Princess Zhaoning became famous in one stroke.

If previous incidents had made officials warn their children to be cautious not to offend Shen Xihe, after this event, they feared her.

She was someone who could trample the Emperor’s face under her feet, and he could do nothing about it!

The outside rumors weren’t important. When she left the palace imperiously, she truly felt her ears were clearer. Even Mo Yuan said all the people watching outside the Princess’s residence had suddenly withdrawn.

When Xue Heng returned from the palace, he saw Xue Jinqiao practicing with a spear. Noble ladies were usually taught to be virtuous and gentle, considering weapons practice vulgar. But after that incident, Xue Jinqiao had taken up martial arts. She never showed it outside, but she had excellent martial skills.

“Grand Uncle!” Xue Jinqiao dropped her spear and ran over as soon as she saw Xue Heng, her eyes clear as a child’s.

“Qiao Qiao…” Xue Heng called out with a smile, walking to a nearby chair. “Your Sister today in the palace…”

Xue Heng told Xue Jinqiao about Shen Xihe’s actions. Xue Jinqiao talked about her “Sister” so much that he unconsciously helped Shen Xihe today.

Xue Jinqiao ranked seventh in the family, with gender-separated rankings. She had six elder cousins, but never called anyone “Sister.”

“Sister is so formidable.” Xue Jinqiao admired Shen Xihe even more.

“Do you truly like Princess Zhaoning so much?” Xue Heng asked.

“I like her, just like her.” Xue Jinqiao didn’t know why she just did.

“Qiao Qiao, the Princess acts unlike other ladies. Even many young men can’t match her farsightedness and decisiveness. As the legitimate daughter of the Northwest King, her future path won’t be ordinary,” Xue Heng said earnestly.

Though their noble families were dissatisfied with His Majesty’s ruthless methods of suppressing and dividing to maintain power, aside from that power grab, His Majesty was a good ruler who governed diligently and loved his people. They had never thought about taking sides.

But if Xue Jinqiao truly had thoughts of marrying Shen Yunan, as long as he remained the Xue family head, he wouldn’t sacrifice Xue Jinqiao. They would inevitably have to take sides.

At that time, the Xue family might face a hard battle. Whether he could overpower everyone and lead the Xue family together, or be defeated and expelled with Xue Jinqiao, or both sides would be damaged and the Xue family would split – it couldn’t be predicted now.

“Grand Uncle, Qiao Qiao has troubled you.” Xue Jinqiao lowered her head helplessly.

She knew that as the Xue family’s only remaining legitimate daughter, her marriage involved countless connections. She should obediently marry someone arranged by the family, someone not involved in factional disputes, but she was ill and sometimes couldn’t control herself.

No matter where she married, once her illness manifested it would become a weakness, affecting the marriages of other Xue family children. Therefore, though she was nearly of age, she hadn’t been matched, and suitors were all refused.

“Grand Uncle, Qiao Qiao likes Sister. When with Sister, Qiao Qiao won’t fall ill,” Xue Jinqiao said softly.

Shen Xihe had a pleasant aura. Seeing her made Xue Jinqiao feel peaceful.

Xue Heng looked sympathetically at this child he had raised by his side. If he had been in the residence back then, she wouldn’t have developed this illness. Thinking of his wife who passed away less than two years ago, who worried about this girl even on her deathbed, Xue Heng sighed softly: “Let Grand Uncle think about it carefully.”

……

“Your Highness, Doctor Qi has gone out again,” Mo Yuan reported.

They weren’t monitoring Xie Yunhuai, but somehow news of his staying at the Princess’s residence had leaked. After hearing this, Duke Xie had come seeking three times. Each time, Xie Yunhuai met him outside. Once when Hongyu went out shopping, she happened to overhear Duke Xie arguing with Xie Yunhuai.

The words were all reproaching Xie Yunhuai for becoming the Princess’s secret lover. Hongyu nearly jumped out to argue, but considering Xie Yunhuai’s life-saving grace to Shen Xihe, she didn’t embarrass him and chose to endure it, returning to tell Shen Xihe.

“He must be coming to bid farewell.” Shen Xihe sighed softly. Yesterday she had received a message from Zhenzhu – the old man with white hair had passed away. Though they had no formal master-disciple relationship, the two months of guidance had benefited Zhenzhu greatly.

Zhenzhu decided to return after the old man’s burial. Xie Yunhuai stayed here because he worried about Shen Xihe. Once Zhenzhu returned, he wouldn’t need to stay at the Princess’s residence just in case and could leave the capital if he wished.

The reason Shen Xihe had made a scene in the palace was partly because of the rumors Hongyu heard about a secret lover. Though not widely spread yet, she couldn’t bear to let someone as refined and elegant as Xie Yunhuai endure such vulgar slander.

It was precisely because she had forcefully beaten Lady Sun to death in the palace that these rumors hadn’t caused waves.

“Will Doctor Qi leave the capital?” Biyu and others were quite reluctant to see him go. Not because they admired him romantically, but because Xie Yunhuai had helped the Princess greatly, was courteous and elegant, deeply knowledgeable, and friendly with everyone. They all liked him.

Like a friend, thinking of parting always brought some melancholy.

“No, he won’t leave the capital easily this time.” Shen Xihe felt he might be returning for revenge.

After all these years, he must have completed his preparations and grown strong enough. It was time to resolve what had been weighing on his heart.

Sure enough, after sunset, Xie Yunhuai came to bid farewell: “Your Highness, I’ve arranged Axi’s matter properly. Your Highness’s condition is increasingly stable, no need for me to stay. In the future, I’ll still visit every three days. If there’s any urgency, send someone to relay a message to the outskirts.”

Shen Xihe had originally given Axi’s matter to Mo Yuan, but Xie Yunhuai took it upon himself. He was more meticulous, and since Axi was a medicine garden master, Mo Yuan didn’t understand many habits of medicine masters. Having him fake the death would be more thorough.

“Take care.” Shen Xihe didn’t try to keep him, but graciously saw Xie Yunhuai out to the main gate.

Seeing Xie Yunhuai descend the steps, she stepped forward: “Doctor Qi.”

Xie Yunhuai stopped, turning back amid the orange evening glow, his gaze clear, his pupils appearing gentle.

“I never refuse Doctor Qi’s help because I consider Doctor Qi a friend,” Shen Xihe smiled softly. “May I have the honor of being Doctor Qi’s kindred spirit?”

Xie Yunhuai’s lips curved into a smile more intoxicating than autumn colors, warmer than the sunset: “It would be Rugu’s fortune.”

Shen Xihe’s genuine smile bloomed from within. Having seen the flowing sunset filling the sky with color, having seen mist covering the earth gathering spirit everywhere – none compared to her knowing smile: “In that case, if Doctor Qi has troubles and doesn’t seek his friend, I will be upset.”

So this was her true intention.

People say he had a delicate heart that made others feel like basking in spring breeze, but today Xie Yunhuai discovered that if Princess Zhaoning wanted to warm someone’s heart, even the heartless might grow a heart just for her.

“Your Highness need not worry. If Rugu has any needs, I will shamelessly seek you out.”