She came to the palace because Xiao Huayong was worried, fearing that Munuha would seek revenge against her. Not wanting to be stubborn and cause Xiao Huayong concern or expose himself, she complied with his wishes to enter the palace. Now that she confirmed Munuha had fled the imperial city, there was no need for her to remain in the palace anymore – five or six days had been long enough.

“Youyou, paint me today,” Xiao Huayong finally relented.

He chose an apricot tree, sat beneath it, and took out his flute to play. As Shen Xihe listened to the melodious flute music, her mood for painting improved considerably. With a faint smile on her face, her brush strokes became inspired.

His flute music never ceased, and Shen Xihe’s brush never stopped. Without realizing it, an hour silently passed. Only when she put down her brush did Shen Xihe suddenly realize it was already nearly time for the evening meal?

“Your Highness, please see if you’re satisfied?” Shen Xihe called Xiao Huayong.

Xiao Huayong held his jade flute behind his back. His first glance wasn’t at himself in the painting, but at the blank space beside him – exactly as he had envisioned. He nodded with satisfaction: “Youyou has painted me quite handsomely.”

Shen Xihe smiled without responding. This man just wanted her to follow his lead and praise his natural good looks.

After being led into conversation by him several times, Shen Xihe had learned to respond with just a smile. Xiao Huayong didn’t mind – he had plenty of other methods. If this approach didn’t work, he would try a different one next time.

Shen Xihe did indeed leave the palace the next day, the reason being that Xiao Huayong had recovered. This recovery meant he could see, but couldn’t see colors – though only Emperor Youning and Xu Qing knew this. Emperor Youning kept it hidden because he didn’t want to depose the crown prince at this time.

Whether he wanted to deal with Shunan, the Northwest, or with Tibet and the Turks, he needed all his officials and sons to work together wholeheartedly, focusing on how to accumulate achievements rather than scheming how to monopolize credit or frame others in the competition for heir apparent.

As soon as Shen Xihe left the palace, Xiao Huayong began handling crown prince duties again. Fortunately, everyone knew of his weak constitution and hadn’t expected much from him. Even after being absent for several days, no work had piled up.

The Emperor had also allowed the diplomatic mission to proceed, and Princess Yangling’s matter temporarily concluded with the nationwide hunt for Munuha.

“His Majesty is quite lenient toward the Turks,” Bu Shulin remarked while eating a pear at Shen Xihe’s place.

Seeing her unrefined manner, Shen Xihe showed some disgust: “His Majesty simply doesn’t want to wage war against the Turks.”

Originally, she had arranged everything. Once Munuha was interrogated, she could have taken the final step, forcing His Majesty and the Turks into inevitable warfare. Shen Yueshan and Shen Yunan had made thorough preparations, ready to catch the Turks off guard.

If they could defeat the Turks, Shen Yueshan and Shen Yunan would have fewer concerns and could focus on guarding against His Majesty.

Unfortunately, someone had interfered, preventing things from proceeding smoothly. Moreover, His Majesty didn’t want to destroy the Turks at this time. If this incident had involved a Tibetan prince instead, His Majesty would likely have been overjoyed.

“Still, many thanks to Youyou,” Bu Shulin awkwardly cupped her hands in greeting while holding half-eaten pears, “If not for this matter, His Majesty would surely have broken ties with Tibet.”

His Majesty had been prepared to break ties with Tibet and launch an attack, but because of the recent friction with the Turks, attacking Tibet now would make the Turks suspect Emperor Youning of seeking world domination. The Princess Yangling incident might become their excuse for future military action, and they would certainly cause trouble when the court attacked Tibet.

Therefore, His Majesty had to temporarily abandon thoughts of attacking Tibet. However, Emperor Youning also rejected Tibet’s request for a marriage alliance, citing that Princess Yangling’s death remained unsolved. With everyone innocent yet suspicious, he wouldn’t easily send a princess for a marriage alliance. Tibet argued strongly but ultimately yielded to Emperor Youning’s firm stance.

Many at court now understood Emperor Youning’s attitude – His Majesty seemed intent on completely closing the path of marriage alliances. This was just the beginning.

“Father sent word that the King of Shunan delivered a batch of dragon bones to the Northwest. I thank you for your vigorous assistance as well,” Shen Xihe said.

“What do you need so many dragon bones for?” Dragon bones were difficult to find because they required many years to form – too short and they weren’t proper dragon bones, too long and they’d crumble to dust at a touch.

“To make a miraculous blood-stopping medicine for wounds,” Shen Xihe didn’t keep it secret.

Bu Shulin nearly fell from her lounging chair. She grabbed the railing to steady herself and asked excitedly: “So miraculous?”

“Indeed so miraculous,” Shen Xihe nodded with a smile.

Bu Shulin rubbed her hands together, putting on an ingratiating smile: “Youyou, considering how close we are… for such a precious thing…”

Meeting Bu Shulin’s heavily suggestive gaze, Shen Xihe said: “We are indeed close, yet I haven’t seen you freely gift me any fine armor.”

“It’s not that I’m being stingy. The fine armor requires a special iron that only Shunan has, and it’s extremely rare,” she truly wished she could be generous.

“Are dragon bones not as rare as this iron?” Shen Xihe countered.

Bu Shulin: …

“How about letting the King and my father negotiate directly?” She felt she wouldn’t get anywhere with Shen Xihe.

“Fine, you can tell my father about the wound medicine,” Shen Xihe had been thinking the same.

The Northwest lacked not only fine armor but also weapons and cotton – things Shunan had in abundance. She had long wanted to trade with Shunan.

Of course, Xiao Huayong had Hua Fuhai behind him, so she could also trade with Xiao Huayong. But Xiao Huayong wanted to win her over, and Shen Xihe didn’t wish to take advantage of him. Such a precious thing as wound medicine should indeed be shared with Shunan.

Only with give and take between both sides could they unite their strength toward a common goal.

Shen Xihe could never have imagined that the Xiao Huayong she was thinking of was at that moment in the Eastern Palace, adding the final strokes to the painting she had given him.

This painting was no longer just Xiao Huayong sitting alone beneath the apricot tree playing his flute. In the painting, Xiao Huayong had one leg straight and one bent, and lying on his straightened thigh was a young woman facing outward, eyes closed with a content smile, seemingly entranced by the flute music or perhaps sweetly dreaming.

This young woman was extraordinarily beautiful and refined – anyone who had seen Shen Xihe would recognize her as the subject.

“She painted me, and I painted her. Together we’ve painted each other – isn’t this something to be envied?” Xiao Huayong hung up the painting and admired it carefully, the smile playing in his eyes adding infinite charm to the beauty mark at the corner of his eye.

Tian Yuan thought beside him: If this weren’t done behind the Princess’s back, it would truly be enviable like a match made in heaven, but Your Highness is doing this secretly…

Xiao Huayong ignored Tian Yuan’s thoughts and eagerly took the painting to his prepared bridal chamber, hanging it in the perfect spot.