Xiao Huayong was someone whose smile could revive all things like spring bringing warmth and flowers, but when he wasn’t smiling, his naturally imposing aura made people tremble with fear. At this moment, he maintained an expressionless face toward Shen Xihe, though his eyes still held their characteristic gentleness.

Shen Xihe knew his words weren’t mere jokes – if she insisted on refusing, he would truly do as he said. This made her even more furious, as she despised being threatened most of all. “Xiao Beichen!”

His fan-like long eyelashes fluttered twice as Xiao Huayong set down the medicine bowl. He turned to sit beside Shen Xihe, pulling her up, and before she could react, embraced her from behind, restraining her struggles. “Youyou, I’m already being very restrained.”

“You…”

“I don’t want to offend you or make you despise me.” He held her tightly, whispering in her ear, “So don’t force me, Youyou.”

“Xiao Beichen, you dare… if you dare…”

“If I dare, what will Youyou do?” Xiao Huayong embraced her even tighter, gently nuzzling her neck with his face. His voice was low and tender like an intimate lover’s. “Will Youyou, who prioritizes the bigger picture, abandon me because of this? Choose someone else? Who else could be more suitable for Youyou than me?”

“Legitimate heir, with a short life expectancy, hmm?”

The struggling Shen Xihe froze slightly. She had indeed chosen Xiao Huayong for these two reasons and had never intended to hide this from him. She was naturally frank, but being suddenly exposed by Xiao Huayong left her feeling inexplicably uncomfortable.

The strong scent of medicine wafted over as the bowl reached her lips. Behind her, Xiao Huayong’s voice was both coaxing and unyielding: “Youyou, drink your medicine.”

Shen Xihe felt somewhat tired and didn’t want to argue further, wasting good medicine. She managed to free one hand, grabbed the medicine bowl, and drank it all in one gulp. Then she pushed Xiao Huayong away forcefully, fixing him with cold eyes: “Legitimate heir status can be changed, and life expectancy can be planned for!”

Whether through Xiao Huayong’s death and His Majesty appointing a new Crown Prince, or perhaps just through Xiao Huayong’s dethronement – it would be the same. As for life expectancy, when it came to matters of life and death, meeting a narrow path, she, Shen Xihe, was never one to sacrifice her own life for others!

Afraid of hurting her, he had allowed her to break free and push him away. Xiao Huayong watched as Shen Xihe placed the empty bowl on the tall bedside table. She supported herself on the edge of the bed, her face slightly pale, wearing snow-white undergarments, her black hair falling like a waterfall over her shoulders. Her posture appeared delicate, but her gaze was so resolute that one dared not meet it.

“Don’t be angry, Youyou. It was my fault – I was overly worried and momentarily lost my composure.” His voice turned soft and gentle again as he apologized.

Shen Xihe was furious and pointed toward the door: “Get out!”

“Alright, alright, I’m leaving now.” Xiao Huayong displayed an obedient and compliant manner. “Rest well. I’ll handle the remaining matters, and you needn’t go thank Little Nine yourself.”

After these soft reminders, Xiao Huayong left with a smile. Only after hearing the door close did Shen Xihe lie back down.

Just as she lay down, Biyu rushed in and fell to her knees with a thud: “This servant was useless, unable to stop His Highness. Please punish me, Princess.”

Zhenzhu’s sister and Moyu’s sister were recovering from their injuries, and Mo Yuan had taken the guards to escort the Prince – they were in charge of guarding the Princess’s mansion.

“Rise.” Shen Xihe closed her eyes tiredly. “It’s not your fault.”

How could Biyu possibly have stopped someone of Xiao Huayong’s capability? Even if Mo Yuan and the others had been present, they might not have been able to stop him.

“How are Zhenzhu, Moyu, and Axi’s injuries?” Shen Xihe asked with concern.

“Please don’t worry, Princess. The injuries aren’t severe. Moyu’s wounds will heal in ten to fifteen days, and Zhenzhu’s sister only has some minor burns that will heal in three to five days. Axi’s injuries are more serious and may take a month or two to recover.” Biyu reported in detail – these were all diagnoses from Doctor Qi himself.

“Who sent the assassins to Gudu Garden?” Having been reassured, Shen Xihe asked next.

“In response to the Princess, they were sent by the old madam from the Minister of Justice’s mansion,” Biyu answered. It was now dark, and the cause of everything had been investigated clearly.

“Such audacity.” Shen Xihe admired this old lady’s courage – perhaps it was true that ignorance breeds fearlessness.

To dare arrange murder in Gudu Garden, an orphanage within the imperial city that was set ablaze, was bold indeed.

“They didn’t know the Princess was there personally.” Biyu felt that if they had known Shen Xihe was at Gudu Garden, the old lady wouldn’t have been so brazen.

The old lady hadn’t acted impulsively. She had arranged for people from the Yang mansion to help evacuate people from Gudu Garden, intending only to take Qi Pei’s life. Qi Pei had arrived as a beggar, unknown to anyone, so even if he died there, no one would investigate.

She would then provide money to rebuild Gudu Garden. If they hadn’t encountered Shen Xihe and Moyu’s group, the prepared archers wouldn’t have been needed. It would have just been the death of a beggar who couldn’t walk – with no plaintiff to sue and authorities not investigating, plus money to rebuild Gudu Garden.

It wasn’t far-fetched to think this matter could have been covered up completely if only Shen Xihe hadn’t gone there personally.

“Where is Qi Pei?” Shen Xihe asked again.

“Young Master Qi is a witness. His Majesty sent people to take him away.” When the palace people came personally, they could only release him.

With the matter having grown so large, Qi Pei was safe now. Shen Xihe felt somewhat drowsy: “I’ll rest for a moment. Go prepare some thank-you gifts and have Uncle Aqing personally deliver them to the Fierce Prince’s mansion.”

Whatever Xiao Huayong said about how she needn’t concern herself with Xiao Changying’s rescue, she paid no attention to it. This was her matter – how could she need Xiao Huayong to handle it for her?

At this time, Xiao Huayong had just left the Princess’s mansion. This time, Tianyuan accompanied him out – he hadn’t sneaked out but had openly requested imperial permission to visit Shen Xihe.

“Your Highness, why did you have to do that?” Tianyuan didn’t understand why Xiao Huayong had forcefully kept the Princess’s maids outside – wouldn’t this only make the Princess angry with him?

Sitting in the carriage, Xiao Huayong lowered his head to look at a black piece on his fingertip, rubbing it gently: “A moment of impulse.”

In that instant, his anger had been uncontrollable. Knowing she was in danger, his heart had been anxious like fire. He wanted to express his concern, yet knew she didn’t need his concern, didn’t care whether he was concerned or not. This feeling of powerlessness and anxiety – even if he explained it to Tianyuan, he wouldn’t understand.

Seeing her unwillingness to show weakness before him even once, to yield even once, made him both angry and anxious. He had almost lost control, almost forced her to take the medicine, but reason had ultimately prevailed, preventing a grave mistake.

She was such a tenacious and strong person, her proud spirit would break rather than bend, making him unable and unwilling to force her.

“Returning to the palace?” Tianyuan sighed softly.

When it came to the Princess, His Highness had humility carved into his bones.

“Go to the Fierce Prince’s mansion.” Xiao Huayong’s expression darkened.

He would not allow Shen Xihe to owe anyone else a life-saving debt.