“Father saw His Highness the Crown Prince at the palace,” Shen Yueshan changed the topic, hesitating for a while before asking quietly, “Youyou, tell Father that you haven’t fallen for the Crown Prince’s looks.”

Shen Yueshan had seen Xiao Huayong when he was very young, remembering him as somewhat handsome, but seeing him today, especially among the various princely brothers each with their own merits, he stood out for his superior appearance.

“If I cared about looks, I should be complaining about you and Brother,” Shen Xihe replied irritably.

Shen Yueshan: ??

The King of the Northwest suddenly became agitated. What was wrong with his looks? He and his son were real men! What difference was there between these delicate, powder-faced young men of the capital and young ladies?

“You… you… you dare say I’m… I’m ugly?” Shen Yueshan was so angry he stumbled over his words.

“Father, do you think you’re beautiful?” Shen Xihe countered.

“Huff, huff!” Taking two deep breaths with his hands on his hips, Shen Yueshan finally caught his breath. “Father is handsome and dignified – what use does a real man have for beauty? I must have lost my mind sending you to the capital. These capital youngsters with their powdered faces would fall over in a breeze. The Crown Prince especially is so frail, with such thin arms and legs – I’m afraid one strike from my palm would make me guilty of regicide!”

“Father, you are strong and powerful, but he is also skilled in martial arts,” Shen Xihe said fairly.

This was too much, igniting the gunpowder in Shen Yueshan’s mind: “You… you’re already… defending him!”

Defending him now – after marriage, would she even remember her father?

Shen Yueshan was so angry he could barely speak, seeming about to faint at any moment. Shen Xihe found it both amusing and exasperating. She pulled him to sit down and helped him catch his breath: “Alright, alright, I misspoke. I haven’t fallen for his looks. I’ve already explained all the reasons to Brother, and Brother must have relayed them to you.”

“Youyou, do you know what kind of path you’ve chosen?” Speaking of serious matters, Shen Yueshan became solemn.

“Father, I’ve chosen a path I won’t regret,” Shen Xihe’s eyes were determined.

Perhaps it wasn’t the best path, perhaps it wouldn’t be the smoothest, but she firmly believed she wouldn’t regret it.

All of Shen Yueshan’s words were blocked. He somewhat understood his son’s helpless yet anxious feelings when relaying this to him. He didn’t like using youth and inexperience as excuses to interfere with his children’s choices. Since she could speak of no regrets so firmly now, Shen Yueshan couldn’t utter a word of persuasion.

“Youyou, Father believe in you,” Shen Yueshan could only comfort her heart this way.

If he insisted on opposing, he could change her mind, but he also couldn’t guarantee his choice would be the best. If she lived unhappily in the future, he would blame himself for life.

With her making this choice now, if she lived unhappily in the future, she would still have her father and brother’s open arms to protect her, ensuring she wouldn’t feel she had nothing left.

“Father is the best,” Shen Xihe’s eyes curved in a smile.

Shen Yueshan humphed twice: “Father trusts you, but not him. These days Father will keep a close eye on him for you.”

Shen Xihe held back her laughter without speaking. With her father’s critical eye, he could find a thousand faults in Xiao Huayong no matter how good he was.

But it didn’t matter. She wasn’t counting on Xiao Huayong to live her life. His goodness would only be icing on the cake for her; if he wasn’t good, she had no particular opinion either.

As dusk fell, Shen Yueshan couldn’t stay long in Shen Xihe’s chambers: “Rest early. Tomorrow we’ll go together to see your maternal grandfather.”

With the son-in-law here, how could they not pay a visit? Though Shen Yueshan was a rough man, he knew basic etiquette.

Tao Zhuan Xian seemed to know Shen Yueshan would bring Shen Xihe today and came to open the door himself. However, his smiling face disappeared the instant he saw Shen Yueshan, only returning when Shen Xihe emerged from behind her father.

Shen Yueshan was long used to being disliked by his father-in-law. What was there to be proud of? Before long, he too could put on the airs of a father-in-law!

“Brother-in-law is busy with countless affairs, no need to come in person. Just having Youyou come to pass on a message would suffice,” Tao Yuan started jabbing immediately.

“Youyou mustn’t be tired out. I’ve cherished her in my hands for fifteen years, naturally, I must guard her carefully,” Shen Yueshan wasn’t intimidated by his elder brother-in-law.

Tao Yuan’s teeth ached: “Why mustn’t Youyou be tired? Isn’t it because some people failed to protect her properly?”

“You schemed in the capital for so many years, but in the end still needed Youyou to avenge her mother with her own hands?” Shen Yueshan countered.

“As if you were the one who took revenge. How dare you say such things?” Tao Yuan gave him a look of contempt.

“I am Youyou’s father, I raised Youyou. All of Youyou’s intelligence comes from me,” Shen Yueshan showed his bright teeth in a grin.

Shen Xihe watched in amazement as her father and uncle traded verbal blows. Her father had become so eloquent at the Tao residence – this was truly eye-opening!

“You two added together are older than this old man, yet you squabble like children. I’m embarrassed for you both,” Tao Zhuan Xian spoke up, giving them each fifty lashes with his words.

Neither Tao Yuan nor Shen Yueshan dared to talk back.

Shen Xihe held back her laughter: “Grandfather, have you been well lately?”

“Well,” Tao Zhuan Xian immediately lost all severity, smiling until his face creased. “The fragrant bath Youyou prepared for me, I soak in it daily, and my knees don’t hurt anymore.”

Tao Zhuan Xian was getting old, with severe arthritis in his knees that pained him terribly in winter. Shen Xihe had Xie Yunhuai prepare a fragrant bath for him.

“The fragrant coal Youyou sent came just in time to solve our urgent need,” Aunt Zhang also spoke up. “Previously we burned charcoal, which didn’t burn long and was smoky. Put it far away and it wasn’t warm, put it close and it choked people. The fragrant coal has a pleasant scent and burns long. Your cousin who wouldn’t study in winter in previous years is now willing to go to the study.”

“The fragrant sachet Youyou made for me is invigorating. Carrying it makes me energetic every day, and handling affairs has become clearer and more efficient,” Tao Yuan couldn’t help but add.

Shen Yueshan struggled mightily to maintain his composure and smile.

Several male cousins also added their cuts. If they hadn’t used such a showing-off tone, Shen Xihe would have thought they were simply thanking and praising her.

Glancing at Shen Yueshan who was about to lose his smile, Shen Xihe hurriedly said: “What delicious dishes have Grandfather prepared for Youyou? Youyou want to cook today, to make a dish to go with Grandfather and Father’s wine.”

“No!” Shen Yueshan, Tao Zhuan Xian, and Tao Yuan exclaimed in unison.

The three men looked at each other, their eyes seemingly able to shoot daggers.

Shen Yueshan thought: Youyou are his daughter, she should only cook for him. Why should these outsiders benefit?

Tao Zhuan Xian and Tao Yuan thought: Shen Yueshan is just an eyesore. It’s not worth Youyou’s effort in this cold winter. Wait until spring warms up and Shen Yueshan has rolled far away, then only they, father and son, could enjoy Youyou’s home cooking!

As for who would get more or less in the future, they would each rely on their abilities.

“How can we let Youyou do rough work?” Zhang Shi came forward to take Shen Xihe’s hand. “Let the men talk business, we’ll go have some intimate conversation.”

And so the three men could only watch helplessly as their precious darling was led away.