The reason why her likeness was carved on the cup dates back to two days prior.
Xiao Huayong had ordered a cup to be delivered. After Tianyuan retrieved it, he felt compelled to remind his master of a possibility: "Your Highness, I've learned that the Junzhu does not enjoy drinking. If you gift her a cup, she might pass it on to the Shizi."
Xiao Huayong: ...
Just the thought of sharing a matching cup with someone else made Xiao Huayong's face darken. "Bring me the cup!" he demanded.
To prevent such a scenario, Xiao Huayong risked incurring Shen Xihe's displeasure by taking a few swift strokes with a carving knife on the cup's surface, vaguely sketching a resemblance to Shen Xihe.
Carved artifacts were plentiful, and it was not uncommon for commoners to carve wooden figures, so having a portrait carved on a cup was hardly unusual.
Engaging in self-deception, Xiao Huayong believed his carving was fluid and unintentional, yet Shen Xihe immediately recognized the outline as her own.
Her delicate brows slightly furrowed, Shen Xihe held the cup without speaking.
Biyu glanced over and noticed the pattern as well. "Junzhu, shall we store it away?"
Since the figure on the cup so closely resembled the Junzhu, it would be inappropriate to gift it to others. However, Shen Xihe's reaction suggested she was displeased and unlikely to use it herself, leaving storage as the only option—a pity for such a fine item.
"No need," Shen Xihe suddenly smiled, gently placing it back into the brocade box. "Father, Brother, and I will eventually be separated. This gift for Father will serve as a token of Brother's longing for me."
Biyu's eyes lit up.
Indeed, while it wasn't suitable for outsiders, it could be given to the Wangye. In the future, whenever the Wangye missed the Junzhu, he could look at the cup.
Shen Xihe lowered her gaze, the smile at her lips unchanged.
She didn't know what intentions Xiao Huayong had in gifting her this item. A few days prior, they had conversed pleasantly at the Eastern Palace, both clear about each other's needs—a mutually beneficial arrangement. But she did not want him to overstep. A man with ambitions for the world should not be bound by romantic entanglements.
By giving this to the Northwest King, she was also sending a warning to Xiao Huayong. If he did not wish to be seen by her father as someone solely preoccupied with frivolous matters, he should refrain from sending further gifts.
On the eve of the Mid-Autumn Festival, Shen Yungan arrived in the capital, travel-worn and exhausted, appearing before Shen Xihe.
Shen Xihe was reading in the courtyard, with Duanming circling at her feet, when a voice filled with suppressed joy called from behind: "Youyou!"
Shen Xihe stiffened, the book in her hand falling unconsciously. She sprang to her feet and turned to see Shen Yunnan clad in a snow-purple lapel robe. His tall frame stood at the moon gate, blocking a large swath of sunlight.
A joyful smile revealed his white teeth, fine wrinkles forming at the corners of his eyes, with deep, overflowing affection in his gaze.
He spread his arms, and Shen Xihe lifted her skirts and ran toward him.
Shen Yunnan strode forward, enveloping her in a full embrace. He lifted her and spun her around before, mindful of her delicate health, setting her down gently. His rough, sturdy, and warm hands gripped her shoulders. "Let Brother take a good look at you."
The siblings were in sync—Shen Xihe that day wore a moon-white upper garment and a snow-purple embroidered skirt.
She had changed, becoming more confident, elegant, and radiant, easing Shen Yunnan's expression. "Youyou has grown even more beautiful."
"Brother has grown darker," Shen Xihe replied, stifling a laugh.Shen Yungan actually bore a slight resemblance to Shen Xihe—he possessed striking features and noble bearing, but years of exposure to the harsh northwestern climate had left his skin dark and rough, a stark contrast to the fair-complexioned men of the capital. His rigorous training had also given him a burly physique. If he stood stern-faced without smiling, he could easily frighten timid young women to tears.
"Naughty," Shen Yungan gently tapped her nose. "Come, let's go inside. I've brought you many gifts..."
He chattered incessantly about the several cartloads of items he'd brought. Unable to wait for the slower convoy, he had ridden ahead on horseback. The Emperor had permitted him to return home after the Double Ninth Festival, allowing him to stay for over half a month.
"I could have come earlier, but the Anxi matter had to be resolved first..." His smile faded slightly.
"The Anxi matter?" Shen Xihe showed concern. "Tell me about it, Brother."
"Your letter arrived just in time, or the consequences would have been unthinkable." Not wanting his delicate sister to overthink, Shen Yungan glossed over the details as usual and changed the subject: "Right after Father settled the matter, Prince Lie arrived. According to Father's sources, Prince Lie used the Defense Map to threaten you. But when he visited, his words implied he had intentionally warned you. What really happened?"
"He merely handed me the map. I didn't understand his intentions," Shen Xihe stated objectively. "After studying the Defense Map, I avoided meeting him to arouse his suspicion."
Xiao Changying had only threatened to see her—vowing to sneak into her chambers if refused—but never specified how he would use the Defense Map.
Shen Xihe never slandered anyone, even enemies. She knew Shen Yueshan and Shen Yungan had once considered arranging her marriage to Xiao Changying, but she wouldn't distort facts or deceive her closest family simply because she opposed the match.
Shen Yungan fell into thought. "So without his assistance, this matter would have been extremely difficult to resolve smoothly."
Shen Xihe neither confirmed nor denied this. "Who leaked the Northwestern Defense Map?"
"The Deputy Protector-General of Anxi." Shen Yungan's hawk-like eyes turned icy. "Father has executed him."
Shen Xihe pressed, "Did you uncover who instigated him?"
"He was born in the northwest, enlisted at fifteen, and rose to Deputy Protector-General after thirty years of distinguished service. He never left the region." Shen Yungan's expression darkened. "After his arrest, a favored concubine from the past two years poisoned herself and burned many belongings."
"This concubine, upon deeper investigation, turned out to be a servant purchased for the household ten years ago." A hidden pawn buried so deeply—tracing the original seller now was like searching for a needle in a haystack.
Thus, the trail went cold.
"It wasn't His Majesty," Shen Xihe immediately ruled out the Youning Emperor. Had it been him, he would have known about the stolen map from the start and acted sooner.
Shen Yungan's eyes filled with pain at his sister's sharp deduction. "Youyou has grown up." The capital truly was a soul-devouring place—how quickly it had honed his sister's wit in just a few months.
Recognizing his misunderstanding, Shen Xihe chuckled lightly. "I've always been like this. There was simply no need for it in the northwest."
"Indeed, it's Brother and Father's fault for hindering your talents," Shen Yungan indulged her with a smile.
Shen Xihe hummed in mock displeasure before turning serious. "Can we learn from Prince Lie how he obtained the Defense Map?"
This was now the only lead to uncover the truth.Shen Yungan gazed gently at his peerlessly beautiful younger sister: "Youyou, do you truly have no intention of marrying him?"
"None."
"Have you set your heart on the Crown Prince?"
Shen Xihe shook her head: "It's merely that he happens to be more agreeable to my eyes for the time being."
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