When Shen Xihe returned after being away for seven or eight days, she hadn’t interrupted her medicinal baths and bone-melting pills. At the hunting grounds, Xie Yunhuai had been too preoccupied to attend to her, so on the second day after her return, he visited early in the morning to personally check her pulse.

He naturally noticed Zhenzhu standing closest to Shen Xihe, and lowered his eyes to conceal the melancholy within them: “The Princess’s condition has improved excellently. It seems there won’t be any more accidents. I heard the Princess even experienced a horse getting startled, yet emerged unharmed – there’s hope for the Princess to become as healthy as a normal person.”

Shen Xihe: “When the horse was startled, my breathing became labored and I felt a sharp pain in my chest.”

“When suddenly startled by a horse, it’s natural for the Princess to be alarmed. Since your body hasn’t fully recovered to normal levels, some sharp pains are ordinary occurrences. The Princess need not worry,” Xie Yunhuai consoled her, “It’s fortunate that the Princess’s condition hasn’t worsened.”

“My recovery and healing are all thanks to you,” Shen Xihe expressed genuine gratitude, “I owe Doctor Qi a great debt. You must give me a chance to repay you in the future.”

“Princess, you said we are kindred spirits. Between close friends, helping each other is natural. If we seek repayment, it would taint this friendship,” Xie Yunhuai smiled.

Shen Xihe turned to take the manuscript from Zhenzhu’s hands and presented it to Xie Yunhuai: “Doctor Qi, this is my sincere gesture. Between kindred spirits, you mustn’t refuse.”

Xie Yunhuai accepted and opened it, treating it like a treasure. He turned the pages carefully, handling them with great care. After reading several pages, joy spread across his face: “A gift from a close friend must be cherished and valued.”

Shen Xihe smiled too and invited Xie Yunhuai to stay for breakfast. He had arrived early and hadn’t eaten, so he didn’t decline.

However, after the meal, Xie Yunhuai said: “As the Princess’s health gradually improves, and you know the method for medicinal baths, with Zhenzhu and Ah Xi by your side, even if something unexpected happens, you won’t need my help. I won’t come anymore in the future. If the Princess has any instructions, just send someone to find me.”

Shen Xihe asked: “Is Doctor Qi not leaving the capital?”

“No, I’m not,” Xie Yunhuai answered firmly.

“Doctor Qi, regarding me… how do you view me?” Shen Xihe suddenly asked.

Xie Yunhuai was slightly startled, then became serious: “Princess, I once had feelings for you.”

Shen Xihe’s fine eyebrows furrowed.

She was someone who didn’t quite understand romantic feelings between men and women. Her interaction with Xie Yunhuai had been frank and open – she admired him, but it had nothing to do with romance. However, she wasn’t certain if Xie Yunhuai felt the same way, which was why she wanted to clarify. If Xie Yunhuai was like her, she wouldn’t care about societal views and would continue their straightforward friendship like brothers.

But Xie Yunhuai said he had once had feelings for her.

Not missing the gravity in Shen Xihe’s eyes, Xie Yunhuai continued: “I did have feelings, but only for a moment. However, the Princess and I are very similar people.”

“Similar?” Shen Xihe was puzzled.

“We both live too clear-headedly and won’t knowingly pursue the impossible,” Xie Yunhuai’s gaze was calm, his smile open, “The Princess and I are people who have neither destiny nor fate together. Since that’s the case, I won’t allow myself to fall deeper.

Now, my feelings for the Princess are purely those of a friend, a kindred spirit.”

Shen Xihe scrutinized Xie Yunhuai, looking deep into his eyes. He neither avoided nor shifted his gaze, remaining completely open and honest.

She believed every word he said and smiled gently: “Why not view me as a sister?”

Xie Yunhuai shook his head: “When a strange man views a woman as a sister, deep in his heart, he considers that woman weak, unable to stand as his equal, needing his protection – that’s why he claims to view her as a sister. It has nothing to do with age.

In my eyes, the Princess isn’t someone who needs my protection. The Princess’s intelligence and talents command my admiration. The Princess is someone who can stand shoulder to shoulder with men. Being able to become friends with the Princess is my fortune.”

Xie Yunhuai was telling her that he held her in high regard, sincerely wanting to be her friend in life and death, unrelated to romantic feelings.

“In that case, let’s not trouble another doctor. Regarding my condition, I’ll continue to trouble Doctor Qi in the future,” Shen Xihe said with a smile.

Xie Yunhuai smiled and cupped his hands in greeting: “Since the Princess has entrusted me, I will certainly do my utmost until you’re fully recovered.”

After speaking, they shared an open, bright smile.

They didn’t change how they addressed each other – the form of address wasn’t important, as closeness isn’t determined by titles.

After resting for a day at the Princess Manor, Bu Shulin delivered the live bees and collected wild honey to Shen Xihe. Shen Xihe had Ah Xi select some, then took Ah Xi and Zhenzhu with her to enter the palace.

As soon as Shen Xihe entered the palace, Xiao Huayong knew. While she went to pay respects to the Empress Dowager, he stood under the Pingzhong tree, hands clasped behind his back, gazing at the autumn scenery for a long time without speaking.

He knew Xie Yunhuai had visited Shen Xihe yesterday, and when leaving appeared radiant, clearly indicating they had enjoyed their conversation.

He hadn’t had people monitor Shen Xihe but rather had someone following Xie Yunhuai.

He knew Shen Xihe had no romantic feelings for him, nor for Xie Yunhuai, but he had to admit that Shen Xihe considered Xie Yunhuai a friend, while perhaps because he had been chosen as her husband early on, she wasn’t as close to him as she was to Xie Yunhuai.

Shen Xihe treated him as a partner in cooperation, and even now probably only felt gratitude toward him. After they married, in Shen Xihe’s eyes, he might just be her responsibility – the duty a wife should fulfill toward her husband.

He knew all this, but still couldn’t control the pain in his heart. He wanted her to treat him differently, to treat him as unique.

“Ah—” Sighing deeply with melancholy, Xiao Huayong knew this would be an extremely long journey.

He could take a step back, not aspiring to be irreplaceable in her heart, becoming close friends like Xie Yunhuai, having saved her life. They would quickly become close, though this closeness would have nothing to do with romantic feelings.

But Shen Xihe was someone who, once she positioned someone in her mind, would never change that positioning.

“Never mind, never mind. I ask for the most, so naturally, I must give more. Can’t be too hasty, can’t be too hasty…” Xiao Huayong repeatedly consoled himself.

“Your Highness, the Princess has arrived.”

As soon as Tian Yuan finished speaking, Xiao Huayong immediately and involuntarily revealed a tender smile.

His expression changed in an instant, leaving Tian Yuan in amazement.

No longer needing to pretend to be seriously ill, Xiao Huayong hurried to personally welcome Shen Xihe: “I’ve prepared Dragon Phoenix cakes and Pingzhong leaf tea for you.”

“Pingzhong leaf tea?” Shen Xihe was surprised, “Pingzhong leaves can be made into tea?”

“I know you like Pingzhong leaves but don’t like regular tea, while I love drinking tea. I wanted us to have a tea we both love, so I tried making tea with Pingzhong leaves, and it succeeded. This tea is glossy green, fragrant, refreshing to drink, with a sweet aftertaste,” Xiao Huayong’s eyes were full of tenderness.

Since Shen Xihe appeared, it seemed his eyes could only contain her, his gaze never leaving her: “I had the Imperial physicians verify it’s safe to drink, and personally tested it for half a month. I found it cleared my mind, improved my vision, and made my body feel comfortable.”

Shen Xihe didn’t know how to respond when she heard this – he had tested it on himself!