doubt, it must be that Crown Princess causing trouble again.
Throughout his life, he had handled every matter impeccably, never once displeasing the Emperor—except when it came to the Crown Princess. Suppressing his displeasure, the Youning Emperor glanced at the bowing, respectful ministers. "Regarding the matter of Dengzhou... since it is already settled and guided by heaven's will, it is a blessing for our dynasty. Issue the order to provide full support to Dengzhou."
The ministers found it unbelievable, but they dared not speak inauspicious words. If the matter had not yet been implemented, they could have debated it, but since it was already decided, and even the Emperor could only hope for the best, how could they dare say otherwise?
Someone muttered, "Why was it the Crown Prince who was possessed by the divine, and not..."
And not what?
Though unspoken, everyone knew the implication: the Crown Prince, and not the Emperor. Did this mean the Crown Prince was more favored by heaven? Coupled with the incident during this year's prayer ceremony, where the Emperor's incense repeatedly failed to light while the Crown Prince's did, the implication grew stronger.
The clever ones pretended not to hear. The Youning Emperor's gaze turned cold, but he did not reprimand anyone. Instead, he waved his hand impatiently, dismissing them if they had no further business.
As for the so-called divine possession, the Youning Emperor paid it no mind—it was nothing but mystification. What did it matter if a living person showed no pulse? The Shen family's behind-the-scenes physician could even bring the dead back to life! Hadn't Shen Yueshan demonstrated this not long ago?
However, regarding the incident with the incense this year, if he had previously suspected Shen Xihe with thirty percent certainty, he now suspected her with seventy percent. Yet he had no evidence and no idea how Shen Xihe had managed it. He could only surmise that she was sparing no effort to build momentum for Xiao Huayong.
Did she intend to rebel? If not, didn't she realize that such actions would only place Xiao Huayong in a precarious position?
For the Crown Prince's reputation to surpass the Emperor's—what else could it bring but disaster?
Or was the Shen family deliberately setting a trap to provoke him into eliminating the Crown Prince?
For a moment, even the clever Emperor could not decipher the underlying intentions.
If Shen Xihe knew, she could only sigh helplessly—it was merely a coincidence. She had never intended to build momentum for Xiao Huayong, especially not in this manner.
Yet those words still reached Shen Xihe's ears.
"Your Highness, the common people are discussing the divine selection of the ruler..." Ziyu reported this to Shen Xihe as soon as she heard it.
Shen Xihe raised an eyebrow slightly and glanced at Xiao Huayong, who was sitting at a distance, calmly reading a scroll.
As if sensing her gaze, he looked up and gave her a warm smile from across the room.Shen Xihe refused to believe that Ziyu had overheard everything while he remained unaware, yet he maintained an indifferent facade.
However, Xiao Huayong seemed to have guessed her thoughts and declared triumphantly, "With my wife by my side, what have I to fear?"
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