A winding path led to a secluded spot, where flowers and trees were intoxicated with color.

Having saved Xiao Changying, who remained unconscious, she could not leave. Even if local officials were summoned, they would not let her go.

Originally, seeing that the sun was pleasant and her body showed no signs of fatigue, she had sat briefly in a small pavilion in the garden.

Then she heard that the women of the estate’s owner’s family were requesting an audience. Hong Yu reported it this way: “Your Highness, Lady Ma and Miss Ma are requesting an audience, saying they have urgent matters to report to the Princess.”

“Bring them in.” Shen Xihe held no hopes for what they considered urgent matters.

She had naturally revealed her identity when staying here. The estate’s owners were merely wealthy merchants who wanted to show their faces before her. But since she was staying in their house, why not grant such harmless requests?

Soon Hong Yu led the three people in. Shen Xihe’s gaze swept across them before settling on that tall, slender figure.

He wore coarse hemp clothing, his long hair casually draped over his back, one hand behind him, his steps steady. Though his once fair skin now had a wheat-colored tone, stripped of his fine silk garments and lacking the nobility of jade ornaments, he was still Xie Yunhuai, the one whose name once filled the capital.

As jade enriches the mountain’s radiance, as pearls enhance the river’s beauty;

The name Xie Yunhuai became extraordinary because of him.

Xie Yunhuai was the eldest legitimate son of Duke Wei, the foremost of the eight noble families. He was deeply learned, graceful in bearing, dignified in manner, and elegant in observing propriety.

Emperor Youning’s princes were all accomplished in both civil and military arts, outstanding in both talent and appearance. Yet Xie Yunhuai, who had grown up alongside these dragon sons and phoenix grandsons, studying at the imperial academy, was the only one who could rival their brilliance—a dazzling star that could not be overshadowed or ignored among the many lights.

He had also been Gu Qingzhi’s fiancé, the only man she had ever paid attention to.

One was a young gentleman celebrated in the capital, who made maidens’ hearts flutter; the other was one of the capital’s Nine Perfections, a model noblewoman praised by all.

Betrothed since childhood, they should have been a perfect match of talent and beauty, made for each other by heaven and earth, but sadly they were destined to remain apart.

This consistently gentle and uncontentious young man, after his mother died with hatred in her heart in the Duke Wei mansion, angrily exposed his father’s plot to harm his wife. At his father’s remarriage banquet, in front of all the guests, he cut off his hair and severed ties with his family, never again to be a son of the Xie family.

That year, Xie Yunhuai was fourteen and Gu Qingzhi was thirteen, just as they were beginning to discuss marriage.

Afterward, he came to apologize, kneeling before the Gu family gate, and presenting the tokens exchanged between the families to break off the engagement.

Prime Minister Gu tried in vain to persuade him otherwise, still willing to give his precious daughter in marriage, but he insisted on traveling to see mountains and waters, living rough thereafter. Fearing he would fail to live up to such a precious intention, he firmly broke off the engagement, never even meeting Gu Qingzhi once before resolutely departing.

This incident only made Gu Qingzhi, who already held little hope for men, grow even colder.

Men, ah, always had something they cared about most—parents, siblings, beautiful women and wealth, the grand path of power, unfettered freedom… Only after casting aside all of these things would they find the foolish woman who had devoted everything to them.

Six years had passed in the blink of an eye. The once bamboo-like jade-pure young gentleman, though having spent years roaming mountains and fields, traversing rough terrain, still displayed in every movement the graceful bearing of a noble family’s young master.

“This humble woman and daughter pay respects to the Princess.” While Shen Xihe was lost in thought, the three approached, with Lady Ma leading the bow.

“Rise.” Bi Yu stepped forward with a calm tone, “You said you had urgent matters to tell the Princess. What matters?”

“If the Princess permits,” Lady Ma pushed forward Xie Yunhuai, “This is a renowned doctor in our area for hundreds of li around. Doctor Qi says he has matters concerning life and death to report to the Princess.”

Xie Yunhuai maintained excellent composure. Even with Lady Ma pushing everything onto him this way, he calmly stepped forward and bowed: “This humble one, Qi Yunhuai, pays respects to the Princess.”

“Tell us what sort of life-and-death matter could concern our Princess?” Bi Yu demanded.

“Your Highness, this humble one lives in Ma Family Village and often goes to the mountains to gather herbs. Yesterday afternoon while coming down the mountain, I saw several datura plants in the wild. Early this morning when I went up the mountain, I saw they had been picked. After making specific inquiries, I learned it was quite possibly the Princess’s maid who took them.”

Xie Yunhuai had changed his surname and given name, but could not change his composed dignity and grace: “Therefore, I specially came to remind the Princess that while datura is beautiful, it is poisonous and unsuitable for indoor display. Especially given the Princess’s precious noble person, prolonged exposure could be life-threatening.”

Shen Xihe hadn’t expected this to be the matter, though it was indeed serious.

If she were to have any mishap here because of this, many innocent people would likely be implicated, and Emperor Youning would at least make a show of demanding an explanation from Shen Yueshan.

Perhaps in Xie Yunhuai’s view, Shen Xihe’s maid had seen these beautiful flowers growing wild, and not knowing what they were, picked them to add some elegance and vitality to the Princess’s chambers. With Shen Xihe’s congenital heart condition, if she inhaled the datura’s essence, she really could lose her life. That’s why when burning incense for Xiao Changying last night, she had been constantly careful.

“How thoughtful.” Shen Xihe finally spoke. Her voice was extremely pleasant, gentle as a feather brushing over clear spring water, soft and deep. “Zi Yu, go fetch the purple pearl headdress and the mutton-fat jade double fish interwoven pearl bracelet to reward Lady Ma and Miss Ma.”

Both were overjoyed and bowed: “Thank you for the Princess’s rewards.”

Zi Yu then led the Ma mother and daughter away. Shen Xihe addressed Xie Yunhuai: “Doctor Qi truly has a benevolent heart and skill. I often hear there are countless reclusive experts in the world, and it seems Doctor Qi’s medical skills must be excellent. I’ve had a heart condition since childhood—might Doctor Qi check my pulse?”

“This humble one is but a rural villager. The Princess is a noble jade branch of gold, surely surrounded by great medical talents. This humble one dares not make a fool of himself.” Xie Yunhuai declined unhurriedly.

“I’ve heard enough flattery. I’d like to hear some truth. Doctor Qi, just check my pulse. You need not prescribe medicines—I only want to hear your honest words.” Shen Xihe didn’t let it go but spoke again.

Xie Yunhuai had already heard that this Princess wasn’t suddenly curious about him or trying to make things difficult, but truly wanted to know about her health condition. Among the noble houses, to find such a calm heart was extremely rare. He bowed and said: “Then please forgive this humble one’s presumption.”

Hong Yu placed a piece of light silk gauze on Shen Xihe’s wrist. Xie Yunhuai stepped up to the pavilion, maintaining a slight bow, eyes straight ahead without glancing at Shen Xihe’s face, and placed his hand on her pulse.

After withdrawing his hand, Xie Yunhuai pondered for a moment before speaking: “The Princess was originally weak with insufficient blood and qi, and has just recovered from a cold. The pulse at two inches is slightly submerged, caused by excessive worry and extreme fatigue. The Princess should rest quietly and calm her mind. Also, does the Princess regularly consume sweet dates?”

“Sweet dates were recommended by the imperial physicians. Because I was premature with insufficient blood and qi, eating several sweet dates daily helps supplement qi and nourish the blood.” Shen Xihe indeed had this habit, both before and now. “Is there something wrong with this?”