Never mind, saying more now wouldn’t change her deeply rooted thoughts. He could only hope this turmoil would settle quickly, and when the Crown Prince died young, they could bring Youyou home—her happiness with their companionship would be enough.

Shen Yun’an fell into an extremely contradictory struggle, blaming himself for not noticing earlier that his sister lived too clear-mindedly, without any of the normal romantic dreams and poetic sentiments of young ladies.

Yet he was also grateful that his sister lived so clear-mindedly—such a sister wouldn’t be hurt by any man.

“Youyou, brother will decline Prince Xin’s proposal,” Shen Yun’an sighed softly.

“Brother, don’t worry,” Shen Xihe’s soft hands gently rested on Shen Yun’an’s arm. “In this world, people’s desires and needs differ. Being able to obtain what one desires and possess what one values is perfect fulfillment.”

Why force oneself to seek other things when they aren’t needed?

“It was the brother who was narrow-minded,” Shen Yun’an suddenly understood. His sister was fine as she was—as long as he and father were well, no one could hurt her.

“Brother isn’t narrow-minded; brother cares too much for Youyou and always wants Youyou to have all the best things in the world,” Shen Xihe saw the worry disappear from Shen Yun’an’s brow and unconsciously revealed her pearl-like teeth in a smile.

Having cleared the air, Shen Yun’an stopped worrying about their parting and focused on arranging personnel in the capital for his sister while taking her sightseeing in the capital’s outskirts.

Before they knew it, the Double Ninth Festival arrived. Early in the morning, Shen Xihe made five-colored cakes and brought out the chrysanthemum wine she had brewed. She had Ziyu deliver portions of both to Xie Yunhuai.

Today, Shen Yun’an wore a navy blue turned-collar robe with dogwood embroidered on the collar and cuffs. Shen Xihe wore a moon-white chest-high short jacket and skirt with an apricot-yellow shawl, also embroidered with dogwood.

Shen Xihe prepared two sprigs of dogwood, pinning one to Shen Yun’an’s arm and putting her own in a fragrance sachet hanging at her waist.

In the courtyard, Shen Yun’an carefully selected a brilliantly blooming chrysanthemum and personally pinned it in Shen Xihe’s hair.

Wearing dogwood and chrysanthemums were Double Ninth Festival customs.

“I see Youyou’s complexion has been good these days. Should we go mountain climbing?” Shen Yun’an had never gone mountain climbing with Shen Xihe.

Shen Xihe’s health was poor, and in the Northwest, he was busy with government affairs. Besides, he would have had to carry Shen Xihe up the mountain, which she wouldn’t have liked.

“Let’s try,” Shen Xihe felt somewhat eager.

She sensed that after taking the bone-melting pills for over a month, her hands had gained some strength. She walked around the courtyard after each meal and could now go increasingly far.

Today was the Double Ninth Festival for climbing heights. People everywhere were climbing mountains to pray for blessings, everyone wearing dogwood and chrysanthemums. When they reached the foot of the mountain since Shen Xihe was weak, Shen Yun’an had chosen a small hill, but there was still a constant stream of people. On both sides, some commoners carried poles selling ready-made dogwood sachets, chrysanthemum wine, and some fresh goods.

The autumn wind was strong, unlike spring light yet surpassing it, with chrysanthemum fragrance filling the mountain.

Shen Xihe had ultimately overestimated her strength. After climbing just a few dozen steps, she was breathless, her face pale and lips bloodless.

“Let’s rest at that pavilion,” Shen Yun’an spotted a pavilion with some people but still had space.

Shen Xihe didn’t try to push herself and let Biyu support her to sit in the pavilion. The pavilion was full of ladies, so Shen Yun’an couldn’t enter and could only wait outside. Just then, someone on the mountain was flying kites—he had been to many places and knew that flying kites during the Double Ninth Festival was a Southern custom.

Thinking that Shen Xihe shouldn’t climb further, he thought to buy a kite for them to fly together.

“Youyou, rest here. Brother will go buy a kite.”

They hadn’t brought many guards or servants to avoid disturbing others. With no one to send, Shen Yun’an had to go himself.

Before Shen Xihe could respond, Shen Yun’an had already stridden away.

The pavilion was built along a cliff edge, offering a view of layered mountains, with yellow, orange, and red leaves swaying together. Under the fierce sun, the autumn wind was especially cool.

Shen Xihe had sat for about the time it takes to burn half an incense stick, just catching her breath and her racing heart beginning to calm when suddenly two venomous snakes flew down from above. The ladies screamed in terror. Moyu glimpsed a shadow flash past and immediately gave chase.

Biyu quickly shielded Shen Xihe behind her. One snake landed not far from Shen Xihe and, startled, struck directly at her. Biyu stepped forward and precisely caught the striking venomous snake.

Just then, among the panicking fleeing ladies, someone passed particularly close to Shen Xihe. As she ran past Shen Xihe’s side, a tiny pebble struck her knee, causing her to stumble sideways and crash into Shen Xihe.

Shen Xihe lost her balance and fell backward. Biyu reacted extremely quickly, catching Shen Xihe with one hand while grabbing the pavilion’s decorative wooden railing with the other.

Shen Xihe’s forehead struck the stone wall, making her vision darken.

At this point, Moyu, who had pursued a short distance before realizing these people were deliberately drawing her away, immediately returned. Just then, the other snake slithered over, about to bite Biyu’s hand when Moyu’s flying sword struck and sliced it in two.

She pulled Biyu and Shen Xihe up.

“Princess, forgive us. We failed to protect you,” Moyu and Biyu knelt with a thud.

Shen Xihe waved her hand: “They planned against our unpreparedness. Stand up—this isn’t your fault.”

Moyu’s first reaction was to catch the mastermind to avenge Shen Xihe and drive away enemies hidden above. Otherwise, trapped here, they would be sitting ducks if the enemy launched more sneak attacks.

“Youyou!” Shen Yun’an rushed forward—he had returned upon hearing the screams. Seeing the red swelling scrape on Shen Xihe’s forehead made his eyes flood with blood. “It’s brother’s fault for leaving you.”

Thinking how he had almost lost his sister, Shen Yun’an could barely breathe, his fists creaking.

“Brother, don’t blame yourself. There were many people today; none of us noticed we were already being watched,” Shen Xihe let Biyu briefly treat her forehead injury while comforting Shen Yun’an.

They had been targeted early on—unless she never stepped outside, the enemy would eventually find an opportunity to strike.

“Let’s go back first,” Shen Yun’an said with a taut face.

“Alright,” Shen Xihe agreed.

She wasn’t afraid of the people behind this trying again after their first attempt failed—it would be a good chance to trace them to their source. However, there were many common people on the mountain. She couldn’t risk their safety just to draw out the snake.

Shen Yun’an, heedless of all else, carried Shen Xihe on his back and quickly descended the mountain, with Moyu and Biyu covering their rear.

Shen Xihe could only go along with them helplessly.

Just as they reached the bottom, they heard Xue Jinqiao’s voice: “Sister Xihe, wait!”

Looking up, they saw Xue Jinqiao with two strong men holding someone.