Shen Xihe had already been chosen as the Crown Princess – how could Yu Sangning, though a legitimate daughter of a marquis’s household, become a concubine in the Eastern Palace?

Her status was sufficient to match that of Crown Princess, though slightly inferior to Shen Xihe’s, but still too high to be a concubine. In this dynasty, concubines could never be elevated to primary wives – this applied not only to court officials and common people but even more so to the imperial family, who were expected to set an example.

Unless one day the Crown Prince ascended the throne and expanded his harem, then the positions in the back palace would be different. But Yu Sangzi couldn’t wait for that day. She lowered her head dejectedly: “I don’t harbor particularly deep feelings for His Highness, I merely envy the way he looks at Princess Zhaoning. As if she were the only person in the world, dimming the heavens and earth, making all else wither and fade… If someone were to look at me that way one day, I’d gladly trade years of my life for it.”

Yu Sangning lowered her eyes, sneering at such romantic sentiments. Wasn’t her mother just such a foolish woman? Otherwise, how could she have endured such a miserable first half of her life?

In her view, Yu Sangzi had grown up in luxury and privilege, constantly attended to, never knowing hardship – that’s why she believed in such useless things.

“Let’s go,” a soft sigh drifted over from the other side.

Looking up, they saw Prince Li, Xiao Changying, gazing in the direction where Shen Xihe had departed. Those words had been spoken by Prince Xin, Xiao Changqin, to Xiao Changying. He patted his brother’s shoulder before gracefully departing first.

Prince Xin’s primary wife had passed away, and his next marriage would be to a secondary wife. Yu Sangning considered her status – though slightly low, it wasn’t entirely impossible.

Provided that… she looked at Yu Sangzi. Yu Sangzi couldn’t marry into the imperial family – the Yu family couldn’t produce two princesses.

While these undercurrents swirled, Shen Xihe remained unaware. She and Xiao Huayong had reached a less crowded area, though people still watched from afar. Those with any sense knew the Crown Prince didn’t want to be disturbed during his time alone with his beauty.

“Zhao Embroiderer serves by His Majesty’s side, Xiao Fuxing attends Prince Jing, I just saw how Prince Zhao greatly appreciates Scholar Guo, and Official Cui maintains his position at court – Your Highness truly has excellent methods,” Shen Xihe said, reaching out to touch a low-hanging peach branch before her.

“I am by your side,” Xiao Huayong leaned close to her. “They are all blades in my hand, clearing the path ahead; while I become a shield, protecting you completely for life.”

Shen Xihe truly didn’t know how to respond to this person – he was constantly trying to stir her heart: “If Your Highness continues like this, I fear we’ll again be left staring at each other in silence.”

“Alright, alright, we won’t speak of such things,” Xiao Huayong smiled ingratiatingly and turned to look toward where the noble ladies had gathered. “Well? Which of these ladies do you find agreeable?”

Hearing his question, Shen Xihe asked, “How many does Your Highness plan to bring into the Eastern Palace?”

Xiao Huayong’s smile froze. He turned to look at Shen Xihe, and after a long moment, sighed softly: “I promised you our marriage would be like Pan and Yang’s – I will never break that word. Today’s spring banquet was arranged for my brothers. In the future, you’ll all be sisters-in-law, and with you in the Eastern Palace as Crown Princess, you shouldn’t have to accommodate them. But I don’t want any of them to marry someone thoughtless who might trouble you.”

Shen Xihe hadn’t expected that he wanted her to help match wives for the other princes!

“Just tell me your thoughts, and leave the rest to me,” Xiao Huayong showed no shame in his unreasonableness, completely disregarding whether his brothers would end up with suitable wives, whether their marriages would be harmonious, or whether they already had someone they loved – as long as his Crown Princess was happy, that was all that mattered.

He was the Crown Prince, the noble heir apparent, educated by great scholars in the Eastern Palace, but Shen Xihe had never before felt such unreasonable tyranny from him. Today was the first time she experienced his forceful nature, extending even to his siblings’ marriages – this was the privilege of an emperor.

But he never spoke empty words. If he said it, he could certainly achieve it.

“Others’ affairs are no concern of mine,” Shen Xihe didn’t know these noble ladies well, and just as she disliked others arranging her marriage, she wouldn’t carelessly arrange others’.

If she truly couldn’t get along with someone in the future, she would keep her distance. And if anyone insisted on approaching her, she had ways to make a person disappear without a trace, even if that person was a prince’s wife!

Understanding her thoughts, Xiao Huayong could only say regretfully: “Youyou always make me feel useless.”

“How dare I? Your Highness’s abilities reach heaven and earth – I have many things to ask of Your Highness,” Shen Xihe said quietly.

“The Northwest and Southern Shu have been exchanging weapons, enough to be considered rebellion. Such a major matter, yet Youyou keep it from me. I truly don’t know when Youyou will come seeking my help,” Xiao Huayong sighed softly.

Shen Xihe glanced at him: “Your Highness’s intelligence network is impressive – the news travels fast.”

How long had it been since she and Bu Shulin had discussed this? Probably just after the Southern Shu King had exchanged two letters with her father, yet Xiao Huayong already knew. “I didn’t make this decision – it’s up to Father and the Southern Shu King. If they think it’s worth the risk, then they’ll take that risk.”

She had only revealed her father’s thoughts to Bu Shulin, who then contacted the Southern Shu King.

“I guessed,” Xiao Huayong said with a soft laugh.

He only knew that the Southern Shu King and the Northwest King had made contact and that large quantities of dragon bones were being transported from Southern Shu to the Northwest. He learned from Xie Yunhuai that dragon bones were used for wound medicine. If the Northwest King was willing to share such valuable items with Southern Shu, he must be seeking great benefits in return.

Wasn’t the Northwest most lacking in weapons and cotton? He made a bold guess, but he didn’t believe Shen Xihe wouldn’t know he might lack evidence. She could have easily deflected or equivocated, but she chose to admit it, which filled his heart with sweetness.

“Your Highness rarely jumps to conclusions, but once you do, even your guesses are seventy to eighty percent accurate. Before a wise person, why try to conceal and deceive?” Shen Xihe saw his loving smile and knew he was reading too much into it again.

“I don’t care, Youyou is treating me as her own,” Xiao Huayong said smugly.

“If it pleases Your Highness,” Shen Xihe maintained her smile.

Xiao Huayong continued smiling: “Youyou, why not let me handle the escort? Using merchant caravans would be most appropriate.”

“I’ve said I’m not in charge of this matter, nor am I making decisions. If Your Highness wishes to participate, why not speak directly with my father?” Shen Xihe distanced herself.

Currently, she neither fully trusted Xiao Huayong nor harbored groundless suspicions. Whatever Xiao Huayong wanted to do, let him do it.

As for her father, he understood people better than she did. If at his age he misjudged someone’s character, there would be nothing to be done about it.

Whether to use Xiao Huayong’s help or not was entirely up to her father.

“Youyou are so good, finding ways to give me chances to please my future father-in-law…”

“Xiao Beichen!” Shen Xihe warned through gritted teeth.

They weren’t even married yet, and he was already calling him father-in-law!

“Shh…” Xiao Huayong put a finger to his lips, “Don’t be angry, Youyou. There are many people here. If they mistake us for openly flirting, I don’t mind…”