In the bamboo grove, autumn winds brought refreshing coolness, while late chrysanthemums bloomed brilliantly and osmanthus flowers layered their fragrance.

Shen Xihe wore a light blue gown, with pink embroidered ribbons floating down from her bustline. Today, she hadn’t applied flower-shaped makeup, but instead wore elegant hairpins, appearing both refined and alluring.

Bu Shulin couldn’t help but prop her tilted head on one hand, gazing admiringly at the beauty: “I’ve seen many well-bred ladies from noble families, graceful and composed, but compared to you, their flowing movements all seem somewhat affected.”

Bu Shulin couldn’t imagine how Shen Xihe, who wasn’t raised as a noble lady, and who couldn’t practice martial arts, could have developed such grace – even with the distinguished tutors Shen Yueshan had invited. Every movement, and every smile naturally exuded elegance.

Previously, Bu Shulin had despised the elaborate ceremonies and customs of the noble families, finding them awkward and tedious. But with Shen Xihe, she realized that noble bearing could be this pleasing to both heart and eye.

Shen Xihe gave her a faint glance.

“Yes, yes, exactly like that,” Bu Shulin’s eyes took on an intoxicated look. “Just one turn of your eyes carries such charm.”

“If possible, I’d rather not be this way,” Shen Xihe said softly.

Bu Shulin thought of how Shen Xihe’s weakness prevented much movement, leaving her to only handle things that required little energy. Feeling somewhat frustrated, she hastily changed the subject, her gaze falling on Duanming beside them: “Your cat is somewhat…”

She almost spoke the truth – this cat was truly the ugliest she’d ever seen.

Though she hadn’t said it aloud, Duanming seemed to sense the disdain. With a meow, it suddenly pounced, unexpectedly scratching Bu Shulin’s hand and leaving three bloody marks.

The scratches were shallow, so Shen Xihe paid them no mind, instead unable to suppress an amused smile.

When the beauty smiled, it was as if a hundred flowers bloomed before one’s eyes, beautifying the romance of nature and intoxicating time itself.

Bu Shulin completely forgot the pain in her hand and unconsciously said: “Sister Xihe, why don’t you marry me?”

Hong Yu and Zi Yu, who knew Bu Shulin was female, widened their eyes, while Mo Yu directly drew his sword and held it to Bu Shulin’s throat.

Shen Xihe gave Mo Yu a look, and only then did he withdraw his sword.

Realizing what she had said, Bu Shulin felt somewhat uncomfortable. She rubbed her nose and said in a playful tone: “Actually, marrying me would be wonderful. I’d take you across the northwestern desert and over plateau valleys, traveling throughout Shu and ancient Dian. We wouldn’t care about all these complications. Whatever you want to do, I could accompany you, protect you, indulge you.”

Shen Xihe paused slightly, lowering her eyes: “Your Highness if you dare ask His Majesty to bestow marriage, I would dare to marry you.”

The atmosphere suddenly stiffened. They both knew this was impossible, not because of Bu Shulin’s female identity.

Rather, if the Shu South Prince’s manor and the Northwestern Prince’s manor were to be joined in marriage, Emperor Youning would surely be unable to eat or sleep in peace. Their wedding day would be the day when the Northwest and Shu South would have no choice but to rebel for self-preservation.

Seeming to think of something, Bu Shulin picked up the newly filled teacup, her gaze turning slightly cold as she threw her head back and drank it all: “People only speak of how wonderful power is, yet don’t realize that we who are trapped within power are all pitiful creatures.”

Shen Xihe rolled up her sleeves and pressed down Bu Shulin’s hand as she reached for more drink, gently but firmly taking away the teacup: “Why feel melancholy about spring and autumn? You speak of how common people are carefree, yet don’t know that when they fall into poverty and hardship, they can have their families destroyed because of their lowly status.

Born to nobility, we should be grateful. As for the path beneath our feet, we must walk it ourselves. If thorns entangle us, we simply cut them away. They’re just flesh wounds – when the time comes that no one dares harm you, these trivial matters will make you laugh.”

Bu Shulin felt that Shen Xihe possessed a special kind of resilience and clarity. Even talking with her could be infectious. She smiled freely: “I’ve learned from you.”

In her heart, she couldn’t help but feel regret that she wasn’t male. Otherwise, she would certainly overcome all difficulties and make plans – how would they know without trying if such beauty could belong to her?

Suddenly, Bu Shulin felt somewhat jealous of the man who would eventually marry Shen Xihe.

“Princess, the Northern Garrison Marquis has arrived with his wife,” Bi Yu reported.

“You have guests, so I’ll take my leave. I’ll come visit you another day.” Bu Shulin stood up, walked out of the pavilion, and couldn’t help looking back once at Shen Xihe, who was taking another path back to the main hall.

The Northern Garrison Marquis couple had come about the matter of the Ding brothers. Whether it was pointing out the cause of the horse’s loss of control or the later minor punishment that served as a major warning to Ding Zhi, the Marquis couple owed Shen Xihe a favor.

Otherwise, one son would have become a playboy who rode recklessly through the streets, while the other would have become a poison that disrupted the court.

The Marquis couple brought many gifts when they visited, and the Marchioness deliberately tried to get closer to Shen Xihe. However, Shen Xihe remained neither distant nor close, always maintaining a degree of detachment, so the couple tactfully took their leave early.

Early the next morning, Shen Xihe rose to dress and apply makeup, donning formal attire to enter the palace.

Today wasn’t a court day, so Shen Xihe quickly saw Emperor Youning.

“Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty. May Your Majesty be blessed with peace.”

“Zhaoning, no need for such ceremony.” Emperor Youning’s voice carried the depth of a mature man and the ease of an elder. “The journey must have been tiring. We know everything about your affairs in Linxiang County, and will surely give you an explanation.”

“Zhaoning thanks Your Majesty,” Shen Xihe responded respectfully.

“How is your father? Tell us what the Northwest is like now…”

Afterward, Emperor Youning spoke with her at length, mostly about various aspects of the Northwest, his tone heavy with nostalgia.

The previous emperor had been debauched and licentious. To please his favored concubine, he denounced the former empress, now the Empress Dowager, banishing her along with her pair of legitimate sons to the Northwest. It was Shen Yueshan who secretly provided support, and later risked everything to help, allowing the Empress Dowager to lead her eldest son Prince Qian, and younger son Youning back to the imperial city.

Unfortunately, Prince Qian encountered an enemy attack the night before they breached the imperial city – otherwise, this throne wouldn’t have fallen to the one before her now.

For Emperor Youning, the Northwest could be said to be where he grew up.

After speaking with Emperor Youning for an hour, he finally let her go, without mentioning a word about the Xiao family’s affairs.

Leaving the Supreme Hall, Shen Xihe headed left toward the Eastern Palace. Since she had promised yesterday, she naturally had to make an appearance to fulfill proper etiquette.

That enemy attack nineteen years ago had claimed not only Prince Qian and his wife but also the empress who died protecting Emperor Youning.

Upon ascending the throne, Emperor Youning posthumously titled the prince’s wife as empress and decreed that he would never establish another empress in this life, ensuring no one could shake the position of the Eastern Palace’s legitimate son.

How far had the emperor’s favor toward Xiao Huayong, the seventh prince, reached?

All princes avoided using “Hua” and changed to “Zhang,” while the Crown Prince’s allowances matched Emperor Youning’s.

The Eastern Palace was naturally extremely prosperous, even more elegant than the emperor’s sleeping palace.

Just as Shen Xihe reached the Eastern Palace’s main gate, she saw Xiao Huayong in light white round-collared robes standing at the palace entrance, already wearing a great cloak though winter hadn’t arrived, as if eagerly waiting.

Seeing Shen Xihe, his gentle and reserved eyes brightened, and he hurried over, coughing several times before saying: “You came. I thought you weren’t coming.”

His tone carried a barely detectable trace of grievance.