"Youyou!" Once Tianyuan's figure vanished into the night, Shen Yungan cast a resentful, accusatory gaze.
"What was made yesterday can't compare to freshly prepared food?" Shen Xihe had no choice but to coax him. "If we save it for tomorrow, it'll surely lose its freshness. If Elder Brother wants to eat it tomorrow, I'll make it for you again."
Though he knew his younger sister was just sweet-talking him, the fact that she was willing to do so meant Shen Yungan was easily appeased. He grinned widely, content to think of the Crown Prince as merely receiving his leftovers, and his mood lifted.
Yet, as he looked at the lantern, it seemed increasingly displeasing to his eyes.
"Biyu, put this away." Understanding his thoughts, Shen Xihe smiled helplessly and handed it to Biyu.
This lantern wasn't from some unknown source; it couldn't be casually gifted or discarded like the previous one.
Only after watching with wide eyes as Biyu carried the lantern into storage did Shen Yunnan feel satisfied. "Shall we visit Pingzhong Garden tomorrow?"
"Tomorrow I must go to Xiangguo Temple. The Jeti flower incense I promised Master Xuqing for the temple is ready."
"I'll accompany you. Xiangguo Temple also has two Pingzhong trees, said to be over a hundred years old." Shen Xihe adored Pingzhong trees, though they struggled to survive in the northwest. In previous years, her maternal uncle's family would send some during late autumn.
Shen Xihe gladly agreed.
After the morning meal, Shen Xihe and Shen Yungan first went to the Tao residence to pay respects to their grandfather, uncle, and aunt. She rarely visited in person, but whenever she prepared novel dishes or acquired interesting items, she would send them over.
She and her elder brother were figures under intense scrutiny; frequent visits to the Tao family might bring harm upon them.
Tao Zhuanxian, overjoyed to see his granddaughter, was reluctant to let her leave. Only after Shen Xihe patiently explained her prior commitment to Master Xuqing did she manage to extricate herself from her uncle's home.
When delivering the Jeti flower incense to Xiangguo Temple, Shen Xihe made no attempt to be discreet. She had the manager of Living-Alone Pavilion arrange for six people to carry the fragrant spices covered with red cloth early in the morning. The amount needed for crafting Buddha statues was substantial, and the six individuals paraded orderly through several streets before reaching the foot of the mountain where Huguo Temple stood.
By the time Shen Xihe led them into Xiangguo Temple, news had spread that Living-Alone Pavilion's fragrant spices were being used for the temple's Buddha statues. Even those who had previously found them expensive gritted their teeth and made a purchase, while existing customers of Living-Alone Pavilion felt a shared sense of pride.
"The incense quality is excellent." Xuqing personally came to inspect it and was thoroughly satisfied, expressing immense gratitude to Shen Xihe. "We are indebted to you, Your Highness."
"You flatter me, Master." Shen Xihe humbly bowed. "Since childhood, I've adored Pingzhong trees. I've heard Xiangguo Temple has century-old Pingzhong trees—might my elder brother and I be permitted to view them?"
The Pingzhong trees in Xiangguo Temple were planted by Emperor Taizong himself. As the dynasty had surpassed a century, so had the trees, making them treasures of the temple. Aside from His Majesty and Xuqing, ordinary people were not allowed to enter freely.
Those wishing to catch a glimpse could only view them from a high vantage point, seeing a distant silhouette.
Master Xuqing hesitated for a moment before saying, "At present, there is a patron in the Pingzhong courtyard. If you do not mind, Your Highness, this humble monk will escort you there."
"It's no trouble, as long as the other party doesn't mind our intrusion." Shen Xihe merely wished to enjoy the scenery, with no desire to monopolize it.
"Your Highness, this way."
Xuqing led them to the Pingzhong courtyard. From afar, they could see a canopy of orange-yellow leaves shielding the sky above the entire courtyard, like a golden haze at the horizon. As they drew closer, the ground was blanketed in golden leaves, dreamlike and enchanting, as if butterflies had alighted.
Amidst the golden hues stood a tall, slender figure clad in snow-white robes. Shen Xihe paused at the moon gate of the courtyard, her steps halting.The man was dressed in a wide-sleeved white robe with black trimmings at the waist, cuffs, and hem. A white hair ribbon tied back his waterfall-like black tresses. He tilted his head slightly, gazing deeply at the ginkgo tree. Occasionally, a leaf would drift down and land soundlessly on his shoulder, a scene of utmost tenderness.
Shen Xihe never expected to encounter Xiao Changqing under such circumstances.
At the birthday banquet of the Ding Princess Consort, he had abstained from attending due to being in mourning, fearing it would be improper.
According to the dynasty's regulations, a husband should observe a year of mourning for his deceased wife. Nobles, officials, and royalty would typically remarry only after a year had passed. However, few actually wore mourning attire for the full year, as it was impractical for court appearances and official duties.
Some observed mourning for as little as seven days, others up to three months. Gu Qingzhi had passed away for over four months, yet Xiao Changqing was still clad in mourning robes.
Seeming to sense someone's arrival, Xiao Changqing turned his head. His gaze settled on Shen Xihe and froze.
This was his first time seeing Shen Xihe, but an intense sense of familiarity struck him, leaving him somewhat dizzy.
As they approached, Xiao Changqing composed his expression, and they exchanged greetings.
Xu Qing did not reveal Xiao Changqing's identity, nor did Xiao Changqing expose the sibling relationship of Shen Xihe and her brother. They all treated each other as strangers exchanging courteous greetings.
"Brother, what are you doing?" Shen Xihe asked, watching Shen Yungan gather fallen leaves.
"Taking them back to make a scented pillow for you," Shen Yungan replied, selecting intact and beautiful leaves while letting the rest fall to the ground.
The autumn wind rustled, shaking countless leaves from the trees. Shen Yunnan busily bent down to pick clean, undamaged leaves from the thick layer on the ground.
She loved eucommia leaves. Once, Shen Yungan had rushed thousands of miles to bring her a bag of ginkgo leaves. Touched by his gesture and unwilling to let them wither, she devised a method to dry them and stuff them into a pillow. She used it for a long time, only replacing it when it was no longer usable.
"Let's gather more and make one for you too, Brother," Shen Xihe said with a contented smile, disregarding propriety as she crouched down to help Shen Yungan select leaves.
The siblings carried on as if no one else was present, even discussing the leaves. Occasionally, they would find an exceptionally large or beautiful one and show it to each other for appreciation.
Standing on the other side, Xiao Changqing watched the laughing siblings and couldn't help but chuckle wryly.
Just moments before, at his first glimpse of Shen Xihe, he thought his eyes were deceiving him, and his heart had ached involuntarily.
But now, watching Shen Xihe lift her skirt and crouch down, revealing her exquisitely embroidered shoes, he was convinced it was an illusion born of his obsessive longing.
His wife—a proper, elegant lady who had etiquette and rules ingrained in her very bones—would never have acted so freely and unrestrained.
Qingqing, I'm going mad missing you...
Xiao Changqing turned and silently left the courtyard.
His departure went completely unnoticed by Shen Xihe and her brother, who continued gleefully gathering leaves.
"I wonder where the Zhaoning County Princess and the Northwest Prince Heir have gone?"
Just as the siblings were at the height of their enjoyment, an unfamiliar woman's voice sounded from beyond the eucommia courtyard wall.
Shen Xihe and Shen Yungan exchanged a glance, both looking toward the solid wall opposite the moon gate. They surmised that the speakers, knowing the eucommia courtyard was a forbidden area of Xiangguo Temple, had dared to meet in a secluded spot connected to it.
"I've worn myself out worrying for you. The northwest is desolate, and no noblewoman is willing to marry there. It's only because of your status that you have this chance—you must seize it," the woman urged again."Aunt... everyone says the Northwest Prince Heir kills people like flies, I..." the delicate female voice sounded deeply troubled.
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