Vast was the universe, distant were the mountains and rivers – his entranced gaze seemed to pierce through mountains and seas to fall upon Shen Xihe.

Never before had his heart felt so full, so burning hot – he wished he could sprout wings and fly directly to her side.

He didn’t even notice when A’Xi departed. Like a wandering spirit, he drifted to the window, his gaze passing over the glazed tile eaves to the boundless sky beyond, his thoughts drifting far, far away.

He had thought she had only two purposes for her journey: congratulating his elder brother on his marriage, and providing protection to Bu Shulin. What he hadn’t known was that she had also traveled thousands of miles for him, keeping vigil through cold nights, all for that fleeting moment of the jade flower’s bloom.

“Fool…” His whispered word was gentle and lingering, unclear whether he meant himself or her. The smile he could no longer suppress spread across his lips, the joy in his eyes spilling out like flowing light, reflecting off his handsome, refined face. Like a spring breeze passing over blooming flowers, anyone who saw him couldn’t help but be infected by his joy.

“Tian Yuan, I want to go to Liyang County,” Xiao Huayong said, unable to contain his delight.

Tian Yuan opened his mouth to speak, but upon meeting Xiao Huayong’s intense gaze, he couldn’t bear to dim such bright eyes: “This servant will guard the Eastern Palace well.”

Still smiling, Xiao Huayong patted his shoulder, backed up a few joyful steps, and then ran swiftly to Chongwen Hall. When he arrived, his face was pale and his breathing uneven, frightening several ministers who saw him.

“Your Highness, shall we summon the imperial physician?” Cui Zheng asked with concern.

Before the Crown Prince came of age, they had rarely interacted with him and knew little about him. But after his coming of age ceremony, he came to Chongwen Hall every day despite his weak constitution. He never neglected any matters requiring his attention, was warm and courteous, had his insights, and humbly accepted when others pointed out his shortcomings.

In just half a month, they could sense the Crown Prince’s honest and modest nature – a gentleman like Jade, whose virtue could serve as an example.

Whenever they met the Crown Prince, they couldn’t help but soften their tone. Such a proper person of jade-like quality gave them the feeling that any clamor or argument in his presence would be sacrilege.

Seeing his pale complexion, yet still with clear, gentle features that seemed to embody all the world’s gentleness, one could forget all worldly concerns upon seeing him.

“It’s nothing. Since early this morning, I’ve just been a bit short of breath,” Xiao Huayong said weakly, waving his hand dismissively as he pulled his cape closer around his shoulders and walked to his place. “Let’s proceed with business.”

Cui Zheng was still worried and exchanged glances with the other ministers. They quickly selected only the most crucial points from various matters to report. Even those who usually disagreed on policies couldn’t bear to engage in heated debates, fearing that any careless word might disturb the Crown Prince or cause him to faint.

Despite their careful consideration, Xiao Huayong still struggled to catch his breath, broke into severe coughing, and then fainted, causing immediate chaos. He was sent back to the Eastern Palace, and when the Imperial Physician arrived, he said it was due to the winter cold aggravating the Crown Prince’s old illness.

When the Youning Emperor heard the news, he came to visit. Upon leaving the Eastern Palace, his expression was grave.

“Your Majesty, His Highness is blessed by heaven’s fortune,” Liu Sanzhi said softly.

The Youning Emperor suddenly stopped walking, his eyes filled with inescapable melancholy: “It is I who have wronged him.”

“Your Majesty, please don’t blame yourself,” Liu Sanzhi consoled him. “The matters of those years were also beyond Your Majesty’s control.”

The Youning Emperor now fully believed that Xiao Huayong’s poison had not been cured, leading to his current weak constitution.

The northern regions were cold, and snow had already begun to fall. Plum buds adorned the branches, waiting only for a night of frost to bloom in the wind.

“Seven Prince, he… must have feelings for Zhaoning, right?” the Youning Emperor suddenly sighed deeply. “What do you think – should I give them my blessing after spring arrives?”

After all, they were blood relatives, and he had called his father for twenty years, yet he had never done anything for him. Over the years, he had been more well-behaved and quiet than any other son, never causing him any trouble or difficulty. Perhaps it was time to grant him this one wish.

“Your Majesty’s wisdom is profound, all matches you bestow are excellent ones,” Liu Sanzhi dared not make decisions for the emperor.

The Youning Emperor turned his head, smiling as he pointed at him with his finger, then strode toward Mingzheng Hall.

As night fell, darkness settled in, with neither stars nor moon visible.

Xiao Huayong arranged for a body double, then left the palace through a secret passage.

He rode swiftly against the cold wind. Though usually sensitive to cold, he felt none of the icy air brushing his face. A fire burned continuously in his chest, giving him inexhaustible strength.

Shen Xihe didn’t know that Xiao Huayong was racing toward her. She was again keeping watch over the jade flower, dozing briefly against Zhenzhu’s shoulder, then nodding off against Moyu’s shoulder. After a night passed, the jade flower still hadn’t bloomed.

After guarding for a day and two nights, the lead guard sent by the Youning Emperor grew restless: “Princess, when will we depart?”

“When the flower blooms, we’ll depart,” Shen Xihe replied sleepily. “If provisions are running low, I’ll have Mo Yuan prepare more.”

This place was remote, with the nearest town half a day away by carriage, though faster by horseback. Fortunately, there was a village nearby, only half an hour by carriage. During the day, Shen Xihe rested and ate in a house cleared for her use in the village, only coming to keep watch at night.

However, since there were many guards, the village couldn’t accommodate them all, so they had to remain there.

Shen Xihe returned to the village to wash up, eat breakfast, and lay down to rest. As she was drifting off to sleep, Duanming let out a sharp cry. Shen Xihe’s eyes flew open, and her first reaction was to grab the fragrance pouch beside her and cover her nose.

Sleeping incense – and very potent sleeping incense at that!

Shen Xihe quickly dressed and hurried outside, where she saw that Zhenzhu and Hong Yu had inhaled several breaths and were unsteady on their feet. Soon, several burly men in rough clothing, carrying various weapons, surrounded them.

“Boss, she is a beauty!” Upon seeing Shen Xihe, lust filled these men’s eyes. “Damn, to spend one spring night with such a beauty would be worth dying for!”

Shen Xihe gave them a cold glance, quickly moving to Zhenzhu and Hong Yu’s side, passing them the fragrance pouches from her waist.

Seeing trouble brewing, several of the burly men rushed forward. Before they could reach Shen Xihe, Moyu and Mo Yuan, who had been hiding in the shadows, flew in from both sides. Their long swords flashing cold light, they crossed paths in front of Shen Xihe. The two men charging in front immediately had their throats cut and fell quickly, blood spraying.

Apparently unaware there were people hiding in ambush, upon seeing how swiftly they struck and killed, the remaining men quickly halted their advance and turned to flee. Moyu executed a flip through the air, passing over their heads to land in front of them, blocking their escape route.

“Attack!” The leader pushed someone beside him forward while trying to escape himself.

Moyu’s sword flashed left and right, cutting down two men. Then he kicked up a fallen blade, sending it flying to embed itself in the doorpost where the leader was trying to escape.