Once again, Shen Xihe’s reputation shocked the noble officials of the capital into numbness. She had forcefully entered Duke Xie’s mansion with guards, yet emerged unscathed while Duke Xie was stripped of his position and authority. Though the matter couldn’t be kept secret and everyone had investigated it thoroughly, they found Shen Xihe rather mysterious.

Looking back since her arrival in the capital, anyone who had crossed her had met with misfortune, whether they were from prestigious families or noble relatives. Hadn’t they seen how Princess Changling, who had whipped her horse once, mysteriously jumped into a deep pool to feed a giant snake?

Before offending Shen Xihe, Princess Changling had often been overbearing, but when had she met with such misfortune? She was heaven’s favored daughter, yet upon encountering Princess Zhaoning, she met such an end. They couldn’t believe Princess Changling’s death had nothing to do with Princess Zhaoning!

Before, they had to respect and accommodate Princess Zhaoning; now, they had to fear and avoid her!

Shen Xihe never paid attention to how others speculated about her. She took advantage of Censor Tao’s day off to visit the Tao residence, spending a pleasant day with Censor Tao and her aunt and uncle.

She wanted to go to the Eastern Palace to find Xiao Huayong and see the Xun Prince, but to avoid suspicion, Shen Xihe restrained herself. She planned to wait two more days before seeking out Xiao Huayong, but that night, just as she had finished bathing and was preparing to rest, Zhenzhu came in saying: “Princess, someone outside seeks an audience, saying you’ll understand when you see this item.”

Shen Xihe tied on a cloak and opened the box that was brought to her. It contained a sachet that repelled snakes and insects. She had a good memory – she had given these sachets to many people, but this particular one she had given to Xiao Huayong. After receiving these two sachets, he inexplicably becomes upset with her the next day.

After brief contemplation, Shen Xihe put on a simple silver Pingzhong leaf hairpin to arrange her black hair into a simple bun, then left the residence with Zhenzhu and Mo Yu. A carriage waited at the back gate.

The person holding the horse reins was a straight-backed, expressionless young man who stared straight ahead. As soon as she approached, he bowed respectfully. The carriage curtain was lifted, and a long, broad hand extended out.

Shen Xihe didn’t stand on ceremony and placed her hand in his, letting Xiao Huayong help her into the carriage. Zhenzhu followed while Mo Yu sat outside.

“You’re not afraid someone might use this to lure you,” Xiao Huayong was pleased by her trust in coming just upon seeing the sachet, yet couldn’t help but worry.

“Is Your Highness questioning my intelligence or your capability?” Shen Xihe asked calmly.

Items she had given to Xiao Huayong, even if not precious enough to be treasured, should either be destroyed or well-guarded. If they fell into others’ hands, it would show Xiao Huayong’s incompetence.

If she couldn’t distinguish truth from falsehood and could be tricked by just a sachet, then her intelligence would be lacking.

Though he was merely worried out of care, she showed no sentiment at all, yet Xiao Huayong particularly liked her straightforward way of speaking. He chuckled: “Youyou need not worry, things you give me will never fall into others’ hands.”

As he spoke, his gaze upon her grew softer and brighter.

Unlike usual, Shen Xihe wore no makeup. She hadn’t applied powder or rouge. Perhaps because she was almost finished taking the bone-melting pills, her white porcelain-like face had skin like congealed cream, her cheeks tinged with hints of cherry blossom pink, her lips soft and rosy.

Her long hair was simply secured with a silver hairpin, and the butterfly-wing-like Pingzhong leaf was plain and unadorned, making her appear elegant and serene, like a udumbara flower that blooms only at night, beautiful purely and extraordinarily.

The silver cloak trimmed with silver fox fur wrapped around her, and the fine, smooth, glossy fur framing her small face added a touch of charm. If she didn’t speak, she looked exactly like an obedient, enchanting cat that one couldn’t help wanting to pet.

Shen Xihe pretended not to notice Xiao Huayong’s bright and tender gaze: “Has Your Highness imprisoned the Xun Prince outside the palace?”

“How could I bring a living person into the Eastern Palace?” Xiao Huayong still hadn’t withdrawn his gaze, continuing to look at his beloved from head to toe. “Moreover, if he were in the Eastern Palace and escaped again, wouldn’t he be able to escape to His Majesty’s hands?”

If there were any other way, the Xun Prince wouldn’t easily seek out His Majesty, but if forced into a corner, like now, the Xun Prince would seek His Majesty. Although the chance of survival would be small, there would still be a slight possibility.

“I thought Your Highness could come and go freely in the palace. Not just one person, but even ten people – if Your Highness wished it, it wouldn’t be difficult,” Shen Xihe said lightly.

Xiao Huayong raised his eyebrows: “So in Youyou’s heart, I am this powerful~”

He drew out the last syllable extremely long, with three turns in his voice. Combined with his unique clear and rich voice, it was somehow seductive and alluring.

Zhenzhu felt uncomfortable hearing it and wanted to rub her arms, but couldn’t break protocol.

Shen Xihe didn’t feel uncomfortable, but she didn’t like this tone, feeling it had an indescribable frivolousness.

Though they both held back their reactions, the carriage jolted slightly. The driver wasn’t just anyone, but Tianruan’s twin brother Difang. Before handing over the Crown Prince to him, Tianruan had specifically warned: “Don’t blame your brother for not warning you, His Highness will bring the Princess along, and His Highness in front of the Princess is… well… somewhat different from usual. If you hear or see anything, pretend you’re deaf and blind, don’t take it to heart.”

He had been skeptical then, thinking he had seen all of His Highness’s sides, having followed him since childhood!

Surely Tianruan was just jealous that His Highness had called him back and was trying to drive a wedge between him and His Highness.

But when he unexpectedly heard His Highness’s voice just now, he was momentarily stunned, and the raised whip nearly fell to the ground, lightly brushing the horse’s rump, making the horse uncomfortable and twisting slightly, almost causing the carriage to jolt.

His brother had said His Highness would be different around the Princess, but he hadn’t said it would be this kind of different!

Surely his brother was jealous that he was more favored by His Highness, and deliberately spoke unclearly, just to make him make mistakes in front of His Highness!

The carriage jolted slightly, but Difang’s quick reflexes saved it, restoring stability.

He thought to himself that since his reaction was so quick, surely His Highness hadn’t noticed.

Little did he know that when the carriage jolted slightly, Xiao Huayong’s eyes lit up, and he reached out his hand, ready to catch Shen Xihe and hold the beauty in his arms, but the carriage only shook once!

Just once!

Shen Xihe hadn’t even tilted, her body just leaned slightly for an instant, and he had to silently withdraw his outstretched hand, his radiant smile dimming somewhat!

Shen Xihe seemed to notice Xiao Huayong’s attempt to support her, and seeing him somewhat embarrassed, kindly and seriously said: “Thank you, Your Highness.”

Xiao Huayong: …

Having already naturally withdrawn his hand, Xiao Huayong felt even more unable to save face when she so mercilessly exposed his thoughts, thinking she had guessed his ulterior motives.