The Youning Emperor understood – his son was depressed because he envied how his other brothers could frequently spend time together.

As Crown Prince, he had a status distinction from his other brothers, and his weak health made it difficult to play with them. He had also spent time recuperating at a Taoist temple since childhood…

Thinking of this, the Youning Emperor thought of how Xiao Changgeng was also physically weak. Just now he didn’t want Xiao Changgeng to move out of the palace – Prince Dai had just lost his mother, and if Xiao Changgeng was granted his residence at this time, these two brothers might become bitter enemies.

The Youning Emperor had been worried about this matter, and now the Crown Prince had helped solve his concerns.

The next day, the Youning Emperor issued an edict for the Twelfth Prince Xiao Changgeng to move to the Eastern Palace to keep the Crown Prince company.

Shen Xihe was stunned when she heard the news: “You’re saying His Majesty ordered the Twelfth Prince to temporarily stay at the Eastern Palace to keep the Crown Prince company?”

This was the first time Mo Yuan had heard such an incredulous tone from Shen Xihe: “Yes, the palace has issued the edict.”

Shen Xihe stared unblinkingly at the nearby bonsai, finding it more puzzling the more she pondered: “Could it be that this Twelfth Prince has something that makes him wary?”

The Eastern Palace was a special place, a symbol of status, especially for princes.

Though Xiao Huayong’s position as Crown Prince was essentially nominal, even if another prince was sent to temporarily reside in the Eastern Palace, it wouldn’t cause various court factions to stir – after all, they had all tacitly accepted that Xiao Huayong would die from illness in a few years.

But this violated protocol, not only slapping Xiao Huayong’s face but also impossible to pass the censors’ scrutiny.

The fact that everything remained calm now could only be due to Xiao Huayong’s wishes.

She really couldn’t understand – aside from wariness, why would Xiao Huayong bring Xiao Changgeng to the Eastern Palace?

It couldn’t be to help ease the Emperor’s concerns and show consideration for a younger brother. Or because he was lonely in the deep palace and needed companionship?

“Youyou, I’m here—”

Bu Shulin’s arrival interrupted Shen Xihe’s thoughts. Since resolving the military funds matter, her steps had become light and breezy. When not teasing Cui Jinbai at the Court of Justice, she would come to Shen Xihe’s Princess Manor to chatter away alone.

“Today the weather is clear and the sun isn’t too strong, perfect for horseback riding. Let’s go riding.”

Shen Xihe looked at the bundle in her hands as she approached: “What’s this?”

“Riding clothes I prepared.” Bu Shulin pulled out the Hu-style clothes – turned-down collar, front overlapping, narrow sleeves. One was moon-white with apricot patterns, clearly women’s clothing.

The other was apricot-colored with moon-white patterns, both in the same style.

“You want to wear these clothes to go horseback riding with me?” Shen Xihe asked.

Bu Shulin looked at both robes: “Is there something wrong?”

Shen Xihe’s gaze fell on her face – the thick, fine heroic eyebrows, skin much darker than her own – and realized she was overthinking. She had worried that wearing such Hu-style clothing with herself at Bu Shulin’s side might make others suspect Bu Shulin was female.

“Alright.” Shen Xihe also wanted to test how much her body had recovered.

These past two days she could already jog, so horseback riding should be fine as long as they didn’t gallop.

She changed into the moon-white riding outfit Bu Shulin had brought, which was shorter. Bu Shulin also changed.

Though Shen Xihe wore no makeup, her skin was snow-white, her eyes bright like white porcelain, her eyebrows fine and long extending to her temples – one glance showed she was an incomparable beauty.

When Bu Shulin stood there, she exuded the air of a rich young noble.

The two rode horses slowly down the main street. This was Shen Xihe’s first time riding through the streets. Looking at the common people and merchants on both sides, the people coming and going in the shops, she couldn’t help but smile – these noisy sounds made her feel vibrant and moved.

“Isn’t that the Crown Prince of Shunan? Changed companions again?”

“What a sin, who knows which young lady will be ruined by this philanderer this time!”

“I heard Miss Zhu was on a hunger strike for her the other day!”

“This lady’s male dress can’t hide her exceptional beauty, such a graceful figure, no wonder the Crown Prince of Shunan abandoned Miss Zhu…”

Hearing these discussions, Shen Xihe gave Bu Shulin a meaningful glance. Bu Shulin returned an embarrassed smile.

The two left the city gate, and Bu Shulin took her to her usual strolling spot. The grassland here was wide, perfect for a novice rider like Shen Xihe.

While they were riding, walking, and chatting in the suburbs, Xiao Changgeng arrived at the Eastern Palace with his rather shabby bundle, first going to pay respects to Xiao Huayong.

“Twelfth Brother pays respects to the Crown Prince.” Xiao Changgeng performed the proper ceremonial bow between the subject and the ruler.

As Crown Prince, Xiao Huayong was different from others – while others could exchange brotherly greetings, the Crown Prince was also sovereign.

“Twelfth Brother need not be so formal.” Xiao Huayong’s clear, deep voice rang out.

Xiao Changgeng slowly rose. It had been long since he’d heard Xiao Huayong speak. At first, he stood to the side, waiting about fifteen minutes without hearing anything else from Xiao Huayong. When he finally raised his head to speak, he met Xiao Huayong’s deep eyes gleaming with silver light.

Just that one look made Xiao Changgeng feel as if he were naked.

He quickly lowered his eyes: “If the Crown Prince has no instructions, Twelfth Brother requests to withdraw and arrange his belongings.”

Xiao Huayong’s gaze lightly swept over him and Dai Yi: “Throw away the old things. Now that you’re in the Eastern Palace, you won’t lack for necessities.”

Xiao Changgeng tightened his grip, very obediently responding: “Yes.”

His reaction made Xiao Huayong raise an eyebrow: “I am quite fond of obedient people. Won’t Twelfth Brother ask me why I’m sheltering you in the Eastern Palace?”

The word “sheltering” was particularly cutting, constantly reminding Xiao Changgeng that he was like rootless duckweed, without any territory of his own. He laughed softly, raising his head to look directly at Xiao Huayong, this elegant and noble Crown Prince brother.

He had torn off his disguise before him, and facing him gave a suffocating sense of pressure: “Can the Crown Prince shelter Twelfth Brother forever?”

“You want to stay in the Eastern Palace forever?” Xiao Huayong carelessly looked Xiao Changgeng up and down.

“Twelfth Brother feels that except for Sixth Brother, no brother wouldn’t want to stay in the Eastern Palace.” Xiao Changgeng allowed Xiao Huayong’s scrutiny. “But you, Crown Prince, cannot keep Twelfth Brother in the Eastern Palace long-term. Twelfth Brother is just a guest here.”

“So, you don’t care why I let you temporarily stay in the Eastern Palace.” Xiao Huayong understood Xiao Changgeng’s meaning. “You’re not afraid of what I might do to you.”

“Twelfth Brother has no attachments, no desires, naturally I’m not afraid.” Xiao Changgeng answered firmly.

“Oh?” Xiao Huayong gave a soft laugh, but his smile instantly vanished, turning cold enough to freeze one’s courage. “Not afraid of death?”

Xiao Changgeng’s heart tightened, though his face showed nothing: “Crown Prince, do you think a murder weapon can avoid being stained with blood?”

“A murder weapon must be stained with blood, but if it’s another’s blade, whether it’s stained or not, whose blood stains it, what does that matter to me?” Xiao Huayong’s tone was gentle, with an indescribable composure.