She never imagined that one day she would meet someone like this, someone with whom she no longer needed to pretend, somewhere she could lower her defenses and speak a few honest words.

This time Shen Xihe didn’t dodge, allowing Bu Shulin to hug her. Though Shen Xihe allowed it, Duanming didn’t approve – with a meow, it leaped toward Bu Shulin. Bu Shulin didn’t dare attack Duanming and could only dodge.

As Bu Shulin steadied herself after dodging, she saw Duanming being caught by Shen Xihe, now perched on her shoulder and baring its teeth at Bu Shulin.

“No wonder it has such an unlucky name as ‘Duanming’ (Short Life),” Bu Shulin grumbled unhappily.

“Meow—” Duanming made to charge at Bu Shulin for a fight, but Shen Xihe stroked its head, and immediately its paws went soft, becoming as docile as a sleeping infant on Shen Xihe’s shoulder.

“Youyou, this must be a male cat!” So lecherous!

“Duanming is female,” Shen Xihe glanced at Bu Shulin, carrying Duanming as she walked toward the stone platform by the lake. “How are things with the silver shop?”

During this period, Bu Shulin had been watching the silver shop. Her reputation for neglecting official duties was already well established, so no one paid attention to her activities.

“Speaking of that, I feel there’s something unusual about that silver shop. On my very first day there, they seemed to notice something. The shop owner even came to test me personally,” Bu Shulin said seriously. “After that, there was no more activity from their shop.”

“Which silver shop?” Shen Xihe asked.

Bu Shulin raised her eyebrows and grinned: “I knew Youyou cared about me…” Meeting Shen Xihe’s impatient gaze, Bu Shulin immediately answered properly, “Doujin Silver Shop.”

“You can leave now.” Shen Xihe directly dismissed her guest.

Bu Shulin: …

“Hmm?” Shen Xihe gave her a questioning look about her reluctance to leave.

“I’m going, I’m leaving right now.” Bu Shulin left with a pout, looking back every few steps.

“County Princess, His Majesty might grant the marriage,” Zhenzhu felt they needed to act quickly against Princess Yangling.

“What do you think His Majesty makes of Princess Yangling’s marriage request?” Shen Xihe placed Duanming on the stone table, gently stroking its fine fur.

The scandal about Bu Shulin’s preference for men had caused quite a stir, and Cui Jinbai had never denied it, seemingly confirming their relationship. Since Cui Jinbai was favored by His Majesty, the Emperor must have asked him about it. The fact that His Majesty hadn’t forced the Third Princess into marriage must mean Cui Jinbai’s answer had convinced him of the truth.

Under these circumstances, with Princess Yangling requesting to marry Bu Shulin at this crucial moment, anyone would naturally assume she was trying to avoid the marriage alliance.

“If His Majesty doesn’t grant the marriage now, it suggests he’s very likely to send Princess Yangling for the alliance marriage.” Shen Xihe wondered why Emperor Youning hadn’t immediately granted Princess Yangling’s wish, given that it was her own choice.

“We’ll visit the Eastern Palace tomorrow.” Unable to figure it out, she decided to ask someone who understood His Majesty.

It happened to be time for Xiao Huayong’s acupuncture treatment. After the treatment, Shen Xihe asked directly: “What are His Majesty’s thoughts on the marriage alliance?”

“Why is Youyou suddenly interested in the marriage alliance?” This didn’t concern Shen Xihe, and though this matter had been ongoing for several days, she hadn’t shown any interest before. “Is it related to Yangling?”

Since Shen Xihe didn’t want him involved in Yangling’s matters, he hadn’t investigated or pondered it.

“I just find this matter somewhat strange,” It wasn’t entirely because of Princess Yangling, Shen Xihe said. “There are still two months until spring, yet news of the marriage alliance has already spread. Isn’t His Majesty worried this will disturb the court officials?”

“His Majesty won’t agree to a marriage alliance,” Xiao Huayong said quietly.

“No marriage alliance?” Shen Xihe was somewhat surprised.

“No marriage alliance,” Xiao Huayong said with certainty, admiration in his eyes. “When I become emperor one day, I too will refuse marriage alliances. No accepting tribute, no backing down, no ceding territory, no marriage alliances!”

Shen Xihe was shocked. The current dynasty had many marriage alliances, even in the early years of His Majesty’s reign there had been princess marriages. She had never imagined Emperor Youning held such views.

“So, His Majesty released this news hoping some court official would step forward to propose rejecting the marriage alliance?” Shen Xihe understood Emperor Youning’s intentions.

Many people saw marriage alliances as natural and felt little about them, even if it meant sending their daughters.

Perhaps like her, the court officials couldn’t imagine His Majesty was unwilling to arrange marriage alliances.

“I’m afraid no one will dare speak up,” Shen Xihe sighed softly.

On this point, Shen Xihe admired Emperor Youning, but the court officials believed that since Tibet had come from afar seeking marriage and was subordinate to their dynasty, marrying off one daughter could prevent a war. They would never let one woman cause suffering from war for people on both sides – this wasn’t considering the bigger picture. Anyone who suggested it would surely face collective anger.

“It’s because they’ve forgotten what it means to have pride and dignity!” Xiao Huayong sneered. “They speak endlessly of peaceful coexistence, saying private interests shouldn’t cause people to become homeless refugees, yet they exploit the common people in the provinces and manipulate power in the capital, leaving the weak unable to voice their suffering.

It’s just that their interests haven’t been affected. Once their interests are threatened, they show a completely different face.”

After a moment of silence, Shen Xihe said: “We can’t blame them. Without national strength, even a monarch wouldn’t dare make such decisions lightly. Not everyone needs to maintain integrity and dignity; perhaps just living, living comfortably, is what they seek.”

If war breaks out, victory would make one an immortal ruler, but defeat would bring eternal shame.

“I always thought His Majesty valued reputation above all else…” Shen Xihe suddenly felt she might not understand Emperor Youning well enough.

“I just said, it’s only because their interests weren’t affected,” Xiao Huayong admired Emperor Youning’s resolution but also knew why he acted this way. “Do you know about Princess Runan’s marriage alliance nineteen years ago?”

“Princess Runan passed away six years ago.” Princess Runan was the only princess sent for a marriage alliance since His Majesty’s ascension. It was precisely because she died without sons to inherit the throne that Tibet, having now settled its internal conflicts, was again considering a marriage alliance.

“Princess Runan was Empress Duansu’s cousin and His Majesty’s true love,” Xiao Huayong revealed this shocking secret in a calm tone.

Shen Xihe was astounded.

“Back then, His Majesty wanted to marry her, not my mother. Due to circumstances, he had to marry my mother instead, causing him to miss his chance with Princess Runan. Later, when His Majesty ascended the throne, he thought he could finally fulfill his wish,” Xiao Huayong gave a soft laugh. “But he overestimated imperial power and underestimated those who had supported his ascension.”

Back then, it caused an enormous uproar, and His Majesty nearly lost his newly acquired throne. Later, it was Princess Runan who voluntarily stepped forward, willing to accept the marriage alliance, which preserved His Majesty’s position.