Chapter 807: Wanting Her to Retrieve the Cup
This letter arrived timely, soothing Shen Xihe's restless heart. Xiao Huayong had been sent away unconscious, and even with the Qu family clearing the way, sailing across the seas was not without risks.
Shen Xihe was not one to worry needlessly, yet until she received a reply, she couldn't help but feel anxious day after day.
She couldn't resist gently tracing the handwriting on the letter over and over—it was undoubtedly Xiao Huayong's personal script.
As usual, the letter contained a single strand of black hair.
Haidongqing would remain with her for future use. He promised to strive to assist the tribal residents and seek opportunities to send her more letters, urging her to rest well and not worry about him.
Since Xiao Huayong's departure, Shen Xihe finally showed a smile in her eyes, and Zhenzhu and the others felt a weight lift from their hearts.
Shen Xihe's features were dignified, and when she wasn't smiling, she naturally exuded an air of distance. Even a moment of silence from her carried an imposing authority, striking fear into those who had served her for years, like Zhenzhu and the rest.
Tianyuan, upon receiving the news, hurried to carry out the task the Crown Prince had assigned before his departure.
In high spirits, Shen Xihe watched as Tianyuan approached with a box, presenting it to her. "Your Highness, the Crown Princess, His Highness the Crown Prince instructed me to deliver this to you after his letter arrived."
The box looked familiar, but Shen Xihe was still immersed in savoring Xiao Huayong's letter. It wasn't until Tianyuan opened it that she remembered—it contained the rattan fruit cup Xiao Huayong had gifted her.
This was Xiao Huayong's own cup, with his small portrait carved on the upward-facing side. He had given her another one engraved with her likeness, but at the time, she had no feelings for him and had passed it on to her father.
Recalling the past, a smile flickered in Shen Xihe's eyes. She finally folded the letter carefully and took the cup out of the box.
Tianyuan hastily relayed the message Xiao Huayong had left: "His Highness said that although he left many portraits, how can one hold a portrait in the palm at all times? Nor can it compare to the tangible edges of a carved likeness."
Lost in reminiscence, Shen Xihe didn't immediately grasp the deeper meaning behind these words.
Anxious, Tianyuan, seeing her lack of reaction, mustered his courage and asked, "Your Highness, would you like to send something back to His Highness the Crown Prince?"
Her fingers, which had been stroking the small portrait on the cup, paused. Shen Xihe looked up at Tianyuan's eager expression, then lowered her gaze slightly, her eyes resting on the lifelike carving.
It was as if, through this strikingly similar portrait, she could see the face of the man whose hint couldn't have been more obvious.
"So... he's been holding onto this all along," Shen Xihe murmured to herself.
Tianyuan tactfully pretended not to hear.
The Crown Prince wasn't just holding onto it—he was utterly fixated!
Ever since he saw that cup at the Northwest King's place, he had hidden this one away upon returning to the palace, afraid that seeing it would remind him and make him fume. And he could only vent his frustration on himself, never daring to utter a single harsh word to the Crown Princess.
While packing for his detoxification trip, he had secretly instructed Tianyuan: if the Crown Prince sent a letter, indicating hope for his recovery, this cup was to be delivered to the Crown Princess immediately.
Firstly, to remind her constantly that her husband was away and not to be easily swayed by any unscrupulous characters.Secondly, it was to remind the Crown Princess where the matching cup was, letting her know how much he wished to have such a cup held in his own hands!
Tianyuan didn’t know what expression to make at the time. The Crown Prince remained the same—whenever it came to the Crown Princess, his mind seemed to go a little awry.
Later, however, the Crown Prince added that if he failed to send a letter in time, the cup should be destroyed, lest the Crown Princess see it and be reminded of sad memories.
After that, Tianyuan no longer dared to complain about the Crown Prince and, like Shen Xihe, began counting the days in anticipation of his letters.
“I understand. You may withdraw.” Shen Xihe set the cup down and dismissed Tianyuan.
Xiao Huayong was still bothered by the fact that she had given the cup he carved to her father. By using his own detoxification as an excuse, he was compelling her to retrieve the cup and send it to him.
He, such a lofty and profound man, always became so childish and petty when it came to her.
Shen Xihe’s feelings toward this side of Xiao Huayong had evolved from initial confusion to mild disdain, then to accustomed numbness, and now, the mere thought of it made her lips curl into a smile.
After carefully storing the letter and the lock of hair, Shen Xihe picked up the cup and went to the study. She instructed Biyu to grind the ink, but long after the ink was ready, she remained motionless, lost in thought as she gazed at the Eucommia Leaf bonsai on the desk.
Biyu waited for a long time before softly calling out, “Your Highness, the Crown Princess.”
Shen Xihe snapped back to reality, neatly rolled up her sleeves, and picked up the brush without hesitation. What was so difficult about asking her father to return a gift she had once given? She had never been one to hesitate or beat around the bush.
She straightforwardly explained to Shen Yueshan that the cup had been a gift from Xiao Huayong before they were bound by a lifelong commitment. At the time, she found Xiao Huayong frivolous, and since the cup bore his likeness, she felt it inappropriate to give it to someone else or destroy it herself. Nor did she wish to keep it, so she had given it to her father.
Now, however, her heart belonged to Xiao Huayong. While organizing his belongings, she had discovered the matching cup. Thinking of how they were currently separated and how perilous his detoxification was, she could not bear the idea of the two cups being apart, fearing it might bring bad luck. Thus, she asked her father to return the cup to her.
Shen Xihe wrote this letter without any pressure. Xiao Huayong likely had no idea how bitter and furious her father would be upon receiving it. The day he returned, he would face the full wrath of his father-in-law.
After all, her father would never direct his anger at her.
What fault could a daughter possibly have? The blame always lay with the wolf cub who stole his precious daughter!
In August, when Shen Yueshan received his daughter’s letter, he was torn between joy and fury. He was glad that his son-in-law would survive—his daughter would not have to grieve or become a widow, and his future grandchild would not grow up without a father. Yet, he was also furious that his son-in-law had survived!
Not only had he survived, but he was also putting on a sickly act, even going so far as to make his precious daughter swallow her pride and ask for the returned gift!
The more Shen Yueshan thought about it, the angrier he became. Deciding he shouldn’t suffer alone, he immediately sought out his son. Together, father and son fumed over how much Shen Xihe clearly cared for Xiao Huayong.
They agreed that once Xiao Huayong returned, they would take turns beating him up!
If one round wasn’t enough to vent their anger, they would go for two. To prepare, Shen Yueshan even gave up alcohol and assigned night patrol duties to his son. He needed to take care of his health—he couldn’t let his fists grow weak before the man returned!
No, he had to train harder!No matter how the father and son discussed making things difficult for Xiao Huayong in the future, Shen Yueshan still sent the cup back solely because of Shen Xihe's remark about its potentially inauspicious implication. On the very day the letter was sent, Xue Jinqiao went into labor and gave birth to a rosy-cheeked baby girl.
Shen Yungan was overjoyed, grinning from ear to ear as he personally took up the brush to write exuberantly about the bliss of becoming a father for the first time!
(End of Chapter)
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