“Your Highness, does the Crown Prince seem to be upset?” Biyu asked in a low voice.
For some reason, Biyu felt a trace of fear. This was the first time she had seen the usually gentle, refined, and noble Crown Prince appear so distant and cold. He hadn’t raised his voice or used any harsh words – he had simply spoken less, with his usual smile diminished – yet it was enough to make one’s heart tighten involuntarily.
“Upset?” Shen Xihe smiled indifferently. “So what if he is?”
“In the future…” Biyu knew that Shen Xihe didn’t care about matters of love between men and women. Even if she were to truly marry the Crown Prince in the future, she wouldn’t care whether he showered her with affection or not.
However, she worried that since the Crown Prince was known for his cunning schemes, he might harbor resentment and eventually harm the Princess.
“The Crown Prince’s character isn’t so petty,” Shen Xihe understood Biyu’s concerns.
If he only had such narrow-mindedness, he wouldn’t have achieved his current position, nor could he have remained hidden and patient until now.
“Don’t worry, I’m merely being honest with him,” a fleeting smile crossed Shen Xihe’s lips.
They had tested each other, and since they still needed to reach a consensus after these tests, they should start revealing their true selves. Wasn’t the Crown Prince also gradually opening up? She was simply returning the favor, letting him see clearly what kind of person she was.
If after being honest with each other, they still wished to form a marriage alliance, then they could benefit mutually, trust each other, and support one another. At least while they still had common goals and enemies, they wouldn’t be easily provoked into turning against each other.
As for whether hearts would change or interests would conflict once the greater situation was settled – they could determine the victor then.
When Shen Xihe reached the palace gates, she saw a tall, slender figure standing by the carriage in the distance. He wore a fresh cyan-colored robe with a jade belt at his waist, making him appear even more slender like a bamboo stalk.
Emperor Youning was masculine and angular, and since all the palace consorts were either plump or slim, none of the princesses and princes lacked distinguished features.
The Twelfth Prince Xiao Changgeng was no exception. Though his features still showed traces of youth, his sword-like eyebrows and star-bright eyes were already taking shape. His pupils especially contained hidden brilliance – he was certainly no ordinary person.
“Princess,” Xiao Changgeng stepped forward and cupped his hands in greeting. “Thank you for your protection that day. I have nothing of value, but this is a perfume manual left by my mother. She was extremely fond of making perfumes and had considerable expertise. I hope you won’t refuse it.”
Xiao Changgeng carefully took a slightly yellowed book with curled edges from his attending eunuch’s hands and offered it to Shen Xihe.
Xiao Changgeng’s birth mother came from a family of perfume makers, and this “Perfume Record” was a comprehensive collection that all perfume enthusiasts eagerly sought after, Shen Xihe being no exception.
“Your Highness need not do this. What I did that day wasn’t for your sake,” Shen Xihe refused firmly and decisively. After speaking, she gave Xiao Changgeng a slow bow and walked directly toward the carriage.
No matter how much she desired this item, she could trade it with Xiao Changgeng, but she would not accept it as a gift.
At least before she changed her mind about allying with Xiao Huayong, she wouldn’t have any unclear associations with anyone else.
Xiao Changgeng stood straight at the palace gates, watching the carriage disappear into the distance. Only then did the eunuch behind him mumble softly: “Your Highness, the Princess is no different from others. She also looks down upon Your High-“
Before the eunuch could finish speaking, Xiao Changgeng gave him a cold look, making him quickly lower his head.
Xiao Changgeng looked again in the direction where Shen Xihe’s carriage had disappeared, his lips curving into a slight smile: “She is different.”
She was indeed different. Her gaze when looking at him contained not a trace of contempt, not a hint of difference from how she looked at others.
Her refusal to accept his gift wasn’t because she thought he was an unfavored prince unworthy of association. He believed that someone who could manage two perfume shops and create incense for Buddhist statues at Xiangguo Temple must be a true perfume enthusiast.
She had desired this “Perfume Record,” yet she hadn’t accepted it. Her refusal wasn’t coy or pretentious, but straightforward and decisive.
This showed that her character was neither hypocritical nor deceitful, and her personality was strong with excellent self-control, allowing her to refuse something she desired without changing her expression.
Thinking this, the admiration in Xiao Changgeng’s clear eyes grew even stronger.
“Twelfth Brother, no matter how long you look, she will never belong to you,” a harsh voice sounded from behind.
Xiao Changgeng turned to meet Xiao Changying’s hostile gaze.
His expression remained unchanged as he stepped forward with a slight smile to bow: “Greetings, Ninth Brother.”
Xiao Changying sneered: “Twelfth Brother needn’t pretend to be a docile lamb in front of me.”
“Why is Ninth Brother angry?” Though Xiao Changgeng only reached Xiao Changying’s shoulder in height, his refined and pure demeanor showed no sign of weakness. “I was merely expressing my gratitude to the Princess for her help.”
“Help?” Xiao Changying circled him halfway, his gaze cold and probing. “Was it help, or a carefully planned scheme?”
Xiao Changgeng: “I don’t understand what Ninth Brother means.”
“Don’t understand?” Xiao Changying’s lips curved upward, his eyes showing mockery: “I haven’t yet congratulated Twelfth Brother on being allowed to attend court politics.”
Xiao Changgeng was already fourteen, but Emperor Youning seemed to have forgotten about him. After Shen Xihe’s intervention, the Emperor could no longer ignore him, and he received everything a prince should have.
“Thank you, Ninth Brother. I’ve just started learning about politics and understand little. I hope Ninth Brother will guide me more in the future.” Xiao Changgeng kept his eyes lowered submissively.
This was someone so docile he seemed to lack any temper, impossible to provoke into showing any emotion. Xiao Changying disliked people who could disguise themselves so well: “Twelfth Brother, let me give you your first piece of guidance.”
Xiao Changgeng: “Please speak, Brother.”
“Stay away from her. You’re lucky she didn’t take issue with you this time. Next time, even if she doesn’t care, I’ll skin you alive and let everyone see what kind of ugly creature you are.” After delivering this cold warning, Xiao Changying strode away.
“Brother, I respectfully bid you farewell.” Xiao Changgeng maintained perfect courtesy, and even after Xiao Changying’s figure disappeared, he didn’t show a trace of resentment.
How could anything happening at the palace gates escape Xiao Huayong’s ears? Just when Tianyuan was preparing to face the Crown Prince’s thunderous anger, he heard amusement in Xiao Huayong’s voice: “She truly refused the ‘Perfume Record’ offered by the Twelfth Prince?”
Tianyuan: ??
What about the main point? Wasn’t the main point that the Twelfth Prince had found an excuse to get close to the Princess?
Wasn’t the main point that the Ninth Prince was consumed with jealousy and warned the Twelfth Prince?
“Yes.” Tianyuan nodded quickly in confusion, his instinct making him add, “The Princess didn’t even spare it a second glance.”
The Crown Prince, who had just been angry enough to turn pale, suddenly seemed appeased, his smile gaining a hint of sweetness: “In her heart, I truly am the only one.”
Tianyuan: …
“She has never refused anything I’ve given her.” Xiao Huayong was in high spirits.
Tianyuan: …
Opening and closing his mouth, Tianyuan kept his thoughts to himself: The Princess probably accepts your gifts, Your Highness, because you are her target. As for not accepting gifts from others, it has nothing to do with feelings – it’s likely because the Princess has upright principles.