The thin winter snow, like a blanket of northwestern wool, gently covered the pavilions and towers, glinting silver in the flickering candlelight.

In the depths of winter, the desolate earth and withered trees were relieved only by the proud plum blossoms competing in beauty with frostflowers.

Shen Xihe wore a light cloud-colored plum blossom cloak and skirt with a silver-vermillion cloak trimmed with white fox fur. Sitting beside a charcoal brazier, she unfolded the letter Mo Yuan had delivered, which detailed the life experiences of Türk Third Prince Munuha.

From between the lines, Shen Xihe formed an impression of Munuha – not of his appearance, but of his conduct and character.

“He is a vigilant and astute person, with extraordinary martial skills,” Shen Xihe put down the letter and accepted a hand warmer from Zhenzhu. “To set a trap for him, we must succeed in one strike.”

Otherwise, it would certainly arouse his suspicion, making any further attempts difficult.

“Junzhu, Munuha is also investigating you,” Mo Yuan added.

“His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince escorted Father to confront him,” Shen Xihe smiled. “And in the capital, the Crown Prince and I have frequent contact. It’s only natural that he would investigate me.”

Most likely he wanted to probe Emperor Youning through her, thought Shen Xihe. She had been worried about how to take initiative without arousing the Emperor’s suspicion – if Munuha delivered himself to her doorstep, it would save her considerable trouble.

“Junzhu, you absolutely cannot use yourself as bait,” Zhenzhu immediately understood Shen Xihe’s thoughts and advised with concern.

Shen Xihe swatted away the furry paw that was trying to steal pastries from the table and picked up the mewing Duanming: “How do you think he would probe the Crown Prince through me?”

“Junzhu lives in seclusion at the manor, he wouldn’t dare break in to kidnap you,” Hong Yu said.

Bi Yu: “When Junzhu goes out, guards are accompanying her. He doesn’t have many men with him and wouldn’t dare to rashly make a move against you.”

Zi Yu blinked her eyes, having no say in this matter.

Zhenzhu pondered for a moment: “The sixth is Wang Fei’s birthday, and she has sent invitations. If he shows up there, it would be a good opportunity to make his move.”

And if something happened at Prince Dai’s manor, His Majesty wouldn’t be able to investigate thoroughly, which would lower his suspicion.

“However, His Highness the Crown Prince certainly won’t attend.”

The Crown Prince’s poor health was known throughout the court, and he never attended any small banquets. Since this was Wang Fei’s birthday and not Prince Dai’s, the Crown Prince might not even receive an invitation. Last year, he didn’t attend Wang Fei’s birthday either.

“Even if he wants to come, I won’t let him,” Shen Xihe smiled lightly. Given the Crown Prince’s current feelings for her, his ulterior motives would be obvious – even if he showed up without an invitation, no one would be suspicious.

Zhenzhu was confused: “If His Highness doesn’t come, how will Munuha make his move?”

Shen Xihe stroked Duanming’s neck, leaning forward so her black hair fell to cover half her face. The charcoal fire cast a warm red glow over her, making her appear particularly gentle: “Between men, to provoke the greatest anger, apart from killing their closest kin, it’s stealing their power, position, and… their beauty.”

Zhenzhu was startled, while Bi Yu and Hong Yu’s expressions also changed slightly.

“Junzhu, you mean Munuha wants to… act inappropriately towards you?” Even the slow-witted Zi Yu understood.

“How dare he?” Zhenzhu felt Munuha would have to be mad to set his sights on Shen Xihe.

He was a Türk prince, and the Northwestern King was an insurmountable wall for the Türks. If he dared to harbor thoughts about Shen Xihe, Emperor Youning would be the first to destroy him.

“You’re all wrong,” Shen Xihe smiled slightly, releasing Duanming who had contentedly curled its tail. It grabbed onto Shen Xihe’s sleeve, and she firmly but gently pried its paws away.

It had grabbed before and torn her sleeve, for which Shen Xihe had punished it severely. Since then, it has learned to control its strength.

“He naturally wouldn’t dare to actively pursue me, but if we ‘accidentally’ became husband and wife, the fault wouldn’t be his. What could His Majesty do then?” Shen Xihe lowered her eyes and picked up Duanming, who was still pawing at her, setting it aside.

When Duanming tried to come back, Shen Xihe gave it a meaningful half-smile, and it immediately lay down obediently where it was.

“His Majesty wouldn’t just avoid blaming him, he might even welcome it.”

Having lost her virtue, she would have to marry Munuha, and Shen Yueshan would have to voluntarily give up his military power in the northwest to avoid suspicion. With such a legitimate reason, even the northwestern civilians couldn’t speak up for Shen Yueshan.

They relied on Shen Yueshan, but they cared more about their homes – how could they trust their northwestern defenses to a Türk prince’s father-in-law?

Emperor Youning couldn’t actively send Shen Xihe for a political marriage to reclaim military power – that would discourage the northwestern civilians and all frontier soldiers. Who would dare fight bravely in the future if they worried that one day, after achieving great merit, their wives and daughters would meet such ends?

He couldn’t be active, but he could be passive!

Zhenzhu and the others paled, not having considered this angle.

“Now what he needs is an opportunity to act freely. He needs someone to lend him a helping hand,” Shen Xihe’s lips curved upward. “I will send him such a person.”

Xiao Huayong hadn’t expected Shen Xihe to come to the palace so soon. Just yesterday, he had Tian Yuan inform her to be careful and avoid entering the palace these days, lest she become others’ pawns against him.

“Does Your Highness think so little of me?” Shen Xihe said softly. “If someone makes a move, am I the type to sit and wait for death? Who benefits remains to be seen.”

Her expression was normal, but Xiao Huayong knew this was just casual talk, not truly believing he thought little of her.

Shen Xihe might not have noticed that when chatting with him, she had become increasingly at ease and natural. This subtle change made Xiao Huayong’s heart feel as if it was coated in honey, tender affection spreading to his eyes and brows, making the beauty mark at the corner of his eye infinitely alluring: “How could I think little of Youyou? I know you like tranquility and worried you would be annoyed if I disturbed your peace.”

This was true. Unless it was like Bian Xianyi using Shen Yun’an for a surprise attack, even if he focused all his attention, he might not be able to strike Shen Xihe in one move, let alone others. His recognition of Shen Xihe’s intelligence wasn’t a lover’s bias but an objective assessment.

Shen Xihe raised her eyebrows, her lips curving into a smile. Xiao Huayong truly understood her well. If someone involved her, her emotions would indeed be affected, just as she still showed displeasure toward Xiao Changying after the Double Ninth Festival when the Rong family’s lady had used him to scheme against her.

“I came to see Your Highness today to inform you that for Wang Fei’s birthday banquet the day after tomorrow, Your Highness need not brave the snow to join the festivities,” Shen Xihe advised.

“Is Youyou afraid I’ll get in the way?” Xiao Huayong was somewhat between laughter and tears.