Though Shen Yueshan didn’t speak explicitly, Shen Xihe understood the worry in his eyes.

He feared that all of Xiao Huayong’s actions, including his favors, were simply calculations. Though such thinking might seem petty, when one couldn’t see into another’s heart, especially for families walking on knife’s edge like theirs, they had to assume the worst of everyone to stay alert and protect themselves.

He worried she might waver amidst these favors and ultimately fall beyond redemption.

Shen Yueshan moved his lips, finally letting out what seemed to be a light sigh, unable to find the right words to express his difficulty.

“Father can rest assured. If he doesn’t scheme against me, I won’t scheme against him either. Nor will I covet power and act against him,” Shen Xihe misunderstood Shen Yueshan’s concerns.

Regarding Xiao Huayong, she had chosen him initially because he was the legitimate heir, and also…

But she had never considered poisoning him if he lived too long.

“Youyou… Father only wishes for your wellbeing.” Shen Yueshan finally said softly, his words carrying deeper meaning.

Like Shen Yun’an, he knew her heart was currently like stone, unmovable. But she was still just a young girl – how could she understand how difficult it was to reject a young man’s sincere devotion? Living, breathing people, made of flesh and blood, how could they truly remain unmoved?

He hoped his daughter would find happiness, with someone to shelter her from wind and rain, to protect her, to stand by her unconditionally. Yet he also feared how hearts could change, worried that once she understood these things, she would suffer, weary, and hurt for love.

Parents’ worries for their children are truly endless.

Finally, Shen Xihe entered the palace. Xiao Huayong had brewed Tibetan tea, made with simmered fresh milk. One sip in the cold wind could dispel all the chill.

“Thank you for the pearl today, Your Highness. Such a precious item shouldn’t be accepted without merit. However, I couldn’t completely refuse Your Highness’s kind intentions, so I’ve prepared a gift in return. I hope Your Highness will accept it.” Shen Xihe personally took several comfortable boxes from Zhenzhu and handed them to Xiao Huayong. “Please take a look, Your Highness. Do you like them?”

Xiao Huayong opened them to find a set of fine teacups. From the Xing kiln, they were as white as snow, thin yet lustrous, showing exquisite craftsmanship. Though Xiao Huayong owned countless teacups, he couldn’t help but praise them: “Excellent teacups.”

“Since I’m not skilled in the tea ceremony, giving these to Your Highness won’t waste them.” These were from an Xing kiln craftsman who had been saved by Shen Yueshan years ago. Every year since, he would gift a set of Xing ware, most of which Shen Yueshan gave to Shen Xihe.

“Youyou is too polite. When Youyou gave me fragrant coal and I gave the Princess the northern pearl, it was simply an exchange of gifts. Now Youyou gives me teacups, I don’t know what to give the Princess in return.” Xiao Huayong didn’t mention previous favors, only saying the pearl was a return gift for the fragrant coal.

This made Shen Xihe appear overly courteous, but she didn’t mind: “The fragrant coal wasn’t worth much. Your Highness has helped me greatly in the past, so I should be grateful. Back in the Northwest, with no other female elders in the family, I managed the household. With those close to the family, whenever the prince’s mansion received something special, I would share some.”

She told Xiao Huayong that her actions were merely normal social courtesy – she didn’t treat him as a stranger, but neither was she truly thinking of him in everything.

How could someone as intelligent as Xiao Huayong not understand? But he had already prepared himself for a gradual, persistent approach.

“Youyou needn’t count past matters with me, or we might never finish,” Xiao Huayong smiled. “Did Youyou come especially just to return the gift?”

“There is one matter I need to inform Your Highness about.” Shen Xihe said seriously, “Lord Xue may not be well. He has entrusted Miss Xue Seven to my brother.”

The word “entrusted” subtly hinted that Xue Heng might not live much longer.

Xiao Huayong’s smile vanished: “Do you know the cause?”

He had seen Xue Heng just two days ago, looking rosy-cheeked and vigorous, still strong despite his age.

“A sickness of the heart – excessive grief from missing his deceased wife,” Shen Xihe sighed.

Xiao Huayong believed Shen Xihe wouldn’t inform him without certainty, so didn’t ask about the source. He had planned to have Linghu Zheng examine Xue Heng. Xue Heng was a capable minister; his death would be a great loss to the state, and the court would fall into chaos after his passing.

But for a heart ailment, even immortals couldn’t help – he simply didn’t want to live anymore.

“Have Youyou considered having Inspector Tao join the Three Departments?” Xiao Huayong asked.

Shen Xihe raised her eyebrows. She had never thought about seeking advancement for her maternal grandfather. Her clear eyes, like black obsidian yet covered by a thin mist, stared directly at Xiao Huayong, making her thoughts unclear.

Xiao Huayong’s smile remained gentle, his gaze clear and pure: “I have no intention of testing you. Inspector Tao is upright; with him in the Three Departments, it would certainly bring fresh air.”

Shen Xihe shook her head: “A tall tree catches the wind. Moreover, with my marriage to you, His Majesty would never allow my maternal grandfather to hold such an important position.”

“Even if His Majesty is unwilling, it’s not impossible,” Xiao Huayong said casually. “Everything can be planned. Below the Three Departments are the Six Ministries. The Ministry of Personnel’s Xue Tai seems most advantageous, but His Majesty has long disliked how the Xue and Cui families work together, always suppressing Wang Zheng and binding his hands.

The Minister of Revenue was just appointed and won’t be moved. That leaves the Ministries of War, Justice, Works, and Rites.”

Xiao Huayong took a handful of chess pieces from a nearby container and placed four on the board: “The Ministry of Rites won’t do. The Minister of Works is already elderly. If we move either the Minister of War or the Minister of Justice, someone must be promoted from outside the Six Ministries.”

This would make Tao Zhuanxian the best candidate.

Shen Xihe understood – that Xiao Huayong wasn’t forcing Emperor Youning, but rather giving him only one choice.

“The position is high but the responsibility is heavy. Grandfather is also elderly. I need to ask his thoughts on this.” Shen Xihe wouldn’t decide for Tao Zhuanxian. If he was willing, she could try working with Xiao Huayong. If not, they would stop there.

“Inspector Tao will certainly agree,” Xiao Huayong said confidently.

Tao Zhuanxian was capable and talented, no less than Xue Heng. However, being upright and not from a great family, without help he had reached his limit at the third-rank position of Chief Inspector. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been unable to enter the Six Ministries all these years.

His lack of scheming didn’t mean he lacked ambition.

Moreover, with his granddaughter about to become Crown Princess, he would prefer to have more power to better protect Shen Xihe.

Shen Xihe understood Xiao Huayong’s meaning. Seeing him collecting the chess pieces, with one black piece still lying nearby, she changed the subject: “Your Highness, you missed a chess piece.”

Xiao Huayong and Tianyuan looked over simultaneously. Tianyuan’s heart skipped a beat – this was His Highness’s treasure. If it were thrown back with the others, all looking the same, how would they find it again?

The smile froze on Xiao Huayong’s lips.