What else could she do? He was her only father, so she had to indulge him.

Perhaps because Shen Xihe’s reaction was perfunctory, Shen Yueshan added, “Youyou, there’s a term called—killing with kindness.”

Shen Xihe: …

“Father, why are you so concerned about His Highness the Crown Prince?” Shen Xihe was quite puzzled.

Logically, she had already explained clearly her reasons for marrying Xiao Huayong—it was merely a mutually beneficial arrangement. So why were both Shen Yun’an and Shen Yueshan exhibiting this inexplicable tension?

“Concerned?” Shen Yueshan denied it. “Your father and brother simply think he harbors wolfish ambitions and are being cautiously vigilant.”

In truth, they were just jealous. Back in the Northwest, Shen Xihe never mentioned any young men besides her father, brother, and the Tao family. But since coming to the capital, an outsider had entered the picture. From her not rejecting marriage to Xiao Huayong, to speaking of him with neither joy nor affection yet with calm composure, unlike how one would treat a stranger—this attitude made both Shen Yueshan and Shen Yun’an worried.

This man could achieve this much now, but after Youyou married him, who knew to what extent he might bewitch their Youyou?

As a father, he didn’t want his daughter to have an unhappy marriage, but he also didn’t want his daughter’s heart to be stolen away too early!

“Alright, alright, Youyou will be careful and vigilant,” Shen Xihe really couldn’t do anything about Shen Yueshan and Shen Yun’an’s behavior. “This matter, how does Father view it?”

Speaking of the important matter at hand, Shen Yueshan replied seriously, “This matter will be entirely up to your maternal grandfather to decide. I’ll speak with him tomorrow.”

Inspector Tao’s choice was almost obvious to everyone. It wasn’t entirely for Shen Xihe’s sake—he had his aspirations. If he could attain a high position, he naturally wouldn’t shy away from it; if not, he wouldn’t force it.

However, Inspector Tao had only just learned that Shen Xihe was promised to Xiao Huayong, and he had quite a few objections about this: “How could you agree to this? Don’t you know the Crown Prince’s health is poor?”

In court, every one had doubted whether the Crown Prince was truly ill. This concerned many people’s choices and future prosperity, so they each used different methods to investigate, all reaching one conclusion—the Crown Prince indeed wouldn’t live long.

“This was Youyou’s own choice,” Shen Yueshan naturally couldn’t reveal Shen Xihe’s plans. His father-in-law’s thinking differed from his and his son’s—they thought that if something truly happened to the Crown Prince, they could bring Shen Xihe back home. “Father-in-law should know that Youyou’s temperament is like Ao Yin’s.”

If his father-in-law knew of their father-son duo’s thoughts, he would likely want to stab them both—the old man still hoped for his descendants to have happy marriages.

“If I had known about today back then, I should have been a cruel father and forced Ao Yin to marry you,” Unable to bring himself to criticize his granddaughter, Inspector Tao directed his anger at his son-in-law instead.

“Then you wouldn’t have such a lovable granddaughter as Youyou,” Shen Yueshan said with a lowered head.

“You—” In his entire life, Inspector Tao had received the most grief from Shen Yueshan. Yet when he gave others grief, he would keep his head down and act like an obedient junior.

Shen Yueshan’s impression of him remained unchanged for ten years—thick-skinned and impervious to any prodding!

“Don’t be angry, Father-in-law,” Shen Yueshan said, “You still need to stay in the capital to support Youyou for a few years. With such a hot temper, I worry…”

“You—” Inspector Tao finally understood why he hadn’t brought his granddaughter today—it was just to anger him. “Get out—”

“Oh, your son-in-law shall take his leave then,” Shen Yueshan complied very obediently.

Inspector Tao was so angry he pounded his chest. By the time Tao Yuan rushed back, his brother-in-law had already left, leaving behind his father’s upset appearance. After learning the reason, he gave a cold laugh: “Father, he simply doesn’t understand a father-in-law’s pain. Since Youyou is to marry the Crown Prince, you should give more guidance to the Crown Prince in the future. Let the wicked deal with the wicked.”

Inspector Tao’s anger instantly subsided: “Right, this method is excellent!”

The enemy of my enemy is my ally—Inspector Tao decided that after the imperial decree of betrothal came down, he would become closer to the Crown Prince.

As a grandfather, he wouldn’t be sour about his granddaughter and her future husband; the more harmonious they were, the happier he would be. The ones who wouldn’t be happy would be others!

Shen Yueshan was unaware that his father-in-law, whom he always managed to anger to the point of falling backward, had secretly planned to trip him up. He spent the next few days quite contentedly, having fulfilled all his social obligations. He stayed at home every day, accompanying his daughter.

Cooking food, chatting idly, talking about the Northwest, reminiscing—each day felt thoroughly fulfilling. If not for the uncooperative weather with constant snowfall, and his worry about Shen Xihe’s health, he would have liked to take his daughter out for some sightseeing.

Finally, on a clear day, he took Shen Xihe to the horse grounds and personally instructed her in horseback riding.

In the blink of an eye, it was Shen Xihe’s birthday. On this day, many people sent congratulatory gifts, but no one came to offer congratulations in person, because tomorrow was Shen Xihe’s coming-of-age ceremony, and they would all participate in person then.

His daughter was coming of age—Shen Yueshan felt both gratified and distressed.

On the day of Shen Xihe’s coming-of-age ceremony, it was a rare clear day. The ceremony was held in the palace, and they entered early.

Emperor Youning held the ceremony for Shen Xihe according to the protocol for princesses. With Shen Yueshan presiding over the ceremony, civil and military officials and noble ladies gathered together. Shen Xihe wore plain white ceremonial robes, her cascade of black hair flowing down, appearing ethereal yet enchantingly beautiful.

Xue Jinqiao served as her ceremonial assistant, accompanying her into the hall, while Princess Ruyang was chosen as the honored guest by the royal family.

First, the hairpin was added, binding the black hair, paying respects to parents, and changing into the ceremonial robe.

Second, the ornamental hairpin was added, hair coiled up, thanking teachers and elders, adding the ceremonial dress.

Third, the crown was added, arranging the formal attire, kowtowing to the Emperor, adding the long robe.

In the main hall, in a plain silk dress, wide-sleeved long robe, the young woman in a five-layered ceremonial dress. With an ornate crown, she was as proud as a white phoenix approaching water. Though she stood straight there, she naturally possessed a transcendently beautiful grace.

Sweet wine was placed, heaven and earth were honored, and the coming-of-age name was bestowed.

Shen Xihe’s style name was given by Emperor Youning: Si Yan.

These two characters carried profound meaning, just like when he gave Xiao Huayong the style name Bei Chen.

“The way of the gentleman has four aspects: in his conduct, he is humble, in serving his superiors he is respectful, in providing for the people he is kind, and in commanding the people he is just.”

These four virtues of a gentleman: are being humble in conduct, serving rulers with respect, being kind to the people, and governing with justice.

These were all admonitions meant for those in power. Almost instantly, everyone’s gazes shifted back and forth between Xiao Huayong and Shen Xihe.

Shen Xihe’s connection with the Eastern Palace had never been hidden, and the Crown Prince’s assistance to Marchioness Zhaoning was never concealed. When His Majesty bestowed such a style name on Marchioness Zhaoning, besides the Emperor’s mother, what woman could be more worthy?

Xiao Huayong had also attended Shen Xihe’s coming-of-age ceremony. He stood at the head of all the princes, wearing formal robes, gazing over with smiling eyes.

When Shen Xihe heard Princess Ruyang announce her style name, she also instinctively looked toward Xiao Huayong.

Their eyes met, and the smile in Xiao Huayong’s eyes became even more like scattered starlight in the Milky Way, dazzlingly bright, endless.

He released his love amidst the gathered distinguished guests, without any concealment.