The sequence of events was that Princess Yangling was two months pregnant and, for unknown reasons, wanted to find a father for the child. Originally, she had planned to find any suitable nobleman at Princess Consort Dai’s birthday banquet, but by coincidence, it turned out to be Mu Nuha.

One wanted to marry a princess to avoid responsibility, while the other went along with the marriage. However, Princess Yangling might have worried about not maintaining her status in Turkic lands and thought she could deceive everyone about her child; or perhaps something unpleasant happened between them later. In any case, Princess Yangling gave Mu Nuha medicine that caused impotence.

The last letter clearly showed that Mu Nuha had discovered Princess Yangling’s secret, which was why she risked going out in her early pregnancy, evading palace guards to meet Mu Nuha secretly.

It seems Mu Nuha learned about Princess Yangling drugging him, they argued, and he accidentally killed her in a moment of rage.

As for whether such impulsive action disregarding her royal status was unreasonable – as a man, any man would understand this impulse. Put in the same situation, facing a woman who had essentially turned one into a fake eunuch, anyone would likely lose all rationality.

“Forgive my directness, but this matter still seems strange…” Xiao Huayong said softly, coughing twice before continuing, “If Mu Nuha truly killed Yangling by accident, I think he would… try every possible way to escape the city, to protect the other envoys…”

“I have already ordered people to watch the city gates and imposed martial law,” Emperor Youning patted his shoulder. “Don’t worry about them, just focus on recovering.”

“Your Majesty…” Xiao Huayong called out suddenly as he sensed Emperor Youning standing to leave.

Emperor Youning turned to look at Xiao Huayong, who suddenly lowered his head, his ears reddening as he said: “Your Majesty, I wish to see Zhaoning. Might Grandmother summon Zhaoning to the palace for companionship these days?”

Though the palace people’s hearts might not all be under his control, their every move was under his watch. As long as Mu Nuha wasn’t captured, Xiao Huayong worried about Shen Xihe and wanted to bring her into the palace where she would be safer.

Emperor Youning smiled rarely: “You need only ask your grandmother.”

How could the Empress Dowager refuse if Xiao Huayong asked?

“I wish to ask Your Majesty,” Xiao Huayong showed his respect for the Emperor.

This made Emperor Youning’s expression soften: “I will send someone with an imperial edict to summon Zhaoning to the palace tomorrow to accompany the Empress Dowager for a few days.”

“Son thanks, Your Majesty…”

Before Xiao Huayong could bow, Emperor Youning supported him: “Rest well, I will come to see you another day.”

Shen Xihe slept well through the night. Early the next morning, just after finishing breakfast, a palace servant came with the imperial edict. Seeing Tianyuan accompanying the servant, Shen Xihe felt somewhat helpless.

Who would dare defy His Majesty’s edict?

Shen Xihe had to pack some things and enter the palace with Zhenzhu, Hongyu, and Moyu. Before leaving, she couldn’t help but caution Biyu and the others: “You must be careful. Although I suspect Mu Nuha won’t dare show himself easily, he’s also someone who likes taking risks. If he truly suspects I’m responsible but can’t harm me, he might target you to vent his anger and warn me.”

Biyu and the others were moved: “Princess, don’t worry. We won’t leave the residence for these few days.”

Shen Xihe also instructed Mo Yuan further, then added after some thought: “Second Young Lady’s place might also be watched.”

She didn’t want Shen Xihe to be implicated because of her, causing her to owe Shen Xihe.

“Understood,” Mo Yuan agreed.

With the Princess entering the palace, he could assign half his people to the Shen residence. As long as Shen Xihe didn’t go out unnecessarily, there would be no danger.

Shen Xihe thought of this too and wrote a brief letter with just one line, cautioning her not to leave the residence unless necessary these days.

Upon entering the palace, she naturally headed straight for Empress Dowager’s Yong’an Palace. There she saw Xiao Huayong already sitting and waiting for her, though his eyes were bound with a white cloth containing some herbs, making it look puffy with a strong medicinal smell.

“This old woman won’t get in your way, go rest for a while,” the Empress Dowager said a few words to Shen Xihe before leaving, trying to matchmake between Xiao Huayong and Shen Xihe.

“Your Highness, your eyes…”

“Some herbs beneficial for the eyes. Would Youyou like to try them another day?” Xiao Huayong said softly.

These were eye compresses prepared by Linghu Zheng, good for brightening eyes, relieving fatigue, and nourishing vision – suitable for ordinary people.

“Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness,” Shen Xihe declined politely. Her aromatherapy method was equally beneficial for the eyes, and she felt she couldn’t tolerate such a strong medicinal smell pressed against her eyes.

Xiao Huayong smiled, then asked quietly: “Are you… are you angry with me?”

After a moment’s silence, Shen Xihe realized Xiao Huayong was asking if she was angry about his unilateral decision to have her summoned to the palace.

“If Your Highness can let me have peace in the palace, then I won’t be angry with you.” As long as she could have peace without disturbance, a change of location didn’t matter.

As for Xiao Huayong not consulting her before bringing her to the palace, Shen Xihe had no particular thoughts.

Her Princess Manor wasn’t like the Shen residence. She hadn’t put much thought into the Shen residence, which was why Xiao Changying could sneak in, but he couldn’t possibly infiltrate the Princess Manor. Unless Mu Nuha’s martial arts surpassed Xiao Huayong’s and he also understood formation arrays, he couldn’t silently enter her chambers.

“Then… you should be angry with me,” Xiao Huayong decisively gave up.

Though he had schemed to bring her to the palace partly to protect her, it was more because he wanted to be near her. With her so close by, asking him to restrain himself – he wouldn’t do it.

Shen Xihe: …

“If so, why did Your Highness even ask?” Shen Xihe was utterly speechless.

“I just… didn’t want to deceive you,” Xiao Huayong defended himself. “But asking me not to see you – I can’t do that.”

Shen Xihe, who hadn’t been angry before, now felt somewhat angry. How could this person speak so righteously about doing something deliberately annoying?

“Your Highness, are you relying on our betrothal and the fact that I haven’t chosen another to be so fearless?”

Before his true nature was exposed, he at least pretended to be proper. Now he wasn’t even maintaining appearances! Shen Xihe wondered if exposing him had been a mistake.

“Of course,” Xiao Huayong declared righteously. “With this betrothal, I am your fiancé, someone with official status. Having status, shouldn’t I enjoy the rights that come with it? Just as when couples marry, wives can enjoy their husbands’ love, and husbands can receive their wives’ gentleness – isn’t this all-natural? Having status, why shouldn’t I be fearless?

I want you to accommodate me. Since you won’t let me indulge you, that’s your refusal. I want you to treat me well and regard me as your fiancé – this is what I deserve, so why shouldn’t I demand it? I’m not a fool.”

Shen Xihe: …