Upon leaving Princess Yanling’s palace, it was still early. On her way back to the Eastern Palace, Shen Xihe encountered Third Princess Anling and Fifth Princess Pingling. Princess Anling’s eyes were visibly red and swollen, with Princess Pingling consoled her.

They exchanged formal greetings without engaging in conversation. After Princess Changling’s incident, all the princesses were wary of her. Though they still symbolically sent her invitations to their banquets, they didn’t expect her to attend.

Except for Xue Jinqiao, every noble lady in the capital avoided her.

Returning to the Eastern Palace, Shen Xihe admired the surroundings. The Eastern Palace was planted with many flowers and plants – Xiao Huayong was a man of refined tastes, and he had maintained the palace with rare and exotic flora that were particularly pleasing to the eye. Shen Xihe greatly enjoyed this.

She too loved growing flowers and plants. Due to her hasty arrival in the capital, even with money, the Princess’s mansion couldn’t gather many precious specimens quickly. Considering she would be married within a year or two, she had settled for simple decorations.

“In summer, this courtyard is filled with blooming flowers and dancing butterflies – quite a sight.” Xiao Huayong had appeared behind Shen Xihe at some point.

Shen Xihe turned around and couldn’t help but notice the black spots still surrounding his eyes. Even having seen it before, she still found Xiao Huayong’s appearance rather festive: “Has Your Highness noticed any improvement in your eye condition?”

“Since losing my ability to distinguish colors, my eyelids would often twitch, but after the last bee sting treatment, it has improved somewhat,” Xiao Huayong answered honestly.

Seeing that it was effective, Shen Xihe felt relieved: “Given time, it will surely be cured.”

“You’re too kind to worry about me,” Xiao Huayong said with a gentle smile.

Shen Xihe: “Regarding the strange poison in Your Highness’s body, have you found any clues?”

At the mention of this, Xiao Huayong’s gaze grew solemn as he looked at Shen Xihe without speaking.

Shen Xihe didn’t press him, assuming he was weighing whether to tell her about such a crucial matter. She hadn’t asked to test him – it was just a casual question. Whether Xiao Huayong answered or not, she wouldn’t take it to heart.

Xiao Huayong was thinking about his short life expectancy, unsure how to respond. After a moment of silence, he finally said: “I have a folk medicine master by my side – you may have heard of him, Master Linghu Zheng. He has been caring for my health these years. The master has traveled far and wide seeking the source of the poison in my body, but still hasn’t found it.”

Shen Xihe had certainly heard of Linghu Zheng – Shen Yueshan and Shen Yun’an had also sought out famous doctors for her, but White Elder was in hiding, and Linghu Zheng had said he had a patient – now she knew it was Xiao Huayong.

All great masters have their rules. Linghu Zheng’s rule was that with one uncured patient requiring significant effort, he would not accept a second such patient. He would only treat those with easily curable conditions. This was to maintain the Linghu family’s reputation and to be responsible to his patients.

Even though Shen Yueshan was desperate to save his daughter, he couldn’t force someone to break their principles.

“Axi is skilled with poisons and will do his utmost to treat Your Highness,” Shen Xihe, not good at comforting others, could only speak with complete sincerity.

Xiao Huayong suddenly looked up, his eyes bright as the blazing sun: “Youyou would have Axi treat my poison?”

Shen Xihe didn’t understand why he was so excited but nodded slightly.

She had indeed chosen Xiao Huayong because he would die young and was the legitimate heir. Even if someone else could die young, Shen Xihe wouldn’t have chosen them, because only a legitimate grandson would have the status to compete with his uncles according to propriety and gain the support of officials, especially the noble families.

Compared to an adult prince who was hard to control and had complex power networks behind him, a lonely legitimate young prince’s grandson would naturally be more appealing to them.

But now she owed Xiao Huayong a life debt, and she wanted to repay this kindness by doing her utmost to cure his poison. If she couldn’t cure it, she wouldn’t have violated her principles as a human; if she could cure it, she wouldn’t regret it either. At least she would have settled her debt with Xiao Huayong. As for the future, they would each use their abilities – if they could grow old together, that would be best.

Even if they eventually turned their blades on each other, it wouldn’t matter – whoever ruled would depend on who emerged victorious in the end.

But Xiao Huayong didn’t care what Shen Xihe was thinking. He only knew that at this moment, Shen Xihe was still willing to marry him despite knowing his short life expectancy. This realization was like a fire ignited in his heart, spreading and making his whole being burn with warmth.

“Don’t worry, Youyou, I will do everything to cure the poison.” Within his wide sleeves, Xiao Huayong clenched his fists, suppressing the waves in his heart.

Shen Xihe was puzzled by Xiao Huayong’s inexplicable excitement. Previously, she had thought him deep and calculating, but since he had revealed his feelings for her, Xiao Huayong often behaved like a child.

This made Shen Xihe somewhat uncomfortable. With her steady nature, she disliked associating with slow or overly cheerful people. It wasn’t contempt – she just found interactions with such people particularly exhausting.

Gradually, she noticed that Xiao Huayong seemed to be trending toward childishness.

Shen Xihe didn’t show it, but Xiao Huayong was exceptionally perceptive and noticed her expression wasn’t as relaxed as before. After careful reflection – had he been too carried away?

Clearing his throat, Xiao Huayong resumed his elegant, noble demeanor: “Did Youyou just visit Sufang Palace?”

“Yes.” Her visit to Sufang Palace was open and couldn’t be hidden from those in the palace – it was normal for Xiao Huayong to know.

“Did Yanling show you disrespect somewhere?” Xiao Huayong understood Shen Xihe very well.

She didn’t like socializing with noble ladies or royal princesses, preferring solitude. Without reason, she wouldn’t actively seek out any lady, even royal princesses.

Shen Xihe had no prior relationship with the princesses – a sudden visit couldn’t be just to express thanks, especially since the Imperial Physician was called to Sufang Palace shortly after her arrival.

Thinking of his handling of Changling, Shen Xihe said quietly: “I had some doubts and sought the Princess for answers.”

Seeing his clear attitude of non-interference, Xiao Huayong didn’t pursue it: “Let me show Youyou around elsewhere.”

Shen Xihe was very satisfied with this aspect of Xiao Huayong – he was clever and perceptive, able to understand others’ thoughts at a glance, and showed trust and respect.

She believed that since Xiao Huayong didn’t probe further, he wouldn’t interfere with her affairs behind her back.

This showed respect for her privacy and trust in her abilities.

Shen Xihe didn’t like how people in the Northwest had tried to please her in previous years, acting as if she had no hands, feet, or brain, wanting to do everything for her.

Shen Xihe didn’t stay long in the Eastern Palace. The day after the Crown Prince’s coming-of-age ceremony had many matters to attend to. Though everything was simplified due to his illness flaring up yesterday, even simplified, there were still many ceremonies requiring his presence.

“Princess, this servant has found out that Tibet will send a marriage proposal after the new year,” Zhenzhu said softly after boarding the carriage.

Having encountered two princesses in unusual moods, Zhenzhu needed to investigate the reason to prevent any impact on the Princess.