Though Yu Zao had accused the Prince of Dai of masterminding the tomb robbery, the joint investigation by three courts found no direct evidence linking him to the crime. After receiving compensation and being consulted about Yu Zao’s family’s fate, the common people no longer held any resentment toward the royal family. Many doubted the Prince’s involvement.

After all, even if an emperor’s son needed money, would he desecrate his ancestral tombs, especially after the imperial mausoleum had been bombed?

Moreover, Yu Zao was known for his lies. He had already committed unforgivable crimes and was found to have assumed false identities. His words were likely ill-intentioned and unreliable.

With the people placated and no evidence against the Prince of Dai, Emperor Youning neither pressed the investigation nor released the prince.

Shen Xihe paid little attention to these matters, for Shen Yueshan had arrived in the capital.

She had waited eagerly at the city gates since early morning. When she spotted that tall, sturdy figure galloping toward her on horseback, her eyes sparkled like rippling spring water under starlight, gentle and gleaming.

“Daughter—” Shen Yueshan’s booming voice momentarily hushed the entire gate tower. In an instant, his bear-like figure leaped from his horse and rushed to Shen Xihe.

“Father!” Shen Xihe ran forward to grasp his hands. They were rough and scarred, creating a stark contrast against her soft, delicate ones. The sensation brought tears to her eyes, filled with tender concern.

Shen Yueshan was an imposing man, robust and broad-shouldered. Years in the northwest had darkened his skin, and his eyes were as sharp as a desert eagle’s. He examined Shen Xihe with satisfaction before scowling: “Who permitted you to wait at the city gates? Look how heavy the snow is – what if you catch cold?”

Shen Xihe looked up at the sky where sparse snowflakes fell, barely visible without careful attention, and there wasn’t even any wind…

“Father, I just wanted to see you sooner,” Shen Xihe said softly.

“I’m a grown man – you wouldn’t miss me! Don’t be so willful in the future!” Shen Yueshan said sternly.

The smile instantly vanished from Shen Xihe’s face. She released his hand with a huff and walked around him.

Terrified, Shen Yueshan froze, his face breaking into an appeasing smile: “It’s all Father’s fault for being so fussy. Don’t be angry, my precious – it’s not good for you to get upset.”

Shen Xihe refused to look at him, turning her face away: “Getting upset isn’t as bad as catching a cold.”

“No, no, no, they’re both bad, both bad. Father was wrong, Father was thoughtless, Father didn’t consider your feelings.” Shen Yueshan apologized humbly.

“Will you scold me again in the future?” Shen Xihe glared at him.

“Father swears, I’ll never dare again.” Shen Yueshan held up four fingers.

Shen Xihe’s clear eyes gazed at them.

Following her gaze to his fan-like palm, Shen Yueshan chuckled and bent down his little finger: “I swear, I swear.”

Shen Xihe couldn’t help but laugh. For reasons unknown, since she was little, whenever she was gentle, he became stern; whenever she got angry, he became cautious.

“Let’s go, let’s enter the city,” Shen Xihe said, taking his arm.

They headed straight for the Princess’s mansion. Shen Yueshan was eager to share the carriage with his daughter, abandoning even his beloved horse. His bulk occupied half the carriage, forcing Hong Yu and Bi Yu out, leaving only Zhen Zhu.

“Father will block the wind for you.” Seemingly noticing the carriage was too dainty, he justified his presence before beginning to list Shen Yun’an’s misdeeds. “Your brother must have been my mortal enemy in a past life, always irritating me. He constantly talks about missing you, getting food, pillows, clothes, and socks from you in the capital…”

He rambled on, ostensibly complaining about Shen Yun’an while secretly glancing at her, accusing her of favoritism.

Shen Xihe assumed a dignified air: “Father speaks as if I never made food for you, never made pillows for you, never made clothes and socks for you. I even gave you a unique cup. By the way, did you share half of this year’s scented coal I made with my brother?”

“Of course!” Shen Yueshan declared righteously.

Shen Xihe narrowed her eyes suspiciously: “Really? I’ll write to brother and ask.”

Shen Yueshan’s confidence immediately deflated, his eyelids blinking rapidly – a nervous habit he had whenever he felt guilty before Shen Xihe: “Your brother said he’s young with strong internal heat, so he doesn’t need it.”

Zhen Zhu struggled to contain her laughter, imagining the poor heir probably begging the lord for scented coal in the cold wind, while the lord would surely remain unmoved, enjoying and bragging about it instead.

Rather than expose him, Shen Xihe said: “Yet Father calls brother unfilial when he left all the scented coal for you.”

Shen Yueshan: …

After carefully considering how his precious daughter had subtly defended that wretched boy, jealousy overturned in his heart, and Shen Yueshan humphed at the carriage ceiling.

“Father must be angry. Youyou must be wrong. Youyou will reflect upon returning home…”

“Father isn’t angry,” Shen Yueshan said stiffly. “Youyou is good. Father is angry at your brother.”

Without having done anything, as long as his daughter was displeased, everything was the son’s fault.

This was Shen Yueshan’s law. Shen Xihe didn’t argue further – if she did, Shen Yun’an would become the most unfilial son in heaven.

After bringing Shen Yueshan to the Princess’s mansion, Shen Xihe had him wash up, change clothes, trim his beard, and personally comb his hair and put on his crown before letting him enter the palace to pay respects to Emperor Youning.

Unlike Shen Yun’an, unless it was a deep night after the palace curfew, Shen Yueshan had to have an audience with the emperor on the day he arrived in the capital.

Shen Xihe had just seen off Shen Yueshan when, before she could return to her chambers, a servant reported: “Princess, Second Young Lady has arrived.”

“Let her in,” Shen Xihe instructed quietly.

It wasn’t that she thought well of Shen Ying’er or felt grateful for her previous actions. She even felt somewhat dejected that her father had another daughter. But Shen Ying’er was indeed Shen Yueshan’s flesh and blood. Shen Yueshan should fulfill his paternal responsibilities toward her.

As the elder sister, she had no right or reason to prevent Shen Ying’er from wanting to see Shen Yueshan.

“Elder Sister.” Shen Ying’er entered and respectfully bowed to Shen Xihe. She was somewhat excited, having thought Shen Xihe wouldn’t allow her in.

“No need for formalities. Father will likely have dinner at the palace,” Shen Xihe said flatly before leaving.

Left alone, Shen Ying’er’s wet nurse cast a worried glance at her young mistress.

Shen Ying’er found a place to sit. This was probably for the best – she felt more at ease, certainly better than sitting in awkward silence with Shen Xihe.

“Princess, the Second Young Lady seems pure-hearted,” Zhen Zhu remarked after they had walked far enough.