"For now... tolerable?" Shen Yungan was rendered speechless.
He studied Shen Xihe carefully. She spoke of marriage with such nonchalance, without a trace of bashfulness, as if discussing a matter of no consequence.
Due to Shen Xihe's imposing presence, Mo Yuan had only mentioned that Shen Xihe had changed her mind and decided to marry the Crown Prince, omitting other details.
Shen Yueshan and Shen Yungan had assumed that Shen Xihe must have met the Crown Prince at some point and developed mutual affection. Otherwise, why would she steal the evidence from Xiao Changying's hands and gift it to the Crown Prince?
Initially, upon learning of Shen Xihe's interest in the Crown Prince, Shen Yueshan had been furious—furious at the Crown Prince's ulterior motives and his unknown methods of beguiling his precious daughter. But Shen Xihe was stubborn by nature. Once her heart was set, forcing them apart would only endanger her fragile health, possibly even costing her life. Thus, Shen Yueshan had no choice but to grudgingly accept it.
This time, Shen Yungan had obtained the Imperial Edict permitting him to come to the capital precisely to thoroughly investigate this Crown Prince.
But now, it seemed the situation was entirely different!
"Youyou." After a dazed moment, Shen Yungan snapped back to reality, his expression filled with anxiety. "You... have no feelings for the Crown Prince?"
Shen Xihe took a sip of water, gently set down the cup, her bright eyes clear and serene. "None."
That single, succinct word sent a chill through Shen Yungan's heart, as if it had been plunged into ice water. His throat felt dry. "Youyou, who was it? Who hurt you?"
The man's eyes tinged with red, his back stiffening like an enraged lion ready to leap and tear his enemy apart.
In his view, his sister was innocent and vivacious. If she hadn't suffered heartbreak, how could she lack any girlish anticipation for marriage?
It had even reached the point where she seemed indifferent to whom she married. Shen Yungan's heart ached intensely, and he wished he could tear this person to pieces!
Understanding Shen Yungan's assumption, Shen Xihe felt a warmth in her chest. She placed her hands on his wrists. "Brother, I have never given my heart to anyone. Otherwise, would you still see me in one piece?"
Given Shen Xihe's delicate health, if she had truly been wounded by love, how could she have survived?
Shen Yungan finally reined in his emotions somewhat. His cold gaze swept over Biyu and Hongyu before softening as it returned to Shen Xihe, his tone cautious. "Really?"
"Really." Shen Xihe nodded solemnly.
Only then did Shen Yungan unclench his tightened fists. "If that's the case, then why..."
"Brother, I've been frail since childhood and must avoid emotional extremes. I've always been reserved." Shen Xihe offered a calm smile. "In the northwest, I didn't want you and Father to worry, and in your presence, I could naturally be playful and clingy. But in truth, my heart has always been this detached."
Shen Yungan gritted his teeth, his jaw tightening.
"Brother, I have you and Father, and Grandfather and uncles who cherish me. You are all my blood-related dearest kin, and I trust you. But I would never trust an outsider." Shen Xihe spoke softly. "I think in this lifetime, I may never be able to fall in love with anyone..."
She knew how cold her heart was. Bu Shulin claimed she wasn't as heartless as she believed, but that was merely Shulin's bias toward her.
The examples Shulin cited were simply within the bounds of her personal principles.
"Youyou..." Shen Yungan's eyes reddened again, this time not from anger but from profound sorrow.Seeing him like this, Shen Xihe furrowed her delicate brows and pressed a hand to her chest. "Brother, don't act this way. It makes me uncomfortable."
"Youyou, what's wrong?" Shen Yungan jumped up in alarm, supporting Shen Xihe's shoulders while shouting at Hongyu and the others, "The Imperial Physician! Fetch the Imperial Physician—"
"No need." Shen Xihe stopped him, grasping Shen Yungan's hand. "Brother, look—I care about you and Father so deeply that even the slightest worry on your faces makes my chest tighten. Knowing this about me, would you feel at ease if I developed feelings for a man?"
Shen Yungan froze.
Indeed, his sister couldn't tolerate distress or agitation. If she truly fell for a man, wouldn't she suffer and grieve for him? How much emotional turmoil could her heart endure?
"Youyou, return to the Northwest. I'll marry the princess instead..." If someone must become the royal family's hostage, it should be him!
"Brother, you're no child. Don't be so reckless." Shen Xihe scolded him sternly. "Do you care nothing for your own future? For the Shen family's legacy? For the soldiers who've followed our family all these years? For the common people we've worked to protect? Or for the blood shed to maintain peace in the Northwest?"
"I don't care!" Shen Yungan nearly roared. "My sister has been forced to this point—why should I care about those things? Youyou, I only want you to be well and live each day happily..."
His words made Shen Xihe pause. The feeling of being cherished and cared for was unexpectedly warm. A faint, blissful smile bloomed on her face. "But I do care. I want you and Father to be happy every day too. I don't feel wronged, unwilling, or coerced. If I really returned to the Northwest and you stayed in the capital to marry the princess, my life would lose all purpose. I'd waste away in sorrow."
"Youyou!"
"Brother." Her gentle voice interrupted him. "Haven't you noticed I'm happier here than in the Northwest?"
Shen Yungan choked up. He had noticed. In the Northwest, she always lacked vitality—frail, listless, and perpetually melancholy. They'd assumed it was due to her delicate health making her sensitive.
But since reuniting with her, he saw a newfound liveliness in her eyes that hadn't been there before. She glowed with radiant energy, like the brilliant moon emerging from behind clouds—so dazzling it was almost blinding.
"Here, I'm needed. I have reasons to live and hopes to cherish." Shen Xihe lifted her head, her bright eyes meeting Shen Yungan's. "Brother, this is where I belong. For your sakes, I'll strive to live more vigorously and joyfully."
A cold tear slid down Shen Yungan's cheek. His heart ached so fiercely his hands trembled.
"Brother, do you want to make me sad?"
Seeing Shen Xihe frown, Shen Yungan hastily wiped his tears away and gave her a foolish grin.
"Pfft." Shen Xihe couldn't help laughing.
The gloomy atmosphere vanished instantly. Shen Xihe handed Shen Yungan a cup of warm water, which he clutched tightly. "You chose the Crown Prince because you think he's... easy to control?"
Shen Xihe shook her head slightly. "He's not an easy man to control. I chose him because... he won't live long."
"Pfft—" Shen Yungan spat out the water he'd just drunk, choking violently. "Cough, cough, cough..."
Shen Xihe took a handkerchief from Biyu and passed it to Shen Yungan, her eyes faintly reproachful.Shen Yunnan grabbed the handkerchief and wiped his face haphazardly, looking at her as if he had seen a ghost: "You... say that again."
"Duanming," Shen Xihe repeated.
Mistaking it for being called, Duanming immediately rushed over: "Meow!"
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