A gentleman is like a mirror, reflecting others’ ugliness.

For a moment, Shen Xihe felt that discussing schemes and plots with this man before her was a kind of desecration.

“I understand that the Princess is not acting of her own free will, yet refuses to compromise,” Xiao Huayong’s understanding and empathy were touching. “Over these years, you are the first to still hold hope for me, this Crown Prince in name only. For this regard you’ve shown me, I will certainly do my utmost to help mediate for you.”

“Your Highness, are you truly content?” Shen Xihe asked solemnly.

“Heaven has not blessed me – this isn’t mere self-deprecation,” There was a trace of melancholy in Xiao Huayong’s words. “I am not destined for longevity. Rather than exhausting myself pursuing illusory things, I’d rather cherish the present, enjoying each day as it comes.”

“Your Highness believes those words?” Shen Xihe asked again. “Has Your Highness considered how you would handle yourself if one day you were granted longevity?”

“Princess, my refusal to contend doesn’t mean I’m waiting for death,” Xiao Huayong spoke candidly. “Otherwise, how could what you gave me remain safely in my possession until now?”

His display of weakness was perfectly calibrated – if the young girl knew he had no ability to protect himself, she would likely treat him as a disposable piece.

This was truly befitting of an imperial son, Shen Xihe thought with slight satisfaction: “Since it’s been given to Your Highness, it’s entirely up to you to decide.”

Such a deeply guarded girl! His show of candor hadn’t moved her at all.

Her cool, rational clarity made even him take notice.

Xiao Huayong laughed inwardly while maintaining his gentle exterior: “I’ll give it to Second Brother. He’s upright and would never show favoritism. Those who do evil should be severely punished.”

Shen Xihe offered no comment as if avoiding involvement in the topic.

Xiao Huayong coughed several times, and just then, a palace servant knelt at the door: “Your Highness, the Third Prince, and Sixth Prince have arranged a game of cuju and request your presence to watch.”

“Princess, would you like to see the capital’s cuju?” Xiao Huayong asked.

Shen Xihe shook her head in polite refusal: “Zhaoning doesn’t care for such things.”

“Neither do I,” Xiao Huayong smiled. “I’m not as healthy as my brothers and have never played cuju. Sitting in the pavilion watching every time, it becomes tedious.”

Tian Yuan understood and immediately told the servant: “Inform the Third and Sixth Princes that the Crown Prince has guests.”

Seeing Shen Xihe about to speak, knowing she wanted to take her leave, Xiao Huayong spoke first: “Princess seems interested in flora. I’ve collected many rare flowers and plants – would you like to view them?”

Indeed, Shen Xihe wanted to see these rare plants in the Eastern Palace, learn their origins, and perhaps collect some for her residence.

So Shen Xihe accompanied Xiao Huayong to view some scenery. However, Xiao Huayong hadn’t forgotten his weakness – after introducing one courtyard, he appropriately showed signs of fatigue. Shen Xihe then took her leave, and though Xiao Huayong showed reluctance, he didn’t insist she stay.

“Your Highness, the Princess has left,” Tian Yuan returned after escorting Shen Xihe out of the palace.

By now, Xiao Huayong had already removed his great cloak and stood beneath a pomegranate tree. It was the season for pomegranates, with unripe fruits peeking out among the leaves and branches.

“Your Highness, why do you deceive even the Princess?” Tian Yuan didn’t understand.

When they had traveled outside, upon hearing of married couples causing deaths due to misunderstandings, His Highness had said that honesty was precious between husband and wife.

Since His Highness and the Princess weren’t yet married, Tian Yuan naturally didn’t think His Highness should be completely honest now, but he shouldn’t guard against the Princess like those others. Otherwise, when the Princess eventually learned everything, how would His Highness explain?

“Though I am false, she is not genuine either,” They were both acting – one appearing understanding, the other seemingly candid.

The difference was that he knew she was acting, but she might not realize his intentions were entirely false.

“Tian Yuan, if a wolf wants to eat a sheep, and the sheep is clever, how should one hunt?” Xiao Huayong’s lips held a smile.

Tian Yuan scratched his head. If a wolf wants to eat a sheep, no matter how clever the sheep is, it still can’t outrun the wolf.

Moreover, wolves hunt in packs!

Tian Yuan couldn’t follow his master’s thinking. Xiao Huayong didn’t expect him to be clever: “Dress in the grass that sheep love most.”

The highest level of hunting is to disguise oneself as the prey’s prey.

Whatever she wanted, he would become exactly that.

Back at the prince’s mansion, Shen Xihe was also thinking about Xiao Huayong.

He fit her needs too perfectly, like a pillow offered just as one grows sleepy.

Not foolish but not cunning, gentle yet proper, mild but not without spirit.

Such a person, if made to fall deeply in love with her, would surely fight for her once in his lifetime.

Even if he couldn’t clear all obstacles, with him leading the charge, her task would be much lighter, and she could handle the rest.

Everything was going so smoothly.

Yet precisely because it was too smooth, Shen Xihe disliked this feeling. Such feelings were too deceptive, leading to complacency and dependence, before finally throwing one down hard.

The result would be – destruction.

This Crown Prince would need further observation. Fortunately, she hadn’t yet come of age, so there was still time to watch and wait.

For now, she needed to deal with Prince Kang’s mansion and the Xuanping Marquis’s household.

“Mo Yuan, go arrange some matters for me.” Shen Xihe gave instructions for a series of tasks.

She had just entered her chambers, where sharp strands of borneol incense drifted through the ventilated bedroom.

Shen Xihe calmly lit her own specially prepared fragrance and didn’t dismiss Bi Yu and the others. She even took up needlework by the window, engaging in women’s work after a long absence.

Her needlework was good, though she didn’t enjoy it. Since she was putting on an act now, she casually took a handkerchief and fixed it on the embroidery frame. On a whim, she began embroidering fairy grass in the corner.

Hong Yu was outside the courtyard discussing the Eastern Palace visit with Zi Yu. Shen Xihe concentrated on her needlework, and soon lifelike fairy grass appeared on the handkerchief. After about fifteen minutes, there was a sound from the roof beam, and Bi Yu began feeling dizzy.

Mo Yu, suddenly alert, rushed in from outside with sword drawn, thrusting toward the roof. Xiao Changying, who had somehow become dizzy, avoided Mo Yu’s sword but tumbled down.

“Stop!” As Mo Yu was about to thrust his sword at the increasingly weak Xiao Changying, Shen Xihe commanded.

She put down her embroidery frame and handed a sachet to Bi Yu: “Prince Lie, my private chambers are not a place for anyone to enter as they please.”

Xiao Changying barely steadied himself using his sword as a support, Shen Xihe’s reflection growing increasingly blurred in his eyes: “You…”

He wanted to ask when she had poisoned him, but before he could speak, he passed out.

“Princess, how should we handle this?” After taking two deep breaths of the cooling sachet, Bi Yu managed not to faint.

“Strip his clothes and throw him at the entrance of the Sixteen Princes’ Residences,” Shen Xihe commanded coolly.

The Sixteen Princes’ Residences were where princes lived after leaving the palace, concentrated in one area where all the princes were neighbors.