Shen Yungan: "..."
He stared at the person and the cat, feeling utterly frantic and at a loss.
He felt he needed to calm down.
Shen Xihe was in no hurry, gently stroking Duanming's fine fur with her fingertips.
After a long while, Shen Yungan finally composed himself. Placing both hands on the table, he fixed his gaze on Shen Xihe: "Are you truly considering this?"
"Yes." Shen Xihe nodded firmly. "Brother, this is the best outcome for me, for you, for the Shen family, and for the Northwest."
Fearing Shen Yungan might overthink again, Shen Xihe spoke softly: "If His Majesty does not act, then so be it. But if His Majesty does take action, we can..."
She left the treasonous words of regicide unspoken: "The Crown Prince is the heir apparent. His ascension would be legitimate."
"Are you certain he... won't live long?" After organizing his thoughts, Shen Yungan found the plan feasible.
If his sister became a widow early, they could arrange for her to fake her death and leave the royal family. If she later met a man she liked, she could remarry. If no one could truly win her heart, she could remain in the Northwest and live peacefully with their family forever.
"He... seems to suffer from a strange illness, even weaker than I am." Shen Xihe paused before adding, "However... he is deeply reserved."
"How can you tell?" Shen Yungan asked.
"Every time I see him, I feel as if I can sense a kindred spirit." Shen Xihe replied.
Shen Yungan: "..."
Please no. If this Crown Prince was as emotionless and loveless as his sister, he would have even more to worry about.
"Tomorrow, when I enter the palace, I will visit the Eastern Palace to assess him myself." Shen Yungan felt he must verify this personally.
Shen Yungan had been specially permitted to come to the capital by Imperial Edict—an edict the Crown Prince had requested. After paying respects to His Majesty, it was only proper to personally visit the Eastern Palace to express gratitude. Considering this a matter between men, Shen Yungan did not bring Shen Xihe.
To be honest, even knowing his radiant sister wanted to marry this man for practical reasons, the mere thought of her considering him as a husband made Shen Yungan scrutinize the Crown Prince with unconscious criticism.
His face was as pale as if powdered, he coughed at the slightest breeze, so frail he seemed ready to collapse at any moment.
After watching him cough for what felt like half a day just to speak a sentence, Shen Yungan couldn't resist asking: "Your Highness, Buwei speaks bluntly. Please allow me to ask impertinently—does Your Highness suffer from consumption...?"
Shen Yungan, courtesy name Buwei.
The Crown Prince simply coughed too much. Consumption was contagious—he couldn't bear to let his precious sister marry such a person. Even if they needed someone who wouldn't live long, it shouldn't be like this.
"Young Master, you—"
Xiao Huayong raised a hand to stop Tianyuan, coughing lightly twice: "It is merely asthma. If it were consumption... would there be any place for me in this palace?"
Shen Yungan knew this, of course. He had deliberately provoked Xiao Huayong—partly because he felt genuinely unsettled at the thought of his sister marrying him, and partly to test the Crown Prince's temperament and magnanimity.
The test results were barely satisfactory, which made Shen Yungan even more uncomfortable: "Why did Your Highness request the Imperial Edict for me?"
"It was not for you, Young Master." Xiao Huayong corrected. "The Lady... permitted me to ascend the tower with her on the Double Ninth Festival. I am grateful for the Lady's... kindness."
Shen Yungan's eyes widened:!!
Ascending the city tower together every Double Ninth Festival—wasn't that his own method for cheering up his sister? Now it had become his sister's method for coaxing another man!
Shen Yungan's gaze toward Xiao Huayong grew even more unfriendly.Yet Xiao Huayong seemed oblivious: "The princess and I merely returned to the capital around the same time... While others avoid me, only she willingly draws close... Fearing my chill, she blends cold-dispelling incense for me; worrying my poor appetite, she makes wontons for me... Often visiting the Eastern Palace..."
Shen Yungan listened as he struggled to suppress his coughs, speaking slowly, each word making Shen's fists itch with irritation.
Fortunately, reason prevailed, reminding Shen that this man might not survive a single punch, which only deepened his frustration. To pick someone so fragile—he couldn't even vent properly without risking fatal consequences...
Bottled resentment with no outlet, Shen forced a stiff smile: "Youyou has always been like this—she can't bear to see suffering."
"So, the princess's milk name is Youyou?" Xiao Huayong ignored the sarcasm, his eyes lighting up. "What a coincidence. I too have a milk name—Luming."
Tianyuan: !!!
Since when did His Highness have a milk name?
Shen Yungan: ...
Infuriating. Why had he accidentally revealed his sister's childhood name?
"Your Highness speaks too soon of 'coincidence.'"
Xiao Huayong coughed softly again. "Young Master Shen, I believe heaven rewards the sincere..."
"Sincere?" Shen Yungan sneered. "A son of the imperial house is unworthy of sincerity."
Xiao Huayong fell silent before murmuring, "All men have hearts, Young Master Shen. They simply belong to different places. Mine belongs to Youyou."
"Your Highness should refer to my sister as Zhaoning." The audacity—already using her childhood name so casually. Shen grew angrier. "How many times have you met her? Exchanged how many words? How dare you speak of devotion? Is Your Highness's affection so frivolous?"
Unfazed by Shen's aggression, Xiao Huayong remained gentle. "Though we've met but briefly, we once conversed from noon till dusk. I've never cherished anyone else, nor understood what devotion meant..."
After this unusually long speech without pausing for breath, he hesitated before continuing: "I only know this of her: I think of her upon waking, dream of her while sleeping; everything I see reminds me of her, every mention stirs my longing."
Xiao Huayong's sincerity was so palpable even Shen could feel his genuine emotion. Still, he doubted: "How could such feelings grow from mere meetings?"
"This affection left no trace—by the time I noticed, its roots ran deep."
"Your Highness..." Shen had never witnessed such intense devotion from one person to another. Even if this depth were feigned, it would require over half genuine feeling to be so convincing. "Have you considered you cannot accompany her through life? Forgive my bluntness—have you thought of her future..."
Xiao Huayong lowered his gaze, long lashes casting shadow like fine silk curtains. "Life, aging, sickness, death—none can be predicted. Many who appear robust may perish in an instant. So long as the princess does not reject me, I shall indulge this selfishness once."
Shen Yungan inwardly scoffed. "Your Highness, you may not know—my sister cares nothing for romantic affairs. Had you been indifferent to her, I might rest easier. But since you hold such feelings, I cannot permit your union. Lest after marriage, unmet desires breed resentment..."
"I vow upon my life to protect her always, and never harm her.""Even if it were a lifetime of unrequited love, would you have no regrets or resentment?"
Xiao Huayong smiled, his silver-bright eyes deep as the abyssal sea: "If it were a lifetime of unrequited love, it could only mean I was not good enough."
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