The Northwestern Prince’s Mansion and Prince Kang’s Mansion had formed a deadly feud fourteen years ago.

Fourteen years ago, Shen Yueshan entered the capital by imperial decree to receive rewards. No one expected the imperial wine would be drugged.

Initially, thinking Shen Yueshan was merely unable to handle his alcohol, he was graciously permitted to rest in the palace. It was then that Lady Xiao snuck into his sleeping quarters.

Defiling the palace chambers and violating the emperor’s cousin, Prince Kang’s legitimate daughter.

Emperor Youning was furious. If not for the Empress Dowager discovering someone had drugged Shen Yueshan – that Lady Xiao herself had bribed palace servants to tamper with the imperial wine – Shen Yueshan might have been imprisoned.

Even so, the royal family needed to save face. How could Emperor Youning let his cousin become a concubine? Yet the fault lay with Lady Xiao. With the Empress Dowager mediating justice and pressure from the royal clan, they wanted Shen Yueshan to marry Lady Xiao as an equal wife.

Shen Yueshan could only suppress his disgust and agree. When news reached the Northwest, the Northwestern Princess Consort, pregnant with Shen Xihe, was so shocked she went into premature labor at eight months. After a difficult delivery, she gave birth to the sickly Shen Xihe before passing away.

Shen Yueshan immediately entered the palace, surrendering his Northwestern military authority, insisting on mourning his wife, and refusing to marry Lady Xiao.

Coincidentally, the Turks beyond the Northwest invaded at this time. Emperor Youning had no choice but to reprimand Lady Xiao and Prince Kang’s household, while greatly honoring the Northwestern Princess Consort and the barely-surviving Shen Xihe.

Finally, Shen Xihe was granted a fief of three thousand households with the status of a national princess, becoming Princess Zhaoning. The character “ning” in her title demonstrated imperial favor.

Shen Yunan was named heir, and Lady Xiao remained in the capital, forbidden from ever setting foot in the Northwest.

Only then did Shen Yueshan accept the urgent mission, once again leading troops to pacify the Northwestern frontier.

No one expected Lady Xiao would be diagnosed with pregnancy two months later, giving birth to Shen Yueshan’s only illegitimate daughter – Shen Yingruo – after ten months.

With a father who was the powerful Northwestern Prince and a mother who was a legitimate princess from a prince’s mansion, an uncle who was the current emperor, she should have been nobility equal to a princess. Yet her illegitimate status made things extremely awkward.

In recent years, Shen Yingruo studied alongside the Fourth Princess in the palace. Due to her cleverness and intelligence, Emperor Youning favored her and granted her the title of County Princess, somewhat improving her situation.

Prince Kang’s household not only bore a deadly grudge against Shen Xihe but also hatred for her mother’s death!

“The Princess’s residence,” Shen Xihe disliked crowds. “Have people purchase more flowers, plants, and trees.”

“Yes.” Bi Yu withdrew to make arrangements.

Feeling tired, Shen Xihe took a short nap with Hong Yu attending her. Upon waking, Hong Yu informed her that Xie Yunhuai had arrived.

Over half a month, Xie Yunhuai had figured out some approaches, though without practice he couldn’t be certain. But with only one Bone-Shedding Pill, he couldn’t randomly experiment on people. Hearing of Shen Xihe’s arrival, he came to seek her guidance.

“I will take it myself,” Shen Xihe said calmly.

“Princess, please reconsider.” Xie Yunhuai disapproved of Shen Xihe testing the medicine on herself.

“This is the only pill, and I have but three to five years to live. Better to take the risk.” Shen Xihe insisted.

“Princess, though this medicine isn’t greatly harmful, it has strong fire and drying properties. I suggest taking it with snow water,” Xie Yunhuai said carefully, knowing he couldn’t dissuade her. “One wine cup of snow water, half qian of the Bone-Shedding Pill. Princess should take it once, and I’ll check your pulse for several days before making further decisions.”

The Bone-Shedding Pill contained many strengthening medicines. Though the Bai Tou Weng was brilliantly formulated, Shen Xihe was a cold and weak woman. Xie Yunhuai was extremely cautious, prescribing half qian as the minimum effective dose, treating her as a child.

Snow water was easily obtained – many tea houses collected winter snow water, which could be bought with money.

Just as Shen Xihe was about to order Hong Yu to buy some, Xie Yunhuai lifted a small wine jar: “This is white plum snow water I’ve stored. Princess, if you wish to take the medicine, use this.”

“Thank you.” Shen Xihe didn’t refuse. While Xie Yunhuai was present, she poured a cup and scraped about half qian of the Bone-Shedding Pill. Without even furrowing her brow, she first held the medicine in her mouth, then drank the cup of ice-cold snow water in one gulp.

As the bone-chilling snow water slid into her body, Shen Xihe felt her hands and feet grow cold, yet the pill entering her body felt like a burning fire.

In an instant, Shen Xihe felt ice and fire warring within her body. Her face, already paler than most, lost all color.

Fine beads of sweat seeped from her forehead. Though in extreme pain and discomfort, she gritted her teeth, closed her eyes, and endured without a word.

“Doctor Qi, can the Princess endure this?” Hong Yu watched with tears in her eyes.

Xie Yunhuai’s expression was grave as he held Shen Xihe’s pulse, monitoring its changes, his other hand gripping silver needles, ready to apply acupuncture if needed.

Shen Xihe’s pulse changes were unusual, sometimes barely detectable, sometimes strong and full, causing Xie Yunhuai’s brows to gradually furrow.

Unable to withstand the violent clash of ice and fire, Shen Xihe collapsed onto the table with a thud.

“Princess!” Hong Yu and Bi Yu were shocked, while Mo Yu and Zi Yu guarding outside rushed in.

Xie Yunhuai pressed his lips together, preparing to apply needles.

Catching the cold glint of the needle from the corner of her eye, Shen Xihe spoke weakly and with difficulty: “I… can… endure…”

Veins stood out on Shen Xihe’s forehead and the back of her hand from pain, her pale lips tinged with blood, yet she still gritted her teeth to endure.

Xie Yunhuai held her wrist. Though her pulse was chaotic, it was gradually steadying. Using needles now would undo everything.

“Handkerchief, give the Princess something to bite on,” Xie Yunhuai commanded.

Bi Yu quickly took out a clean handkerchief, folded it, and handed it to Shen Xihe, who was trembling all over in pain but closed her eyes.

She could also feel the painful sensation slowly diminishing. Having endured the worst of it, she could withstand the rest.

She had a premonition that if taking the Bone-Shedding Pill this way proved effective, she would have to endure such suffering each time she took it in the future. If she didn’t steel herself now, she would develop fear later.

Xie Yunhuai saw her reject the handkerchief and sighed inwardly, a trace of pity crossing his eyes.

Though she was one of the most precious people in the world, where ordinary young ladies would fuss for ages over pricking themselves with an embroidery needle, she was so frail and had grown up so pampered, yet could endure such torment. He couldn’t help but see her in a new light.

For half an hour, Shen Xihe endured the pain before fainting after it subsided.

When she awoke, lanterns were just being lit. Opening her eyes, she saw Hong Yu and Zi Yu with their rabbit-like eyes, warming her heart slightly.

“Princess, let’s not take the Bone-Shedding Pill anymore, alright? When Sister Zhenzhu returns, we’ll surely find another way,” Zi Yu said chokingly while helping Shen Xihe sit up.

“Haven’t I made it through?” Shen Xihe’s face was still pale, her voice gentle. “I too wish that one day I can gallop across the grasslands with father and elder brother, racing with the wind, chasing the sun.”