She understood everything now. She finally understood why Xiao Huayong had become so agitated – not because her keen sense of smell had triggered unbearable memories for him, but because before he knew about her sensitive nose, he had already handed over something that would reveal his identity to her.

This pair of bracelets carried the noble and pure agarwood fragrance that was nearly impossible to find elsewhere in the world. This pure, intense, and clean agarwood scent – she had only encountered it on one person before: the very person who had repeatedly appeared before her in different disguises, the one she had always been wary and suspicious of.

He was indeed Xiao Huayong. Although she had suspected it before, she hadn’t reached a definitive conclusion, not just because of insufficient evidence, but more because she had clung to a glimmer of hope – she hadn’t wanted this person to be Xiao Huayong.

Why hadn’t she wanted it?

Logically, wouldn’t it be better if such a person were Xiao Huayong, her future husband, rather than an enemy who might become a mortal foe? Wouldn’t they, to some extent, be on the same side?

No, that wasn’t it.

Originally, when she thought he wasn’t that person, she believed that even if they became adversaries in the future, they could still compete as equals. But now that he and that person were the same – who was that person?

Someone who could infiltrate the Imperial Investigators, who commanded the wealthy Hua Fuhai, who was the Prince of Jing’s study companion, who had the Princess Imperial’s eldest son’s loyalty, whose subordinate was the young official most favored by His Majesty – this person had become her husband. From the moment of their marriage, she could never let her guard down again.

One small mistake, and while she didn’t fear her destruction, it would drag the entire Shen family into eternal ruin.

Shen Xihe closed her eyes heavily. She hated herself for not examining these things earlier – if she had known, there wouldn’t have been an imperial marriage decree.

“Princess…” Zhenzhu noticed Shen Xihe’s dramatically changed expression and became anxious and worried.

Opening her eyes, Shen Xihe’s gaze was crystal clear. “Go fetch Axi.”

Zhenzhu hurriedly called for Sui Axi. As soon as he entered, Sui Axi noticed something different about Shen Xihe. If pressed to say what had changed, it was that the gentle light about the Princess, that touch of mundane warmth, had completely vanished.

“Can the Crown Prince’s poison be cured using the method you mentioned earlier?” Shen Xihe didn’t miss the flash of light in the Imperial Physician’s eyes.

“This method cannot eliminate the poison; it can only suppress the toxin to a greater degree. To cure it, we must find something that specifically counteracts this poison,” Sui Axi answered.

All things in nature have their mutual generation and mutual inhibition – some things can only counter each other, nothing else will work, and at most, they can only suppress.

Shen Xihe nodded without further comment and dismissed them. The next day, Xie Yunhuai came for her follow-up examination. The supplementary medicine Xie Yunhuai had prescribed for her had been finished, and this would be his final house call for her check-up.

“Congratulations, Princess, on your new lease on life,” Xie Yunhuai smiled elegantly, his joy reaching his eyes, genuinely delighted.

“Doctor Qi, the Crown Prince’s illness weighs heavily on my mind. I heard from Zhenzhu that you have found some leads?” Shen Xihe asked.

“I haven’t yet congratulated the Princess on finding a good match.” Xie Yunhuai thought of yesterday’s imperial marriage decree. Now the whole world knew of Shen Xihe’s betrothal to the Crown Prince – the Crown Prince’s marriage was something that had to be announced to all prefectures and counties. “Princess, please don’t worry. I have some theories and will personally travel to the Western Regions and other places, perhaps sailing overseas. Maybe other countries will have ways to interpret this.”

“Doctor Qi, I must trouble you with this matter. Consider it a favor I owe you, one I’ll remember and repay with my life if necessary,” Shen Xihe said solemnly. “I’ll send someone to accompany you. For such an arduous journey, I would be uneasy if you traveled alone.”

Xie Yunhuai assumed Shen Xihe’s seriousness was due to her upcoming marriage to Xiao Huayong and her special concern for him. He didn’t mention their close friendship or that such formality was unnecessary, as that would only make Shen Xihe uncomfortable. “Princess, rest assured. If I ever face difficulties in the future, I will certainly seek to repay today’s kindness.”

This was exactly why Shen Xihe wanted to associate with Xie Yunhuai – he was someone who made others feel particularly at ease.

She didn’t bother with pretense or concealment, asking directly: “When do you plan to depart?”

“When the ice melts in the third month when spring flowers bloom – it will be perfect for long-distance travel,” Xie Yunhuai had already made his plans.

“Good.” Shen Xihe had Zhenzhu bring over a cage containing a pigeon she had raised in the Princess’s manor. “If anything happens, have it deliver a message to me.”

Xie Yunhuai reached out to accept it. He didn’t stay long at the Princess’s manor, leaving early citing other patients.

Shen Xihe had received news of Xiao Huayong’s awakening early on, but she didn’t immediately go to the palace. Instead, she waited another day before dressing formally and going to the Eastern Palace. This was their first meeting since the imperial marriage decree.

His gaze remained gentle but now carried a hint of awkwardness. The moment he saw Shen Xihe, he became flustered.

She rarely disguised herself, treating people with extraordinary frankness. Her current appearance made Xiao Huayong’s heartache. Never had he been so afraid – afraid of her approach, afraid of her speaking, even involuntarily stepping back half a step when she walked in.

She knew. She knew…

“Youyou, let me explain…” Xiao Huayong grabbed her hand, extremely anxious.

Shen Xihe coldly lowered her gaze, slowly withdrawing her hand: “Your Highness, please speak. Zhaoning is listening respectfully.”

At the words “Zhaoning,” Xiao Huayong’s face turned pale involuntarily. His slightly parted lips trembled, his gaze holding a desperation he didn’t recognize and a last trace of forced strength: “When we first met, I didn’t know your identity. I only knew the Immortal’s Sash was useless and would be sent to Bai Touweng.

That’s why I followed Luoyang, and you had someone send me evidence of the rouge case. I was curious – in all these years, no one had ever taken notice of me, why did you particularly value me? It was only later that I learned what you were after… my status and my… short life expectancy.”

Shen Xihe listened with a calm gaze, showing no trace of emotion.

Xiao Huayong lowered his eyes, somewhat guiltily: “In Xinglin Garden, you took the Bone-Removing Pill from my hands. If not for… if not for you giving me the evidence beforehand, I wouldn’t have allowed you to get the Bone-Removing Pill.”

He was the Crown Prince, a Crown Prince who could influence the course of events. The Immortal’s Sash that he had obtained through countless hardships, nearly at the cost of his life – how could others think to obtain it without effort? That would be a fool’s dream.

But in Xinglin Garden, seeing how much effort she put into setting up even a simple chess game, hearing firsthand that she might not live past three to five years, so similar to himself – though different in that it didn’t matter to him whether he lived or not if there was a chance to live he would try, if not he would accept his fate.

Shen Xihe was different. She wanted to live. Her deep desire to survive moved him, so after learning from Bai Touweng that the Bone-Removing Pill might not even cure the poison, he still handed it over.

“That chess piece…” Shen Xihe’s gaze fell on his fingertips.

“I took it with me when I left that day, it has been by my side every day since returning to the capital, becoming something I habitually fiddle with.” Xiao Huayong opened his palm, letting Shen Xihe see the chess piece.