“Youyou…” Shen Yun’an called softly.

They stood at the main gate of the Princess’s mansion, watching as Xie Yunhuai’s figure disappeared. When Shen Xihe looked up, Shen Yun’an sighed gently, “Doctor Qi is a fine young man. I wonder which lady will be fortunate enough to become his wife in the future.”

Shen Xihe smiled in amusement. She understood that Shen Yun’an had instantly clicked with Xie Yunhuai. Xie Yunhuai’s refined manners and scholarship had deeply impressed Shen Yun’an. Moreover, Xie Yunhuai’s mastery of both literary and military arts, along with his ability to let go of wealth and live freely, had particularly won Shen Yun’an’s admiration.

In the ever-changing political landscape of the capital, one could be at the height of glory one moment and left with nothing the next. People like Xie Yunhuai, who maintained their elegance in wealth and remained composed in simplicity, were truly rare.

Shen Yun’an likely hoped that his precious sister could marry such a young man, especially since Xie Yunhuai had separated from the Xie family and could permanently settle in the Northwest.

However, he also knew that unless the Xiao imperial clan fell, Shen Xihe was destined to marry into the royal family. There was no point in discussing these matters as it would only trouble Shen Xihe, so he changed the subject.

“Is brother regretting not having another sister?” Then he could fulfill his wish of making Xie Yunhuai his brother-in-law.

Shen Yun’an turned around, his gaze as warm as the early spring sun: “Brother only needs you as his one and only sister in this lifetime, giving all a brother’s protection and love to Youyou alone.”

Shen Xihe smiled, her eyes twinkling: “Youyou also have only one brother.”

The autumn sun blazed brilliantly, and the phoenix tree leaves fell in orange-yellow cascades. The siblings exchanged smiles, their affection warm and harmonious.

Both siblings had forgotten about Shen Xihe’s existence. At that moment, Shen Xihe was in her own courtyard at the Shen residence, wearing plain clothes and practicing calligraphy with rolled-up sleeves.

Since Madam Xiao’s death and Shen Xihe’s move to the Princess’s mansion, she has lived in seclusion, avoiding social interactions. In her mourning attire, she did not attend any banquets, quietly living as the second daughter of the Shen family.

“County Lady, the Prince has sent a letter,” her maid Chuyi presented a scroll.

Shen Xihe seemed not to hear. Her brush moved without pause, her handwriting graceful and flowing, showing considerable strength of character.

She completed the character for “stillness” in one fluid stroke, embodying the principle of “stillness leads to enlightenment.”

Setting down her brush, she glanced at Chuyi, who still maintained her posture of offering the scroll with both hands and bowing her head. Only then did she take it, read it, and hand it back: “Reply that I will visit Uncle at the Court of Imperial Clan.”

“County Lady…” her wet nurse spoke with concern, “This matter involves the Princess and the Young Master…”

The wet nurse felt heartbroken. Her County Lady had always been intelligent, perceptive, and pure-hearted since childhood, but neither her father nor mother loved her. Now with the Prince of Kang’s downfall, she could only rely on the Prince in the future. How would the Young Master and Princess view her visiting the Prince of Kang at this time?

“I know my boundaries,” Shen Xihe said while instructing the preparation of food boxes and arranging her dress. “Uncle showed at least some genuine affection for me. I’m just going to see him one last time. I won’t ask about anything else, and if… they blame me for this, I cannot help it.”

No one had expected that the second person to visit the Prince of Kang at the Court of Imperial Clan would be Shen Xihe. It was unexpected, yet reasonable.

Shen Xihe had prepared the Prince of Kang’s favorite foods and Western Region grape wine.

Looking at the table full of delicacies and then at his niece standing gracefully before him, the Prince of Kang’s eyes suddenly grew moist.

“Uncle, Awan has come to bid you farewell,” Shen Xihe said softly.

The Prince of Kang wiped away his tears, nodding slightly and responding in a muffled voice as he sat at the table. With a grief-stricken expression, his hands and lips trembling, he ate a hearty meal.

After he finished, Shen Xihe began clearing away the items. Once done, she said to the Prince of Kang: “Uncle, Awan will do her best to look after my cousins.”

With these words, Shen Xihe performed a deep curtsy and turned to leave with the food boxes.

“Awan!” The Prince of Kang suddenly called out as she reached the prison door.

Shen Xihe turned back, her moist eyes docile: “Uncle?”

The Prince of Kang moved his lips several times before asking: “Don’t you… have anything to ask Uncle?”

Shen Xihe shook her head gently: “Awan came only because of Uncle’s past kindness and care. Awan’s position is humble, and this is all I can do.”

The unauthorized manufacture of weapons was a crime punishable by the execution of the entire clan. If the Prince of Kang weren’t the Emperor’s cousin, it could have led to the destruction of the entire family.

Unless someone could clear the Prince of Kang’s name, but with such conclusive evidence, no one could reverse the situation. Both she and the Prince of Kang had to accept their fate.

The Prince of Kang’s gaze was complex, showing both relief and gratification: “Awan, you’re right, don’t get involved in these matters. Some people are not good people, not worth dedicating your life to.”

Shen Xihe froze briefly, then managed a forced, sorrowful smile: “Uncle, Awan understands.”

“Go back now,” the Prince of Kang waved his hand, his eyes red. “If your cousins can escape harm, look after them a bit. If not… help Uncle send them off, and during the Qingming Festival, burn some offerings and incense for them.”

“Awan will remember,” Shen Xihe solemnly agreed, standing for a moment before saying softly, “Uncle, Awan is leaving.”

The Prince of Kang nodded weakly, forcing a smile as he watched Shen Xihe leave.

Upon leaving the Court of Imperial Clan and getting into her carriage, Shen Xihe saw someone sitting inside.

He had sword-like eyebrows and star-bright eyes, thin lips, and a high nose. His stern features tended toward cold handsomeness. Wearing a dark blue round-collared robe and a gold crown in his hair, he possessed an air of authority and nobility. A string of vajra bodhi beads on his wrist highlighted his mature character, both masculine and refined.

“Greetings to Prince Zhao,” Shen Xihe lowered the carriage curtain and performed a proper greeting despite the cramped space.

Xiao Changmin’s thick eyebrows twitched slightly: “Awan has grown distant with me, are you blaming me?”

“I don’t understand what Your Highness means,” Shen Xihe chose a seat as far from Prince Zhao as possible.

“Awan, I know you were heartbroken when your mother passed away. I came to pay respects late at night, but you turned me away. I…”

“Your Highness, my mother was a concubine, and concubines cannot have spirit tablets,” Shen Xihe interrupted Xiao Changmin. “My elder sister was generous to allow me to set up a private memorial. I dare not be presumptuous and allow others to pay respects. Your Highness, I saw Uncle only to bid him farewell.”

Xiao Changmin’s gaze darkened as he quietly observed Shen Xihe, who kept her eyes lowered and spoke methodically. After a long while, he sighed indulgently: “Awan…”

“Your Highness, men and women should maintain proper distance. Please refrain from such impropriety in the future,” Shen Xihe kept her eyes down. “Please leave soon, Your Highness.”

Xiao Changmin’s brows gathered with cold intent: “What if I don’t leave?”

“Then I can only stop the carriage and get out,” Shen Xihe replied coldly.

This was Shen Xihe’s carriage, and if she suddenly got out and refused to ride in it, it would raise suspicious speculation.

Xiao Changmin made several attempts to engage her in conversation, but Shen Xihe remained distant and aloof. Finally, Xiao Changmin had no choice but to leave as she wished.

Only after Xiao Changmin left did Shen Xihe close her eyes, concealing the pain in them. Even her wet nurse knew she shouldn’t get involved in this matter, yet Xiao Changmin still disregarded her awkward position and wanted her to scheme for him.