Whether or not this was the Empress Dowager deliberately creating opportunities for her and Xiao Huayong, she would go.

There had already been rumors about the spring banquet. News coming from the palace was never false – without the tacit approval of those in power, who would dare spread palace gossip randomly? The news was released early to give families time to bring back their young ladies who were in other regions.

The spring banquet was for the Imperial Tutor to assess potential matches – this was a great opportunity for advancement, and naturally, everyone would put in their full effort.

The Empress Dowager hadn’t invited many people for suggestions, just daughters of meritorious officials or high-ranking officials of the third rank or above. These were probably the candidates the Empress Dowager favored for her granddaughters-in-law or great-nieces-in-law. Those who would come later to the spring banquet would unsurprisingly be a mere accompaniment.

What Shen Xihe hadn’t expected was that the Empress Dowager had also called Shen Yingruo. Seeing the Third Princess accompanying the Empress Dowager, Shen Xihe narrowed her eyes. Shen Yingruo sat below her, maintaining a gentle and graceful smile throughout.

“Zhaoning, would you like to organize the spring banquet?” the Empress Dowager suddenly asked.

As soon as the Empress Dowager’s words fell, everyone’s gaze turned toward Shen Xihe. Noble Consort Rong, sitting below the Empress Dowager, maintained her proper smile.

However, the looks that everyone cast between the two women varied greatly.

Only people within the palace had the right to manage palace banquets – one absolutely could not bypass the person in charge of the Six Palaces.

Years ago, Emperor Youning, to stabilize hearts and ensure that the meritorious officials and generals who had originally followed Prince Qian would feel secure and not feel betrayed just because their devoted leader hadn’t ascended the throne, had used his late wife who died saving him to establish the newborn Xiao Huayong as Crown Prince, vowing never to establish another empress.

Firstly, this showed the civil and military officials his loyalty and righteousness; secondly, it ensured the Eastern Palace’s position was unshakeable – without another empress, there would be no more legitimate sons.

Thus for twenty years in the rear palace, initially the Empress Dowager managed affairs. After Xiao Huayong left the palace at the age of eight with the Empress Dowager accompanying him, palace authority was transferred to Noble Consort Rong – a full cycle.

There was no logic in having a concubine manage the household. In ordinary families, if the principal wife passed away and the master didn’t remarry, either an elder would manage, or the eldest daughter-in-law, or the legitimate daughter.

But the imperial family was different. Though Noble Consort Rong wasn’t a legitimate wife, she was still an elder with two sons who were princes. There was no reason for her to live under the authority of juniors later, so whether Noble Consort Rong held palace authority or Shen Xihe held it, both were reasonable.

The Empress Dowager’s sudden question was clearly following ancestral customs of prioritizing the legitimate and eldest, using the spring banquet to prepare Noble Consort Rong mentally.

“The Empress Dowager thinks too highly of me. Zhaoning has never managed such a grand banquet and still needs to observe and learn more,” Shen Xihe tactfully refused.

What should be hers, she would never give up willingly; but at this moment, she and Xiao Huayong weren’t yet married, so this wasn’t something she should do. She had always been clear about doing what was appropriate for one’s position.

The Empress Dowager smiled kindly: “Indeed. Let’s still have Noble Consort handle the spring banquet. After Zhaoning and the Seventh Prince marry, the Noble Consort can spend more time keeping this old lady company and enjoying leisure.”

“Being able to accompany the Empress Dowager is what I desire most,” Noble Consort Rong replied respectfully to the Empress Dowager, then turned to Shen Xihe, “If the Princess has any questions in the future, feel free to come to me. I certainly won’t withhold anything.”

Shen Xihe stood up and gave Noble Consort Rong a proper bow.

Not seeing the expected war of words, some of the ladies present were somewhat disappointed.

The Empress Dowager looked up and saw Tianyuan peeking at the doorway, shaking her head with a helpless smile: “This person… this old lady can’t even keep you here a bit longer. Zhaoning, hurry along now. I don’t want Seventh Prince blaming me after you leave.”

With the Empress Dowager taking the lead in teasing, everyone couldn’t help but laugh. Some bold young ladies directly cast ambiguous glances at Shen Xihe.

Shen Xihe gracefully gave the Empress Dowager a bow and left the hall.

Rather than staying with these people, she’d rather go see Xiao Huayong.

When she arrived at the Eastern Palace, she saw Xiao Huayong wearing a heavy fox-trimmed cloak, standing at the entrance, eagerly waiting.

Same position, same person, but circumstances had changed. Those two red maples were still bright red, but they no longer had that fierce vitality like fire as when they first met in autumn, instead becoming much more subdued and silent.

“You came. I thought you wouldn’t come anymore…”

He said the same words to her as before. That day his tone held disappointment, worry that she might break their appointment.

Today his tone was joyful yet hiding a trace of uncertainty, a fear that she might not come.

“When Your Highness invites, Zhaoning will come,” Shen Xihe gave a graceful curtsy.

“These past few days, I’ve wanted to see you, but didn’t dare invite you. I feared you would refuse,” Xiao Huayong’s gaze lowered slightly, scattered with points of starlight.

As long as she didn’t mention leaving him, he was always gentle with her, accompanied by a hint of carefulness.

His bottom line was her leaving him.

“Your Highness, Zhaoning is not one to avoid things,” Shen Xihe told him. “Zhaoning is someone who adapts extremely well to any situation. Not everything can go as one wishes – when things cannot be changed, one can only go with the flow and find the greatest comfort possible.”

“So, since marrying me cannot be changed, how will Youyou find comfort?” Xiao Huayong asked with a smile.

“Zhaoning has told Your Highness before, that Zhaoning will be a qualified wife,” Shen Xihe replied with a smile.

“Lifting trays together? Treating each other with respect like guests?” Xiao Huayong let out a pleased laugh from his chest.

Shen Xihe’s reaction was much better than he had expected. The root of everything was simply that she still maintained her proper role, being the Crown Princess she wanted to be. That slight softening toward him had disappeared – this he didn’t fear. He could move her once, so there could be a second time, though this time her guard against him might be stronger.

“Yes,” Shen Xihe didn’t know why he was suddenly so joyful, but she didn’t want to ponder his thoughts.

“I’ve also told Youyou before, I’m not satisfied with just this,” Xiao Huayong’s whole person became warm and gentle.

Tianyuan secretly sighed in relief, cheering in his heart: The storm has passed, the storm has passed, Amitabha!

“Your Highness is not satisfied with this; Your Highness pursues what Your Highness pursues, Zhaoning does what Zhaoning should do,” Shen Xihe said solemnly.

Xiao Huayong strode forward, closing the distance with Shen Xihe. His eyes, gathering starlight like deep oceans, stared intensely at Shen Xihe: “Youyou, you truly are an enigmatic lady. It’s precisely because of this that I’m so fascinated.”

He thought she would make a fuss, complain, or despise him, but she always exceeded his expectations. She was always so calm and composed, never directing her frustration at being unable to change things into hatred for others’ forceful cruelty.

How could there be such a woman in this world – so lovable yet unaware of it, so captivating yet not self-absorbed?

“Thank you for Your Highness’s praise. Should I exchange polite compliments with Your Highness?” Shen Xihe asked in return.

“Hahahahaha…” Xiao Huayong couldn’t help but laugh heartily.